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

1976

Garrett Evangelical Seminary in Evanston holds a Gay Awareness Day.

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In Chicago Gay Life, the Round ‘n' Round with Rhonda column recommends: "Well worth the trip ... Bob's Emporium at 5100 S. Lake Park, just off Lake Shore Drive in Hyde Park, has one of the best selections of gay periodicals around, including Blueboy, Mandate, In Touch, Chicago Gay Life, and the Advocate. Stop in and check it out for the best selection of magazines in the city."

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Also inn Chicago Gay Life, Roger Chaffin lists his Top 15 Disco hits: 1) "Lady Bump" – Penny McLean; 2) "That Old Black Magic" – the Softones; 3) "Jump For Joy" – Biddu Orchestra; 4) "Shake Me, Wake Me" – Barbra Streisand; 5) "Extra, Extra (Read All About It)" – Ralph Carter; 6) "Thank You Baby For Loving Me" – Quickest Way Out; 7) "Mighty High" – Mighty Clouds of Joy; 8) "Movin'" – Brass Construction; 9) "More, More, More" – Andrea True; 10) "Street Talk" – B.C.G.; 11) "That's Where the Happy People Go" – The Trammps; 12) "Let's Groove" – Archie Bell and the Drells; 13) "I Hear a Symphony" – Hank Crawford; 14) "Let the Music Play" – Barrie White; 15) "Stranger in the Night" – Bette Midler.

(Image: Christopher Street – Gay Chicago August 24, 1983)

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State Rep. Elaine Noble (D-Mass), the "first self-avowed homosexual" to attain state office, speaks to 400 people at the Midland Hotel. Chicago Gay Life writes: "Her speech touched upon areas of concern never fully expressed before in this community. The crowd was about 75% women and 25% men, very responsive to what she had to say. Noble called herself a ‘politician,' a term that many find distasteful. But she clearly pulled no punches, explaining that it is important for lesbians and gay men to take note that the struggle for liberation is far from over."

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Maturity, a group for senior gays, holds a meeting of its 65 members and decides to begin circulation of a petition addressed to Mayor Richard J. Daley, seeking his support to assist in obtaining passage of the gay rights legislation currently in committee in the City Council.

1988

Live bands, original films and video, art painting and photography displays, performance art, and a fashion show are featured in a multi-media event at Medusa's nightclub, 3257 N. Sheffield. The event, put together by students from Columbia College and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, is a benefit for Howard Brown Memorial Clinic.

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Jim Flint, Ginger Grant and Jill Burgin present a very special benefit for Nancy Reiff at the Baton, 436 N. Clark St. "I get by with a little help from my friends" stars Cherine Alexander (Miss Continental '84-'85), Dewey Harrington, Jim Flint as MC, and surprise entertainers.

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Mark Joseph Schoofs takes up his new post as managing editor of Windy City Times.

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"An Evening With John Waters," the director of "Pink Flamingoes" and "Hairspray," is at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage.

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Headline on cover of Windy City Times this week reads: "Federal court rules against Army's ban on gays."

It begins: "A federal appeals court ruled 2-1 last week that the Army's regulations excluding homosexuals ‘violate the constitutional guarantee of equal protection.' The Watkins v. United States Army decision was accompanied by a dissent which, though it argued for the Army's right to ban lesbians and gay men, did so reluctantly-excoriating the judicial precedent which it claimed sanctioned such a ban."

1991

Impact, Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Political Action Committee, hold their annual dinner "The Art of Politics: The Politics of Art" at Chicago Hilton and Towers. Keynote speaker is the Honorable Art Agnos, Mayor of San Francisco, and the Master of Ceremonies is Deborah Glick, New York State Assembly Member.

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The Top 5 12" Playlist by DJ Mark Hultmark at the Vortex are 1) "Sadeness" – Enigma; 2) "Someday" – Mariah Carey; 3) "What's it Gonna Be" – Jelly Bean; 4) "Strike it Up" – Black Box; and 5) "Touch Me" – Cathy Dennis.

(Image: The Ram – Gay Chicago January 31, 1985)

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In the bars and clubs this week there's a wet boxer shorts contest at Bulldog Road, 2916 N. Broadway; BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!! Men of Unicorn male dancers featuring Tony Chase, Mr. Gay Indianapolis 1991, at Hideaway II, 7301 W. Roosevelt Rd.; spend a romantic evening with Kenned and Carl at North End, 3733 N. Halsted St.; Physical Evidence, "You've seen them on the cover of Gay Chicago Magazine. Don't miss them live at Vortex, 3631 N. Halsted"; the Drummer Magazine Tough Customer Party is at Touché, 6412 N. Clark St., with special guest star Al Parker; the 1st Mr. & Ms. Midwest Leather Contest takes place at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells; the incomparable Ginger Tam is at Cairo, 720 N. Wells; Roscoe's, 3354-56 N. Halsted, presents the Gong Show with Mark Heinzen; and Live On Stats, the Female Imposters Gina Tay with T.L. Noble, Frieda Lay and Raven Night at Coconuts, 5246 N. Broadway.

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The "Have a Heart for AIDS" Ball is held at the Belmont Hotel, 3170 N. Sheridan. Tickets are $10 and the proceeds benefit Open Hand, the Children's Place, Horizons, Hospice and Chicago Women's AIDS Project.

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

<<< I have no idea when I took this photo, but it was an Equality Illinois event at Sidetrack. It was most likely published in Outlines or Windy City Times. Isn't that what's-his face and what's her name?

This was taken at the same event. Is that a Jerry Garcia tie? Hi Rick!! >>>

<<< Gay Chicago February 5, 1987, Jack Sitar asked Bob Applewhite, Russell B., Larry Scott, and F. Guevara: "Has AIDS affected your relationships with your parents, or non-gay friends?" I wonder where these beautiful men are now?

Gay Chicago January 20, 1983 Piggen's Pub owner Chip Matthews and bar manager Steve Allman celebrated their first anniversary. Are Chip and Steve still around? I don't know, you tell me. >>>

Homework

Anyone ever go to Medusa's? Juice bar, wasn't it?

1991 Frieda Lay at Roscoe's! That can't be the same Frieda Lay can it? She was only a baby then.

Who were Kenned and Carl?

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 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.