Aug 15-Aug 21, 2013

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

1980

On Friday, August 15, 1980, a new "western-style bar" opened at 1948 N. Halsted. It was called the Manhandler, described in Gay Chicago at the time:

"The warm paneled room with fireplace is enhanced by one of the most comfortable beer gardens/patios in town with plenty of foliage, a three-tiered fountain and cushioned lounge chairs." The fountain was installed by manager Paul Wirts, and the bartender on the opening night was Jay Wells."

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Evanston City Council approves an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in city hiring because of sexual orientation. The ordinance receives the mayor's approval August 24.

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According to Gay Chicago , Alfie's, 900 N. Rush St., is "one of the newest Disco/Lounges in Chicago, adjacent to the famous Michigan Avenue "Gold Coast" area. It features cocktail hour piano entertainment weekdays, and will soon begin "Tea Dances" on weekends (mid-afternoon). Near the popular Oak Street beach, Tea Dances are come-as-you-are. Every Sunday: DJ Kerry Inosencio."

Image: O'Banions – Gay Life July 25, 1980

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In this week's Gay Life a reader asks Registered Psychologist, Norton Knopf, a question:

"I have a question regarding a 'wild fantasy.' I thought I would ask you, for where else could I write? I'm not into bondage or S & M, but my fantasy regards having someone urinate on me. Where could I go in Chicago in order to fulfill my fantasy? I've read about bars in New York that have backrooms with empty bathtubs, but how about in Chicago bars? I would love to know where to go to fulfill my fantasy."

Knopf answers (in part):

"I cannot give you a referral to a place, because I know of no such place in the Chicago area where your fantasy might be fulfilled. I do wonder what would happen if you did find such a place. If your fantasy were to become a reality, you would be left without that fantasy. Would you be satisfied to no longer have that fantasy, or would you then have a new fantasy that you would want fulfilled? What might that fantasy be, I wonder?"

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In this week's Gay Life:

"WARNING:

Gay Life readers should be wary of a car of youths who cruise the New Town area looking for gay people to harass.

"The person who called the newspaper to issue the warning described the car's passengers as approximately 21-25 years old, Caucasian, two with short brown hair and one with blonde curly hair. The vehicle itself is a four-door 1969 Buick Electra 225, gold or rust in color with a beige vinyl top, no tail lights or rear license plate and a dented front end.

"The youth were recently seen in the vicinity of Wellington/Oakdale and Pine Grove. Their ploy is to ask direction from a pedestrian who appears to be gay and then threaten them."

1990

In the bars and clubs this week, Rudy de la Mor is "Out of Africa" at Gentry, 712 N. Rush St.; Escapades, 6301 S. Harlem is totally remodeled and renovated, with DJ/VJ Big Mike and bartenders Rae and Jon-Jon; Stop AIDS Chicago presents "Win, Lose, or Drag," a benefit show with MC Sheena Roster, with T.L. Rivers and Jama Davis at Bistro Too, 5015 N. Clark St.; it's Windy City Bondage Club Night at Touche, 6412 N. Clark St.; it's a sing-a-long with Jay Brownfield at Stars, 3209 N. Halsted; "Biker Shorts Contest" takes place at North End, 3733 N. Halsted St.; Different Strokes, 4923 N. Clark St., invites you to a benefit for the NAMES Project, "Help us bring the Quilt to Chicago"; High Energy vocalist, Marshall Titus, hosted by Van Cleef Hair Studio, at Cairo, 720 N. Wells St.

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Image: Touche – Gay Chicago July 5, 1984

Headlines on the front page of this week's Windy City Times are: "Mayor Announces New Advisory Council Members," and "Gay Games III Opens with Fervor in Vancouver."

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In Windy City Times:

"ACT/UP Chicago, joining a national movement, has called for a boycott of Miller Beer products, but it remains to be seen whether the boycott will gain widespread support in Chicago's lesbian and gay community.

"ACT UP/San Francisco apparently started the boycott in San Francisco in June. Philip Morris Companies, the owner of Miller Brewing Co. and longtime contributor to Senator Jesse Helms (R-North Carolina), and boycotters in San Francisco and several other cities, are demanding that Miller publicly denounce Helms' anti-gay and lesbian policies and also denounce Phillip Morris for its support of Helms."

2002

Free screening of "Before Night Falls," which traces the life and death of gay Cuban poet Reinaldo Arnas, on the lower level of the Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St.

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Scott Free's weekly showcase of queer words and music, features Kay Barrett and Libby Reed at No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood.

Image: White Party – Grab July 20, 2010

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Windy City Radio and Windy City Times presents Margaret Cho Live at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted.

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Equality Illinois Benefit Bowl, with bowling, there's a light dinner by Hearty Boys caterers, open bar, raffle and a surprise gift for attendees. $35 at 826 W. Grace.

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Celebrate 20 years of Bailiwick Repertory at 1229 W. Belmont, with Alexander Billings, Mary Beidler Gearen, Alanda Coon, Tom Daugherty and Susan May.

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Quotelines in Windy City Times:

"I change my mind so much, I need two boyfriends and a girl. I need an East Coast guy, a West Coast guy, and a girl." – Pink.

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Spike King's page from Gay Chicago July 27, 1989. Where is Melodie Valenti now? She looks like a bundle of fun ...

Lesbians on the 1978 Pride March. In Gay Life June 30, 1978 by photographer Stephen Kulieke. Is Mr. Kulieke still around? Come take another bow.

From Gay Life July 25, 1980. R.J. Chaffin sadly missed ...

Nightlines September 29, 1999. What happened to Adam from Madrigals? The two below are still around ... and still looking good.

Homework

Was anyone there for the opening night of Manhandler?

Is Escapades still around?

Now Marigold is gone, where do gay bowling teams meet?

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.