Birmingham can shut down LGBTQ club that was the scene of a double homicide, according to judge

The city of Birmingham can move forward with its plans to close an LGBTQ nightclub where two people were shot and killed earlier this year after a Jefferson County judge lifted a temporary restraining order Friday.

Dan Sparks, owner of The Quest Club at 416 24th Street South, fought the Birmingham City Council’s decision to revoke his establishment’s business and liquor licenses and dance permit, claiming the city did not provide him with proper notice of the hearing or that he revoked them. licenses, among other claims.

Meanwhile, attorneys for the city told Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Marshell Jackson Hatcher that Sparks received adequate notice Thursday when it ordered the revocation of The Quest’s business license.

Hatcher released his temporary restraining order Friday, meaning the city can move forward with closing the popular LGBTQ dance club that opened in 1982.

The club was the scene of a double homicide in May that left Shane Gady, 32, and Terrell Brown, Jr., 32, dead.

Sparks blamed lax gun laws, not his club’s safety policies, for the incident, while the city claimed The Quest had little or no security.

Yashiba Glenn-Blanchard, an attorney for Sparks, could not be reached for comment.

City spokesman Rick Journey did not have a statement on the judge’s order.