Lightfoot, Preckwinkle get ready for runoff election DOWN TO THE WIRE

VOL 34, NO. 22 MARCH 27, 2019 PAGES 8 & 10 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Toni Preckwinkle. CHYNA Photo courtesy of campaign SKY GONZALEZ Restaurant worker dies at 32. Photo of Gonzalez with son Julian courtesy of Nikki Kalinowski 4 Lori Lightfoot. Photo courtesy of campaign MUSIC MAN Talking with legendary composer Alan Menken. Showing photo courtesy of Columbia Artists Management, Inc. A TIMELINE OF Entertainment, Inc. 24 LGBTs’

ART-FELT political HIV activist Gregg Bordowitz feats subject of art exhibit. Photo courtesy of Art FIRSTS Institute of Chicago PAGE 12 6

@windycitytimes /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com Photos: Amy Guip 2 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 3

NEWS Chyna Sky Gonzalez dies at 32 4 Barbara Hammer, Birch Bayh pass away 4 30 Under 30 submissions; Change4Youth’s checks 5 Art exhibit spotlights HIV activist 6 House passes bill for LGBT content in textbooks 7 The All-Wheel-Drive ELECTIONS 2019: Lori Lightfoot interview 8 ELECTIONS 2019: Toni Preckwinkle interview 10 Viewpoints: Matt Simonette 14 ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Theater reviews 18 INDEX Theater: The man behind ‘Anastasia’ 20 SPRING MOVIE PREVIEW 22 Composer Alan Menken talks with WCT 24 Television: Caity Lotz of ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ 25 When A Great Deal Matters, Shop Rob Paddor’s... DOWNLOAD NIGHTSPOTS 27 THIS ISSUE Classifieds 29 Calendar 30 Evanston Subaru in Skokie AND BROWSE THE ARCHIVES AT www.WindyCityTimes.com ON EVERY % NEW Lightfoot, Preckwinkle get REMAINING 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES ready for runoff election 2019 DOWN PRINT DATES: SUBARU TO THE WIRE March 27 June 26 Oct. 2 PAGES 8 & 10 VOL 34, NO. 22 MARCH 27, 2019 OUTBACK www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Toni Preckwinkle. April 10 July 10 Oct. 16 CHYNA Photo courtesy of campaign SKY GONZALEZ Restaurant worker April 24 July 24 Oct. 30 dies at 32. & LEGACY Photo of Gonzalez with son Julian courtesy of Nikki Kalinowski 4 Lori Lightfoot. Photo courtesy of campaign May 8 Aug. 7 Nov. 13 MUSIC MAN Talking with legendary composer Alan Menken. Showing photo courtesy of Columbia May 22 Aug. 21 Nov. 27 Artists Management, Inc. A TIMELINE OF Entertainment, Inc. 24 LGBTs’ 0 political ART-FELT June 5 Sep. 4 Dec. 11 HIV activist Gregg Bordowitz feats subject of art exhibit. Photo courtesy of Art FIRSTS Institute of Chicago PAGE 12 June 19 Sep. 18 Dec. 25 6 ALL-NEW 2019 FORESTER @windycitytimes /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com

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Bayh was the father of former Indiana Gov. Restaurant manager and former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh. Birch was the main force behind the 25th Amendment, which established presidential Chyna Sky Gonzalez dies succession; and the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. BY CARRIE MAXWELL In addition, the women’s-rights advocate was a leading supporter of the Equal Rights Amend- Chyna Sky Gonzalez died by suicide March 9 after ment, which fell just short of ratification. How- a long struggle with drug addiction. She was 32. ever, he did author Title IX—an amendment to Born in San Leandro, California, on Dec. 4, a 1972 education act that, for the first time, 1986, Gonzalez spent her childhood in the Bay prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex in Area and graduated from Castro Valley High the classroom and on the athletic field. School in 2004. Shortly after graduation, Gonza- The full article is at https://www.cnn. lez moved to Portland, Oregon where she met her com/2019/03/14/politics/birch-bayh-indiana- two best friends, Tim and Stephanie Ekeren, who senator/index.html. are a married couple. Gonzalez and the Ekerens moved to Chicago two years later to pursue career opportunities in DiProva celebration the service industry. She worked at Kuma’s Corner, The Empty Bottle and The Punch House before Barbara Hammer. May 18 at Fox Run taking on her last job as Front Room Chicago’s Photo by Thedra Cullar-Ledford A celebration of the life of advocate Vicky Di- general manager. Prova will be held Saturday, May 18, 12:30-3:30 In 2013, Gonzalez met Nikki Kalinowski p.m. at Elk Grove Village’s Fox Run Golf Links, through mutual friends, and they officially be- Filmmaker Barbara 333 Plum Grove Rd. came a couple on Pride weekend that year. They Hammer dies at 79 DiProva, 54, died Feb. 12 due to multiple got married on Sept. 12, 2016. On Feb. 4 of this Pioneering experimental filmmaker Barbara health complications. She was born May 18, year their son Julian was born. Hammer—whose works involved a distinctive 1964, in Elgin and lived in Chicago her entire Being outdoors was one of Gonzalez’s passions. lesbian perspective—has died of ovarian can- adult life. She spent her time skateboarding as well as rid- cer, ARTNews reported. She was 79. In the 12 years prior to her death, DiProva ing and building bikes for friends. Gonzalez also Hammer’s breakthrough film, Dyketactics was a non-profit consultant, with clients rang- liked to cook; her favorite recipe was her grand- (1974), features more than 100 shots in just ing from Consumers Advancing Patient Safety, mother’s enchiladas. She also loved to dance and over four minutes, with images superimposed Season of Change Fitness, McLean County AIDS make people laugh. on top of one another. In an unpublished in- Taskforce, the Between Friends women’s shelter Gonzalez is survived by her wife, son, mother terview with ARTnews in 2018, Hammer said, and the National Runaway Switchboard. Julia, father Daniel, sisters Amber and Maya, “I have never separated my sexuality from my She also served as executive director for a brother Danny and many chosen family members. Chyna Sky Gonzalez (left) and Nikki Kalinowski art, even if the film has nothing to do with les- number of entities over a 20 year period, in- “Every time we went out, it was guaranteed at their wedding. bian representation.” Among some of Hammer’s cluding Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cook County, National Association of Women that we would either run into friends or make new Photo courtesy of Kalinowski other films are Snow Job: The Media Hysteria ones,” said Kalinowski. “Chyna just drew people of AIDS (1986) and The History of the World Lawyers, Rape Victim Advocates and the Les- to her. She took joy in shining a mirror on exactly bian Community Cancer Project (LCCP) (now the kind of person that, when you love some- According to a Lesbian (1988). what made people special, and taught me that Windy City Times noted that, in 2001, Ham- the Women’s Health Services at Howard Brown love is to be shared loudly and with abandon. thing or someone, everyone knows it and feels Health). it. I loved your curious spirit and your joyous mer’s History Lessons was among the queer “Addiction tells you lies about yourself, and films screened at Sundance. isolates people from the truth of how loved you contagious smile.” “My Chynita, my cheech, my pit bull,” said In her final years, Hammer was an outspoken are. This is why sharing her story is so important advocate for people’s right to die; in October Chicagoan among to me.” friend and co-worker Meg Silvas. “You were the first person to tell me it is okay to not be okay.” 2018, she performed The Art of Dying or (Pal- Pedro Zamora “I know so many hearts are tender, hurting and liative Art Making in the Age of Anxiety) at restless,” said friend and co-worker Rebecca Hen- “She would change the entire mood of 20-plus individuals in an instant,” said friend and co- New York City’s Whitney Museum. honorees drix. “Chyna and I worked together for a short Karlo Manzo-Arroyo—a freshman at the Uni- worker Michael Swing. “It was a truly powerful Lesbian actress Heather Matarazzo noted period of time, and she made everyone a happier, versity of Illinois in Chicago—is among 10 thing to witness.” Hammer’s passing, tweeting, “The film commu- brighter, funnier version of themselves. “ undergraduate students nationally who have “Chyna was the type of person who it was im- nity lost an incredible artist today. The lesbian “Missing you, dude,” said longtime friend Jared been honored by The National AIDS Memorial, possible to not fall in love with her,” said friend community lost a vital voice today [March 16]. Darfler. “The undisputed most savage 106-pound, through its Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Schol- Tera Murray. “I am honored to carry on her legacy #BarbaraHammer #dyketactics #Filmmaker” bandanna-wearing, eyebrow piercing-having, sar- arship, according to a press release. in my memory and in my heart.” According to Hammer’s Facebook page, she castic, funny as hell, chick in the pit. You were Named in honor of Zamora—an AIDS educa- Gonzalez’s memorial service was held March was in a relationship with consultant Florrie always so honest and nice. You were the type of tor, activist and reality-television pioneer who 13 at The Front Room Chicago, with about 200 Burke. person I could go five years without seeing and passed away 25 years-ago from an AIDS-related people in attendance. The full ARTNews article is at http://www. instantly have that warm friendly vibe with again. illness—the scholarship has helped support the Friends are requesting that in lieu of flowers artnews.com/2019/03/16/barbara-hammer- Whenever you showed up somewhere, everybody education of young people who are engaged in people should make a donation to the support dead-79/. would instantly be in a more excited mood. I al- a variety of HIV-related work in their schools, fund for Gonzalez’s widow and child https:// ways loved that effect you had on others.” communities and chosen academic fields. www.gofundme.com/support-fund-for-family-of- “I am thankful for the time our paths crossed,” Manzo-Arroyo works in the Department of chyna-sky-gonzalez. Former U.S. Sen. said friend and co-worker Parker Haines. “You are Public Health as a certified rapid HIV tester Birch Bayh dies at 91 and counselor. He is pursuing a degree in ac- Former U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh (D-Indiana)—a counting to work within his agency’s finance champion of women’s rights and author of two @windycitytimes /windycitymediagroup department and ensure continued funding for amendments to the U.S. Constitution—died HIV programs. March 14 from several illnesses at age 91, CNN. com reported. @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 5 Nominations sought for 30 Under 30 Awards Windy City Times is seeking to recognize 30 more outstanding LGBT individuals (and allies) WINDY CITY TIMES’ for its annual 30 Under 30 Awards. 20th annual The ceremony will take place Wed., June 26. There will be a 5:30 p.m. reception, with the pro- gram being 6-7:30 p.m. Nominees should be 30 30 years or under as of June 30, and should have under made some substantial contributions to the Chi- THIRTY cagoland LGBT community, whether in the fields awards of entertainment, politics, health, activism, aca- demics, sports or other areas. The deadline to nominate individuals is Friday, April 26. Windy City Times Managing Editor Matt Sim- onette coordinates the awards program for the The nomination should be 100 words or fewer, paper. Hundreds of people have been honored and should state what achievements or contribu- by the paper in the more than 10 years since tions the nominee has made. Nominators should the awards were established. Most honorees include their own names and contact information have gone on to great success in their careers as well as the contact information and the age of and educations, including working for the Obama the nominee. presidential campaign and administration, plus Note: Following the policy instituted in 2005, individual successes in music, legal, professional individuals can only win once. Those have won and academic careers and much more. the award since that year are ineligible for this Individuals, organizations, co-workers, etc. can year’s awards.This year’s sponsors include AIDS nominate a person by emailing matt@windycity- Foundation of Chicago, Center on Halsted, and times.com or faxed to Matt Simonette’s attention Howard Brown Health. Honorees will be notified to 773-871-7609. Self-nominations are welcome. in May.

Change4Youth presents checks to groups On March 18, teen activist Ava Santos-Volpe presented the first donations from her project, Ava’s Change4Youth. She presented $1,000 each to the Broadway Youth Center and the Night Ministry. Ava’s Change4Youth is an art mentorship program that raises awareness of youth homelessness—a problem that disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ teens. Photo by Raven Feagins

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Above: Broadway Youth Center’s $1,000 check with (from left) Broadway Youth Center Drop-in 312 357 1200 | LONDONHOUSECHICAGO.COM Program Manager Channyn Lynne Parker, Ava Santos-Volpe, artist Sam Kirk, AIDS Foundation of Chicago President/CEO John Peller. 6 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES New Art Institute exhibit spotlights professor/HIV activist BY ARIEL PARRELLA-AURELI around this time, since Stonewall’s struggles are still present, particularly for the obscurity of During his 30 years of documenting the AIDS cri- trans history, Nelson said. sis, Gregg Bordowitz has learned that people can “The details in the coalition and conversations be resilient, fragile and powerful when organizing that were happening throughout Gregg’s practice toward change. are still unresolved questions,” Nelson said. The artist/activist/professor started recording The exhibit begins with a 2002 MCA-commis- the AIDS epidemic and his personal experience sioned piece called “Drive” that includes multiple Gregg Bordowitz when he was diagnosed with HIV at age 23 as media components like a ‘50s-era derby race car shares his a coping mechanism. He was part of the ACT UP with stickers on it of all the pharmaceutical com- performance movement in New York, where he cofounded vari- panies providing AIDS drugs at that time. It also piece Some ous video collectives, including Testing the Lim- has two clocks—one set to Chicago and one to Styles of its, an advocacy group within ACT UP and DIVA South Africa. The curators said “Drive” is show- Masculinity. (Damn Interfering Video Activists). ing a race-car driver as a metaphor for living with Through video, portraiture, poetry and multi- HIV/AIDS and invoking questions of desire, risk Photo courtesy media installations, Bordowitz created a lens of and life trajectory. of the Art Institute of communication and awareness on AIDS, health- “It’s not a surprise that the exhibit came to- Chicago care and activism that influenced progress for gether because we were both very interested in

An installation at the exhibit. Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago New York and Chicago and teaches at the School Bordowitz acknowledged these advances over of the Art Institute, called the collection a queer the years, including pressure from ACT UP to cre- left person’s library. It includes books by Doug- ate government-funded legal needle exchange las Crimp, Noam Chomsky, Emma Goldman, Stuart programs in the ‘90s and CDC’s amended HIV defi- Hall and Michel Foucault. nition to include women. But he still considers “The library is a kind of portrait of what the himself lucky and “undetectable” from the dis- queer left was interested in reading historically ease, compared to the scores of friends he has during the period of my activity,” Bordowitz said. seen die in the crisis. He said the exhibit is bringing awareness and “By virtue of being in New York and being advocacy around HIV, healthcare and access involved in the movement, I have access to re- to medicine, reminding people that the crisis sources that others have not historically,” he is “still beginning,” as a banner in the exhibit said. reads. While some may think access to medicine The exhibit also opens up a critical conversa- is common and the disease is stable, Bordowitz tion on what the current administration is doing said there is a split around access to life-saving about HIV/AIDS, he said. In 2018, CNN reported drugs in the U.S. and more so globally. that President Trump moved more than $9 mil- More than 1 million people are infected na- lion from HIV/AIDS programs and CDC funding tionwide and one in seven do not know they and gave it to immigration officers and child de- have HIV. Of the 38,739 new HIV diagnoses in tention centers. But he has also publicly said he the United States in 2018, 52 percent were in wants to end HIV transmission in the next 10 the south, according to the Center for Disease years, which experts say is realistic only if the people with HIV and raised awareness about stig- having Gregg’s work here in the museum,” Farrell Control and Prevention’s HIV report. The National administration radically changes its healthcare ma. Now, his work will be on display in a new ex- said. Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has policies, Quartz reported Feb. 5. hibit at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) called The exhibit—which first opened at Reed Col- pioneered antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV/AIDS, “It’s very frightening that the government “I Wanna Be Well,” inspired by the 1977 Ramones lege in Portland, Oregon—will run at AIC April turning what was once a uniformly fatal disease would take existing HIV funding and funnel it song. It will document Bordowitz’s decades of 4-July 14 in the Abbott and Stone galleries and into a manageable chronic condition, but acces- toward repressive agencies—it’s very much sig- work that span political and artistic expression a series of performance-lectures by Bordowitz sibility is the key, and those in Southern states nificant of our time,” Bordowitz said. “The news about healthcare access, HIV and its treatment’s called “Some Styles of Masculinity” on April 5-7 have less access to these drugs, NIAID noted. is not good in terms of the focus and desire or effect on identity and marginalized groups. “I will kick off the exhibit. The curators also orga- Globally, there are 36.9 million people living energy to meet the challenges of the crisis as Wanna Be Well” is the first comprehensive collec- nized other exhibit-related programs, including with HIV, many who are children and women liv- they continue.” tion of the 54-year-old’s work and career. another Bordowitz lecture and screening at AIC ing in sub-Saharan Africa; they have minimal ac- For more information on the exhibit, visit “People in museums and galleries need to be on May 16, and a program at Gene Siskel on Bor- cess to prevention, care and treatment, although https://www.artic.edu/exhibitions/9170/ addressed and educated just as much as people dowitz’s “Fast Trip, Long Drop” and Marlon Rigg’s mothers had increased access to antiretroviral gregg-bordowitz-i-wanna-be-well. To register in community centers and other public entities,” “Tongues United” on May 17. A poetry reading at therapy in 2017 compared to 2010, according to for the opening lecture and performance, visit Bordowitz told Windy City Times. AIC and screening of Bordowitz’s The Suicide will HIV.org, the official government site that U.S. https://www.artic.edu/events/4476/perfor- The exhibit also coincides with the Stonewall take place in July at the Siskel Film Center. Department of Health and Human Services man- mance-lecture-some-styles-of-masculinity. Riot’s 50th anniversary on June 28, a historic day The Chicago show will also include a special ages. In 2017, 59 percent of those with HIV were Note: All of the videos in the show will be in the LGBTQ community. Curators Robyn Farrell collection of Bordowitz’s library that helped accessing antiretroviral therapy globally, an in- closed-captioned and the performances “Some and Solveig Nelson said although not intentional, shape his work and identity throughout the crease of 2.3 million since 2016 and up from 8 Styles of Masculinity” will have ASL interpret- it proved more exciting to have the exhibition years. Bordowitz, who splits his time between million in 2010. ers. WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 7 House passes bill requiring LGBT content in state-funded textbooks This Week’s Featured Properties Rep. Tom Morrison, a Palatine Republican, ar- Amazing opportunity for production studio, Bill also requires textbooks be event space, or over-the-top single family gued schools and teachers already struggle to house. 21,500 square foot building. nondiscriminatory and unbiased keep up with the growing list of mandates ap- plied to them, and the state should not be add- 5645 N. Ravenswood Ave. BY PETER HANCOCK ing another, especially one that some might find $4,995,000 CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS inappropriate. “We all know that we need to have a well-ed- SPRINGFIELD—The Illinois House, on March 13, ucated, well-informed citizenry. We have to have passed a bill requiring public school textbooks that if we’re going to maintain our form of gov- purchased with certain state funds be nondis- ernment,” he said. “But we’re already failing to criminatory and unbiased in their treatment of teach history to today’s and future generations. racial and ethnic minorities, and that they high- Gut-renovated showplace in a significant We’re not even covering the basics of our shared historic greystone right on Logan Boulevard. light the contributions that LGBT individuals history.” have made to American history and culture. 2843 N. Logan Blvd. The bill is in the Senate, which passed similar $1,489,000 “Under current practice in many of our schools, legislation during the 2018 session, and it awaits the contribution of LGBT individuals in history assignment to a substantive committee. Chicago has remained hidden and unacknowledged,” Rep. Democrat Heather Steans is the legislation’s chief Anna Moeller, an Elgin Democrat and sponsor of co-sponsor. House Bill 246, said during debate on the floor But it is unlikely that the bill would have any of the House. immediate impact, even if it is signed into law. “This exclusion has denied students the op- That’s because it only applies to textbooks pur- portunity to obtain a greater and more accurate chased through the state’s textbook block grant understanding of world history, and it also has Coming Soon: One-of-a-kind New York program, which has not received any funding for City-style penthouse with two terraces. denied LGBT people their identity and reflection the last five years, and which the State Board of Spectacular! in our school curriculum,” she added. Education has not requested funding for in the The bill passed out of the House on a largely 3100 N. Sheridan Rd., #14B upcoming budget. $1,150,000 party-line vote of 60-42. Only three Democrats Peter Hancock can be reached at phancock@ voted against the bill, and no Republicans voted capitolnewsillinois.com. for it.

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“Our pursuit of geographic diversity has in- Howard Brown fluenced Howard Brown as an advocate, em- ployer and community leader,” he added. “In holds latest the past four years, we have tripled the num- ber of patients of color who seek our care, and annual meeting Super cool mid-century studio with fantastic BY MATT SIMONETTE half of our workforce is comprised of people of color. South side and West side patients have lake views in move-in condition. 900 N. Lake Shore Dr., #1805 Citywide health system Howard Brown Howard increased by 15-20 percent year-over-year, and $259,000 Brown Health held its annual meeting the eve- we are so proud that the staff opening our new ning of Feb. 21 to pay tribute to its volunteers, location in Humboldt Park are 100 percent bi- staff, clients and community allies, and discuss lingual and bicultural.” service improvements the organization has Among the persons and organizations whom made in the past year. Howard Brown officials honored at the meeting President and CEO David Ernesto Munar were United Way of Metro Chicago, which has discussed increased access to mental health provided funding for the organization’s Broad- services as well as the completion of Howard way Youth Center, since 2003; Craig Andree, a Brad Lippitz Group Brown Health’s first complete year providing Broadway Youth Center volunteer; and Lucretia oral health services. He also noted that the or- Clay-Ward, Howard Brown Health’s Suboxone [a medication used to treat opioid addiction] pro- 773.404.1144 ganization has increased the availability of ser- [email protected] vices for transgender and gender nonconform- gram coordinator. Several Howard Brown Health clients provid- bradlippitz.com ing clients. Howard Brown Health Board Chair 3323 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL Mario Treto said that the organization aimed ed testimonials about their experiences with for “being a catalyst for community transfor- the organization, among them David Hubbell, For over 20 years, Brad has been a proud member and mation.” Cheno Pulliam and Eva Skye. Munar additionally noted a new Howard Pulliam—who was recently profiled in Windy supporter of the community; no real estate broker in the Brad Lippitz Group is a team of Real Estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensedpurposes Real Estate only, is compiledbroker with a principal from sources office deemed inYork, reliableNew NY and abides but is by subject all applicable to errors, omissions,Equalaccounting Housing and or other changesOpportunity professional without laws. notice. advice All All outsidematerial measurements thepresented realm and of Real herein square Estate is brokerage. footagesintended arefor approximate. informational This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, Brown Health facility, operating in tandem City Times—praised the organization for wel- city sells or gives back as much to the community. with La Casa Norte, in Humboldt Park. coming “me with open arms. … Howard Brown has opened the door for so many things.” 8 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES ELECTIONS 2019 over responsibility for the Chicago Police Board, law firms that do similar kinds of work. That’s the the Board held officers accountable 35 percent of ultimate red herring and hypocrisy, particularly the time. Over the arc of my tenure, we turned when you see that she’s solicited and received Lori Lightfoot on her that around completely. By the time I left, that thousands of dollars from the same corporate percentage was 73 percent of the time. It would lawyer that she’s now trying to vilify. have been higher, but a lot of officers quit in- I’m not going to buy into that; I’m proud of the runoff campaign stead of coming before the Police Board. things that I’ve accomplished in my life because So I know there’s a lot of noise around it— my parents sacrificed every single day through BY MATT SIMONETTE local policing and the way in which the police their blood, sweat and tears to give me hope and officers have treated community members is a opportunity. I’m not going to shy away from that. Attorney Lori Lightfoot, who is openly lesbian, way of a lot of anger, frustration and emotion. I To try to vilify someone like me, who is a Black finished ahead of multiple contenders vying for get that. But it’s important for us to keep focus success story, is preposterous. We’ve got to move the Chicago’s mayor’s post on Feb. 26. on the path ahead if we’re going to keep driving way beyond that. Since then, Lightfoot has been been locked in for change. I don’t think there’s been anyone in If you look at the work that I’ve done, and the fierce opposition with Cook County Board Presi- the city, particularly within the last three years, way I’ve used my firm’s resources to help those dent Toni Precckwinkle, who finished second that who’s worked harder on police reform and ac- in need through my pro bono hours, I’ve spent, night, in the runoff election to determine who countability than I have. when I was a senior equity partner, over 3,000 ultimately occupies the fifth-floor office of City It’s not easy work. You fight in the midst of hours on pro bono work. … I spent 3,000 hours Hall. Shortly after a Feb. 24 rally in Uptown, a lot of skepticism and anger, but I have been over the course of 13 years helping people in Lightfoot discussed the election and some of the very diligent and steadfast that [CPD] has been need, so that’s my record. accusations that have been leveled against her. respectful and engaged with the community. I WCT: How do you answer President Preckwin- Windy City Times: What has been the big- want to gat to a place where—down to the beat kle’s criticism of your accepting $40,000 in gest difference between running this cam- officers—they understand that respectful and so-called “dark money” from Change Chicago? paign in the runoff and running it in the gen- constitutional engagement with the community LL: She’s taken money from 501(c)(4)s. That eral election? is their most powerful tool. We’re not there yet. is totally legal. There’s nothing “dark” about it. Lori Lightfoot: I think everything in the cam- If I’m elected mayor, we’re going to absolutely What is dark is taking $116,000 from Ed Burke paign has been raised to a different level. I think forge ahead, way beyond what’s required in the and not giving it back when you’ve lied and said people in the city are really paying attention in a Consent Decree, because we’re going to have to you would—that’s dark. way that they didn’t before Feb. 26. build a city in which police are not feared or WCT: What should Chicago expect of a mayor So, certainly the crowds are larger and the en- loathed, but are imbued with legitimacy. That who’s part of the LGBT community, should you thusiasm is larger. I think the difference is this: would benefit the police. win? Does that bring with it any special in- People want a change, but they were skeptical I think about these issues when I think about sight, or expectations? about whether it was possible. The [Chicago] Ma- young kids when I think about communities LL: A mayor who understands that equity and chine is built to last—it’s had a tremendous grip growing up with fear as their constant compan- inclusion have to be cornerstones. I want to on literally everything how we move through the ion. For them, we must get this right—move make our city safe and welcoming for everyone world [in Chicago] in government and business, beyond the rhetoric and make real, meaningful and who you love, the God you worship, the color and even little things at the neighborhood level progress—and I know how to do that. of your skin cannot control your destiny. We have are very much controlled by the Machine. People WCT: How would you characterize your work to be a city that is welcoming and building bridg- were tired of it and they wanted change, and they Lori Lightfoot. in corporate litigation, and answer critics who es of hope and opportunity in every community, didn’t necessarily think that it was possible. The Photo by Matt Simonette say it was in the service of union-busting or including the LGBTQ-plus community. fact that I won, as an anti-Machine candidate, otherwise anti-worker interests? WCT: What have you learned about both the and the way in which I won—better-funded and like the government is actually working for them LL: I’m not going to play into that. There are city as a whole, and the city’s LGBT commu- with better name recognition—really has ignited and not against them. I think that’s another plenty of people who look like ke who have done nity, as you’ve run the campaign over the last this incredible energy, and I’m hearing it from theme resonating out there. great work in the corporate world. The truth is, 10 months? everyone, from the elite business community to WCT: If you had one question for President Toni Preckwinkle called me up and solicited me LL: That the city is great, diverse, wonderful the more grassroots [coalitions] and everyone in Preckwinkle—and assurances she’d answer for a donation, which I gave. She took $19,000 and challenging, and I am very blessed to have between. with 100 percent honesty—what would it be? from my colleagues at Mayer Brown. She’s taken been on this journey. WCT: We’re speaking of change in the larger LL: Why’d you get in bed with Ed Burke? money from Sidley [Austin], Jones Day and other Visit https://lightfootforchicago.com/. sense, pushback against the Machine. What WCT: What would be the first item on your agenda once set out to do the mayor’s work? are one or two specific types of change your To view a list of sites, visit ChicagoElections. LL: The biggest issue that we have to tackle ELECTIONS 2019 supporters are indicating they want to see? com/en/early-voting.html. LL: They want a government when they can ac- is the violence in our city. It’s the framing is- tually believe in their leaders, and where there sue for everything else. We’re not going to re- Early voting info; is integrity and transparency. Aldermanic pre- ally uplift the quality of life in neighborhoods election judges Danica Roem event rogative is a huge, huge issue, and a big line of if the violence continues to rage. We can’t bring demarkation between me and President Preck- business to neighborhoods that are desperate for needed in Lake View April 17 winkle. I want to drive a stake through it, be- investment if it’s raging. It’s going to be hard Early voting for the April 2 municipal runoff A reception featuring Virginia transgender cause I think it inhibits a way to get things done to rebuild neighborhood schools because people elections will take place through April 1. All 50 politician Danica Roem will take place Wed., in a way that’s not corruptive or corrosive. She are emptying out because of the violence. The ward sites as well as the Loop Super Site, 175 April 17, 6-8 p.m., at Lake View spot Sidetrack, supports it, and wants to maintain that system. violence is the galvanizing force that we have to W. Washington St., are now open. 3349 N. Halsted St. Those are the kinds of issues that are resonating wrestle with in order to open up possibilities for Any ballots that voters cast in early voting Last year, Roem made history as the first with people. everything else that people have to accomplish are final. After voting early, voters may not re- openly trans elected official in a state legisla- Also, making sure that our government runs in neighborhoods. turn to amend, change or undo a ballot for any ture in the nation. Cook County Commissioner more efficiently and that we are more respect- WCT: How would you characterize your work reason. It is a felony to vote more than once— Kevin B. Morrison and state Rep. Greg Harris are ful of people’s tax dollars [are both important]. in police reform, especially on two fronts: Your or to attempt to vote more than once—in the the event chairs; co-hosts include Metropolitan People feel like they are nickel-and-dimed. I can’t success at holding CPD accountable for infrac- same election. Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra tell you how many people come up to me and say, tions, and your engagement with families im- Government-issued photo IDs are not re- Shore, state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, Equality Illinois “You’re not going to raise that soda tax, right?” pacted by those infractions? It has been the quired but are helpful if there is a question CEO Brian C. Johnson and Matthew McClellan. Literally, every day that happens. But it’s more source of considerable pushback for you, and about the registration, address or signature, or See “Danica Roem Chicago Fundraising Re- profound than that. People feel like they are will- the reason for protests at your events. if there are two voters with the same or similar ception” on Facebook, or visit https://secure. ing to pay their fair share, but they want to feel LL: The proof is in the pudding—when I took names at the same address. actblue.com/donate/chicago2019. WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 9 ELECTIONS 2019 American lesbian mayor. Lightfoot has served as senior equity partner in the Litigation and Con- Guide to the LGBTs flict Resolution Group at Mayer Brown LLP as well This year’s mayoral/aldermanic elections fea- as chair of the Police Accountability Task Force. tured a record number of openly LGBT candidates She has secured several endorsements, including thorughout Illinois. From those races, several of support from the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chi- those individuals are vying for various political cago Tribune. offices in the April 2 runoff elections. Listed al- Erection phabetically, they are: —Raymond Lopez Race: Alderman (15th Ward) —James Cappleman Website: http://www.the15thward.org/ Race: Alderman (46th Ward) The skinny: Lo- Website: https://www.citizensforcappleman. pez is facing Ra- com/ fael “Rafa” Yanez Issues? The skinny: A in the runoff. He former teacher, was elected as Something you social worker, and Chicago’s 15th health care non- Ward alderman on profit leader, Cap- April 7, 2015. probably don’t know... pleman has repre- sented the ward TriMix is considered the most powerful and effective since 2011. In the runoff, he faces Erectile Dysfunction (ED) drug. Trimix is the “go-to” Marianne Lalonde. —Deb Mell medication for men who are not responsive or unable Race: Alderman (33rd Ward) to take conventional oral erection medications. Website: https://www.debfor33.com/ The skinny: Mell, a —Lori Lightfoot member of the City At Man Up Medical, we customize Trimix to meet the patient’s Race: Mayor Council’s LGBT Caucus specific needs. Not all Trimix is the same—there are numerous Website: https://lightfootforchicago.com/ along with four others, formulations and we will find the right medication for you. The skinny: is a former Illinois state Lightfoot stands representative. She was TriMix is an easy-to-use, very small, self-injected penile to make history a member of Equal Mar- medication. TriMix’s blend of vasodilators cause the penis to if she wins her riage Now in the mid- runoff election 2000s and participated expand and fill with blood—you will experience longer and against Cook in protest actions that fuller erections in about 5 minutes. We guarantee you’ll have County Board led to her arrest in an erection on the first office visit— or there is no charge for President Toni front of the Cook County Preckwinkle, be- headquarters. Mell faces Rossana Rodriguez San- the office visit. coming Chicago’s chez in what many expect to be a close runoff first African- election. Trimix Benefits • Safe and reliable Cappleman and Lightfoot photos by Matt Simonette; Lopez photo courtesy of Lopez; Mell photo courtesy of campaign • Fast-acting and long-lasting erections • Affordable compared to oral medications

The case has all along been marked by a • Not affected by alcohol consumption Reports: Prosecutors number of unusual circumstances and turns- drop charges of-events, as well as shifts in public support. Chicago Police Department (CPD) said they Call today for your against Smollett were investigating the case rigorously, but Cook County prosecutors dropped the 16 counts were vocal and public with their admonition of private appointment. of disorderly conduct facing Empire actor Jussie Smollett when many details around the actor’s Smollett, according to multiple sources. account seemingly did not hold up to scrutiny. Smollett maintains that he was the victim of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx re- 773-305-3300 a brutal attack in Streeterville the early morn- cused herself from Smollett’s case early in her ing of Jan 29. Weeks later, authorities charged office’s investigation into the matter. Prosecu- that Smollett had staged the attack with ac- tors had said that Smollett’s alleged staging of quaintances and falsely asserted that it was a a hate crime was an attention-seeking gambit hate crime. in response to the Empire show-producers’ lack Prosecutors called the March 26 reversal “a of a response to a racist and homophobic letter just disposition and appropriate resolution to attacking Smollett. They further alleged Smol- this case,” Chicago Tribune reported. lett had created that letter as well. The actor was written out of the final epi- Attorneys for Smollett followed up in a state- 916 West Belmont Avenue ment saying that the actor “is relieved to have sodes from Empire’s current season. A federal this situation behind him and is very much investigation into the letter—which, if forged, Chicago, IL 60657 looking forward to getting back to focusing on would constitute mail fraud—is ongoing. Chicago Tribune’s article is at https://bit. [email protected] his family, friends and career.” ManUpMedical.com Smollett has maintained his innocence all ly/2UXXQ5o. along. 10 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES ELECTIONS 2019 Lightfoot’s openness about her sexuality when Marin asked each candidate what she admired about the other. Lightfoot later wondered if Toni Preckwinkle talks Preckwinkle’s response was “blowing a dog whistle” to conservative voters—a conclusion Preckwinkle labeled “ridiculous.”] misconceptions, Lightfoot Do you see why people might interpret your answer the way Lori did? TP: I have a very good record on LGBTQ issues, and experience and it was a genuine compliment. I respect peo- ple who are honest and open about who they are. BY ANDREW DAVIS we have two African-American women in the race I think members of the LGBTQ community who who are in quite difference arcs in their lives. are out and proud are to be commended. Things have seemingly gotten more intense for I started off as a teacher, I’ve worked for not- I came out early for marriage equality, and I Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle for-profit organizations, was part of the economic have been a strong proponent for LGBTQ issues since the Feb. 26 Chicago mayoral election that team with Mayor Harold Washington’s administra- and candidates. I have worked with [Metropolitan whittled 14 candidates down to two (including tion, then I spent 19 years as alderman and the Water Reclamation Commissioner] Deb Shore and runoff opponent Lori Lightfoot) before the April last eight years as president of the Cook County [state Rep.] Lamont Robinson and [Cook County 2 runoff election. Board of Commissioners. Being a mayor is not Commissioner] Kevin Morrison, and I have LGBTQ The February results revealed that Lightfoot an entry-level job; experience matters. With the people as campaign staffers and in my office. rode a wave of momentum to take the top posi- community-building and addressing public-safety WCT: What do you feel is the biggest chal- tion—and they also showed Preckwinkle trailing. challenges as alderman, and the management ex- lenge the LGBT community faces? Both conclusions surprised some voters. perience I’ve had the last eight years, I think I’m TP: I’m an African-American woman, so I know Since then, Preckwinkle has been on the at- uniquely qualified to face what the next mayor of the challenges I face that are grounded in sex- tack, accusing her opponent of, among other Chicago has to face. ism and racism. And the LGBTQ community faces things, having Republican connections. However, WCT: So the misconception would be… tremendous challenges. The LGBTQ community, each candidate has garnered her share of endors- TP: I think it’s that there isn’t much difference concerning city issues, has told me about coor- ers and supporters, with Preckwinkle getting between us. An African-American woman will be dination issues, attacks on members of the com- backing from people ranging from Chance the elected—and that’s a great thing—but there are munity, the police, murders of the trans commu- Rapper to some LGBTQ politicians to the Chicago different trajectories in our lives. nity—these are some of the issues. Teachers Union. WCT: I’ve seen blowback to your response to WCT: Before the runoff, your ads seemed to Windy City Times: What do you feel is the the question Carol Marin asked during a [re- be more light-hearted. Since then, they seem biggest misconception about you? cent] debate. [Note: During a March 7 debate to be more negative. Toni Preckwinkle: Well, that’s a challenge. This between mayoral candidates Lori Lightfoot Toni Preckwinkle. TP: There are two ads running—one is positive, is a race in which I think experience matters, and and Toni Preckwinkle, Preckwinkle lauded Photo from campaign and the other is compare-and-contrast. In any WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 11 campaign, you have a challenge to make sure the In eight out of 10 murder cases, the perpetrator a proponent of term limits. [Laughs] Nationally, contribution] that’s been associated with the voters understand who you are, and to compare goes free—which is devastating in communities I think term limits began as a Republican effort most conservative and reactionary parts of our and contrast with your opponent. From the very that are plagued by violence. People are tempted against Franklin D. Roosevelt. I’ve always said political spectrum. She defended the Republican beginning, she’s been throwing questions my way to take out justice for themselves because they that we determine term limits through elections. Congressional map during a plaintiff’s suit. There and, in the first round, I think we had only posi- know the criminal-justice system is not going to WCT: If you could ask your opponent one are all of these Republican and “dark money” ties. tive ads. And she has negative ads, too. mete out any justice, and that just continues the question and she had to answer it, what would So my question would be “Why are you taking WCT: What would you like to accomplish in cycle of violence. it be? the dark money and the Republican support? Why your first 100 days as mayor? WCT: What are your thoughts on mayoral and TP: I think my opponent portrays herself as a are you an advocate for Republican interests?” TP: I think the first thing to do would be to aldermanic term limits? progressive and she has a lot of Republican sup- See https://toniforchicago.com/. work with the public superintendent to handle all TP: I’m a history teacher, and I’ve never been port. She’s taken dark money [a type of campaign the challenges we face in terms of public safety. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home Emanuel said in a statement, “The Legacy Walk and community. Legacy Walk passes is not only a historically significant legacy of MacArthur names Early on in my teaching career, I lost a stu- the LGBT community of Chicago, but a signal dent to gun violence; she was killed in a drive-by first round of that the entire city is a safe and welcoming new president shooting. She was basically in the wrong place place for everyone.” John Palfrey—an educator, author, legal at the wrong time. I know how devastating these landmark voting scholar and innovator with expertise in how BY MATT SIMONETTE Officials added, “Landmark Status will protect random acts of violence can be. the steel pylons and outdoor museum that de- new media is changing learning, education and We’ve got to get a handle on the violence. We’ve other institutions—will serve as the sixth presi- The Chicago Landmarks Commission unanimous- fine the Boystown streetscape. It is being con- invested in the cameras and shot-spotters—the sidered for its unique cultural, historical and so- dent of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur technology—but we still have more murders than ly voted this month to confer historic land- Foundation, effective Sept. 1, MacArthur Board mark status on the Legacy Walk in Lake View. cial heritage, its celebration of individuals who Los Angeles and New York City combined. That’s significantly contributed to the development of Chairman Dan Huttenlocher announced. an indication of the importance of the practical- The commision will vote again on the matter Since 2012, Palfrey has served as head of in April. Chicago, and its distinctive physical presence as ity of community relations; if we don’t have good a visual feature of the Boystown neighborhood, school for Phillips Academy Andover. Since collaboration between police and community, we After the April vote, the recommendation 2014, he has served as board chairman at the goes to the full City Council and, should it ap- among other criteria.” won’t be able to solve crimes because, contrary The final plaques along the Legacy Walk, dedi- John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. to what you see on TV, crimes aren’t solved in prove, the official declaration would be issued. Palfrey holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, “I’m glad this part of it is over, because I cated to activist Marsha P. Johnson and com- forensics labs—they’re solved by talking with poser Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, were installed at an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge, people on the street. wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Victor Salvo, and an A.B. from Harvard College. executive director of the Legacy Project, which the Halsted Street site in Ocober 2014, com- Also, we have to hold police accountable and pleting Salvo and supporters’ initial goal of an have more training. Nationally, of every 100 mur- oversees the Legacy Walk. City officials announced they would be pur- open-air museum celebrating the LGBT commu- ders, a suspect is arrested in 62 or 63 percent of nity. The first plaques were unveiled in 2012. the cases; in Chicago, depending on which re- suing the designation last June, shortly before search team you believe, it’s 15, 16, 17 percent. Gay Pride weekend. On June 22, Mayor Rahm 12 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES THE ROAD TO VICTORY A timeline of historic moments in LGBTQ elected history in the Chicago area

Tim Drake Tom Chiola Sebastian Patti Nancy Katz Sherry Pethers

Marc Loveless Larry McKeon Joanne Trapani Tom Tunney Debra Shore

1980: Tim activist Chuck 1994: Tom of openly when a north- 1997: Joanne mayor. Also that as an associate re-election 2006: Debra Drake was the Renslow ran Chiola became LGBTQ judges side district Trapani became year, an openly judge of the campaigns ever Shore made first openly gay as an Edward the first openly in the country, elected him to the first open gay man, Ray Cook County since. history by being Chicagoan to Kennedy gay person according to the House of lesbian elected Johnson, won a Circuit Court. the first open win an election, delegate. to win major the Alliance of Representatives. to office in trustee post in 2004: Sherry lesbian elected as convention public office in Illinois Judges. Illinois, as a Oak Park. Pethers became to a countywide delegate for 1993: Marc Illinois, when 1996: member of 2003: Tom the first open seat as a John Anderson’s Loveless, he won a seat 1996: Larry Sebastian Patti the Oak Park Tunney was lesbian elected commissioner of presidential an African- on the bench McKeon became became a judge, Village Board, 1999: Nancy appointed to a judgeship the Metropolitan bid. Drake was American gay of the Cook the state’s first and in 2009 he and in 2001 Katz was the the city’s first when she won Water a Republican man, won a County Circuit openly gay took his seat as she became first open openly gay a tight race in Reclamation activist at local school Court. Cook (and openly the first openly Village Board lesbian judge in alderman, Cook County. District. the time. Gay council post. County has one HIV-positive) gay appellate president—the the state, after and he has businessman of the highest state legislator, court justice. state’s first being appointed run successful and Democratic concentrations openly lesbian

JUDICIAL PRIDE BEHIND THE LAVENDER DOOR

There is a large and historic concentration of openly LGBTQ people who have Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865): Rumors Lilia Delgado: While served or who are currently serving on the bench in Illinois. Charter members abound about the orientation of the 16th not fully out of the of the LGBTQ group Alliance of Illinois Judges are: Hon. Eileen Brewer (Ret); president of the U.S. But some historians closet, Delgado Hon. Cheryl D. Cesario (Ret); Hon. Tom Chiola (Ret.); Hon. Sophia H. Hall; believe he was either gay or bisexual. (See was known in the Hon. Nancy J. Katz (Ret.); Hon. Stuart Katz; Hon. Norene Love (Ret); C.A. Tripp’s 2005 book, The Intimate World community. Mayor Hon. Mike McHale; Hon. Sandra R. Otaka (deceased); Hon. Sebastian T. of Abraham Lincoln.) Harold Washington Patti; Hon. Sherry Pethers (Ret); Hon. Mary Colleen Roberts; Hon. James Pearl M. Hart (1890– knew she was gay Snyder (first openly gay president of the Illinois Judges Association);Hon. 1975): Studs Terkel when he appointed Colleen Sheehan; and Hon. Lori M Wolfson (Ret). Also of note: In 2012, managed one of her her to the city’s Cable Mary M. Rowland was sworn in as Federal Magistrate Judge, U.S. District failed attempts for Commission. She ran Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She is one of very few out LGBT a City Council seat for Cook County Board people to be appointed to serve as a federal judge in the country. (she ran in 1947 and of Commissioners in 1951), then she twice 1987, coming within 5,000 votes of one of Above: Hon. ran unsuccessfully for the ten seats (at the time, Chicago board Mary M. Rowland. judge. She is in the seats were elected citywide). Below (L-R): Chicago LGBT Hall of Hon. James Fame. Judy Rice, who Snyder; Hon. Eddie Rosewell (1927– is now a Cook Norene Love; 1999): The Cook County County judge, Hon. Mike treasurer’s career ended was the Chicago McHale. in disgrace when he city treasurer hired a former window 2000–2006, but washer to a high-level came out after Photo credits Main section: Loveless photo by John Gress; Patti photo by Lisa Howe-Ebright; Katz photo courtesy job—a closeted man she served. of Katz; Tunney photo by Matt Simonette; Shore photo by Tracy Baim; Mell photo courtesy of campaign; Cassidy who paid a public price. photo by Kate Sosin; Cappleman photo by Matt Simonette; Yingling photo courtesy of Illinois House Democrats; Ramirez-Rosa and Robinson photos by Matt Simonette; Morrison photo by AJ Kane; Garcia photo by Robert Kusel Photography; Hadden photo by Ryan Edmund; Lightfoot photo by Matt Simonette. Judicial section: Official court photos. Lavender Door section: Hart image courtesy of Chicago History Museum Archives; PR photo of Rosewell; Rice photo by Tracy Baim. Horseshoes section: Bergeron photo by Romaine; Sable photo by Lisa Howe-Ebright; Nepon photo from the GayLife archives; Ford and Flint photos from the Gay Chicago archives. All other photos from These lists are not meant to be comprehensive, but rather highlight certain significant the Windy City Times archives. elections and “firsts” in area history. WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 13 More than 100 openly LGBTQ people have run for office to major posts in Illinois, from judicial seats to city councils and county, state and federal offices. While those efforts started decades ago, the onset of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s really kick-started the regional LGBTQ movement into action on a variety of fronts, not just in health-care advocacy, but in politics and beyond. But who were the first to break down the closet doors and take their seats at the table? Here are the highlights.

Raymond Lopez

Greg Harris Marge Paul Kelly Cassidy Sam Yingling Lamont Robinson

Deb Mell Mark Tendam James Carlos Kevin Morrison Cappleman Ramirez-Rosa

2006: Openly gay majority the 33rd Ward 2017 she was openly gay elected alderman City Council in LGBTQ person to 2018: gay, HIV-positive leader of the aldermanic seat elected city clerk elected official. of the 46th the same cycle: win a major non- Marcelino activist Greg state House of vacated by her in the same Ward. Raymond Lopez judicial elected Garcia became Harris, who was Representatives. father, Dick election where (15th) and post in Illinois 2011: Kelly 2012: Sam the first appointed to Mell. She won four LGBTQ Carlos Ramirez- when he won for Cassidy was Yingling won LGBTQ person complete Larry re-election in candidates won Rosa (35th); 5th district state 2009: Open first appointed a suburban of color McKeon’s term 2015 and is in a for city council. they are the first representative. lesbian Deb to a state seat for state elected to the in the General runoff April 2. Latino/x out Mell won a state representative representative Metropolitan Assembly, was LGBTQs on the representative 2009: Mark post, and she in the 62nd 2018: Kevin Water later elected City Council. post, serving 2009: Marge Tendam won has won re- district. Morrison Reclamation District. and continues until 2013, Paul was elected election to election every became the first to serve, when she was as an open the Evanston cycle since. 2015: Two 2018: Lamont openly LGBTQ 2019: Maria Hadden unseated making history appointed by lesbian alderman City Council, openly gay men Robinson member of the longtime incumbent 49th Ward in 2019 as the Mayor Rahm in suburban becoming the 2011: James won seats on became the first Cook County alderman Joe Moore to be the first first openly Emanuel to fill Berwyn. In suburb’s first Cappleman was the Chicago African-American Board. openly LGBTQ African-American elected to Chicago’s City Council and ONLY IN HORSESHOES first African- American Your can’t win if you don’t run … and a few bold LGBTQ people paved the way for what would be the first openly LGBTQ person to win in Illinois. LGBTQ woman elected to a 1971: Michael Bergeron, later founder of The Chicago Gay nonjudicial Crusader newspaper, ran for at-large delegate to the Democratic post in National Convention. Illinois. 1974: Radical gays Don “Red Devil” Goldman and Nancy Davis ran for alderman in the 44th and 43rd wards, respectively. 2019: The fact that Lori Lightfoot, 1977: Gary Nepon, at age 28, ran for 13th District state an openly LGBTQ African-American representative. woman, even made it to a runoff 1979: Grant Ford (who passed away this year), publisher of for mayor was historic and hardly GayLife newspaper, ran for 44th Ward alderman. predictable decades ago. But now, 1987: Baton Show Lounge owner Jim Flint ran a widely covered she may make more history as the race for Cook County Board, when city seats ran citywide. first openly LGBTQ person to win 1987 and 1991: Dr. Ron Sable came within a few dozen votes of election as unseating incumbent 44th Ward alderman Bernie Hansen in his mayor of first race, but lost by a wider margin in 1991; he died in 1993 From left: Michael Bergeron (above); Dr. Ron Sable (below); Gary Nepon; Grant Chicago, of AIDS complications. Ford; Jim Flint. the nation’s third-largest city. A joint project by the Chicago Reader and Windy City Times For more details, see Out and Proud in Chicago: An Overview of the City’s Gay Community, edited by Tracy Baim

Equality Illinois builds a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and social justice through education, advocacy, and protection of the rights of the LGBTQ community. LEARN MORE, ACT, AND SUPPORT OUR MISSION AT WWW.EQUALITYILLINOIS.ORG 14 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES ELECTIONS 2019 —Michael O’Connor, activist: “I support Lori than that, Lori has proven to be an empathetic Lightfoot because her campaign platform prom- candidate, with a vision for Chicago that embrac- ises public-policy changes that seek transforma- es all who live here. Lori has the best interest for LGBT Chicagoans discuss tion of Chicago’s public schools; shines a des- Chicagoans, and I believe she can execute her perately needed light on corruption in City Hall; platform with enthusiastic support from munici- advocates real measurable changes within the pal and union laborers to businesses and non- mayoral candidates Chicago Police Department; and finds realistic profits, from tech workers and teachers to LGBTQ solutions to the ballooning city workers’ pen- individuals and immigrants.” COMPILED BY ANDREW DAVIS keep. [Recently,] several aldermen, including sion debt that both mayors Daley and Emanuel —Justin DeJong, vice president of com- mine, and known Democrats came out for Preck- delayed payments on by legislatively robbing City munications for the American Medical Asso- Windy City Times recently asked a cross-section winkle who I happen not to like; and 43rd Ward of Chicago pensioners.” ciation: “This is a remarkably exciting time for of LGBT voters who they plan on voting for, and Ald. Michele Smith, who I do like, came out for —Jan Christian Bernabe, Equality Illinois’ Chicago’s LGBT community because of the barri- why. Here is what some of them had to say: Lightfoot. I will vote for Lightfoot based mostly statewide community advisory group member: ers we’re breaking in the mayoral race. We hadn’t —Michael Bauer, activist and Lightfoot cam- on that.” “First off, I think it’s a great sign that we have even had an openly LGBTQ candidate run citywide paign chair: “Lori is incredibly smart, deeply se- prior to Lori Lightfoot, and the thought of some- rious and thoughtful. She has an amazing ability one from our community winning the mayor’s of- to absorb information, ask the pertinent ques- fice felt like a distant illusion. In my role on the tions, then and develop her strategy to deal with Victory Fund campaign board, I was proud when complex problems. She is dedicated to fairness we endorsed her campaign and showed she was by giving all the stakeholders an opportunity to a credible and viable candidate for office. Lori’s make their case. She is determined to maintain a [potential] victory shows that her message of positive environment for the Chicago’s business change, inclusion and cleaning up the Chicago community while creating much greater econom- machine resonated and built over the course of ic opportunities and jobs in neighborhoods that her campaign.” have long been neglected. Most of all, she repre- —Ebonie Davis, community advisory mem- sents the change that I believe Chicagoans sorely ber: “As a woman of color who identifies as a want. I hope that everyone reading this joins me lesbian, it would seem my mayoral choice is in voting for Lori Lightfoot.” simple—but the reality is that race and sexual —Stephanie Skora, director of policy and orientation are not factors in my decision; I want operations at Brave Space Alliance and co- the best person for the job. founder of Trans Liberation Collective: “I am “When I speak with the elderly homeowners on voting for Toni Preckwinkle, because of her com- my block who struggle to survive, I think to my- mitment to prison and police reform, and her self, ‘We need the best!’ When I drive my daugh- L-R: Isaac King; Michael O’Connor; Ebonie Davis. ter—who has autism—to a private school in Lin- commitment to rent control. I cannot vote for King photo courtesy of King; other photos from WCT archive Lori Lightfoot because she is endorsed by Repub- coln Park every day because CPS wasn’t equipped licans, was cruel to the families of police-brutal- —Isaac King, Urban Broadcast Media: “I to handle her needs, I think to myself ‘We need ity victims and wants to turn closed schools into will be voting for Lori Lightfoot in the mayoral two women of color in Chicago’s mayoral runoff. I the best!” When I look at the bullet hole in my mini-cop academies.” election. I attended and facilitated forums dur- hope this fact signals a more diverse selection of guest bedroom wall and remember how the bul- —Jerry Pritikin, historian and activist: “Up ing the primary and she really stood out to me. municipal and statewide candidates in the future. let narrowly missed my niece’s head, I think to until last week I was leaning toward Toni. She She seemed prepared to answer on ALL issues and For this election, I will be voting for Lori Light- myself, ‘We need the best1’ has earned her stripes in so many ways in Chi- not just the those from her platform. And my gut foot. Her temperament coupled with ability to “Lori is committed to promoting peace and cago, and not on any family name. feeling is that she will be the ONLY candidate galvanize the support of many communities of prosperity for the citizens of Chicago and, being “I did not know much about Lightfoot. But who will bring significant change to Black and color and other marginalized communities in Chi- one of those citizens, Lori Lightfoot is the best sometimes you are known by the company you Brown communities in Chicago.” cago is a shift in Chicago mayoral politics. More person for the job.”

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STIGMA FREE SERVICES INCLUDE: • Primary Medical Care • HIV Specialty Care • Behavioral Health & Substance Use • STI Testing & Treatment • PrEP • Hormone Administration & Monitoring odhcil.org WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 15 WCT HRC IC SEIU CTU EIP LPAC VF WCT IVI GIA SEIUCTU EIP VF CHICAGO MAYOR ALDERMAN - 25th WARD Elections 2019 Alexander “Alex” Acevedo B+ Toni Preckwinkle A Y Y Byron Sigcho-Lopez B+ Y Y WCT - Windy City Times emailed questionnaires to every registered Lori Lightfoot A Y Y Y Y Y citywide and aldermanic candidate with whom we were able to make ALDERMAN - 30th WARD contact by email or phone; for others, we mailed paper copies to their CHICAGO CITY TREASURER Jessica W. Gutierrez Y address on file with the board of elections. Melissa Conyears-Ervin Y Ariel E. Reboyras (incumbent) The questions were about a wide range of issues, LGBT, HIV/AIDS, Ameya Pawar A- minimum wage, crime, youth experiencing homelessness, and more. ALDERMAN - 31st WARD Some questions did not have a yes/or no or “correct” answer, but in- Milagros “Milly” Santiago (incumbent) B+ Y Y volved more nuance and detailed narrative answers. Therefore, we rate WCT IVI GIA SEIUCTU EIP VF Felix Cardona Jr. B+ candidates on an A-F scale, not by numbers. Readers will note not very many are below a “C” because those candidates likely did not even CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL ALDERMAN - 33rd WARD bother to respond to a survey from an LGBT newspaper. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez Y Y Y Y ALDERMAN - 5th WARD Deborah L. Mell (incumbent) A- Y Y We will be posting all surveys, as turned in by candidates, on our Leslie A. Hairston (incumbent) Y Y Y website. Look for a link under the Politics button at the top of our William Calloway ALDERMAN - 39th WARD website, or search for the headline “2019 Election Survey Responses.” Robert Murphy B+ Windy City Times does not endorse in any elections, but we hope ALDERMAN - 6th WARD Samantha “Sam” Nugent A- our survey educates readers who are making tough choices for citywide Roderick T. Sawyer (incumbent) Y Y Y and aldermanic races Tuesday, Feb. 26. Please regularly check windyci- Deborah A. Foster-Bonner ALDERMAN - 40th WARD tytimes.com for updates, coverage and interviews in the days leading André Vasquez B+ up to the election. ALDERMAN - 15th WARD Patrick J. O’Connor (incumbent) A Rafael “Rafa” Yanez B+ Y Y Y HRC - Human Rights Campaign Raymond A. Lopez (incumbent) Y Y ALDERMAN - 43rd WARD IVI - Independent Voters of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization Derek Lindblom B+ GIA - Grassroots Illinois Action ALDERMAN - 16th WARD Michelle Smith (incumbent) B+ IC - Indivisible Chicago Stephanie Coleman (incumbent) B+ Toni L. Foulkes (incumbent) Y Y SEIU - Service Employees International Union Healthcare Illinois ALDERMAN - 46th WARD CTU - Chicago Teachers’ Union Marianne Lalonde A- Y ALDERMAN - 20th WARD James Cappleman (incumbent) A Y Y EIP - Equality IL PAC Jeanette B. Taylor Y Y Y LPAC - Lesbian PAC Nicole J. Johnson B Y ALDERMAN - 47th WARD VF - Victory Fund Michael A. Negron ALDERMAN - 21st WARD Matt Martin B+ Y Howard B. Brookins, Jr. (incumbent) Y Marvin McNeil

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cians, businesspeople and other residents to throw May, her real work begins. She will have to wrestle their hats in the ring. with dozens of stultifying (and usually overlapping) Turnout for the Feb. 26 election was depressingly issues, among them wealth disparities; violence, Matt low, with just about 30 percent of eligible voters public safety and policing problems; structural rac- SIMONETTE showing up to the polls. It’s nevertheless difficult ism; school issues; crumbling infrastructure; wide- to blame the Chicagoans who didn’t turn out; with spread homelessness and housing instability; infor- well over a dozen candidates, many voters simply mationally-siloed city agencies; and underfunded May the best didn’t have time or inclination to learn everyone’s pensions, to name just a few. She can expect only so VOL. 34, No. 22, March 27, 2019 specific viewpoints and qualifications and, rightly or much support from Springfield, perpetually locked in The combined forces of Windy City Times, woman win founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, wrongly, quite likely preferred to wait it out until a its own political and fiscal dysfunction, and no solid founded May 1987. runoff. support whatsoever from the federal government On April 2, Chicagoans will go the polls and, for the Lightfoot and Preckwinkle have pulled no punches led by Trump, who has taken several opportunities first time, elect a Black woman to be the 47th per- PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky in their criticism of one another; nobody can ac- to mock this city. son to hold the office of mayor of Chicago. cuse either woman of simply phoning this election The LGBT community has every right to have the Whomever wins—Cook County Board President EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andrew Davis in. Both candidates are profiled in this week’s issue mayor’s ear from time-to-time as well. The city has Toni Preckwinkle or attorney Lori Lightfoot—would of Windy City Times, and neither misses a chance excellent protections for our community in place for- MANAGING EDITOR Matt Simonette be the third Black mayor in the city’s history, and DIGITAL DIRECTOR Jean Albright for a barb against her opponent. Each has also been tunately, but having the teeth to enforce and publi- the second woman to occupy the post. If Lightfoot ART DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE EDITOR taken to task for her past work—Preckwinkle has cize those protections—through community liaisons Kirk Williamson were to win, she’d be the city’s first openly lesbian had to repudiate and defend connections to the Chi- and adjudicating bodies, for example—takes money SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Scott Duff mayor as well. cago Machine she’s had to make in her long career as and willpower. Even then, those solutions often ad- BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine When Mayor Jane Byrne was in the throes of her SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Terri Klinsky, a city and county politician, as well as problematic dress very specific incidents and perpetrators of hir- election in 1979, People Magazine referred to her Kirk Williamson, Scott Duff, Kathy Breit hiring decisions. Several community members have ing, housing and public accommodations discrimina- NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, having the looks of a “harried suburban housewife.” wanted to hold Lightfoot accountable for her work tion. 212-242-6863 When Mayor Harold Washington was in office, 29 City THEATER AND DANCE EDITOR Catey Sullivan adjudicating police corruption and violence, main- The next mayor must be able to address structural Council members banded together to stall his agen- SENIOR WRITERS Jonathan Abarbanel, Mary taining that she both was not diligent enough and and systemic anti-LGBT discrimination in institu- Shen Barnidge, Liz Baudler, Charlsie Dewey, da. Now, decades on, we don’t yet know who will brusquely engaged with victims and their families. tions such as police and service providers. Members Ross Forman, Carrie Maxwell, Rev. Irene Monroe, be mayor come May—but we know the next mayor, Jerry Nunn, Tony Peregrin, Angelique Smith, We hope that Chicagoans won’t sit out the April of the community are impacted by the same prob- without question, will be a Black woman. Sari Staver, Sarah Toce, Melissa Wasserman 2 polls—that they will at least look at the cover- lems as other residents in any urban environment, Lightfoot being part of the LGBT community has WRITERS Sarah Katherine Bowden, Ada Cheng, age of these candidates to make their most educated but their sexual orientation or gender identity often Sheri Flanders, Joe Franco, Veronica Harrison, most loudly become an issue twice during the run- choice. means they cannot find the proper means of sup- Kelsey Hoff, Aaron Hunt, Eric Karas, Brian Kirst, off—the first time when Preckwinkle seemingly Paige Listerud, Billy Masters, Scott C. Morgan, The first question that voters should consider: port. An LGBT person experiencing homelessness or complimented her on how she navigated that part Amelia Orozco, Ariel Parrella-Aureli, Kerry Does the candidate seem capable of doing the work housing instability can be made to feel uncomfort- Reid, Dana Rudolph, Ana Serna, Karen Topham, of her identity, the second being when homophobic of governing? All too many politicians get caught able at shelters or agencies. A bullied LGBT public- Regina Victor, Sean Margaret Wagner, Lauren and racist fliers were distributed at or near South Warnecke, Steve Warren, Lauren Emily Whalen up in the ego-fueling world of campaigning, and schools student might find no recourse if they have Side churches, presumably to stoke supposed homo- SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Hal are not cut out for the administrative drudgery that the wrong principal. Community members might not Baim, Tim Carroll, Ed Negron, Vernon Hester phobic impulses among the parishioners. comes with executive office—coordinating staff, know for days that a transgender friend or family CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright Nevertheless, in an election as fiery as this, only multitasking complex problems, listening to con- member has fallen victim to violence, since the po- DISTRIBUTION Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Sue two such incidents is noteworthy. Lightfoot even re- and Victor stituent concerns, working the phones fundraising, lice report will likely indicate the gender they were ceived endorsements from some such as Bishop Larry WEB HOSTING LoveYourWebsite.com (lead proposing budgets, and so on. The second ques- assigned at birth. Our community will have a big programmer: Martie Marro) Trotter, who had opposed the LGBT community on tion: Does the candidate understand the wheels of punch-list for this next mayor. PRESIDENT Tracy Baim marriage equality some years back. When officials (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 power and how those are greased? We’ve seen two Windy City Times does not endorse candidates. We such as Judge Tom Chiola, Ald. Tom Tunney and state Editorial: [email protected] notable examples in recent years—President Donald do focus coverage on LGBT politicians by virtue of Sales: [email protected] Reps. Larry McKeon and Greg Harris entered their of- Trump and former Gov. Bruce Rauner—of a candi- our newspaper’s mission, but this is no better year Calendar: [email protected] fices, it was big news. With Lightfoot, one notewor- Circulation: [email protected] date coming into office without comprehending the to emphasize our impartiality and wish the best to Art/ad copy: [email protected] thy aspect of her being a lesbian is that, for many power the legislative branch is capable of wielding, whichever candidate—one a member of our commu- Theater: [email protected] Chicagoans, it’s not very noteworthy. expecting to coast on the force of their personality. nity, the other a stalwart ally—wins. We’ll likely be Copyright 2019 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media This has been a long and difficult election season. This city election is happening just as the figurative a thorn in your side sometimes in the years ahead Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back Lightfoot, for her part, announced her candidacy issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). tectonic plates beneath the Chicago City Council are but, come April 2, may the best woman win. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, early on when it was presumed that she’d be chal- and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and shifting, and many constituents are especially weary Matt Simonette is managing editor of Windy no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. lenging an incumbent Rahm Emanuel. But Emanuel of the Chicago Machine. Chicago’s next mayor will City Times. All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy unexpectedly said last fall that he was stepping City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned need to navigate rough terrain to get things done. for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing down, opening the floodgates for numerous politi- and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, Make no mistake: Once the mayor takes office in cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Windy City Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person or organization. While we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept responsibility for advertising claims.

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Windy City Times Biweekly; Deadline every Letters may be edited for brevity or clarity. Wednesday prior to street date OUT! Chicago’s LGBTQ Visitor’s Guide Online annual Windy City Times Wedding and Events Guide Annual www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Alan Menken. Photo courtesy of Columbia Artists Management, Inc. (CAMI)

ALAN MENKEN ON MUSIC, STORYTELLING, HOWARD ASHMAN PAGE 24 18 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES Sweat begins shortly after white supremacist THEATER REVIEW Keith Kupferer, Tyla Abercrumbie and Jason (Mike Cherry) and newly devout Chris (Ed- Kirsten Fitzgerald in Sweat. gar Miguel Sanchez) are released from prison, Sweat Photo by Liz Lauren then flashes back to show us what happened, in- Playwright: Lynn Nottage volving Chris’s unemployed father Brucie (Andre At: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Teamer beautifully underplaying), mother Cynthia Tickets: 312-443-3800; (heartfelt Tyla Abercrumbie) and Cynthia’s co- Goodmantheatre.org/Sweat; $20-$80 workers/besties Tracey and Jessie (convincingly Runs through: April 14 inebriated Chaon Cross). Friendships crumble when Cynthia is promoted to supervisor, followed BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL by union-busting ruthless management actions that affect everyone. Even avuncular, generous Sometimes theater grabs you by the guts, bartender Stan (Keith Kupferer in mostly-cuddly sometimes it sucker-punches you. Sweat does mode) and uncomplaining, hard-working bar both. The Chicago premiere of this 2017 Pulit- back Oscar (keenly observant Steve Casillas) are zer Prize-winning drama is among the very best drawn in. productions of the 2018-2019 season. It’s enthu- Nottage didn’t set Sweat in Chicago but Kevin familiar circumstances both powerful and entirely might not realize it, however, because Nottage’s siastically and convincingly acted by a superb all- Depinet’s enormous, untidy and utterly accurate pertinent to America’s present anti-immigration language is so exquisitely plain-spoken and real, Chicago cast, who’ve honed their rich ensemble barroom set definitely places it here, trimmed rhetoric, although Sweat takes place in 2000 and, although it still has power to entrance. Just lis- skills among Chicago’s off-Loop theateres—but with a dozen Miller Lite banners. Sweat is about briefly, in 2008. ten in Act I to Tracey (superbly bellicose Kirsten it’s far more than that. here, now and us. Almost tenderly, it also calls up Nottage has crafted a well-made play, a theatri- Fitzgerald) talk about respect for craftsmanship, The play itself is the sucker-punch. Author Lynn legacy, those who came before us—whether slave cal technique perfected in the 19th century in and how folks used to dress up to shop Down- Nottage makes the most ordinary blue-collar peo- or immigrant—and worked for what we have, or which all character points and plot details mesh town. It’s a wonderful ride as paced by master ple not only utterly believable but also special, think we have. Sweat reminds us that what we like cogs in a great machine, playing out to in- director Ron OJ Parson, who extracts a rich vein little-by-little, even though they appear in situ- have is very fragile—not unlike American democ- evitable ends. Like the characters themselves, of comedy as well. Set chiefly in a neighborhood ations we’ve seen countless times in plays, mov- racy—and complicated. Sweat is what theater the audience unknowingly is swept along in the bar near a steel plant, the banter between the ies and on TV: union labor squeezed by manage- should be. ment in a crumbling economy. She makes those increasingly tense and rapid mechanics. One regulars is raucously funny ... until it isn’t.

of what to do about grandma, Grace McLeod brings all the women to the awareness and ac- on their retreat—sororal values triumph within THEATER REVIEW thinks it’s high time to bring the grandmas them- complishments necessary for independence, self- this universe. selves into the discussion. esteem and the courage to resist convention. McLeod’s rolling world-premiere play, with its Herland What do McLeod’s empty nesters want? Wid- The premise of elderly women sharing a house delicate blend of comedy and crisis, offers juicy Playwright: Grace McLeod owed Terry wants to explore her same-sex desires, may recall the 1985-92 television series Golden roles for a trio of AARP-eligible female actors, At: Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. spinster Louise wants a luxurious retirement, and Girls, but what distinguishes the 21st-century all but guaranteeing extensive regional reviv- Tickets: Redtwist.org 773-728-7529; $35-$40 divorced Jean knows only that she does not want version of post-menopausal sisterhood is not als. Though the arc of the narrative could use Runs through: April 14 to live in an eldercare facility. In order to fore- merely the easy acceptance of “unfeminine” some re-editing, director James Fleming and a stall that sorry fate, she has hired an “intern”— traits (a preference for pantsuits over dresses, for dream-team cast—Kathleen Ruhl, Valerie Gor- BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE teenaged Natalie, looking to do something “cool” example), but the absence of femme-assurance man, marssie Mancotti, Simran Bal and Deanalis before starting college—to help convert her triggers coded into the dialogue. To be sure, the Resto—never allow the playful moments (spit- “When people ask us if we want to do something, family-sized house into a group home where the detritus of the ex-husbands’ Springsteen cover takes, blackout scenes, Fiorucci-style fashions for it will be a real question! We can say ‘no’ or ‘yes,’ three lifelong friends can live as they please. band provides the tenacious dowagers with a ral- the youngsters and a lip-synced “Born to Run” and they’ll listen to us when we answer!” Follow- Utopian ideals being, by their very name, unat- lying medley of The Boss’ empowering anthems, fantasy sequence) to eclipse the serious issues ing a wave of playwrights wringing their hands tainable, these lofty aspirations cannot escape but as implied by “Herland”—the title (derived underlying the quest for your own identity, what- over adult children struggling with the question compromises, but the pursuit thereof gradually from a Charlotte Perkins Gilman novel) bestowed ever your age.

Sadly, Refuge Theatre Project’s Chicago premiere doesn’t live up to inner tragedies in the 11 o’clock number, the audience is expected THEATER REVIEW the hype, thanks to a boring book, bloated runtime and score that to forgive two-plus hours of the character’s casual racism, not to is more cliché than original. mention gaslighting and outright bullying. Hands on a Hardbody Times are tough in Longview, Texas, but everyone rallies for the Apart from the aforementioned gospel songs, Anastasio and Playwright: Doug Wright (book), Amanda Green (lyrics), Trey annual Hands on a Hardbody event, in which ten people chosen Green’s soundtrack is largely forgettable, and Doug Wright’s dia- Anastasio and Amanda Green (music) at random compete to see who can, well, touch a Nissan pickup logue sounds straight out of a sitcom about Southerners written in At: Refuge Theatre Project at the Preston Bradley the longest. There are 15-minute breaks every six hours, but other Los Angeles. Though Hands mostly falters due to its writing, Ariel Center, 941 W. Lawrence Ave. than that, one hand (protected by cotton gardening gloves) must Triunfo’s choreography—unoriginal even in its somewhat limited Tickets: $30; RefugeTheatre.com be on the vehicle at all times. From a stoic Marine (Max Cervantes) capacity—doesn’t help matters. Nor do the productions’ copious Runs through: April 27 to an outspoken mother of six (Katherine Condit), everyone’s in microphone and acoustic issues, only a few of which could be at- it to win it, but that’s before oppressive heat, shady politics and tributed to opening-night roughness as opposed to, perhaps, an BY LAUREN EMILY WHALEN family secrets come into play. insufficient tech. Even standout performances, like Molly Kral’s Certainly, musicals have been based on stranger topics: Teeth, sweet and stalwart woman of faith and Roy Samra’s wistful love Midway through Hands on a Hardbody’s first act, a woman starts based on a movie about a teenage girl with vagina dentata, interest, can’t save Hardbody from itself. singing along with her headphones. Her nine companions—all workshopped on the East Coast last summer. The problem with Refuge Theatre Project has found a niche by presenting under- competing against one another to win a pickup truck in a small Hardbody is its lack of specifics. Each character has a thoroughly produced musicals with top-notch performers. Despite the latter, Texas town—join in one by one. predictable conflict, from the sleazy dealership manager (Dan the results are often hit or miss: Some shows aren’t produced The gospel tune picks up pace with clapping and moving in a Gold) trying to keep his business afloat to the wide-eyed UPS much, for a reason. For every High Fidelity, Refuge’s Jeff Award- circle around the truck, each person keeping one hand on the worker (Alli Atkenson) who just wants to travel. Characters of winning runaway hit, there’s a Lysistrata Jones, a clunky Greek vehicle in keeping with the contest rules. For about four minutes, color either make cameo appearances, such as Jared David Michael myth-turned-pop musical that the company unwisely staged in 10 people temporarily form a tight, joyful bond. Grant’s boisterous smooth talker, or exist solely to teach others an actual gym. Since early 2016, Refuge has chased another High If only the rest of the show were that powerful. Hardbody boasts about prejudice, as is the case with Sebastian Summers’ ambitious Fidelity; however, because of major flaws, Hardbody is nowhere composer Trey Anastasio, part of the legendary jam band Phish, veterinary student. And when past winner Benny Perkins (Derek close to being a worthy successor. and an intriguing true story inspired by a 1997 documentary film. Fawcett, channeling his best Matthew McConaughey) reveals his WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 19 Angelica Katie, Leah Casey and Melanie Brezill in For Colored Girls... Photo by Michael Brosilow

gets the climactic darkest tale and holds nothing THEATER REVIEW back. It’s simultaneously horrific and hypnotiz- ing. For Colored Girls Shange, like Alice Walker, was criticized for portraying Black men as abusers, but there are Who Have Considered plenty of moments here where the spark of at- Suicide/When the traction between women and men provides a window into escape. Patrese D. McClain’s Lady in Rainbow Is Enuf Brown tells us about meeting a young Black man Playwright: Ntozake Shange who provides a real-life substitute for her idol At: Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. and imaginary spirit guide, Haitian revolutionary Tickets: 773-753-4472; leader Toussaint Louverture. CourtTheatre.org; $50-$74 Conversely, Melissa DuPrey’s Lady in Blue la- Runs through: April 14 ments that she “used to live in the world, but now I live in Harlem”—her life now defined by BY KERRY REID “six blocks of cruelty piled up on itself” that con- strain the dreams she carries, while her memories Ntozake Shange’s death in October, at age 70, of a primal connection to the ocean are mocked unleashed an outpouring of tributes from Black by the dirty puddles on the streets. women playwrights who found inspiration in her In an era in which the phrase “vote like Black TICKETS work, including Pulitzer winners Suzan-Lori Parks women” has become a cri de guerre for the resis- and Lynn Nottage. tance, Shange’s piece and Scott’s staging remind The latter noted that Shange’s groundbreak- us that Black women in the United States have START AT ing 1976 “choreopoem,” For Colored Girls Who been fighting their own battles for centuries. It’s Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is not their job to save us—but we damn well bet- $35 Enuf, meant that young Black women previously ter start listening to them. alienated from mainstream theater “suddenly saw representation of themselves in a very honest c way and understood that they could occupy that space for the first time.” CRITICS’PICKS In Seret Scott’s searing and soaring production of For Colored Girls at Court Theatre, Shange’s Red Rex, Steep Theatre, through March 30. words weave a tapestry of pain, defiance, joy and The sixth installment in Ike Holter’s seven-part renewal, all delivered by a cast of eight women play cycle exploring the urban woes of Chicago’s ACROSS who not only occupy the space but reclaim it for (fictional) 51st Ward doesn’t spare the clueless Black women whose voices have been ignored artists whose invasions only hasten the displace- or disparaged. Courtney O’Neill’s set—a curved ment of the indigenous population. MSB wall with crumbling archways--suggests an an- The Man Who Was Thursday, Lifeline Theatre, cient ruined amphitheater. But the stories these through April 7. G.K. Chesterton’s satirical tale of THE POND women bring to life through Shange’s 20 poems government agents chasing their tails while pur- and their own embodied musicality aren’t ancient porting to protect society from wrongdoers has 2 WORLD PREMIERES & 1 JOFFREY PREMIERE tales, but urgent and ever-timely dispatches. lost none of its caustic humor or ironic relevance One of the enduring ironies of Shange’s piece is over the hundred years since its first publication. APRIL 24–MAY 5 that although the women are identified only by MSB the color of their dresses (beautifully designed by Doubt: A Parable, Gift Theatre at the Steppen- Samantha C. Jones), they are multidimensional in wolf 1700, through March 31. John Gawlik’s di- JOFFREY.ORG ways that too many Black women in narratives rection ramps up the urgency in this examination 312.386.8905 crafted by non-Black writers are not. Scott’s pro- of moral compasses led astray by moral certainty duction adds a character known as Lyric (Melody buttressed by casuistic power. MSB Angel), who fittingly adds to the inflections of Requiem for a Heavyweight, The Artistic Home, through March 31. Not a single punch Shange’s words and Leah Casey’s rhythmic cho- 2018–2019 SEASON SPONSORS PERFORMS AT: reography through drum and guitar accompani- actually lands in Rod Serling’s tough-tender ment. (Casey also plays Lady in Purple.) tragedy, but never has boxing been more brutal The stories range from playful tales of youthful than in this production featuring Mark Pracht in a star-making performance as a down-on-his-luck sexual and romantic adventures to raw stories of 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. rape and other violence. AnJi White’s Lady in Red prizefighter. MSB Alessa Rogers and Christian Clark. Photo by Kim Kenney, courtesy of Atlanta Ballet. Chicago, IL —By Mary Shen Barnidge 20 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES NUNN ON ONE: THEATER Stephen Flaherty translates ‘Anastasia’ to the stage BY JERRY NUNN audience tonight! WCT: Were you always involved in music? write. I wanted to write a sweeping musical dra- Above: Edward Anastasia is a musical based on the 1997 animat- SF: Yes. I went to Catholic school and my par- ma even as a kid. My favorite shows are West Side ed film that adapted the legend of Grand Duchess ents were trying to find ways to slow me down. Staudenmayer, Story and Porgy and Bess. I like a large canvas! Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who escapes the The nuns were ready to skip me ahead to the next Lila Coogan, One memorable moment was working on the execution of her family and becomes an amnesiac grade. They randomly picked music. Stephen song “Wheels of a Dream.” I had been connected orphan named Anya. My mom had me take piano lessons when I was Brower and the with Brian Stokes Mitchell and invited him to The music and lyrics are by Lynn Ahrens and 7. I deeply connected to it at an early age. I company of my home to work on it. My husband had come Stephen Flaherty, with a book by Terrence Mc- began writing and wrote my first musical when I the national home early and Brian sang the song in our teeny Nally. Composer Flaherty wrote Tony-winning mu- was 14. I can’t say it was good, but it was fun! tour of apartment. When I asked my husband Trevor what sicals Ragtime and Once on This Island before WCT: You studied musicals in college? Anastasia. he thought he said, “He certainly sings it better Anastasia, which was nominated for two Academy SF: Yes. I went to CCM, University of Cincinnati Photo by Evan than you do!” Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. Other mu- College-Conservatory of Music. At the time that Zimmerman, After that, I decided to build the show on that sical credits include Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, was one of the few schools that had a musical Murphy Made. actor. It really changed my thoughts about the A Man of No Importance, Dessa Rose, The Glori- theater performance program. I knew I would character. Originally it was a tenor range, but ous Ones, Seussical and Rocky. study composition, but also hang out with the Stokes had a deep, authoritarian baritone voice. Windy City Times: Where in the world are theater kids. WCT: You have worked with lyricist Lynn you? WCT: Growing up gay in the South, I definite- Ahrens for a long time? Stephen Flaherty: I am in Seattle and tonight ly felt I found a tribe with the theater folks. SF: Talk about finding your tribe! After moving film is very beloved; however, there were certain is the first preview of my new musical Marie. It SF: I felt the same way. I grew up in Pittsburgh, to the big city in New York, I was taking a work- elements that were aimed at a young audience. is a whole new idea and choreographed by Susan so I felt like the alien on my block. shop and the assignment was to collaborate with We also played fast and loose with Russian his- Stroman. We did an earlier version of the show at WCT: Do you have a favorite moment from someone. She was in my class and I asked her. We tory. We knew that if we wanted to revisit this the Kennedy Center four years ago under the title Ragtime? came up for the idea of our first show. piece that we had to deal with the truth of that Little Dancer. This is a reimagining and rework- SF: Every day working on that show is elevated. Our way of working is very different, but our period. We brought in our friend Terrence McNally ing of that particular show. We have our first real It was the kind of show I had always wanted to synergy was amazing. I used to sequester myself to reimagine it. Luckily, he saw it the same way away like a mad monk in a cell and grow a beard, that we did. He was not interested in taking the but she was much more of an improv kind of gal. animated film and slapping it onstage. The only way to change the past is to create a new one. She would throw an idea around the writers room. We really looked at the characters, cut some We would write song after song and now we are and created new ones. This was our third musical 35 years on! writing with Terrence. WCT: You have written new songs together WCT: Is the dog cut, too? for Anastasia? SF: There is no dog, but there is a child. SF: Yes. We were asked to write the film score WCT: Are you coming to opening night in Chi- for Anastasia in 1997. It was our first movie. We cago? were suddenly in Hollywood and Madonna read SF: I can’t because I will be in Russia. Oddly, our names on the telecast. It was unbelievable! when I have written my shows I have never been Later, we had the opportunity to revisit the to the place where they are set until after the characters in a more deep place. show opens. I had never been to the Caribbean WCT: The stage version has characters not in until Once on This Island opened or Monte Carlo the film? until Lucky Stiff opened. SF: Yes. We used five songs that were in the I have an opportunity to do a master class with film, but in different dramaturgical ways. The au- the educational group Broadway Dreams. I was dience will get to hear the songs that they know invited to teach in Russia and there will be a and love, but we still want to surprise them. series of concerts based on our work. Maybe I will One of the first songs that Anya sings in the see Anya running around the streets. We will see! movie “Journey to the Past” closes the act in the WCT: What are you working on after Marie? musical, so the character has a much longer arc. SF: We are working on a new piece with Frank We wrote 15 new songs for the stage. I think Galati, who was our director from Ragtime. It’s the new songs are of the same caliber as the a chamber musical called Knoxville. We are do- songs from the film, which is always the chal- ing it at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota,

PICTURED: NATE BURGER AND WILLIAM BROWN. PHOTO BY SAVERIO TRUGLIA. BY SAVERIO PHOTO BURGER AND WILLIAM BROWN. PICTURED: NATE lenge. People go in knowing the old songs, but I Florida. It’s a passion project from Frank, who is had to create songs that are equally as stimulat- also adapting it. It’s based on James Agee’s Pu- ing and pleasing. litzer Prize-winning novel A Death in the Family. WCT: Is there possibly a new gay character? It’s very American and tight focused. It’s about SF: Well, this is Russia of a certain period, but how family face hard times and still go forward. NOW PLAYING maybe Count Leopold. He appears in act two and It’s a very personal show. 2018/19 SEASON SPONSOR I will just leave it at that… Anastasia travels into the James M. Neder- WCT: How do you bring an albino bat from lander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., through 847-242-6000 | WRITERSTHEATRE.ORG the film onto the stage? April 7. Tickets are at BroadwayInChicago.com SF: He bit the dust—sorry: spoiler alert! The or by calling 800-775-2000. WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 21 BOOKS keep fighting.” Fighting is part of Cannon’s daily routine: since he was diagnosed with acquired dystonia, he has to contend with his own body. Trans author talks “A mix of Parkinson’s and MS is how I describe [dystonia],” Cannon said of the neurological dis- order. “It feels like someone is reaching in and ‘layered identity’ twisting my muscles with a dishrag.” Though dystonia can also be genetic, Cannon feels his is a result of “rewiring my brain: chemical depen- in new memoir dency, playing hockey and trying to hang with BY LAUREN EMILY WHALEN While identifying as a lesbian, Cannon wrote the boys,” not to mention the damaging shoulder Running on a Mind Rewired, a memoir of his time injury he sustained when another player gunned “I wanted to be two things when I grew up: a as the only girl on an all-boys hockey team, his for him on the ice. writer and a boy.” slide into drug dependency and near-death ex- Running has helped both Cannon’s recovery Life has never been easy for Nate Cannon. Diag- perience at 17 and his subsequent recovery. The process and his dystonia: sober for 15 years now, nosed with major depression and bipolar disorder book is used as a teaching tool in high schools, he has also completed 14 marathons in the past at 12 years old, the trans author lost his “sense colleges, hospitals and treatment centers—and decade. “It started early in my sobriety [as] put- of gender identity” at the same time. His mother is still published under Cannon’s birth name. The ting on a pair of running shoes and getting on did her best to raise him as a girl because “she author prefers it this way: “I feel like that was a a treadmill, figuring out a natural way to boost thought society wouldn’t embrace me,” he said. story that belonged to who I was when I was Jen- those brain chemicals and feel good,” he said. What followed were life-changing sports inju- nifer,” he said. “And that portion of my identity “I’m glad I had that training when I developed ries, a teenage suicide attempt, substance abuse and my life needs to be honored.” dystonia in 2006. Dystonia pulls you off to one and a neurological disorder diagnosis—all while Dying to Hang with the Boys takes a deep dive side. The muscles create push and pull, similar to Cannon realized his gender-identity disorder into Cannon’s suicide attempt, something he was Parkinson’s, causing erratic signals to be sent to wasn’t going to fix itself. Dying to Hang with initially discouraged from writing about. “When the muscles,” Cannon said. “The reciprocal mo- the Boys, the author’s second memoir, chronicles I first pitched this book, I was told, ‘You should tion [of running] has been very helpful for me.” Cannon’s transition and his journeys in physical leave [suicide] out entirely,’” he said. However, Cannon said running helped with gender issues and mental health. Cannon knew he couldn’t leave out his experi- as well. “Running brought to the surface that I “This is a book that explores the consequences ence. “The book is not intended to glamorize sui- had been confusing my sexual orientation with of being unable to express one’s gender identity,” cide, [but] this is the gory stuff you don’t want my gender identity,” he said. “As a result of my Cannon said via phone from his Minnesota home. to hear,” he said. “I’m hoping not to put out a sports bra, I was chafing. I thought, ‘if I didn’t “If I had been able to transition earlier, would story that’s going to lead someone to engage in Nate Cannon. have [breasts] this wouldn’t be happening.’ And my life have gone differently? I don’t know the similar acts … but I hope it will give people the Photo by Wendy Zins answer to that.” courage and determination to stay with us and Turn to page 29

THIS SATURDAY ONLY! :: MARCH 30 @ 7:30PM

ADD RECEPTION SERVICE! Includes light bites and complimentary drinks starting one hour before the performance and at intermission. Alan Menken Simply add it to your ticket purchase! Stories and Songs with the 8-time Oscar®-winning AuditoriumTheatre.org :: 312.341.2300 composer behind countless beloved musicals! PRESENTING SPONSOR

50 E Ida B Wells Dr | Chicago, IL Alan Menken, photo courtesy of CAMI. | Movie posters courtesy of Disney. MUSIC Artemis Singers chorus celebrates inspiring women

22 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES SPRING MOVIE PREVIEW

Ugly Dolls. Superheroes and STX Films festivals part of cinematic landscape BY JERRY NUNN small town with big dreams. She sings cover songs of Robyn, Tegan and Sara, Annie Lennox The box office is warming up for the big block- and Ellie Goulding along the way. busters expected this summer. Spring offers two —Avengers: Endgame (April 19): The highly months of fine flicks and film festivals where the anticipated Avengers: Infinity War follow up has LGBT community are well represented on the big big named stars battling the villain Thanos for screen—along with big stars, superheroes and the universe. inspiring soundtracks. Mena Massoud and Will Smith in May Aladdin. April —Tell It To the Bees (May 3): This is a lesbian Disney Studios —Shazam! (April 5): A young 14-year-old drama with Anna Paquin playing a doctor who Billy Batson quickly grows up by exclaiming the meets an unfulfilled housewife in conservative word Shazam! This comic character was originally 1950s Scotland. named Captain Marvel and Djimon Hounsou is —Ugly Dolls (May 3): The voices of Kelly Clark- surprisingly in both this movie and the Brie Lar- son, Nick Jonas, Wanda Sykes and Janelle Monae son film. are spotlighted in a cartoon set in the town of —Pet Sematary (April 5): Stephen King’s adap- Uglyville, where weirdness is celebrated. David Harbour in Hellboy. tation of his 1983 horror novel comes back to life —Long Shot (May 3): It’s a fish-out-of-water Photo by Mark Rogers with Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz and John Lith- story with Charlize Theron playing a diplomat gow. with Seth Rogen as a journalist. usual choice to direct the live adaptation of the Award winner Jose are all part of the internation- —Hellboy (April 12): Stranger Things star Da- —Rafiki (May 9): This banned Kenyan drama Walt Disney production. Will Will Smith smoke out al fun. Cruise over to ChicagoLatinoFilmFestival. vid Harbour turns red playing the title character centers on a romantic connection between two the unforgettable performance of Robin Williams, org for the complete schedule. in the new Hellboy reboot. young women in a country where homosexuality or will moviegoers wish for someone else? The Tribeca Film Festival in Manhattan turns —Teen Spirit (April 12): Elle Fanning personi- is currently illegal. —Rocketman (May 31): This openly gay rocker 18 this year, taking place April 24-May 5 with fies the character Violet Valenski who is from a —Aladdin (May 24): Guy Ritchie seems an un- drama hopes to upstage Bohemian Rhapsody, tons of queer offerings such as the lesbian com- with Taron Egerton representing the flamboyant ing-of-age story Clementine and a multitude of Sir Elton John (and actually singing his songs short films with LGBT-related subject matter. live, John has told media outlets). Some documentaries at Tribeca include films about the life of fashion designer Halston, a A story about In addition, the 35th Latino Film Festival re- RuPaul Drag Racer in Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts turns to Chicago, with more LGBT content, at the and XY Chelsea, about famed transgender military survivors, the AMC River East 21 Theatre March 28-April 11. A whistlerblower Chelsea Manning. For more infor- resilient bond of gay bar called Oasis, an out dance instructor in mation, visit TribecaFilm.com. The Gazelle’s dance and Guatemala’s Queer Lion family, and the enduring power of music.

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from African Safari $4899pp November 30, 2019 10-Night African Safari with A&K (800) 592-9058 - AquafestCruises.com 24 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES he could be the most incredible support imaginable. He was impassioned and loyal and generous. WCT: You’ve been working on the scores for live action remakes of quite a few of the classic Disney films you were involved in. What has that been like, to return to old material within a different medium? AM: The main differences are defined by the medium as well as the vision and the agenda of the creative team. And those differences can be exciting and, at the same time, challenging. MUSIC I am collaborating with new lyricists. We’re both revising pre-existing songs and creating new song moments to fit a new director’s or writer’s approach to story. Sometimes those additions are motivated as much by an external de- Alan Menken on sire to be eligible for recognition as a “new” work as they are motivated by a need to dig deeper into material. Dis- tinguishing between those motivations can be frustrating. Alan Menken. music, storytelling, But all the hard work inevitably results in a work with Photo courtesy of Columbia Artists greater depth and specificity. Management, Inc. (CAMI) WCT: You worked with Howard on many of those songs Howard Ashman and, unfortunately, he isn’t around to help this time. How has that been? BY JOHN STADELMAN AM: It’s bittersweet to bring our songs back to life in new ways without his input or involvement. To witness Legendary score composer Alan Menken—best known for new wonderful actors and creative talents rediscovering CULTURECULTURE CLUBCLUB his Oscar-winning work on classic Disney animated films our gems is amazing. And I hope in some way Howard’s including The Little Mermaid and Aladdin—will be in Chi- spirit is in touch with that. cago playing a retrospective show Saturday, March 30. WCT: What advice do you have for film and theater Menken talked with Windy City Times about score writ- score composers who are just starting out, or for people ing, live-action remakes and the legacy of Howard Ashman, who want to get into this work? the legendary gay composer with whom he often collabo- AM: Serve the work, rather than your own ego or emo- rated. tional needs. Yes, the work we do is emotional. But that Windy City Times: Score composing is such a story- emotion is channeled through the characters and story. based genre. How do you integrate the storytelling ele- Never fall in love with your own work to the extent that ment into the music? Does your process vary between you are unwilling to push it aside and create something projects, or does it stay the same? new instead. Our field is very collaborative. And success Alan Menken: By definition, when I write a score, I’m hinges on your ability to be part of a team; part of a great- reflecting the characters and storyline for a project. Some- er whole. times the intention of the music is to establish time and The other basic advice is to always be creating some- place. In a literal sense, that means choice that reflects thing new. The act of creating keeps your talents alive, just the musical vocabulary of a culture at [a] particular time. like a workout in the gym keeps your muscles strong. Sometimes the choice of style is meant as a comment—a You may think you know what your best and most impor- cultural wink that establishes a link between something tant work is. But the audience is your collaborator, too. contemporary and something ancient or mythological. Listen to them as much as you do your own heart. And, of course, sometimes the musical choice is an emo- WCT: You’ll be in Chicago on March 30 for a retrospec- tional underpinning that is simply “Menken”-esque. tive show, performing and covering pieces that span Since I strive to never repeat myself in my scores. I across your career. Could you talk a bit about what it deliberately start each project in a fresh way. And, when will be like? there are new collaborators and new story influences, that AM: My concert allows me to bring together work from task is made easier. nearly 50 years. I play and sing and talk through career WCT: What was it like working with Howard Ashman highlights and personal insights and emotional moments on the Disney movies? How was the creative environ- and telling anecdotes. And behind me on the stage are ment and overall process? three screens that illuminate things and expand the ex- AM: Howard was a true genius, in that he understood perience. The first act leads up to the incredible success how to deliver a story through making the smartest mu- of our Disney animated musicals combined with huge per- sical choice. I reveled in my good fortune in being in a sonal changes due to the AIDS crisis and the passing of collaboration with such a sure compass. As he grew ill and Howard Ashman. finally passed away at a tragically young age, the influence The second act starts with my Broadway shows and the of Howard made me grow in ways I had never imagined. continuation of my Disney projects, and it moves through Howard Ashman and I only got to work together for 12 lots of my film and stage work that some people might be years, over five incredible projects. But in some way, I feel unaware of. And I will preview some exciting new work that like he has been an intrinsic part of everything I’ve done no audiences have heard before. I’ve been blessed with a since. long and rich career that I never could have dreamed of WCT: What did you learn from Howard about compos- having. And A Whole New World of Alan Menken means a ing and music, and creativity in general? great deal to me because it allows all the many aspects and AM: The lessons I learned from Howard range from choos- facets of my work to be joined in one concert experience. ing the right subject matter and stylistic voice for a musi- “A Whole New World of Alan Menken” will show at the cal to understanding the rhythm and structure of musical Auditorium Theatre on Saturday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. theater storytelling. He could be blisteringly critical. And Find tickets and more information at https://www.audito- riumtheatre.org/shows/alanmenken/. WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 25 penalty of death. [Lotz laughs.] However, are about them trying to balance everything—but Caity Lotz. there any general items you can tell me about they just want to support and love each other. Photo copyright Warner the second half of the fourth season? WCT: I didn’t know that Constantine [played Bros Entertainment Inc. CL: Yes! There are some really cool episodes, by Matt Ryan] had been in a same-sex rela- such as a Bollywood episode that might be one tionship. of my favorites. Then, there’s some cool danc- CL: Oh, yeah; his character is pretty fluid, be- ing with me and Jes [Macallan, who plays Time cause Sara and Constantine hooked up. They both Bureau Director—and Sara’s girlfriend—Ava are more pansexual, I think; it’s just about the Sharpe]. Basically, all the craziness you’re hoping person, not their gender or sex. for is coming. WCT: You’ve had some interesting guest stars WCT: One of the things I like about this show on this show. If you had the power, who would is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. like to be on the show for one episode? CL: Yes, but we do take risks. CL: There are so many. I think it’d be interesting WCT: What are some of your favorite Legends for Stephen [Amell, who stars on Arrow] to go TELEVISION episodes from the past? full Legend; that’d be fun. Also, I’d like to get my CL: Hmmm… I always love our Western epi- friends from the other [CW] shows to come on to sodes. What else? Sometimes we get great out- Legends. Caity Lotz talks fits to wear. The death totem one was plenty fun WCT: You portray a very strong character and, and—oh!—the shogun episode was one of my in real life, you’re connected with the group favorites; the sword-fighting was awesome. Shethority (https://shethority.com/). ‘Legends,’ Lady Gaga WCT: There was one episode that had three of CL: Yes. Candice Patton, from The Flash, and I you in a take on Charlie’s Angels… were meeting fans who were dealing with a lot and helping other women CL: … where we’re puppets. Yes. of stuff—like societal pressures, body-image is- WCT: Kudos to the writers. sues, depression and other things. So we thought CL: For sure. In TV, it’s all about the writers. about how to better connect with people, and BY ANDREW DAVIS you’re also a singer and a dancer—and you’ve They’re the ones doing all the magic. came up with this idea. been a backup dancer for Lady Gaga. What was WCT: Regarding the relationship between We made a website and Instagram page where On Monday, April 1, at 7 p.m. CT, DC’s Legends of that like? your character and Ava, I love that it’s treated people can share their stories and feel like they Tomorrow will resume its fourth season on The Caity Lotz: She’s awesome! I was really im- like any other relationship. There’s no big deal have this sense of community. I think each one CW, entertaining viewers with its colorful char- pressed by her. I remember arriving on the set about it. of us has a story to tell; by sharing their stories, acters and unconventional adventures. (The show of the “Paparazzi” video at five in the morning— CL: Yes—and it’s a healthy relationship. You we’re able to lift each other up as women. So, is a spinoff featuring characters introduced in Ar- and she was already full Gaga; she was wearing have two powerful women who are both leaders [Candice and I] got together with all the other row and The Flash along with new characters.) underwear, fishnet, heels and this crazy sweater. in what they do, and who are both very career- women from the superhero shows, and they down Caity Lotz returns as Sara Lance/White Ca- Now that she’s been acting for a while, she seems oriented. They try to balance their work lives and with being involved. It’s cool to connect with the nary—an assassin who is the team leader. In like “Gaga.” But I had a good time dancing with their relationship. I like that the relationship fans, and have them connect with each other. a recent interview with Windy City Times, Lots her. hasn’t been about fighting or cheating; it’s just discussed being on the show, dancing with Lady WCT: Moving on to Legends of Tomorrow, Gaga and being associated with the pro-women’s congrats on the renewal. group Shethority. CL: Thank you. We’re excited to tell another Windy City Times: You have a very interest- season of stories. ing resume. Many know you as an actress, but WCT: I know you can’t give me details, under Your favorite gear. Everyday low prices. Wrightwood 659 GLAAD to honor to showcase Madonna May 4 TIME TO GET SPRING-READY Stonewall Rebellion GLAAD is set to honor the musical icon Ma- Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood Ave., is donna with the Advocate for Change Award at hailing the Stonewall Rebellion—which spurred the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New the modern-day LGBTQ-rights movement—with York City on May 4, Deadline noted. a major exhibition marking the 50th anniver- “From the HIV crisis to international LGBTQ sary of that historic event. issues, she fearlessly pushes for a world where “About Face: Stonewall, Revolt and New LGBTQ people are accepted,” said GLAAD Presi- Queer Art” will feature historical and con- dent/CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement. “Her temporary works by international artists that, music and art have been life-saving outlets for viewed together, provide a nuanced picture of LGBTQ people over the years and her affirm- the evolving meaning of queerness. ing words and actions have changed countless The exhibit will run May 22-July 20. The cura- hearts and minds.” tor of the exhibition is Jonathan David Katz, Madonna is the second person and first wom- Ph.D., who is a visiting professor of gender, an to be honored with the Advocate for Change sexuality and women’s studies at The Univer- Award; the first was President Bill Clinton, who sity of Pennsylvania and chair of the doctoral received the award in 2013. PACIFICA program in visual studies at the University at Events for this year’s GLAAD Media Awards Buffalo. will be held in Los Angeles on March 28 and Tickets are available online only, starting May continue in New York City on May 4. 13, and may be purchased for $20 throughout The Deadline article is at https://deadline. NEW ITEMS DAILY the run of the exhibition. A limited number of com/2019/02/glaad-media-awards-madonna- free tickets are released each Monday for the advocate-for-change-award-lgbtq-inclusion- current week. Walk-ins are not accommodat- representation-diversity-1202549596/. ed. Visit https://tickets.wrightwood659.org/ events. 5021 N. CLARK ST. CHICAGO, IL 60640 . (773) 657-8000 . FULLKITGEAR.COM 26 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES Women & Children First marks 40 years EAT. DRINK. GIVE. with 20 best-sellers BY MELISSA WASSERMAN hard to narrow down just our top 10. We really wanted to work hard to make a list that was more Turning the page, Women & Children First (W&CF) reflective of the day to day sales.” began its 40th anniversary programming with a “Our store was founded to showcase and up- panel discussion on March 24. lift marginalized voices,” said Hollenbeck, who People gathered into the store to see the panel, plans the events and programs at W&CF and was which featured W&CF co-founders Ann Christo- pleased with the conversations had. “So, the phersen and Linda Bubon and current co-owners women authors, authors of color, queer authors, Lynn Mooney and Sarah Hollenbeck. The panel trans authors, that’s the focus of this store. The discussed how each title came to be on the list. 40th anniversary is a really important milestone As they went up the list, starting at number 20 because a lot of people think of these issues as and ending at number one, each panelist took new… but Ann and Linda have been doing this turns sharing their own personal stories in rela- work since 1979 and it’s time for them to get tion to each book and its author, thoughts on some recognition for that.” the featured books and authors, as well as the The co-founders explained how all those years importance and impact of the book in the general ago it was almost impossible to find books by public. women in general bookstores. This is something “Ann and I met in graduate school in the late they wanted to conquer. ‘70s,” Bubon recalled into the microphone on the “We wanted to sell literature; we didn’t want to panel. “We were ardent feminists and we wanted sell genre fiction,” said Bubon of the store. to do something with our passion for women’s Bubon and Christophersen, both English majors literature and we decided to open a bookstore. and feminists, were on the same page of what We took all of our savings and we built every- they wanted their store to be—political and lit- thing from scratch, including our advertising and erary. W&CF, according to the two founders, has the shelves and everything. It was something two always been called a feminist bookstore that not young women could do with their savings instead only carried important feminist works, but has of, say, investing it in a PhD program. We in- also carried works related to other political and vested it in this instead.” progressive movements. The original mission, Bubon continue to describe the store’s growth they both agree, has carried on through today. from a small store that opened in November 1979 “Our background is literary,” added Christo- on Armitage Avenue to a place on Halsted in the phersen. “That’s what we knew about. We wanted ‘80s to its current location on Clark Street in a political store. We wanted to be feminists for 1990 with a store expansion in 1997. sure, but we also wanted to be literary. We want- The event was originally set to present the ed to cultivate both those subject areas.” store’s top 10 best-sellers of all time, but as the “Feminism is a dynamic movement,” Bubon ex- panelists humorously stated, there were just too plained. “It has changed and evolved over the many titles over the 40 years to keep it to 10 years and one of the reasons we’re still in busi- books. It was an evening full of nostalgia and ness is we went into this to learn things. To com- passion for women in literature as the panel pre- plete our education and further our education sented the store’s top 20 all-time best-sellers. and we’ve learned so much.” DINING OUT FOR LIFE CHICAGO “Being behind the scene of the process of mak- To learn more, visit WomenAndChildrenfirst. ing the list was a very interesting conversation,” com. APRIL 25, 2019 Hollenbeck said to Windy City Times. “It was very SAVE THE DATE Help TPAN deliver compassionate care and health services The books on W&CF’s list of 20 All-Time Bestsellers: to Chicagoans living with and affected by HIV. 1. My Life on the Road, by Gloria Steinem 10. The Courage to Heal, by Ellen Bass 2. Bad Feminist, by Roxane Gay 11. Beloved, by Toni Morrison For details, go to tpan.com/diningout 3. The House on Mango Street, by Sandra 12. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Cisneros Maya Angelou 4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, by 13. Rubyfruit Jungle, by Rita Mae Brown J.K. Rowling 14. Stone Butch Blues, by Leslie Feinberg 5. Fun Home, by Alison Bechdel 15. Sister Outsider, by Audre Lorde 6. We Are Never Meeting in Real Life, by 16. Indemnity Only, by Sara Paretsky MEDIA SPONSOR Samantha Irby 17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker 7. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood 18. Woman and Nature, by Susan Griffin Dining Out For Life is an international event involving the generous participation 8. The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey 19. This Bridge Called My Back edited, by of restaurants, volunteers, corporate sponsors, and dining patrons in more than 60 cities—raising funds to support local lifesaving HIV/AIDS services. Niffenegger Gloria Anzaldua and Cherrie Moraga In Chicago, TPAN is the producer and benefi ciary of Dining Out For Life. 9. Meditations for Women Who Do Too 20. The House of Spirits, by Isabel Allende Much, by Anne Wilson Schaef WINDY CITY TIMES March 27, 2019 27 BILLY MastersMasters

“’It didn’t kill them’ @BarbraStreisand did you really say that?!”—Dan Reed, director of Leaving Neverland, responding to Streisand’s comments on the documentary. I look high and low for a quote to kick off each column. This week, it came courtesy of Miss Bar- bra Streisand. However, it also requires a bit more discussion. In an interview with The Times of London, she talked about the documentary Leaving Neverland. Babs says she believes James Safechuck and Wade Robson. When asked her feelings about Michael Jack- son, she said, “It’s a combination of feelings. I feel bad for the children. I feel bad for him. I blame, I guess, the parents, who would allow their children to sleep with him. Why would Mi- Desperate Housewives appears in this week’s chael need these little children dressed like him column, in two very different references—and and in the shows and the dancing and the hats?” neither one is connected to Felicity Huffman. I think what they were wearing is less germane to the scenario than what they weren’t, but I Photo courtesy of Bravo see where she’s going. Alas, then she got herself in the same building and stole a bag of meth- into trouble: “His sexual needs were his sexual amphetamines! However, Nick has claimed he needs, coming from whatever childhood he has was subletting the apartment—except the super or whatever DNA he has. You can say ‘molested,’ didn’t know him (but, may I say in his defense, but those children, as you heard say, they were been there, done that). Gruber is out on $5K thrilled to be there. They both married and they bail and due back in court April 4. By the way, a both have children, so it didn’t kill them.” There’s photographer from the New York Post wanted to that sympathetic Babs we know and love. take his picture in court. Nick’s only concern was, Needless to say, this led to quite a bit of out- “How does my hair look?” Priorities. rage. Streisand attempted to clarify with a state- I just returned from Palm Springs where I at- ment: “To be crystal clear, there is no situation or tended Remembering Carol: A Tribute to Carol circumstance where it is OK for the innocence of Channing. This was a bittersweet event—but children to be taken advantage of by anyone. The happily far more sweet than bitter. The bitter, of stories these two young men shared were pain- course, is that our beloved Carol is no longer with ful to hear, and I feel nothing but sympathy for us. But, my God, the room was filled with such them. The single most important role of being a love and warmth that it was truly as if she never parent is to protect their children. It’s clear that left. It was certainly not lost on me that it took the parents of these two young men were also a dozen luminaries to create a feeling Channing victimized and seduced by fame and fantasy.” could do simply by walking into a room. Those Remember Nick Gruber? He was the former gathered shared songs and stories about some- ter. Didn’t you once have a video of him?” “model” (he said euphemistically) who was once one who was truly unique. People like Carole You’re right—I completely forgot about that! the paramour of Calvin Klein. Then he tried to Cook, Lily Tomlin, Tyne Daly, Ruta Lee, Davis Last July, I told you about Beau Mirchoff—best get a reality show with some other “winner.” Gaines and Kristin Chenoweth. Despite the star known from Desperate Housewives and Awk- (ditto) Last week, he found himself in court power in that theater, there was only one way to ward. Apparently, he indulged in several online for—get ready for it—beating up someone with end the celebration—with a video of Carol herself masturbation scenes, which some unknown par- a frying pan. On Sept. 3, 2018, Nick allegedly singing the 11 o’clock number from Hello, Dolly! amour leaked. But, don’t look a gift horse in the hit an unnamed man with a frying pan and re- To our beloved Carol—so long, dearie. mouth—especially since Beau resembles another fused to allow him to leave an apartment on East Fans of the reboot of Dynasty will be sad to part of the horse. See for yourself on BillyMas- 76th Street in NYC that belonged to co-defendant know that Nicollette Sheridan has left the ters.com. Brandon Steele. According to court documents, building. Last week, Alexis was attacked by the When we’re wrapping things up with a Beau, “The victim was treated at Lenox Hill Hospital latest person claiming to be long-lost son Adam. it’s time to end yet another column. Here’s one for several broken bones to the back, as well as How was she attacked? He pushed her head into little tidbit that I got out of Barbra’s interview a nearly severed ear and injuries to the orbital a fire and held her there. OUCH! As it turns out, which I never knew before—Streisand turned bone that could, potentially, affect vision.” Nick Alexis isn’t dead. But since Sheridan wanted out, down Michael Jackson’s request to record a duet! has been charged with second-degree assault and the producers had to be creative. This immolation Those are the little things you’ll discover when unlawful imprisonment—which you may recall is will leave her so disfigured, the character will be you check out BillyMasters.com—the site that what Boy George was charged with after he hand- easier to recast. also delivers such big things. For your burning cuffed that hooker to a bed. Our “Ask Billy” question is a response to last questions, write to me at [email protected] Why is an incident that happened more than week’s column. Kevin in Baltimore writes, and I promise to get back to you before Babs six months ago in the news? Because on March 5, “Thanks for the JO video of Tyler Posey. But I records her own version of “Bad.” Until next time, 2019, Gruber allegedly broke into an apartment think his [Now Apocalypse] co-star is even hot- remember: One man’s filth is another man’s bible. 28 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES Then, she added, “I spent almost 25 years in the beauty industry. I got a job and I loved it, and I worked my way up to being vice president of sales development at Yves Saint Laurent. I the DISH traveled around the country and to Europe quite Dining Guide in a bit—it was kind of Devil Wears Prada, but my Miranda Priestley wasn’t as bad as the [Meryl WINDY CITY TIMES Streep in the movie]. “So I wrote training modules, and I would SAVOR take cues from everyday life—and one day I The sweet life of was inspired by candy,” McDonald continued. “And I wrote one on candy and personality [a NAME Candyality founder cornerstone of Candyality, which conflates ‘candy’ “I chose the Terese McDonald and ‘personality’]. … In 2007, I was asked to last name Foxx after move to New York. I didn’t want to, and decided PROFILE BY ::CHAMILLAMegan Fox FOXX because:: BY ANDREW DAVIS to do something different. I always wanted a store TONY PEREGRIN Terese McDonald of Candyality. she’s absolutely stunning and in Chicago. I originally thought about opening DRAG PROFILEI use OF two THE Xs WEEKbecause Talking with Candyality owner/founder Terese PR photo an apothecary, but I kept going back to candy. I’m EXTRA AF!” McDonald is a fascinating journey—not just Chicago is deeply rooted in candy, [starting] about the world of sweets, but also about Times. “It lasted about a year and a half, and FIRST DRAG PERFORMANCE with the turn of the [20th] century—and it’s still “GIIIIRRRRL, I started performing in drag subjects such as politics and fashion. I had to run out of Springfield. It was an eye- called the candy capital of the world.” 11 years ago! The first time I performed That’s because McDonald’s life has been opening experience. I thought I was going to The original Candyality location was at the was for an amateur contest—I was wearing involved in those areas, and a talk with her is as change the world.” But would she ever run for corner of Newport and Southport avenues, my mom’s thigh high boots (yeah, my mom likely to result in mentions of former Illinois Gov. office? “I don’t think so. You have to put all McDonald said. “We were there for six years is that betch), a blazer dress from Forever Rod Blagojevich and fashion designer Yves Saint of yourself out there, and then there are the [starting in 2007], and then we moved down to 21, and a flat shake-and-go wig. I did Laurent as well as Laffy Taffy and jelly beans. critiques,” she replied. “If I did, it certainly the hardware store, and they built a space for us,” Nicole Scherzinger’s “Whatever U Like.” You McDonald obtained a degree in political science wouldn’t be about the money.” she added. Candyality now has three locations: in at Eastern Illinois University and eventually However, the astute McDonald is likely to give Andersonville, in Lake View and at Water Tower couldn’t tell me I wasn’t the most gorgeous found herself in the beauty/fashion industry, you her opinion on a variety of topics and people, Place. person in the room! working at such places as YSL Beaute, named including President Trump, the Kardashians When asked if candy is actually connected DRAG INSPIRATION after Laurent. and local newspapers (being an advocate of to personality, McDonald said, “We’re more like “My inspiration comes from beautiful, “I worked for Jim Thompson when he was independent publications). “I have an expanse powerful Latin women—all the villains from governor of Illinois,” McDonald told Windy City beyond candy,” she said with a laugh. Turn to page 29 the novelas and Latin pop stars. I grew up obsessed with Salma Hayek, Shakira, Thalia, Selena and Gloria Trevi. I bring that Latin flavor anytime I show up!” SPILL SOME T “The biggest misconception about me is that I’m quiet and reserved, but that’s only true at first; once I warm up to you, you get to see my real personality.” GUILTY PLEASURE “Girl, bye! I don’t feel bad about anything that brings me pleasure! Drag is my superhero cape. I do what I want!” CURRENT PROJECT “I’m currently featured on Shimmy Braun’s Guaranteed Rate billboards across Lakeview and Andersonville (Yeah, that’s meee!)” WHERE CAN WE CATCH YOU “I host a weekly show called Sunday Social at Meeting House Tavern in Andersonville every Sunday at 3 pm. It’s a fun show that features drag, burlesque and circus performers. I also I host FEEDBACK every 4th Wednesday at Scarlet with Aurora Gozmic. SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @chamillafoxx IG: @chamilla_foxx and @styledbychamilla

MARY’S SIDETRACK

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For more info CHICAGO, IL 60657 [email protected] about this opportunity visit www.allchicago.org/ DISH from page 28 • Commercial Careers (3/27/19-4) & residential GRANTS MANAGER All Chicago is seeking a Grants Willy Wonka than Albert Einstein. It’s not based • Hoarding Manager dedicated to preventing and ending on science, but it’s very well thought out—and Discounts subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. Northbrook, people tell us what we say is true. It’s a different • Errand Services homelessness. As a key team member, the Grants IL. © 2009 Allstate Insurance Co. 255110 Manager will be challenged by managing the way to buy candy.” Switching to another facet, McDonald said, [email protected] entire grants process, prospecting and cultivating 773.993.6003 relationships. For more info about this opportunity “There are so many aspects to running a store. I @welikeclean visit www.allchicago.org/Careers (3/27/19-4) had to teach myself—so many different variables, even when ordering.” When the 2008 recession hit, she said it was a scary time, but “things were MEMOIR from page 21 community, he’s done a lot of work with correc- settling out—and then the New York Times called tions employees of late. “When I first got con- in February 2009, saying it was doing a story on that triggered another set of thoughts.” Though nected with NAMI, I indicated I wasn’t comfort- candy stores and the recession. I talked about he still wears women’s running shoes, Cannon able speaking with police,” Cannon said. “And how people saw it was a small indulgence. It was said “I think companies have gotten better about yet, [police] seem like an audience that has been only, like, 40 words in the Times, but that was gender-neutral colors.” able to hear my message about how you work my tipping point, really. It got so many people so Next month, Cannon will run another marathon, with someone who’s transgender to best honor interested.” do promotion events for Dying to Hang with the their identity.” Most recently, the police depart- Candyality has a huge selection of retro Boys and further his successful career in public ment of St. Paul, Minnesota hired Cannon to train candies, but there are many other offerings as speaking. 600 officers on its new transgender policy. well. “We’re known for our licorice bar as well,” “Something about being on the stage feels This spring, Cannon will have an essay pub- McDonald said. “It speaks to my dad, who was comfortable for me,” Cannon said. Though he did lished in Queer Voices: Prose, Poetry and Pride. a huge licorice fan.” However, there are also all a bit of public speaking in college—mostly cen- The anthology “will feature artists primarily from sorts of chocolate treats, cotton candy and even tering around the chemical dependency he was the Twin Cities involved in the Queer Voices read- popcorn mixes. battling at the time—Cannon’s career really took ing series, which was one of the longest-running Interestingly, although Candyality has a off in 2012, after he connected with the National reading series in the country,” Cannon said. website, McDonald said she feels “we have to Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI). “I started in “Pretty excited about that!” stop people from using the internet. Local people small residential mental health facilities, which When asked what he’ll write next, Cannon said, don’t necessarily shop locally; people don’t go became conferences,” said Cannon, “and sudden- “I do think having finished this book, I set myself out and experience anything anymore. They’re ly I was getting requests to come in and talk on a up for a trilogy and I didn’t even realize it. I may not getting that tactile experience—and candy variety of issues: mental health, suicide preven- have to write a third book—you never know!” is very tactile. tion, neurological illness and the layered identity Dying to Hang with the Boys is available “I love candy, but what I love more is seeing of being a transgender man living with a physical through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and wher- how people interact with it,” McDonald said. and mental illness.” ever books are sold. “I love the impact candy can have on people’s While Cannon’s audiences have ranged from For more about the author, visit Runnin- lives.” social service professionals to the “brain health” gRewired.com. See http://candyality.com/. 30 March 27, 2019 WINDY CITY TIMES six powerful large-format documentary - 4:30pm Center on Halsted 3656 N rivendelltheatre.secure.force.com/ photographs showing issues of the civil Halsted Chicago http://community.cen- ticket#sections_a034A000024RLdlQAG COMMUNITY rights movement are still deeply relevant teronhalsted.org/TransVisibility?erid=96 today. from Rosa Parks, James Baldwin 60304&trid=0692708a-73d6-41cd-abf0- Friday, April 5 and David Bowie to an unnamed sanita- c6f60f73293e Seeds of Change 2019 Supporting com- CALENDAR tion striker. 10:00am - 5:00pm Illinois Transgender Day of Visibility Music, munity organizations working on issues Holocaust Museum & Education Center drag, comedy, speakers. By Chicago of racial, social, and economic justice 9603 Woods Dr. Skokie, IL 60077 http:// Theapy Collective. $34.99 6:00pm - in Chicago area. Performance by Music Wed., March 27 www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/activists- 9:00pm Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 Department students from The Chicago Young Professionals Mixer LGBT Cham- and-icons/ N. Clark St. Tickets: http://www.event- Academy for the Arts, silent auction, ber of Commerce of Illinois hosts. Co- Lights! Camera! Sing! Music from newer brite.com/e/trans-day-of-visibility- buffet dinner, open bar, awards. $135 chaired by Roxanne Meyer (CNA) & Kris movies like La La Land, old favorites 2019-tickets-58124634346?fbclid=Iw to $750. 5:30pm - 9:30pm Chicago Sangari (Events With a K). Join them for such as Casablanca, and classical like AR15wsAsiPmEYXgKwGLS91URWC-wZI- Cultural Center 78 E. Washington networking, learning, and Carnivale Uni- Amadeus. Windy City Performing Arts t7Y9exn4Y0i764QqNm0hFoAzklMOE St. Chicago 773-227-7676 Tickets: versity. Find Young Professionals Mixer celebrates diversity, honors creativity, http://crossroadsfund.org/content/ on Facebook 5:30pm Carnivale 702 W and cultivates pride through the trans- Tuesday, April 2 seeds-change-2019-tickets-and-sponso Fulton St., Chicago formative power of music and the arts. OUTspoken OUTspoken occurs on the rships?fbclid=IwAR3RmHI7M21_9_jTA- Chicago Foundation for Women’s 2019 7:00pm DePaul School of Music’s Gan- first Tuesday of every month, new sto- aGuNG-S61nqfgxz7IguRSBQvs4TnLhb- Impact Awards Honoring the local lead- non Concert Hall, 2330 N Halsted St. rytellers, stories from the perspective DoiFqWE3kuU# ers making a difference in the lives of Tickets: http://WindyCitySings.com of LGBTQ persons Doors 6pm 7:00pm Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to Presi- women and girls 6:00pm Venue Six10 Jess Glynne Jess Glynne, out bisexual Sidetrack, 3349 N Halsted St., Chicago dent Barack Obama In conversation at Spertus Institute 610 S.Michigan and first British female solo artist to http://www.sidetrackchicago.com with Susan Sher who served in the White Ave. Chicago Tickets: http://www.cfw. have seven number-one singles on the House as Assistant to the President and org/2019-impact-awards-main-page/ UK sIngles Chart. 7:30pm The Vic Thursday, April 4 Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Afterglow A married couple in an open MAKING AN IMPACT Theatre 3145 N Sheffield Ave Chicago American Veterans for Equal Rights Obama. 7:00pm Nicholas Senn HIgh relationship invite another man to share http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/ monthly meeting AVER is a non-profit, School, 5900 N. Glenwood Avenue Chi- their bed one night. When a new inti- Wed., March 27 lgbt/NUNN-ON-ONE-MUSIC-Jess-Glynne- chapter-based association of active, re- cago Tickets: http://www.brownpaper- mate connection begins to form, all Always-in-the-mix/65600.html Tickets: serve and veteran servicemembers dedi- tickets.com/event/4071562 three men must come to terms with their Reyna Ortiz will be one of http://victheater.secureboxoffice.com/ cated to full and equal rights and eq- individual definitions of love, loyalty, the recipients of the Chicago Chicago/Tickets uitable treatment. This monthly meeting Saturday, April 6 and trust. 18+. Through May 4 8:00pm Foundation for Women’s Alan Menken Stories and songs with supports the chapters work in outreach Chicago Dragons Rugby Bachelor Auc- Pride Arts Center, 4147 N. Broadway Impact Awards. eight-time Oscar winning composer and visibility for LGBTQ veterans year tion 2019 Proceeds will fund the team’s 866-811-4111 Tickets: http://www. Photo courtesy of Ortiz 7:30pm Auditorium Theatre of Roos- round. On Facebook, see AVER Chicago trips to upcoming tournaments. Includes pridefilmsandplays.com evelt University 50 E Congress Pkwy Chi- Chapter. 7:00pm Center on Halsted a silent auction. $20 in advance; $25 cago http://tickets.auditoriumtheatre. 3656 N Halsted Chicago Thursday, March 28 at the door gets you two drink tickets. Moms: The Legacy of Straight Women in org/?p=1954&promo=wct Blue Jean Ball 2019 Break out the boots 6:00pm Sidetrack, 3349 N Halsted St., Meet & Greet (Hola & Ola) LGBTQ LatinX the AIDS Community. 7:00pm Women & blue jeans for BBQ & Boot Scootin’ Chicago http://www.sidetrackchicago. & Amigos Social MeetUp event 7:00pm & Children First Bookstore 5233 N Clark Sunday, March 31 Boogie, open bar, BBQ buffet, silent auc- com - 9:00pm Headquarters Beercade, River St Chicago http://www.womenandchil- Transgender Day of Visibility Center tion and an old fashioned Barn Dance, North, 213 W Institute Pl. http://www. drenfirst.com on Halsted is currently seeking models featuring the all-female bluegrass group meetup.com/LatinX/events/259939024/ Tuesday, April 9 for our Transgender Day of Visibility Fox Crossing Stringband. Benefits Riven- LGBT Chamber of Commerce keynote Saturday, March 30 Fashion Show. Contact Patricia Blain, dell Theatre Ensemble, advancing lives Friday, March 29 breakfast Kevin Morrison, Cook Coun- Activists and Icons: Photographs of [email protected] or 312-451- of women through theatre. VIP recep- ty Commissioner in the 15th District. Victoria Noe in conversation with Owen Steve Schapiro, Challenging Status 8309. Also RSVP to attend the event tion 6 p.m. 7:00pm - 10:00pm Flower 7:30am - 9:00am Drake Hotel, 140 E. Keehnen Author Fag Hags, Divas and Quo through Lens of a Camera Forty- online. Donations welcome. 1:00pm Firm, 451 N. Wood St. Tickets: http:// Walton Pl. CONNEXIONS Family Law Donald B. Boyd, Jr.

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