The New York City, Meatpacking district restaurant Bagatelle is finding itself being sued once again this time for one of it’s manager’s “writing up” a gay bartender for dressing “like a faggot.”
“(He) wears Barbie T-shirt behind the bar. Terrance looked like a gay porn star,” said the write-up, of bartender Terrance McCleveland, according to the New York Daily News.
McCleveland says the write-up was retaliation for going over the manager’s head to the owner in a request for a schedule change.
McCleveland continues to work at Bagatelle “because he can make a good living and not all bartending jobs are as lucrative” and says that management has not apologized to him, and directed coworkers to watch him.
McCleveland said he had been wearing “a plain black T-shirt — a little smaller than usual” — but there was nothing on it about Barbie.
“He put it on the bar for everyone to see. McCleveland says he was “embarrassed and humiliated” by the manager, who was suspended for a week.
He’s suing for more than $1 million in damages.
Bagatelle is also the subject of another lawsuit, according to the NYDN:
Last month, the restaurant was sued in Manhattan Federal Court, accused of discriminating against diners who are minorities by banishing them to cramped tables out of sight.
A spokesman for Bagatelle issued a statement saying that the owners “take any allegation that suggests we discriminate against our employees or our patrons very seriously and we want to assure everyone that we do not allow or condone discrimination of any kind.
“While we don’t comment on pending litigation, we intend to defend ourselves vigorously against these claims.”
Hey Will, maybe the two of us should go there and see where they seat us. I’ll split the lawsuit money with you 50/50.
Time for Bagatelle to close its doors permanently.
Too many fantastic restaurants in NY to fart around with this food shack.