July 17–23, 2014

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

1986

Article on Page 5 of this week's Windy City Times begins:

"Bruce Koff, the volunteer, part-time executive director of Gay and Lesbian Horizons for the past two years, this week became the first full-time, paid director of a gay and lesbian community organization in this city, joining Koff will be a full-time assistant, Lorraine Hecht.

"While Chicago can boast full-time directors for AIDA and health-related organizations, such as the Howard Brown Memorial Clinic and Chicago House, Horizons is the first gay and lesbian community group to hire a full-time director."

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IMAGE: Medusa's – Gay Chicago April 25, 1985

Article on Page 5 of Windy City Times begins:

"Rich Klein, a divorced father who has been diagnosed with AIDS-Related Complex (ARC), is petitioning a Lake County judge for full visitation rights with his three children. Klein's ex-wife has petitioned the court to have his visitation rights revoked because of his illness."

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IMAGE: Man's Country – Gay Life May 22, 1984

Article on Page 7 of Windy City Times begins:

"North Sider Larry Eyler was convicted July 9 on all charges in the murder of 15 year-old Daniel Bridges Aug. 20, 1984. Prosecutors said they plan to introduce information about other possible murders committed by Eyler when they seek a death penalty ruling later this month from Criminal Court Associate Judge Joseph Urso."

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Alyson Publications is in the process of compiling two collections of coming-out stories. They are looking for both lesbians and gay men who would like to write about some aspect of their own real-life experiences. For a set of guidelines write to Alyson publications ...

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"El Grupo Latino de Buen Pastor" invita homosexuals hispanos para participar en un grupo los lunes a las 8:00 p.m. en las Iglesia de la Comunidad Metropo;itana, 615 W. Wellington, Chicago.

El Grupo Latino se ha organizado para ofrecer soportes y comprension en el espiritu de Cristo, a los homosuales hispanos o personas que hablan espanol."

1995

Quotelines in Outlines:

"Do I like women? I like women. Do I like them sexually? Yeah, I do. Totally. To the extent of how I fool around with them, I think that when I was younger, I was with a lot of women. I haven't been with a woman in a long time. It's weird. Women are so much more selective with women than they are with men. You really have to like the person. ...I don't think I could ever just be solely with a woman. It's not enough." – Drew Barrymore.

And:

"I knew I was killing myself ...I drifted in and out of awareness. The only time I smiled is when I had a straw up my nose or a strip of tin foil in my hand. I bought drugs like I bought designer clothes. It is by God's mercy that I never overdosed" – Boy George.

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IMAGE: All Jokes Aside – Nightlines June 19, 1996

MISSING OUT WOULD BE A DRAG! See Julie Andrews in "Victor Victoria" at the Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe.

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Test Positive Aware Network announces the addition of Rick Bejlovec to its staff. He will serve as TPA's Resource and Referrals Coordinator. At TPA, Rick will follow in the footsteps of Christina Kuhrman in working on and refining the Chicago Area HIV/AIDS Services Directory, as well as serving as staff liaison to HIV Basics, the orientation subcommittee, TPA Diner and the Chris Clason Resource Center.

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Jess Hawk Oakenstar, a solo singer, guitarist, songwriter from Zimbabwe, performs at the Mountain Moving Coffeehouse, 1545 W. Morse. Her music is a unique fusion of rock, folk and country. She has two recordings, "Leave a Little Light Behind," and "Your Heart Will Show You." She has performed in 35 states and Australia.

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The Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago invites law students, summer associates, clerks, lawyers, judges and their friends to celebrate summer at Off the Line, 1829 W. Montrose.

2006

You can see Melissa Etheridge Live this week at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.

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There are dozens of Gay Games VII events around town, including: Team San Francisco Bronze, Silver and Gold Party at the Hilton, Grand Ballroom, 720 S. Michigan; Men's Flag Football meet and greet. Wear your participant badge for free food, cash bar at Hamburger Mary's, 5400 N. Clark St.; Martial Arts meet and greet at 3160, 3160 N. Clark St.; Triathlon meet and greet. Chicago Razors and TriWomen Triathlete Reunion at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted.

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IMAGE: Erotica – Nightspots June 12, 2002

In the bars and clubs this week watch "Project Runway" every Thursday at Crew, 4804 N. Broadway; 7 Days of Gay Games, Go Go Boys, Drag Queens and fabulous cocktails at Cocktail, Halsted & Roscoe; come to the wildest planet around, Planet Earth, every Thursday with DJ Dave Roberts at Neo, 2350 N. Clark St.; "Muscles on the Mat," a party for wrestlers, musclemen and fans, at Touche, 6412 N. Clark St.; the Flesh Hungry Dog Show with Dylan Rice, the Scott Free Trio, and Boys Night Out at Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark St.: Absolut and Bud Light present "Olympus" at Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn, with Rosabel (DJ Abel & Ralphi Rosario) with a special live performance by Crystal Waters; and there's an International Deaf LGBT party hosted by the Windy City Alliance of the Deaf at Spin, Halsted and Belmont.

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Alexander Billings and Diverse Harmony are the cabaret show at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Randolph.

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Grace Place Women Yoga class for LBT women, suitable for all levels, is at Acme Art Works, 1741 N. Western.

Homework

Whatever happened to Jess Hawk Oakenstar?

Flesh Hungry Dog Show, still going?

Anybody see Melissa Etheridge at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Mark DeSanto photographs the Violent Femmes performing at Medusa's for Gay Chicago May 10, 1984

Jim Slater (Big Jim), Paul Goldman, Rep. Daniel P. O'Brien, Chuck Renslow and Midge Costanza at the One of Chicago banquet in Gay Chicago May 24, 1979

Woody and Marty took these photographs at the Edge, Charlie's and Touche for Nightspots June 12, 2002.

Sukie de la Croix took this photograph of Miss Foozie and naked boys singing in Nightspots May 14, 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.