Chicago bar enforces identification rule on cross-dressing patrons

[Shana A]

Chicago bar enforces identification rule on cross-dressing patrons

By Brian Cox and Lisa Black | Chicago Tribune (MCT) | Posted: Sunday, September 20, 2009 5:50 pm

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_6d081a70-a638-11de-92ed-001cc4c002e0.html

CHICAGO -- An Chicago gay bar popular with cross dressers now requires them to show a valid photo ID that matches their ``gender presentation.'' Put another way, they now need a photo ID that shows them in drag.

Hunters Nightclub in Elk Grove reluctantly imposed its new ID requirement because cross-dressing prostitutes were advertising on Craig's List and mentioning the establishment, said manager Peter Landorf.

``They're implying they're coming here,'' said Landorf, whose new rule could cut down on his cross-dressing clientele. ``If it is prostitution in any form, that could cost me my liquor license.''

[Julie Marie]

This is an ongoing battle between the CDs who frequent the place and the owners.  They first instituted this rule over a year ago and there was immediate outrage from the TG community.  (No outside protests, it was all through the Internet, of course.)  Hunter's relented and went back to their old policy.

About a month ago, they re-instituted the new policy but this time stuck to their guns.  I've been there a couple of times and don't like it.  It's loud, crowded and almost impossible to hold a conversation.  The few TGs who frequent the place all sit in one location at the bar.  I've seen more than one be approached and leave only to come back later and take their seat.  Talk was they go across the street to a motel.  One time I saw a CD and 'friend' do just that.  So the owner has a valid point.  But it's not like gay guys aren't taking an occasional trip out to the parking lot so there may be an element of discrimination here.

But I'm not sure this new policy will get rid of the CD prostitutes.  The talk now is to encourage TGs who want to frequent Hunter's to get a state ID with themselves en femme.  Many have already done it, according to the community talk I see on Yahoo forums.  Still, I find it funny that those same people who go out looking for a one night stand when en femme are afraid of going to the DMV to get a photo ID with themselves en femme.  I'd be a lot more worried about STDs than funny looks from DMV workers.

Julie

[sd]

What will the bar do once they start coming back with "proper ID".
It's not hard to get a second license, one as male, one as female "I uh, lost my old one".

Fix the problem, refuse them service if they suspect something, it's better than losing a part of your clientele.

[GinaDouglas]

It strikes me as unlawful discrimination.  They can require a legal ID, but they can't tell you how to dress.

[jesse]

well i have worked in bars the id has to match the person and be visually identifiable what i would do if they presented the id dressed as female and the id was male is look for similaritys if i couldnt make it out as the same person (and this is Doubtful) then i would have to refuse entry but i think they probably are dealing with an idiot door person and by the way the owner of the bar cant lose a liqure license if the prostitution isnt occuring in the bar they would have to prove he knew what was going on in the hearing and if he does eject them from the bar.
jessie

[Shana A]

Dressed as a Woman But Your ID Says You're a Man? You Can't Enter This Chicago Bar

http://www.queerty.com/dressed-as-a-woman-but-your-id-says-youre-man-you-cant-enter-this-chicago-bar-20090921/

Hunters Nightclub in Chicago could soon become a gay household name not because police raided it Stonewall style, and not because of allegations of drugs or public sex, but because of the way it's cracking down on cross-dressing hookers: By forcing patrons to present photo ID that matches their "gender presentation" as they enter the club.

Officially, the new ID policy is to crack down on cross-dressing prostitutes advertising their services on Craigslist, and using Hunters as a place to do business. But by forcing everyone, including men dressed "ladies of the night," to show ID with a photo of them dressed as the gender they look like, Hunters is also discriminating against transgender/transexual clientele. And dudes who just like to dress up as ladies now and then.

more stories

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Gay-Bars-New-ID-Policy-is-a-Drag-60002257.html

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-14177.html

[Suzy]

Chicago is a big place.  There are other establishments who would like to take money from anyone regardless of their appearance.  Seems like a pretty easy problem to fix.

Kristi

[Julie Marie]

I don't think this discriminates against TS clientele as they, hopefully, would have their IDs up to date if they transitioned.  I could get in no problem but I don't really care for the place.

The "underground" talk for years is Hunter's is the place to go for CDs is you are looking for sex.  I know of no other place in the Chicago area with that reputation.  The first time I was there, about five years ago, my friend pointed to an area at the bar that had a wall right behind it.  All along that wall was CDs, TGs who my friend said were waiting for a hook up.  That's the kind of reputation Hunter's has had.  Maybe they want to clean that up now or maybe it's gotten so out of control they have to clean it up or lose their license.

If you want to go to the classiest gay bar in Chicago go to Sidetrack.  But if you want seedy you can find that too.  As Kristi said, there's plenty of places to go.  But it's what you're looking for that attracts you to certain places.

Julie

[sd]

It strikes me as unlawful discrimination.  They can require a legal ID, but they can't tell you how to dress.

Yes they can, it's called a dress code. Many establishments have one.

They have the right to refuse service being that it is a private place.

[GinaDouglas]

Yes, they can enforce a dress code, but it can't be arbitrary and capricious.

As for recognizable, there is signature matching.