October 6-12, 2016

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

1977

An article in Gay Chicago News reads:

"NUDE DANCING and solicitation of drinks in bars has been declared legal by the Illinois Appellate Court in a ruling against the Chicago city ordinance. The ruling, made September 22nd, was made public October 5th based on a U.S. Supreme Court opinion that nude dancing is considered 'artistic expression' by some groups. The soliciting of drinks, the court contended was so broad that it would include a bartender asking if a customer wanted a cup of coffee. Mayor Bilandic indicated that the city will appeal, however, other officials, according to the Sun-Times, are undecided whether they will continue to enforce the current ordinance pending an appeal."

+++

IMAGE: Carol's Speakeasy – Gay Chicago December 15, 1983

According to the Reader, the Gay Switchboard needs volunteers to expand coverage to include weekday and weekend afternoons. Drop in at 920B W. Oakdale.

+++

An article in Gay Chicago News reads:

"AN INDICTMENT is near in the slaying of porno king Paul Gonsky according to Art Petacque and Hugh Hough of the Chicago Sun-Times as reported in their 'OutFront' column. Gonsky, who was shot to death September 21, 1976 in an Old Town parking lot, ran a chain of X-rated movie houses including the Bijou on Wells Street."

1991

The Wives of Gay Men support group meets Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 611 Randolph in Oak Park.

+++

IMAGE: Vortex – Gay Chicago December 16, 1993

The 7th annual Lesbian Art Movement Show opens at the Rodde Center, 4753 N. Broadway.

+++

In the bars and clubs, the Great Chicago Fire 1871-1991, its 120th anniversary is commemorated at the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge, 3169 N. Halsted, with a party "It's a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight"; Thomas Productions presents the first "Miss Ebony Illinois" contest, hosted by Taisha Thomas, at the Clubhouse, 440 N. Halsted St.; EAT LONGER, CUM LATER at the AA Meat Market and Grill-big and beefy 1/2lb burger, sandwiches and snacks; join us for our 18th anniversary at Hideaway II, 7301 W. Roosevelt Rd., Forest Park; the Mother You Wish You Had, Memory Lane in the cabaret room at Cairo, 720 N. Wells St.; Headliners of Texas strip down at Berlin, 953 W. Belmont; a benefit gala for Open Hand Chicago at North End, 3733 N. Halsted St., features Samantha Sinclair with her guest stars Trouble the Boys Next Door; and Dress as Your Favorite Movie Star for "Night of the Stars" at Club X Aurora, 77 S. Stolp.

+++

DJ Dion Labriola picks his Top 5 at Berlin. 1) "Mama Told Me Not To Come" by Wolfgang Press; 2) "Leather Sex" by My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult; 3) "Sexuality" by Billy Bragg; 4) "Fat Bottom Girls" by Queen; and 5) "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" by Culture Club.

+++

Cupid's Treasures and DIRECT AID present the Grand Opening of Cupid's, 3319 N. Halsted with champagne and informal modeling of men's and women's leather and exotic wear.

+++

IMAGE: CHAPS is coming – Gay Chicago December 23, 1982

An article by Louis Weisberg in Windy City Times begins:

"Three boys searching for autumn leaves for a school project discovered the body of a man Oct. 1 at Evans Woods in River Grove. Forest Preserve District police detectives believe the man was gay.

"Det. Elwin Trammell said that the man was stabbed to death and that evidence found at the murder scene, particularly the manner in which the victim was stabbed, suggests he was gay. Police declined to reveal the specific nature of the evidence. Evans Woods is a popular cruising spot for gay men, according to forest preserve police."

2003

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"An estimated 5,000 Chicagoans participated in this year's AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, held on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Grant Park's Museum Campus. The event netted $100,000 for essential HIV/AIDS projects at community-based agencies across metro Chicago and brought much attention to the continuing battle against HIV/AIDS."

+++

IMAGE: Opal Station – Gay Chicago December 15, 1983

From Gay Chicago's Calendar of Events for October 12, 2003:

"Benefitting Hell in a Handbag Productions, a 'Draggage Sale' will be held at Sidetrack. 'Bar Bitch Bingo' will be held at Hideaway. Jackhammer hosts Onyx's 'Blackout VIII: Behind the Eightball' party tonight. Beckie Menzie hosts her open mic at Gentry on State. Honey West and Russ Long kick off the entertainment at Gentry on Halsted, followed by Jen Porter. The Bears game will be screened at Buddie's. Karaoke will be hosted by Dan at the Edge. It's Latin Night at @mosphere. Hydrate's gospel brunch will be hosted by Tajma Hall with food from Ann Sather."

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Craig Gernhardt photographed "Men in Skirts" at Berlin for Gay Chicago September 19, 1985

Ralph Paul photographs Bob Randall and Peter Zagrafos, owners of the Factory Pub, for Gay Chicago September 27, 1984

Sherman Heinrich photographs Dennis Kovak and Bill for Gay Chicago September 27, 1984

Dan Di Leo photographs a benefit for Howard Brown Memorial Clinic in Gay Chicago September 27, 1984

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.