Gay Chicago Timeline - June 1
0BACK IN THE DAY (JUNE 1-7, 2010)
THIS WEEK IN ...
1978
Comedienne Pudgy completes her month-long engagement at the Cabaret at Center Stage, 3730 N. Clark St. Other nightlife includes the Goose Island Comedy Revue playing to towel-clad men at Man's Country, and in the bars Shelley Torres sings at CK's lesbian bar, 1425 W. Diversey; Petunia's, another lesbian bar, 2559 N. Southport, holds a cookout to benefit Gay and Lesbian Pride Week; the Mr. Blinkers contest is at Crystal's Blinkers, 3153 N. Broadway; Ann Hamilton sings at His 'n' Hers, 944 W. Addison; and Leather in Motion, a monthly disco party, takes place at Center Stage.
Gay groups with a P.O. box are the Loving Brotherhood, described as a social alternative, Professionals Over 30, the Gay Railroad Enthusiasts, the Aurora Gay People's Alliance and the Chicago Gay Wrestling Club.
1987
The Men's Network of Chicago holds its "Celebration for Changing Men" Spring Retreat at the Haimowoods Retreat Center near Kenosha, Wis. The bi-annual retreat is a safe place where men interested in the changing role of men in society can explore those changes.
Richard Schmeichen, openly gay filmmaker and co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk, is the keynote speaker at the second Chicago Area Film and Video Conference at the Columbia College Theater/Music Center, 72 E. 11th St.
Prick Up Your Ears, the docudrama about the life of British playwright Joe Orton (Gary Oldman) and his lover Kenneth Halliwell (Alfred Molina), is being shown at the Fine Arts, 418 S. Michigan Ave.
Showing at the Bijou, 1349 N. Wells, is Suckcess, starring Treat Morgan, Ron Cannon, Tony James and more. "Treat Morgan stars as a medical student who's short on cash, but long on anatomical attributes. To earn his tuition, he turns to tricking. Suddenly into his busy life comes a little leather, a little romance, and a not-so-little dildo."
1988
After 16 years Dignity/Chicago is barred from holding mass on Roman Catholic Church property after the group refuses to subscribe to the doctrine that "homosexuals are intrinsically evil and morally disordered." This week Dignity holds a new mass for gay and lesbian Catholics at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 3301 N. Seminary.
Regular weekly events in some of the bars include Two-Steppin' Night every Thursday at Carol's Speakeasy, 1355 N. Wells; male dancers Monday-Thursday at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont; Monday is South of the Border Night at Cheeks, 2730 N. Clark St.; and Tarot card readings by Mysterious Marilyn every Wednesday at Christopher Street, 3458 N. Halsted St.
1994
Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund hosts its second annual boat cruise, Launch II, with entertainment by actor/singer George Smart and singer Vanessa Davis.
Woodbridge Theatre Ensemble presents "Falsettos," a tragic-comedy about AIDS. Proceeds benefit Season of Concern: Equity Fights AIDS at the Josephine Louis Theatre, Northwestern University.
Cook County State's Attorney gay/lesbian victim/witness assistant Vernita Gray is the speaker at the Gay, Lesbian, Bi Veterans of America meeting at Ann Sather's on Belmont.
The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg is playing at the Music Box.
1997
In the Bailiwick Pride Series, Amanda and Eve, a comedy by Alexandra Billings, is a portrait of two lovers who argue on opposite sides of a spousal abuse case; Chrisanne Blankenship-Billings directs the play. Meanwhile, About Face Theater tackle The Boys In The Band at the Theater Building. ... "Oh, Mary, it takes a fairy to make something pretty."
Groups meeting this week include Generation Q planning Pride at 909 W. Belmont; the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association Women's Health Forum at 1st United Church, 848 Lake St., Oak Park; National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association of Chicago hosts a dinner with guest speaker Achy Obejas at Café Bolero, 2252 N. Western; and Lincoln Park Lagooners celebrate Gay Day at Six Flags America.
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