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

1977

There's a Gay Horizons Halloween party at 920B W. Wellington.

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The Reader publishes an interesting article about the Pleasure Chest sex shop at 3142 N. Broadway.

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(Image: Halloween at Berlin – Gay Chicago October 19, 1989)

An article in this week's Gay Chicago News reads: "Anita Bryant and Bob Green appeared for the first time on a nationally syndicated TV show taped in Chicago on October 27th. During the interview hosted by Phil Donahue, Green said that radio stations refused to play Anita's records, talk shows will not hire her because of the threat of a celebrity boycott by other performers and if she were to lose her job with the Florida Citrus Commission, her career as a performer would be finished."

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Another article in Gay Chicago News reads: "Mike Morell, president of the Cuban Village Restaurant at 750 W. Cornelia, announced the opening of his new discotheque that will be located at 3724 N. Clark St. The new operation will be called Giovanni's and unlike the current popular discos will feature Latin music."

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Two new chaplains of the Mass for the gay and lesbian community are announced by Dignity Chicago, they are Father James Becker, a Carmelite from Joliet who has taught religion and art for seven years at Joliet Catholic High School, and Father Melvin James, a priest of the Society of the Divine Word.

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Headline in Gay Life reads: "Gay candidate announces plans to run for office."

"Gary Nepon, the first openly gay political candidate in the city of Chicago, is assembling petitions to run for the state House of Representatives in the March Democratic primary. Nepon hopes to represent the 13th district in the House."

1982

In the bars and clubs this week Big Red's, 3019 N. Clark St. is the site of a pie toss benefit for the Rodde Building Fund, which now totals over $100,000; Chris is back at Baskets, 2917 N. Sheffield, a gay bar under new management; the Chicago Knights Motorcycle Club kick-off the annual Toys For Tots charity drive with a cocktail party at the Annex 2, 430 N. Clark St.; Roger and Deb present the Spice Tree, 2811 N. Central, Grand Opening, all drinks 50c; Felicia presents Costumes on Parade at Park West; Déjà vu, King's Plaza Hotel, 3010 N. Mannheim Rd., has a Halloween Party with "Les Girls '82," hosted by Chloe-Michelle and featuring Helen, Patricia, and Toni with special guests "Peaches" and "Lady B"; there's a Haunted House Halloween Party at Broadway Limited, 3132 N. Broadway; staff at the Loading Zone, 46 E. Oak St., present "Witches and Bitches," with a hag's witches brew for 50c; Annex 2, 430 N. Clark St., presents "A Night of Terror," featuring "Midnight Madness" costume contest with DJ Stephen; and Charlie's Angels, 8710 Golf Road, Des Plaines, celebrates the 4th Anniversary Weekend with a Halloween Costume Party.

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(Image: We've Gone Western – Gay Life February 18, 1976)

DJ Frank Lipomi's Top 15 at Coconuts, 5320 N. Sheridan Rd.: 1) "Dance Or Die" – Sweet Pea Atlinson; 2) "Can't Believe" – Nancy Martin; 3) "Gimme Some More" – K.C. & The Sunshine Band; 4) "Rock the Casbah" – Clash; 5) "Love Come Down" – Evelyn King; 6) "Straight Ahead" – Nick Straker Band; 7) "Don't Go Walking" – Richard Jon Smith; 8) "Knock Me Out" – Gary's Gang; 9) "Redd Hot" – Sharon Redd; 10) "Mickey" – Toni Basil; 11) "I'm So Hot For You" – Bobby O; 12) "Look of Love" – ABC; 13) "1999" ­– Prince; 14) "Love's Comin' At Ya" – Melba Moore; 15; "Dancing in Heaven" – Q Feel.

1998

Homocore celebrates 6th anniversary with the Butchies (Ex-Team Dresch), the Need & Kelli Hogan, at Fireside Bowl, 2646 W. Fullerton.

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(Image: Sidetrack – Gay Chicago September 28, 1995)

The Windy City Gay Naturists Sunday Swim Party is at the Jane Addams Pool, 3212 N. Broadway.

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Meet Chicago's Top Cop, Supt. Terry Hillard, at a lesbigay/trans forum hosted by 23rd District G&L Advisory Group, LeMoyne School, 851 W. Waveland.

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Quote in Outlines this week:

"I absolutely believe in assimilation. I don't believe I'm any different from straight people. My wants and needs are the same as theirs. I don't look at sexual orientation as that big of a deal. It's just an orientation." – Chastity Bono

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Jacques Cristion's 28th Annual Halloween Ball "Vegas III" takes place at 1962 E. 73rd St.

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Horizons Community Services Center Youth Group meets at 961 W. Montana, the discussion focus this week is "Finding Out: Where Do I Belong? Family, Society and Religion." Ages 14-23.

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The Leather Archives and Museum, 5007 N. Clark St., presents the exhibit "Kink: A Women's Perspective" exploring the ideas, work and art of women with a kinky sexuality.

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

What happened to Homocore?

Who was Chloe-Michelle?

Does the Chicago Knights Motorcycle Club exist anymore?