gay bar Chicago O’Hare Airport

A Groundbreaking Project at Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport — one of the busiest in the United States — may soon make history by welcoming its first gay bar within its terminals. Restaurateur Germán González is proposing to open a branch of Sidetrack, a legendary LGBTQ+ venue rooted in Chicago’s cultural fabric. According to the Chicago Tribune, the proposed location is Terminal 1, which saw over 80 million travelers pass through last year alone.

Showcasing LGBTQ+ Representation in a Global Hub

Art Johnston, co-owner of Sidetrack alongside his husband José “Pepe” Peña, emphasized the symbolic importance of this initiative. “It’s powerful to show queer visibility — not only that we’ve succeeded in Chicago but that we’ve thrived here,” he said. Johnston also highlighted the value added by the LGBTQ+ community: “We’ve made this city better and stronger. So why not share that with the world?”

From Humble Beginnings to Community Icon

Originally opened in 1982 as a modest one-room bar, Sidetrack has grown into a multi-level venue with more than eight distinct areas and a capacity to host approximately 1,000 guests. It remains a cornerstone of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ nightlife and advocacy scene.

Challenging Stereotypes, One Customer at a Time

Johnston expressed both surprise and excitement about the project, noting the potential social impact. “Pepe and I were totally blown away by the idea. Imagine how many people come through here daily and could see that gay bars exist — and that the people who go there don’t have horns or tails, and we’re not trying to take anyone’s kids,” he said with a touch of humor.

A Stand for Trans Visibility and Inclusion

Sidetrack has long been recognized as a hub for LGBTQ+ activism. In 2023, the bar publicly supported trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney after she faced backlash for appearing in a Bud Light campaign. In a strongly worded Instagram statement, the venue condemned the beer brand’s response: “Bud Light’s decision to drop the campaign, suspend the involved parties, and the CEO’s comments falsely suggest it’s okay to bow to those working to suppress trans and LGBTQ+ visibility.”

The statement also announced that Sidetrack would cease carrying any products from Anheuser-Busch until the company showed clear, demonstrable support for the LGBTQ+ community.

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