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Gender Discrimination Allegations Against MONA Ladies Lounge

Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art, located in Hobart, Tasmania, is known for its provocative and controversial exhibits. However, recently it has come under fire for an installation called the Ladies Lounge, which has been accused of discriminating against men based on their gender.

The Ladies Lounge, created by artist and curator Kirsha Kaechele, is a space adorned with plush green curtains, extravagant decor, and original works by renowned artists such as Picasso and Sidney Nolan. The installation, opened in December 2020, is open to “any and all ladies,” excluding men except for the male attendants who serve the women within the lounge.

The controversy began when Jason Lau, a male visitor to the museum, was denied entry to the Ladies Lounge in April 2023. Lau subsequently lodged a complaint with Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, alleging that he was discriminated against on the basis of his gender.

The matter was brought before the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in Hobart, where Lau expressed his disappointment at being denied access to an exhibition for which he had paid an admission fee. Lau argued that any ticket holder should expect equal access to the museum’s offerings.

In response to the accusation of discrimination, artist Kirsha Kaechele and her lawyer Catherine Scott defended the Ladies Lounge, stating that the exclusion of men was integral to the concept of the artwork. Scott cited a legal exception that allows for discrimination if it promotes equal opportunity for a disadvantaged group, suggesting that the installation’s gender-specific nature serves a larger artistic purpose.

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Kaechele explained that the Ladies Lounge was inspired by historical male-only spaces in Australia, such as the “ladies lounge” areas of past public bars. She also highlighted ongoing gender disparities in Australian society, including the gender pay gap and the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles.

Despite the criticism and complaints, Kaechele remained steadfast in her defense of the artwork, refusing to issue a formal apology or allow men access to the Lounge at a discounted rate. The tribunal is expected to deliver a decision on the matter in the near future.

Regardless of the outcome, the controversy surrounding the Ladies Lounge has sparked important conversations about gender discrimination, art, and representation in the art world. It has brought attention to the ongoing struggles faced by women in various facets of society and serves as a reminder of the power of art to provoke thought and discussion.

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.