Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1979, 1988 and 1994

(February 22-28, 2018)

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

1979

An article by George Buse in Gay Life begins:

"Gay rights legislation, defeated last year in the Illinois General Assembly, will be given another chance this year in Springfield on February 28.

"Four separate bills forbidding discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, public accommodations, general employment and employment specifically in state colleges and universities are slated for the House and assignment to a committee of the 81st General Assembly on that date.

"The legislation package is being co-sponsored by Republicans Susan Catania (22nd District) and Elroy Sandquist (13th District). Democrat William Marovitz (12th District) is sharing the effort."

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IMAGE: Cover – Gay Chicago January 16, 1992

Frankie Knuckles of the Warehouse shares his playlist with Gay Life: 1) Gino Soccio LP; 2) "We Are Family" – Sister Sledge; 3) "Star Love" – Cheryl Lynn; 4) "I Got My Mind Made Up" – Instant Freek; 5) "Disco Nights" – GQ; 6) "Bang A Gong" – Witchqueen; 7) "Supercock" – Dillinger; 8) "Weekend" – Phreek; 9) "At Midnight" – T Connection; 10) "Do You Think I'm Sexy?" – Rod Stewart; 11) "Knock on Wood" – Amy Stewart; 12) "British Hustle" – High Tension; 13) "Baby, I'm Burnin'" and "I Want to Fall in Love" – Dolly Parton; 14) "Countdown" – Dan Hartman; 15) "True Love is My Destiny" – James Wells.

1988

In the clubs and bars, LEARN TO HUSTLE ...the dance that is. Join DJ Don Ziebarth on the last Wednesday of every month playing '70s dance music at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont; Chicago's Country Dance Party with dance lessons from Cowboy John and Royce Austin is every Thursday and Sunday at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells; Feathers, that Holy Princess of Morning Madness starts work at 7 a.m. at Bulldog Road, 2916 N. Broadway; there's a Wet Jockey Shorts Contest with MC Michael "K" at Cheeks, 2730 N. Clark St; and "Victims of Desire," hefty hunks from Ohio, are performing at Bistro Too, 5015 N. Clark St.

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All Jeff Stryker movies are on sale for $49.95 at Tip Top Video, 3860 N. Kedzie.

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IMAGE: Temptations – Gay Chicago January 16, 1992

An article in Windy City Times by George Buse begins:

"Aiming toward a more 'just and inclusive ministry' in the Chicago Archdiocese, the Association of Chicago Priests for the first time honored five near-North parishes and their pastors for their ministries to the gay and lesbian community, and awarded scholarships to women in ministry. These and other specialized ministries were recognized at the association's 20^th annual Mardi Gras celebration, Sunday Feb 14, at McCormick Place.

" ...The five pastors and their churches are Father Jim Noone, St. Theresa; Fr. John Fahey, St. Cle4ments; Fr. Thomas Healey, Our Lady of St. Carmel; Fr. John Flavin, St. Sebastian; and Bishop Timothy Lyne, Holy Name Cathedral.

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IMAGE: Lady Bug – Gay Life January 23, 1986

In his E.T.C. column in Gay Chicago, Rick Karlin writes:

"Last weekend was just too Divine! What with the John Waters night at Park West (very successful, by the way) and the big star herself at Bistro Too, the city was just about worn out come Sunday. If you haven't had enough, the new John Waters-Divine flick, "Hairspray" opens this Friday at Water Tower."

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Tricia Alexander performs at the Mountain Moving Coffeehouse at 1655 W. School.

1994

An article in Gay Chicago reads:

"The University of Illinois at Chicago Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues announces its 1994 competition for the best paper written by an undergraduate or undergraduates on the topic of interest, relevance, or benefit to lesbian, gay and bisexual communities. Papers are invited from all academic fields. Currently enrolled UIC undergraduate students are eligible for the $100 award. Application deadline is April15. To apply, submit a cover letter and five copies of completed paper to Professor Timothy F. Murphy, Department of Medical Education m/c 591, University of Illinois College of Medicine, 808 South Wood Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612–7309."

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IMAGE: Scott's – Nightspots November 24, 2004

Molly Mellick and Randy Snyder are elected to a two-year term as members of the board of directors of GLAAD/Chicago. The other board members include Peter Vieguela, president; Jeff Sachse, vice president of administration; and Earl Perlow, treasurer.

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David Dillon's "Party" is playing at the Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont.

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Gossip from Doug Allen's Culture Shock in Gay Chicago:

"THIS WEEK – Flipper is having his 50^th birthday bash at L.A. Connection Wednesday ...The Joe Tech Trio performs at The Bop Shop Thursday at 10 p.m. This is the first solo show, so don't miss it ...Wednesday is yet another famous 'Disco Wednesday' at Berlin with Bobby Marley and Dion behind the wheel ...Get out your Calvin's boys. Friday night is the infamous 'Underparty' at Manhole ...Deneuve magazine Managing Editor Katie Brown will be at Women and Children First, Friday, from 7-8 p.m. to discuss the direction of the magazine and get feedback on how to better serve the Midwestern lesbian community ...ACT UP is having a benefit for the AIDS activists on trial in the hate state, Colorado, Saturday at Visions. Performers include Dane Chase, Sex Police, Karen Hutt, and others ...Vortex will be the gathering ground for the 'Boys Club' on Friday night. And I heard Silky Jumbo will be eight feet tall Saturday night for the bar's Huge party ...A benefit for Tom Chiola will be held at Big Chicks Saturday from 8 p.m. 'til midnight ...Paula Sinclaire will be performing at Carr's Sunday, starting at 9:30 p.m.

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The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus performs "The Mikado" by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan at the Athenaeum Theatre, Wellington and Southport. Reserved seating donation $15.

Homework

Where is DJ Don Ziebarth now?

Were you at the Warehouse?

What is the Joe Tech Trio?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Photos of Dugan's Bistro in Gay Chicago January 4, 1979

Frank Failing's pictures of Beach Volleyball for Gay Chicago July 27, 2006

Jack Sitar photographs at Christopher Street for Gay Chicago October 2, 1986

Chuck and Kirk took these pictures for Nightspots June 7, 2006

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.