Vancouver strip club marquee cited as hate speech on X

The Penthouse strip club in Vancouver has recently made headlines after their X account was suspended, not for the reasons you might expect. The suspension came after a photo of the club’s marquee went viral, featuring the message “Forever neighbours, never neighbors.” This clever play on words was a satirical jab at president-elect Donald Trump’s recent comments about Canada being America’s 51st state, using the Canadian spelling of “neighbour” to contrast with the American spelling of “neighbor.”

While many found the marquee to be cheeky and humorous, others took offense, leading to the suspension of The Penthouse’s social media account on X. Social media manager Benjamin Jackson was shocked by the suspension, as he believed the message was clearly not hate speech. He speculated that the suspension may have been triggered by supporters of Trump or Elon Musk who flagged the post.

Despite the controversy, the Penthouse marquee is well-known in Vancouver for its witty and topical messages. Previous messages like “Better polls than CNN projections” and “Clothed until further notice” have garnered attention and laughs from locals. However, the recent marquee has gained international fame, with a Seattle businessman even requesting T-shirts with the message printed on them.

Owner Danny Filippone, whose family has owned the club since the 1930s, has been inundated with media inquiries and messages of support. He sees the controversy as a positive for business, with the increased attention likely to attract more customers. Jackson also views the suspension as a blessing in disguise, believing that it has elevated the marquee’s recognition to a new level.

Overall, The Penthouse strip club’s clever marketing tactics have once again put them in the spotlight, proving that sometimes a little controversy can go a long way in generating buzz and interest.