Peoria gays react to unwelcome sign

[FreeState]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-peoria-gay-bar-17apr17,0,7371226.story



In bright yellow capital letters, the sign on the karaoke bar in downtown Peoria was clear: "WE ARE NOT A GAY BAR!!"

The local gay community got the message. And it apparently was just the rallying cry it needed.

In a flurry of forwarded Facebook, MySpace and text messages, a coalition quickly mobilized and dozens of gay rights supporters lined up last weekend outside The Elbo Room to express their outrage. The sign, they said, might as well have read, "Gays are not welcome here."

"The sign was basically a sign of intolerance, and we're not going to stand for it anymore," said Stephanie Worlow, 27, one of the organizers of the protest that drew nearly 40 people. "It's time that we as a community stand up for ourselves. We're not going to stand for intolerance anymore."

The group held three protests last weekend, one of which drew the attention of paintballers, who fired on the crowd. Police had no suspects in that attack.

snip....

"This is the first time we've mobilized for a situation like that," said Dawn Scally, 35, of Peoria Heights. "Let's finally do something and get together and stop taking everything as it comes. Let's take a stand and try to have a voice for the community."

For decades, the bar on Main Street had been called the Quench Room and was known as a gay bar, longtime residents said. In the 1990s, ownership changed hands and it became a karaoke bar, said Peoria Councilwoman Barbara Van Auken, whose district includes the bar. Although gay patrons continued to frequent the spot, tensions between them and the bar owner have boiled over recently concerning public displays of affection, according to the gay customers.

"I had my hand on my girlfriend's knee and I was told, 'We don't do that in this bar,' " Scally said.

[Chipper Chat]

1. Then get rid of the neon green paint and the powder blue Miller Lite sign.

Oh, Mary!

[Bertha Venation]

2. I'd hurt that bar owner in the worst way possible.

Withdraw my business.

Perhaps he was getting enough business from gay people that it would really hurt if they all stoped patronizing the establishment.

[sui generis]

4. agreed - I guess karaoke money is greener than gay money

who knew :shrug:

[NMMNG]

3. Fine

Now who are they going to blame when his business goes under because all of the LBGT people and their allies stop going there? I don't imagine a handful of crotch-scratching freepers can support the place.




Freaking hateful a-holes.

[mitchtv]

5. let's hope nobody "trips"

and sue's them

[cbiz]

6. I went to college down in

that area :: cringe :: I unfortunately know exactly where that bar is - Hopefully as Bertha pointed out above, if people stop going to that unfortunate arm pit, I mean Elbow Room, no one will have to worry about "that" in "this" bar, 'cuz it won't be there.

[friedgreentomatoes]

7. I would differ.

As hateful as it sounds to some, designating something as "gay bar" might give the impression the majority of ppl patronizing are gay. that would make some ppl not go there.
it does not say gays not welcome.
and before you start, lemme clarify, i am gay.
I know i know that does not allow me to condone homophobia. but i don't see it as homophobia.
what i would like to know, however, is that was this bar evern publicized as a gay bar by the grapevine and/or management?

[ropi]

8. and i shall differ here... read the article..

i quote :

"For decades, the bar on Main Street had been called the Quench Room and was known as a gay bar, longtime residents said. In the 1990s, ownership changed hands and it became a karaoke bar, said Peoria Councilwoman Barbara Van Auken, whose district includes the bar. Although gay patrons continued to frequent the spot, tensions between them and the bar owner have boiled over recently concerning public displays of affection, according to the gay customers"

What exactly does "Diesel is down the street" mean? I know the area well too and Diesel is the known gay bar in Peoria. The sign, in an underhanded way states that you're not welcome here and that the gay bar is down the street.

[roughsatori]

13. I would Smash the windows, deface the building

beat the shit out of the heterosexuals who try to stop me - only if they throw the first punch. I am not promoting violence, it was just a beautiful daydream. I am Buddhist, after-all. But the Stonewall Queens will always be my heroes, fighting the violent instruments of a police state - the cops. If you're heterosexual, you might not understand, as that is the current way at DU.

[iris27]

9. The article makes it pretty clear that gays aren't welcome.

"I had my hand on my girlfriend's knee and I was told, 'We don't do that in this bar,' " Scally said.

[mitchtv]

10. the message is clear

no Gays please. Not homophobic? please darling

[bluedawg12]

11. A simple "Under new management" sign might have done the same

without the gay reference.

[xchrom]

12. i spent many an hour in the Quench Room. nt