GAY CHICAGO REWIND
April 24 – April 30, 2014
Thu. April 24, 2014 12:00 AM
by Sukie de la Croix
Gay life in Chicago this week, back in ...
1981
IMAGE: Cult Videos – Gay Chicago April 4, 1985
Former Air Force Tech Sergeant Leonard Matlovich is the guest speaker at the 16th annual Mattachine Midwest recognition banquet at the Chicago Radisson Hotel. The event celebrates the memory of the late Pearl M. Hart, a Chicago attorney, and is held to honor individuals who, by their efforts to foster social and economic change though understanding, have reaffirmed the objective of gay activism. Those honored this year are Ald. Clifford Kelley and the Howard Brown Memorial Clinic.
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The Evanston City Council approves a fair housing ordinance that bans anti-gay discrimination.
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In the bars and clubs, Thursday all drinks are 75c at the Pyramid Disco, 220 W. North Ave.; Kyle Nash entertains with pop music at His 'n' Hers, 944 W. Addison; Gay World Enterprises presents the Miss Chubby Gay World 1981 Contest at the Baton, 436 N. Clark St.; it's the 1st of 4 preliminary Mr. Manhandler Contests. Judging begins at 11 p.m. and the three winners receive $50 bar tabs and a chance to compete in final contest May 28.
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Gay Horizons' community coffee house, which began a year ago, will open its fourth session Friday, April 24. According to Rick Karlin, chairman of Horizons East, "for many people a bar is too intense an environment to meet people and talk. Our coffee house atmosphere provides people with an opportunity to meet people, be entertained and hopefully enrich their lives."
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It's your chance to join the Lincoln Park Lagooners, Chicago's foremost gay club, at an Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social & Rush Party at 1339 W. Webster. Bring a bottle of Cold Duck & your best dessert effort or some ice cream.
1989
"Patchwork: Sharing Our Stories," Horizons' Second Annual Lesbian Conference takes place at the University of Illinois at Chicago. This is a daylong event featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops, as well as an opportunity to exchange information and experiences pertaining to all aspects of lesbian life.
IMAGE: Homo-Foam – Gay Chicago August 24, 1995
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The Gay/Lesbian Parents Group, a support group, meets at the Rodde Center, 3225 N. Sheffield.
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The Lesbian Book Discussion group discusses "The Well of Loneliness" by Radclyffe Hall, at Gerber/Hart Library, 3238 N. Sheffield.
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Strategies of long-term AIDS survivors are presented and discussed at Good Shepherd Parish Metropolitan Community Church, 615 W. Wellington. A variety of approaches are presented, including alternative therapies, meditation and visualization, and exercise.
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IMAGE: Gay Chicago Cover – Gay Chicago March 28, 1996
Letter in this week's Gay Chicago:
"I've been reading Gale Harris' articles in Gay Chicago Magazine for a while now, somewhere between one-and-a-half to two years, and I must admit, that not only have I laughed out loud while reading three of her articles, but also enjoy the openness and intimacy that she shares with the reader.
"I sometimes feel as though she has written a personal letter to a friend. It is a nice feeling. In short, this is a vote of confidence and a thank you note, for that coffee, fruit juice and yogurt break I take once a week with her article." – Eric Nemrava.
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Headline on the front page of Windy City Times reads: "Daley Sworn In, Calls for 'Teamwork."
"Calling for 'a new spirit of teamwork and cooperation'-but adding that during the two-year term to which he was elected 'we can only begin' to solve the problems facing the city-Richard Michael Daley was sworn in April 24 as Chicago's 45th Mayor. The day also marked the new mayor's 47th birthday."
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Reading and book signing by Vicki P. McConnell, author of the "Nyla Wade" mystery series and recent release "Double Daughter" at People Like Us Bookstore, 3321 N. Clark St.
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As part of the grand opening festivities at Oak Tree Books, 3714 N. Broadway, local author Mark Richard Zubro, whose new book "A Simple Suburban Murder" chronicles the adventures of two gay lovers as they seek to find out whodunit, will sign his books.
1997
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus celebrates their 15th Anniversary Season performing "Sidetrack III: Last Call" at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport.
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IMAGE: Whitney Houston We Have a Problem – Chicago Free Press April 9, 2008
Join Elizabeth, Maria, and staff for a big coming out party for Ellen DeGeneres at Temptations, 10235 W. Grand Ave., Franklin Park, Il. There are Ellen coming out parties everywhere, including Friends, 3432 W. Irving Park, and Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted.
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It's the Gay & Lesbian Travel Show at the Midland Hotel, 172 W. Adams. Plan your vacation and register to win! European Cruise for 2 from R.S.V.P. Travel Productions or 2 Round-Trip Tickets on Kiwi International Air Lines.
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"Johns," starring Lukas Haas and David Arquette as hustlers working Santa Monica Boulevard, is at the Music Box, 3733 N. Southport.
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Jeffrey Sanker and the House of Blues present an evening with legendary diva Grace Jones, with DJ Ralphi Rosario, at Park West.
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"Oscar Wilde on Prairie Avenue." Chicago actor Marc Silva dons the garb and guise of Oscar Wilde to present a rousing adaptation of Wilde's 1882 "Decorative Arts Lecture" given in Chicago. Takes place at the Prairie Avenue Gallery, 1900 S. Prairie Avenue.
Homework
I was at Sidetrack when Ellen came out. Where were you?
What happened to Gale Harris, the columnist for Gay Chicago?
Who saw Grace Jones at the House of Blues?
Gay Chicago Photo Rewind
Snake dancer at unknown bar in Gay Chicago April 4, 1985.
Terry Gaskins photographs Gay Chicago Holiday Party at Sidetrack in Gay Chicago December 14, 1995
Terry Gaskins photographs Porn Star search at the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge in Gay Chicago January 30, 2003
Israel Wright photographs the bartenders at Roscoe's for Nightlines January 6, 1999
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.