July 31–August 6, 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.

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The Gold Coast – Gay Chicago September 27, 1979

In Gay Life this week, Karlis Streips wrote:

"All three finalist candidates for the position of Superintendent of Police in Chicago said this week that they intend to continue the improvement of relations between the Chicago Police Department and the gay and lesbian community that marked the tenure of former Supt. Richard Brzeczek. ...The three candidates, whose names were announced last week by the independent Chicago Police Board, are Fred Rice Jr. 57, currently Chicago's chief of patrol; Rudolph Nimocks, 54, commander of Area 4 detectives; and Matt L. Rodriguez, 47, deputy superintendent in charge of technical services."

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In Gay Life:

"Gay Chicago magazine will resume publication next week, according to co-publishers Ralph Paul Gernhardt and Dan Di Leo.

"The weekly entertainment guide suspended publication after its July 21 issue because of financial difficulties. But Di Leo and Gernhardt said Monday that financial backing from local businessman Frank Kellas was enabling them to start up again, beginning Aug. 10."

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Black and Gold 1982 – Gay Chicago May 27, 1982

In Gay Life's Street Talk:

"Raconteur Quentin Crisp may bring his one-man show to Chicago at last. Actor-director David Dillon and writer Lynn Carroll are negotiating with the 'Naked Civil Servant' to appear here this fall; they're approaching angels in the community to invest in the project, which could be a partial fundraising effort for AIDS research."

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Larry Brewer's "On the Beat" charts in Gay Life: 1) "She Works Hard for the Money" – Donna Summer; 2) "I Don't Want to Talk About it" – Pamela Stanley; 3) "Mania (remix)" – Michael Sembello; 4) "So Many Men So Little Time" – Miquel Brown; 5) "Band of Gold" – Sylvester; 6) "Sweet Dreams" – Eurythmics; 7) "Searchin'" – Hazel Dean; 8) "Fascination" – Human League; 9) "These Memories" – Oh Romeo; 10) "Lime III (all cuts)" – Lime.

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One More Time," 3420 W. Grace, is the new hot spot for gay men and lesbians with live entertainment. "We only pour from the top shelf."

1998

In Nightlines Off the Cuffs, Tracy Baim writes:

"Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" is doing great in L.A. and New York, making it an independent hit. It opens Friday at Piper's Alley Theatre in Chicago.

And:

"Buffalo '66," a very weird film written by, and starring, Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Anjelica Huston, and Ben Gazarra opens Friday at the Music Box, 3733 N. Southport. Gallo likes to play a real bad boy, and you're never sure if he's homophobic or hip. He attacks his critics by calling them gay or lesbian, but recently gave a cover-story interview to Genre (a national men's magazine) saying he loves being a sex object for gay men."

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Babble Cover – Babble July 12, 1995

In Gotcha! In Gay Chicago, Billy Masters writes:

"One of the highly touted sitcoms of the coming season is "Will & Grace," about a gay man (Eric McCormack) and his straight female roommate (Debra Messing). When asked if the title character will have a sex life, co-producer Max Mutchnik said that there would be 'no same-sex kissing or other physical affection during the early episodes.' He did not rule out such interaction in later episodes, stating 'If we can do it in an entertaining way, it will happen.'"

2000

In the bars and clubs this week, presenting Venus Envy every Wednesday at Girlbar, 2625 N. Halsted; Renae Ogletree celebrates her 50th birthday at Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark St.; Temptations, 10235 W. Grand, Franklin Park, reopens; it's Salsa Night with special guest Latin American singer/songwriter Suzette, at Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark St.; During Northalsted Market Days, Circuit hosts "Market Night" throughout the weekend. With out of town DJs and great dance music, live performers, exotic dancers, and occasional the drag queen.

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Leather Dance – Gay Chicago May 24, 2001

Former pro baseball player Billy Bean is the keynote speaker at the Human Rights Campaign gala at the Hyatt Hotel. Awards are presented to American Airlines and Mildred's Circle of the Howard Brown Health Center.

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OutBound: A Lesbigay Literary Group discusses Jeanette Winterson's "Written on the Body" at Borders, 2817 N. Clark St.

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U.S. Rep. Barney Frank is in Chicago for a fundraiser for Lance Pressl, Democratic candidate for Congress from the 8th district (most of the NW Suburbs up into Lake County). Pressl is the first serious challenge that incumbent Republican Phil Crane has had in his 30 years as a conservative, anti-gay rep. The benefit is at Sorriso's on the River, 321 N. Clark St.

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"Witness Our Welcome: God's Promise Is for You (WOW 2000)," the largest ecumenical gathering of welcoming churches and individuals ever held, is at the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. Speakers include lesbian activist Urvashi Vaid, lesbian Presbyterian minister Rev. Janie Spahr, defrocked Methodist minister Rev. Jimmy Creech, Rev. John Selders, and many more from a wide variety of churches.

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The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, Chicago Chapter, and the Chicago Dept. of Public Health unveil the first public showing of "The Faces of AIDS." During the month of August, thirty images of people living with HIV and AIDS from Chicago and throughout the states of the Heartland are on display at the NAMES Project Visitor Center, 3732 N. Broadway. The opening reception of "Faces of AIDS" photo exhibit takes place August 4.

Homework

Does anyone remember a gay bar called One More Time?

What happened to the Chicago chapter of The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt?

Did anyone see "Buffalo '66"?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Babble August 10, 1994

Sherman Heinrich photographs the Mr. Dandy contest. Winner is Ken Eckstrom, Richard Zarnicki in 2nd place, and Craig Clauston in third. Photographed with Dandy's owners Henry Clarke and Rudy Cistaro.

Terry Gaskins photographs several special events for Gay Chicago July 1, 1993

David Rosenberg photographs for Nightlines June 19, 1996

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.