Windy City Times marks 30th anniversary (Photos)
Wed. September 30, 2015 10:55 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Chicago, IL -
Windy City Times, Chicago's only LGBT newspaper, marked its 30th anniversary with a community celebration at Sidetrack on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Featuring award-winning reporters, diverse photos and produced under the eyes of its longtime publisher, Tracy Baim, the Windy City Times is the lone surviving weekly gay newspaper in the city and one of only 11 weekly LGBT newspapers in the nation.
"It is kind of unbelievable to think I started in LGBT media for GayLife newspaper in 1984, at age 21, and then helped co-found Windy City Times a year later, at age 22. I feel like it was another lifetime ago," Baim, 52, told ChicagoPride.com. "I feel very fortunate to have been able to do what I love for all these years. It has been a constant struggle, but worth every minute of it ... well, most of those minutes.
"I wanted to be a journalist from age 10, so to be openly lesbian and a journalist, I had to make my own path. I am so happy I did."
The Windy City Times 30th anniversary party was hosted by Amy Matheny and Scott Duff, and featured singer Sami Grisafe, who performed music from the 80's (WCT was founded in 1985). Baim also took questions on the history of her work in LGBT media.
Photos: WCT 30th Anniversary Party
In a May 27 feature article by Ross Forman, Baim singled out seven aspects of the paper she is most proud of:
— The diversity of its staff and coverage. "We have always covered all aspects of the LGBT community," she said.
— Hundreds of staff, writers, photographers, delivery drivers and others made Windy City Times possible for 30 years. "I am very proud to have known these people," she said.
— "The community is very divided, but there have been times when we have come together, and I have been very proud to be a leader for some of those times, including Gay Games VII in 2006, and the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality in 2013," Baim said.
— WCT writers have done some investigative, award-winning series that have made Baim proud, such as series on trans violence, youth homelessness, the criminal legal system, and AIDS.
— "Individuals within our community who have done this work have inspired me most," she said. "Not those in it for a career, but those who just do the work for very little reward. When I get close to burning out because of petty infighting, I look to those individuals to get re-motivated, including those people we have lost. I feel very committed to carrying on the work in their names."
— "We could not have survived without our initial investors in the newspaper, and the advertisers who have stuck with us for these 30 years. As a free newspaper, the ads are what pays the bills."
— Last, but certainly not least, the readers. "We just would not be relevant without them, and I could not stay as involved in the community without their support," Baim said.
Featuring award-winning reporters, diverse photos and produced under the eyes of its longtime publisher, Tracy Baim, the Windy City Times is the lone surviving weekly gay newspaper in the city and one of only 11 weekly LGBT newspapers in the nation.
"It is kind of unbelievable to think I started in LGBT media for GayLife newspaper in 1984, at age 21, and then helped co-found Windy City Times a year later, at age 22. I feel like it was another lifetime ago," Baim, 52, told ChicagoPride.com. "I feel very fortunate to have been able to do what I love for all these years. It has been a constant struggle, but worth every minute of it ... well, most of those minutes.
"I wanted to be a journalist from age 10, so to be openly lesbian and a journalist, I had to make my own path. I am so happy I did."
The Windy City Times 30th anniversary party was hosted by Amy Matheny and Scott Duff, and featured singer Sami Grisafe, who performed music from the 80's (WCT was founded in 1985). Baim also took questions on the history of her work in LGBT media.
Photos: WCT 30th Anniversary Party
In a May 27 feature article by Ross Forman, Baim singled out seven aspects of the paper she is most proud of:
— The diversity of its staff and coverage. "We have always covered all aspects of the LGBT community," she said.
— Hundreds of staff, writers, photographers, delivery drivers and others made Windy City Times possible for 30 years. "I am very proud to have known these people," she said.
— "The community is very divided, but there have been times when we have come together, and I have been very proud to be a leader for some of those times, including Gay Games VII in 2006, and the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality in 2013," Baim said.
— WCT writers have done some investigative, award-winning series that have made Baim proud, such as series on trans violence, youth homelessness, the criminal legal system, and AIDS.
— "Individuals within our community who have done this work have inspired me most," she said. "Not those in it for a career, but those who just do the work for very little reward. When I get close to burning out because of petty infighting, I look to those individuals to get re-motivated, including those people we have lost. I feel very committed to carrying on the work in their names."
— "We could not have survived without our initial investors in the newspaper, and the advertisers who have stuck with us for these 30 years. As a free newspaper, the ads are what pays the bills."
— Last, but certainly not least, the readers. "We just would not be relevant without them, and I could not stay as involved in the community without their support," Baim said.