Badlands, a popular LGBTQ+ club in Sacramento, California, has banned all “MAGA-related attire” after a patron wore a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat to the venue.
The phrase and its acronym have been popular among Donald Trump’s supporters since the president’s first term.
Badlands owner TJ Bruce announced the new policy on the club’s Instagram page, saying the hat “led to discomfort among some patrons.”
“We initially decided to ban all political attire to avoid further issues. However, after careful consideration, we’ve realized that a blanket ban is not the right approach,” they said. “Moving forward, MAGA-related attire will not be allowed in the venue. This decision is not about banning political beliefs — it is about ensuring that Badlands remains a space where our community feels comfortable and supported.”
The customer who donned the MAGA hat, Steven Bourasa, said it was the first time he’d worn the hat to a gay bar.
“I said, ’What the heck? Let’s see what happens,’” he said in an interview.
Bourasa added that he had a “pleasant time” at Badlands and ran into no problems, so he thought the night went well and was surprised to hear of the new policy.
While a local gay conservative group called the policy “a disappointing move that prioritises division over the fundamental American principle of free speech”, Alice Malmberg, who lives near Badlands, which is located in the city’s Lavender Heights “gaybourhood,” said she found the decision to prohibit MAGA attire at the club understandable.
“Given the current political climate and what’s been going on and how the administration has been behaving toward certain groups, especially the LGBTQ community, I can understand why they made that decision,” she said.
