An alleged racist incident at last month's "One Queer Roof" event has sparked controversy in the community.
Several Chicago-based LBGT groups, including Chances Dances, Queerer Park and Stardust/CULT, hosted the 18+ Pride gathering June 16 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.
On June 18, the curator of the blog "Fuck Yeah Fat Dykes" posted a statement claiming that she and two friends had been racially profiled and banned from the event.
The blogger, who did not provide her name, explained that two of the three individuals (two women and one man) are undocumented immigrants who presented Mexican consulate IDs at the door. Lincoln Hall's bouncer allegedly questioned the IDs' validity.
He eventually let the three pass; as they did so, they said to one another, "That's so fucking racist." According to the blog post, an altercation involving the bouncer, manager and the three patrons ensued. The bouncer and manager allegedly cornered the patrons before banning them from the event for using the word "racist."
On June 27, Affinitya social-justice organization that works with Black LBGT communitiestipped off an online discussion by issuing a press release condemning Lincoln Hall's staffers' behavior. The organization argued that Mexican consulate IDs were valid and described the incident as full of "unacceptable distrust and xenophobia."
No members of Affinity were present at "One Queer Roof." Board President Kelly Saulsberry said the nonprofit merely hoped to foster an ongoing dialogue about racism in the queer community.
Event co-organizer Jenae Williams posted on the "One Queer Roof" Facebook page: "There is a lot of anger and fire and passion in these posts ... but there are also a lot of distorted facts. I am a queer womyn of color. I was at the door when this exchange occurred. Mediation was almost impossible on both sides."
In an interview with Windy City Times, Williams characterized the exchange as an isolated incident. She explained that the bouncer had been interrogating all guests, including those who are white and U.S. citizens. The three patrons reacted defensively to the line of questioning, which is standard at clubs where alcohol is served.
"The bouncer was, like, 'Look, it's not about your IDs. I'm supposed to ask questions,'" Williams said. "[The patrons] started yelling at him and calling him a racist, and he very calmly listened. ... He didn't corner them. That's false, completely."
Williams added, "I don't want to dismiss anyone's experience. I'm sorry they felt threatened, but [One Queer Roof] was such an amazing, positive event. It was so cute to see all these baby gays dancing around. I heard from many people that there was no problem inside, and it's sad that one incident is getting all the focus."
Lincoln Hall staffers did not wish to comment. The blogger did not respond to Windy City Times' outreach.