At Chicago Gay Bar, Drag Queens Need IDs of Themselves in Drag

Hunters Nightclub, in Elk Grove Village outside of Chicago, recently implemented a new entrance requirement because of cross-dressing prostitutes. However, the new rule (a valid photo ID that matches their "gender presentation") is presenting some issues for transgender people. The Chicago Tribune reports:

"Hunters Nightclub reluctantly imposed its new ID requirement because cross-dressing prostitutes were advertising on Craigslist 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.' Under the new admission rule, cross-dressers must have a government-issued photo ID that looks like the person presenting it at the bar. That, of course, is a serious hurdle for people like Andy, a 'part-time transgender woman' who lives in Goshen, Ind., but goes to Chicago to 'dress' as Jeanette. The ID requirement is unfair, he said.' Since I am not a full-time trans, it is not really feasible for me to have my 'femme' photo on my license,' he said. 'I do not even know if they would allow it. ... This is discrimination, pure and simple.' And, according to Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, it could be."

The club's owners say they are working on a solution.

At 10, Anderson Cooper Went to Studio 54 with Michael Jackson

Anderson Cooper shared a personal Michael Jackson story last night on AC360:

"When I was 10, for some odd reason, I went to Studio 54 with Michael Jackson and a bunch of people and I had no idea who he was and I saw him dance and I was like, Oh, that guy is a really good dancer. Why I was at Studio 54 is a whole other story... Child welfare authorities probably want to talk to my mom."

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney Kicks Off

Sydney, Australia's annual gay and lesbian Mardi Gras kicked off yesterday with a sunset party at the Royal Botanic Gardens dubbed the Harbour Party. Gold-winning Olympic diver showed up. You can view a gallery at Aussie gay site Same-Same.

Some footage of the event, AFTER THE JUMP...

News: Michigan, Sirius XM, Elton John, Prop 8, Larry Sinclair

Who murdered Robert Wone?

As recession thrives in NYC, so does gay nightlife.

Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick live in filth.

Defamation suit brought by Obama accuser Larry Sinclair against three people who anonymously criticized him on the internet is dismissed.

Michigan TV station debates airing anti-gay Christian infomercial: "A controversial one-hour paid program on the 'radical homosexual agenda' scheduled for WOOD-TV is delayed for the second time as partisans on both sides debate its merit. Opponents decry it as verging on hate speech, as they press WOOD-TV officials to cancel a special funded by the American Family Association. But backers are just as passionate in their belief it should air, adding heat to an issue that has long divided West Michigan."

Sirius XM to file for bankruptcy?

Shark attacks Navy diver in Sydney Harbor, leaves him with severe injuries: "Paramedics said they went to Woolloomooloo Bay about 6.50am after someone reported a man had been bitten by a shark. They arrived to find the man, a diver with the navy, with severe right hand and leg injuries, an ambulance spokesman said. The man's leg injuries extended from his buttocks down to his knee, he said."

Britney Spears rocks 50's look for "If U Seek Amy" video.

Hugh Jackman ready for his Oscar close-up.

Madonna and Demi Moore to co-host second post-Oscar bash at Guy Oseary home.

Texans spent $1.4 million on Prop 8: "Texans spent more on the fight over same-sex marriage in California last year than they did in their home state in 2005, according to campaign filings released last week. And more than three-fourths of the money from Texas went to groups supporting Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage that was approved by voters in November. The campaign filings from the California secretary of state cover the period from Jan. 1, 2007 through Dec. 31, 2008."

Lily Allen's "Fear" remixed.

After paper's inquiry, Portland Mayor Sam Adams' staff reopens old website that was live when Adams first met Beau Breedlove: "The public could again see Adams' 2007 open letter in which he denied having sex with...Breedlove. Blogs and others linked to that letter after Adams acknowledged in January that he had lied about his relationship with Breedlove, nearly 24 years his junior."

Katy Perry in a washboard ab sandwich.

Billy Joel and Elton John to play Chicago's Wrigley Field, together: "The singer-songwriters will perform duets playing twin pianos and trading vocals. Each will play a set with his own band, followed by both bands joining for a finale."

A pecker for your pecker.

Why does God hate Sally Kern?

Waynesboro, Pennsylvania school board votes 6-3 in favor of gay-straight alliance: "The decision was made Tuesday night before dozens of members of the community who came out to voice their opinions on the club. The school board voted six to three in favor of the club. Five of the members who voted 'Yes' cited the law as their reason why. The American Civil Liberties Union had written a letter to the board saying based on the Equal Access Act of 1984 they had to approve the Gay-Straight Alliance. The Equal Access Act states that if the school allows any non-curricular group whose purpose is not related to the school's curriculum that cannot deny that access to another group. More than a dozen community members addressed the school board. The majority of them were against the club's formation."

Former UFC Fighter Arrested for Fight at Gay Vegas Nightclub

Former UFC fighter "War Machine" was arrested over the weekend at Krave nightclub in Vegas, TMZ reports:

"Former 'Ultimate Fighter' badass Jon Koppenhaver, who goes by the aforementioned MMA nickname, was picked up by Las Vegas PD for misdemeanor battery Saturday morning after allegedly getting into a tussle at Krave Nightclub -- a place described by one of their reps as 'gay ... but very straight-friendly.' Cops tell TMZ security at Krave was escorting War Machine out of the club after a little brouhaha -- when he allegedly turned on security and starting punching them. Security made a citizens arrest until Las Vegas PD could show up."

According to Deadspin, "Koppenhaver was released by UFC in September of last year for speaking ill of the then-recently deceased Evan Tanner He was dropped from Bellator for disparaging remarks he made on his MySpace blog about Barack Obama. Ever the charmer, Koppenhaver wrapped up that infamous blog entry with: 'P.S.: Fuck an Obama, fuck a Disney, fuck an ESPN and fuck the Bellator Fighting Championship.'"

Details on the reason for the altercation were not available.

News: Melrose Place, Matthew Mitcham, Wyoming, BAFTAs, Bolivia

Wyoming House kills anti-gay marriage bill: "After an hour of impassioned debate Friday, the House defeated an attempt to define marriage in the state Constitution as a union between a man and a woman. House Joint Resolution 17, also known as the "Defense of Marriage" resolution, failed by a vote of 35-25. Wyoming law already stipulates that only marriages between a man and woman are valid, but the law also requires the state to recognize valid unions performed in other states."

Matthew Mitcham gets a sponsor: Aussie telecommunications giant Telstra.

The juice on the Melrose Place remake.

Boy George to leave jail early? Meanwhile, he scrubs sinks.

New constitution in Bolivia bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity!

Strange drag queen bird spotted in the wild.

Virginia man gets 35 month for attack on gay man in DC last October: "Court documents claim that the 19-year-old and his friend, Saad Elorch, approached the victim and his friend. When Abdulgader and Elorch learned of the men's sexual orientation, they made homophobic remarks to them. Documents also state that Abdulgader knocked the victim unconscious with a glass bottle and that he admitted to attacking the victim because he was gay."

BAFTA Awards handed out in London. Here's what won.

Obama names Fred Davie to Policy Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Brad Gooch on closets, Harvey Milk, and the art world of Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns.

Anti-gay vandalism condemned at Long Island LGBT Youth Center forum: "When somebody is attacked because of their race, religion or sexual orientation, we're all attacked."

Ann Coulter under investigation for voter fraud: "Ann Coulter is now the subject of a formal probe by Connecticut’s Elections Enforcement Commission, moving her closer to being charged with fraud. The commission is now conducting a 'thorough investigation' of whether the prolific conservative pundit broke the law earlier this decade by voting in Connecticut while living in New York City, a spokeswoman for the commission told the New York Daily News."

Kristen Wiig is Kathie Lee Gifford.

Berlinale: First gay Basque film unveiled. "Pushing even a larger envelope, most of 'Ander’s' finance comes from the Basque government, via Berdindu, its gay-lesbian service...Roberto Caston, its writer-director, bridles slightly at the gay tag. Pic follows fortysomething Ander, a Basque farmer-cum-factory worker who breaks a leg. He hires a Peruvian immigrant, Jose (Christian Esquivel, 'Che'), who inspires in Ander feelings he didn’t know he had. 'The film’s about solitude, which most of the characters suffer,' said Caston. 'Ander' rides a new Basque cinema wave."

All My Children: Daytime television to have first same-sex wedding.

Male model fix: Travis Hanson.

A write-up on NYC's new East Village straight-owned gay bar The Hose.

Fort Lauderdale Democrats club running ads revealing which mayoral candidates are supported by anti-gay outgoing mayor Jim Naugle: "The ads, running in gay publications, have a grid that notes which candidates are Democrats, gay or lesbian, filled out the Dolphins questionnaire or are supported by Naugle. The mayor acknowledged that linking him with candidates he supports — Jack Seiler for mayor and Romney Rogers for City Commission — could hurt them with gay voters. 'Certainly it might hurt,' Naugle said. But, noting that he's been elected 'eight consecutive times, and all by wide margins,' Naugle said his support would help with the non-gay majority."