Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1979, 1992 and 2003

(August 3-9, 2017)

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

1979

Gossip from Ron Helizon's column in Gay Life:

"A black and white costume party will be held at the Virgo Out on Sunday August 5, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Go-Go boys, hors d'oeuvres, and many surprises are in store. Help Fred and his staff celebrate August ...The one and only Bearded Lady will appear in a drag showcase on August 6 at the Ranch. There will be two shows at 10:00 p.m. and Midnight. ...A tip of my crown to two fine performances who brought down the house at the Mr. Belmont Rocks Contest at Broadway Limited-Lenore Allen and Candy Sweet. And my congratulations to the contest winners."

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IMAGE: Cover – Gay Chicago July 5, 1979

Gay Life features Champaign Illinois in this week's issue. DJ Paul Gasior's TOP TEN at the Bar: 1) "The Boss" – Diana Ross; 2) "I've Got the Next Dance" – Deniece Williams; 3) "The Ring" – Savage Lover; 4) "Here Comes the Sound" – Love Deluxe; 5) "Boogie Wonderland" – Earth, Wind and Fire; 6) "You Can Do It" – Al Hudson and the Partners; 7) "Want Ads" – Ulanda; 8) "Crank It Up" – Peter Brown; 9) "Born to be Alive" – Patrick Hernandez; 10) "Undercover Love" – Debbie Jacobs.

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The Fox Valley Gay Association and Mattachine Midwest get together in Lincoln Park for a day of outdoor games and outdoor food. Picnic-goers meet at the corner of Sheridan Rd and Diversey at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday August 4. Bring your own food, drinks and croquet sets.

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IMAGE: WANTED – Gay Chicago May 17, 1979

The Lesbian Community Center holds a general meeting at their new location at 3435 N. Sheffield.

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There is a discussion on the topic of "Coming Out at Work" at the Rogers Park/Edgewater Gay Alliance Center at 5823 N. Ridge.

1992

Women and Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark St, presents "Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype." Author Clarissa Pinkola Estes discusses her book on August 4 at 7:15 p.m.

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IMAGE: Crystal's Blinkers – Gay Life July 6, 1979

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Democratic Senatorial candidate Carol Moseley Braun announced the appointment of D. Carole Powell as a fundraiser in her campaign. Powell's primary focus will be on the lesbian and gay community, both locally and nationally.

"Powell, a previous eight-year resident of Chicago, has been given a leave of absence from the Pensacola New-Journal (Pensacola, Fla.) to take this position. She served as executive director of the Lesbian and Gay Voter Impact Project that registered more than 18,000 new gay and lesbian voters in 1988. In 1989, she chaired the second annual IMPACT dinner."

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Top 10 Playlist courtesy of DJ Donnie Warner at Hunter's: 1) "Dancing Queen" – Erasure; 2) "Everybody's Free" – Rozalla; 3) "Please Don't Go" – Double You?; 4) "James Bond Never Dies" – Phenomania; 5) "A Million Colours" – Channel X; 6) "Observing the Earth" – Dyewitness; 7) "Love, Sex, Intelligence" – The Shamen; 8) "Good Stuff" – B52s; 9) "Sunshine & Ecstacy" – Tom Tom Club; 10) "Set Me Free" – Clubland.

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Obituary in Windy City Times begins:

"David Mitsakopoulos, 27, died July 28 of complications due to AIDS after a long illness at St. Joseph's Hospital.

"David will be remembered by his many friends and extended family who supported him throughout his life and surrounded him with love at the time of his death, especially James and Brian. David's close friends would like to thank his cousin Carl for his kindness and support during David's illness.

"David worked for many years at his family's business, the Chicago Fish House, and is well-known to many in the gay and lesbian community through his work at Bulldog Road."

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Chicago Dancers United present Dance for Life–a benefit performance for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. The event is held August 8 at 8:00 p.m. at the Organic Theater, 3319 N. Clark St.

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August 8 is the date of Loud-N-Plowed, a night of six of Chicago's heaviest rock bands at Avalon Ballroom. Proceeds go to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

2003

In the bars and clubs, Late Night Explosion with Kid-X-Site every Wednesday at Charlie's, 3726 N. Broadway"; Kathryn Payne, Debise Tomasello, and Paul Marinaro are all appearing at Gentry, 440 N. State St.; Sunday T-Dance takes place at Cell Block, 3702 N. Halsted; Hell in a Handbag Productions hold a benefit and variety show for "Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical" from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted; play Sarabia's Stud Puppy Dating Game at Temptations, 10235 W. Grand Ave. Franklin Park; Enrique Goes to Washington, a Farewell Party takes place at North End, 3733 N. Halsted.



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IMAGE: Mr. Bulldog Road – Gay Chicago July 23, 1987

Article in Gay Chicago begins:

"'Dance Divas' will be held on Monday, Aug. 2

"Throughout the past eight years, 'Dance Divas' has evolved into a successful pre-event for the annual 'Dance for Life' performance. More than 20 of Chicago's top professional dancers will perform numbers by choreographer Harrison McEldowney during this one-night-only performance. During the show, guests have an opportunity to participate in the 'Drag Makeover' auction to select a friend-or submit themselves-to being made over as a diva and join the cast for the show."

Homework

Is Hunter's still open?

Anyone see the Bearded Lady?

What was the Virgo Out like?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Hot Flashes by David Veltkamp in Gay Chicago August 16, 1979

Photos by Sherman Heinrich and Spike King in Gay Chicago May 18, 1989

Spike King photographs the Men's Room for Gay Chicago May 18, 1989

Spike King and Sherman Heinrich photographs the Ritz, the Loading Dock and the Pour House for Gay Chicago November 30, 1989

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.