November 26-December 2, 2015

1981

Article in this week's Gay Chicago begins:

"Discrimination against gay and lesbian employees in state government agencies is illegal in Illinois, according to a letter issued by the Illinois Department of Personnel.

"The letter, signed by Louis J. Giordano, state Director of Personnel, was sent to Ilana Rovner, assistant deputy to Gov. James R. Thompson, in response to an inquiry she made at the request of activists.

"Her request came as part of a continuing discussion regarding issuance of a proposed executive order by Thompson that would bar discrimination because of sexual orientation in employment and services by state agencies."

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IMAGE: Cover of Babble – Babble August 10, 1994

Article by Stephen Kulieke in Gay Life begins:

"Police are seeking the gay community's help in apprehending the killer of Evelyn M. Hampton, stabbed to death Nov. 19 in an apparent robbery attempt in the lobby of a Lakeview area apartment building where she resided.

"Hampton, 29, a member of the Windy City Gay Chorus and part-time employee at the Closet bar, 3325 N. Broadway. Was found slain at 7:55 p.m. on the sidewalk in front of her building at 631 W. Roscoe St."

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An estimated 250 people attend "a tribute in song" to slain Windy City Gay Chorus member, Evelyn M. Hampton, at the Second Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry. Chorus director Richard Garrin delivers the eulogy and several chorus members share personal remembrances.

1990

Approximately 45 ACT UP Members take to the streets of the Loop to charge the Federal Social Security Administration with discriminating against women with AIDS.

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IMAGE: AA Meat Market – Gay Chicago April 23, 1992

Article in Windy City Times reads:

"The Fall installment of PBS's 'AIDS Quarterly' will feature an interview with gay writer Edmund White, author of 'A Boy's Own Story' and 'The Beautiful Room is Empty,' among other works. White tested positive for HIV in 1985. In his segment, White speaks to viewers about what it is like confronting a disease for which there is no cure. Another segment of the program covers the AIDS crisis in Poland, whose health care system has been likened to that of a Third World country, and where, due to its prominent Roman Catholicism, condoms are not readily available. At press time, 'The AIDS Quarterly' was scheduled to air onMonday, November 26, at 8 p.m. CST on Channel 11."

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The Lesbian Square Dance Club meets every Tuesday at Lost and Found at 3058 W. Irving Park.

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The 9th Annual Mini Fest features the Washington Sisters, music, crafts, food and more, noon to midnight on Saturday December 1, 1545 W. Morse.

1998

In Quotelines in Outlines newspaper:

"Despite the way things turned out (AIDS), I'm still proud of those days (when I got my start singing in gay bathhouses in New York City). I feel like I was at the forefront of the gay liberation movement, and I hope I did my part to help it move forward. So, I kind of wear the label 'Bathhouse Betty' with pride." – Bette Midler.

And:

"My favorite trial tactic is to bring to court a cardboard cut-out of a bathroom wall complete with gloryhole. I have the police officer get down on his knees in open court and peer through the hole to demonstrate how he observed the defendants. I then inquire whether the officer's wife is aware of how he spends his days" – Chicago lawyer Larry Rolla

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IMAGE: Disco Palace at Roscoe's – Gay Chicago November 11, 1993

Article in this week's Gay Chicago reads:

"The Chicago Department of Public Health estimates that 6,000 residents are HIV positive who have never been tested. On Tuesday, Dec. 1, people across the world will commemorate World AIDS Day. To give community members greater access to early detection programs, Howard Brown Health Center, 4025 N. Sheridan Road, will offer free, anonymous HIV testing and counseling services from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m."

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Also in Gay Chicago:

"Harambe Jahard, the one-year-old discussion group for African-American gay men living in suburban Cook County, meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Harambe Jahard, Swahili for working together to do good, is coordinated by Preston L. Shumaker, columnist for Blacklines and workshop coordinator for Imani Umoja Men's group. According to Shumaker, 'Harmbe Jahard serves as a way for black, gay and bisexual men to give each other support, to network and discuss our lives, our loves and our brotherhood. Now we're sounding the alarm to let suburban men know we're still here.' The next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association, 1145 Westgate."

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IMAGE: Cover of Blacklines – August 1999

In the bars and clubs, the Shower Contest hosted by Veronica is at Spin, Halsted and Belmont; the Lady Adonis Dance Revue, three erotic female dancers, is at Temptations, 10235 W. Grand; the Pour House, 103 155th Place, Calumet City, celebrates its 25th anniversary "Touch of Class Show" with male dancers; Earl Pleasure is the DJ at Fusion, 3631 N. Halsted; Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner at Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark St., followed by a movie.

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The Illinois Federation for Human Rights holds its 6th annual Christmas tree sale on the lot at the European & U.S. Car Repair at the corner of Cornelia and Halsted.

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The Chicago Cultural Center hosts its annual "A Day Without Art" for World AIDS Day with performances by Alexandra Billings and others.

Homework

What happened to A Day Without Art?

Is Harambe Jahard still meeting?

What happened to the Lesbian Square Dance Club?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Jim Pirih photographed the 1985 Mr. Windy City Contest for Gay Chicago August 22, 1985

Terry Gaskins photographs guys and gals around town for Gay Chicago November 21, 1996

Marty photographs Gay Skate night in Nightspots April 3, 2002

Sukie de la Croix plays Bitch Bingo at Charlie's for Nightspots April 17, 2002

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.