It will require an ongoing commitment and actions. “I know it will take much more than this to regain the trust of the LGBTQ+ community. In another statement on Friday, Romme said he was re-opening the bar and there would not be a ban on rap or any other music. “When we reopen, we will do so with a renewed commitment to create a space whose patronage, atmosphere, and - yes -music reflects the diversity of our community,” Romme wrote. Romme closed the bar Thursday night “so we can begin working to heal the pain.” RELATED: Boystown Gay Bar Under Fire After Announcing Rap Music Ban: This Is ‘Racist As F-,’ Critics Say We sincerely apologize to everyone in the LGBTQ+ community and across Chicago for the hurt this message caused.” “We seek to be a trusted member of the LGBTQ+ community and in the city of Chicago as a welcoming place for every person no matter their race, creed or sexual orientation. “The content was unwelcoming and hurtful, and in retrospect, it should have never been written or sent,” Romme wrote in a statement. Just a day later, on Thursday afternoon, owner Justin Romme apologized and said the email “did not reflect the values of Progress Bar.” They left hundreds of comments in protest on social media and gave Progress Bar more than a dozen one-star reviews on Yelp.
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A leaked email from Progress Bar shows how it banned DJs from performing rap.Ĭritics quickly slammed the move as racist, saying the rap ban was being done to push out black customers and other people of color.