Austin: New Bar Owners Refuse Gay Customers

Owners of a bar that was originally a gay bar have reportedly started strictly barring gay patrons from entering

The owners of an Austin bar that used to cater to an LGBT clientele now has a new owner that reportedly has started turning away non-straight patrons.

The Red Room changed ownership last week, and since then, the new owners have advised the staff that the bar will no longer be deemed a gay bar, according to former Red Room bartender Josh Moon. Gay patrons were then asked to leave on Friday night, the first night of operation under new ownership, KVUE News reports.

He said he also heard the man tending to the door tell patrons, "This is not a gay bar anymore, you're not welcome. You can't come in."

While the owners claim a private event led to the gay patrons being asked to leave, Moon said a Facebook invitation for Friday night posted by the Red Room only calls the evening a "Grand Opening," and there was no indication that it was a private event.

Watch the report below from KHOU.com.