Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1978, 1982 and 1983

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

1978

Ntozake Shange, author of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf," is at Barbara's Bookstore, 2907 N. Broadway.

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IMAGE: Cover–Gay Chicago June 10, 1982

A Rocky Horror Halloween Party sponsored by Northwestern Gay Union/Lesbian Alliance takes place at the Paradise Coffeehouse, Sheridan near Foster in Evanston.

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Felicia's annual Costumes in Review is held at the Radisson Hotel, 505 N. Michigan Ave. Entertainment is provided by Pudgy and Sam Hill.

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IMAGE: Stage 618–Gay Life January 21, 1977

Dr. James Steakley, author of "The Homosexual Emancipation Movement in Germany," speaks at the 2nd Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry. His topic is the gay movement in Germany just prior to Hitler's takeover and the experiences of homosexuals in prison camps.

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The feminist comedy and music duo of Sue Fink and Joelyn Grippo feature at a Halloween party at Mountain Moving Coffeehouse, 1034 W. Barry.

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An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"Evangelicals Concerned is a nationwide task force devoted to rectifying anti-homosexual attitudes and beliefs as taught by the more conservative protestant sects. EC meets once a month for dinner, socializing and business at Monday's restaurant at 565 W. Diversey Pky. on the third Saturday of the month at 7 p.m."

1982

In the bars and clubs, Charlie's Angels, 8710 Golf Road, Des Plaines, celebrates its 4^th anniversary weekend with a Halloween Party, buffet and door prizes; it's the Annual Pie Toss with a host of celebrities at Big Red's, 3019 N. Clark St., in a benefit for the Rodde Center; it's the 1st anniversary of the Ozone, 112 W. Hubbard; you can see male dancers nightly at the Glory Hole, 1343 N. Wells; La Cage Chicago, 50 East Oak St., presents Invasion of the "B" Girls–come dressed as your favorite movie character; A Night of Terror awaits you at Midnite Madness at Annex 2, 430 N. Clark St.

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IMAGE: Little Bits–Gay Chicago January 21, 1977

An article in Gay Life begins:

"The Oct. 24 shooting of two men in the alley west of the 3700 block of North Halsted Street left one man dead. Police have no suspect.

"Stanley E. Cox, 32, 1117 W. Grand Ave., was pronounced dead on arrival at the Illinois Masonic Medical Center at 8:50 p.m. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office listed cause of death as bullet wounds to the chest. Cox was also shot in the face.

"His companion, Joseph Hall, 27, 531 W. Fullerton Pkwy., was taken to Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital, where he is listed in good condition. Hall was shot in the left hand and abdomen.

"23rd District police said Hall told them he and Cox were in the Loading Dock bar, 3702 N. Halsted, and had walked around the corner to the alley to smoke a joint. They stepped into a pitch black stairwell. When they came out, a male Hispanic came up and 'immediately opened fire with a small caliber automatic pistol,' the report said."

1993

An article in Windy City Times begins:

"Gay activist Marc Loveless broke–or at least cracked–the glass ceiling last week when he became the first openly gay elected official in Illinois, winning a seat as community representative on the local School Council at Pulaski Academy.

"'It was a vote for tolerance,' said Loveless, who placed second with 56 votes in the race for two open positions. Voters in the Near West Pulaski neighborhood 'had an opportunity to decide to put bigotry behind them and take a chance on someone who was as sincere about the issues as they were,' said Loveless."

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IMAGE: Nationwide Video–Windy City Times April 20, 1989

An article in Windy City Times begins:

"Horizons Youth Services offers a new nine-week discussion group for adolescents aged 14-18 who are beginning to explore their same-sex attractions. The group is geared for peer support and information, will be limited to 15 people and will begin on Oct. 30."

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The NAMES Project/Chicago presents "Keep the Love Alive," a cabaret fundraiser at the Howard Washington Library Center, 400 South State on October 29 at 6:30 p.m.

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Gay Chicago's The Week in Review:

Wednesday, October 27

Berlin holds a disco party tonight and Khris Francis begins his last week at Gentry.

Thursday, October 28

Sidetrack welcomes the folks from Lunch Break as they screen the Joan Rivers show that featured the gay dating service. Roscoe's holds a wet boxer shorts contest to celebrate the full moon and Charlie's gets the jump on Halloween parties.

Friday, October 29

Roberta Miles is at Pasta Joe's, Judii Lowe is at Temptations. AA Meat Market kicks off a full weekend of trouble with its full moon contest. Lambda Car Club's at Numbers. Vortex inaugurates a new "Last Friday of the Month" party for members only, and girth and Mirth parties at Company. Clubhouse kicks off "Future Shock" with the "Big Bang" party.

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A letter to the editor of Gay Chicago reads:

"Thank you from Henry and Rudy for all the beautiful flowers, cards, and calls. Our Bobby would be so happy to see all the beautiful bouquets."

"Thanks also, for the masses and donations to charity.

"A special thank you to all our bartenders, Hank, Joe, Howard, David, Matt, Ben, and our pianists, Ben Witte and Tom Edwards, and Dave Hamilton.

"Appreciation for all those that took the long journey to All Saints Cemetery. God bless you and God bless our Bobby.

Love, Henry and Rudy (Henry Clarke & Rudy Cistaro, owners of Dandy's).

Homework

Are Henry Clarke & Rudy Cistaro still around?

Where was Pasta Joe's?

Who remembers the Loading Dock?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Photos by J.O. Shaff for Gay Chicago August 9, 2001

Members of the Chicago Smelts in Gay Chicago March 30, 1989

Voltaire and North End in Hotspots February 2001

St Sukie de la Croix photographs the Hearts Party at Transit 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.