July 21-27, 2016

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

1982

Howard Brown Memorial Clinic is selected as the test site for a study to evaluate the usefulness and safety of human interferon in the treatment of recurrent genital herpes infection in males. Harley McMillan, executive director, tells Gay Chicago: "This is our first research project in herpes, and is an opportunity possibly to help more patients and contribute to the research in this area. The program is a major effort to reach pout and help this growing part of the community."

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IMAGE: Lavender Handy Woman – Lavender Woman November 1971

Events this week at the Artful Dodger Pub, 1516 N. Milwaukee, includes "It's Gonna Be a Donna Summer" featuring Sparkle's birthday party and Dusty's final performance with DJ Mark Moon;

Valerie Jessup entertains; Wendy and Janet Quinn guest; Bob Berlien and White Women entertain; and Rick "Radio" Faust is a guest DJ.

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An article by Paul Cotton in Gay Life begins:

"A man not yet positively identified drowned July 16 at the Belmont Rocks, a popular gay sunning area on the lakefront between Belmont Avenue and Diversey Parkway.

"The 25-35-year-old black man was wearing only swim trunks, according to 23rd(Town Hall) district police. A spokesperson for the Cook County medical examiner's office said a friend of the victim came in with a name but no address and few other details. Police are trying to locate family members to make a positive identification."

1990

In the bars and clubs, it's Boys Club Thursdays every week at Vortex, 3631 N. Halsted; Direct Aid Benefit at AA Meat Market; Bobbi Jordan, songstress, performs upstairs in the cabaret at Cairo, 720 N. Wells; party all night at the 2nd anniversary of Clark's on Clark, 5001 N. Clark St.; celebrate bartender Charles Oliver's 49th birthday at TJ's, 46 E. Oak St.; Mr. Lucky Horseshoe Contest is at the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge, 3169 N. Halsted; the greatest French Canadian Dancers at Roscoe's, 3354-6 N. Halsted St.; straight from the Copa in Florida, Neil and Adam perform at Stars, 3209 N. Halsted; it's Blue Bandana night at Touche, 6412 N. Clark St.; it's the Ms. Cheeks Contest at 2730 N. Clark St.; 3rd anniversary party featuring Men of Power at Inn Exile, 5758 W. 65th St.

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IMAGE: Gold Coast – Gay Chicago March 29, 1979

"Drag Queens on Trial" by Sky Gilbert, directed by Edward Wilkerson, is a part of the Bailiwick Repertory's Gay and Lesbian Play Series at 3212 N. Broadway.

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Video TOP 10 courtesy of Chuck Hyde of Sidetrack: 1) "Foreign Affair" – Tina Turner; 2) "Love Is" – Allanah Myles; 3) "Emperor's New Clothes" – Sinead O'Connor; 4) "Bounce Back (Remix)" – Alisha; 5) "Treat Me Right" – Yazz; 6) "God Tonight" – Real Life; 7) "Melt With You" – Modern English; 8) "Set Me Free" – Times Too; 9) "Don't You Love Me" – 49'ers; 10) "Policy of Truth" – Depeche Mode.

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Some 75 pieces of art by the noted Illinois folk artists George Colin are auctioned off to benefit STOP AIDS at the Georgeart Gallery, 1549 N. Wells.

2008

PFLAG Palatine show the film "Abomination: Homosexuality and the Ex-Gay Movement" at the Countryside Unitarian Church, 1025 N. Smith in Palatine.

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IMAGE: Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen – Nightspots April 1, 2015

NewTown Writers present "Solo Homo: An Evening of Solo Performances" at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater, 1420 W. Irving Park.

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The Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association celebrate Women's History Night with Marie Kuda at 947 Garfield in Oak Park.

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An article in Windy City Times reads:

"Howard Brown Health Center recently announced that it will close the Brown Elephant Resale Shop in Wicker Park, 1459 N. Milwaukee, effective July 27.

"In a statement, Donald Rolfe, Brown Elephant's director of development, said, 'We're disappointed that the Wicker Park store did not perform to the standards of our three other locations. Though we had a loyal customer base and a dedicated staff in place, each Brown Elephant must also have a strong influx of donations. Unfortunately, that component did not materialize for us in Wicker Park.'



"Three other Brown Elephant Shops, located at 3651 N. Halsted and 5401 N. Clark in Chicago, and 217 Harrison in Oak Park, will remain open."

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An article in Windy City Times reads:

"Dancers from the sensual Cirque du Soleil show Zumanity made a very special appearance at the Human Rights Campaign 'Summer Chic' gala, which took place July 19 at the Hyatt Regency, 151 E. Wacker. Hundreds of attendees also witnessed a video greeting from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and a keynote speech from out actress Jane Lynch, who recently hosted the PBS special 'Out & Proud in Chicago.' Attendees were also greeted by trans-rights advocates protesting the event (as they have protested many such HRC events around the country)."

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The Stonewall Association of Illinois host a Straight Spouses Network meeting at Du-Page Unitarian Church, 4 S. 535 Old Naperville Rd. in Naperville

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The Gerber/Hart Library "Summer Spectacular" book sale begins at 1127 W. Granville Ave.

Homework

Who remembers Cheeks?

Is New Town Writers still around?

Anybody know what a blue bandana is?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

John Pennycuff photographs Hispanics and Homosexuality panel for En La Vida

Terry Gaskins photographs Spin for Gay Chicago May 29, 1998

Tim Redmond and Terry Gaskins photograph Buddies bowling team and Bear Pride at Manhandler for Gay Chicago May 29, 1997

Andy Schaildon and Arch Boudros Lincoln Park Lagooners, Rockford's Bunkhouse and guys at the Nutbush for Gay Chicago April 22, 1993

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.