December 6-December 12, 2012

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

1987

An evening of sing-along holiday music and show tunes by members of the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus and Windy City Gay Chorus takes place at Dandy's piano bar, 2632 N. Halsted.

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An article on the front page of Windy City Times begins:

"Gay and lesbian activists are seeking a meeting with newly elected Acting Mayor Eugene Sawyer, but have deferred an offer from Ald. Bernard Hansen (44th) to set up such a meeting.

"At a gathering last weekend of Gay and Lesbian Town Meeting, the coalition organization formed to work for passage of a gay-inclusive Chicago Human Rights Ordinance, activists also urged the new administration's support for two major pro-gay reforms instituted by the late Mayor Harold Washington–the mayoral advisory Committee on Gay and Lesbian Issues (COGLI) and the full-time staff position of Gay and Lesbian Issues Coordinator held by lesbian activist Peggy Baker. Both COGLI and the coordinator operate under the auspices of the city's Commission on Human Rights."

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Image: Vittles Restaurant – Michael's Thing November 2, 1972

It's the Grand Opening of the new location of vintage clothing store Flashy Trash at 3524 N. Halsted.

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Lesbian bestsellers at Women and Children First, 1967 N. Halsted:

FICTION: 1) "Dreams and Swords" – Katherine Forrest; $8.95, Naiad Press; 2) "What Comes Naturally" – Gerd Bratenberg; $4.95, Women's Press; 3) "Fieldwork" – Maureen Moore; $8.95, Seal Press; 4) "Shoulders" – Georgia Cotrell; $8.95, Firebrand Press; 5) "Always Anonymous Beast" – Lauren Douglas; $8.95, Naiad Press.

NON-FICTION: 1) "Lesbian Passion" – Joanne Loulan; $10.95, Spinsters Ink; 2) "Making a Way-Lesbians Out Front" – Joan E. Biren (J.E.B.); $11.95, Glad Hag Books; 3) "Going Out of Our Minds" – Sonia Johnson: $10.95, Crossing Press; 4) "Restricted Country" – Joan Nestle; $8.95, Firebrand Books; 5) "Women of the Left Bank" ­ Shari Banstock; $12.95, University of Texas.

1991

The Pink Angels, an anti-violence citizens patrol, takes to the streets in Chicago.

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Bette Midler's "For the Boys" is showing at theaters all over Chicago.

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Horizons hold its 13th Annual Gay and Lesbian Identity Conference at the Westin Hotel, 909 N. Michigan Ave. Entitled "Empowerment for the Nineties: Meeting the Challenge," the conference features workshops and panels designed to help gays and lesbians gain the tools necessary to succeed in the world-at-large.

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The Illinois Regional Planning Committee for the 1993 National March on Washington meets at the Rodde Center, 4753 N. Broadway.

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This week's Gay Chicago has obituaries for Richard A. Zibble, John V. Payne, John Setzekorn, Tom Johnston, and Darryl Johnson (Speed), all beautiful men who died from ARC or AIDS.

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Article in this week's Windy City Times is headlined: "Chicago Protesters Target Indiana Cracker Barrel."

It begins: "The burgeoning nationwide protests against Cracker Barrel restaurant chains firings of gay workers spread to the Chicago area Sunday, as more than 50 people demonstrated at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Hobart, Ind., which is near Gary."

2001

The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus has their annual holiday concert "Gonna Find Out Who's Naughty and Nice" at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport. CGMC's selection covers a range from "The Nutcracker" parody "Waltz of the Snowflakes," to a Hanukah song from the chorus' new CD "Cool Yule."

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Image: Dog Tags – Gay Chicago November 23, 2000

In the clubs and bars this week, the Barony of Chicago proudly presents Snowball 2001, a benefit for Gerber/Hart Library at Annex 3, 3160 N. Clark St.; it's Alt. Mondays at Lithium, 1124 W. Belmont, with Ripley Caine and Patty Elvis; celebrate the release of "Montage: Nightlife Tour," a new live concert film from the Pet Shop Boys, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted; Kimi Hayes and Paula Marr, "acoustically fun and crazy dynamic duo," play at Girlbar, 2625 N. Halsted; and it's the 1st Annual Women's Uniform Party at Temptations, 10235 W. Grand Ave.

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Stop by and get your lesbian health questions answered by Lesbian Community Cancer Project staffers Juanita Grespo and Mona Grimes at Cheetah Gym, 5248 N. Clark.

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The AIDS Foundation of Chicago 8th Annual All the Trimmings holiday party, to commemorate World AIDS Day, takes place at the Merchandise Mart north lobby (Kinzie Street entrance).

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Image: Windy City Rodeo – Nightspots August 20, 2003

Chicago's efforts to host the Gay Games in 2006 did not result in a win for the city, but there's still cause to celebrate. Join Chicago 2006 for the Gay Games "wrap" party to unveil future plans and thank all who participated in the effort at Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted.

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Miss Tiger's Cabaret at the Bijou, 1349 N. Wells St., is the "12 Steps of Christmas" starring Olivia the Retard.

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Outspoken lesbian bassist, singer, and spoken word artist, Me'Shell NdegeOcello, performs at the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn.

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The International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care presents former President Bill Clinton with the Dag Hammarksjold award. The ceremony is at the RIVA restaurant, Navy Pier.

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A quote in this week's Windy City Times reads: "I think the fact than an openly gay actor is going to have his face all over Burger King cups ... is really quite significant." – Gay author Armistead Maupin to the Advocate on Ian McKellan's upcoming role in "Lord of the Rings."

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

Does anyone have memories of the Pink Angels?

Was there ever a 2nd Annual Women's Uniform Party?

Who's still boycotting Cracker Barrel? I am.