April 9-15, 2015

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

1983

Weekly events taking place include the Artemis Singers rehearsal at 2nd Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry; Black Bible Study Group, a black lesbian/gay religious discussion group, meets at Lincoln Methodist Church, 2200 S. Damen Ave.; Chicago Women's Rugby Team at Lincoln Park and North Ave.; Gay Persons Bridge Group at 656 W. Barry; and Windy City Wrestling Club meet for wrestling practice. Call ______ for directions.

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IMAGE: 10th Annual Oscar Party – Gay Life March 19, 1976

Bars that are sadly missed include Swan Club, 3720 N. Clark St; Spice Tree, 2811 N. Central; New Flight, 420 N. Clark St; Oasis, 111 W. Hubbard; Good Times Tavern, 3237 W. Armitage; and Kelly's Our Way, 648 Stateline Ave. Calumet City.

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John Boswell, award-winning historian and author of "Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality" speaks at a three day conference on "Perceptions of Gender: Masculine and Feminine in the Study of Religion" at the University of Chicago. Boswell speaks on the subject of "Women and the Development of Christian Doctrine: How 'Catholic' a Tradition."

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Ad in Gay Chicago reads:

"Introducing the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus in its "Premier Concert" Saturday April 9, Sunday April 10 at Lincoln Park High School, Armitage & Orchard. $6 advance, $7 at the door."

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Article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Dr. Hugo Muriel, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Health, has announced the formation of the Chicago-Area Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Task Force, and plans to include AIDS as a reportable disease in the city of Chicago.

"Dr. Muriel stated, 'AIDS represents a greater threat to the public health than did Legionnaires Disease and the Swine Flu epidemic combined. Although the number of AIDS cases in Chicago has not been as great as the numbers seen in New York and California, we have every reason to believe that the same factors exist here, and that AIDS will become a major public health problem in our city. The need for a Task Force of concerned parties is readily apparent to all of us in the health field. The Chicago-Area AIDS Task Force's early formation and efforts will greatly enhance our chances of controlling this deadly condition.'

"As of late February, more than 1100 cases of AIDS have been reported in the United States with more than 400 deaths occurring among those cases."

1993

This season's Top Five Science Fiction/Fantasy books at People Like Us Bookstore, 3321 N. Clark St. are: 1) "War Against the Chtorr #2" – David Gerrola (Bantam) $4.95; 2) "Return to Isis" – Jean Stewart (Rising Tide Press) $8.95; 3) "Death's Head" – Mel Keegan (Gay Men's Press) $10.95; 4) "War Against the Chtorr #1" – David Gerrold (Bantam) $4.95; 5) "The Deed of Paksenarrion" – Elizabethan Moon (Baen) $12.00.

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IMAGE: "A Raisin in the Sun" – Gay Life October 20, 1983

In the clubs and bars, "Spring Spanking Auction" is a benefit for Test Positive Aware at AA Meatmarket, 2933 N. Lincoln; Honey West and Paige Turner perform at Bugle Boy, 3320 N. Halsted; Rickey Corner is the comedian for Comedy Fridays at the Bistro, 5015 N. Clark St.; "Easter Baskets & Bonnets Contest at Roscoe's, 3354-56 N. Halsted; Zona Rosa with DJ Carlos Valderrama at Vortex, 3631 N. Halsted; there's an Easter Bonnet Contest at Charlie's 405 W. Ontario; Lady Bunny performs at Foxy's, 800 W. Belmont; Berlin, 954 W. Belmont, plumbs the depths of bad taste for "More Horrible Hits."

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The Top Ten Playlist courtesy of Bistro Too DJ Tom E: 1) "Been a Long Time" – The Fog; 2) "Show Me Love" – Robin S; 3) "I Need to Go Away to Go Away" – Tommye; 4) "Get Her" – The Ride Committee/Roxy; 5) "Go Away" – Gloria Estefan; 6) "Falling From Grace" – Romanthony; 7) "Musik Express" – X-Press 2; 8) "Respect" – Michelle Ayers; 9) "She's Crazy" – Grampa; 10) "Love Will Make it Right" – The Brotherhood.

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Article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Mayor Richard M. Daley joins community leaders at the Rodde Lesbian and Gay Community Center of Chicago's second annual anti-violence Candlelight March. The Mayor confirmed his commitment to fighting hate crimes saying, 'As mayor, I have no higher priority than bringing people together so that we can look forward as one city–where people can live and work without the fear of hate and violence."

1998

Organizations and groups meeting this week include: Chi-Town Squares, the gay square-dancing group, meets for beginner classes at Ebenezer Church, 1650 W. Foster; Aqua Buddies swimming group meets at Jane Addams Center, 3212 N. Broadway; NAMES Project quilting bee meets at 4753 N. Broadway; Pathfinders, gay/les/bi/trans questioning for 13-18 year olds meets at Harriet Tubman Place, 5901 W. Fulton; and the Kindred Hearts Women's Center spirituality group meets at Wheadon Church, 2214 Ridge, Evanston.

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IMAGE: Fireball – Gay Chicago January 28, 1999

The Gerber/Hart Library, 3352 N. Paulina, show the movies, "Celluloid Outings" and "The Wedding Banquet."

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"Race, Sexuality & Homophobia," is a panel discussion with Mary Morten-City of Chicago, Yvette Cardona-Las Amigas Latinas & WACT, and Javier Barajas-Association of Latino Men for Action. The moderator is Renae Ogletree. Takes place at UIC Chicago Circle Center, Rms. 509/510 750 S. Halsted.

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"Cats" is at the Shubert Theatre.

Homework

Who remembers Charlie's when it was located at 405 W. Ontario?

Is DJ Tom E still around?

Who remembers the AA Meatmarket?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Erin Cross photographs local leather stars for Gay Chicago April 30, 1981

In Gay Life April 3, 1981

Jack Sitar photographs Harold Washington for Gay Life April 3, 1983

Tracy Baim photographs IMPACT and LCCP fundraisers for Outlines March 1992

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.