March 10-16, 2016

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

1983

TOP 15 Dance Tunes courtesy of DJ Mark Hultmark of Ozone: 1) "Thriller (All Cuts)" – Michael Jackson; 2) "Back in My Arms Again" ­– Cynthia Manley; 3) "That's Good" – Devo; 4) "Don't Stop/Be With You" – Sylvester; 5) "Another Life" – Kano; 6) "I'm Gonna Get Your Love" ­– Jade; 7) "Don't Stop" – Motion; 8) "She Has a Way" – Bobby O; 9) "Red Light Love" – Gwen Jonae; 10) "Got You Where I Want You Babe" – Stereo Fun Inc.; 11) "Face to Face, Heart to Heart" – The Twins: 12) "Rock the Boat" – Forrest; 13) "Angel Man" –Retta Hughes; 14) "One More Shot" – C-Bank; 15) "Hip Hop Be Bop" – Man Parrish.

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IMAGE: Broadway Ltd. – Gay Chicago December 21, 1979

Article in Gay Chicago reads:

"The feast of the Greek goddess Artemis will be celebrated with music and song by the Artemis Singers (and friends).

"The lesbian feminist chorus and guest instrumentalists will perform a variety of music composed by women in concert Sunday, March 13, at 3:00 p.m. at the Swedish Club, 1258 N. La Salle St.

"There will also be a performance at 8:30 p.m., Saturday March 12, at the Mountain Moving Coffeehouse (for women and children), 1655 W. School St. The suggested donation at the door will be $4."

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An article in Gay Life begins:

"The federal Public Health Service has issued a recommendation that gay men refrain from donating blood until more is learned about the link between Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and blood transfusions. Among five AIDS-related recommendations to be issued last week was one that 'homosexual or bisexual men with multiple partners' stop donating blood. The decision was roundly criticized-as it has been in the past-by gay activists, who feel the call is discriminatory and would be impossible to implement. Other categories of high-risk AIDS victims include Haitian immigrants, intravenous drug users, and hemophiliacs."

1989

In the bars and clubs, Faron Evans performs Tuesday-Friday at Gentry, 712 N. Rush St.; High Energy Dancing Wednesday thru Saturday at Bistro Too, 5015 N. Clark St.; M.A.F.I.A. Night at Touche, 2825 N. Lincoln; It's M.E.N. Video Night with drawings for Male Entertainment Network Videos at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells; presenting dirty Rotten Diana, a tribute to the biggest queen this side of Motown, at Bedrock, 2856 N. Broadway; Kelly Lauren, Miss Gay Continental 1988-1989 appears at Christopher Street, 3458 N. Halsted; Special Guest Artist Cherine Alexander, Miss Continental 1984, performs at the Baton, 436 N. Clark St.

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IMAGE: Year of the Dragon at Christopher Street – Gay Chicago October 20, 1988

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"The Chicago Chapter of the Names Project is seeking panels for two area displays it is planning for this spring.

"A small display will be held the first week in April in Evanston at Northwestern Norris University Center in conjunction with a university-sponsored AIDS awareness week. A second display will take place in the Oak Park Village Hall and will run the entire month of June.

"Panels will be accepted at the monthly quilt workshop to be held March 18 at the Wellington Avenue Church, 615 W. Wellington."

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Obituary in Windy City Times reads:

"Larry Dante Prospero died February 22 in a hospital near his parents' home in Vineland, New Jersey, after a two-year struggle with AIDS. He was 33.

"Originally from the East Coast, Larry spent eleven years in Chicago as a clothes designer for the theater and fashion industry. He began in the costume department of the Goodman Theatre but distinguished himself with his own line of streetwear. He had a showroom at the Apparel Center, took part in group shows, and was recognized in Women's Wear Daily. His business was beginning to take shape when he was diagnosed. He was an active member of the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, and his involvement brought him much pride.

"Larry's personality was as distinctive as his art. He was outrageous, vulnerable, shocking and funny. He always gave freely to those in need. Larry loved Chicago and considered it his home. At his funeral, his sister said, 'He always did everything for everybody.' The loss will be felt by many."

1995

Article in Gay Chicago reads:

"Kevin Jennings, the executive director and education committee co-chair of the Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, will be the special guest at the next meeting of the Chicago chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Teacher's Network (GLSTN), on Wednesday, March 15, 7 pm, at the University of Illinois Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact ––––––– "

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IMAGE: AA Meat Market – Gay Chicago December 28, 1989

Gays and Lesbians to Reelect Daley hosts a "Cocktails With Mayor Daley" at the Dewes Mansion, 503 W. Wrightwood. Tickets are $19.95.

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The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/Chicago (GLAAD/Chicago) announced the addition of four new board members. The new members of the board represent a broader range of perspectives that will make GLAAD/Chicago much more responsible to the needs of the entire lesbigay community of Chicagoland. The new board members are Ann Wiberg, Rev. Gordon McCoy, Alan Kennard, and Bruce Robson.

Homework

Did any readers go to the Dewes Mansion for the White Party?

What happened to Faron Evans?

Did anyone ever go to Bedrock?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

A very young Chili Pepper in Chicago Gay Crusader April 1974

Odessa Brown and David Boyer at Carol's Speakeasy in Gay Chicago April 30, 1987

Ralph Paul, Mark DeSanto, and Steve Picon photograph the Factory for Gay Chicago March 10, 1983

Dave and Michelle Tongay perform at Darche's (now the location of Charlie's). In Gay Chicago March 15, 1979.

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.