Story posted Thursday, October 22, 2009
Gay Rights Activists Take Aim At Nightclub
ID Protest Planned At Hunter's In EG Township
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
Gay rights activists plan to travel to Elk Grove Township tomorrow night (Friday) to protest a policy at Hunter's Nightclub requiring patrons entering the self proclaimed gay bar to show identification matching their "gender identity."
Patrons who go to the club often do so in "drag". Club managers say they need to see ID's for patrons that accurately match their physical presentation to cut down on underage drinking and prostitution.
A Cook County Sheriff's Police spokeswoman said the club has been located in Elk Grove Township for decades and has had no problems with prostitution or underage drinking they are aware of. Activists object to the club's policy and plan to go to the club tomorrow night en masse, dressed in drag, with ID that will not match their "gender identity."
"It's absurd," said Andy Thayer, a well-known Chicago gay rights activist. "If there is a problem that's not the way to go about it."
A flyer for the event said the club is located in Elk Grove Village.
Elk Grove police issued a statement clarifying that the club is not in the village and said Cook County Sheriff's Police would be in charge of dealing with any disturbances at the club as it is under county jurisdiction.
They also said Elk Grove Village police would be ready to assist Sheriff's Police if they were needed.
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