June 5-11, 2014

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

1977

In the bars and clubs, every Friday and Saturday night, it's Mr. Kay Howard and His Fantasy in Pantomime at Mama Jan's, 2659 W. 21st.; Jose and Woody at Legacy 21, 3042 W. Irving Park, hold a 15th anniversary with a feast of a whole roasted lamb; Club Gaiety's Chatterbox, 744 N. Clark St., celebrate their Grand Opening with a Mr. Chatterbox Contest; Ginni Clemens is performing at His n' Hers, 944 W. Addison; the Tavern Guild of Chicago meets for its regular monthly meeting at Sundays, 430 N. Clark St.

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An article in this week's Gay Life begins:

"Underneath television lights and camera, the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Metropolitan Chicago met Wednesday, June 8 (6 days early) to plan a demonstration at Medinah Temple on June 14, where Anita Bryant will be appearing in a Flag Day Concert."

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The Dade County gay rights clause was voted down in a referendum, after Anita Bryant's Save Our Children campaign opposed it. That very night a candlelight protest of 200 persons was held at the Chicago Water Tower.

1994

"Writer's Voice," beat-era poet Allen Ginsberg reads at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington.

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IMAGE: Some Like it Hot – Windy City Times January 8, 2003

The Topp Twins return from their hometown of Aoteoroa, New Zealand, to the Mountain Moving Coffeehouse, 1545 W. Morse, to perform their hilarious comedy and beautiful harmonies.

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The Upstart Theatre Company presents "Together Alone," by P.J. Castellanta at the Red Bones Theatre 4147 N. Broadway. Adapted and Directed by Franco Ray. "A sexy, twisted odyssey between two men who've just engaged in a night of sexual passion. (Contains nudity and strong language).

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Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach Chicago join in the celebration of PRIDE Remembering Stonewall 25. Join AGLO Chicago As We Celebrate Our Sixth Anniversary, June 5, 1994.

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In this week's obituaries in Gay Chicago: James "Jimmy" A. Miller died after a five-year struggle with AIDS. He arrived in Chicago in 1978 from his native Fayetteville, N.C. and was a colorful and notorious bartender at Sundays and then the Normandy, where he acquired the name "Judy"; James A. Benedict died of AIDS complications while at his side was his devoted long-time companion, Benjamin G. Cole, as well as his close friends June, Ken and Don. Benedict worked in many of Chicago's restaurants as headwaiter. He is remembered for his giving nature, as evidenced in his work in his final year-and-a-half with the Alexian Brothers Hospice House; John Wolff died from complications due to AIDS and is remembered for his volunteer work and by simply being an example of how one doesn't have to give in to despair when facing HIV; and Luis M. Corral, who succumbed to AIDS and died in his home in Edgewater. Corral was an award-winning journalist, and associate editor of Chicago Enterprise. David H. Roeder, the magazine's editor, said: Journalism has lost a young talent and we at the magazine have lost a dear friend."



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Homophobia and Social Justice – Chicago Free Press April 9, 2008

Article in Gay Chicago begins:

"With a push by State Rep. Judy Erwin (D-11), the Illinois House of Representatives approved a resolution honoring the 1994 Chicago Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade and noting the 25th anniversary of New York City's 'Stonewall.'

"The House resolution states, 'We extend our deep appreciation and support to the 1994 Chicago Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade ... and commend its organizer's commitment to supporting Chicago's gay and lesbian community.'"

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Toddlin' Town Performing Arts presents the Chicago Gay Men's chorus "Lions & Rhinos & Bears ... Oh My!" at the Athenaeum Theatre, at Wellington and Southport, with special guests the Great Lakes Men's Chorus from Detroit.

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Author Christopher Leland signs his newly-published novel, "The Professor of Aesthetics" at Pride Agenda Bookstore, 1109 Westgate, Oak Park.

1996

Dr. Richard Isay signs and talks about his book, "Becoming Gay" at Unabridged Bookstore, 3251 N. Broadway. "In 'Becoming Gay,' Isay draws on the varied experiences of his patients and his own odyssey to explore and illuminate the path from private acknowledgment of homosexual longings to open expression of gay identity."

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Out At the Ballgame – Chicago Free Press April 9, 2008

Tracy Baim in "Off the Cuffs" in Nightlines writes:

"Leather-clad singer, Melissa Etheridge and comic Ellen DeGeneres were pictured attending the opening of 'Mission Impossible' together. Is Ellen venturing ever-closer out of the closet with her dyke friend?"

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Tracy Baim in "Off the Cuffs" in Nightlines writes:

"Princess Diana will visit Northwestern Memorial Hospital's hospice during her visit here this week, and she'll also attend a sold-out benefit for women working to fight cancer. About 25% of Northwestern's hospice patients are people living with AIDS. Di has always reached out to people living with AIDS, especially since the 1991 death of her friend Adrian-Ward-Jackson."

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Chicago House and Motif celebrate the birds migrating home for spring at "The Second Annual Birdhouse Auction" at 1101 W. Webster. The auction features birdhouse creations from Chicago's top architects, designers, artists.

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Diversity Radio presents "Come Out and Play," a promotion for the first Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards in the fall. The June 6 show includes Poi Energy Inc. (Poi Dog Pondering), Chrissie Olstad (formerly of Gena's Bouquet) with Simple Simon, Boys Entrance, David Clement, Patty Elvis, and Stewed Tomatoes.

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AIDSCare presents "A Sunday Afternoon in Our Park" to celebrate its first anniversary, at 303 W. Barry. There will be a tour of the residence, music, cocktails and more.

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Me'Shell Ndego'Ocello performs at Double Door, 1572 Milwaukee, while bisexual singer Jill ("I Kissed a Girl") Sobule is at Park West, and Tracy Chapman is at the Rosemont Theatre.

Homework

What happened to Diversity Radio?

Who remembers Mama Jan's, 2659 W. 21st.?

I heard that Jose of Legacy 21, 3042 W. Irving Park, moved to Florida. Does anyone know if he's still alive?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Terry Gaskins photographs Lenny Malina, Michael Schimandle and others at "Dining Out for Life" and DJ Psycho Bitch at Spin for Gay Chicago May 9, 1996

Demonstrators protest the anti-gay slant of child pornography hearings chaired by Alderman Burke in Gay Chicago News May 27, 1977

Israel Wright photographs the guys and dolls at Bucks for Nightlines January 5, 2000

David Rosenberg photographs "After Hours at the Art Institute" for June 5, 1996 Nightlines

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.