July 16-July 22, 2015

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

1979

In the bars and clubs, Marilyn Cherchez La Femme, 432 N. Clark St., is a Disco Room for Hot Women Only; Sundays, 430 N. Clark St., has a $2 cover; pina coladas or strawberry daiquiris 95c at Siegelman's Allegro, 2828 N. Clark St.; the Mr. & Mrs. Rogers Park Swimwear Contest is at the Greenleaf, 1770 W. Greenleaf; and the Gold Coast Art Show surrounds the Loading Zone, 46 E. Oak St. Wear a Loading Zone t-shirt and it's any drink for $1.

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IMAGE: Bear Pride 2005 – Gay Chicago May 5, 2005

In Ralph Paul's "In and Out of Town" in Gay Chicago, he writes:

"On the topic of décor change, some major remodeling has started at Man's Country. One of the first areas to get attention was the steamroom. The outer wall has been replaced by a three-quarters brick wall, topped by glass bricks. The steamroom long has been a popular feature at Man's Country and the changes can only add to its popularity. Farther south at Shubert and Halsted at the El Dorado, some major remodeling work will be underway shortly. Owner Guy Betton hopes to complete the changes within a couple of weeks after the works begins."

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Personals ad in Gay Chicago:

"White male, 27 years, 245lbs., 5'8", brown hair, blue eyes interested in permanent (hopefully lifetime) relationship with sincere loving person in their 20s. Preferably someone who believes a meaningful relationship does not begin and end with bedroom walls. No fats, fems, drugs, freaky sex. All honest inquiries answered. Photo appreciated. Will reply with same."

1985

Chicago Sings Against AIDS and Miller present "A Night of Chicago Stars," a benefit concert for AIDS patients, that takes place at Park West, 322 W. Armitage.

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IMAGE: Lucky Horseshoe Lounge – Gay Chicago January 12, 2006

In the Says You column in Gay Chicago:

"Tricks like to lie in bed, also in restaurants" – Fran Lebowitz

"Remember, there's no such thing as a homosexual disease. When heterosexuals start having sex again, they'll get it, too" – Harvey Fierstein

"They're so goddamned fascist at the doors of gay dance halls" – Joan Baez

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Music Playlist courtesy of Frank Lipomi and Michael Broyan of Loading Dock: 1) "Freeway of Love" – Aretha Franklin; 2) "Unexpected Lover" ­­– Lime; 3) "Dangerous" – Natalie Cole; 4) "Would I Lie to You" – Eurythmics; 5) "You Spin Me Round" – Dead or Alive; 6) "Problems D'Amour" – Alexander Robotnik; 7) "Party Boy" – Sean Heyden; 8) "If Looks Could Kill" – Pamela Stanley; 9) "Modern Rocketry" – LP; 10) "Glow" – Rick James; 11) "Into the Groove" – Madonna; 12) "Dancin' in the Key of Life" – Steve Arrington.

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Join Gay Chicago for a Summer Get-Away to Madison, Wisconsin for a M.A.G.I.C. Picnic and fun at Rod's & The New Bar.

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Gay Bestsellers, courtesy of Unabridged Books, 3251 N. Broadway:

SOFTCOVER: 1) "Down Under" – Peter James; 2) "Lesbian Nuns: Breaking the Silence" – R. Curb and N. Manahan; 3) "In Heat" – Larry Mitchell; 4) "Waiting for the Virgin" – Gavin Dillard; 5) "Hot Living: Erotic Stories About Safer Sex" – John Preston.

HARDCOVER: 1) "Savage Grace" – Natalie Robins; 2) "Something in Common" Robert Robin; 3) "Family Dancing" – David Leavitt; 4) "Blue Star" – Robert Ferro; 5) "Tennessee: Cry of the Heart" by Dotson Rader.

1996

In Tracy Baim's Off the Cuffs in Nightlines:

"The Human Rights Campaign's gala will be at Navy Pier, 409-9129. There are terrific raffle prizes, and more than 1,800 people are expected. Swimmer and motivational speaker Diana Nyad is expected to be the featured speaker. The torch award recipients this year are: Rabbi Jordan B. Millstien, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Midwest Office, Lesbigay Radio, Lesbian Community Cancer Project, and Bailiwick Repertory Theatre."

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Also in Tracy Baim's Off the Cuffs in Nightlines:

"There's another gay bar opening up (July 19) at Cermak and Halsted, for Latinos/Latinas, with Spanish rock music. Meanwhile, no final word on the status of ICON bar, which had to close its doors last week during owners' negotiations."

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The Chicago Professional Networking Association monthly dinner and meeting takes place at Ann Sather, 929 W. Belmont. The topic is "Digital Queers Surfing the Net."

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IMAGE: Man's Country – Chicago Free Press July 9, 2008

Kathie Bergquist in her Nightlines column The Kathie Klub writes:

Big Chicks

"Anyone who caught a glimpse of Michelle Fire's generous endowments as she flashed them at the Pride Parade this year or last will not soon forget it.

"Anyone who walks into Michelle Fire's generously warm establishment, Big Chicks, will probably also have a memory to savor. Located in Uptown at 5024 N. Sheridan, Big Chicks is a friendly neighborhood bar with a primarily queer clientele–a queer Cheers, if you will.

"Usually wall-to-wall, jam-packed with men on Fridays and Saturdays, those who just want to go have a beer and a chat with friends will find the space very conducive to that during the week.

"While primarily a guys hangout, there are always a few lesbian faces in the crowd, and unlike some male-oriented venues in town, I've always been made to feel welcome at Big Chicks."

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MACT (Men of All Colors Together) meet at the Halsted Street Café, 3641 N. Halsted.

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Gone With the Wind Travel, a Gay and Lesbian Travel Show, is at the Pride Agenda Bookstore, 1109 Westgate, Oak Park.

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Appearing at Unabridged Books, 3251 N. Broadway, David Mixner talks about his new book "Stranger Among Friends."

Homework

Is Men of All Colors Together still around?

Hi Kathie Bergquist, what are you up to these days?

Did anyone ever go to Siegelman's Allegro?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Sherman Heinrich photographs the staff of the Paradise Disco for Gay Chicago August 18, 1983

Adult stars photographed by Israel Wright for Nightlines June 3, 1998

Jason Smith photographs for Windy City Times June 25, 1998

Spike King took this photograph for Gay Chicago July 18, 1991

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.