Update: Elbo Room Owner Responds to Anti-Gay Sign

photo courtesy of Out & About Illinois




Greg Quast, owner of the Elbo Room, sent WMBD 31 News this statement:

"Recently a statement was displayed on a message board in my bar, the Elbo Room, indicating that it was not a gay bar. First and foremost, I would like to apologize for any unrest this has caused the community of Peoria, gay or straight. While I was not responsible for the sign nor was I present when it was posted, as the owner of the bar, I take responsibility and am sincerely sorry. I've addressed the situation with the individuals involved and I assure you this behavior is not tolerated or condoned at my bar. I will do everything I can to make sure nothing like this happens again. The Elbo room is a karaoke bar. There is no sexual orientation attached to that. Anyone and everyone of legal drinking age are welcome. Furthermore, this incident does not reflect my personal views. I have several close friends in the gay community who I have always supported and will continue to support in the future."

Despite the written apology, which some people are questioning who actually wrote it, One World One Equality still held a PEACEFUL Rally at the Elbo Room today. The rally was featured on WMBD Channel 31 news.

Dave Barker of Out & About Illinois stated, "I trust our community appreciates the public apology from Mr. Quast and hope that in the future events such as these do not happen again."

Stephanie Smith Warlow says, "We're not trying to shut anybody down, not trying to deface anybody. Just trying to prove a point that nobody deserves to be discriminated against, whether it be color, sexual orientation, or anything."

If you'd like to join the rally, One World, One Equality is planning to return to the Elbo Room Saturday morning beginning at ten.

Be sure and click the title link to watch Channel 31's video of the rally. (Sorry it couldn't be embedded here, or I would have gladly posted it).

Karaoke Bar Leaves Many Uneasy

The Elbo Room Bar in Peoria, located at 631 W Main St, Peoria recently had the message "We are NOT a Gay Bar!! We are a Karaoke Bar!!! 7 Nights a Week. Diesel is down the street" posted on a lit sign in the bar.

This message can easily be read to mean that they aren't interested in having gay and lesbian customers. No matter what the bar says they meant by this message, it's certainly offensive to gays and lesbians who may enjoy the bar. Apparently they would prefer that gays and lesbians head on down the street to Diesel, which IS welcoming to gay, lesbian AND straight customers.

For more on this story, click on the title link.

Find out more details and links to news video on two tv channels and a planned peaceful rally against this inequality to be held this Friday at the new central Illinois website OutandAboutIllinois.

Milk - Will it play in Peoria? (still waiting)

Is Milk the best movie of the year?


Apparently, "Milk" will not play in Peoria...or Bloomington, Decatur, or Springfield. But only because it is only playing in "select" theaters. Unfortunately, for central Illinois we can only see the movie in St. Louis or Chicago, or wait for the dvd.

Be sure and click the title link for the official "Milk" page at Film In Focus. A link on that page will give you a list of cities and theaters showing the movie. You can see it in St. Louis at Tivoli Theatre 3.

UPDATE 1/28/08...MILK IS FINALLY IN PEORIA!
AT Rave Movie Theatre Grand Prairie Mall