August 25-31, 2016

1986

Bars that are sadly missed include: Fire Island, 1177 N. Elston; Irene's Diamond, 3169 N. Halsted; Kelly's Our Way II, 648 Stateline, Calumet City; the Men's Room, 3359 N. Halsted; Oasis, 111 W. Hubbard; Waterworks, 933 N. State; Showcase One, 959 W. Belmont; Take One, 2570 N. Clark St; and Twenty-One Club, 3042 W. Irving Park.

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IMAGE: Little Jim's – Gay Chicago May 3, 1984

Showing at the Bijou, 1349 N. Wells, are "Foreplay" starring Tex Anthony, Michael Ram, Juston Rhodes and many more, and "San Diego Summer" starring Steve Yancy, Dana Romano, and Luke Allen.

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In the bars and clubs, 131 Club, Blue Island's party bar for gay men and women, holds a lip-synch contest every Sunday; there's a bare-chested party at TJ's, 46 E. Oak St., when there will be drink specials for men not wearing shirts; Christopher Street, 3456 N. Halsted, have stretched their cocktail hour every Tuesday; it's Loyola's Birthday Bash at Zo-ran, 3474 N. Clark St.; the Manhandler, 1948 N. Halsted, celebrates its 6 ^th anniversary with a BBQ; Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells, presents the Bun E. Carlos Experience with special guest Cleo Patrick. Show also features the Otis Brothers, the Slamming Watusis and the Benders; and the Miss Continental U.S.A. Pageant takes place at the Baton Show Lounge, 436 N. Clark St. with the finals the following night at Park West, 322 W. Armitage.

1993

Article in this week's Gay Chicago reads:

"'Somebody once said that reading alone is like drinking alone,' says John Hasbrouk, coordinator of Gerber/Hart Library and Archives Gay Men's Fiction Reading and Discussion Group. Like sharing a drink with good friends at the local pub can provide a welcome end to a long day, Gerber/Hart's Gay Men's Fiction Group provides an opportunity to learn about gay literature, not to mention a sure way to meet new and interesting people."

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IMAGE: Drag Queen Wrestling at Bistro II – Gay Chicago May 24, 1990

"A feast for the senses! A sly comedy with a dazzling dramatic core. No serious film lover can afford to pass this film up." "The Wedding Banquet" is at Loews, 418 S. Michigan Ave.

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The Top 10 Music Playlist courtesy of DJ Eddie J: 1) "Up Down" – Madonna; 2) "If" – Janet Jackson; 3) "Love in Motion" – Bizarre Inc.; 4) "Love for Love" – Robin s.; 5) "Looks Like I'm in Love Again" – Key West; 6) "Joy" – Ultra Nate; 7) "Bad Mood" – Lonnie Gordon; 8) "I'm Caught Up" – Colonel Abrams; 9) "Can You Forgive Me?" – The Pet Shop Boys; 10) "Sunday Afternoon Party" – Alex Party.

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Gay Chicago's Calendar for August 28, 1993, reads:

"Vortex sends you 'Cruisin for a Dreamdate,' the bachelor auction to benefit AIDS Legal Council, with guest auctioneer, Lori Noelle. The Lincoln Park Lagooners will hold a post theatre party at North End. For hot action in the 'burbs, it's Chad Parrish and Mark Paxton at Hideaway II. Charlie's will be selecting its 'Man of the Month' as a benefit for Chicago AIDS charities, AA Meat Market hosts 'The Boxer Rebellion,' a full moon party, and the Bank Lounge will be selecting its new Miss Bank Lounge. At Bugle Boy, it's Dan Ferretti and Dan Stetzel and Cissy Connor is at Gentry. If you need something to wear to one of these events, stop by Male Hide's parking lot sale."

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An obituary in Gay Chicago reads:

"Ernie Lee, 37, died on Monday, August 16, at home, of complications due to AIDS.

"Mr. Lee was born Ernie Lee Hosier, on January 6, 1958, in Flint, Michigan.

"He resided till his death with his roommate, Gary, and friend, Greg, in the Wrigleyville area. This was made possible by the coordinated efforts of Dr. Joel Spears, Horizons Hospice, the Howard Brown Institute, and his brother, Tim.

"His professional career was spent working for such companies as Intimate Bridal Salon, the Ultimate Bride, and Exclusively Brides.

"He was a member of the Detroit Together Men's Chorus, the Tribe, Chi-Town Squares, SheDevils, Pigs from Hell, and Lincoln Park Lagooners.

"Mr. Lee is survived by his father, Edward; brother, Tim; sister Renee; grandmother, Evelyn Brewer; Uncle Dave and Aunt Martha; and numerous other relatives and friends.

"He will always be remembered by those who shared in his brief lifetime, for his infectious smile, wonderful sense of humor, and his willingness to give to those he knew and loved."

2003

Be Positive Tonight 3, an evening for HIV+ people ...to mix, mingle and meet other HIV+ people in our community. Takes place at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, with hosts Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen and a performance by the Joel Hall Dancers.

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IMAGE: Image Theater – Gay Life January 30, 1981

In Billy Masters' Filth in Gay Chicago, he writes:

"The Brits gave us 'Queer As Folk', and now we're sending our own queers their way. 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' will debut on Britain's LivingTV network in the next few months. And if it's true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, look out, boys, because the Brits are assembling their own 'Queer Eyes for the UK" version of the show in addition to showing the Yankee version. As if that weren't enough, the 'Fab 5' will also become television stars in Denmark, Norway and Sweden via Scandinavia's Viaset network."

Homework

Who remembers the Fire Island bar on Elston?

Anybody know what happened to the Bijou?

Did that British "Queer Eye" ever get made?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Israel Wright photographs the Black Black Party for Blacklines August 1997

Mookie photographs Dance Divas at the Baton for Nightlines August 13, 1997

Sukie de la Croix photographs these gals and guys at Cocktail for Nightspots August 27 2003

Graysong photographs at Tomboy, Berlin and Creaoke for Nightspots August 27, 2003

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.