Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1978, 1999 and 2003

(March 22-28, 2018)

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

1978

In the Chicago Tribune, under a photograph of Anita Bryant and her husband Bob Green, an article reads:

"Anita Bryant and her husband Bob Green listen to an audience member's question during the taping Tuesday of a Phil Donahue Show in WGN-TV studios. The Committee for Gay Rights demonstrated against Bryant outside the Northwest studios. Bryant recently said that the homosexual issue had ruined her career as an entertainer."

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IMAGE: The Ranch – Gay Chicago January 11, 1979

Gay Life Top 5 Playlist courtesy of DJ Peter Lewicki of Le Pub and the Glory Hole: 1) "Can't Stand the Rain" – Eruption; 2) "Come Into My Heart" – USA European Connection; 3) "Voyage Album" – Voyage; 4) "Let's All Chant" – Michael Zager; 5) "What Shall We Do When the Disco's Over" – Richard Hewson Orchestra.

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An article in Gay Life begins:

"The Illinois Gay Rights Task Force, along with an anonymous person, will be represented on the half-hour T.V. program, 'Soul Searching' on Sunday, March 26. The program to be aired at 11 p.m. on WFLD, channel 32 on that date, will be a discussion of the gay rights issue with Ms. Ouida Lindsey interviewing Max Smith of the Task Force and another black man seated off-camera. A black lesbian scheduled to be on the program was at the last minute unable to attend.

"A wide range of issues was discussed including the reactions of two black families when their gay sons came out to them. A shortness of time prevented a thorough discussion of the deep issue of being a member of both oppressed minority group."

1999

In the bars and clubs: 3 Girls 3 are appearing at Davenports, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave.; a special 45th birthday celebration for Jerry Williams is held as a benefit for AIDS LIVING REMEMBRANCE PROJECT at the Baton Show Lounge, 436 N. Clark St.; special guest DJ Sleight is at the Mashed Potato Club, 316 W. Erie. On Mondays it's Ultra Glam with performances by Tina Stefano, Regina Upright, Vanessa Kelly, Sassy Trade and Angelique Monroe; it's Hot Ash Smoker night at Cell Block, 3702 N. Halsted; Rudy de la Mor is at Gentry of Chicago, 440 N. State St.; Friday nights are Shower Contest nights at Spin, Belmont & Halsted; the biggest, hardest, hottest WET BOXER CONTEST in Boystown is at Roscoe's, 3356 N. Halsted; the Underparty is at Manhole, 3458 N. Halsted; it's the GenX Bears Social Night and the Rodeo Riders Club Night at Touche, 6412 N. Clark St.; DJ Hex Hector, remixer/house DJ Roxy-NYC, is at Fusion, 3631 N. Halsted; and Honey West and Michael James perform in the cabaret Lounge at the 7301 Club, 7301 W. Roosevelt.

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IMAGE: Viva Las Vegas at Fusion – Gay Chicago November 12, 1998

In Quotelines in Outlines:

"People in homosexuality are incredibly evangelical. It's pure sexuality. It's almost like pure heroin. It's such a rush. They are committed in almost a religious way. And they'll take enormous risks, do anything. ...Marital sex tends toward the boring end. Generally, it doesn't deliver the kind of sheer sexual pleasure that homosexual sex does." – Leading anti-gay activist and discredited psychologist Dr. Paul Cameron, founder of the Family Research Institute for the Scientific Investigation of Sexuality.

And:

"I was definitely raised to be homophobic. My parents, the people around me were all homophobic." – Tennis legend Billie Jean King.

2003

The Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association kick off party for 12" slow pitch softball league is at Spin, Belmont and Halsted.

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IMAGE: The Haig – Gay Life March 9, 1979

Queers Against War, with Leslie Feinberg as the keynote speaker, meet at the Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington. The event is organized by Ifti Nasim, Neena Hemmedy and Andy Thayer.

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The Log Cabin Republicans meet at Babaluci, 2152 N. Damen. National Director and candidate for Lieutenant Governor from Massachusetts Patrick Guerriero is the speaker.

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IMAGE: Sidetrack – Gay Chicago July 27, 2006

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"The 2003 Unsung Heroine Award for the 10th District will be awarded to Renae Ogletree, the Director of the Youth services Division of the Chicago Department of Human Services in a public breakfast ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center on March 27. Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley (D-10th) and Women's Commissioner Gail Morse selected Ogletree for this year's award for her 'fantastic' leadership and passion in all the areas of diversity, youth services and health care."

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An obituary in Gay Chicago begins:

"Ginni Clemens, 66, famed folk, blues singer and friend of the Chicago gay community, died February 15 from injuries suffered in a car crash in Maui, Hawaaii, where she had been living in recent years.

"Ms. Clemens was a popular figure on Wells Street, where she played folk and blues music at legendary clubs such as Mother Blues. She played with John Prine, Steve Goodman and Spanky MacFarlane.

"One of her memorable tunes was called 'Wild Women Don't Get the Blues.'"

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Chicago Transguy Alliance for FTM's, transmen, fully transitioned transsexual men, cross-dressers, drag-kings, gender queers, questioning and allies monthly social takes place at T's bar, 5025 N. Clark St.

Homework

Is the Chicago Transguy Alliance still in existence?

Whatever happened to Sassy Trade?

Or Regina Upright?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Guest bartender at the Virgo Out in Gay Chicago March 15, 1979

Gay and Lesbian Pride Week Planning Committee (from left Richard Pfeiffer, Laura LoChirco, Patrick Findlay and Diane Castillo) in Gay Life March 9, 1979

Wadi Atiba photographed at the Ed Dorado bar for Gay Life March 9, 1979

Dave Veltkamp photographed Mother Carol at Carol's Speakeasy for Gay Life March 9, 1979

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.