Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1982, 1992 and 2003

(May 24-30, 2018)

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

1982

In the bars and clubs, the Miss Piggy Look-Alike Contest is held at Piggen's Pub, 674 W. Diversey; Mary Lynn Morrison and Bill Muzzillo perform at His 'n' Hers, 944 W. Addison; the Mr. B.J.'s contest takes place at B.J.'s, 3231 N. Clark St.; Mr. 1982 Broadway Limited contest for cruise wear and swimsuits, takes place at 3132 N. Broadway; Michael "K" is ready for you to join him at Paradise Island, 2848 N. Broadway; and Sparkle's Artful Dodger, 1516 N. Milwaukee, is hosting "A Tribute to Cher."

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IMAGE: Berlin – Chicago Free Press March 5, 2009

An article in the Chicago Tribune reads:

"A Petty Officer stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago has been found guilty of violating an order placing a nearby religious center off-limits. Arthur B. Murphy, 28, a petty officer 2d class and an eight-year veteran, was restricted to the base for 30 days and fined $300 by military judge Lt. Cmdr. Donald J. Guter during a court martial Tuesday. Guter found constitutional the Feb 8 order issued by base commander Rear Adm. James H. Flatley III placing the Servicemen's Christian Center off-limits to base personnel. Murphy is suing Flatley and other naval authorities in federal court, claiming that the order violates his constitutional rights. Murphy was charged with purposely defying the order, which was issued after a local newspaper said the center's minister, L.R. Davis, operated a cult and engaged in homosexual activities with members."

1992

Lesbian/Gay Film Group of the University of Chicago and DOC Films present Lesbian/Gay History/ Representation Film Series to Explore Changing Representations of Homosexuals in Film on Thursday nights at Max Palevsky Cinema, 1212 E. 59th St. Admission is $2.

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IMAGE: The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus – Gay Chicago April 3, 2003

From Gay Chicago's The Week in Preview:

SUNDAY May 24:

"Shelter's 'QUENCH' party adds another night for a Leather Memorial Eve party. Manhole hosts an underwear night. The Hideaway II welcomes FiFi Depraved and Daisy Mae for 'Two in Revue.' David Boyer's country dance party, featuring shuffle and 2-step lessons and a country dance contest, has been moved from Puszh Studios to Paris Dance to combine with their Paris, Texas party. L.A. Connection hosts a BBQ all day long. Different Strokes hosts 'A Time to Remember' a party/memorial by the bodacious Beckie Menzie, is traditionally the hottest of the year."

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An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Richard Asch, executive director for Stop AIDS Chicago (SAC) submitted his resignation to the board of directors at its May 19 meeting. The resignation is effective as of Aug. 19. Asch is one of the organization's six co-founders and its first executive director."

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IMAGE: Hide-A-Way – Gay Chicago April 10, 2003

An article in Windy City Times begins:

"Lesbian and gay police officers in the Chicago area now have a place to meet other gay officers and discuss gay-related concerns.

"The Lesbian and Gay Police Association (LGPA) was founded last week and will hold its first meeting at 7 p.m. May 28 at Ann Sather restaurant, 929 W. Belmont."

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The AIDS Pastoral Care Network holds its 7^th annual candlelight vigil on May 25 starting at St. Clement Church, 642 W. Deming Place at 6:30 p.m.

2003

Save Our Station. There's a community rally to show support for keeping the police station at Halsted/Addison from closing. The rally is sponsored by Equality Illinois, Lakeview Action Coalition, Horizons, the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and the Lakeview Citizen's Council.

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Lee Neubecker, Treasurer, Lake View Citizen's Council and Lakeview resident, writes to the editor of Gay Chicago:

"Officers Roger Terry (#18372) and Rene Duran (#15514) should be commended for their actions taken against hostile youth harassing pedestrians along Halsted Street.

"Last night, I was verbally assaulted in front of my home at the corner of Halsted and Buckingham. Several Cubs game-goers were cruising along Halsted Street and looking to start some trouble with the locals. I was most likely not the first person harassed last night by these young men. Several of the passengers inside of their pickup truck decided to shout out their window and call me 'homo.' As rare circumstances may have it, Officers Terry and Duran were at the other side of the street, responding to a call I made to the police regarding a car blocking the crosswalk. After the truck drivers issued their expletives at me. They became aware of a police car turning around to pursue them that had heard their rude and obnoxious shouts. The riders decided to try to escape capture but were ultimately caught at Aldine, just west of Broadway.

"The police handled the situation in the most exemplary way. It is important that the officers' actions are rewarded and acknowledged. Our police department's zero tolerance for harassment of our residents and visitors will keep our neighborhood and tourist's safe.

"Last year, there were several instances that I am aware of in which individuals thought to be gay were physically assaulted and beaten by groups of young men leaving the Cub's game. I was fortunate to not have this happen in my case. I was most impressed by the strong show of support by several local police squad units that responded to the initial pursuit.

"As treasurer of the Lake View Citizen's Council and a concerned neighbor, I was pleased to see how fast the police were able to respond, both to my initial call regarding the blocked pedestrian crosswalk and to the officer's call for backup. This level of service would not be possible without the close proximity of the 23^rd District police station at its current location of Halsted and Addison. I am truly thankful for the police department's presence on Halsted Street and their exemplary service."

Homework

What happened to Richard Asch?

Who is Sparkle at the Artful Dodger?

Who remembers Big Red?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Mystery photographer and mystery event in Gay Chicago July 13, 2006

Graysong photographs at Charlie's for Nightspots July 9, 2003

St. Sukie de la Croix photographed Karaoke with Creaoke for Nightspots July 9, 2003

Kirk Williamson photographs at Bobby Love's for Nightspots July 9, 2003

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.