June 11-17, 2015

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

1976

A popular restaurant for gays is Poofy's, 508 N. Clark St., for complete dinners, sandwiches, egg dishes, and desserts.

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IMAGE: Heat Wave '79 – Gay Chicago January 11, 1979

An article on the front page of Gay Life begins:

"The syphilis testing van conducted by the Chicago Gay Health Project and sponsored by many of Chicago's north side gay bars and businesses reports 711 individuals were tested during its weeklong outreach program to Chicago's gay community on May 18-24, 1976.

"According to the report made after the testing, 53 individuals were found to have a positive reaction to the VDRL test for syphilis, resulting in a 7.5% reaction rate. By comparison to last fall's testing van, this rate represents a 50% increase in the percent of those found reactive to the VDRL test."

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In Richard Pfeiffer's column Around Town in Gay Life, he writes:

"Two popular books now out in paperback are: 'Consenting Adult' by Laura Z. Hobson (Warner, $1.95) about a mother receiving a letter from her son about his gayness, and 'Gay Spirit: A Guide to Becoming a Sensuous Homosexual' by David Loovis (Grove Press, $1.95)"

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Gay group, One of Chicago, hosts a Hawaiian Luau at the 100F Hall, 4221 W. Irving Park Road.

1981

The remains of nine unidentified victims of serial killer John Wayne Gacy are buried. One common service is held, but the bodies were buried in different, undisclosed locations.

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IMAGE: Rent a Rider Club Night at Touche – Gay Chicago June 27, 1991

In Don Eric's Countersport in Gay Chicago, he writes:

"The main difference between being gay nowadays and being gay years ago is the existence of a larger, more varied, and more accessible gay community. In the past there were the discreet parties, some anonymous encounters in places not meant for them, a predominance of drag bars over any other kind, and nothing like the political activities that now take place. Now there are hired halls for huge gatherings, sometimes running the same night; anonymous encounters in places made for them; a bar for almost every type of person who is gay; and a politically active movement. There are even national and local gay newspapers and gay magazines and books available in ordinary stores."

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Stephen Kulieke writes on the front page of Gay Life:

"In an action never before taken by Chicago's top elected official, Mayor Jane Byrne has issued a proclamation declaring June 28 as 'Gay Pride Parade Day' in Chicago.

"Byrne's proclamation came June 5 in response to a request from the Gay and Lesbian Pride Week Planning Committee. The committee had asked the mayor in a mid-May letter to declare June 21-28 as 'Gay Pride Week' in Chicago and invited her to attend the 12th annual pride and rally."

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Neal T. Dorschel starts his interview with Divine in Gay Life like this:

"Described by film critics as an 'inflated Jayne Mansfield,' a 'fleshly-fantasy of Miss Piggy,' 'undoubtedly some sort of discovery.' Baltimore's Miss Divine was interviewed before the premiere of the latest John Waters film, 'Polyester.'"

1999

In the bars and clubs, it's "Arson," late night Sundays with spinmaster Lightning Lulu at Charlie's, 3726 N. Broadway; it's Ultra-Glam Mondays with Tina Stefano and DJ Ozzie at the Mashed Potato Club, 316 W. Erie; house dance exhibition and competition with a chance to win Cher tickets, Universal CD's and other giveaways at Pre-Dance For Life event at Cocktail, 3359 N. Halsted; Spazztet Show is at Hoxie's, 1801 W. Lawrence; it's Rubber Fetish Night at with a chance to win a $100 Male Hide Gift certificate at Cell Block, 3702 N. Halsted; GLB Veteran's of America's Annual Flag Day Beer Bust at Bucks, 3439 N. Halsted; Windy City Athletic Association present Follies '99 "Boys Will Be Girls, Girls Will Be Boys," at the Baton, 436 N. Clark St.; Roscoe's, 3356 N. Halsted, celebrates the birthday of Boy George with the music of Culture Club; Valerie James and her band are playing at Spin, Halsted and Belmont; and it's Leather Night with Male Hide Leathers at Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark St.

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IMAGE: Veronica Zaid at Lola's – Nightspots April 30, 2003

Bailiwick Repertory holds auditions for the lesbian drama "Damage & Desire."

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It's Time, Illinois! host 'Adventures in Genderland,' a fantasy evening with an original theatrical production by Lynnell Stephani Long, music and dancing by Valerie James. Tickets $35. Takes place at Ann Sather's, 929 Belmont.

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An ad in Nightlines reads:

"10th ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR OPEN HAND CHICAGO. Absolut Croquet X Sunday13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Clocktower, between Irving Park and Waveland. Join us in the heart of the community for an afternoon of croquet play in a 30 team round robin, for a bountiful summer grill, Absolut-ly generous libations, fabulous music by DJ Bobby Marley, wicked costumes, huge silent auction, raffle, emcees WGN Radio personalities Kathy O'Malley and Dean Richards, and the Chicago Reader's Neal Pollack."

Homework

Did anyone ever go to Poofy's?

It's Time, Illinois, the trans group, are they still around?

Does anyone know why Hoxie's really closed?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Pam Kas of Leona's restaurant and Proud to Run directors photographed for Gay Chicago June 27, 1991

Frank Failing at Male Image Photography visits Charlie's for Gay Chicago November 4, 2004

Marty photographs an underwear party at the Eagle for Nightspots April 17, 2002

Kirk Williamson photographs at Pour House and Jackhammer for Nightspots December 8, 2004

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.