January 30 – February 5, 2014

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

1980

Article in Gay Chicago:

"Agreement was reached last week between Bistro owner Ed Dugan, Woody Lorenz of Carol's Speakeasy, and the publishers of Gay Chicago Magazine to produce the 1980 Mr. Windy City Contest.

"This year's contest is being billed as a tribute to Richard (Mother Carol) Farnum, who died last year. Five years ago, Farnum and Dugan began the spectacular social event and the two jointly sponsored the contest except for last year when Farnum sponsored it alone because Dugan had other commitments."

+++

Image: Gay Life – Gay Life October 17, 1980

Jon-Henri Damski in his "Nothing Personal" column in Gay Chicago writes:

"Gacy, the creep, is making front page news again.

"Officially, this week the Gacy trial begins. He is accused of murdering 33 young men and boys.

"But, unofficially, in the newspapers, it would seem, that he is on trial for his homosexuality.

"It is a common misinterpretation in our society to think that if he commits a homosexual act, he commits a crime; and thus, if he commits a homosexual 'crime,' he is presumed capable of doing any other kind of crime too, including mass murder."

+++

Image: Blue Boy Man of the Year Contest – Gay Chicago October 9, 1980

Article in Gay Life by Christine Riddiough begins:

"Fifty people, mostly women, picketed the McClurg Theatre last Saturday night to protest the showing of 'Windows.' The movie had opened at the theater January 18 and simultaneously premiered in several other cities in the U.S. and Canada. Reviews in a number of Chicagoland newspapers suggested the anti-lesbian and generally anti-woman nature of the film. ...The demonstration was pulled together in four days by individuals in the lesbian and women's community."

1994

In the bars and clubs this week, Glee Club, 1543 N. Kingsbury celebrates its first anniversary with "Carnivale," with Teri Bristol, Ralphi Rosario, and Tom E, burnin' the vinyl; there's a Super Bowl Party with a pot luck and raffle to benefit Direct AID at North End, 3733 N. Halsted; it's the first anniversary of Numbers, 6406 N. Clark St.; Uncanny Alliance, "I Got My Education and I'm Beautiful Dammit," perform at Vortex, 3831 N. Halsted; and Charlie's, 405 W. Ontario, holds a pre-Mardi Gras party, with a Mask and Costume Contest.

+++

Image: Drag Race – Gay Chicago December 2, 1993

In Gay Chicago:

"Noted AIDS activist Larry Kramer is denouncing the film 'Philadelphia' as a 'heart-breakingly mediocre movie whose director missed a boat that could have carried a valuable cargo. 'It saddens me to say that I'd rather people didn't see it at all,' Kramer said."

+++

The Top Ten Music Playlist courtesy of DJ Mark Hultmark, Vortex and Manhole: 1) "Deeper Love" – Aretha Franklin; 2) "Joy" – Staxx of Joy; 3) "I'm Beautiful Dammit" – Uncanny Alliance; 4) "Things Can Only Get Better" – D-Ream; 5) "Been a Long Time" – The Fog; 6) "Got to Get It (Remix)" – Culture Beat; 7) "I Want You" – Julia Roberts; 8) "I'm in the Mood" – CeCe Peniston; 9) "Big Time Sensuality" – Bjork; and 10) "So Into You" – Michael Watford.

+++

Mary McCauley, director of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project and recognized expert on breast cancer, is nominated by State Rep. Ellis B. Levin (D-12th) for appointment to a Department of Public Health advisory committee.

+++

On Friday evenings, starting February 4, an interfaith prayer service is held in the chapel of "The Living Circle," a new interfaith spirituality center for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community. The services are held in the chapel at Grant Hospital, 550 W. Webster.

2001

In this week's Windy City Times, Karen Hawkins writes:

"AIDS Alternative Health Project clients hoping to make an appointment with agency staff last week instead received a shocking and heartbreaking electronic message: 'We are sorry to inform you that the clinic will be permanently closed as of Jan. 31 ...Good luck to you all."

The official announcement read:

"After years of operating through difficult times, the recent convergence of unfortunate events contributed to the agency's inability to obtain adequate funds. ...These included: expected revenue from community events that was not received, the dissolution of a partnership agreement with Ravenswood Hospital, several years of increasing costs to provide services, decreased individual giving and lower participation in HIV/AIDS-related fundraising activities."

+++

Image: North End – Grab December 22, 2009

The Reimer Foundation, a charity that hands out free condoms, holds its post-holiday "Porn Fest" fundraiser at the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge, 3169 N. Halsted St.

+++

"The Producers," with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick has its world premiere in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace, 151 W. Randolph.

+++

The Kindred Hearts Book Club meets at 2214 N. Ridge to discuss "Possessing the Secret of Joy" by Alice Walker.

+++

Grinder, queer words and music, hosts writer James Kessler and musician Dylan Rice. Hosted by Scott Free and the Willow Café, 1100 W. Thorndale.

Homework

Remember Charlie's at 405 W. Ontario?

Is Kindred Hearts still around?

Can you remember where you were when you first heard about AIDS?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Queer Nation protests homophobia at Cracker Barrel in Gay Chicago December 3, 1993

Kip Snyder and Ken Neumann of Chicago Gay Men's Chorus receive their annual donation from the Manhandler in Gay Chicago December 26, 1985.

Dan DiLeo photographs the bartenders at Take One for Gay Chicago December 26, 1985

Tracy Baim photographs Buddies New Year's Eve party in Nightlines January 7, 1999

Thanks go to publishers Michael Bergeron for Chicago Gay Crusader, Ralph and Craig Gernhardt forGay 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.