September 29-October 5, 2016

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

1978

An article in Gay Life begins:

"Grant Ford, publisher of Gay Life, has announced his resignation, effective Oct. 2. His plans are to be a full time candidate for the 44^th Ward seat on the Chicago City Council.

"Ron Anderson, who presently serves as editor, will assume the additional duties of publisher."

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IMAGE: Gold Coast/Man's Country – Gay Chicago March 1, 1979

Faith Pillow appears at Orphan's, 2462 N. Lincoln.

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Professionals Over 30 hold its monthly open social gathering from 6 to 9 pm on the second floor of the Courtyard Inn, 1531 N. Wells St.

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Congregation Or Chadash hold Rosh Hashana services at the Second Unitarian church, 656 W. Barry.

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IMAGE: Halsted Street Beach – Gay Life May 16, 1985

Alan Bell, co-author of "Homosexualities," and Bob D'Appley of the Institute for Human Relations, appear on WBBM radio's "Profiles."

1993

In the bars and clubs, Paula's Pals, a drag contest, is at Dandy's, 3729 N. Halsted; ALTERN–O–VISION present a foot stompin' rodeo showcasing the latest release by LaTOUR "Home on the Range" with record/CD giveaways beginning at midnight at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont; it's the Chicago debut of C.C. Rae, comedy, glamor, puppetry, at Inn Exile, 5758 W. 65th Street; join hostess Memory Lane as she presents her hilarious Gong Show Croak-ee at Roscoe's, 3354-56 N. Halsted; the Full Moon Party, the Mystery Continues, at the AA Meat Market, 2933 N. Lincoln; the Lambda Car Club Show–antique and classic cars on display–takes place at North End; and Irene Soderberg appears at Gentry, 712 N. Rush St.

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IMAGE: Numbers – Gay Chicago May 12, 1994

An article in Gay Chicago reads:

"Horizons has announced its new support group for gay and bisexual Latino men. The group, open to 18 years and older, is led by experienced group facilitators.

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Obituary in Gay Chicago:

"Faron Evans, 35, died on Thursday, September 23, at St. Joseph's Hospital, of complications due to AIDS.

"Born an Air Force brat, Mr. Evans was raised mainly in Central Illinois, although his childhood took him from coast to coast.

"His first stop in his musical career was Madison, Wisconsin, where he performed for 10 years at local clubs and hotels. In the early '80s, he traveled to New York City and performed at the Duplex, various spots on Fire Island, Rounds, and the Inner Circle.

"Mr. Evans arrived at Gentry in November 1987, and instantly made it his home in Chicago, building a loyal following of singers, aficionados of show tunes, and folks out for a night of silliness and laughter. In between stints at Gentry, he traveled to Southern California to perform at No. 1 Fifth Avenue and the Little Shrimp."

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IMAGE: Nightlines Cover – April 4, 2001

October 4, 1993

Test Positive Aware Network announces a new program for people newly diagnosed with HIV infection. Beginning October 4 the program, "Positive Buddy," pairs people newly diagnosed with HIV infection with those who have been living longer with it.

October 4-5, 1993

Four sections of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt are on display at DePaul University's Commons, 2324 N. Fremont St.

2010

Windy City Times this week was the 25th anniversary issue.

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Article by Samuel Worley in Windy City Times begins:

"In Chicago, more than half of HIV-infected men who have sex with men do not know they are infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study found that while the overall local infection rate aligns with the national average, 53 percent of people with HIV in Chicago are unaware of their status, compared with 44 percent nationally."

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From this week's Windy City Times calendar:

"Dining Out for Equality. This exciting event, hosted by Equality Illinois, involves a select group of Chicago dining establishments, all of which are committed to equality. Our restaurant partners have graciously agreed to make a contribution to Equality Illinois. 5pm, Yoshi's Cafe, 3257 N Halsted Street."

And:

"Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus presents The Art of Protection is 6p – 11p at Room 43, 1039-43 E. 43rd Street. A FREE event, The Art of Protection is designed to bring together African-American LGBTQ youth and their allies to bring awareness of HIV/ AIDS in the artistic forms of song, dance, and poetry."

And:

"The Legacy of Matthew Shepard, Keynote Speaker: Judy Shepard Speaking from a mother's perspective, Judy Shepard has made the prevention of hate crimes the focus of her efforts, and urges her audiences to make their schools and communities safer for everyone, regardless of their race, sex, religion or gender identity and/or expression. Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted."

And:

"Join Graphic Novel Class with Nicole Hollander. For the fall session, Lillstreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood, offers a new Graphic Novel Class with renowned cartoonist Nicole Hollander. Adults will learn to combine words and pictures to create a narrative while heightening their drawing skills and experimenting with different voices and characters."

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The law firm Jenner & Block, 353 N. Clark St., hosts "The Current State of LGBT Civil Rights." Among the people speaking on legal cases that impacted LGBT rights and marriage equality, are Jenner & Block attorneys Paul M. Smith, Duane Pozza, Luke C. Platzer and Brian Wilson.

Homework

What's Nicole Hollander up to these days?

Who remembers Faron Evans?

Is Faith Pillow still around?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Anita Monolta photographs Michigan City bar owners Frank Zilla and Tim Hampton for Gay Chicago May 1, 1986

Ralph Paul photographs Bob Arthur at his farewell party at the Loading Zone for Gay Chicago September 27, 1984

Tracy Baim takes photographs of Jim Flint, Michael K, and Chris Long for Windy City Times January 23, 1986

Waiters at Bella Vista support AIDS Walk Chicago in Windy City Times September 19, 1996

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.