Memphis Club Backstreet Forced Shut Over Criminal Allegations

Backstreet, a 15-year-old gay club in Memphis, was ordered closed by police Saturday night, with a chain going up on the door after the venue was declared a public nuisance by the state. By Sunday there was a citation notice from the district attorney’s office saying the club is under suspicion of unspecified criminal activity — which wouldn’t be new to owner Michael Shane Trice, which saw the club shut down last September for promoting gambling, possession of gambling machines, and illegal liquor sales. That Backstreet was shuttered during business hours (read: the middle of the night) is certainly indicative of the D.A.’s not-screwing-around approach. Too bad too, ’cause we hear Backstreet has been “jumpin’” lately.