Cross-dressers challenge bar ID policy
by John Lund
Oct 27, 2009
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=143475 (http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=143475)
Cross-dressers showed up en masse at a suburban gay bar over the weekend to test the bar's policy requiring photo identification matching the patron's appearance.
Some of those turned away joined preparations to file a complaint with the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
More than two dozen people gathered in the parking lot of Hunters Nightclub in an unincorporated area outside Elk Grove Village Friday night dressed in drag and gender-variant clothing to protest the bar's door policy.
There was some inconsistencies that night. When the crowd was gathered outside, MTFs were allowed in but asked to leave after the crowd dispersed, even ones with matching IDs. Attendees said FTMs were allowed in and allowed to stay.
There was a lot of controversy among the various TG groups here. Some felt this wasn't the hill they wanted to die on and it portrayed TGs improperly (CDs who prostitute themselves). But most agreed it was simply discrimination. One person said the bar owner "liked twinks" and had no use for TGs.
Whatever the case, it never speaks well for us when members in the community publicly air their differences.
Julie