Gallery installs toilet and church to remain a women-only space

A women-only exhibition at a Tasmanian museum that received a court order forcing it to admit men has announced it will install a toilet to sidestep the ruling.

The Ladies Lounge at Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art has been open since 2020 and houses some of the museum's most acclaimed works. Playing on the concept of Australian pubs, which were historically male-only spaces, the exhibit only offered women admittance. 

In April, a court ordered men to be allowed entry following a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by Jason Lau, a New South Wales resident.

Kirsha Kaechele, the artist behind the lounge, which has been closed since the ruling, said she plans to install a toilet and a church in the space, which she claims will allow it to continue operating as a women-only space under legal exemptions.

“There is a fabulous toilet coming to the Ladies Lounge and so, in that sense, the Ladies Lounge will operate as a ladies’ room,” said Kaechele.

There are plans to admit men to the exhibit on Sundays to learn ironing and laundry folding.

Despite losing the discrimination case, Kaechele said the outcome had been positive. "Thanks to the ruling,” she said, “We have no choice but to open ourselves to a whole range of enriching experiences – spiritual, educational… to discover fascinating new possibilities, and to become better."