February 6 – February 12, 2014

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

1977

The monthly meeting of pioneer gay group, One of Chicago, features Joe Murray of the 43rd Ward Gay Caucus speaking on the political scene in Chicago and the nation. One of Chicago meets at 615 W. Wellington.

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Image: Wig-Wham – Gay Chicago January 15, 1987

Article in Gay Chicago News reads:

" ...discrimination charges were filed with the Human Rights Commission on behalf of two individuals who claim that Katz Realty Company of Chicago denied them housing on the basis of sex, marital status, and race.

"Michael Carter and Steve Datko filed the written charges after they reportedly were denied the right to rent a one-bedroom apartment from the company. According to the pair's complaint, a 'blond woman' at the offices stated that they would rent the same apartment to a married couple.

"GC News [spoke to] to Sales Manager, Debbie, the 'blond woman' mentioned in the complaint.

"According to Debbie, the pair never identified themselves as a gay couple, and that she doesn't 'come across gay people every day.' She told CG News that because she didn't expect them to be living in a 'man/wife relationship,' she suggested they take a four room apartment so they could use the dining room as a second bedroom. At that point, according to her, 'they stormed out.'"

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Paul Lynde quoted in Gay Chicago News:

"My best fans-and my best friends-have always been women. My following is straight, not gay, and I'm glad. Y'know, gay people killed Judy Garland-but they're not going to kill me!"

1997

Firetrap Press publishes the second collection of writings by Jon-Henri Damski. Modeled after his column in Nightlines titled "Queer Thoughts and Other Mini Essays," the Damski deck of 52 sayings can be found at People Like Us Bookstore and Unabridged Books.

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Naked Boys Singing ­– Windy City Times December 3, 2003

In "Off The Cuffs" in Nightlines, Tracy Baim writes:

"Openly gay, HIV positive four-time gold medalist Greg Louganis will be making headlines again [this month]-the USA Network film, based on Greg's 'Breaking the Surface' tell-all book, is expected to air. Louganis, 37, narrates the film and the Olympic diver is played by Mario Lopez."

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Kenny Fried autographs copies of his memoir, "Body, Remember," about being gay, disabled and Jewish, at Unabridged Bookstore.

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"Current Issues in Lesbian and Gay Life," a series with Father Robert Nugent, minister of New Ways Ministry in Baltimore, MD, author of "Building Bridges: Gay and Lesbian Reality in the Catholic Church," takes place at Loyola University.

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In Billy Masters' "Filth" in Gay Chicago, he writes:

"I hear that another celebrity couple is kaput. Rosie O'Donnell and her girlfriend, Michelle Blakely, are no more, according to my sources. What supposedly happened was they had a fight just before the holidays. Now, if you read the rag, they say that Michelle was tired of being in the background and wanted to go public with their relationship; Rosie didn't, so Michelle left. My sources tell me a somewhat different tale. They did have the fight, but it was Rosie who asked Michelle to pack her bags and go. Thinking this was a tiff that would blow over, Michelle left to visit her folks for Christmas. When she got there, she found all of her belongings boxed up and waiting for her. It seems Rosie had an assistant 'de-Michelle' the place."

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Extended through February 23, by Popular Demand, "Love! Valor! Compassion!" at the Organic Theater Building, 3319 N. Clark St.

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The Mountain Moving Coffeehouse for womyn-only hosts an erotic poetry night with Vernita Gray, Donna Rose, Diane Gomez and their friends.

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A Writers Collective of African American lesbigay authors meets at Brother II Brother, Grand Blvd. Plaza, 5401 S. Wentworth.

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"I Shall Not Be Removed," a film biography of the late Marlon Riggs, is premiered at Chicago's Facets Video Theater, 1517 W. Fullerton. The film chronicles Riggs' childhood in Fort Worth, his political awakening at Harvard, his career as an activist and advocate, his struggle with AIDS, and his desire to complete his last work, "Black Is ...Black Aint."

2003

In the bars and clubs this week, Aloha! Come join us for our first "Winter Luau," a pig roast benefit for Direct Aid at Bucks, 3439 N. Halsted; the Illinois Gay Rodeo Association "King & Queen of Hearts Pageant" takes place at Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark St.; Michelle Malone sings at Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark St.; Brad, JJ, RC, Giano and Christian strip down to the bare essentials at Madrigals, 5316 N. Clark St.; it's Stud Puppy Tuesdays at Temptations, 10235 W. Grand, Franklin Park; and "Abbarama" hosted by DJ China is at the Edge, 13126 S. Western Ave, Blue Island.

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RuPaul – Gay Chicago October 6, 2006

The Hearts Foundation, its Friends, Sponsors and Beneficiaries present "Fireball Festival 2003," a week of celebration for Chicago's LGBT community.

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In Billy Masters' "Filth" column in Gay Chicago:

"Now, on to the Golden Globes. ...let's talk about Joan Rivers (and Missy, who seemed to be channeling Denise Rich). Auntie Joan was actually relatively error-free in her interviews. Her biggest flub came when she was talking to Ray Liotta and Bono. She screwed up both names (Ray LIE-otta and Bono–as in Sonny Bono)."

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Article in Gay Chicago:

"Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago was awarded $1,000 for having produced the best water station at the 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. The water station, whose name was "Broadway on Broadway," was located at Broadway and Wellington. 32,000 runners from around the world passed through the water station as they were entertained by male cheerleaders, dancers and other characters."

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There's a Freedom to Marry Reception at the High Risk Gallery, 1113 W. Belmont. Wedding cakes, music and hors d'ouvres donated by: Coup de Gras Catering, D.J. Wanda Rodriguez, Swedish Bakery, Sweet Mysteries Bakery, and a Taste of Heaven.

Homework

What's Greg Louganis up to these days?

Is Firetrap Press still around?

What happened to the High Risk Gallery?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Sherman Heinrich photographs Steve Rempas, owner of the Loading Dock and Men's Room for Gay Chicago December 24, 1987

Lincoln Park Lagooners' "Murder on the Evanston Express," photographed by Jack Sitar for Gay Chicago November 19, 1987

Manhandler photographed by Sukie de la Croix for Nightspots March 6, 2003

Teri Yaki and Vanity Fayre, photographed in Charlie's by Sukie de la Croix in April 4, 2001 Windy City Times.

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.