Shirts Off for Maine Gay Bartenders?

Officials who ordered an Ogunquit, Maine, gay bar owner to make his bartenders wear shirts while pouring are rechecking their facts to see if the bar was really in violation of state health codes.

After Code Enforcement officer Paul Lempicki told Maine Street bar owner Normand Paquin last week that his shirtless bartenders were a "health hazard," he and town manager Tom Fortier are now working with the Department of Health and Human Services to see if the staff is actually in violation.

"This thing is huge," Fortier told the Seacoast Online, referencing articles on Advocate.com and other LGBT news sites. He said if it turns out the bar isn't in violation, he'll issue a public apology.

The request that Paquin have his staff cover up came after town residents complained of the bar's image. "I love Ogunquit, and I love the gay men. I have no problems with anyone. I just don't want a tacky town," a resident told the Seacoast Online after complaining to Fortier.