July 10–16, 2014

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

1983

Occhipinti Productions presents William Finn's "March of the Falsettos" at the Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont, with John Herrera, Beverley Hainault, Richard Reardon, Dan Lemonnier and Larry Schwartz.

+++

William Higgins' adult film "The Little Whorehouse in L.A." has its Midwest premiere at the Bijou, 1349 N. Wells St.

+++

IMAGE: Trianon – Gay Chicago November 21, 1985

The Greater Chicago Gay and Lesbian Democrats hold a "Cruising For Political Power" fundraiser aboard the Trinidad on Lake Michigan. Cost for the evening is $15 plus cocktail on board at $1.

+++

An article in this week's Gay Life begins:

"Two grants, one of the largest in its nine-year history, have been awarded to the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

"The Chicago Resource Center contributed $6,000 on July 7. Half that figure is earmarked for developing a workshop and pamphlets on 'what the media needs to know about its gay audience and gay issues,' said Task Force co-chairperson Al Wardell. The other $3,000 is for developing a workshop and pamphlet 'to make the point that homophobia is the problem, not homosexuality,' said Wardell."

+++

On the cover of Gay Life:

"'A Star is Born' again. With 30 minutes of running time restored, a new color print, and its original three hour stereophonic soundtrack, this classic musical is being shown as a roadshow event, with one-night engagements in six cities scheduled for this summer. It will be shown in Chicago Tuesday, July 26, at 8 p.m. at Arie Crown Theater, McCormick Place."

1989

In the bars and clubs, the rock band Women of All Sexes perform at Suzie B's Tavern, 1829 W. Montrose; the 5th annual Pet Costume Contest is held at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont; the first of a new monthly Sock Hop is held at U-Bahn, 3406 N. Sheffield, with DJ's Galen, Dion and Teri Bristol; Bob Moore, "not just another handsome homosexual," sings and plays the piano at Gentry of Chicago, 712 N. Rush St.; Cheeks, 2730 N. Clark St. presents the Miss Cheeks Contest featuring Tonette (Miss Cheeks 1988-'89). $1000 in cash prizes.

+++

IMAGE: Thing cover – Thing Summer 1993

On June 11, 1989 Rev. Larry Fay is installed as the first full-time pastor of Christ the Redeemer Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) at 933 Chicago Ave. in Evanston, the 6th anniversary of the church.

+++

"Wizard of A.I.D.S." a safe-sex musical comedy is performed at Ann Sather, 929 W. Belmont.

+++

In the theater listings in Windy City Times:

"'Jerker,' a hymn to the romantic possibilities of phone sex. Robert Chesley's story of two San Francisco hunks who make love in their imaginations is an erotic–and finally, strangely moving–theatrical experience. Christopher Moore's staging really turns up the heat. Bailiwick Repertory, 3212 N. Broadway."

IMAGE: Berlin – Gay Chicago December 26, 1996

Article in this week's Windy City Times begins:

"The number of AIDS cases reported to the City of Chicago's Department of Health in the second quarter of 1989 was somewhat above the caseload from the same three month period last year. May's caseload was a seemingly record-breaking 103, but Brian Chapman of the City's AIDS Activity Office indicated that May's number was artificially inflated. At least 20 of May's cases came from one hospital which had fallen behind in reporting."

+++

Also in this week's Windy City Times:

"The Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force will celebrate its 15th anniversary in fine style as part of this summer of lesbian and gay pride. On the agenda for this gathering are a number of delicious items: a juried birthday-cake contest (individuals are encouraged to bring their baked masterpieces to be judged by celebrity palates), a dance contest for those in the mood to boogie, and the brand-new 'Gay Jeopardy' game for those looking for some friendly intellectual competition and fun. In addition a complimentary buffet catered by Lauren and RSVP will be offered and prizes galore donated by community businesses will be awarded. Gay Chicago's own Rick Karlin will be there to oversee the festivities, which take place from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 16 at Paris Dance, 1122 W. Montrose."

+++

In Windy City Times:

"Colleen Dewhurst, president of Actors' Equity and Dorothy Loudon, the current star of 'Driving Miss Daisy' at the Briar Theatre, are honorary chairs of the Season of Concern benefit and celebrity auction to be held at Ditka's City Lights, 233 W. Ontario, 233 W. Ontario, on Monday, July 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Goodies offered for auction included a football autographed by Iron Mike himself, posters signed by the cast of 'Les Miserables' and 'Bleacher Bums,' tickets to a variety of Chicago theaters and weekend getaway packages."

1990

"An entertaining evening of song, wit and wisdom by, for, and among people with AIDS and their friends," with Michael Callen and the Flirtations at Park West, 322 W. Armitage, benefits Howard Brown Memorial Clinic. Your host for the evening is Roy Wohl.

+++

IMAGE: Nightspots cover – Nightspots June 12, 2002

An article by David Olson in Windy City Times begins:

"Lesbian Attorney Appointed to CHR."

"The co-chair of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago (LAGBAC) has been appointed to a key position with the city's Commission on Human Relations (CHR)

"Miriam Pickus, 28, is scheduled to become CHR's director of human rights compliance by early August. The post is a new one created under the reorganization of CHR, which began in May. The job is similar to one that existed under the old CHR. Pickus' main duty will be to supervise investigations of discrimination complaints."

+++

"The Ten Percent Show," this month's installment of Chicago's lesbian and gay cable program includes a new episode of "Secret Passions," the gay soap opera, and profiles of Sonia Johnson, Alison Bechtel, and Windy City Times columnist Jon Henry Damski.

+++

Asians and Friends Chicago host "Barefoot in the Park," a picnic and social event at the gay Belmont Rocks at Wellington and Lake Michigan.

Homework

What happened to the Greater Chicago Gay and Lesbian Democrats?

Is Miriam Pickus still around?

Anyone know where David Olson is?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Dan Di Leo photographs a young David Boyer, then manager of Carol's Speakeasy, for Gay Life May 10, 1984

The board of Gay Horizons photographed for Gay Life May 10, 1984 by Lee Newell

St. Sukie de la croix photographs the Boyz of Bucks for Nightspots June 12, 2002

THING magazine Summer 1993 photographs by Robert Ford and Scott Free. Is that a young Malone Sizelove there? Yes it is ...

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.