July 24–30, 2014

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

1979

Article on the front page of Gay Life begins:

"Police cooperation in the wake of two separate bar incidents has been spectacular, despite earlier lack of cooperation, according to Chuck Hadley, co-owner of the Greenleaf, a popular gay bar and entertainment showcase on Chicago's far North Side. Both incidents resulted directly, or indirectly, from the presence of street rowdies in the neighborhood. Hadley reports that because of police cooperation, there is virtually no remnant of the presence of the rowdies within the vicinity of the bar."

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IMAGE: Hotwire – Hotwire May 1993

Article on Page 2 of Gay Life begins:

"Charges against eight of the fifteen people (arrested at Carol's Speakeasy in the police raid of May 19) were officially dropped on Thursday, July 2, in Branch 26 of the Circuit Court of Cook County. This court handles disorderly conduct cases at Chicago Police Department Headquarters at 11th and State. Corporation Counsel Kenneth Berg introduced a motion to have all mention of the incident purged from the official record, thus negating the probation order placed upon the nine defendants at the June 7 trial."

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In Gay Life's "Hot Wax" column:

"DISCOLAND–Where the Music Never Ends. Allan Carr's new musical will feature Valerie Perrine instead of Olivia Newton-John. The film also includes the Village People and Bruce Jenner. The best news is that it will be directed by Nancy Walker.

"Barbara Streisand includes a 12 minute disco version of 'The Main Event/Flight' on her new soundtrack LP from the movie."

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IMAGE: Manhole – Gay Chicago March 27, 1997

Disco chart-toppers in Gay Life: 1) "Bad Girls" – Donna Summer; 2) "I Got the Next Dance" – Deniece Williams; 3) "Born to Be Alive" – Patrick Hernandez; 4) "When You Wake Up Tomorrow" – Candi Staton; 5) "Ring My Bell" – Anita Ward.

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There's a performance by the high priests of camp, Gotham, at the St. Nicholas Theatre and it's a benefit for Integrity/Chicago, the gay Episcopalian group. Money raised will help Integrity members attend the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, to be held in Denver in September, where the subject of the ordination of gay and lesbian persons is to be discussed.

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Bruce Dumont's WFYR (103.5) talk show featuring Bill Kelley and Martha Fourt of the Illinois Gay Rights Task Force is scheduled for July 29. The show will touch on a variety of gay-related subjects and will also feature Jeff Rignall, author of a recently published book on serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

1994

In the bars and clubs this week, "Dyke Cream: Lesbian Erotic Images From Antiquity to Present," a slide show by Tee Corinne, is shown at Paris Dance, 1122 W. Montrose; Denise Tomasello performs at Gentry, 712 N. Rush St.; "What if Meryl Streep, Julie Andrews, Bette Midler, Liz Taylor, Joan Collins, and Two Gay Florists were held hostage by a Sexy Macho Gun Ma!" at Carr's Halsted Cabaret, 3320 N. Halsted; "Tropical Tea Dance and Tag Night," a benefit for Dance For Life/STOP AIDS, is at Roscoe's, 3354-56 N. Halsted; Inn Exile, 5758 W. 65th St., celebrates its 7th anniversary; Disco Wednesdays at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont;

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IMAGE: Manhole – Gay Chicago May 17, 2001

SANGAT/Chicago is an association of South East Asian Gays and Lesbians in the Chicago area. The focus of the group is to provide social outlet and emotional support to individuals of South Asian heritage.

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Boys in the Bathroom, Chicago's #1 All-Gay Comedy troupe presents an evening of "gaiety" to promote awareness throughout Midwest colleges and universities. Mistress of Ceremonies: Honey West. Special Guest Appearance by: Alexandra Billings. Performances By: Kelly Lauren – Miss Continental 1989 & Boys in the Bathroom. Takes place at the Chicago Improv, 504 N. Wells St.

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It's Northhalsted Market Days.

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Bring Our Heart Together Inc., a grassroots fundraising organization best known for throwing the "Hearts" party hosted on Valentine's Day weekend, will be hosting another "major dance party," on Saturday, July 30, 9:30 p.m. at the Congress Theatre. All proceeds from the party will benefit Test Positive Aware (TPA) Network.

2002

"Beautiful Thing," by Jonathan Harvey, directed by Gary Griffin, is at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green St.

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IMAGE: Mister Contest – Gay Chicago May 24, 1984

On the front page of Windy City Times, Lori Weiner writes:

"Howard Brown Health Center suffered two high-profile blows this week when economic conditions forced a restructuring, resulting in the realignment of key staff positions. Almost immediately after the reorganization, Women's Program director Stacey Long tendered her resignation. Long will remain with Howard Brown until July 31.

"Two weeks ago, the agency was accused of racism and sexism by several prominent members of Chicago's African-American lesbian community after an alleged incident involving a volunteer for the agency's annual Taste for Every Palate fundraiser. Executive Director Keith Waterbrook told Windy City Times that Howard Brown is taking steps to understand, address, and resolve the allegations."

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Opening Night Benefit Gala for Reeling 2002 Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival including a screening of "The Cockettes" is hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago.

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Jerry Miller directs Lincoln Square Theatre's new production of Larry Kramer's AIDS drama, "The Normal Heart," at the Barry Memorial UMC, 4754 N. Leavitt.

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At Congregation Or Chadash, learn to read Hebrew by Rosh Hashana at free Hebrew Reading Crash Course, which meets for five consecutive Sundays at 3150 N. Sheridan.

Homework

Whatever happened to Lori Weiner?

Is SANGAT still going?

Is Denise Tomasello still around?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Sherman Heinrich photographs the Mr. Mineshaft Contest for Gay Chicago May 10, 1984. Owner of the Mineshaft bar was Dennis Kovak.

More Mr. contests in Gay Chicago May 24, 1979

St. Sukie photographs drag kings in Touche for Nightspots in 2002 (Date unknown)

St. Sukie takes photos of guys and dolls in Charlie's and Bucks for Nightspots June 12, 2002

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.