May 15 – May 21, 2014

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

1978

Article in Gay Life begins:

"Two students at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston have been dismissed because they have admitted their homosexuality. James Mason, 25, and Terry Colbert, 32, who are completing their first year of study in the school's master of divinity program, will not be readmitted in September. The Garrett faculty made the decision by a 15 to 10 vote on Monday, May 15."

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IMAGE: Allan Lozito at Dugan's Bistro – Gay Chicago April 10, 1980

Gregg Flood appears as "Oscar Wilde in Person" at the Body Politic to benefit the Gay and Lesbian Pride Week Committee. The Body Politic is located at 2261 N. Lincoln.

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The first meeting of the new Committee for Chicago Gay Rights Legislation is held at the 2nd Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry.

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Lutherans Concerned for Gay People holds its monthly meeting at Christ the Mediator Lutheran Church, 311 S. Calumet. Attorney Rene Hanover answers legal questions.

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Dr. David Augsberger, Christian psychologist, author and lecturer, is the featured speaker at tonight's meeting of Evangelicals Concerned, at Monday's restaurant.

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Yaga Baga, a nine-piece woman's band from Portland, Oregon, performs jazz, funk and Latin music at the Mountain Moving Coffeehouse, 1655 W. School.

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Another meeting concerning the proposed lesbian center is held at Mama Peaches restaurant, 3059 N. Sheffield.

1997

Jeff Rossen reviewed "Sidetrack III: Last Call" in Gay Chicago:

"To quote Norma Desmond, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus' third edition of 'Sidetrack' was 'magic in the making.' By far the slickest of the three installments, 'Sidetrack III: Last Call' was filled with hilarious moments, sensational dancing and the finest vocal work the chorus has ever presented.

"Onto the bare Athenaeum stage, Alexius P. MacCauley emerged as Desmond in 'Sunset Boulevard' and delivered a knockout version of 'As If We Never Said Goodbye." When he reached the line 'I've come home at last,' he was joined by the entire chorus for a spine-tingling moment as we were transported back to the environs of Sidetrack onstage. How many Lizas does it take to perform "Cabaret?" Well, nine of various shapes and sizes were on hand, recreating the real Liza's every gesture to hilarious perfection."

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IMAGE: Gay Athletic Association – Gay Life April 25, 1985

In the bars and clubs this week, it's karaoke at Friends Pub, 3432 W. Irving Park; La Femmes Amies Talent contest on Thursdays at Paris Dance, 1122 W. Montrose; Free Your Mind to the soul-stirring sounds of remixer/producer, Mark Picchiotto. Feel the animal passion in the Jungle Room. Succumb to your primal urges with DJ Orlando. Body-painting by Queen. ANIMALS 4 at Fusion, 3631 N. Halsted; it's Leather United Club Night at the Chicago Eagle, 5015 N. Clark St.;

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Stop AIDS Café Noir, South Side discussion for Black gay men and bi-men at 1718 E. 75th St.

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Dominican Fr. Richard Woods, Ph.D. served as Dignity/Chicago's first chaplain in the 1970s. OnSunday May 18 he will again minister to the group as its guest homilist at its 25th Anniversary Mass at Broadway United Methodist Church, 3344 N. Broadway. Woods is adjunct professor in the Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago, where he teaches spiritual theology and adjunct professor in psychiatry at Loyola University Medical School. He is also lecturer and tutor in theology and philosophy at Blackfriars Hall, the Dominican college at Oxford University.

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IMAGE: Chris Williamson at Park West – Gay Life April 25, 1985

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office sponsors a Domestic Violence Awareness Seminar for social service providers to the gay and lesbian HIV-impacted communities. It is part of an ongoing series of seminars hosted by the State's Attorney's Office for such providers.

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CK Calvin Klein eyewear presents Me'shell Ndegeocello and special guest Rahsaan Paterson at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield.

2003

Scott Free's Grinder weekly extravaganza of words and music features Sharmili Majmudar and Emily White, at the No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood.

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IMAGE: Jordan Austin at Man's Country – March 27, 1997

"Dolly Would!" – Stephen Rader sings the music of Dolly Parton at Davenport's Piano Bar, 1383 N. Milwaukee.

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The University of Chicago's Center for Gender Studies sponsors a discussion, "Burlesque Past and Present: Striptease, Humor and Pleasurable Politics." Speakers include Chicago burlesque producers Gwen Lis and Tara Tremmel, director/performer Lisa Samra, and Miss Indigo Blue, co-founder ofTwirlygirl.net and creator of Seattle's BurlyQ: A Queer Cabaret. Takes place at 5733 S. University.

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"Living Well Under the Rainbow: A LGBT Senior Health and Benefits Fair" is sponsored by Horizons, Howard Brown, AARP and others, at 5917 N. Broadway.

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Lakeside Pride's SHOUT! Jazz ensemble performs a Swing into Spring concert at Circuit, 3642 N. Halsted.

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Celebrate the opening of Gerber/Hart's May exhibit, an overview of LGBT culture, history and concerns created by the Pride group at UIC, at 1127 W. Granville.

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"Beyond Coming Out of Marriage," a peer support group for lesbians who were once in a heterosexual marriage meets at Kindred Hearts, 2214 Ridge Ave., Evanston.

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Rainbow Families of Illinois kick-off party with pizza, salad, soft drinks, and games for kids, is at Leona's restaurant, Jungle Room, 1936 W. Augusta.

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Windy City Gay idol take place at Madrigals, 5316 N. Clark St.

Homework

Who were the nine Liza's in 'Sidetrack III: Last Call"?

Is Kindred Hearts still around?

Did anyone see Stephen Rader's Dolly Parton show at Davenports?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Pictures of Dago Rose's Hideaway and Carol's Speakeasy from April 10, 1980 Gay Chicago

New Years Eve 1995 from Gay Chicago January 5, 1995

Terri Klinsky takes pictures in Friends bar on Irving Park for Nightlines April 23, 1997

Sukie takes pictures of the Barony USO Show at the Annex in Nightspots March 5, 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.