Comedian Iliza Shlesinger is being sued by a man who says her “Girls Night In With Iliza – No Boys Allowed” comedy show violates laws prohibiting discrimination based on sex in California.
Defendant George St. George said in a legal filing obtained by TheWrap that he and a male friend purchased $25 tickets to the Nov. 13 show at the Largo at the Coronet theater in Los Angeles. They were given their tickets upon arrival, but were told they needed to sit in the back, according to the lawsuit, and soon after, they were denied entry and given a refund.
Attorney Alfred Rava told TheWrap prohibiting his client from seeing the show based on gender was against the law.
“Post-Weinstein, Pre-Weinstein, or Mid-Weinstein environment makes no difference,” Rava said in a statement to TheWrap. “At no time should an entertainer or an entertainment venue require female patrons or male patrons sit in the back of the theater based solely on their sex, or prohibit people from entering the theater and taking in the show based solely on their sex – or their race, religion, sexual orientation, citizenship, or other protected personal characteristic.”
Rava is known for taking on cases he believes violate the 1959 Unruh Civil Rights Act. In 1985, the California Supreme Court found “ladies night” shows violated the act, saying “no matter what their sex” is, “full and equal accommodations” had to be provided to customers.
Ravas argues in the lawsuit that Shlesinger and the organizers “boldly organized, hosted, booked, put on, performed in or at least aided a sex-based comedy show that treated male and female theatergoers unequally based solely on their sex.”
Update: Shlesinger released the following statement through a rep to TheWrap.
“Since this is a legal matter, I’m unable to comment to the specifics of this lawsuit. I will say that of the many shows I do throughout the year, Girls Night In was a singular evening that encouraged women to get together, talk and laugh about the things we go through as well as donate some money to Planned Parenthood. It’s unfortunate that this has now become an issue.”
Pamela Chin contributed to this story.
From 'Wonder Woman' to 'Kidnap': 12 Movies This Year That Bring Strong Women to the Fore (Photos)
Arguably more than any other year, 2017 is a proving ground for films centered around women. For one, "Wonder Woman" is the highest-grossing movie of the summer, also lassoing more money at the box office than any other male-led DC Extended Universe movie -- including "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Here are 12 movies released in 2017 wherein women take command of the big screen.
Various
"Wonder Woman"
Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) takes a big leap forward in her representation of women in film. Coming from the mystical island of Themyscira, she is untainted by the sexist standards of patriarchal society, therefore making her oblivious to and free from the limitations women often experience.
Release date: June 2
Warner Bros. Pictures
"I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore"
This film depicts Ruth (Melanie Lynskey) fighting back against an unjust world. She simply wants “for people to not be assholes.” It's a wild indie comedy-turned thriller-crime flick in which the heroine manages to find empowerment during an existential crisis.
Release date: Feb. 24
Netflix
"A Woman, A Part"
Starring Maggie Siff as an actress who takes a break from her job, this film deglamorizes Hollywood and addresses industry sexism and misogyny. Feminist director Elizabeth Subrin focuses on emotion rather than the male gaze. It was filmed with a majority female cast and half female crew.
Release date: March 17
Strand Releasing
"Beauty and the Beast"
If there’s one movie in which Disney didn’t mess up the casting, it would be this 2017 live-action remake. Played by real-life feminist-activist-role-model Emma Watson, Belle is unapologetic in her rejection of Gaston and his out-of-step values.
Release date: March 17
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
"The ZooKeeper's Wife"
Although there are many movies that tell powerful stories about those who helped European Jews during the Holocaust, "The ZooKeeper's Wife" recognizes the heroism of women and the risks they took. The film follows the story of Antonina (Jessica Chastain), whose oppressed traditional housewife role doesn't stop her from challenging authority in service of a greater cause.
Release date: March 31
Focus Features
"A Quiet Passion"
Emily Dickinson (Cynthia Nixon) rebels against the constraints of a conventional female role often enforced by male figures, using poetry as an outlet for her sexual frustration and romantic independence.
Release date: April 14
Music Box Films
"Everything, Everything"
Outspoken activist feminist and actress Amandla Stenberg, who has 1.3 million Instagram and 306,000 Twitter followers, is known to use her platform to raise awareness of social and political issues. This young adult movie in which she stars features an interracial relationship -- though the film's focus is not on race. Directed by Stella Meghie, the film is based on a novel of the same name by Nicola Yoon -- whose goal was to create a character that her biracial daughter could finally relate to.
Release date: May 19
Warner Bros. Pictures
"Beatriz at Dinner"
The film focuses on Beatriz (Salma Hayek), a masseuse and healer who is unapologetically vocal about the moral wrongs of a privileged businessman, whose ignorance is insulated by the comfort of his double-gated, wealthy hilltop mansion. Being mistaken as part of “the staff” doesn’t stop her from standing her ground against the ignorant, Trump-esque conservative, who is destroying the world one hunted rhinoceros at a time.
Sofia Copolla's retelling of the 1971 film starring Clint Eastwood reworks it through the perspective of women to highlight gender dynamics and female empowerment. Starring Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning, each character is restricted indoors during the Civil War and yearns to explore beyond the confines of their home. Though the arrival of a Union soldier (Colin Farrell) turns their routine lives upside-down, they prove that a man cannot take away their agency by the end of the film.
Release date: June 23
Focus Features
"Girl's Trip"
Four friends reclaim their youth during a wild and raunchy weekend. “Girl’s Trip” is worth watching for the undeniable chemistry of the “Flossy Posse” -- played by Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish. Using the Essence Festival as the setting celebrates both womanhood and the black community, with some musician cameos as a perk.
Release date: July 21
Universal Pictures
"Atomic Blonde"
The new female 007 is also reminiscent of Charlize Theron in “Mad Max” and “Monster,” in that it epitomizes her knack for portraying strong female lead roles. Objectified and underrated by men in the movie, she fights back at not only KGB agents but also against the patriarchy they represent. Also worth recognizing: In performing many of her own stunts, Theron's training was so hardcore that she cracked her back teeth.
Release date: July 28
Focus Features
"Kidnap"
Halle Berry still has it -- even as a distressed mother in hot pursuit of her abducted son. As a female lead who carries the movie, Berry depicts how women can be strong and brave -- even if they are at their most vulnerable.
Release date: Aug. 4
Aviron Pictures
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Ladies, it’s your time to shine on the big screen
Arguably more than any other year, 2017 is a proving ground for films centered around women. For one, "Wonder Woman" is the highest-grossing movie of the summer, also lassoing more money at the box office than any other male-led DC Extended Universe movie -- including "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Here are 12 movies released in 2017 wherein women take command of the big screen.
Various
Warner Bros. Pictures
