Gay life in Chicago this week, back in... 1979, 1989 and 1999

(August 1-7, 2019)

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

1979

In the bars and clubs, Chris hosts the cocktail hour between 5-7 p.m. at Chatterbox, 744 N. Clark St.; it's Thursday night at the movies at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells. This week's movie is "Death on the Nile"; John Eskola and Matt Ward perform at 10 p.m. and midnight at Greenleaf, 1770 W. Greenleaf; Pina Coladas or strawberry daiquiris are 95c on Thursdays at Siegelman's Allegro, 2828 N. Clark; Carol Kryias performs at His 'n' Hers, 944 W. Addison; Mary Lynn Morrison and Bill Muzillo perform at Virgo Out, 2546 N. Clark St.; the Gay Atheist League meets at Crystal's Blinkers, 3153 N. Broadway; Monica Monet & R.M. Productions proudly presents the First Annual Miss Gay U.S.A., Illinois Pageant at Faces disco, 940 N. Rush St.

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IMAGE: Berlin – Babble June 21, 1995

From Ron Helizon's gossip column in GayLife:

"The one and only Bearded Lady will appear in a drag showcase on August 6 at the Ranch (112-114 W. Hubbard St.) There will be two shows at 10 and midnight.

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The Lesbian Community Center, 1226 W. Grace, organize a camping trip to Blackhawk Ridge in Sauk City, Wisconsin.

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IMAGE: Cover – Gay Chicago September 2, 1982

Jim Peron (of Evangelicals Concerned) and Jay Deacon (of MCC) appear on Channel 44's Dimensions '79 program to discuss some of the religious issues involved in homosexuality.

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Professionals Over 30 holds its monthly open social gathering on the second floor of the Courtyard Inn, 1531 N. Wells St.

1989

Twenty-four members of ACT UP/Chicago demand that a new drug for AIDS blindness be released for compassionate use. They were demonstrating outside Rush-Presbyterian's St. Luke's Medical Center. Six ACT UP/Chicago members chained themselves to the glass door leading to the center's infectious diseases unit, while others carried placards and chanted for the new drug, Foscarnet, to be made available. The drug is made by the Swedish Astra Pharmaceutical Company. The protest was organized by ACT UP member Bill McMillan.

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IMAGE: Temptations – Night Lines January 24, 2001

An article in Windy City Times begins:

"The city of Evanston marches to the beat of a different drummer.

"When it was discovered that sexual orientation was not covered under the City's equal employment act, the primary reaction among City leaders was embarrassment.

"'We all thought it was included already," explained Human Rights Commission chair Shelley Volk. When a citizen group pointed out that sexual orientation was not included in employment protections, 'it was basically oversight.' So the Evanston City government scrambled to ass sexual orientation to their Fair Employment Practices Act. And the addition passed without a hitch."

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An article in Windy City Times begins:

"This Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6, the largest street fair on the North Side of Chicago will welcome more than 200,000 people to enjoy a diverse range of music, entertainment, food, arts and crafts vendors, and other shopping opportunities. The street fair is free and open to the public from noon to 9:00 p.m. each day."

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An Obituary in Windy City Times begins:

"E. Paul Govea died Sunday, June 4, of complications due to AIDS. At the time of his death. Paul was in residence at Bonaventure House. He was 32.

"A memorial Mass was held at St. Sebastian's on June 8 with more than 200 friends and relatives in attendance. Paul had been active in the community serving Dignity/Chicago as secretary and as vice-president; he also served as co-director of AGLO/Chicago. Paul was also instrumental in early efforts to stage the "Have a Heart" dances that raised thousands of dollars for AIDS organizations including Howard Brown Memorial Clinic and Chicago House."

1999

An article in Windy City Times begins:

"A transgendered South Sider was killed and his roommate injured July 27 during a shooting in their apartment at 71st and Jeffrey.

"Barreto Williams, 26, and Andre 'Pebble' Easton, 20, were roommates. They were found bound, Williams with a gunshot to the left side of his head, Easton with a gunshot wound to his face. Neighbors called police after hearing shots fired at 4:55 a.m.

"Williams died at the scene, and Easton was in critical condition in an area hospital."

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IMAGE: Stella Productions – Gay Chicago May 20, 2004

An article in Windy City Times begins:

"The BAY AREA REPORTER story about a Chicago man accused of a savage sexual assault on San Francisco Drummer Boy Chris Dover is making rounds locally. Gay Chicagoans want everyone to be aware that Duncan 'D.J.' McKenzie allegedly went too far during a sexual encounter with Dover. Dover said McKenzie left him bleeding and badly wounded July 24. McKenzie was arrested and booked on sexual assault charges, but he was then released."

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Affinity, serving Chicago's Black lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community hosts Healthy Woman Night "Taking Our Bodies into Our Own Hands: A Gynecological and Breast Health Discussion" with Jackie Anderson, Juanita Crespo, Vernita Gray of LCCP. Takes place at 5650 S. Woodlawn.

Homework

Is the Gay Atheist League still around?

Who are John Eskola and Matt Ward?

Anyone know what happened to Duncan 'D.J.' McKenzie?

Gay Chicago Photo Rewind

Babble collage from June 21, 1995

Members of Good Shepherd/MCC in Gay Chicago August 13, 1987

St Sukie photographs Sidetrack guys and gals in Nightlines January 24, 2001

Kirk Williamson photographs at Scot's and Zentra for Nightspots May 5, 2004

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.