Thu. September 4, 2014
By Sukie de la Croix
Gay life in Chicago this week, back in ...
1980
An article on the front page of Gay Life reads:
"A group of 25 to 30 people marched on the Bistro, 420 N. Dearborn, in the early morning hours of August 31 to protest the alleged discriminatory carding policy of the 'ultra disco.'
"The protest was organized by the Committee of Black Gay Men. Also participating in the demonstration were members of the Revolutionary Socialist League and various individuals. The picket line was reportedly in effect from approximately 12 midnight until 2 a.m."
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IMAGE: Medusa's – Gay Chicago October 13, 1983
Also on the front page of Gay Life:
"Gay Life has moved to a new office! Our new address is 222 W. Huron St. Suite 400."
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There's a "Sexuality Workshop" with Russell Bishop on September 5-7. This workshop will assist you in getting free of the images, roles, and stereotypes that block you from true expression. For further information call Gregory at _______
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IMAGE: Mineshaft – Gay Chicago April 4, 1985
Saturday's Children, a new store in the Century, 2828 N. Clark St. celebrates its Grand Opening with a half hour informal fashion show in the Center Court.
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Professionals Over Thirty hold its monthly open social on the second floor of the Court Yard Inn at 1531 N. Wells St. Prospective members are welcome. There's a cash bar, complimentary food and hor d'oeuvres.
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The New Town Sinfonia, Chicago's lesbian and gay symphony orchestra, begin rehearsals. Call Marvin Carlton for details _______
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In his Polish Princess gossip column, Ron Helizon writes:
"Gay Life and Holy Covenant MCC/Hinsdale will sponsor Gay Night at the Circus Vargas on Friday, Sept. 5 in Villa Park. This fun-filled evening is a benefit for the gay Cuban refugees."
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In Gay Chicago:
"Heavy rains Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17 forced rescheduling of the Chicago Gay Health Project's VD testing van.
"As a result the VD van is scheduled at three stops the weekend of Sept. 12 on N. Halsted between Little Jim's and the Lady Bug and then from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. in front of Touche on N. Lincoln Avenue. The following day, Saturday, Sept. 13, the van will be in the Clark, Illinois, and Hubbard Streets area from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. This location will serve patrons of the Gold Coast, Redoubt, the Machine Shop, Sunday's, the Baton, New Flight and the Bistro.
"The VD van offers free testing (not treatment) for syphilis, gonorrhea and hepatitis B."
1988
Article in this week's Outlines reads:
"More than 350 designers from around the world united in Grant Park recently for a fun run to benefit the Design Industries Foundation for AIDS, More than $62,000 was raised at the event, hosted by Krueger International, a furniture manufacturer which holds the 5K Fun Run/Walk annually for industry representatives attending the Neocon design show."
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IMAGE: Kate Clinton – Outlines March 1995
In Outlines:
"Howard Brown Memorial Clinic announces the appointment of Judith Johns as its new Executive Director. Johns assumed her new responsibilities Sept. 1. Johns has extensive experience in health care management and fundraising. A former psychiatric nurse, she was most recently Director of Ambulatory Care at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, a position she held for three years."
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On Sunday September 4, the Lesbian Outdoor Group hosted a picnic at the Blue Star Memorial Woods Forest Preserve. There was bicycling at the Botanical Garden, softball, football, horseshoes and more.
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Article in Outlines reads:
"During this month, the Anti-Violence Project of Horizons Community Services will be sponsoring several community events. ... Beginning 7 p.m. on Thursday 8, the project will present a forum on a neighborhood whistle program against crime and on street safety.
"On Tuesday, September 20, 7-9 p.m. Horizons will begin offering self-defense classes. These classes are open to gay men and lesbians; the fee is on a sliding scale; and each class runs six weeks."
2002
In the bars and clubs this week, Wednesdays it's Noche de Salsa at Circuit, 3726 N. Halsted with Latin music from DJ Lulu; Nan Mason, the State Street Diva, performs at Gentry, 440 N. State St.; Happy to see you! The Banana Tunnel Club, 741 S. Western Ave. is Chicago's newest Latino Bar & Club; Honey West hosts Karaoke Mondays at Hunters, 1932 E. Higgins Road, Elk Grove; Sunday Brunch Extravaganza featuring Madame X Live at the Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted.
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In Gay Chicago:
"Bailiwick hosts an evening of 'Sondheim and Smirnoff' as some of Chicago's familiar and favorite faces and voices come together in a benefit performance for the theatre. 'After Dark' Award winning cabaret artists Alexandra Billings and Stephen Rader join with an array of actors to dip into Stephen Sondheim's musical treasure-trove, pulling out gems from 'West Side Story,' 'Gypsy,' and other favorite shows."
Homework
Who was Madame X?
Is DJ Lulu still around?
Who remembers the VD bus?
Gay Chicago Photo Rewind
Terry Gaskins photographs Cell Block's second anniversary for Gay Chicago May 22, 1997
Sherman Heinrich photographs Ald. Bernie Hansen and Michael and Rudy from North End for Gay Chicago June 13, 1985
This great picture of Women Loving Women was taken by Stephen Kulieke for Gay Life June 15, 1979
Photographs in Thing magazine by Robert Ford and Dennis Walls.
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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