December 17-December 23, 2015

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

1985

At the bars and clubs, Joanne Hoffman and Israel Torres make a special guest appearance at Dandy's, 2632 N. Halsted; First 50 people at the Gold Coast Christmas Party, 5025 N. Clark St., gets a free bottle of poppers; there's a Gala Christmas Party at Jacquelyn's, 4086 N. Broadway, with live entertainment; and it's the employee/customer party at Normandy, 3400 N. Clark St.

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IMAGE: Blazing Star March 1977

An article by Tracy Baim in Windy City Times begins:

"An emergency shelter operated by volunteers from the AIDS Assistance Association is set to open Monday, Dec. 23, an emergency shelter for persons with AIDS or AIDS-Related Complex. There are four people already scheduled to occupy the residence, located on the city's West Side.

"William McCullough of AAA stressed this is only a temporary emergency shelter. He said rent for the unit has been paid for the next 12 months and that the realty agent from Clock Realty has been informed of the use of the unit."

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MUSIC PLAYLIST courtesy of Teri Bristol: 1) "Alive and Kicking" – Simple Minds; 2) "Run From Love" – Bronski Beat; 3) "Brothers" – D.A.F. (Razormaid); 4) "I Like You" – Phyllis Nelson; 5) "Dead Eyes Opened/Petrol" – Severed Heads; 6) "Wallies/Heaven" – Anne Clark; 7) "Stand Back" – Stephanie Mills; 8) "Over the Shoulder" – Ministry; 9) "G.I. Blues" – Grace Jones; 10) "Motion Rotation" – Cabaret Voltaire.

1991

Article in Gay Chicago begins:

"The City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations is seeking applications from citizens of Chicago who are interested in serving on the Commission's Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian issues. A cover letter and resume should be forwarded to Chair/Commissioner Clarence N. Wood, Commission on Human Relations, 510 N. Peshtigo Ct., 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 by Jan. 15."

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Article in Windy City Times reads:

"Jeffrey Dahmer's confession to 17 mutilation killings is among evidence against the former factory worker that his lawyer sought to suppress in court motions.

"Two motions ask Judge Laurence C. Gram to bar as evidence statements allegedly made in violation of Dahmer's rights, including his confession, and physical evidence seized in the search of Dahmer and his apartment."

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Men of All Colors Together host an HIV Support Group at the Rodde Center, 4753 N. Broadway.

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IMAGE: Gold Coast – Gay Life August 11, 1978

The Windy City Gay Chorus presents its annual holiday show, "Gonna Find Out Who's Naughty and Nice," at Preston Bradley Center, 941 W. Lawrence. Chicago's Children's Choir also performs.

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Joan Jett Blakk's Sissy Solstice benefits Queer Nation at the Hot House, 1565 N. Milwaukee. Features DJ's Robert and Trent from Thing magazine, a raffle, various performers, a fashion show and Best-Save-Your-Costume Show.

1999

Out and About Lesbians meet to discuss "The Holidays ...How Will They Be For You ...Joyful, Blue, or ...?" at the Women's Resource Center, 30 E. Adams, #400.

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Chicago 35, a social organization for lesbians over 35, holds a holiday party at Ann Sather's, 929 W. Belmont.

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IMAGE: Annie Lennox – Chicago Free Press September 12, 2007

In Quotelines in Outlines:

"I don't believe 'Don't ask, don't tell' has worked and I don't believe it is ultimately the policy we should have in our military. I believe Americans willing to serve their country should be allowed to do so. There are already gay and lesbian Americans who serve with distinction in the military. They should be able to do so without discrimination and harassment." – Hilary Clinton.

And:

"To change it (our teaching) is to call a circle a square. That's not going to happen." – Chicago Cardinal Francis George on the Catholic Church's anti-gay doctrines.

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CORP, a gay pagan group, celebrates a full moon and winter solstice ritual at 2nd Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry.

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IMAGE: Halsted Street Beach – Gay Chicago March 26, 1973

Article in Outlines begins:

"Ellen Meyers, Secretary of State Jesse White's liaison to the gay and lesbian community, said in a letter last week that she will not be running for representative from the state's 17th District.

"Earlier, open lesbian candidate Kelly Cassidy pulled out, saying she did not want to have a battle between two lesbians for the office. Now, there are no gay candidates in the race for the seat being vacated by Rep. Carol Ronen, who is running for Senate. Ronen is backing candidate Harry Osterman for the 17thDistrict seat."

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Article in Gay Chicago reads:

"Horizons Community Services will offer special holiday support groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Chicagoans who are coping with issues surrounding the holiday depression, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. The groups, which are free of charge, will be led by trained therapists and are designed to offer support to those who are having difficulty dealing with feelings of depression that often accompany the holiday season. For more information, call Donald Rolfe, at _______ "

Homework

Did you write for Blazing Star?

Did anyone go to Joan Jett Blakk's Sissy Solstice?

Is CORP, the gay pagan group, still in existence?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

From Hotspots magazine December 4, 2000

Anthony Meade photographs Touche and Scot's for Nightspots April 14, 2010

Jon Peterson photographs at Jackhammer for Nightspots December 12, 2007

Mel Ferrand photographs Gender Fusions for Windy City Times April 30, 2008

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.