Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1980, 1989 and 1993

(August 30-September 5, 2018)

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

1980

In the bars and clubs, Checkmate II, 2546 N. Clark St., presents the electrifying Sam Hill every Friday night and the incomparable Eve every Saturday night; it's the Grand Opening Weekend of the Manhandler, 1948 N. Halsted; celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Factory, 1665 W. Fullerton with raffles, free drinks, a buffet and cake; the James Smith Blues Band & Big Time Sara perform at His 'n' Hers, 944 W. Addison; there's a Princess Kaiulani luau at BJ's, 3231 N. Clark; and the Girls from Calumet City-Tamara Lee, Tracy Love, Marisa "Corky" Black, and Lola Renee-welcome you to Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells.

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IMAGE: Mr. Fox contest at J.J.'s – Gay Chicago February 21, 1985

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Heavy rains Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17 forced rescheduling of the Chicago Gay Health Project's VD testing van.

"As a result the VD van is scheduled for three stops the weekend of Sept. 12-13.

"The van is scheduled from 9-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 on N. Halsted between Little Jim's and the Lady Bug and then from 11:30 to 2 a.m. in front of Touche on N. Lincoln Avenue. The following day, Saturday 13, the van will be in the Clark, Illinois and Hubbard Streets are 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. This location will serve patrons of the Gold Coast, Redoubt, the Machine Shop, Sunday's, the baton, New Flight and the Bistro."

1989

You can see "The Well of Horniness," a dyke noir comedy by Holly Hughes, at the Bailiwick Repertory, 3212 N. Broadway.

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IMAGE: The Gong Show at Christopher Street – Gay Chicago February 28, 1985

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"The drag show to end all drag shows, Miss Gay Continental 1989-90, will be held Monday, Labor Day, September 3rd at Park West. Actually, 'drag show' is not quite the correct term. Referring to Miss Gay Continental as merely a drag show is not unlike referring to the Indy 500 as a drag race. The performers go all out for this show, the winner walking away with the most coveted title a female impersonator can achieve.

"It is not unusual for the performers to spend thousands and sometimes tens of thousands on their costumes, gowns, and routines. Large production numbers compete against torchy soloists. Some of the contestants sing live, some lip synch and all put forth almost superhuman efforts."

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Tseko Simon Nkoli, the noted black South African gay activist, is traveling across North America to present the progress of the struggle against apartheid in his homeland. On Thursday, August 31, Nkoli will lecture and show videos at University Church, 5655 S. University Avenue. A reception will begin the evening at 6:30 p.m.; and in addition Dr. Margaret Burroughs will offer poetry readings. Nkoli's lecture is being hosted by Black and White Men Together of Chicago, an inter-racial gay organization which seeks to combat racism, sexism, and homophobia."

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The AIDS Pastoral Care Network holds a monthly ecumenical service for persons affected by AIDS in the chapel of Lutheran General Hospital.

1993

The clock is ticking! Pick up your pledge sheet for AIDS Walk Chicago 1993 at 909 W. Belmont. The 10-kilometer walk for life along Chicago's lakefront takes place on Sunday September 12.

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IMAGE: Odessa Brown at Club Victoria – Gay Chicago January 17, 1985

An article by Kimberley Griffin in Windy City Times begins:

"Inspired by a black gay and lesbian group's fight to march in the Bud Billiken Parade, the Association of Latin Men for Action (ALMA) decided to apply to march in the Mexican Independence Day Parade. Unlike the Proud Black Lesbians and Gays (PBLG), the members of ALMA didn't have to put up much of a fight. They were immediately accepted as one of the 150 marching units in the parade, which steps off at noon on Sept. 11 at Wacker Drive and Dearborn Street."

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All women are invited to celebrate (or lament!) the end of summer with Kinheart at Labor Day BBQ and picnic on Friday, Sept. 3, Suggested donation $2 members, $3 non-members. Kinheart is located at 2214 Ridge in Evanston.

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The Chi-Town Squares invite you to a Labor Day weekend full of dancing fun September 3-6. The weekend kicks off at Charlie's and continues with a dance on top of the skyline with Saundra Bryant, a square dance brunch and a picnic dance. Registration for the Great Chicago Crossfire costs $50.

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IMAGE: Men in Leather at Trianon – Gay Chicago January 24, 1985

Join Big Men of Chicago for a picnic Sunday, Sept. 5, in Lincoln Park. Meet at noon at the shelter behind the totem pole.

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Tune in to Aware: HIV Talk Radio to hear Randy Shilts, author of "And the Band Played On," discuss the making of the cable movie based on the book chronicling the early years of the AIDS epidemic. The film airs on HBO Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. The interview is broadcast on WNUA-95.5 FM and on WKQX-101.5 at midnight.

Homework

Is Kinheart still around?

Anyone see "The Well of Horniness?"

What was Checkmate II, 2546 N. Clark St. like?

Israel Wright photographed the Equality Illinois Annual Gala for Nightlines February 7, 2001

St Sukie de la Croix photographed Faustina and C.C. Carter for Nightlines February

14, 2001

St Sukie de la Croix photographed these two for Nightspots May 7, 2003

Buddies, Spin, and the Edge in Nightspots May 14, 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.