Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1988, 1995 and 2002

(October 11-17, 2018)

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

1988

An article in Gay Chicago reads:

"Openly-gay councilman from Boston, David Scondras, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Urvashi Vaid, will attend an open community forum on the candidacy of Michael Dukakis. The gathering is co-sponsored by the Lesbian and Gay Progressive Democratic Organization and IMPACT, Chicago's gay and lesbian political action committee, and panelists will address the 'realities, misconceptions, and implications of a Dukakis administration.' With several local mayoral hopefuls expected to attend (most notably Alderman, Evans, Davis, and Bloom), the evening will likely underscore the growing influence of the lesbian/gay voting bloc. The forum will take place Thursday, October 13, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, 615 W. Wellington."

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The number of new AIDS cases reported to the City of Chicago totaled 53 for the month of September. It was the second month in a row in which the AIDS case totals were below July's record high of 84. There were 51 cases reported in August. There have been 585 new cases reported so far in 1988.

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IMAGE: Windy City Rodeo '99 – Gay Chicago June 24, 1999

Zebra Crossing Theatre presents Charles Ludlam's "Bluebeard," directed by Patrick Trettenero, at 4520 N. Beacon St.

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Offering a warm blend of folk, island music and reggae, the Washington Sisters appear at the Horizons Identity Conference Concert/Dance, at the Blackstone Hotel Ballroom, 636 S. Michigan.

1995

From Quotelines in Outlines:

"It's a fun comedy for America with a lot of heart. A feel-good movie for the whole family. And your transsexuals." – Actor John Leguizamo on the movie "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar."

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IMAGE: Gentry – Gay Chicago July 1, 1993

An article in Gay Chicago reads:

"From October 6 to 31, Gerber/Hart Library and Archives exhibits 'Keepin' On: Images of African-American Lesbians.' This exhibit was created by the Lesbian Herstory Archives in New York and was brought to Chicago by Gerber/Hart, and Women in the Director's Chair (WIDC) will co-sponsor a special screening of 'Not Just Passing Through,' a documentary about the Lesbian Herstory Archives, at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Gerber/Hart, 3352 N. Paulina. Admission is free to members of Gerber/Hart and WIDC and a donation of $2 is requested for nonmembers."

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IMAGE: Touche – Nightlines August 29, 2001

In the bars and clubs, don't forget the Honey West Show every Sunday at Madrigals, 5316 N. Clark; it's the Cockpit BBS monthly social and party at North End, 3733 N. Halsted; it's Latex Fetish Night, so wear Rubber at Cell Block, 3702 N. Halsted; Mustard Pie, an all-female rock band from Lansing, performs at the Patch, 201 155th St. (Calumet City); find your masked man on Lone Stranger Returns night at Charlie's, 3726 N. Broadway: come party with the Gods ...Romana/Sambvca Toga Party of the Century at Inn Exile, 5758 W. 65^th St.; and the Dart Emporium at Lucky Horseshoe Lounge, 3169 N. Halsted. Newly arrived: Over 50 sets of darts in brass, nickel, and tungsten.

2002

In Gay Chicago's Calendar of Events:

Friday, October 11

"Vampire Lesbians of Sodom" runs weekends through November 2 at the Theatre Building. Gay Chicago's "ColorFest" weekend at Dunes Resort in Saugatuck, Michigan features strippers. Go-go boys return the Edge in Blue Island. The Kit-Kat Lounge and Supper Club welcomes Delores Van Cartier for dinner entertainment. It's karaoke and Men of Adonis at Hideaway. Buddie's celebrates "Coming out Day" with "Pink Triangle" cosmopolitan specials. Onyx Men's "Blackout VII" weekend starts tonight with registration, demos, and welcome party at Cell Block. Bill Larkin presents his 10:30 p.m. show at Davenports."

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IMAGE: Lucky Horseshoe Lounge – Hotspots February 2001

An article in Gay Chicago reads:

"About Face Theatre is seeking participants for the fifth year of About Face Youth Theatre, the year-round award-winning, theater-based program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning youth and their allies. All interested youth between the ages of 14 and 20 are invited to attend the About Face Youth Theatre Season Preview on Monday, Oct. 14, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at About Face Theatre's administrative office, 1222 W. Wilson, second floor."

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The 2002 After Dark Awards take place at the High Risk Gallery, 1113 W. Belmont. The event is hosted by Alexandra Billings, Beckie Menzie, and Stephen Rader.

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In Quotelines in Windy City Times:

"I don't know how many people know about my personal life. I mean it's not something that I've hidden it but I don't think about it. ...From the time I started performing I was never hidden about who I am. Even though I didn't talk about it, God knows I played in many gay bars when I started in L.A. and that's where I really developed a lot of my ability. It was probably in the gay bars that I could do the repertoire I wanted to do. Standards and show tunes, those were the places people wanted to hear them." – Michael Feinstein.

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Gay Chicago Magazine's "Grabby Porn Fest" and "Porn Star Search" is held on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge, 3369 N. Halsted. Hosted by Grabby Hall-of Famer Will Clark, the event benefits the Center on Halsted.

Homework

Is Beckie Menzie still around?

Is Inn Exile still open?

Is Zebra Crossing still around?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Arch Boudros photographed Buddies for Gay Chicago May 29, 2003

Spike King took these photographs at Touche for Gay Chicago March 2, 1989

St Sukie de la Croix photographs Ripley Caine for Nightspots 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.