Louisville Bar Again Under Fire

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

October 07 2009 3:15 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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A Louisville, Ky., bar owner is under fire for the second time after allegedly hurling homophobic and racist comments at his patrons.

The alleged incident happened two weeks ago at Woody's Tavern, when owner David Norton was said to have chased his customers out of the bar, spewed a homophobic slur and names at them, and said to a group of African-Americans, "look at the color of their skin -- you know what's on the tip of my tongue."

Now, a group called the Fairness Campaign is urging Louisville residents to ditch Woody's by handing out fliers on Tuesday that warn of Norton's homophobia and racism. The bar has been closed since the incident, and it sounds like Norton has no plans of reopening.

Last year, Norton admitted to using slurs against minority patrons and publicly apologized in August. But Norton is saying the latest controversy is not based on facts. Norton tells WHAS11News, "[The Fairness Campaign] put me out of business. They campaigned until they put me out of business. I wasn't profane, racist, nasty, or anything else; I told them to get out. I am being abused and accused and that's not fair."