Sydney music venue apologises after security humiliates patron with cerebral palsy

Sydney live music venue the Marlborough Hotel in Newtown apologised late yesterday afternoon to a humiliated patron and sacked two security guards after an incident on the weekend.

The patron, who suffers from cerebral palsy, was celebrating her 21st birthday.

But the two guards denied entry and allegedly belittled and mocked her, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Her friends and eyewitnesses took to social media to report the incident and to call for a boycott of the venue.

One man claimed that one of the guards said to the other, “Watch this disabled bitch fall.”

Another slammed the men’s “disgraceful and discriminating behaviour.”

On Facebook, The Marlborough admitted it “screwed up”.

The post explained, “Early Sunday morning we refused entry to a young lady as we believed she was intoxicated.

“Reality was she had cerebral palsy. And it was her 21st birthday. And we ruined her night.

“We apologise to the young lady, her friends and family. Unreservedly. We apologise for the humiliation and distress that we have caused.

“We are committed to building awareness of this issue with our entire team through intensive anti-discrimination training. Yours sincerely, the Marly.”

A spokeswoman for the Marlborough’s owner Solotel told the SMH that the two guards would not work at any of their other venues.

These include the Albion, Clock Hotel, Courthouse Hotel, The Erko, Green Park Hotel, Kings Cross Hotel, and Opera Bar.

Their security firm will also provide its staff with anti-discriminatory education.