A GROUP OF MEN who paid $1,000 (around €750) each to attend a party at Hugh Hefner’s infamous Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles have launched legal action against the operators.

But rather than the more predictable claims that the women who work there are subject to sexual discrimination, the men claim that they themselves were discriminated against – because good-looking women didn’t have to pay in like they did.

TMZ reports that the group – being figureheaded by one member, Steve Frye – are suing on the basis that they were discriminated against by being asked to pay into the party, when “gorgeous ladies” were not subject to the same charge.

They also claim – evidently without irony – that offering lady visitors free entry served to promote “harmful, negative stereotypes”.

The group are seeking unspecified damages.

DNA India said the party – a ‘Leather Meets Lace’ party, held last month – was held to benefit the autism awareness charity run by former playmate Jenny McCarthy.

The case mirrors a similar one brought in 2009, when a visitor sued the mansion after being charged $625 to enter a party to which attractive women were given free entry.

Playboy claims it had rented out the entire venue for the party and did not set the admission prices.

Previously: LA outbreak of Legionnaires’ may originate from Playboy Mansion hot tub >