Thu. August 7, 2014
By Sukie de la Croix
Gay life in Chicago this week, back in ...
1978
Article in this week's Gay Life reads:
"A man sunbathing at the Belmont Rocks on Thursday, August 3 at 11:30 a.m. was robbed of $160 in cash and $300 worth of jewelry by three youths brandishing clubs. The youths, described as 16 to 19 years of age, one black and two Caucasian, grabbed the man's shorts which were lying on the cement next to him and escaped in the direction of the gun club. The police were called and a report was filed."
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The Chicago Celebration Ball – July 20, 1989
In Gay Life:
"Ted Machen, a member of Good Shepherd Parish MCC and a past member of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Metropolitan Chicago, has announced that he is a candidate for the regular Democratic nomination for alderman in the 43rd Ward.
"Machen stated that, 'I am running as a citizen, as a Democrat. I'm not sending up rockets. I'm not making an issue out of being gay. I'm making an issue out of respect for each other."
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In Ron Helizon's gossipy "Polish Princess" column in Gay Life, he writes:
"When part of Man's Country's sound system was out of service recently and no music was being played in the Music Hall. Chicago's gay men showed their creativity. One after another 3 talented (and attractive) towel-clad men approached the piano and entertained over the space of 90 minutes with semi-classical, pop and show tunes. The impromptu performance was applauded by the Sunday morning audience. Among the discoveries was Bobby, previously known to many simply as the irresistible dancer and personality at Cheeks. Inquiry about his piano skill revealed that he has studied for over 14 years."
1987
Linda Henderson is named sales manager of Windy City Times. Previously she worked for Gay Chicago magazine as a writer and account representative.
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City of Big Shoulders – Babble July 12, 1995
Kinheart Women of Color present a night of poetry, song and fun at 2214 Ridge, Evanston.
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City Lit presents "No Apologies," a gay writers concert reading series at Stage Left, 3244 N. Clark St.
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Scream! – Gay Chicago October 12, 2006
In the bars and clubs, it's Carnival Weekend at Hunters, 1932 E. Higgins Road, Elk Grove Village, with Dunk Tanks, softball toss, and hoop the teddy bear; "Fit to be Tied,' is the name of the Leather Night at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells St.; Pre-Mr. Windy City Contest special party with Mr. Off Broadway, Kevin Hammer, at Off Broadway, 1004 W. Belmont; Mr. Windy City Contest finals are at Park West, 322 W. Armitage, with special guest star Rudy de la Mor; celebrate the birthdays of Vern and Paul at the "Full Moon Spanking Party" at Touche, 2825 N. Lincoln; and the Women's MSA 12" Softball all-star game is on video at Piggen's Pub, 647 W. Diversey.
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WTTW Channel 11 airs the Academy Award-Winning documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk." The film concerns the rise of gay voting power in San Francisco and the political career of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay politicians in the United States; Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by City Supervisor Dan White.
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Appearing at Frontline Forum at Wellington Church, 615 W. Wellington, is Rose Appleman, co-author (with Nancy Krieger) of "The Politics of AIDS." There's a $3 donation.
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Gay Overeaters meet on Sundays at 3225 N. Sheffield.
1991
On the front page of this week's Windy City Times:
"AIDS Walk officials Aug. 7 dumped Mayor Richard Daley as honorary chairman of the Sept. 22 fundraising event after the Mayor did not show up as planned at an AIDS Walk press party.
"The decision by the AIDS Walk board of directors came after Daley already had withdrawn his offer to lead the event and after AIDS Walk officials said the city wasn't doing enough to promote it.
"The Mayor's last minute decision to not attend the press party has angered even some of his strongest supporters in the gay and lesbian community.
"IMPACT, Chicago's gay and lesbian political action committee, which gave Daley a re-election endorsement only four months ago, fired off a letter to him last week expressing its 'grave disappointment' with his decision and accusing him of not keeping his campaign promises on AIDS issues."
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Homework
Who remembers Belmont Rocks?
Is Ted Machen still around?
What happened to Gale Harris?
Gay Chicago Photo Rewind
A collage from Babble July 12, 1995
David Veltkamp photographs Dugan's Bisto 6th anniversary in Gay Chicago July 5, 1979
@ Lola's latin bar in Nightspots May 14, 2003
Kirk Williamson took these photos at Maneuvers bar in Joliet for Nightspots May 14, 2003
Thanks go to publishers Michael Bergeron for Chicago Gay Crusader, Ralph and Craig Gernhardt for Gay Chicago, Grant Ford and Chuck Renslow for Gay Life, Malone Sizelove for Babble/Gab, David Costanza and others for Chicago Free Press, Jeff McCourt for Windy City Times, Stacy Bridges and Mark Nagel for GRAB, and Tracy Baim for all the publications at the Windy City Media Group, which aided the above research. St. Sukie de la Croix is an internationally published reporter, playwright, photographer and historian. He is also the author of Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago Before Stonewall published by the University of Wisconsin Press.
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