Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1986, 1992 and 2001

(March 8-14, 2018)

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

1986

In the bars and clubs, Chicago artists are on display throughout March at Dolores and Eddie's, Waveland and Broadway; every Thursday it's free pizza at midnight at the Gold Coast, 501 N. Clark St.; play Wheel of Fortune at Irene's Diamond, 3169 N. Halsted, every Saturday to benefit Chicago House; "Gay/Lesbian Issues Survey" is a benefit with Terri Hemmert/WXRT DJ that takes place at Paris Dance, 1122 W. Montrose; Jim Flint is a candidate for Cook County Commissioner. Come meet him at the 131 Club, 13126 S. Western, Blue Island, where he's joined by Chilli Pepper and Leslie Rajeane.

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An article in Windy City Times begins:

"Representatives from the gay and lesbian community have called for a demonstration outside the Sun-Times building on March 20 to back up demands that the paper adhere to fair journalistic standards when covering issues that concern them. Sun-Times editor Frank Devine has refused to meet with gay leaders about such demands.

"'I have no intentions ...of establishing any kind of guidelines for discussion of homosexuality in this paper,' said Devine in a letter to the Illinois Gay & Lesbian Task Force. 'The Sun-Times attitude toward homosexuality has been extremely civilized and will continue to be.'

"Devine defended a Jan. 13 column by Joseph Subran in the Sun Times which categorized gay sex as 'junk sex' and claims that 'a life spent in porn theaters, singles bars, and massage parlors is bound to result in a diminished capacity for love of other people as persons, as well as low self-esteem.' Subran's syndicated column was given the headline 'Homosexuality Isn't Healthy' by Sun-Times editors.

"When Devine received a letter challenging Sobran's article, he replied by sending a letter of his own. In it he told Chicago gay activist Dan Layman that 'my task is to encourage free expression of opinion on all subjects ...[so] our goals are inimical to each other. So the hell with you.'"

1992

Quotelines in Outlines:

"She's a mattress with a microphone. She's living proof of power through crotch." – Judy Tenuta on Madonna

And:

"The closet exists to protect heterosexuals, not Queers. Secretly, the Breeders fear that their own children will choose perversion unless they are bombarded by one-sided propaganda from ...birth to marriage ...Homophobes like The Closet because it makes Queers invisible, which is the next best thing to not existing at all." – Bay Area Reporter columnist Michael C. Botkin

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IMAGE: Little Jim's – Gay Chicago August 1, 1985

Chicago's Gerber/Hart Library and Archives announces it has been awarded a $10,000 general support grant from the Chicago Resource Center. The grant can be used to support any expenses related to the libraries day-to-day operations.

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An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Stop AIDS Chicago will be the beneficiary of Lifeline Theatre's March 13^th performance of 'Shouts and Whispers.' This performance of this highly acclaimed play is part of Lifeline Theatre's Friday Night Spotlight Performance Series, in which performance ticket receipts help AIDS organizations.

"When patrons mention Stop AIDS Chicago while purchasing tickets, one half of the ticket price will go directly to Stop AIDS."

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IMAGE: Cover – Gay Chicago August 1, 1985

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Aaron Freeman, comedian/actor/writer, and star of the long-running political/financial musical comedy show, 'Aaron Freeman's Do the White Thing,' is honorary chairperson of the March 14^th performance of Bill T. Jones' 'Last Supper at Uncle Tom's Cabin/Promised Land,' benefitting Howard Brown Memorial Clinic's AIDS programs."

2001

Three bartenders featured in this month's Hotspots:

Craig Baker. He's serving it up at Madrigal's for 4 ½ years. He's a Pisces (3/2) sorry guys he's taken. See Craig every Tu-We-Sa-Su and try out his own concoction: Craig's Man Pussy.

John Cain, Sagittarius, and single. Working at Clark's on Clark for 3 ½ years now. You can catch John on Tu-We-Sa in the evenings. He gives great Beer!

Nick. This hot 30 year old will serve you libations Mon thru Fri nights at Different Strokes. Try out his Rum Runner's ...mm mm good.

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IMAGE: His 'n' Hers – Gay Chicago August 22, 1985

"The Mystique of Womyn," the 12^th Annual International Women's Day Masked Ball 2001 with a Mardi Gras unmasking at midnight takes place at the Congress Hotel, 520 S. Michigan.

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An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"AIDS Walk Chicago, having raised close to $11 million for HIV/AIDS programs since its inception in 1989, has announced that it would dissolve as a corporation on March 31.

"'We are deeply grateful for the participation of the Walk's 15 partner organizations and for the efforts of the many thousands of walkers and sponsors over the last 11 years,' said Waldo E. Johnson, Jr., president of the AIDS Walk board of directors. 'We encourage all of those who have joined us in our fight against AIDS to continue their support of HIV/AIDS programs.'"

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IMAGE: Chicago Eagle – Gay Chicago November 25, 1999

Article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Horizons' Mature Adult Seminar, on March 10, will feature Harold Kooden, author of 'Golden Men: The Power of Gay Midlife,' and a discussion of aging and ageism in the GLBT community. A noted psychotherapist in New York City, Kooden is committed to furthering the discussion of aging with GLBT groups around the country."

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Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund hosts a Kids and Families Event; a kid-friendly evening of pizza, play area for children and a presentation on Lambda's Family Relationships Project by Pat Logue, at 1936 W. Augusta.

Homework

Anyone taste Craig Baker's Man Pussy?

Anyone go to the 131 Club?

Who remembers Irene's Diamonds?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

The Pour House in Calumet City in Cruisin' magazine 2004 #12

Xmas in July at Touche for Cruisin' 2004 #12

Frank Failing at Male Image Photography took these photos of the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge in Gay Chicago December 30, 2004

Dan Di Leo took this picture at Carol's Speakeasy for Gay Chicago May 6, 1982

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.