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

1974

In his "Eye on the News" column in Chicago Gay Crusader, William B. Kelley writes: "GAY LICENSE PLATES? Illinois now offers car owners a chance to get plates consisting of simply three letters plus numbers. The catch: ‘There are a few combinations that (Secretary of State Michael) Howlett, being a gentlemen and a sensitive person, just will not allow,' according to an aide. Examples cited included SEX and PIG. No mention was made of GAY–though Howlett has authorized the likes of UAW, AFL, CIO, ELK and KOC (Knights of Columbus, naturally)."

(Image: Jamie's ­– Chicago Gay Crusader March 1974)

Washington D.C. veteran gay activist Frank Kameny is the keynote speaker at One of Chicago's annual banquet at the Como Inn. There's dancing and an award is given to former president, Richard Scott.

(Image: The New Knight Out – Chicago Gay Crusader March 1974)

The lawyer Paul R. Goldman answered the following letter in his "Law and the Homosexual" column in the Chicago Gay Crusader:

"Dear Attorney:

I am presently being charged with a most serious situation. I orally copulated a 15-year-old. He is a hillbilly from the Appalachian region. He was married just before the incident. This broke up shortly, and he is now a hustler. I picked him up in Grant Park. – Bill K

"ANSWER: You have a perfect defense to the felony section of the appropriate statutes, since a preceding marriage or the fact that he is a prostitute are both good defenses. Hence, the 1-to-20 sentence is not facing you. However, if you are charged with the companion section, i.e., a misdemeanor, the preceding answer is not applicable and is no defense. You face sanctions of up to a year and a possible fine up to $1,000, or both. Stay away from chickens."

1983

Events in the bars and clubs this week include Tom Anglund, Robin Meredith and friends performing at Opal Station, 6655 N. Clark St.; Dandy's, 2632 N. Halsted, holds an Easter Bonnet Contest; there's also an Easter Party at Different Strokes, 4923 N. Clark St., with pianist Brian Anderson; the Bearded Lady performs at Coconuts, 5320 N. Sheridan, with music by DJ Frank Lipomi; DJ Roger Winans is at Annex 2, 430 N. Clark St.; the Inner Circle, 2546 N. Clark St., is open daily at noon with a continental brunch-croissant, juice and coffee, and your favorite cocktail $1.95; it's Rock Nite with DJ Michael Graber at Hunter's, 1932 E. Higgins Rd.; and Tricia Alexander and Lori Noelle perform at Company, 2683 N. Halsted, at a benefit for the Illinois Gay & Lesbian Task Force. Also attending are State Reps. Jesse White, Carol Moseley Braun and former State Rep. Elroy Sandquist.

(Image: Welcome all to Augie and CK's – Gay Life Mar. 31, 1983)

Forget 42nd Street, forget Fifth Avenue, forget Christopher Street, where's the real action in New York? Find out this week at the Bijou, 1349 N. Wells. The Boys From Riverside Drive directed by Jack Deveau. It's the Midwest premiere with co-feature Track Meat.

Professionals Over Thirty (POT), a social organization for gay men and lesbians, elects a new board: President is Harold Mack; vice president Frank H. Winzer, secretary Don Shaw, and treasurer Bob McKay. Other board members are Donn Campbell, Phil Comar, Gene DeClerk, Joe Lancaster, and Bob Walker.

In the Gay Life column "Music Update," Kim lists his/her Top Fifteen: 1) Rock the Boat – Forrest; 2) Thriller (All Cuts) – Michael Jackson; 3) Too Tough – Angela Bofill; 4) Let Me Go – Heaven 17; 5) Jeopardy – Greg Kihn Band; 6) She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby; 7) Sex – Berlin; 8) Der Komissar – After the Fire; 9) Week-End – Class Action; 10) Last Night a DJ Saved My Life – Indeep; 11) All I Need (All cuts) – Sylvester; 12) Ooh, I Love It – Salsoul Orchestra; 13) Electric Avenue – Eddie Grant; 14) Gotcha Where I Want Ya – Stereo Fun Inc. 15) and Let's Dance – David Bowie.

2001

Chicago Black Lesbians and Gays host a community forum, ‘What the Bush Administration Means for the LGBT Community" at Ann Sather's, 929 W. Belmont. Features a panel of local activists, including David Munar of the AIDS Foundation, Rashaad Burgess of the Dept. of Health, and Derrick Hicks of the Greater Chicago Committee.

(Image: Nightspots Cover – Nightspots Nov. 21, 2001)

"Sensual melodies … songs of love: a concert of obsession, passion & desire" is performed at the Harold Washington Library with the Windy City Gay Chorus, Unison, Windy City Slickers, and Aria.

Grinder at the Willow Café, 1100 W. Thorndale, features words from Yvonne Doll and music from Jonathan Mack.

"Even Stephen: Stephen Sings Sondheim" is a cabaret performance by Stephen Rader at Davenport's 1383, N. Milwaukee.

The University of Illinois-Chicago Office of GLBT Concerns hosts Who Wants To Be a Queer Millionaire? It's hosted by Voltaire's Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen and takes place at the Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont.

Joanne Trapani becomes the first openly lesbian leader of an Illinois municipality when she is elected Mayor of Oak Park.

Thanks go to publishers Michael Bergeron for Chicago Gay Crusader, Ralph Gernhardt for Gay Chicago, Grant Ford and Chuck Renslow for Gay Life 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 the upcoming book Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago Before Stonewall published by the University of Wisconsin Press.

Homework:

Does Stephen Rader remember this show?

Did anyone go to Coconuts?

Whatever happened to Joanne Trapani?

(Leave your comments below)