Login / Registerso my confession is that i dated this man.
This is how it always starts on these type of things and then theres always a twist which ill get too but
Breastfeeding mom claims discrimination at Bard on the Beach
Bard on the Beach is being accused of discrimination after a breastfeeding mother said she had been barred from attending a Saturday matinee performance of As You Like It.
In an email to the Straight, Leanne Scorah, a doula, said she had been denied entry to the play by the house manager because she was wearing her eight-week-old infant son in a sling.
“We were told we were not permitted to enter because our breastfeeding newborn...might make a noise,” said Scorah. “We told them that just like anyone who had a cough, we were respectful and capable of moving outside if we anticipated a noise.… We explained that our breastfeeding infant needs to be with its mother to stay alive, much like a person with special needs may need an oxygen ventilator, or insulin machine, or wheelchair.”
Scorah said she was told that all families with children under seven years old are “denied entry.”
“We strongly feel that this is a violation of human rights and discrimination against breastfeeding mothers, and possibly others,” said Scorah.
The Straight has requested an interview with both Scorah and a representative from Bard on the Beach.
Bard's ticketing web page clearly states: "In consideration of the actors and other patrons, infants and children under the age of 6 will not be admitted."
What do you think? Was Bard on the Beach right to prevent an infant from attending a performance? Lord knows we’ve all had the experience of being disturbed by unruly kids during a show. But given that there are those rare infants who will sleep or suckle quietly through just about anything, does it make sense for a performing arts organization to have a blanket policy barring babies?
Sometimes you have to compromise on the things you love to do when you have children...maybe next year she can pump and leave the child with a sitter and have a lovely night out with friends and loved ones.
One of the things we have to remember is that love of art/music/theatre does not magically begin when a child is old enough to keep quiet. In fact, by that time, they probably want nothing to do with what their parents enjoy. In order to foster a sense of love of the arts for future generations, we need to make it accessible to those future generations while they are young enough to feel that sense of wonder. Historically, threatre and music would have not been encased in the bubble we now place it. Audiences were raucous and would have included all ages!
It's Shakespeare, for crying out loud, not RAFFI.
Parents are always saying what a gift children are. Great! Enjoy them! We're just saying take them to a MOVIE, not a live theatre production where acute concentration is needed, and where people are paying $40+ a ticket.
It ain't about breastfeeding. I don't care about breastfeeding.
But I sure as hell don't want crying babies, irritated toddlers, or bored first-graders in the audience when I'm trying to watch Othello or something.
Get a babysitter and suck it the hell up, like most attendees would prefer you do.
As for Miss Whiny McButMyKidIsDifferent there, get over it.
I'd be PISSED OFF if she'd gotten seated next to me, and I'd have complained. Way to go, Bard, for sticking to your very understandable guns.
She wrote a letter to the media because she wanted attention... She's already taken the baby to two other live performance places. I suspect she was going to go to as many as needed to find the fight for which she was searching.
Also, shame on her for calling this breastfeeding discrimination. She is certainly welcome to breastfeed her child anywhere her child is welcome. Would she call it discrimination if her child were denied entry to a 19+ bar because she needs to breastfeed and also wants to see the hottest new cover band at the Roxy?
Get over yourself, Ms. Scorah, and perhaps in that spare time you found where you won't be attending Bard performances, focus on teaching your child and yourself some awareness and consideration of the rest of the people you share the world with.
"Parents of young children should realize that few people, and maybe no one, will find their children as enchanting as they do." ~ Barbara Walters
The question posted for the Poll is also troubling.
it's so the kid doesn't start screaming and screw the actors up on stage. this 'doula' only has to worry about putting her tit in the kids mouth once in awhile and wiping poo. the people on stage have to memorize a script and only get one take.
lol needs to be with it's mother to stay alive. my entire family has used the tit milking machine to keep milk for somebody else to look after their kid while they go out.
Vancouver, please, please, please understand that making this city into a resort municipality for old, "green," monied people will not make it a better place, or a more "sustainable" place. Just an ugly place.
Get a babysitter? Add $45 to $75 for the evening. This ain't the 1970s, peeps.
If that worked, why would Bard on the Beach have made a no children under 7 rule? Somehow I doubt they just really enjoy having upset parents tell them what jerks they are.
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