March 6 – March 12, 2014

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

1985

The newly formed A.C.T.I.O.N group (A Committee to Impel Ordinances Now) gets into a dispute with Chuck Renslow, publisher of Gay Life, over the refusal of the Renslow led Prairie State Democratic Club to join A.C.T.I.O.N. in its direct pressure methods to force the city council to act on a gay rights ordinance. The ordinance was still stalled in committee almost ten years after first being introduced. Renslow and Prairie State preferred lobbying be done behind the scenes by representatives of the community and key aldermen. A.C.T.I.O.N want to push for a vote even if there is not enough aldermanic support for passage. "That way, even if the bill fails, we know who are allies are," said Steve Jones, co-chairman of the group's Outreach Committee.

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Jeffrey's Pub – Gay Life February 17, 1978

The Top 5 Lesbian Fiction Bestsellers at Women and Children First are: 1) "Paz" – Camarin Grae; 2) "Winter Passage" – Judith McDaniel; 3) "Inland Passage" – Jane Rule; 4) "The Ladies" – Doris Grumbach; and 5) "The Reach & Other Stories" – ed. by Mohin and Shulman.

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In this week's Gay Life:

"The murderer of three gay men on Chicago's West Side, which baffled investigators last May, has been solved, police claim. Chicago law enforcement authorities say that Eric Thomas, 21, has confessed to the execution-style shootings of Willie Morton, George Brown (Morton's lover of 20 years) and David Green. Police were tipped off to Thomas because several phone calls had been made the day before the slayings from Morton and Brown's apartment at 4849 W. Fulton to Thomas' residence at 3131 W. Fulton. Thomas, apprehended last week in Detroit, reportedly told police he killed the three men after they refused to pay him for engaging in sex with them."

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The movie, "The Times of Harvey Milk" is showing at the Fine Arts Theater, 418 S. Michigan.

1994

In the bars, clubs and restaurants this week, Glee Club, 1543 N. Kingsbury, is proud to present an evening with Arista Recording Artist Taylor Dayne singing "Tell it to My Heart," "Love Will Lead You Back," and "I'll Always Love You"; Donaway's, an American Café, 3255 N. Halsted, presents Honey West's Banana Fanna Fro Frunch Brunch with a flashback to the '60s; Doug's Rock 'n' Roll Funhouse at Lucky Horseshoe Lounge, 3169 N. Halsted, with Classic Rock All Night, including Aerosmith, Steve Miller Band, Styx etc.; Happy Birthday! George Nichols party and cake with 39 candles at North End, 3733 N. Halsted; and AXIOS!, the organization for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people of Greek or Orthodox ethnic/religious background, kick back and relax at Buddies, 3301 N. Clark St.

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Who's That Girl? – Gay Chicago April 12, 2001

Party Productions presents "Girl Party" by David Dillon and Virginia Smiley at the Theatre Building 1225 W. Belmont.

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In Outlines "Quotelines" column:

"Oh, yeah, girl. I played a drag queen on Broadway, in 'Execution of Justice.' I played SisterBoom Boom" – Wesley Snipes, when asked if he had ever done drag. Snipes is cast to do drag in the upcoming movie "To Wong Foo With Love, Julie Newmar."

And:

"I thank God every morning I don't have a man in the house" – Cybill Shepherd.

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The Association of Latino Men for Action holds a gay political power discussion at Roberto Clemente High School, 1147 N. Western, 3rd Floor.

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Speak out against violence, particularly against lesbians/women at a "Rally Against Hate Crimes" at Daley Center Plaza. Speakers include Vernita Gray, Larry McKeon, and Lisa Pickens.

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Gay writer, David Drake, reads from his book "The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me" at Barnes and Noble, 656 W. Diversey.

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Homocore host God is My Co-Pilot and Flying Luttenbachers at Czar bar, 1812 W. Division

1997

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

"You know how sometimes when a performer's career is going slow they say, 'I couldn't even get arrested?' Well, that does not apply to the policeman from the Village People. Yes, in a moment of poetic irony, Victor Edward Willis, the cop for the Village People from 1977 to 1979 (during the years of their hits) was arrested in a Reno hotel room after his female companion claimed he roughed her up and robbed her of cash and jewelry. I am shocked!! He was with a woman?"

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Voltaire – Gay Chicago April 12, 2001

Mary McCauley, Women's Health Coordinator at Howard Brown Health Clinic, speaks on "Lesbian Health Matters" at a meeting of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans, at Ann Sather's, 929 W. Belmont.

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The Chicago coalition of mainstream black religious leaders, church members, and lesbians and gays convene a public forum of issues titled "The Black Church Responds to HIV/AIDS: A Dialog With Our Whole Church Family." The forum is held at St. Edmund's Church, 6105 S. Michigan Ave.

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The Illinois Gay Rodeo Association presents "Roller Rodeo," skating to country music with DJ David Boyer of Chicago's Original Country Dance, at Rainbow Roller Rink, 4836 N. Clark St.

Homework

Who tried Honey West's Banana Fanna Fro Frunch Brunch?

What happened to the Flying Luttenbachers?

What happened A.C.T.I.O.N. ...anybody know?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Terry Gaskins photographs cowboys at Charlie's for Gay Chicago January 27, 1994

Spike King photographs the Miss Continental Contest at Park West for Gay Chicago September 13, 1995

Leathermen in Nightlines February 7, 2001

Sukie photographs hot gals in the Closet for Nightspots March 16, 2003

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.