A Deutsches Haus policy aimed at keeping the German cultural club out of political controversies has landed it in the center of one.

On Sunday, members of Deutsches Haus asked an organization that funds abortion services to leave a blood drive being held at the group's Mid-City clubhouse by the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic.

Deutsches Haus is a membership-based nonprofit aimed at promoting German culture. Most days, the clubhouse functions as a bar and event space, where beer flows and brats and pretzels are served. On Sunday, the group donated space to the blood drive, which would normally cost the clinic about $2,000, according to an NOMC employee.  

The Musicians' Clinic, which provides free and low-cost preventive health services to musicians, had invited several community health partners to its sixth annual blood drive at the Deutsches Haus facility.

However, within an hour of setting up a table aimed at raising awareness of its services, the New Orleans Abortion Fund, which offers low-income women financial assistance for abortions, was asked to leave.

Erica Dudas, the managing director of the New Orleans Musicians Assistance Fund that was hosting the event, said two of the members of Deutsches Haus made the request, citing a club policy that bars politically charged groups from holding events there. Because the space was donated and there was no contract for its use, Dudas said, she felt she had to comply. 

“Due to their policy of not having any hot-button political topics … they asked me to ask them to leave,” she said. The Abortion Fund left without protest or incident, she said.

The move by Deutsches Haus ignited a backlash on social media after the abortion group posted that it would not be at the event as advertised. People took to Twitter and Facebook, with some calling for a boycott of Deutsches Haus. 

At least two people who had signed up to donate blood canceled their appointments, according to a member of the Organ Grinders, an adult dance troupe that co-hosted the event. The event garnered 176 units of blood and over 200 people attended, organizers said.

Deutsches Haus President Jack Gonzalez said the Abortion Fund was asked to leave because the group's policy does not allow for the promotion of political or social causes. 

"Our goal at Deutsches Haus is to welcome everyone into our facility regardless of political or social viewpoints ... to a place free of that type of discussion," said Gonzalez. "We do not involve ourselves in political or social debates or topics."

Several critics of the decision, as well as Dudas — who said the Musicians Assistance Fund won't hold its event there in the future — questioned why Deutsches Haus chose to enforce the policy on Sunday against the Abortion Fund when other political topics seemed to be allowed.

“What isn’t a hotbed political topic? The (Musicians' Clinic) provides free services for Medicaid recipients, which is also a hotbed topic,” said Dudas.

On social media, several users pointed to an event on Sept. 4 to be presented by Deutsches Haus and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who is up for reelection this fall.

“That does not square with political neutrality,” said Peter Athas, a political blogger who visited Deutsches Haus for Oktoberfest when it was based in Jefferson Parish.

Julie Samson, Nungesser's chief of staff, confirmed that he plans to host a dinner for Deutsches Haus with chef John Folse. She said Nungesser was asked by Deutsches Haus to host the event.  

"Billy is a life member of Deutsches Haus," said Gonzalez. "He is not presenting in any political capacity. As the lieutenant governor, his job is to promote tourism. That will be the topic of why he is there."

When they approached the Musicians' Fund with the issue on Sunday, the Deutsches Haus members said they would also have asked a pro-life group to leave, according to Dudas. 

Officials from the Abortion Fund declined to comment on the controversy, other than what was publicly posted on the group's Facebook page.

“We really do want the spotlight to focus on the great work of NOMC,” the group said.

Abortion has been a hot-button issue across the country as many states, including Louisiana, have moved to approve so-called "heartbeat bills," which would make it illegal for women to receive abortions past six weeks of pregnancy.

A survey released last week by the Public Religion Research Institute found that Louisianians oppose abortion more than residents of any other state, with 23% saying the procedure should be illegal in all cases. New Orleans is one of three cities in the state with an abortion clinic operating.

The Musicians' Clinic blood drive will run every Tuesday in August from noon to 6 p.m. at a bloodmobile located on Louisiana Avenue near Prytania Street in New Orleans.

This story has been updated. 

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