Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1979, 1987 and 1998

(May 25-31, 2017)

1979

In Roger Chaffin's Gay Life music column:

LPs New on the Rack

"Stars" – Sylvester

"Boogie Woogie Dancin' Shoes" – Claudja Barry

"Hot Property" – Heatwave

"Betty Travellin' in the Wright Circle" – Betty Wright

"The Whole World's Dancin'" – the Trammps

"Take Boom" – Take Boom

"Blue Kentucky Girl" – Emmylou Harris

"Lady Night" – Patrick Juvet

"Cheri" – Madleen Kane

"Body Shine" – Munich Machine

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IMAGE: Paradise Chicago – Gay Chicago December 5, 1985

There's a meeting at the Legal Clinic, 3225 N. Sheffield, for any and all attorneys interested in helping with the legal defense of individuals arrested in the recent bar raids.

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An article by Stephen Kulieke in Gay Life begins:

"The weekend of May 18-20 saw a Chicago Police Department crackdown on gay bars, the likes of which have not been seen in Chicago since the late 1950s. Carol's Speakeasy at 1335 N. Wells was the site of the most serious police action when eleven men were arrested for disorderly conduct in the early morning hours of May 19.

"Led by Lieutenant Edwin Bosse, Eighteenth District (Chicago Avenue) police officers reportedly went to Carol's at 1:15 a.m. to check for underage drinkers. The arrest of one such individual was made as uniformed and plainclothes police with flashlights circulated among the crowd. It was then announced that the doors of the bar had been locked and that patrons would be allowed to leave shortly. Several minutes later the music was turned off and floodlights switched on and Speakeasy personnel advised the crowd of approximately 550 that 'it would be to your advantage to leave.'"

1987

In the bars and clubs, party at the Black and Blue Ball with the men of International Mr. Leather at the Riviera Night Club at Broadway & Lawrence; from two until two, the women at Paris Dance celebrate their sister city Paris, Texas with a foot-stompin' jamboree. In addition to an old fashioned Texas-style barbecue, there'll also be a 'Greased Pig' contest, hoe-down music, and a "Hog-Calling'" contest. Sooooeee!; it's Sophie's 4th annual Lou Family Picnic at Inner Circle, 2546 N. Clark St.; Angelo welcomes you to Prom Night at Club Normandy, 3400 N. Clark St. Come and help us crown the King and Queen; the Riversedge Revue starring Jovanda Grace, Genice Grant, Grace LaRay and Church Lady takes place at Riversedge, 3548 N. River Rd. Franklin Park, Illinois.

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"The Fairy Garden," an outrageous comedy by Harry Kondolean, is paired up with Christopher Durang's hilarious short comedy, "The Actor's Nightmare" at Stage Left, 3244 N. Clark St.

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The Evanston Civic Center is the site of a conference on AIDS for health care professionals. The free event features Dr. Gerry Soucy of Howard Brown Memorial Clinic, Dr. Ron Sable of the Cook County Hospital AIDS program, and Chet Kelly, administrator of the AIDS section of the Illinois Department of Health.

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IMAGE: Vortex – Gay Chicago July 16, 1992

CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC PLAYLIST

Compiled by DJ Frankie Knuckles: 1) "Nude Photo/The Dance/Move It" (Transmatt Records) – Rhythm Is Rhythm; 2) "I Want to be Real (Farley's Mix)" (City Beat Records) – John Rocca; 3) "Don't Stop the Music" (DJ International)"– Kevin Irving & Mkii; 4) "Fantasize Me" (State Street Records) – Pleasure Pump; 5) "Let Yourself Go (Next Plateau) – Sybil; 6) "You Aint Really House" (House Records) – Farley Keith; 7) "Just Another Man" (Studio Records) – Jeanne Harris; 8) "Shake Your Body" (Chicago Connection Records) –Jeannette Thomas; 9) "Take Me Higher" (DJ International Records) – Sterling Void; "Can't Stop the Music" (Their Label) – Larry Thompson & Rick Lenoir.

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Razmataz, a new bar for women, opens at 4174 N. Elston.

1998

GAMBA gay/bi men's group meets to discuss "Let's Say Amen: Black & Gay in the House of God" at MOIP offices, 1255 S. Wabash.

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IMAGE: Miss Illinois Plus Pageant – Gay Chicago April 29, 1993

The Gay and Lesbian Book Group discuss Ethan Mordden's "How Long Has This Been Going On" at Borders Books at Clark & Diversey.

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The Log Cabin Republicans Crossfire series tackles education at the Melrose on Broadway.

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The Sex Police perform an AIDS-awareness dance play, hitting on fatherhood, female condoms, abstinence and a fashion show with a chastity belt. Takes place at West Side Technical Institute.

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IMAGE: Fusion – Gay Chicago December 19, 1996

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Test Positive Aware Network is seeking volunteers to serve on the committee for Bringing Our Hearts Together XII. The committee is formed to assist in the planning and coordination of the annual Hearts Party Weekend that will once again be held over Valentine's Day weekend, Feb. 12-14, 1999."

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Legendary Viola Wills performs at Fusion, 3631 N. Halsted.

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The Jewish AIDS Network–Chicago host a Shavuot Spiritual Gathering at the Hillel of Northwestern University, 1935 Sherman Ave, Evanston.

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ALMA (Association of Latin Men for Action) meet for monthly brunch with guests Ramos & Osvaldo del Valle at Lolitas Café, 4400 N. Clark St.

Homework

Who remembers Riversedge?

Jovanda Grace, Genice Grant, Grace LaRay?

Who were Ramos & Osvaldo del Valle?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Terry Gaskins photographs at Crobar, Man's Country, and Hideaway II for Gay Chicago February 2, 1995

Dan Di Leo photographs a r. Contest for Gay Chicago July 2, 1987

Arch Boudros was at the HRC Gala Committee at the High Risk Gallery for Gay Chicago June 1, 2006

Brian Kelly took this photograph at the Girth and Mirth picnic in Lincoln Park for Windy City Times July 2, 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.