Females-only ‘Wonder Woman’ screenings draw grrl power, and grrs, too
Some object to solegender showings as violation of city code.
Women strode through the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz theater doors in Wonder Woman dresses, shirts, knee socks, headbands and arm bands Tuesday night. They posed for photos in front of a Rosie the Riveter-style “We Can Do It” poster. They waited excitedly to see their superhero.
Almost as if they weren’t the stars of a nationwide controversy.
The Drafthouse’s two femaleonly “Wonder Woman” screenings Tuesday evening sold out quickly. They drew widespread attention, both for the theater’s vow that all attendees and employees would be women (or identify as such) and for its snarky defense of the policy to detractors online.
Austin City Hall, meanwhile, received at least half a dozen complaints that banning men from a movie screening — or even pledging to do so — violates city anti-discrimination ordinances.
“I had no idea it was going to be a big problem,” said Sarah Wood, an attendee who said she was drawn to the different energy of seeing a movie celebrating a strong woman in the company of other women all doing the same thing.
Seatings for both screenings went smoothly at the theater. The League of Women Voters handed out voter registration forms. Little girls jumped up and down. One woman asked for a comment card “because I think this is so awesome.”
Two men attempted to buy tickets, but were told the screenings were sold out. One of them was Damian Biondo, a local lawyer and bisexual man, who said he’s experienced discrimination and had to see what was going on at the screening for himself.
“On the one hand, it’s not a big deal, but, on the other hand, it means a hell of a lot to a lot of