Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1986, 1999 and 2000

(August 16-22, 2018)

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

1986

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Alderman Bernard Hansen (D-44th) has announced the appointment of Dale Sapper as the new Community Relations representative for the 44th Ward. Sapper, the third gay businessman to serve on the alderman's staff, will be responsible for researching and proposing solutions or legislation on a variety of community issues, including AIDS medical care and funding within the city, and gay rights legislation, as well as other issues facing the entire ward."

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IMAGE: Berlin 10th Anniversary – Gay Chicago November 11, 1993

In Rick Karlin's Out Look Out E.T.C. column in Gay Chicago:

"Normandy will look like a three ring circus this Sunday as Michael 'K' hosts a birthday bash for Angelo. The Send in the Clowns theme should make for some interesting outfits at the White Party the same night. ...Dig out your white duds for Chuck Renslow's White Party Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Riviera."

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An article by Tracy Baim in Windy City Times begins:

"The Chicago Department of Health listed 19 new cases of AIDS in July, bringing Chicago's total to 449 since 1980 and Illinois' total 590. Nationally, 23,700 cases were registered with the federal Centers for Disease Control as of Aug. 11.

"The top five states in terms of numbers of people with AIDS are as follows: New York 7,765; California 5,453; New Jersey 1,446; Florida 1,416; and Texas 1,176. While Illinois' total with the CDC is 590, neighboring Wisconsin's is 54."

1999

In the bars and clubs, Don't Miss Out. Arrive Early-Stay Late. Be prepared to have a good time at the Purple Party at Maneuver's, 118 E. Jefferson St. Joliet. Don't forget to wear something purple;

Gerber/Hart Library host "Price of Love," a date-auction at Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted; expect service with a smile at Spin, Belmont and Halsted, with DJ Jim Lewis and VJ Nick Hoffman; performing this week at Gentry, 440 N. State, are Kathryn Payne, Job Christenson, Michael McAssey, Beckie Menzie, and Mark Farris.

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IMAGE: Gay Chicago cover – Gay Chicago November 18, 1993

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"'Fashion and Adventure' at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. 'Fash Bash' is a one-of-a-kind show that combines fall fashion, entertainment and state-of-the-art technology in a Broadway-like production to benefit the Auxiliary Board and the Evening Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago.

"Hosting the show will be award-winning comedienne Ellen DeGeneres. Also making a special appearance is the highly esteemed Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Munto Dance company, performing the sounds of South Africa, and world-renowned, Tony Award-winning tap dancer Savion Glover."

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From Quotelines in Outlines:

"My gay fans have been so loyal, and so great–at times, when other fans weren't there. Gay fans usually love you when you're in the dumps, the toilet. I have a very Judy Garland feeling about it. It's a special thing." – Cher.

And:

"Rupert Everett in My Best Friend's Wedding was so wonderful. He is like so many gay men that I know, which is like, handsome and debonair and sexy and witty and someone that you are attracted to and not some flaming poofter but A MAN." – Chastity Bono.

And:

"My mother? Plastic surgery? Her wardrobe? I don't know, you go ask her how many fucking shoes she has." – Chastity Bono.

2000

The Brown Elephant Resale Shop third location is now open at 3532 W. Irving Park, one block east of Elston.

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IMAGE: Arson at Charlie's – Gay Chicago June 3, 1999

k.d. lang with special guest Shelby Lynne performs at the Auditorium Theatre.

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Association of Latin Men in Action Noche de Gala benefit is at National 27, 325 W. Huron, This special 10^th anniversary celebration includes cocktails, dancing, food and fun.

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A letter to the editor of Gay Chicago from Rd Farrell reads:

"Dressed in stunning drag, the Pope recently decried and denounced the Gay Pride Rome 2000 celebration, adding even more to the cumulative Vatican hate rhetoric against gays. (And where is any peep of protest from Roman Catholic gays? I guess they're hiding under the pews).

"JP II is a bitter and dried out poop and the big church has no way to get rid of him! How sad, as many Roman Catholics vote with their feet or do what they have to anyway. The last of the old medieval despots! He must have a problem himself, obsessed as he seems with sex, embarrassingly so.

"His best bet would be to keep silent on things he cannot begin to understand. Meantime, not a word of condemnation of gay bashers, to whom he actually provides verbal motivation. Enough, already!"

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IMAGE: Deidre McCalla at Mountain Moving Coffeehouse – Blacklines June 1999

An article in Gay Chicago reads:

"Take-A-Hike, an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for persons living with HIV/AIDS by providing free nature and recreational activities, will offer a guided tour on Sunday, Aug. 20, at 9 a.m. of Cantigny Gardens on the McCormick estate. The 10 acres of gardens are considered among the finest in America. Take-A-Hike membership is open to anyone diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. There are no dues or membership fees. All Take-A-Hike outings are drug and alcohol free."

Homework

Is Deidre McCalla still around?

What's Beckie Menzie up to these days?

Who went to "Fash Bash?"

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind:

Terry Gaskins photographs John at Cell Block and James at Gentry for Gay Chicago August 30, 2001

Andrea is MC at Normandy in Gay Life, February 7, 1985

St Sukie de la Croix photographs at Bobby Love's for Nightlines August 29, 2001

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.