The Minneapolis City Council is moving towards the approval of a dress code ordinance aimed at addressing discrimination in businesses. On Tuesday, the Business, Housing & Zoning Committee unanimously passed the ordinance, which would require businesses licensed to sell liquor or beer to display their dress code near the entrance. This ordinance does not apply to health and safety policies such as 'no shirts, no shoes, no service.' If approved by the full City Council, the ordinance is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, with discussions scheduled for August 27.
The ordinance aims to combat 'velvet rope discrimination,' which refers to the exclusion of individuals from establishments based on race, gender, or orientation. Councilmember Jason Chavez highlighted a specific incident involving a White man and a Black man both wearing similar attire but receiving different treatment at a downtown bar. Chavez, who identifies as LGBTQ, shared his own experience of discrimination when he was denied entry to a bar while wearing a rainbow pouch, contrasting it with another individual who was allowed in.
Chavez stated, 'What we're trying to do here is make sure that people are transparent about their dress code to help prevent that discrimination.' Other council members, including Pearll Warren and Jamal Osman, expressed support for the ordinance, emphasizing that discrimination based on appearance should not be tolerated. Osman remarked that such practices should not be reminiscent of past decades. Council Member Michael Rainville expressed confidence in the ordinance's passage, citing the committee's unanimous support and the hope that it will address community concerns. Fox News Digital reached out for comments from the committee and other council members but did not receive an immediate response.