Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1977, 1996 and 2003

(March 28 – April 3, 2019)

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

1977

An article in the Chicago Tribune begins:

"Singer Anita Bryant, campaigning against a homosexual rights ordinance in the Miami area, was sharply critical of the White House Sunday for holding a meeting with a group of homosexual activists. 'I protest the action of the White House staff in dignifying these activists for special privilege with a serious discussion of their alleged 'human rights,' she said."

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IMAGE: LesBiGay Radio – Gay Chicago November 10, 1994

A Commentary in Gay Life begins:

"We at Gay Life must add our congratulations to the Lincoln Park Lagooners for the marvelous Carnival Benefit '77 held at the Aragon on March 20, 1977. It was an even greater success than anyone could have imagined, with 6000 people attending. The benefit grossed around $36,000, with a profit of some $20,000 which will be distributed to service organizations in the city."

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IMAGE: Chicago Eagle – Gay Chicago December 1, 1994

Congregation Or Chadash hold its Passover Seder on April 3, at 6:00 PM at the Second Unitarian Center, 656 W. Barry.

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MOVIES IN BARS:

Maria Montez fans can see their heroine in "Cobra Woman" on April 3, at 5:00 PM at Le Pub, 1944 N. Clark St.

And:

The Gold Coast, 501 N. Clark St., shows "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" on April 3, at 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

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On April 2, the television program "Common Ground" (Channel 2, WBBM-TV opens with Sally Rand as their first guest. Common Ground often deals with topics of interest to the gay community.

1996

In the bars and clubs, Hawaiian Heart Throb, Rob Lee and the sexational Chicago Meatpackers appear at Man's Country, 5017 N. Clark St.; Cissy Connor and Chris Winslow perform at North End, 3733 N. Halsted; Peddle into Spring starring Precious & the Hideaway Girls and special guests takes place at Hideaway II, 7301 W. Roosevelt Rd.; Don't Be the Fool Who Misses This Party! It's Daisy's birthday at Spin, Halsted and Belmont; SM Renaissance Fair, an afternoon of titillating Tomfoolery takes place at the Chicago Eagle, 5015 N. Clark St.; you'll need your dancing shoes at Glee Club, 1543 N. Kingsbury, with DJs Teri Bristol, Earl Pleasure, and Ralphi Rosario.

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Test Positive Aware Network's support group for HIV-negative partners of people living with HIV/AIDS meets between 7:30 to 9:00 PM every Tuesday at 1258 W. Belmont.

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IMAGE: Ohio & State Bathhouse – Gay Life February 2, 1979

Paul Rudnick's "I Hate Hamlet" is playing at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted.

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Gerber/Hart Library and Archives is the recipient of a $3,500 1996 City Arts grant. The grant is made possible by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Arts Council.

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Chi-Town Squares invites you to the 5^th Annual Big Basket Auction at Ann Sather's restaurant.

2003

Excerpts from Tracy Baim's Off the Cuffs in Nightspots:

"Wow! Thanks to the folks who packed Star Gaze Sunday night for the first of our Windy City Gay idol contests. There were some great singers, and we encourage those who didn't make it through to the finals to try again. Winners Sunday were Stephanie Brewer and Suzi Rosado, with runner-up Matthew J. Next Idol is at Buddies, Wed., April. 2. ...

"Comedian Margaret Cho performs at Northwestern University, Wed., April 2 and attends fundraising reception, 7 pm, $60, Cahn Auditorium, Evanston. ...

"TYRA is a Trans Youth Resource and Advocacy drop-in center for ages 14-20 at 925 W. Diversey."

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IMAGE: Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie – Windy City Times October 10, 1985

An ad in Gay Chicago reads:

"Obama to Host Community Discussion Sunday, April 6, 2-4 pm at Cocktail, 3359 N. Halsted.

"State Senator Barack Obama, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 2004, will hold a Community Discussion on Gay and Lesbian issues.

"State Senator Carol Ronen, D-Chiago and 49^th Ward Alderman Joe Moore will introduce Obama. The event is sponsored by several community activists, including Lauren Verdich and Kevin Thompson.

"Obama, 41, who represents Chicago's downtown and South Side, was first elected to the State Senate in 1996 and he serves as chair of the Senate Health and Human services Committee. He is chief sponsor of senator Ronen's Senate Bill 101, which would amend the state's Human Rights Act to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation.

"Obama is a civil rights lawyer in Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago. He was the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review."

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An obituary in Gay Chicago begins:

"Bryan Mullikin, 33, originally from Covington, Kentucky, died of heart failure on Monday, March 17 at his home in Chicago.

"A cherished, dedicated and lifelong friend to many, as well as the beloved son of Steve and Phyllis Mullikin, Bryan will always be remembered for his warm smile and outgoing personality."

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In Jeff Rosen's Cabaret Spotlight in Gay Chicago:

"What do Cy Coleman, Leonard Cohen, Dolly Parton, Vernon Duke, and Italian food have in common? Nothing, obviously, except that they're part of what's happening at Davenport's this month. Saturday night journeys from Broadway to the Smoky Mountains when Sara Davis and Justin Hayford team up for the first time to survey the work of a man whose name is not as well-known as his musical creations in "Taking a Chance on Love: The Vernon Duke Story,' with classics like the title song "April in Paris" among his legacy. Later in the evening, Stephen Rader goes a little bit country when he opens the songbook of Dolly Parton and traces her career from the hills of Tennessee to Nashville and Hollywood in 'Dolly Would.'"

Homework

What's Stephen Rader up to these days?

Is Justin Hayford still around?

Does TYRA still exist?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Spike King photographs around town in Gay Chicago August 24, 1989

Spike King photographs at Rage for Gay Chicago July 20, 1989

Spike King photographs Memory Lane for Gay Chicago July 27, 1983

Protestors outside City Hall in Gay Life May 27, 1977

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.