August 28-September 3, 2014

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

1986

In Windy City Times, Tracy Baim writes:

"More than one hundred gays and lesbians attended the Aug. 19 community meeting held to discuss strategy in obtaining civil rights protections in Chicago, and discuss the November and February elections. The meeting was dominated with various political agendas, with little specific action or strategy planned.

"An ad hoc community group will again meet tonight, Aug. 28 at the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 615 W. Wellington, at 7 p.m.

"One project of immediate action announced at the Aug. 19 meeting, recommended by Redoubt owner Jim Flint, Gold Coast owner Frank Kellas, His 'n' Hers owner Marge Summit, and Dewy Harrington of Pass the Salt & Pepper, among others, is to write the words 'Gay Dollar' on all paper currency spent by gays and lesbians and their supporters. This 'Gay Dollar' campaign would be an effort both in New Town and across the city to show business the economic clout of the community."

"The 'Gay Dollar' should be written to the left of the photo on the front of the bill, this being the only legal spot to write on. 'Gay Dollar' stampers for currency should be ready by the end of this week by contacting Summit or Kellas at their respective bars."

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IMAGE: Mayor Jane Byrne – Gay Life April 17, 1981

Letter from Richard K. Claycomb in Windy City Times:

"Since a percentage of all United Way contributions go to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, wouldn't our charitable contributions better serve the gay community if given instead to the Howard Brown Memorial Clinic, Chicago House or other organizations? (United Way contributions can be easily canceled by contacting your company's personnel office)."

1993

"A feast for the senses! A sly comedy with a dazzling dramatic core. No serious film lover can afford to pass this film up." "The Wedding Banquet" is at Loews, 418 S. Michigan Ave.

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IMAGE: Ozone – Gay Chicago April 2, 1981

In this week's Gay Chicago:

"'Somebody once said that reading alone is like drinking alone,' says John Hasbrouk, coordinator of Gerber/Hart Library and Archives Gay Men's Fiction Reading and Discussion Group. Like sharing a drink with good friends at the local pub can provide a welcome end to a long day, Gerber/Hart's Gay Men's Fiction Group provides an opportunity to learn about gay literature, not to mention a sure way to meet new and interesting people."

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In the bars and clubs this week, "Don't Get in My Way, I'm Going to Michelle Fire's Big Chicks, 5024 N. Sheridan, the Best House Party in Town"; it's the Full Moon Party "The Boxer Rebellion" at AA Meat Market, 2933 N. Lincoln. Prizes for Baggiest, skimpiest and most colorful pairs of boxer shorts; White and Black Party at L.A. Connection, 3700 N. Halsted; Mount-N-Men, an all-male revue from New York City, perform at Temptations, 10235 W. Grand, Franklin Park; Rudy De La Mor is playing at Gentry of Chicago, 712 N. Rush St.

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Top 10 Playlist courtesy of DJ/VJ Donnie Warner, Hunters, Vortex, Manhole: 1) "Doomsday 'Atom Bomb'" – DJ Pierre; 2) "Love for Love" – Robin S; 3) "SundayNight Party" – Alex Party; 4) "The Price of Love" – New Order; 5) "A Shade Shadey" – Ru Paul; 6) "Can You Forgive Her?" – The Pet Shop Boys; 7) "I Can See Clearly" – Debbie Harry; 8) "If. & Throb" – Janet; 9) "Only With You" – Captain Hollywood Project; 10) "2 the Rhythm" – Sound Factory.

1997

On the gayborhood in Outlines:

"The renovation of a street in a neighborhood that is home to a large gay and lesbian community will include two gateways to mark the area as friendly to gays.

"The gateways, along with 22 steel pylons along Halsted Street on Chicago's North Side, will include a rainbow ring of lights, reflecting the colors in the gay pride flag. The project, costing $3.2 million, includes planting 180 trees and widening sidewalks."

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IMAGE: Cher chez le femme – Gay Chicago June 13, 1985

Great Beast Theater's Robert Patrick performs his one-man show based on the writings of Oscar Wilde at Famous Door.

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In Gotcha! in Gay Chicago, Billy Masters writes:

"On the plus side, the newly debuted chat-fest 'The View' has got to be the one of the best shows I've seen in a long time. Yes, Barbara Waters is producing it and shows up a couple of times a week to join the rest of the panel headed by the fab Meredith Vieira and also including sassy Star Jones and adorable Debbie Matenopoulos. But the great news is that on the days Babs is home napping, comedienne Joy Behar will take her place. Joy has to be the funniest (and most intelligent) women around so don't miss it."

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IMAGE: Boom Boom Room – Babble July 12, 1995

The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association National Conference takes place at the Sheraton Hotel, 301 E. North Water St. in Chicago. Author Molly Ivins is among keynote speakers. Other special guests: Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders; CNN commentator Farai Chideya; gay youth activist Jamie Nabozny; NPR's Scott Simon; author Achy Obejas; gay historian Allan Berube (Coming Out Under Fire); and Edward Alwood (Straight News: Gays, Lesbians and the News Media).

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Openly gay State Rep. Larry McKeon hosts a fundraiser at Paris Dance lesbian bar, 1122 W, Montrose. $30 ($50 couples). McKeon's campaign is also seeking volunteers from the 34th District to help on his re-election campaign.

Homework

Who remembers the AA Meat Market?

DJ Donnie Warner, where is he now?

Did you stamp your gay dollars?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Dave Ouano photographs party-goers at Berlin, Sidetrack and North End for Chicago Free Press

Mike Williams photographs Our Way on Wells for Gay Chicago April 26, 1984

Night of 100 Drag Queens at Sidetrack in Gay Chicago July 29, 1994

Kirk Williamson photographs Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Bucks

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.