Darwin nightclub Monsoons refused a man entry because he was wearing purple flats with bows on them

A YOUNG gay man was refused entry to a Darwin nightclub because he was wearing “inappropriate footwear”.

Homophobic slurs

A WOMAN claims Monsoons bouncers told her gay cousin “it’s not Throb” when refusing him entry to the club on Saturday night because of his shoes.

The 23-year-old was sporting a pair of purple flats, complete with bows, when he was turned away and told “it’s not Throb, if you don’t like it go and don’t come back”.

His cousin, Heleama Whiting, 19, who was with him at the time – along with his sister Thecla Brogan (pictured above) – was wearing a pair of Havianas thongs but says she was allowed to go in.

“I do think it’s homophobic because I was wearing shoes that weren’t enclosed and they said I could go in,” she said. “We lined up and the lady was like ‘he can’t come in his shoes aren’t enclosed’ but they were.

“I said ‘what is it because they are purple?’ then a bouncer said he could come in and so I went in but when I turned around to see where my cousin was he wasn’t there. Heleama said another bouncer had stepped in to tell the man he wasn’t allowed in.

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“That’s when he said the thing about it not being Throb,” Heleama said.

“I just think it’s really funny considering they host events with drag queens.

“It made me mad and my cousin was pretty upset and hurt over it all.”

When contacted by the NT News, Monsoons general ­manager Michael Collins was shocked by the complaint. “We’re about the biggest gay-friendly pub in the country,” he said. “No we’re not Throb, but we’re the next best thing.”

Mr Collins said Monsoons prided itself on its inclusive nature and would love the man involved to give him a call or drop in and see him. “If that did happen I would like to get to the bottom of it ... that attitude is just not Monsoons,” he said.

Earlier this year Monsoons hosted an event to support and help raise funds for Darwin’s first float at the 2015 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.