October 8-14, 2015

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

1982

Comedienne Robin Tyler performs at the Vic Theater, 3145 N. Sheffield. Tyler was the first recipient of the Harvey Milk Humanitarian Award.

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IMAGE: Sunday's – Gay Chicago April 6, 1979

Lesbian singer Chris Williamson and the Blue Rider Tour are onstage at the Granada Theater, 6427 N. Sheridan Rd.

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The Uranian Players present the play "Killers and Comrades" at the Organic Cabaret, 3321 N. Clark St. Also at the Organic, African-American gay activist and actor/producer Ortez Alderson reads, "Risin' to the Love We Need" as the final event of the Third Gay American Arts Festival.

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Top Picks courtesy of DJ Larry Brewer: 1) "Seconds (12")" – Loleatta Holloway/Salsoul Orchestra; 2) "It's Raining Men (12")" – Weather Girls; 3) "Don't Go/Situation (12" Import)" – Yazoo; 4) "Lime II (LP)" – Lime; 5) "Red Hot (LP)" – Sharon Redd; 6) "Can He Find Another One (12")" – Double Discovery; 7) "Can't Believe (12")" – Nancy Martin; 8) "Do Ya Wanna Funk (12")" ­– Sylvester; 9) "Dance Or Die (12")" – Sweet Pea Atkinson; 10) "Gimme Some More (12")" – K.C. and the Sunshine Band.

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An editorial in Gay Life begins:

"As our readers may have noticed in recent weeks, Gay Life has begun opening new doors in advertising. Specifically, some traditionally 'non gay' businesses have begun hawking their wares and services on our pages. For example, the Mid Town Bank has taken out full-page ads several times, promoting its services to gay customers in the area.

"What the Mid-Town Bank realizes, and good for them, is that there are gay people with money who have to put it someplace. If it is true that 19% of all expendable income in this country lies in the hands of gay men, then it is certainly shrewd for business to go after it. And where better to advertise for gay money than in gay publications?"

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Article in Gay Life reads:

"The Howard Brown Memorial Clinic raised $1,420 in the first three Action A.I.D.S. benefits, held in various bars in late September and early October. The benefits took place at the riverside Club on Sept. 25, the Gold Coast on Sept. 30 and BJ's on Oct. 4."

"Other benefits in the Action A.I.D.S. series are planned, and they will culminate in two concert shows on Nov. 20 at the Park West."

1993

In Gay Chicago, Alyn R. Toler writes:

"What began as a personality host for the Barbara Cartland VIP room at Medusa's, Peaches played host in the pink, Baroque style room while music graded an industrial beat. With the publication of GAG, Robbie began veering away from the persona of Peaches and developed a new character, Foxy.

"From 1986 until its closing, Medusa's provided a training ground for Blue, Foxy and Tom – owners of the alternative dance club, Foxy's. With roots firmly established in the underground, Foxy's is a diverse alternative to the mainstream clubs of Halsted Street.

"Foxy's boasts having the hottest DJ's in town: Freddie Bain, Ralphi Posario, Earl Pleasure, Wess Kidd, and Spencer Kincy. These DJ's have spun the vinyl to the largest dance crowds in Chicago, each with a personal style as different as the tunes they spin. It is no wonder that, with an all-star line-up such as these talented DJ's, Foxy's is becoming the most popular dance club in Boy's Town."

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IMAGE: The New Flight – Gay Life March 24 1978

In the bars and clubs, "Laugh, Cry and Dish the Dirt," with Khris Francis appearing Tuesday-Friday at Gentry, 712 N. Rush St.; October Fest, a benefit for the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, is at North End, 3733 N. Halsted; the Return of the Boxer rebellion, prizes for baggiest, tightest and most colorful, at the AA Meat Market, 2933 N. Lincoln; it's the 20th anniversary weekend celebration at Hideaway II, 7301 W. Roosevelt; and "Snake Pit '93" is the first Halloween party of the season at Touche, 6412 N. Clark St.

2008

In Quotelines in Windy City Times:

"I am not somebody who promotes same-sex marriage but I do believe in civil unions" – Sen. Barack Obama.

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"Remembering Matthew W. Shepard: The Necessity of Historical Memory and the Virtue of Ordinary, Everyday Courage," is this year's annual lecture at Elmhurst College Second. Takes place at the Illinois Hall in the Schaible Science Center, corner of Prospect and Elm Park Avenues.

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IMAGE: Tony n/ Tina's Wedding – Windy City Times May 19, 1994

It's the Lincoln Lodge Stand Up Comedy Show, featuring Jessica Halem and others at 4008 N. Lincoln Ave.

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The Association of Latino Men for Action host "Dancing with ALMA" at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.

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From Windy City Times:

"Borders Signing of the new book Out & Proud in Chicago: An Overview of the City's Gay Movement, edited by Tracy Baim. Hear from many writers, including Marie Kuda. 2-4 p.m., 1144 Lake St. in Oak Park."

October 11, 2008

The creators of the documentary "Fish Out of Water" host a pre- view party with cabaret and cocktails, followed by 20-minute sneak peek of the film and an after party hosted by Think Pink Radio's DJ Stinky Pinky, at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St.

October 12, 2008

Debbie Halvorson for Congress hosts an LGBT reception for the Congressional candidate at the Hearty Boys Kitchen, 3819 N. Broadway.

October 12, 2008

Kathy Griffin performs at the Chicago Theatre.

Homework

Are the Hearty Boys still around?

Who remembers Foxy's?

Is Medusa still around?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Terry Gaskins photographs IML for Gay Chicago June 4, 1998

Spike King photographs the Ray Ray and Rick birthday show at Rage for Gay Chicago October 5, 1989

Robin Tyler at the Vic Theater in Gay Life October 7, 1982

Kirk Williamson photographing at Jackhammer for Nightspots September 12, 2007

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.