A handful of anti-LGBTQ+ protesters regularly stand outside the mall that houses UpRising Bakery and Cafe in Northwest suburban Lake in the Hills. That was the case again Oct. 1, the start of LGBTQ+ History Month, when Windy City Times co-founder Tracy Baim did a presentation on Chicago-area LGBTQ+ history.
Several pro-LGBTQ+ counterprotesters also stood outside in support of the cafe, which came under fire when it planned to host a "Starry Night Drag Brunch" on July 23. After vandalism, a dispute with the village and protests, the postponed event took place Aug. 7.
Jim Bennettchair of the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes and director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)did a Q&A with Baim, and also took questions from the few dozen people gathered at the cafe. There was a constant stream of customers ordering baked goods, and there were no problems inside the business.
Pastry chef and owner Corinna Sac welcomed customers with a smile, despite the intense scrutiny she and her team have faced all summer.