The Milwaukee Gay Arts Center has filed a claim against the city of Milwaukee alleging civil rights violations, asserting that police discriminated against gays when they shut down the center’s production of Naked Boys Singing, CBC News reported.
Naked Boys Singing is a musical-comedy revue featuring nude men. It was shut down by the vice division of the Milwaukee police department—because, police claim, it did not have the proper theater permit.
The facility responded that it (and other local venues) has previously put on productions without securing permits. It claimed that, as a charitable organization that stages benefits for gay-related and theater groups, it is exempt from the permit requirement.
The American Civil Liberties Union has thrown its support behind the center’s claim, which could lead to a civil lawsuit.
— Andrew Davis