Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1988, 1997 and 2000

(December 6-12, 2018)

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

1988

In the bars and clubs, two for one dinner specials at bar/restaurant My Brother's Place/Oasis, 111 W. Hubbard; every Monday is Movie Night with Steve at LA Connection, 3700 N. Halsted; Christmas in the Country with C&W singer Dena Kaye, at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells; Dan, Ralph, and the Staff of Gay Chicago Magazine cordially invite you to our gala Holiday Party at Christopher Street, 3458 N. Halsted; on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, there are male dancers at JJ's, 6406 N. Clark St.; the Metropolitan Sports Association's annual Membership Party takes place at Bistro Too, 5015 N. Clark St.; Drag Queen Wrestling returns to Bistro Too, 5015 N. Clark St.

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IMAGE: Showcase One – Gay Chicago February 28, 1985

Windy City Gay Chorus perform Don We Now ...X "Hallelujah!" Festive Holiday Concert with the Windy City Slickers at Preston Bradley Center, 941 W. Lawrence.

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An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"On Thanksgiving Eve, three Chicago bars, Christopher Street, Paris Dance, and Roscoe's hosted 'doors' raising nearly $1,300 for Open Hand Chicago, Chicago's only nutritional support program dedicated to service to HIV-impacted individuals and their independents.

"Matthew Hamilton, Open Hand Chicago's executive director, said of the evening, 'The communities support of Open Hand has been incredible and inspiring. Their support will make a direct impact on the quality of life of those affected by this devastating illness."

1997

Chicago Professional Networking Association annual holiday party takes place at Ann Sather's 929 W. Belmont. Cash bar 6:30, followed by dinner buffet. $15 includes dinner.

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Test Positive Aware Network holiday party with a dance and conga line with Carmen Miranda takes place at Rhumba, 3631 N. Halsted.

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IMAGE: Gypsy at Bailiwick – Gay Chicago February 8, 2001

An article in Outlines reads:

"Former USO girl & Berwyn's Bohemian Princess, Charlene Unger hosts a loving & campy tribute to holiday tv specials past & present with an evening of singing, Xmas music & special guest stars–including Charlene's back-up singers, 'The Ungertones' with her sister Connie & half-sister Henrietta, the Chicago Tap Authority dancers showcasing John Kloss, Amanda Majewski & Bobby Rubenstein, plus jazz by the Jim Cox Trio. 5-6:30 pm, free. Randolph Café, Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Washington."

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IMAGE: Kit Kat Lounge – Gay Chicago February 8, 2001

Café Pride is a drop-in for lesbian, gay, transgendered youth. Every Friday, 8:00 p.m.-midnight. Refreshments provided at no charge. No cover. Takes place at Lake View Presbyterian Church, 716 W. Addison.

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Quotelines in Outlines:

"It's hilarious what people are making up about us. No, it's shocking. Some silly things that are written about us are painful. This supposed fact isn't painful. It's just wrong." – Anne Heche

And:

"I had a ball. I love the idea of playing around with one's public persona." – Emma Thompson on her role in the November 19 episode of "Ellen," in which she plays herself as an alcoholic closeted lesbian who is really from Dayton, Ohio, and picked up her British accent from watching Julie Andrews movies.

And:

"Much as I think gays should have the same rights as heterosexuals, I want something better for the world than marriage. I would like to reach for something higher. We need ritual for sure, we want ways to honor extended family, family of choice, commitment to love and union, but I don't really want to see it fashioned after marriage, that has traditionally been about ownership of property and children." – bisexual singer Holly Near

2000

An article in Gay Chicago reads:

"Lakeside Pride Band will open its second concert season with the annual 'Sleigh Ride' performance, featuring guests Rev. Gregory Dell and Artemis Singers, at 7 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Preston Bradley Center, 941 W. Lawrence. Dell will be featured in a musical setting of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas,' while Artemis Singers will perform several selections in honor of their 20^th anniversary. The Lakeside Pride Clarinet Choir will also perform. Admission is $7, $5 for students and seniors. It is wheelchair accessible, and the performance will be sign-interpreted. Lakeside Pride is an all-volunteer community organization featuring a concert band, marching band, jazz ensemble and other small ensembles."

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IMAGE: Bulldog Road – Gay Chicago February 28, 1985

An article in Windy City Times begins:

"'If you create a secluded space full of naked men, steam, ceramic tile and little else ...things are bound to happen,' quipped a suburban Bally's Total Fitness Center member on recent public indecency arrests at one gym location. 'The Schaumburg Bally's steamroom is notoriously cruisy, as is the North Shore locale. More often than not, these spaces attract closet cases who are very much on the edge, very nervous and sometimes a little risk-taking.'

"Schaumburg police Lt. Dennis Carroll confirmed that several arrests have been made recently at the East Schaumburg Bally's location, just across the road from the Woodfield Mall.

"The location has become increasingly popular with gay patrons, a second Bally's patron said, also asking not to be identified. As a longtime member, he has been aware for years of sexual activity that periodically takes place in the men's steamroom.

"Recently, another patron told him of the arrests and that police had set up a sting operation to catch perpetrators red-handed."

Homework

Is Schaumburg Bally's still around?

What happened to Charlene Unger?

Anybody go to My Brother's Place?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Mike Williams photographed a Mr. Carol's Contest for Gay Chicago April 29, 1982

"The play "Angels" in Gay Chicago August 12, 1993

Another Mr. Contest in Gay Chicago June 17, 1982

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.