Armistead Banned From Bathroom

Tales of the City author Armistead Maupin and his husband, Chris Turner, were denied use of the restroom in a bar in Alice Springs, Australia, last week by a staff member who told them the facility was "reserved for real men."

ABC News Australia reports on the incident that occurred when the men entered Bojangles Saloon to have lunch.

"According to Mr Maupin, they were told to take a seat, after which Mr Maupin's husband Chris asked if he could use a rest room.

"'The guy said, 'sorry, we don't have one in here but you can go across the street to the public facility.'

"Mr Maupin, who had used the toilet in Bojangles the day before, said he pointed in the direction of the toilet and said 'what's that over there?'

"'[The barman] gave me a very pointed look and said that's reserved for 'real men'," said Mr Maupin."

Maupin and Turner promptly left the saloon and filed a complaint with the Visitor Information Centre. Maupin said they received a response within a day from the tourism office, which conveyed that the owner of Bojangles extended his apologies. The author posted an account of the incident on his Facebook page and said the reaction of support from people all over Australia has been "quite extraordinary."

On Thursday morning, Maupin posted the following statement on Facebook: "Just to be clear: There are no apologies necessary from either Alice Springs or Australia. I've never felt more welcomed by a country. This was a lone gunman, and we just handed him his balls on a platter. It's over."