A vegan café in Australia has implemented a “man tax” in an effort to spread awareness about the gender pay gap and to check men's "privilege."
The Handsome Her café in Melbourne, Australia, is charging male customers an 18% tax for its goods and services.
The establishment also gives women priority seating.
“I do want people to think about it, because we’ve had this (pay discrepancy) for decades and decades and we’re bringing it to the forefront of people’s minds,” owner and feminist Alex O’Brien said.
"I like that it is making men stop and question their privilege a little bit,” she added.
Many allegedly support the gender-based tax. O’Brien claims "there’s been nothing but positivity from everyone, males and females," with one male patron going so far as to donate $50 as a show of his support.
Others have labeled it sexist and discriminatory.
According to Metro, one Twitter user wrote, “We now raise 'awareness' and debate it with discrimination toward men… but we must have be equals to men!”
Another said, "At the very least they are telling the world how much they despise males. Silver lining? It might wake a few more people on the fence."
The café says it will donate the extra money raised by the “man tax” to a women’s charity.
Does the idea have merit or is it discrimination masked as social justice? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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