Gay Chicago Timeline - Sept 7-13
0THIS WEEK IN
1977
The Gay Caucus of the American Sociological Association meets in Chicago at the Conrad Hilton Hotel for a two-day seminar and discussion of Anita Bryant's misuse of sociological findings to further her anti-gay crusade.
In a poll taken by Mike Royko in the Chicago Daily News, Anita Bryant came in second in the "10 Most Obnoxious Americans." The No. 1 spot went to sportscaster Howard Cosell. The other runners-up, in order of voter preference, were former President Richard M. Nixon, Muhammed Ali, Barbara Walters, anti-ERA crusader Phyllis Schlafly, TV personality Farrah Fawcett-Majors, presidential brother Billy Carter, tennis player Jimmy Connors and former vice-president Spiro Agnew.
Both early versions of A Star is Born are shown at the Film Center of the Art Institute on September 10. The 1937 version directed by William Wellman and starring Janet Gaynor, with a co-script writing credit to Dorothy Parker, is at 5.30 p.m. and the 1954 version with Judy Garland, directed by George Cukor, is at 7.30 p.m.
1986
In the bars this week, Different Strokes, 4923 N. Clark, celebrates its fourth anniversary with an open bar and pig roast with Bob, Gary, Dem, Sam, Carl and Joey T; guest bartenders at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont, this week are Tom Bennich, Franklyn Folino and David Bellich; the Midwest Chippendales make their only Chicago appearance at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells; and K.C. Helmeid and Denise Tomasello are the entertainers at Gentry of Chicago, 712 N. Rush St.
Learn to Square Dance: Square dance lessons for beginners sponsored by the Chicago 1871 Hot Timers are given at St. Richard's Episcopal Church, 5101 W. Devon.
The Kinheart lesbian group holds a book discussion of The Crone by Barbara Walker at 2214 N. Ridge.
1988
Circus Vargas and Strike Against AIDS present Big Top at Navy Pier sponsored by Anheuser-Busch and Budweiser.
Rick's Retreat, 3445 N. Halsted, celebrates its second anniversary with Alana Russel performing live on the patio at dusk. "WE'RE A LITTLE OLDER YET A LITTLE NEWER.' Prior to Rick's Retreat, this was the location of the Lady Bug lesbian bar - now it's Tapas Gitana, a Spanish restaurant.
In Gay Chicago, David Murray reviews Emotional Rollercoaster by gay duo Romanovsky and Phillips, containing songs like Living With AIDS, Trouble in Paradise and Give Me a Homosexual.
Jane Wagner's The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, starring Lily Tomlin, is playing at the Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe.
Galen Davis picks Berlin's Top Five Videos: 1) "Peek-a-Boo" - Siouxsie and the Banshees; 2) "Boom, There She Was" - Scritti Politti; 3) "So Important" - Sparks; 4) "Disco Dancer" - Devo; and 5) "Silk Skin Paws" - Wire.
1999
North by lesbian filmmaker Tanya Wexler is showing at Loews Complex Fine Arts, 418 S. Michigan.
Mr. Windy City David Wilshire is interviewed in Outlines newspaper about his new venture, the Cheetah Gym, 5248 N. Clark.
At the Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville, there's a Chicago Black Lesbians and Gays panel discussion on health and awareness with moderator Jackie Anderson and panelists Carmen Abrego, Lorraine Sade Baskerville, Leslie Ashford, Geraldo Montemayor, Rickey Sain and Donna Rose Weems.
2001
Test Positive Aware Network "Gala 2001: Committed to Living" benefit is at Germania Place, 108 W. Germania. Honorees are State Rep. Larry McKeon and the Hearts Foundation. Tickets are $150 each.
Of lesbian interest this week, the Lesbian Book Discussion Group reads "Hood" by Emma Donoghue at the Gerber/Hart Library; Kerri Grant performs at Girlbar, 2625 N. Halsted; Ellen Rosner hosts Wednesday Night Chat Showcase at Uncommon Ground, 1214 W. Grace; Commonbond perform at Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark; and the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association host a Music Extravaganza and Silent Auction featuring Cook County Jazz Commission, Women of Song, and Ripley Caine at the 19th Century Club, 178 Forest Ave. Oak Park.
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