Paving the Yellow Brick Road

By Aaron Bailey in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 25, 2005 4:07PM

Residents of Gay Road in Marquette Heights, Illinois stepped back in the closet last night. The city council voted 4-1 to change the name of the road because those who lived there were being constantly mocked.

Originally named after explorer Picard du Gay, the new street signs will bear the name of du Gay's partner, Louis Hennepin. Err, exploring partner that is.

Not all who lived on Gay Road wanted it changed, like resident Joy Trulock: "I think it makes it look like everybody on this road is against a certain group of people and I don't condone or not condone any kind of lifestyle."

Resident Darlene Elmore pushed for the change, admitting her embarrassment: "It's unfortunate people are cruel like they are. It would just be nicer all around if it were changed."

Chicagoist recommends that the residents of Gay Road look on the bright side. Living there allows fabulous porn star names. You know, the name of your first pet plus the name of the street you grew up on. "Bucky Gay" has better porn-industry cachet than "Bucky Hennepin."

Still, being labeled isn't fun. Perhaps Marquette Heights schools need to observe "No Name Calling Week."