LGBT Nightclub In Sacramento Bans All MAGA-Related Attire
The new policy was announced after a patron showed up in a MAGA hat, making other guests uncomfortable.
A popular LGBTQ+ nightclub in Sacramento, California has decided to ban all ‘Make America Great Again’ merch.
Badlands announced the new policy on social media, sharing the decision was made after a guest came into the bar wearing MAGA attire. Other patrons of the LGBTQ+ hotspot felt uncomfortable, thinking they were walking into a safe space but coming face-to-face with a Trump supporter.
“Moving forward, MAGA-related attire will not be allowed in the venue,” Badlands owner TJ Bruce wrote. “The decision is not about banning political beliefs—it’s about ensuring that Badlands remains a safe space where our community feels comfortable and supported.”
Steve Bourasa, who spoke with KCRA3, believes he is the reason behind the new ban. Bourasa said he wore a MAGA hat to the venue a few days before the bar announced the ban.
“I’ve never worn a red Trump hat to the gay bars before. I said, What the heck? Let’s see what happens,” he said. Bourasa said it was a “pleasant time” and left on his own after a few hours. He claimed he didn’t realize anyone was uncomfortable with his MAGA hat and was surprised to see the bar’s new policy.
According to CBS, Bourasa wasn’t the only conservative at Badlands that night. He was with a group from The Log Cabin Republicans, a political group representing LGBT conservatives, for the California GOP Convention.
Preston Romero, the president of The Log Cabin Republicans, told KCRA13 that he does not agree with the bar’s ban.
“This decision is not based upon protecting our community. It’s about bullying and singling out one particular political ideology. And we believe that that’s unfair,” he said.
Badlands had originally planned to ban all political attire in response to the MAGA hat, in order to “avoid further issues.” However, after further consideration, Bruce said the bar “realized that a blanket ban is not the right approach.”
“We appreciate everyone’s understanding and respect as we continue to maintain the environment that makes Badlands a place for all to enjoy.”
This news follows the controversy surrounding Chatterbox Jazz Club, an LGBTQ+-friendly bar in Indianapolis. A bartender refused service to a woman in a MAGA hat. The woman, in typical Republican fashion, videoed the interaction and blasted the bar on social media. Other venues have been quick to express their support for the bar’s decision. The Mouse Trap, a music venue in Indianapolis, even called the woman’s video an “intentional setup.”
Bars that cater to and support the LGBTQ+ community have a decision to make: keep anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and attire out of their bars for the safety of their longtime patrons or roll over to a conservative agenda and put their guests’ safety at risk. Hopefully, we see the trend of banning MAGA attire continue to keep the integrity of queer spaces alive.
