Gay life in Chicago this week, back in...

1987

The Committee for Gay Rights meets every Wednesday at 853 W. Lill.

The Chakiris Club, a Latin American Disco, opens at 5820 N. Broadway.

An article in Gay Life, July 22, 1979, begins: "Anita Bryant has been signed to write a book about the anti-gay crusade she helped organize in Dade County, Florida. To be titled ‘Save Our Children: One Woman's Crusade Against the Sin of Homosexuality,' the book will be published by Fleming H. Revell Co., the religious publisher who has published some of Bryant's other books, as well as such volumes as ‘Total Woman' and ‘Born Again.'"

(Image: The Bank Vault Lounge – Gay Life September 17, 1976)

Hand in Hand Films presents Jack Wrangler in the All-American All Star Movie "Hothouse" at the Bijou Theatre, 1349 N. Wells.

This week sees a three-day grand opening of a new gay bar, the New Flight at 420 N. Clark St.

The General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), meeting at the Sheraton-Chicago, approves a gay study report in a 110 to 48 vote. The "study document" prepared by a special task force now goes before the biennial assembly that meets in October 1977 in Kansas City, Mo.

1998

Jonathan Harvey's play "Beautiful Thing," a story about the awakening love between two teenagers growing up in working class London, is at the Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont.

(Image: Leather Sport ­– Nightlines January 6, 1999)

Events in the clubs and bars this week include New! Wear Rubber get in free! The Rubber Ball is at Manhole, 3458 N. Halsted; Stud Puppy Tuesdays means Hot Male Dancers at Temptations, 10235 W. Grand, Franklin Park; Blow Out Party with warm beer, old booze, shoddy service and rough trade with your host Mookie also at Manhole; it's the annual Celebrity Pie Toss, a benefit for the Illinois Federation For Human Rights, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted. Victims of the pie tossers include Officer Mary Boyle of the Chicago Police, Shelley Rosenbaum from Gay Mart, and Sukie de la Croix representing Nightlines/Outlines.

The bodies of Jack Winteringer and his longtime companion Richard Knight are found in the couple's home in northwest suburban Des Plaines. Each was shot once in the head and once in the chest.

State Rep. Larry McKeon, D-34th, announces that he will not endorse nor support the Democratic candidate for Illinois governor, U.S. Rep. Glen Poshard. Himself openly gay and HIV+, McKeon cites Poshard's conservative views and antipathy toward the lesbigay community as the main factors in his decision.

Janet Jackson is at the Rosemont Horizon with Usher.

It's Gay Day at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Tickets to benefit Northumberland Memorial Garden which is being developed in memory of Dean Schroeder, founder and first director of the Guild of St. George at the Faire, a "theatrical reenactment" group dedicated to bringing the 16th century to life through education and entertainment.

The Human Rights Campaign "Prime Time: Becoming Visible," the 9th Annul Dinner & Dance hosted by the Illinois chapter, features two giant screens of lesbigay positive TV/film/media clips, music by the Afrodisiacs, Alice Kerwan, Wendy Robbins & Orchestra. Celebrity guests include Elizabeth Birch, Patrick Bristow, Dan Butler and Betty Degeneres.

2000

Girl Power singers this week include Aerin Tedesco Unplugged at Girlbar, 2625 N. Halsted; Tracy Chapman is at the United Center with Sting; Joan Armatrading is at the House of Blues; Starbucks, WXRT and Jam present Ellen Rosner in concert, 2525 N. Clark St.; and Michelle Malone, Ellen Rosner, Valerie James and Kimi Hayes are at Edgewater Days.

Gay author E. Lynn Harris signs and discusses his new book "Not a Day Goes By" at Borders, 2817 N. Clark St.

"Raising Voices," a new play written and performed by Chicago LGBTQ youth and their allies is staged by About Face Youth Theatre at 3212 N. Broadway.

(Image: Love Changes Everything – Windy City Times June 11, 1992)

Matt Spence, the star of Falcon Video's "Aqua" and "Arid" strips down to nothing at Mans Country, 5017 N. Clark.

Thanks go to publishers Michael Bergeron for Chicago Gay Crusader, Ralph Gernhardt for Gay Chicago, Grant Ford and Chuck Renslow for Gay Life 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 the book Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago Before Stonewall published by the University of Wisconsin Press.

Homework

Who remembers Mookie at the Manhole?

Is there still a Gay Day at the Bristol Renaissance Faire?

Is Tracy Chapman a lesbian?