July 7-13, 2016

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

1975

This article about the 1975 Chicago Gay Pride Parade appeared in Gay Life:

"One of the most successful and exciting parades in the history of Chicago Gay Pride parades marched down Belmont to Broadway last Sunday. There at the beginning of the parade route, hundreds gathered to watch the floats and marchers. The crowd continued down Broadway, jamming the sidewalks and streets, stopping traffic clear down to Diversey. Finally the Police Department blocked off Clark so the parade could continue to Fullerton, then to Stockton, and down past Lincoln Park Zoo to the south end of Lincoln Park.

"Several officials of the Gay Pride Planning Committee estimated the combined crowd of marchers and spectators to exceed six thousand. A Chicago Gay Life staff member assigned to the crowd estimation gave a much less conservative count.

"It was difficult to get a very accurate count, because many who began as spectators joined in the march to swell the parade to large proportions by the time it terminated at the rally.

"'We were very fortunate,' said Patrick Townson, chairperson for the Pride Committee, 'that many of the officers working with us this year, particularly from the East Chicago Avenue station, had been with us in prior parades. That made the job easier for all of us.' Letters of appreciation were sent by the Committee to Commander Thomas Hanley, Town Hall District, Commander Robert Sheehan, East Chicago Avenue District, and Acting Commissioner Frances Degnan of the Department of Streets and Sanitation, for their help in securing the parade permit and in efficient, effective crowd control.

IMAGE: Hunters – Gay Chicago December 15, 1983

"Floats in the parade were judged in two categories, organizations and commercial establishment. In the commercial category, the first place trophy went to Man's Country, with honorable mention to the Snake Pit. In the organization category a $25 cash prize went to the Gay Crusader, with honorable mention to the Gay Horizon's VD Clinic.

"The rally following the parade featured several outstanding speakers, including guest speaker Mark Segal, founder of the Gay Raiders, and a national Gay Liberation leader. Other speakers were Nancy Davis, co-author of the book 'Heterosexual,' Ken Martin, pastor of MCC/Good Shepherd Parish, adnd a black transvestite named Toney.

"An unfortunate incident ended the rally somewhat prematurely. A gay person attending the rally was allegedly pushed into the lagoon by an onlooker. He was unable to swim, and an ambulance with a resuscitator was called to the scene. Because the crowd at the rally was in the path of the rescue vehicle, the crowd was dispersed. No further facts were available at press time, except that the victim was rushed to an unknown hospital.

"Other incidents of egg and 'stink bomb' throwing only slightly marred an otherwise exciting afternoon.

"After the parade people were invited to a free-drink party at Our Den in honor of Mr. Windy City. Later in the evening a Sock Hop was held for men and women at Man's Country. The program featured Wanda Lust, Frannie, and a live band for dancing. According to manager Gary Chichester, this is the first time Man's Country has been open to women. All reports were that the crowd was excellent, and the receipts for the evening were given to the Planning Committee to help defray expenses of Gay Pride week.

"Other events during the week were hailed as successful, including a more-than-capacity crowd at the Saturday night Gay Pride Dance at the Allerton Hotel. Also at the film festival at MCC/Good Shepherd Parish, a record crowd was in attendance. There were also a number of workshops scheduled by the Lesbian Pride Committee, as well as a Saturday night dance, with enthusiastic crowds attending."

1988

Under the headline "Rodde Center Holds Open House" Windy City Times publishes a photograph of board members: David Layana, Paul Cochran, Doug Carey, Kathleen Ineman, Tom Sukowicz, Timothey P. Zembek and board members Joanne Trapani, Randy Gresham, Shelby O'Connell and Charlotee Newfeld.

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IMAGE: Company bar – Gay Chicago December 23, 1982

In the bars and clubs, Asians and Friends meet for cocktails and conversation at Annex III, 3160 N. Clark St.; the Down and Vulnerable Bridge Club meets upstairs at Gentry, 712 N. Rush St.; it's Chicago House Day at Little Jim's, 3501 N. Halsted; Mary Gemini performs her original music at Paris Dance, 1122 W. Montrose; Spend the Night in Black Leather at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells.

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Integrity host a healing service at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 621 W. Belmont.

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The NAMES Project Quilt is displayed at Navy Pier.

2009

An article in Windy City Times reads:

"HIV/AIDS agency Vital Bridges received a grant of $49,352 to provide high-quality food and nutrition services from the M.A.C. AIDS Fund. The grant will provide over 14,000 meals for one year for 28 people who rely on Vital Bridges' grocery centers. 'As government decreases its support for peo- ple with HIV/AIDS, it is inspiring to have the M.A.C. AIDS Fund invest in the health of Chicago's most fragile people,' said Deborah Hinde, Vital Bridges president and CEO."

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IMAGE: North End anniversary – Nightlines November 20, 1996

Gary L. Cozette —an out Chicagoan who is program director of the Chicago Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN)—received the "Peace Activist of the Year" award at a June 19 event co-sponsored by Rockford Peace & Justice Action Committee & RUM. The event takes place at First Presbyterian Church, 406 N. Main, Rockford.

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An article by Andrew Davis is Windy City Times reads:

"Thomas Flanagan—known to many Chicagoans via his drag persona, Lady Vera Parker—was recently taken in by the Chicago Police Department. Flanagan, 24, was arrested June 30 on charges of deception, according to the news affairs division of the police department.

"Flanagan came from Provincetown, Mass., according to ChicagoPride.com. As Parker, Flanagan appeared in local venues and shows. Flanagan recently appeared on Spin nightclub's Pride float on June 28.

"Several Web sites have featured multiple posts about Flanagan. Several individuals on 800Notes. com claimed to be taken in by Flanagan in scams related to real estate.

"Flanagan was scheduled to appear at Branch 42 Courthouse, 2452 W. Belmont, on July 7. Windy City Times will report more details as they become available."

Homework

Anyone know the outcome of the Lady Vera Parker case?

What happened to the NAMES Project quilt?

Were you at the 1975 Pride Parade?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Photographs of the Office in Rockford for Gay Chicago April 6, 2000

Jack Sitar photographs at the Glory Hole and Wells Street Art Fair for Gay Chicago June 19, 1986

Jack Sitar photographs Girth and Mirth and Irene's Diamonds for Gay Chicago May 14, 1987

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.