SURVIVOR Chicagoan looks back on concentration

vol 32, no. 24 March 1, 2017 camps for www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Japanese- Americans By Gretchen Rachel Hammond

“Do not rely on following the degree of understanding that you have discovered, but simply think, ‘This is not enough.’” —Yamamoto Tsunemoto, Hagakure Kikigaki: The Book of the Samurai. Roy Wesley is on a quest. On the day he was born in 1942, his parents and grandparents had been ordered to relinquish all their TRANS ACTION Roy Wesley, about 5 property and report immediately to a concentration months old, at Minidoka camp. There was no due process. No one spoke up Pro-trans rally takes place in Boystown. Internment Camp, Idaho. in their defense. There were no signs of protest from Photo by Ed Negron 11 Photo courtesy of Wesley Turn to page 7

SLEEP-IN BROADWAY YOUTH CENTER DYLAN GEICK Event raises more than $20K for Center opens Uptown location. High-school athlete comes out as gay. Photo of State Sen. Heather Steans, Howard Brown Health’s Emily Byrne-Driver Photo from Geick youth homeless projects and Duke Alden, Ald. James Cappleman and Howard Brown Health CEO David Photo of artist Jasean by Hal Baim 6 Munar by Hal Baim 5 16

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com

NEW YORK POST 2 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES WINDY CITY TIMES March 1, 2017 3 NEWS South Side trans woman murdered; column 4 BYC opens Uptown location 5 Sleep-in raises $20K 6 Chicago man looks back at internment camps 7 Groups respond to Trump’s anti-trans move 10 In the Life; pro-trans protest in Lake View 11 VIEWPOINTS: Frederick; Lynch 12 647 ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS WEST MELROSE Scottish Play Scott: L.A. drama 13 BRAD LIPPITZ GROUP INDEX Boutique Real Estate, Worldwide

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SLEEP-IN BROADWAY YOUTH CENTER DYLAN GEICK Events brings in $20K. Center opens Uptown location. High-school athlete comes out as gay. Photo of artist Jasean by Hal Baim Photo of State Sen. Heather Steans, Howard Brown Health’s Emily Byrne-Driver Photo from Geick and Duke Alden, Ald. James Cappleman and Howard Brown Health CEO David 6 Munar by Hal Baim 5 16 @windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com Above: WCT breaks down the production Gender Breakdown.

NEW YORK POST Ensemble photo by Anna Sodziak

online exclusives at www.WindyCityTimes.com THE SECOND EDITION OF

BY GEORGE Bent Nights looks at shows by George Clinton (left) and Hamilton Leithauser. Photo by Vern Hester OUT CHICAGO’S LGBTQ LOGAN’S RUN VISITOR’S GUIDE

AND THE SEVENTH EDITION OF

‘wonder’ women WCT reviews the theatrical LGBTQ production A Wonder in My Soul. Wedding Guide THAT’S SHOW BIZ Find out the latest about Jodie Foster, Ricky Martin and Shania Twain. Hugh Jackman stars in the upcoming COMING SPRING 2017 superhero movie Logan. WCT Contact [email protected] plus critiques the film. DAILY BREAKING NEWS Photo by Ben Rothstein for more information 4 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Tiara Richmond: Open To Thinking Trans woman of color by Nick Patricca Understanding Steve Bannon: murdered on Dick Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. Chicago’s South Side Although I am well-trained in the art and litical structures Bannon wants to destroy. science of hermeneutics (divining the mean- For me, Bannon’s Skype address in summer By Gretchen Rachel Hammond ing of texts or the utterances of gods) and of 2014 to a conference held in Vatican City have successfully tackled many obscure but by the conservative Catholic Institute for Hu- At 6 a.m. in the Chicago South Side neighbor- interesting clumps of words, I am stymied man Dignity most clearly presents the Ban- hood of Englewood, a 24-year-old transgender by Bannon-speak: “Darkness is good. Dick non agenda. (You can read Bannon’s entire woman of color, Tiara Lashaytheboss Richmond Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. That’s power. It address at BuzzFeed courtesy of J. Lester (aka Keke Collier), was shot dead while engag- only helps us when they get it wrong. When Feder updated Nov. 16, 2016.) ing in a job that, for a majority of transgender they’re blind to who we are and what we’re In this address, Bannon articulates his na- women of color who are shunned by schools, doing.” (Interview with Michael Wolff, The tionalist, populist manifesto which: churches, employers or, in some cases, their own Hollywood Reporter, Nov. 18, 2016.) — champions ‘true’ capitalism against the family, is their only means of survival—sex work Wolff interprets the ‘they’ in this Bannon crony capitalism of the current power/money or, as it is known locally, “on the stroll.” utterance to mean ‘liberals.’ To me, this iden- elite of the U.S., against the kleptocracy Richmond’s murder makes her the second trans- tification suggests that Bannon is saying that capitalism of Russia, against the totalitarian gender woman in as many years in Chicago, fol- ‘liberals’ don’t seem to understand the nature state capitalism of China, and against the lowing the 2015 murder of T.T. Saffore. She is the of power: how to get it, how to keep it, how DAVOS capitalism of the global elite; fourth transgender individual to have lost their to use it. And, that he—Bannon—does. With — urges war against jihadist Islamic fas- lives to violence in 2017. hindsight, it does seem to be an open ques- cism; Her story did not make any national headlines. tion as to whether the Democrats squandered — argues for a class-based, populist ‘in- Tiara Richmond. Early local reports from ABC misgendered her as the first two years of the Obama presidency surrection’ of the ruined and about-to-be male. That story has since been taken down. Photo from Trans Women of Color Collective’s when they had power: popular mandate for ruined middle classes of the U.S. and Europe FB page On the evening of Feb. 22, shortly before change and control of both houses of con- against the globalist power elite; President Trump and the Department of Justice gress. And, to give ‘the Dark One’ his due, — calls for a recommitment to the Judaeo- of the South and West sides would use the adult officially revoked Obama’s guidance on Title IX as Trump’s chief campaign strategist, Bannon Christian values that made the West great section of Backpage.com in order to avoid having transgender protections, a group of 20 family did help get Trump elected president. and are now being destroyed by corrupted to be out in the open and such open targets. members and friends gathered at 76th Street and As chief strategist and senior counselor to capitalism, uncontrolled immigration and to- On Jan. 17, 2017, Backpage.com closed its Stewart Avenue in a vigil for their fallen daughter President Trump, Steve Bannon is arguably talitarian, theocratic Islam. adult section. and friend. the most influential member of the White Some of the economic and social con- Suburban Police Chiefs like Michael Kilbourne Brave Space Alliance Executive Director and House team. So: What is the Bannon Agenda? cerns of this manifesto deserve appropriate of Carpentersville hailed it in reports from the tireless community advocate LaSaia Wade was “I’m a Leninist. ... Lenin wanted to destroy discussion. Michael Novak, the conservative Chicago Tribune as the shutting off of “an avenue among the attendees at the vigil that was as the state, and that’s my goal too. I want to Catholic political thinker who recently died, that lends itself to illegal and illicit activities.” much about mourning her loss as it was celebrat- bring everything crashing down, and destroy has written in-depth on several of these key However, Wade sees the closure as putting ing and remembering Richmond as a person. all of today’s establishment.” (Interview with matters. Novak proposed practicable rem- trans women and others engaged in sex work in “The family was grieving, but it wasn’t just Ronald Radosh, Daily Beast, Aug. 22, 2016.) edies in keeping with the core values of our greater danger. tears. There was laughter, there was love,” she Are these the utterances of an ‘enfant ter- civilization and Catholic tradition. Bannon “The closure of Backpage was an attack by con- told Windy City Times. “[Tiara] was the oldest rible,’ an ‘idiot savant,’ an ‘agent provoca- seems preoccupied with the destruction of servatives,” she said. “What kills me about that is sibling of three girls and she was really loved by teur,’ or of an adroit practitioner of rhetorical the status quo rather than with the creation that conservatives were on Backpage looking for her family. She was the life of the party.” guerrilla political theater? Is it possible that of constructive alternatives. sex workers. A lot of sex workers reached out to Wade added that, when Richmond went out to Harvard-trained Steve Bannon does not know It is also alarming that Bannon seems to me and asked, ‘What am I supposed to do now?’ enjoy herself with her friends, she was the envy that Lenin’s ‘Bolshevik dictatorship of the be willing to tolerate racist and anti-LGBTQ It cut off a vital avenue for their income. People of the dance floor. proletariat’ created the most efficient killer rhetoric and actions among those who rally have to go back on the street again.” “Her sisters said that she was a person you totalitarian state ever inflicted upon the hu- to his flag, believing that these ‘aberrations’ The street was where Richmond was robbed of could always talk to,” Wade said. “The one they man race?! will fade away as his agenda begins to oper- her life. Saffore in 2015 and Paige Clay and Tif- confided in. They didn’t understand, but they Before joining the Trump team, Stephen ate in the political arena. fany Gooden in 2012. Each of those crimes re- knew she was family so they really didn’t care. No ‘Steve’ Bannon was an executive with Bre- When I asked a colleague what she thought mains unsolved. matter what, she had a place to go.” itbart News which Bannon himself described about Bannon she quipped: “Bannon never It was where Eisha Love was arrested in 2012 During the vigil, one individual said that, de- as a platform for the ‘alt-right.’ I assume ‘alt- met an issue he could not solve with a nucle- and jailed in Cook County’s maximum security spite the love of her family, it was hard for Rich- right’ means alternative right-wing politics ar holocaust.” Division IX for four years without a trial until mond to make a living “as who she was.” at odds with the neo-cons, the establishment Bannon is smart; he’s a thinker and a doer. she accepted a plea deal in 2015 that saw her Wade also wondered why Richmond was mis- Republican Party, and such traditional con- We need to pay attention. freedom. gendered by the CPD and the press when her servatives as George Will and William Kristol It was where Richmond—a Black woman be- gender identity was accepted by her family and of the National Review—all part of the po- © [email protected] friends. loved of her family and friends but with few if any There is a nationwide movement to legalize other options in terms of work was robbed of her Nick Patricca is professor emeritus at Loyola University Chicago, president of Chicago Network sex-work as a means of reducing the violence life. Her family, friends and advocates like Wade faced by those who engage in it either as their mourn her alone. and playwright emeritus at Victory Gardens Theater. only means of survival, or in some cases, a career. Note: Read about a trans murder in New Or- Many of the transgender women on the streets leans on page 11.

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com WINDY CITY TIMES March 1, 2017 5 Broadway Youth Center launches Uptown location By Matt Simonette utilizing the space. “They’d never had the opportunity to be with After several years in temporary quarters, Broad- designers and say what they’ve wanted,” he add- way Youth Center (BYC) has a permanent home. ed. “These rooms feel like a real place and not BYC held the grand opening of its new Uptown just a church basement.” facility at 4009 N. Broadway on Feb. 22. Among those also speaking Feb. 22 were How- In his remarks, David Munar, president and CEO ard Brown Health board’s Executive Vice Chair of Howard Brown Health, which operates BYC, Emily Byrne-Driver, BYC Executive Director La- said, “We’ve worked the last three years to get tonya Maley, Ald. James Cappleman (46th) and to this place. ... We’re so excited that, in 2017, state Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago). there’s something to celebrate.” Nick, a young man who has utilized BYC’s ser- The drop-in center had been operating out vices for about two years, also spoke. He said of the basement of Wellington Avenue United when he encountered trying times, he was able Church of Christ. BYC had difficulties with the to obtain clothes and get help completing his neighbors there, and had to go before the city’s education through BYC. zoning board to get a variance to stay. But How- “It has opened my mind in new ways, and Staff and supporters of BYC at the ribbon cutting. ard Brown Board President Duke Alden emphati- opened me up to new ideas,” Nick said. Photo by Hal Baim cally thanked church officials for their support during those difficult circumstances. “The work your church and congregation did to welcome us into your home kept [BYC’s] mission alive,” Alden said. The new facility, which, including the $400,000 build-out, will cost about $1.2 million over the course of its five-year lease from Thorek Hospital. The space should allow for a significant expan- sion of BYC’s clientele, according to Lead Youth HIV Test Counselor Edwin Ervin. The Wellington HUMAN FIRST GALA Avenue location allowed for about 1,300 visits 5/20/17 per year, he said. The new location should allow for about 1,500-2,000 visits. Fewer space limitations also means that vari- ous service providers won’t have to take turns interacting with clients, Ervin added. “We can run all the services at the same time,” he said. “We’re able to see more people. We can test more people. We can expand our services even more.” The nonprofit Designs for Dignity designed the space, donating about 50 hours to the project, said CEO Jennifer Sobecki. Designer John Michon said his team met with the youth who would be

Trans Liberation TEN protest March 3 XUBERANT A pro-transgender rally will take place Fri- YRS day, March 3, 6-9 p.m., in Chicago’s Loop at Wacker Street and Wabash Avenue. According to the event’s Facebook page, approximately 1,500 people planned on at- tending as of Feb. 28. On that same people, it is stated “We will be protesting the overturned school protec- tions for trans students across this nation and fighting for trans liberation. We will chant for Keke Collier who was killed just this SPARCINC.COM SPARCINC.COM week on Chicago soil, the 4th known killing * Celebrate Ten Years and Human First 2017 Honoree Fred Eychaner along with Gala Co-Chairs of a trans person this year.” Duane M. DesParte + John C. Schneider, Anne Kaplan, Robert Kohl + Clark Pellett, Laura Ricketts+ See “Trans Liberation Protest Chicago” on Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Michael + Cari Saks at The Geraghty Chicago once again. Tix on sale now! CENTERONHALSTED.ORG/XTRAVAGALA #RISEWITHUS Facebook. DESIGN: RICHARDCASSIS DESIGN: 6 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES

Tameka.

Above: Organist Chelsie Coren (left) and Chicago singer Taylor Bennett (right). All photos by Hal Baim More than $20K raised at sleep-in for youth homeless agencies Sami Grisafe. Chicago rapper Taylor Bennett made a surprise appearance Feb. 24 at the second Out in the Open Sleep In to benefit youth-serving home- less projects in Chicago. More than 100 people attended the concert portion of the event, and about two dozen stayed over night inside the Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 S. Michigan Ave., host of this year’s Sleep In. More than $20,000 have been pledged so far for the benefit, with funds distributed among 13 agencies. The website will stay open for two weeks to accept more donations; visit SleepInChicago.org. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Illinois state Rep. Juliana Stratton and Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell all spoke about their commit- ment to working on youth homeless issues. Artist Erik R. Sosa donated 100 percent of proceeds of sales of his art exhibited at the show. Jasean, a youth activist, also showed his Jaymal Green of Magostee Allstars. work. Center on Halsted hosted a satellite event the same evening, with youth sleeping in at 3656 N. Halsted St. More than a dozen youth who have experienced homelessness spoke passionately at the church Sleep In, telling their personal stories, and sharing their dreams for a better future. Many were speaking for the Above: Emcees Fawzia Mirza (left) and NBC report Lee Ann Trotter. Below: Poet E. first time in public. The youth were from All Chicago’s Youth Advisory Nina Jay. Board, Broadway Youth Center, The 750 Club and El Rescate, among other agencies. A full video of the event will be available soon. In addition to rapper Taylor Bennett—who came to the show right after his own record release—performers and poets at the event in- cluded Melo Makes Music, Lucy Smith, Jess Godwin, Sonny Apollo, Jocelyn David. Yohan, Alma Mendoza, Sami Grisafe, Jace, Jaymal Green from Majo- stee Allstars, Morocco Brown, and on the church’s beautiful organ, University of Chicago student Chelsie Coren. Poet e. nina jay read from her work. Fawzia Mirza and NBC Chicago’s LeeAnn Trotter emceed the event. This year’s partner agencies were The 750 Club Apartment Adoption Project, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Broadway Youth Center of How- ard Brown Health, Center on Halsted, Chicago Youth Storage Initia- tive, El Rescate, La Casa Norte, LYTE Collective, New Moms, The Night Ministry, Pride Action Tank, Teen Living Programs and Unity Parenting. The event’s hosts included Pride Action Tank, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Edelman, agencyEA, Windy City Times newspaper, Second Presbyterian Church, along with a wide range of other partners. Polo Cafe & Catering and Big Shoulders Coffee donated food and beverages. Aladdin. WINDY CITY TIMES March 1, 2017 7 SURVIVOR from cover those being loaded onto trains for transportation or their neighbors. They were not living in Nazi-occupied Europe, Roy Wesley. but Portland, Oregon. Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond Wesley spent the first two years of his life in detention with almost 127,000 of his fellow Japanese-Americans. From the moment Wesley rose to greet Windy City Times from the equally unassuming corner of an Uptown restaurant, the character in both phrasing and timbre of this openly gay musician and biologist was one of elegant tenderness. “That’s actually a good starting point,” he suggested with a smile after he spelled out his name. “Being a Japanese American, how did I end up with an English name?” The answer can be found within the footprints of a journey which began in 1890. Wesley has set out to uncover them and, through the book he is writing, bequeath them to the future as lessons which, as xenophobic nationalism returns in force to America, can help extinguish it through historical and cultural literacy. The seeds of Wesley’s family are planted in a work ethic fashioned through the arduous, ceaseless labor at the rice paddies boxed across the prefectures of Southeast Japan and the fearless heart of the Uyesugi clan of Samurai warriors. When his grandfather Kojiro arrived in Seattle Tribune founder and politician Horace Greeley who after the founder of the Methodist Church to particularly West Coast congressmen, DeWitt at the close of the 19th century, he and eventually claimed that Asians were “uncivilized, unclean, which his parents had converted. Wesley noted recommended “the establishment of board civil his Japanese wife needed both the work ethic and filthy beyond all conception without any of that, despite his grandparent’s objections, control, anti-sabotage and counter-espionage and the heart to prevail. the higher domestic or social relations.” Newton made the decision as a businessman. measures” against Japanese communities in “He worked very hard to make a living on the Like Trump’s now-infamous charge against “Uyesegi was not only difficult to spell or the United States despite the 1941 Munson railroads in California and in the lumber mills of Latinos that “they’re bringing drugs, they’re pronounce, but my father was an optometrist and Report authored by the State Department which Oregon,” Wesley said. “The mill was in Westport, bringing crime,” the unsubstantiated rhetoric nobody would ever be able to find him,” Wesley concluded that, “There is no Japanese ‘problem’ along the Columbia River. There were 125 was swallowed hook, line and sinker by white, said. “My grandparents wondered why he would on the Coast. There will be no armed uprising of Japanese immigrants working there. They were blue-collar communities who were whipped up want to change something that had been a proud Japanese.” very isolated as a community. There was a camp into a hateful charge against immigrants through family name for thousands of years. They finally President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed of cabins set up, surrounded by the forest and a perceived menace of lost jobs waved in front of accepted it because of what happened in the Presidential Proclamation 2537 on Jan. 14, that’s where my father was born.” them by political and social matadors in search of war.” 1942, which forced Japanese aliens to register It was October 1917. Wesley’s father was named money and power. For almost his entire upbringing, the years with the Department of Defense as “Aliens of Newton (after Sir Isaac). Instead of Latinos and Muslims, “Yellow Peril” between 1942 and 1945 were never discussed Enemy Nationality.” Their assets were frozen and Although their playground was both placed people from countries in what the Johnson- among Wesley’s family—something he said was movements restricted. breathtaking in its beauty and, according to Reed Act called the “Asiatic Barred Zone” in the “not unusual for all Japanese families. There Less than a month later, Roosevelt issued Wesley, not so far removed from his grandfather’s crosshairs of demonization and the resulting was a shame associated with it so nobody ever Executive Order 9066, which began the evacuation Japanese birthplace, Newton and his four younger physical attack then by white communities in wanted to bring it up.” and internment of over 120,000 Japanese people siblings quickly learned survival skills such as the Western United States. Japanese immigrants The family kept its silence for nearly four on the West Coast. swimming, hunting and fishing, while Kojiro (called Issei) were denied even basic civil rights. decades. In 1980, Congress established the “My father had to lose his optometry practice, worked two shifts at the mill until he was able When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Commission on Wartime Relocation and my grandfather had to sell several hotels and his to save enough money with which to buy a farm. Dec. 7, 1941, Yellow Peril reached its zenith. Internment of Civilians (CWRIC). Public hearings grocery store in Portland, Oregon,” Wesley said. “When it came to farming, my grandfather ran Wesley’s older brother was born two days were held in cities across the United States “Everything that they worked for was sold for ten into prejudice because Japanese farmers worked afterward. (including Chicago). Japanese families were cents on the dollar. Farmers had to give up their very hard and the crops they sold at market Lieutenant General John Lesesne DeWitt, then finally given a voice as they recalled their properties to a land grab by greedy neighbors. made them an economic threat,” Wesley said. in charge of Western Defense Command, stated experiences and sought redress. The family had to decide what they were going to “But there was always an undercurrent of racial that, “The Japanese race is an enemy race and “That was the big opening,” Wesley said. “Then take to the camp. They could only bring whatever prejudice and discrimination that was fueled by while many second and third generation Japanese certainly George Takei’s influence as a Hollywood they could carry by hand.” the press and the government itself.” born on United States soil, possessed of United star has helped that effort so that people are With the concentration camps still under Asian Exclusion was built into the 1924 States citizenship, have become ‘Americanized,’ more aware of it now than ever before.” construction, Wesley’s family were initially sent Johnson-Reed Immigration Act which was signed the racial strains are undiluted.” As Wesley described the years between 1942 to a hastily organized detention center at the into law by President Calvin Coolidge. By then, Newton (termed a U.S.-born Nisei) and 1945 to Windy City Times, his amiable, Portland International Exhibition Stockyards. It put a halt to Japanese immigration and had built a successful life as an optometrist and matter-of-fact tone was tinged with sadness and On the same day they were supposed to leave, denied citizenship to Japanese residents. The was an active community church member. It was resentment. Cecilia gave birth to Wesley. She was allowed Act was born out of “Yellow Peril,” which was a at a church social event in 1927 that he met “Many Japanese now call them concentration three days in the hospital to recover before being term historians believe was first used by German Cecilia Sasaki, the daughter of two accomplished camps,” he said. “Because, in the technical sense transported to the stockyards along with her Kaiser Wilhelm II and was picked up by American musicians. He eventually married her after a of the word, that’s what they were and that’s infant son. newspapers. three-year courtship. even what Roosevelt called them.” “We were housed where the animals used to In the late 1800s, it was the likes of New York Newton also changed his last name to Wesley Following Pearl Harbor, with the support of Turn to page 8 8 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES SURVIVOR from page 7 be,” Wesley said. “The stalls were already there so plywood floors were put down and [canvas] was draped over the top.” The average size of the stalls given to families was 20 by 14 feet. “There was still a lot of manure under the plywood floors,” Wesley said. “In the Spring, there were thousands of flies. So, the government issued strips of fly-paper which hardly helped. Sanitation was terrible and people were getting sick.” As a community leader and president of the Portland, Oregon Japanese-American Citizen League, Newton was assigned to the camp’s Administrative Board. “A lot of the Japanese in the camp thought that the Citizen League was in collusion with the government,” Wesley said. “It wasn’t true but there was a resentment and my father didn’t want to stay in that environment. A number of schools in the country were trying to help Japanese- Americans get away from the West Coast.” One of them was Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. “My father applied to continue his education there,” Wesley said. “The Governor of Oregon and the Mayor of Portland wrote letters of support Roy Wesley (right) with husband, Mark Weber. and so, after five months, he and my Uncle were Photo courtesy of Wesley

released to go to Earlham to study. That left my different eating hours. It was a way of demeaning grandparents, mom, brother and me in the camp.” people and keeping them in line.” A month after Newton left, the family was He showed Windy City Times pictures taken of transported by train to what was then a desert Cecilia, himself and his brother in the camp. “I off the Snake River in Minidoka, Idaho. The camp was amazed she got these because internees were there was opened on Aug. 10, 1942 and held not allowed cameras,” he said. “Everything had to 9,397 Japanese-Americans. be done by the internees. Because many of them As described, by the Minidoka Internment were farmers, they ran irrigation channels from National Historic Site, the camp “had 35 the river into the desert. It was the beginning residential blocks, each of which consisted of 12 of agriculture in that area and, today, it is a sleeping quarters. All of these blocks included flourishing industry.” a central H shaped building, where residents Wesley described life for a mother trying to could shower and do their laundry. Although raise two children in Minidoka as one “with no the 946-acre camp mirrored a fully functioning dignity. The disruption of family life changed town, the five miles of barbed wire fencing, eight people. They became very depressed. Men became watchtowers, and the overall military presence alcoholics afterwards because they lost the sense separated the Minidoka Relocation Center from of pride in themselves. They were angry and neighboring communities.” frustrated.” “Life was extremely difficult,” Wesley said. “In However, extraordinarily, that anger was the Winter, the temperature would go down to not directed towards the government that had minus-20 degrees. We had one pot-belly stove imprisoned them. in each 10’ by 10’ square room-per-family. When “The Japanese mentality is very internalized,” the snow and ice thawed, the whole camp area Wesley said. “It’s more, ‘What did I do wrong?’ turned into mud. When you tried to get from one They were ashamed thinking they were the ones place to another, you were immersed in it. In the who started the war and so had to bear the brunt Summer the temperature was unbearably hot. The of it. Millions of people were killed during the fire winds would send sand sweeping through the bombings of Japan and when the atomic bombs camp. I was a baby and I couldn’t crawl on the were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki but, floor because it was just bare wood with a lot again, feelings were internalized even though splinters.” there was so much grief because of the family “Food was basically K-rations,” he added. connections.” “Spam mainly, sometimes hot dogs. Rice was Minidoka was closed Oct. 28, 1945. available. Families couldn’t eat together. Men Wesley’s grandparents remained there the ate with men, women with women and they had entire time. Cecilia and the children were able to leave in February 1944 after their father, who was working at an optometry school in Chicago, negotiated their release. Left: Roy Wesley’s mother, Cecilia Wesley Two students in Newton’s class began (née Sasaki), with brother Lee, at Minidoka researching the idea of more comfortable contact Internment Camp, Idaho. lenses. Suffering from his own degenerative Photo courtesy of Wesley WINDY CITY TIMES March 1, 2017 9 ocular disease which was relieved only by I wanted,” Wesley asserted. “He died five years uncomfortable lenses that could only be worn for ago, but I decided to write his biography on his an hour-per-day, Newton engaged the students to 100th birthday as a way of coming to grips with Grassroots meeting work with him. After three years, they succeeded who my dad was as a person. He was never going and developed the first contact lenses to be mass to be the loving, caring person I created in my marketed and sold nationwide. mind. You have to confront that truth. Your life about electoral outreach, “By 1955, he had the largest contact lens can be so much richer if you uncover the things business in the United States,” Wesley said. “He in the past that inform who you are today.” was always so busy and gone a lot of the time, That discovery and the understanding which intersectionality so I really didn’t get to know him. It was very followed changed Wesley’s life. hard on my mom who just wanted the family to “I have had a profound sense of sorrow for By Carrie Maxwell be together.” what everybody went through in detention,” he From the age of five, Wesley was coming to added. “I went back to the Portland stockyards LGBTQ Impact held a grassroots community meet- terms with his own sexuality. He never told his on this beautiful, quiet, sunny morning and I just ing Feb. 22 at Mary’s Attic to discuss electoral mother, who passed away in 1973. listened. I could hear the anguish of the voices outreach and the importance of intersectionality. Inspired by composers such as Leonard reaching from the past.” Featured panelists Jhonmar Castillo, Rowkee- Bernstein, Wesley displayed an extraordinary The nationalistic rhetoric of the 2016 election, na Ellis, Rick Garcia, Gretchen Rachel Hammond aptitude as a pianist. However, in college, he the fears drawn upon and manipulated by Trump (who also writes for this publication) and Rich- majored in comparative literature and science. He and the decisions that have been made since Jan. ard Streetman addressed a packed house of about 75 people on a variety of progressive issues and ways the community can move the ball forward. Event organizer John Zmuda introduced the panel ahead of their remarks. Streetman encouraged attendees to publicize Richard Streetman, Rick Garcia, Rowkeena the event via social media and then spoke about Ellis, Gretchen Rachel Hammond (back row) the history of the LGBTQ movement over the past and Jhonmar Castillo (front). 50 years. Photo by Carrie Maxwell “We’ve gained a measure of equality over the years and we aren’t going back to 1969, before fairly and equitably under the law.” we had those rights,” said Streetman. Garcia explained that in the past two months Garcia noted how thrilled he was at the large there have been two anti-LGBTQ bills introduced number of attendees that evening. He explained in the Illinois state legislature, so the communi- that LGBTQ Impact is a grassroots organization ty’s work isn’t done in Illinois. He said people in not tied to bigger local or national LGBTQ organi- the Chicagoland area are extremely lucky to live zations or elected officials. in a liberal bubble that values LGBTQ equality. “We have to stand up, get together and orga- Garcia noted that the reason why LGBTQ equality nize … we have to go where the rubber hits the is the law of the land in Illinois is because of the road,” said Garcia. “This means helping people tenacity of a number of individuals who lobbied register to vote and coming out to rallies. It also elected officials to make that happen. means helping with the fight for healthcare ac- Images of “Jap hunting licenses,” giving an idea of “I know there is someone here that should run cess, women’s rights, immigration and #Black- for office who could stand up for all of us,” said the political climate of the US in the early 1940s. LivesMatter, because it isn’t just about LGBTQ Images from authentichistory.com Garcia. issues, it’s about all of us. Because LGBTQ people Ellis began her remarks with an Audre Lorde are Black, white, Latinx and Asian, and also ei- quote—”There is no such thing as a single-issue ther Muslim, Christian, Jewish or atheist, and completed his education with a Ph.D. from CUNY 20, 2017 have forced Wesley to wonder whether each and every one of us is entitled to be treated Turn to page 11 in molecular biology. the United States has at all learned from the It was there that he met and married his wife. lessons history tried to teach it 75 years ago. “It’s funny how you follow the course of your life “It’s painful to think about the disruption of because that’s what society dictates,” Wesley lives and the impact of someone blithely signing Activism meet-ups, said. “But you are still left unsatisfied and still an order which excludes and displaces people,” personal book recommendations, longing for the truth inside you. I told my ex- he said. “You think about all these people who wife before we got married that I liked men but are living in a terrible state of limbo and could weekly events, Kids Storytime, and more! she thought I could change. But you can’t hide be destroyed when ICE finds them and they have forever.” to leave everything they have worked for behind. There are so many reasons to support The couple had two children in the 15 years It’s unconscionable and awful to watch.” they were together. However, for Wesley, there is one difference Chicago’s only feminist bookstore. Wesley spent a decade working with his father between current events and the Japanese at his foundation in Chicago. experience in 1942 and it gives him hope. It was at an Evanston gymnasium that Wesley “There’s a huge population which is supporting met and fell in love with Mark Weber. “My wife resistance,” he said. “They are making enough took it very hard,” he said his voice trembling noise that maybe things can move forward with emotion. “She wanted to keep the family differently. Back then, there were posters for together but I had imprisoned myself by covering hunting licenses which said that it was ‘OK to up my feelings.” kill a Jap.’ But if we don’t take the lessons of Wesley has remained with Mark, now his history seriously, everything will be diminished husband, ever since. over time. The strength of our country has always The decision to write about Newton’s life been other ideas, cultures, new ways of looking immersed Wesley in his family’s immigrant story at things. To all live in the same mold could be and their own imprisonment in 1942. the end of the great experiment in democracy.” “I never got to know my father in the way that 10 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES dents are allowed to be themselves, they thrive. Even as they face exponentially growing fears This guidance changes and saves lives and hurts from within their own community, The Asso- Groups respond to Trump no one. It should not be withdrawn.” ciation of Latino/as Motivating Action (ALMA) The New York-based Family Equality Council showed solidarity with transgender children called the action a “regressive and reprehensible when they called the decision “disappointing and removal of Title IX step backward.” wrong” and encouraged people to immediately Locally, Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson echo those feelings to legislators. stated that “rescinding the guidance sends a ter- “Now more than ever, they need to hear from transgender protections rible message and invites personal bias to flour- you and they need to stand up for our transgen- ish in our schools.” der and gender-nonconforming students,” the or- By Gretchen Rachel Hammond Johnson called upon Illinois schools to support ganization concluded. transgender students noting that it was a “legal The Trump administration drew first blood in and moral duty.” what many believe is a systematic erosion of LG- BTQ civil rights during the evening hours of Feb. 22 when President Obama’s guidelines extending Title IX protections to transgender students were Lake County rolled back, ironically, without the fanfare of publicity which has surrounded each of Trump’s board chair executive orders. Nevertheless, reaction from advocacy groups comes out as gay By Matt Simonette nationwide and in Chicago was as swift as it was vocal. Speaking at a College of Lake County event pro- “We all know that Donald Trump is a bully, but moting tolerance Feb. 19, Lake County Board his attack on transgender children today is a new Chairman Aaron Lawlor, while discussing Illi- low. nois anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBT Lambda Legal CEO Rachel B. Tiven said in a residents, intimated that he himself depended statement, “Attorney General Jeff Sessions and on those laws. In an interview shortly after- Aaron Lawlor. Secretary DeVos give us sickening echoes of the ward, he confirmed that he is gay. racially segregated schools era by claiming that Photo courtesy of Lawlor Later that week, Lawlor told Windy City Times enforcement of this federal civil rights law is a that his being gay was one of “Lake County’s cially politically active in Lake County beyond ‘states’ rights issue.’” worst-kept secrets,” in that he’s long been out some PFLAG chapters and gay-straight alliances A joint statement from The Leadership Confer- to friends and family but had not discussed his in local schools, adding, “That’s something I ence on Civil and Human Rights, the National Lambda Legal CEO Rachel B. Tiven. sexuality in a public setting. especially feel an opportunity to engage and Center for Transgender Equality, GLSEN, the Na- Photo by Matt Simonette “In a lot of ways, I felt that what I did [Feb. speak to. I sometimes feel like I want to print tional Women’s Law Center, the NAACP Legal De- 19] was not that big a deal,” he explained. “Af- up t-shirts that say, ‘Yes, we’re in the suburbs.’’ fense and Educational Fund, Inc., the American can still take legal action when schools cross the ter I read a lot of posts and emails that I got in Lawlor affirmed his commitment to working Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign line and discriminate against them because they response, I thought, ‘Wow, this is really some- on LGBT-rights issues, but said he’d be bal- (HRC), and MALDEF read in part that the Trump are transgender.” thing.’ It was just the first time I’d discussed it ancing it with his work on the county board, administration “have sent a deeply troubling However, this may be of little comfort to ter- with a reporter in the room.” which, quite often, didn’t overlap. message to students that the administration will rified transgender students and their parents na- Lawlor, a Republican, has been county board “The board hardly ever takes positions that not stand up for students’ civil rights.” tionwide. In a brief statement, PFLAG national chair since 2012. He represents District 18, say, ‘It is the sense of the county board that “We condemn the administration’s decision, verbalized those concerns. which is composed of Vernon Hills and Indian this issue is good or bad,’” he said. “It’s im- vow to fight to enforce Title IX, which contin- “PFLAG hearts everywhere are with the worried Creek, as well as parts of Hawthorn Woods, portant to recognize I have deeply held beliefs ues to protect transgender students, and call on parents who will be kept awake tonight, and the Long Grove, Mundelein and other parts of unin- about equality issues and I advocate for them individual schools and districts to treat students kids who will be scared to go to school in the corporated Lake County. His position as chair- regularly as an individual elected official. But consistent with their gender identity and consis- morning,” the organization said. “Tomorrow we man is determined by fellow board members, the measure of success or failure in our office tent with the rescinded guidance that accurately will fight even harder for the protections that not the electorate. is the strength of our budget, or whether we explained the law,” they added. Title IX still affords all transgender youth across He said, “I never ran for county board to be are making our pension payments, or have a American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) LGBT the country.” ‘the youngest’ or ‘the first gay’ [officeholder]— triple-A credit rating. You’re not talking about Project Director James Esseks echoed those sen- The son of one such mother Katharine Prescott I ran to help the people that I represent, and I gay or straight issues—they’re good govern- timents while ACLU Senior Staff Attorney Joshua took his own life after relentless discrimination want to be thought of that way … I feel like ment issues.” Block reaffirmed that the real battle over Title IX that he suffered at his school. Her determination I had to wait for a point in my career where I will be in the courts. that no other parent should suffer the loss of a had some achievements under my belt and a “Revoking the guidance shows that the presi- child as she did drove her to the Obama admin- reputation for a certain portfolio of work. That, Trans multimedia dent’s promise to protect LGBT rights was just istration in order to play a vital role in crafting and the discussions about diversity going on, empty rhetoric,” Esseks said. “School districts project announced those guidelines. meant [the time] was a good fit.” recognize [they] should continue doing the right Regarding the annual observance of Inter- “I would welcome the chance to share my story Lawlor was hard-pressed to find any nega- thing; for the rest, we’ll see them in court.” national Transgender Day of Visibility (March with Secretary DeVos and Attorney General Ses- tive reaction from his constituents, adding “While it’s disappointing to see the Trump ad- 31), Chicago activist Meggan Sommerville has sions to help them understand the real-life im- that he’d received an especially moving mes- ministration revoke the guidance, the administra- announced a multimedia project, “See Me!,” plications of reversing the Title IX guidance for sage from a local adolescents’ physician that tion cannot change what Title IX means,” Block in collaboration with singer/songwriter Sidney protecting transgender students,” Prescott said. said his coming out had the potential to help asserted. Chase. It is unknown whether either have the desire or save lives. “Fortunately, the White House does not have The crowd-sourced project will culminate in a the political will to take Prescott up on her offer. “If that’s true, I hope it’s the case that the the power to singlehandedly change federal law, video series showing selfies sent by members of “This guidance was developed and issued to way I went about it was the right thing,” Law- and school districts across the country are still the U.S. and international transgender commu- support transgender students because the real- lor said. “It wasn’t about a rainbow ticker-tape legally obligated to comply with Title IX and nity set to original, exclusive music by Chase. ity is that they are far more likely to face severe parade. I wanted to be connected with people, protect transgender students,” Transgender Law Visit Facebook.com/TransDayOfVisibility to violence and discrimination at school than their and strike a cord and provide value and insight Center Executive Director Kris Hayashi added. “No download branded posters to optionally include peers, placing them at greatly increased risk of that they can reflect on their own lives.” matter what this administration says, the law re- in selfies. Email pics to [email protected] suicide and self-harm as a result,” GLSEN Execu- He said that the LGBT community is not espe- by March 10. mains on transgender students’ side and students tive Director Dr. Eliza Byard added. “When stu- WINDY CITY TIMES March 1, 2017 11

Pro-trans rally takes place in Lake View

By Ed Negròn While there were several Latinx people who spoke about their fight for transgender rights Chicago’s LGBT community joined communities as well as immigrant rights, Black trans speak- across the nation to protest the Trump adminis- ers were noticeably absent. According to various tration’s rescinded guidance from the Obama ad- social-media discussions, the reason for this ab- ministration that protected transgender students sence was that many Black trans people (among in public schools. others in the trans community) do not feel wel- Intersectionality was highlighted in nearly ev- come or safe the Boystown, and therefore chose ery speech at the Feb. 25 event, held at Halsted not to attend or support this rally. and Roscoe. The majority of the speakers were Another protest, Trans Liberation Protest trans and non-binary individuals. The non-trans Chicago, is slated to take place downtown on organizers took on a role of setting the stage, Friday, March 3. For more information, visit providing a platform, but then stayed in the the Trans Liberation Protest Chicago event background in a supportive role while a variety page on Facebook at https://www.facebook. of trans voices were centered. com/events/1933015373598471/?active_ Karari Olvera Orozco speaks at the rally. Politicians such as state Rep. Greg Harris and tab=discussion. Photos by Ed Negron U.S. Rep Mike Quigley also spoke.

GRASSROOTS from page 9 Collier (who also went by the name Tiara Rich- that’s where my expertise comes into play,” said Impact’s message via social media. mond), the fourth transgender person of color Castillo. “We need to be on the ground and on- A Q&A and strategy session followed the panel- struggle because we do not live single-issue murdered in Chicago since 2012, and asked for a line because we can make a lot of noise … but ists’ remarks. lives.” moment of silence. Hammond explained that the we also need to make sure we have a strategy The group will meet Wed., March 8, at 7 p.m. “I’m here to speak about intersectionality,” rhetoric used to demonize transgender people is that makes us effective wherever our message at Mary’s Attic to talk about the next steps as said Ellis. “Intersectionality was coined by Kim- at an all-time high. She said there is a chasm appears.” well as plan for the Pride March on Washington berlé Crenshaw, a leading scholar in critical race between transgender people of color and white Panelists called on attendees to sign-up as a in June. theory. The term describes how different forms transgender people that needs to be addressed. potential candidate for office, lobby legislators See http://LGBTQImpact.com/ and https:// of discrimination can interact and overlap. I am “An attack on transgender people is an attack on intersectional progressive issues, attend ral- www.facebook.com/lgbtqimpact/ for more infor- a Black, gay, able-bodied woman. These things on all of you, because you can remember those lies, register folks to vote and/or amplify LGBTQ mation. make up the fabric of me. We are all comprised of moments when you were bullied or attacked be- different fabrics that come together to create our cause of who you are,” said Hammond. “We have human existence.” to realize we have commonalities … this is the According to Roberts. Gibson’s body was Ellis explained that “45” (her name for Donald greatest enemy [Trump and his administration] Fifth trans woman found in the parking lot of a New Orleans East Trump) has been in office for less than 100 days, we’ve faced as a community and as a country. As of color murdered shopping center. She had been shot multiple and that, as a result, the progress that was made an immigrant myself [she grew up in Manchester, times. Originally from New Orleans, Gibson had has instead regressed due to various executive United Kingdom], I find the current situation so- moved to California but returned to her birth- bering, but we can win this fight if we organize in New Orleans orders and an inexperienced cabinet that is the By Gretchen Rachel Hammond place in order to celebrate Mardi Gras. least diverse since the Reagan era. She said that and get out there with our message beyond the Roberts added that a local television news now is the time to come together to fight. Chicago bubble.” On Feb. 25, New Orleans ballroom star Chyna station WWL-TV misgendered Gibson in their “An injustice for one is an injustice for all,” Castillo spoke about a recent visit to one of the Gibson AKA Chyna Doll Dupree became the fifth original report. said Ellis. “It’s not us vs. them, it’s all of us. I am state legislators and the question they posed to transgender woman of color murdered in 2017 Other news outlets except WWL updated their my immigrant brother and sister. I am my Muslim him about why the LGBTQ community only goes and the sixth transgender/gender non-con- stories to the correct gender following Robert’s brother and sister. I am my Black brother and sis- to them when they need their specific issues ad- forming individual to be killed since January 1. post. ter. I am my transgender brother and sister. I am dressed. He said that conversation was the cata- Her death was reported by award-winning A memorial for Gibson was held Feb. 26. my non-able-bodied brother and sister. … I will lyst for starting LGBTQ Impact to address a wider journalist Monica Roberts on her Trans Griot Trans Griot article: www.transgriot.blogspot. fight because I believe in humanity.” set of intersectional progressive issues, not just blog. com/2017/02/rest-in-power-and-peace-chyna- Hammond’s focus was on transgender people LGBTQ specific ordinances and legislation. gibson.html and issues. She noted the recent murder of Keke “Digital outreach is extremely important and 12 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES viewpoints

in order to not jeopardize my recovery. By throwing powerful kind of hurt; leaving addicts vulnerable myself into work and achieving new goals I was to battling addiction on their own. I wish i would convinced that I was on the right path. In doing have known how to better include others in my WINDY C.L. this I inadvertently set myself up for failure. Scared recovery. To have let my guard down and to have FREDERICK to slip up, I found myself taking a step back from felt like I wasn’t alone would have done wonders CITY social interactions. I shut out people in my life who for me. Having the courage to simply call my best truly cared and distanced myself from a key part of friend or a family member during my most difficult Danger: any addicts recovery, the support of loved ones and moments is something I wish I would have willed including them in my recovery. myself to do. I have incredible people in my life TIMES Relapse ahead VOL. 32, No. 24, March 1, 2017 There are a few things I wish I had known prior who would have listened and talked me down, but I The combined forces of Windy City Times, to leaving treatment that could have prevented my was too proud to admit that I still struggled. founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, After having completed substance abuse treatment relapse. To have been educated enough to under- Stage IV cancer-survival statistics are better founded May 1987. and with six months of sobriety under my belt, I stand the reaity of relapse seems the most basic, than the treatment statistics on meth addiction. felt I was unsinkable. PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR but crucial aspect that I was not fully prepared for. This is an overwhelming fact that not only needs I failed to see the signs that relapse would be Tracy Baim Only 12 percent of meth addicts fight off relapse to change, but CAN change. Substance abuse treat- just around the corner. My determination to nev- successfully. Knowing this statistic and being able ment and aftercare are essential to any recovery er use again and to remain sober was no match ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky to apply it to my own experience could have given program, however the reality once leaving treat- MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis against methamphetamine. My relapse was a dev- me a different perspective. I had put so much pres- ment isn’t always clear. It is easy to lose ones self ASSOCIATE EDITOR Matt Simonette astating blow to my psyche and the hard work I BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine sure on myself to never use again that I burnt my- while fighting tooth and nail for their recovery. Ad- had put into recovery. Since my relapse, I have DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright self out. I found myself back at square one, back dicts need to fully comprehend what they are up ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson learned that an addict is never truly cured and that to feeling the urge to stave off my emotions. Meth against and they need to be shown by those they SENIOR REPORTER Gretchen Rachel Hammond treatment is life-long process. Senior Account Executives Terri Klinsky, creates a numbness that is appealing to those are closest to that what they are going through Meth has an 88 percent relapse rate; which Kirk Williamson, Amy Matheny, Gretchen Rachel dealing with their feelings. It temporarily provides isn’t trivial. They need to be made to feel safe should be a testament to its destructive nature. Hammond, Scott Duff, Monika Pickett, David a false sense of happiness. I want anyone in the enough to open up during their times of need. Strzepek After rehab, I had a strong aftercare program; I re- world struggling to understand this and in turn be C.L. Frederick is an internationally published NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242- lapsed nonetheless. Each day of not using was like 6863 able to fight their addiction harder and smarter. columnist (having been published on websites a fight. Battling cravings and the ever-present urge SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Tony Peregrin, Society views addicts as less than many times such as The Huffington Post) who reports on so- Lisa Keen, Yasmin Nair to numb my feelings eventually caught up with me. over, with disgust. This stigma affects addicts re- cial issues affecting the LGBT community. THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan In the back of my mind I realized that it would be CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight Jr. lationships and is a key reason most find difficulty near impossible to win every day. SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman letting their friends and family in. Rejection is a ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS My being was fixated on doing everything right Mary Shen Barnidge, Lawrence Ferber, Mel Ferrand, Jerry Nunn, Jonathan Abarbanel COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Jorjet vice. It was kind of romantic, though, that first protest Harper, Charlsie Dewey, Carrie Maxwell, Billy She sings. Not my sweetheart, but the little march we attended together. We live in a place that Masters, Sarah Toce, Dana Rudolph, Melissa helper she named Vic the Vac. You put Vic on the is about as populous as half a neighborhood in my Wasserman, Joe Franco, Nick Patricca, Liz Lee Baudler, Rex Wockner, Angelique Smith floor and she sings a happy fluty sound that makes hometown of NYC. The Women’s March was antici- SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Hal LYNCH us think she’s thrilled to be doing her job. She’s pated to draw, at most, a couple hundred residents. Baim, Tim Carroll, Ed Negron grateful to us for setting her free, free! And she As we waved our signs at passing motorists, people WEBSITE LISTINGS VOLUNTEER Gene Naden CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright THE AMAZON TRAIL sets about her duties assiduously. All we need to kept streaming toward us. Whole families, singles, DISTRIBUTION Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Sue do, besides empty her nether parts, is keep out of packs of friends, all genders, all colors, packed the and Victor Love song her way. Vic does a better job of cleaning than the front of City Hall in the rain. Sixteen hundred of WEB HOSTING LoveYourWebsite.com (lead best of the big vacuums we’ve tried. us. Several came from our 55+ neighborhood. A programmer: Martie Marro)

The only one likely to get any treats this Valen- Of course, as with any new—would you call her a ninety-six-year-old woman in a wheelchair waved Copyright 2017 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media tine’s Day is the cat. As my sweetheart said, now Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back pet—there are moments of panic. The robot comes her sign, grinning her head off. issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). that we’re getting old and fat, we need to think with an electronic thingy that creates a virtual bar- We held hands, my sweetheart and I, as we Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and of new ways to celebrate loving occasions. So, we ricade to keep her out of areas where you don’t marched along the Coast Highway, the only coastal no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. treated ourselves to an iRobot Roomba 650. More All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy want her marauding. (An electronic wall anyone?) route from Mexico to Canada. Our little adopted City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned expensive than a red heart full of chocolates, but But seriously, when Vic gets stuck under a book- town, where we have made our home, wasn’t stand- for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, oh, so rewarding, so low calorie. case, my sweetheart longs, and I quote, to be able ing still for the coup of ignorance in our capitol. cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own Could we afford this luxury robot? It was on sale and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City to program Vic with messages like “owie” when The police and volunteers were, if not friendly, Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of and we had a gift card. Did we need it? No, my she’s stuck, or “uppie” when she‘s done and wants competent. They might have been scared of our a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the sweetheart actually likes vacuuming. Did she think to be carried home from behind her barricade to unprecedented numbers. Some of the drivers who sexual orientation of such person or organization. While it was just another gadgety toy that caught my we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make her charging station. My sweetheart also wishes we passed shouted obscenities and made emphatically this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept eye? No, I barely saw the robot until she had it could teach Vic to say, “I can’t believe I ate the offensive gestures. There was one man with a sign responsibility for advertising claims. up and running. Don’t believe everything you hear (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 whole thing,” to signal that her canister is full. supporting the Bundy brothers’ occupation of Mal- e-mail: [email protected] or about lesbian family roles. As if that were an issue; we turn her on to do her heur National Forest. We protesters were peaceful [email protected] I admit, the Roomba was my idea. At the Left happy dance whenever we see a spot. Our home and did not engage. www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Coast Lesbian Literary Conference last year, I over- hasn’t been this consistently clean in ten years. The discouraging part, as my college roommate, podcast: WindyCityQueercast.com heard a literary dyke enthusiastically praising the How is our robot a fit gift for Valentine’s Day? who marched in NYC, said, was, “What now?” product and its sale price. I emailed myself a re- WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, For one thing, it frees up some together time. Time Romantic activism, hardly a new form of courting 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL, 60640 U.S.A minder to check it out. My sweetheart was not ex- that, these days, is so tethered to the necessity and togetherness, is in our future. As are dieting, (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) cited, but I foresaw a future which included making of political activism. Instead of walking the beach more walking in the rain hand in hand, and perhaps Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. all sorts of messes—repotting plants, constructing hand in hand or sitting close by the (gas) fireplace, celebrating Valentine’s Day in our living room with OUT! Chicago’s LGBTQ Visitor’s Guide Online signs for protests, eating crumbly non-fat crack- remembering falling in love and our wedding, we’re a waltz or a rumba to the happy love song of the www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com ers—without guilt or the anticipation of cleaning calling senators from coast to coast to beg, thank, Roomba. up with a loud, heavy, inadequate trump-like de- or encourage them to save the America we love. Copyright 2017 Lee Lynch WINDY CITY TIMES March 1, 2017 13 WINDY CITY TIMES DIVERSIONS THEATER • FILM • ENTERTAINMENT • SPORTS

18 20 20 Simply the fest Woman on Fire is part of the Chicago Feminist Film Festival. Vermilion. Oscars at Center on Halsted. Photo courtesy of the festival

SCOTTISH PLAY SCOTT (A Better Life) to play the iconic role of the nar- it, filled with animals depicted in amazing pup- rator El Pachuco, a star-making role originated by pet form. Edward James Olmos. Bichir is much more gruffer The initial plotline for 946 revolves around a El Pachuco than Olmos’ smooth take (captured for head-strong little girl named Lily Tregenza (Katy L.A. drama posterity in the 1981 film version of Zoot Suit), Owen) who is obsessed with her mischievous but he ultimately gets the job done as a very cat named Adolphus Tips. Lily’s wartime life is BY SCOTT C. MORGAN tied to Southern California’s “Sleepy Lagoon Mur- Brechtian device who embodies and oozes Latino not only upended when evacuee children from der” of 1942, which led to the prosecution of 21 machismo while encouraging and cajoling Henry London crowd into her rural neighborhood, but LOS ANGELES—One of the hottest theater tickets young Latino men including Henry Reyna (Matias Reyna throughout his trying times in the court also when African-American G.I.s like Adi (Ncuti in Southern California right now is the acclaimed Ponce) who was pegged as the ringleader. The and prison systems. Gatwa) and Harry (Nandi Bhebhe) arrive to train revival of Zoot Suit. The hit Chicano musical has racist “Zoot Suit Riots” from the following year If New York producers haven’t already sewn up for the planned D-Day landings. been repeatedly extended at L.A.’s Mark Taper Fo- are also dramatized, reexamining the ugly mo- the rights to Zoot Suit for a major Broadway re- Yet the title number also represents the 946 rum, which is the same venue where Zoot Suit ment when U.S. sailors and marines felt justified vival, every major regional theater across the U.S. soldiers who were killed due to miscommunica- debuted in 1978 before transferring to Broadway in attacking well-dressed Black and Latino men should be clamoring to produce this musical. Not tion and friendly fire in one of the Allied Forces’ the following year. for their “unpatriotic” fashion gear in a time of only is it a thrilling dramatized piece of Latino- worst training disasters, so there is a very dark Zoot Suit was revived to commemorate the clothing rationing during World War II. American history, it also speaks to the fraught and serious side to this ostensibly children’s the- 50th anniversary of the influential regional pow- Zoot Suit was the main brainchild of playwright times we’re living in when so many American mi- ater piece. Otherwise 946 is great fun thanks to erhouse that is Center Theatre Group, but it has and director Luis Valdez, the founder of El Teatro nority groups are under attack. its amazing ensemble who are all multi-talented become so much more than just a nostalgia trip Campesino (The Farm Workers’ Theater). Valdez Zoot Suit, presented in association with El as actors, dancers, musicians, singers and pup- for Angelenos with long memories. Zoot Suit has himself is back to oversee this splendid and ener- Teatro Campesino at the Center Theatre Group/ peteers. And depending upon the moment, the actually become a vital and full-throttled piece getic revival, as are original Zoot Suit stars Dan- Mark Taper Forum, continues in an extended ensemble also become drag artists since nearly of protest theater in light of so much anti-im- iel Valdez and Rose Portillo (the two have aged run through Sunday, April 2, at the Music Cen- every performer plays both male and female char- migrant hatred currently spewing forth from the on from the show’s main young lovers to play ter, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets acters throughout the course of the show. White House and the Republican-led U.S. Con- Reyna’s parents). range from $25-$125; call 213-628-2772 or Although 946 could have delved deeper into gress. This revival of Zoot Suit has also been able to visit CenterTheatreGroup.org. U.S.-imposed racial segregation that occurred in Zoot Suit dramatizes the grossly unjust trials attract Academy Award-nominee Demian Bichir the U.K. during WWII, this children’s play does More WWII drama teach vital lessons in patience, tolerance and In addition to Zoot Suit, L.A.-area theatergo- fighting for what’s right. 946 may be targeted at Katy Owen and Adam Sopp (background) with Ncuti ers have another music-filled World-War-II drama families with children, but it’s truly an entertain- Gatwa and Nandi Bhebhe in 946. to choose from with 946: The Amazing Story of ing and timely theater piece for all. Photo by Adolphus Tips. This truly is a “total theater” tour- Kneehigh’s tour of 946: The Amazing Story Steve Tanner ing piece devised by the British Cornwall-based of Adolphus Tips continues through Sunday, theater company Kneehigh, which is perhaps March 5, in the Bram Goldsmith Theater of the most famous on this side of the pond for its Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Tony Award-nominated stage adaptation of Noel Arts, 470 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills. Tick- Coward’s Brief Encounter and its tour of Tristan ets are $39-$99; call 310-246-3800 or visit & Yseult (which previously played at Chicago TheWallis.org. Shakespeare Theater). The production then plays from Thursday, 946 is inspired by a children’s novel by Michael March 16, through Sunday, April 9, at St. Ann’s Morpurgo, who is best-known for his novel of War Warehouse, 45 Water St., Brooklyn, New York. Horse which was adapted into blockbuster stage Tickets are $35-$71. Call 718-254-8779 or and screen versions. Morpurgo himself teamed visit StAnnsWarehouse.org. up with Emma Rice, former artistic director of Kneehigh and currently with Shakespeare’s Globe in London, to adapt his novel for the stage. The result is a pure delight and like War Horse before 14 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW He could probably play all the characters, too, by Echoles’ lyrics serving as expository transi- Rueben Echoles and Rashawn Thompson but since this is live theater and not film, his tions streamlining the dramatic progress, even My Brother’s Keeper: in My Brother’s Keeper. onstage contribution is limited to a single role. as the brevity of the individual musical numbers Photo by Liz Lauren If asked to name North American Theater’s likewise reduces the time devoted to undiluted The Story of the most famous male dancers, the average person spectacle. (depending on the age) might cite Gene Kelly, The bigger performance space also accommo- Nicholas Brothers Fred Astaire, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover or Mi- dates such splendiferous turns as Vincent Jor- Playwright: Young Jean Lee chael Jackson. The roots of these iconic hoofers’ dan’s ebullient Cab Calloway impression, a brass At: Steppenwolf Theatre, prowess, however, lie in the “flash dance” styl- section spread out the width of the stage picture 1650 N. Halsted St. ings (not to be confused with Flashdance, of the for maximum visibility, a grand drape curtain Tickets: $20-$89 1980s) of Fayard and Harold Nicholas, two Afri- on runners whose very sound invoke nostalgia Runs through: March 19 can-American talents whose inspirational journey in playgoers of a certain age, and a wide stair- from the big-band ballrooms of Philadelphia to case for the Nicholas duo’s signature leapfrog- BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE the jazz clubs of New York City’s Harlem Renais- descending jump-splits. sance. Over a career spanning nearly a century— Echoles and Rashawn Thompson reprise their Rueben D. Echoles wrote the script for this 41st- sometimes faltering, but never forsaking, their roles as Harold and Fayard Nicholas with no evi- anniversary season revival of the show premier- muse, the siblings led exemplary lives, their agile dence of fatigue, although rest periods are pro- ing in 2010. The Black Ensemble senior company feet never breaking stride until the Grim Reaper vided by Dwight Neal and Shari Addison as the member is also claims playbill credit for compos- extinguished the spotlights forever. Nicholas parents, Jessica Seals and Taylay Thomas ing eight of the score’s 21 songs, choreographing The capacious stage (nearly twice the size than the most prominent Nicholas wives and a chorus the breathtaking dance sequences, designing the that of its debut at the Uptown Hull House) could wearing smiles as bright as the taps on a new dazzling costumes and wigs, and directing the have extended the evening’s duration while slow- pair of shoes. athletic performers that make it all look so easy. ing the narrative pace. This trap is deftly avoided

THEATER REVIEW by female-identified artists working in Chicago’s scenes injustices is also mentioned. The cast not Yet Gender Breakdown really should have gone lauded theater scene. only referred to last year’s scandal involving the further by disclosing how and why Kron and Gender Breakdown The many bona fides to Gender Breakdown in- former Profiles Theatre, but also obliquely (and Schultz’s research into the 2015-16 season de- Created by: Dani Bryant, with more clude its thorough research. In terms of quantifi- speedily) worked in last week’s collapse of Dead liberately excluded musicals from the figures that than 200 contributors able data, more than 200 Chicago theater artists Writers Collective following allegations of harass- get rattled off near the end of the show. At: The Vault at Collaboraction Studios in Flat were interviewed. Gender Breakdown also drew ment and emotional abuse from its leadership. Structurally, Gender Breakdown also could have Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. from a DePaul University Master Thesis study re- Oh, yes: There are hearty helpings of ironic hu- done more to differentiate when stories were ac- Tickets: 312-226-9633 or searched by Kay Kron and Mariah Schultz look- mor to prevent Gender Breakdown from just being tually from the performers’ own perspective or if Collaboraction.org; $20-$30 ing at hiring parity across Jeff Award-nominated a non-stop harangue. In particular, a stepping- they belonged to someone else like an unseen Runs through: March 19 Chicago-area theaters from the 2015-16 season. forward game of role requirements for auditions interviewee. Gender Breakdown also proudly features an became an exercise of “can-you-believe-this?” Far from being a wallowing exercise in victim- BY SCOTT C. MORGAN all-female-identified crew and diverse cast of 10 eye-rolling. hood, Gender Breakdown allows local female- performers, who each share qualitative personal Gender Breakdown is open about its own defi- identified artists to share their grievances and Gender Breakdown is an unashamedly proud piece stories. Overt and covert racism, sexism, ageism ciencies when it comes to a lack of a transgen- joys about working in the Chicago theater scene. of protest theater. Headed by writer Dani Bry- and body shaming are all topics that get promi- der performer. Gender-non-conforming dramaturg For many audiences, the show will be eye-open- ant and director Erica Vannon, this devised world nent stage time. and cast member Kate Hawbaker-Krohn brings ing to local gender biases, while for others it will premiere for Collaboraction thoroughly high- Chicago’s “Not in Our House” collective that this up by asking the wide-reaching question of just affirm what often goes unsaid. lights the many inequities and indignities faced assists women to speak out about behind-the- what characteristics qualify as “female.” c CRITICS’PICKS THEATER REVIEW go debut courtesy of the Goodman Theatre. This Marton Csokas makes for a fascinatingly gruff production marks the 30th-anniversary season Astrov, the alcoholic doctor who like so many in Blizzard ‘67, 16th Street Theater, Berwyn, ex- Uncle Vanya of Robert Falls’ tenure as the Goodman’s artistic the play becomes obsessed with the beautifully tended through March 11. It’s an exceptionally Playwright: Anton Chekhov: director, and it’s an appropriate choice—even unattainable Yelena (a truly fascinating Kristen well-done revival of Jon Steinhagen’s play marks Translation: Annie Baker if the characters regretfully reflect on much of Bush). She is unhappily married to the retired the 50th anniversary of the Big Blow which paral- At: Goodman Theatre, Owen the wasted time in their lives throughout the professor Alexander Serebryakov (an appropri- lelized Chicago. JA Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. course of the play. ately abrasive and oblivious David Darlow). By the Bog of Cats, The Artistic Home, through Tickets: 312-443-3800 or Rather than keeping Vanya set in the time Mary Ann Thebus is a joy as the blunt-talking March 26. Ireland’s ancient ecological graveyards GoodmanTheatre.org; $20-$59 of its creation in the late 19th century, Falls elderly nanny Marina, while Larry Neumann, Jr. provide the setting for a heartbreaking tale of Runs through: March 19 has pushed up the action several decades (as makes for a sometimes unsettling presence as Love Gone Wrong rendered with all the operatic reflected by the occasional modern chair and the neighboring impoverished landowner Tele- grandeur of classical tragedy by one of Chicago’s BY SCOTT C. MORGAN antique radio in Todd Rosenthal’s robustly de- gin (aka Waffles thanks to his exaggerated puffy most under-recognized ensembles. MSB caying set design). This may slightly jar when skin-condition makeup). Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Playwright Annie Baker famously tested the pa- characters refer to offstage “peasants,” though Although all the characters may long for dras- Street, Paramount Theatre, Aurora, through tience of audiences with her drawn-out Pulitzer perhaps Falls wanted to emphasize that even tic change, there is also a safety in their dis- March 19. Director Jim Corti delivers a glorious- Prize-winning drama The Flick. So it would make under Communist rule that the lives of poor ru- appointing return to stasis and the way things ly grandiose staging of Stephen Sondheim and sense that Baker would also be keen to write ral folks didn’t drastically change all that much. have always been by the end. Falls’ take on Bak- Hugh Wheeler’s macabre musical masterpiece. a new translation of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle To bring the contained and jarringly explosive er’s recent Vanya adaptation insightfully brings The staging would feel right at home in any op- Vanya—a Russian “comedy” where arguably dramatic bursts of Uncle Vanya to life, Falls has out the characters’ hurt of missed chances and era house. SCM not much happens plot-wise, though most of assembled an appealing ensemble. Prominently resignation that they won’t be getting what The Wolf at the End of the Block, Teatro Vista the characters are certifiably disillusioned with cast are two Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble they want. It’s definitely not a happy end, but at the Biograph, through March 5. Martyrs wholly dashed dreams by the end. members in the key roles of Vanya (a highly a realistic one that also feels rich after so many without sin being in short supply nowadays, good Baker’s easily conversational 2012 adaptation strung Tim Hopper) and his niece, Sonya (a emotions churn and get tamped down just be- causes often demand compromises in order to of Uncle Vanya makes a strong and secure Chica- practical and heartbreaking Caroline Neff). neath the surface. accomplish their goals, and nobody parses this irony better than Ike Holter. MSB —By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan WINDY CITY TIMES March 1, 2017 15 MOVIES dowment for the Arts, which had provided Dunye future. with a $31,500 individual arts grant. “I feel like it’s a great time to be making work “I think it was the last [individual arts grant] right now,” she said. because of the controversy around the arts fund- She said looking at the Oscar nominees and ‘Watermelon Woman’ ing and cultural production. The conversation got more mainstream filmmaking of the past year very loud in the moment,” Dunye said. there are changes on the horizon, not just in She noted that, today, that same conversation terms of diversity but how films are being made is happening with reports that the soon-to-be- and told, such as Moonlight and I Am Not Your celebrates 20 years announced federal budget will propose cuts to Negro, which Dunye said is really the most excit- the NEA as well as other arts and cultural funding ing part for her. arms. “Moonlight is definitely telling a story in a dif- with re-release “I definitely feel like that sound is back again,” ferent way, beyond its content and its direction she said. “It’s quite interesting to see that the and all those elements, how the team worked to- by Charlsie Dewey culture has not grown, that it’s going backwards. gether to make it and who the team was, those She added, “It is so different when you go It’s been 20 years since filmmaker Cheryl Dunye’s abroad. When I show my work at film festivals The Watermelon Woman debuted to audiences abroad, there is tons of support for the arts in across the country and brought one of the first comparable cultures. … I mean, this year, seeing depictions of Black lesbian identity to movie Spanish or Portuguese filmmakers who are queer screens. from different cities and regions in those coun- The Watermelon Woman was Dunye’s first fea- tries get tons of support. It’s sad, but it’s not a ture film, and it was the first feature film that a surprise at this point.” Black lesbian made. Dunye said that, without financial support, The film tells the story of Cheryl (Dunye), a films like The Watermelon Woman don’t get made. twentysomething Black lesbian struggling to She added that many of the filmmakers working make a documentary about Fae Richards, a beau- during the early 1990s also headed to Hollywood tiful and elusive 1930s Black film actress popu- by the end of the decade, when they were able to larly known as “The Watermelon Woman.” work, but not necessarily tell the stories in the While uncovering the meaning of Richards’ life, same vein as that of New Queer Cinema. Many of Cheryl experiences a total upheaval in her own them focused on cable TV, for instance. life. Her love affair with Diana (Guinevere Turner, “Once those streams closed down you don’t see of Go Fish fame), a beautiful white woman, and the work being made and you see people trying her interactions with the gay and Black commu- Cheryl Dunye. to tell their stories in different formats. That’s nities are subject to the criticism from her best Photo courtesy of First Run Features more in my mind what happened,” she said. “It friend, Tamara (Valerie Walker). just got shifted and, therefore, you don’t get as At its release in 1997, The Watermelon Woman While New Queer Cinema and The Water- varied of content or no content at all.” brought excitement that the Black lesbian iden- melon Woman brought a lot of promise about Dunye said the LGBT films that do seem to gain tity was finally being examined in filmmaking. what might come next, in many ways little has support and attract attention today don’t take The film was part of a wave of movies being changed 20 years later, as Black lesbians still the same risks as the films of the early ‘90s. things are exciting when you look at the whole that LGBT filmmakers made in the early 1990s— rarely see their stories told on movie screens or “I mean Pariah, an independent film that got picture and I feel hopeful.” dubbed New Queer Cinema—that looked at queer even small screens. a lot of attention when it came out and found a Dunye is currently working on turning her short identities outside of a heteronormative lens. “In those in-between years, there was less and way to do it, but there’s not a lot of stuff that is Black is Blue, which is on The Watermelon Woman “It was an exciting time, the building up to the less funding for any American arts made by the taking that risk and telling those stories like The re-release, into a feature film. making of The Watermelon Woman,” Dunye told people, for the people, about the people,” Dunye Watermelon Woman. “It’s an afro-futuristic trans love story set in Windy City Times. said. “There are others that are trying to, again, not Oakland, between a Black trans man and a Black Dunye had made a series of short films prior to One reason might actually be because of the just make entertainment happen for queer film- trans woman and an AI bot that lives with them The Watermelon Woman, all of which were gain- attention The Watermelon Woman received. making, but to make culture in that way like The and observes their love,” she said. ing buzz around New York. The film depicted a lesbian sex scene that one Watermelon Woman did and talk about something She said the film should be completed in a “What it was doing was filling a void,” she said. critic said was “the hottest dyke sex scene ever a little bit deeper.” couple of years. “It was putting a spotlight on an identity that recorded on celluloid.” It caught the attention of Dunye said despite the lack of momentum in The Watermelon Woman has been re-released wasn’t seen before and definitely needed to be Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Michigan), who set about the past two decades, she is hopeful about the on DVD and on iTunes. heard.” trying to disrupt funding from the National En- Cleveland, Weeden ‘In-Betweens’ in eSPOTLIGHT at WC&F March 2 on VOD March 7 Vita E. Cleveland and Kayla Weeden will con- The award-winning documentary Kings, duct a poetry reading at Women & Children Queens, & In-Betweens—which focuses on Jackie Taylor is well known as the dynamic First, 5233 N. Clark St., on Thursday, March 2, the drag kings, drag queens and transgender founder and executive director of Chicago’s at 7:30 p.m. performers in Columbus, Ohio—will receive 41-year-old Black Ensemble Theater. But Tay- Chicago-based Cleveland(she/they)—a Black a national VOD launch on March 7 (including lor also is an acclaimed performer in her own trans poet and percussionist from Cleveland, iTunes, Amazon and Google Play), as well as a right, and her one-woman show From Jackie Ohio—writes and performs poetry with an em- limited theatrical release on March 3. with Love (What the World Needs Now) fea- phasis on activism as “disruptive narrative.” Director Gabrielle Burton is a Wexner Center tures songs, monologues and more from her Weeden(she/her) is a queer poet in her junior for the Arts artist residency fellow who won the career in show business. This fundraiser show year at DePaul University. Ohio Arts Council’s Artist of Excellence award plays 7:30 p.m. Monday through Wed., March See WomenAndChildrenFirst.com. in filmmaking, and was selected to give a TEDx 6-8, at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark BlackEnsemble.org. talk on the film. St. Regular tickets are $65. Tickets for a VIP Caption: Black Ensemble Theater found- The trailer is at https://youtu.be/3nBULq8d- event on Wed., March 8 (includes fundraising er and executive director Jackie Taylor. jQ. reception) are $150; call 773-769-4451 or visit Photo by Daniel Nicholas 16 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Illinois star wrestler comes out as gay Athlete and singer are “I didn’t realize how connected and supportive dating at Stevenson, the LGBT community is,” Dylan said. “From the moment I came out, there was outreach from so attended homecoming together many people, [offering] guidance and advice. It By Ross Forman surprised me how much people cared in a positive way, how much they really wanted to help me. Dylan Geick was at home in north suburban “To the kids in the closet who are worried Buffalo Grove, talking with his younger sister, [about coming-out], there is such a huge com- Johnna, one day early last March. She had heard munity that wants to help, and that was pretty a fellow Stevenson High School singer who she surprising to me.” thought was amazing. Dylan is convinced that sharing his coming-out Dylan heard him and also thought he was tal- story has had “pretty direct impact” on some Ste- ented, so he sent a message with Instagram, with venson students and also students he has never Above: Dylan Geick (right) and boyfriend Grant Mower. Below: Geick wrestling. the witty line, “Wanna piano and chill?” met, especially in the sporting world. Photos courtesy of Geick Dylan, 18, a senior and the school’s star, elite- “It’s not like I adopted this issue. I’m just true level wrestler, soon started hanging out with to myself and just like to live unapologetically,” petitive,” Dylan said. They spoke briefly after the Grant Mower, 18, also a senior, who is in the said Dylan, who has, since coming-out, heard match, “and I don’t harbor any resentment to- school’s choir and writes his own music. from two elite, high-level Illinois wrestlers, ward him.” “It was kind of this random circumstance,” that among others, offering their support for him, Dylan was a marvel on the mat for Stevenson as they met at a school of more than 4,000 stu- though each is still in the closet. both a junior and senior, compiling a combined dents, Dylan said. Dozens more, both current and former wres- 86-8 record. He was 43-3 this season—and he’s After a couple weeks, both came out to each tlers, have reached out to Dylan, he said, most finished fourth in the state tournament each of other and they started dating, though both were in the closet. the past two seasons. He’s a three-time confer- still in the closet to the school at the time. Dylan has been supported by his team—his ence finalist (champion once), three-time re- “People started noticing that I was hanging teammates and coaches—100 percent, though gional finalist (champion twice), and a sectional out with him,” said Dylan, who admitted that he admits he was “super nervous” that might not champ. He was a USAW All-American in 2015 and they were “sneaking around” to see each other. be the case. three-time Illinois Freestyle National Team mem- Then one day late last March, Geick was eating Stevenson’s wrestling team is very ethnically- ber. lunch with five girlfriends, and the topic turned diverse, including several Russians, Dylan said. Mower attended many of Dylan’s matches, and to another student who had then-recently come Some of his teammates had, by their own admis- even drove Johnna, 15, a sophomore at Steven- out. sion, homophobic views, “so I was worried how son, to the state tournament. As a joke, one of the girls turned to him and they would react” to my coming-out, Dylan said. Dylan has attended Mower’s singing perfor- said, “So Dylan, when are you coming out?’” Take, for instance, wrestling teammate Nikita mances, as Mower is an aspiring musician who “In the moment, I just didn’t feel like keeping Nepomnyaschiy, who sent a text to Dylan less was admitted to Berklee School of Music in Bos- the secret anymore. I replied, ‘Actually, I am gay,’” than an hour after he confirmed that he is gay ton as well as other highly-competitive music Dylan said. during lunch. schools, though he opted for NYU. They were all shocked. Nikita wrote, “Hey, are you gay?” Homecoming last fall “was awesome—it just And Geick admitted he was dating a fellow Ste- Dylan started typing a long reply, but before he felt normal,” Dylan said. venson student. could even send it, Nikita wrote back, saying that Word spread, quickly—really quickly. it’s no issue and he cracked a joke. His phone instantly was blowing up with mes- “That completely removed all of the tension,” sages, mostly from students asking if it was true, Dylan said. “He was accepting from the first sec- that the stud athlete was, in fact, gay. ond.” HRW holding ‘Kiki’ ‘Art, AIDS and Students and athletes from eight other area Everyone on his wrestling team has been sup- schools also messaged Dylan. screening March 10 Activism’ March 3 portive. The Human Rights Watch (HRW) Chicago The Out at CHM program “Art, AIDS, and Ac- All were supportive. All. Robert Pavlovich, for instance, is one of Dylan’s 2017 Film Series, in partnership with Black tivism in Chicago” will take place Friday, March “It was a pretty awesome reaction, to be hon- best friends and a fellow wrestler—he gave Dylan Cinema House, will present a showing of Kiki 3, at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. est,” Dylan said of the response. “I didn’t really a big hug the first time he saw Dylan after com- at Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S. Stony Island Clark St. know what to expect. I knew that the environ- ing-out. Ave., on Friday, March 10, at 7 p.m. The panel discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. and ment at Stevenson was amazingly progressive “Those reactions were a huge weight off my Kiki offers insight into a safe space created includes a reception at 5:30 p.m. and this is a pretty liberal area, so I knew there shoulders,” Dylan said. “I think I created closer, and governed by LGBTQ youths of color, with The panel will draw on two exhibitions on definitely would be support, but not as wide stronger bonds with all those guys through this the result being a coming-of-age story that cel- view in Chicago—“ArtAIDSAmerica,” at the spread as it ended up being. whole [coming-out] process.” ebrates agency, resilience—and voguing. Alphawood Gallery and “One day this kid will “I haven’t endured any harassment in the There was, though, one opponent who, via so- Also, Zach Stafford will moderate a panel get larger,” at the DePaul Art Museum. Joseph school.” cial media, hinted that he knew Dylan was gay— about defining and connecting three themes in Varisco, founder of “Queer, Ill, and Okay” and Dylan Dylan and Grant Mower are still together, and the two were set to wrestle in the Illinois which the audience can engage with the film: project coordinator at the Alphawood Founda- close to their one-year anniversary of dating. state tournament, in about 30 minutes. international/U.S. LGBT-rights issues (HRW’s tion, will moderate. They attended the Chicago Pride Parade together “It wasn’t like he said anything [on social me- Tico Almeida), the local housing and commu- Admission to each program is $20 for the last summer and went to Homecoming together dia posts], but I got the message that he was nity issues (with academic/performer Julian general public, and $15 for students and the this past fall. trying to mess with me, trying to get in my head. K. Glover and community organizer Monica museum’s members; visit https://www.chica- Dylan will attend Columbia University in the It pissed me off,” Dylan said. “I took care of it James) and the personal (Kiki co-writer Twiggy gohistory.org/outatchm. New York in the fall, where he will continue his on the mat.” Pucci Garcon). wrestling career. Mower, who lives in nearby Long Dylan won that match, handily. See FF.HRW.org/Chicago. Grove, will attend New York University in the fall. “I don’t think he’s a bad kid; I think he’s com- WINDY CITY TIMES March 1, 2017 17 Beverly ‘Empire’ stars Wedding Expo visit BYC to take place MAC Cosmetics Viva Glam/ MAC AIDS Fund spokespeople— March 19 and Empire co-stars—Taraji CHICAGO—On Sunday, March P. Henson and Jussie Smollett 19, South Side couples are in- visited Howard Brown Health’s vited to attend the first Beverly Broadway Youth Center (BYC) on Wedding Expo at the Beverly Feb. 13. Arts Center (BAC). The event After several years in tempo- will feature wedding vendors rary quarters, BYC has a perma- from Beverly and beyond, in- nent home. BYC held the grand cluding caterers, bakers, flo- opening of its new Uptown fa- rists, photographers, hair and cility at 4009 N. Broadway on make-up artists, musicians, in- Feb. 22. vitation designers and more. From left: Empire’s Jussie Smollett and Taraji P. Henson, MAC AIDS Fund’s Nancy Mahon and Howard Brown CEO David Munar. Attendees can meet local ven- Photo by Jeff Schear dors, sample food and sweets, hear live music and check out the latest wedding trends. “We’re excited to offer this event for South Side couples,” said Heather Ireland Robin- CULTURE CLUB son, executive director of the CULTURE CLUB BAC. “We’re looking forward to showcasing the BAC, which is a wedding venue, and tons of amazingly talented wedding

businesses in our area that cou- TRUGLIA. ples may not know are here.” The event features more than 50 local vendors and is being led by a planning team includ-

ing the BAC staff and two local SAVERIO BY PHOTO MYERS. DEANNA AND RY vendors, Diego Ivan Martirena of Maplewood Photography and Laura Hayes of Anticipation Events.

Stephen English, founder MONTGOME MARK GISE, SARAH PICTURED: of The Blossom Boys florist, said they have been “thrilled to discover numerous South BEGINS Side same sex couples we have ND helped with weddings...” FEBRUARY 22 “So far, the response to this 847-242-6000 | WRITERSTHEATRE.ORG event has been overwhelm- ingly positive,” said Diego Ivan Martirena. “The expo is a great way for engaged couples to find wedding vendors so close to home.” The Beverly Wedding Expo is Sunday, March 19, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person or $15 per cou- ple and available for purchase online at beverlyartcenter.org, on the phone by calling 773- FEBRUARY 17– 445-3838, or in person at the Beverly Arts Center. APRIL 1 at 18 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES scripts we work from.” “Christina was in some ways and erratic and Queer Swedish queen even irresponsible, but she had great strength of character and was masterly at navigating the political and social thickets of the 17th century,” featured in upcoming events said Paretsky. “For a woman of that stature to By Carrie Maxwell light in the fuss people made about her. She cer- pursue her own wishes and desires against a vast tainly didn’t suffer societal setbacks because of array of male power figures is quite extraordi- To cap its 30th-anniversary year, the Newberry her non-conformist attitudes, save the pressure nary.” Consort will be showcasing the life of Queen she was frequently under to marry. She modeled Countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen will be Christina of Sweden: The Girl King March 3 (New- herself on Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, featured in the program. He is a participant in berry Library’s Ruggles Hall), March 4 (Northwest- and whether or not Christina was a virgin, she Newberry Consort’s Young Artist Mentorship Pro- ern University’s Galvin Recital Hall in Evanston) never married, although she had several celebrat- gram where young musicians are given the oppor- and March 5 (University of Chicago’s Logan Cen- ed affairs with both men and women.” tunity to perform alongside seasoned players and ter for the Arts). Hargis decided to focus on Christina’s life be- singers, gain insight into historical performance Artistic Director Ellen Hargis is the creator of cause the early 17th century is her favorite pe- and forge professional networks in the field. “Christina of Sweden: The Girl King.” riod of music. “I’m very excited to be able to work with such “Christina’s birth gender was always ambigu- “It was a time of huge change; of the invention a world class group of early music interpreters,” ous, and she displayed her masculine and femi- of opera, the development of public theaters and said Cohen. “The folks I’ll have the chance to sing nine behaviors equally and openly,” said Hargis. the rise of virtuosity, divas and star instrumental- and play with in this concert program are among “She received a boy’s education and adopted ists,” said Hargis. “Of course, the queen herself is the finest devotees of this repertoire alive today male dress whenever she could—often wearing a famous and fascinating character, but when we and I can’t wait to learn from them through the trousers with a skirt over the top and preferring learned just how many of our favorite musicians process of performing together.” the flat boots favored by men. She wore makeup, she had personal contact with, it seemed obvi- Other show participants include Hargis (sopra- but hardly bothered with her hairstyle. She rode ous to trace her life and journey from Sweden to no), David Douglass and Brandi Berry (violins), horses astride and swore like a sailor, but was Rome, via the music she experienced along the Jeremy Ward (bass violin), Christopher Bagan and almost anti-feminist in her views about women’s way.” Charles Metz (organ and harpsichord), Lucas Har- roles in society. Hargis noted that the process of selecting the ris (theorbo) and Erin Headley (lirone and viola “While she was always a target of gossip, she music for this production was easier than other da gamba). seems to have made no effort to become more productions since there is a lot of documentation “Our concerts aren’t just sit-in-your-seat-and- conventional—in fact, she almost seemed to de- about Queen Christina. listen affairs,” said Hargis. “We perform music no- “We have records of the music holdings of the body else in Chicago puts on—repertoire we dig out of archives and reconstruct if necessary. We Newberry Consort’s Ellen Hargis. Tre Kronor Palace where she spent her childhood, manuscripts of the opera Cesti wrote for the oc- strive to provide multi-media context for the rare Photo by Jennifer Girard Queen Christina. casion of her baptism where she is mentioned by music we present, whether it’s a staged presenta- name and court accounts of many other pieces tion, narration, projected images and supertitles torical anecdotes, excerpts from Christina’s let- she was known to enjoy and musicians who were or something we haven’t thought of yet. ters and reports from courtiers about her various in her employ,” said Hargis. “We always have an informal pre-concert chat visits to foreign leaders that describe this exotic Hargis explained that some of the music is un- 30 minutes before the show and invite questions young woman. As we trace her life story, we’ll known to modern audiences whereas some is still from our audience. By embracing a wider context perform music from each country and decade on frequently performed today. In constructing the for the music, we discover how much we have in period instruments she knew: harpsichord, lute, program, she used many of her favorite compos- common with past societies and world views— lirone, violins and voices. We’ll be projecting im- ers who traveled in Queen Christina’s circle and and expand our imaginations along the way. It’s ages along with supertitles for the sung texts, chose the pieces from those composers that illus- not your grandparents’ chamber music. so the audience will be viewing various portraits trated the narration included in the production. See http://newberryconsort.org/ for more of the Queen at different ages, pictures of the “Sara Paretsky is the narrator of the program,” information about the Consort and to buy tick- places she lived and some of the music manu- said Hargis. “The readings are composed of his- ets ($35 to $55).

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But it took a while, error that was made during the award announce- as presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway ment for Best Picture. The presenters had mistak- actually pronounced La La Land (which took a enly been given the wrong category envelope and total of six awards) as the winner. when discovered, was immediately corrected. We La La Land‘s producers even gave three ac- are currently investigating how this could have ceptance speeches before the mistake was an- happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.” nounced. Moonlight ended up winning three Speaking of Moonlight, McCraney (during the awards, including Best Supporting Actor (for Adapted Screenplay win) said, “This goes out to Mahershala Ali, who became the first Muslim ac- all those Black and brown boys and girls and non- tor to win an Oscar) and Adapted Screenplay (for gender-conforming [individuals] who don’t see Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney). themselves. We’re trying to show you you and us. The previously mentioned omission—which So thank you, thank you—this is for you.” Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney at the Oscars. received considerably less coverage—came from In other show-related developments, Viola Da- Screen shot previous Oscar winner Patricia Arquette, who was vis became the first African-American actress to upset that sibling Alexis Arquette was among achieve such an Oscar, Tony and Emmy for strictly Director. In addition, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Ham- Jimmy Kimmel hosted the event, mixing poli- those not showcased in the show’s “In Memo- acting. (Whoopi Goldberg has an EGOT—Emmy, ilton) fell short of becoming the youngest EGOT tics, food that dropped from the ceiling, tourists riam” segment. Patricia tweeted, “@TheAcademy Grammy, Oscar and Tony—but the last award is winner when La La Land’s “City of Stars” topped and his faux feud with actor Matt Damon. #OscarsSoAntiTrans Only 70 Credits to your name! for producing.) Also, La La Land’s Damian Cha- his song “How Far I’ll Go” (from Moana) for Best —Andrew Davis 4th generation actor @AlexisArquette I love you zelle became the youngest person to win Best Original Song. 20 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES —Rita Adair is a retired social worker and sen- sitive crimes specialist. Currently, she is an activ- Sidetrack’s ist, author and mother of three grown children and six grandchildren (along with previously fos- OUTspoken! Series: tering 23 teenaged girls). Rita comes from a very March’s featured eclectic, large family full of color, travel, fame and fantastic design. storytellers —Lindsay Eanet can be seen around town at shows like Is This A Thing?, Essay Fiesta, You’re Being Ridiculous and Story Jam, and next to you Rita Adair at your favorite bar, skipping over all your songs on the jukebox. She has a weakness for reality competition shows and cries an average of four times every episode of American Ninja Warrior. But enough about her, let’s talk about you. —Garcia. Actor. Poet. Writer. Young Fugitive. Co-founder of Queer House: a safe and inclusive space that welcomes Chicago youth of color to Lindsay Eanet share their art. —Russ Goeltenbodt grew up in Skokie, Illi- Garcia nois, where he graduated from St. Peter’s Catho- lic grade school, and Niles North High School. Russ has a B.A. in Business and Management from Northeastern Illinois University. He moved to Chicago and worked for over 30 years with vari- ous universities and agencies in student finance administration. He is currently consulting and as- sisting college students with paying for college Russ Goeltenbodt and financial literacy. Through the years, Russ has sung for various Abby McEnany church choirs and events. Over the last two years, Russ has performed three sold-out cabaret shows at the Skokie Theater. He is currently preparing for his next show at the Skokie Theatre on April 1, entitled Russ Goeltenbodt: No Foolin. —Abby McEnany is an actor, improvisor, and writer who performs at various locations around Chicago, including iO and The Second City. You Clark Rogers can see her weekly in Virgin Daiquiri, the ac- claimed all-women team at iO, Wednesdays at 8. —Clark Rogers is a sex professional from the The March edition of OUTspoken! LGBTQ southern United States. He is passionate about storyteller series takes place Tuesday, using his small but growing social media platform March 7, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted to educate men who have sex with men about OSCAR NIGHT @ CENTER ON HALSTED St. Doors open at 6 pm, stories begin everything from how to improve their sex lives to at 7. their shared history and social responsibilities. Glitz and glamour on the Red Carpet, Sunday, February 26. See www.outspokenchicago.com for He has lived in Chicago for five years. Photos by Jerry Nunn more info.

the place a seductive vibe that makes it the per- have vegetarian substitutes. For example, vege- fect spot for a date. (However, the atmostphere tarians can opt for portabella instead of toasted is more than seductive, making it a spot that coconut shrimp.) friends or co-workers can patronize as well.) As for the main dishes, my friend went for the the DISH I previously visited this Indian/Latin Ameri- plantain-crusted whitefish and the butter chick- Weekly Dining Guide in can fusion spot a few years ago, and I still re- en. The fish was probably my favorite dish of the membered my main complaint about the cuisine: night, with plantain and tomatillo sauce enhanc- WINDY CITY TIMES Although everything was delicious, some of the ing and not overwhelming the seafood. The but- items didn’t taste like the advertised ingredients. ter chicken turned out to be a delicious choice as SAVOR Maybe my palate was off that night—but there well, thanks to the creamy gravy. was a definite difference with my most recent The meal concluded with a dessert trio of Vermilion visit. shahi tukra (nut cake), flourless chocolate cake The artichoke pakoras are distinctly unique— and mango flan. The first item—sponge cake BY ANDREW DAVIS not for their taste, but for the way they were with cardamom, topped with pistachios and al- served: on a miniature tricycle. The fritters them- monds—was a runaway favorite for me. Yes, River North spot Vermilion (10 W. Hubbard selves were slightly bland, although the egg- So grab a friend (or a date) and hit Vermilion. St.; TheVermilionRestaurant.com) has diners see- plant-coconut chutney certainly saved them. The It’s a wonderfully exotic experience. ing red—literally. duck vindaloo (with pomegrante molasses) left note: Restaurant profiles are based on in- True to its name, the restaurant has red sprin- Vermillion’s artichoke pakoras served on a a more favorable impression, from a gustatory vitations arranged from restaurants and/or kled through, whether it’s one seat out of a set, bike. standpoint, as did the cilantro tamarind paneer. firms. or a cascade of red light bulbs on a wall—giving PR photo (By the way, most of the meat-based appetizers WINDY CITY TIMES March 1, 2017 21 I’m not going to get political with you. But I do want to take a moment and explain what happens when you take a civil liberty and put Billy it in the hands of states—slavery. If, somehow, states could decide whether to allow slavery or MastersMasters not, Oprah would be running a network from a plantation—wearing shackles. You might like to “I’ve known Matt SO long. When I first met Matt, think that nobody in their right mind would vote I was the fat one!”—Jimmy Kimmel reveals his to bring back slavery. But you’d be wrong. That’s history with Matt Damon during his Academy why civil liberties are determined on a national Awards monologue. level—so that an old Black woman who wants to OH MY GOD! You write a column, you send it off sit anywhere on a bus in one state doesn’t have to the proofers and then everything changes in a to sit in the back in another; so that people of matter of seconds. I’d love to blame crazy Faye different races or even sexes won’t be considered Dunaway and doddering Warren Beatty. But ap- married in one state and living in sin in another;

Faye Dunaway (left) and Warren Beatty at the Oscars, just before they stepped in it. Screen shot

parently they were given an envelope that said, and so that someone who wants to pee in the “Best Actress—Emma Stone for La La Land.” bathroom of the gender they identify with in one Warren didn’t know what to do, he looked at Faye state won’t get arrested for indecent exposure in (not known for being fast on her feet) and she another. It’s that simple. said, “La La Land.” Everyone from that film is Here’s some good news for those of you who are giving speeches, my column is done, and—oh, still devotees of daytime dramas. (Yes, I’m talking wait—Jimmy Kimmel comes out to say there to you, Chris Smith, one of the scene-stealing was a mistake. Warren explains what happened stars of Bear City 3—which I refuse to see until and the Best Picture is really Moonlight. Mean- I watch parts one and two.) NBC’s last remaining while, where the fuck is Faye? sudser, Days of Our Lives, has been renewed for its 52nd season. I have a few other Oscar observations. I found Mommie Dearest, Dunaway wanted to reprise the Some people got mad at me when I predict- Jimmy Kimmel quite entertaining. I loved see- role. The obvious question is why? After all, she ed—sight unseen—that the new TV series Doubt ing Shirley MacLaine rock out to Justin Tim- regularly credits “Mommie” for ruining her film would get a swift cancellation. Many felt I should berlake. Who knew Caitlyn Jenner had anything career. And that’s why she wanted to tackle the give it a chance. But I trust my instincts. Sure to do with the OJ documentary? I could watch role again—to prove that the problem wasn’t her enough, after two episodes, it’s “see you next Meryl Streep eat Junior Mints all day. You know skills as an actress. No, it was the fault of the Tuesday, Heigl.” It’s unfortunate that Laverne Jennifer Aniston wants her sunglasses back. I’m script, the director, the editors, the producers, Cox had to be a part of this, but you hitch your SO glad Zsa Zsa made the “In Memoriam” cut— and possibly the craft service people. The fact wagon to Katherine Heigl, these things are although I’m sure someone wanted to put quotes that nobody seriously considered her is all the bound to happen. around the term “actress.” Honorary Oscar winner more tragic, because I bet she would have been Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve Lynn Stalmaster was the first casting director to AMAZING. already heard about Feud, Ryan Murphy’s six-part pass on me. That didn’t stop me from making a When Faye Dunaway is in the news again, series about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford mak- pass on his son, Lincoln. Due to sealed court doc- it’s definitely time to end yet another column. ing Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. The series uments, I can’t say anything more—except when Hmmm—maybe she planned this. After all, is based in part on the book The Divine Feud, by they call it a “gag order,” they ain’t kidding! who is everyone talking about? Faye Dunaway. Shaun Considine, and a script called Best Actress, Speaking of Caitlyn, she just came out against And this is now an Oscar clip which will be re- written by Michael Zam and Jaffe Cohen, best her boyfriend, Donald Trump. She took umbrage played for decades to come. It will certainly live known for his work as one of the Funny Gay Males at the dropping of federal protection for trans- in infamy BillyMasters.com—the site that has a comedy troupe. The original script was written gender students to use the bathroom of their long memory (among other things). If you have about a decade ago and was optioned by a few gender identification in public schools. The feds a question for me, send it along to Billy@Bil- people—including Ryan Murphy, who, at one claim that those matters should be decided by lyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you time, hoped to make it into a film. the states. But Cait still has hope, saying, “And before Faye and Warren take part in another Oscar One actress heavily campaigned for a part. And you can still fix it. You made a promise to protect ceremony—aside from the inevitable “In Memo- that actress is—drum roll please—Faye Dun- the LGBTQ community. Call me.” And then she riam” sequence! So, until next time, remember: away! Yes, 25 years after she played Crawford in gave Donald a little wink. One man’s filth is another man’s bible. 22 March 1, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES

New Town Writers’ Workshop Partici- and the Beanstalk: A Panto Adven- pair of tickets to see Hedwig and the pants are asked to bring copies of their ture” Panto refers to a traditional fam- Angry Inch at Chicago’s Oriental The- COMMUNITY work so other writers and readers may ily-friendly genre that includes songs, atre. Reservations by phone. 11:00am follow the text. 7:00pm - 9:00pm gags, slapstick comedy, gender-bending - 4:00pm Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club CALENDAR Charmers Cafe, 1600 W Jarvis Ave. actors, and plenty of topical humor for 3700 N Halsted Chicago 773-525-1111 adults. Through April 22. $15. Lap kids, http://kitkatchicago.com Friday, March 3 ages 1 and under, free. 1:00pm Gorilla Author Sara Paretsky to narrate Queen Wed. March 1 Art, AIDS and Activism in Chicago Draw- Tango Theatre 1919 N Milwaukee Ave Christina concert Musical journey of Identity Unknown: Rediscovering Seven ing on two exhibitions on view at Art Chicago 773-598-4549 Tickets: http:// the life of Queen Christina of Sweden, American Women Artists A reading, AIDS America at the Alphawood Gallery www.gorillatango.com who lived from 1626 to 1689 and was Q&A, and signing for Donna Seaman’s and One day This Kid Will Get Larger at American Veterans for Equal Rights LG- an eccentric, gender-bending iconoclast new book, Identity Unknown. 7:00pm the DePaul Art Museum-this presenta- BTQA veterans’ fundraiser for a planned far ahead of her time. $35.-$45.concert. The Swedish American Museum, Cen- tion examines artists who participated LGBTQ veteran monument near the 2:30pm Reva and David Logan Center ter 5211 N. Clark St.; http://www. as activists during the AIDS crisis of the corner of Halsted and Addison. Drink for the Arts 915 E. 60th St Chicago womenandchildrenfirst.com/event/ 1980s and ‘90s and contemporary artists specials, raffle and grand prize 3 day 2 http://newberryconsort.org/who-was- author-party-donna-seaman-identity- responding to that time and ongoing night weekend stay @ Hilton Phoenix. queen-christina-of-sweden/ unknown-rediscovering-seven-ameri- HIV health issues. $20 general admis- All welcome. 2:00pm - 6:00pm Big can-women-artists ART TO ART sion, $15 member admission. 5:30pm - Jim’s, 3503 N. Halsted Tuesday, March 7 ACLU Tele-Town Hall on immigration Friday, March 3 7:30pm Chicago History Museum 1601 3rd annual International Woman’s Day OUTspoken! LBGTQ Storytelling at Side- Sign up to join immigration tele-town N Clark St., Chicago https://www.chi- Dance Dj Tess and DJ OCD. Fundraiser track March storytellers: Rita Adair, hall with Rebecca Glenberg, Senior Civil Joe Varisco will moderate cagohistory.org/event/out-at-chm-art- hosted by the LBTQ Giving Council for Lindsay Eanet, Russ Goeltenbodt, Gar- Liberties Staff Counsel at the ACLU of the panel at “Art, AIDS and aids-and-activism-in-chicago/ community grants. 21+ All identities cia, Abby McEnany, Clark Rogers. Doors Illinois, and Mary Meg McCarthy, execu- Activism in Chicago.” SCOTCH 2017 bowling tournament An- welcome. 7:00pm - 12:00am National to MainBar open at 6pm, stories begin nual official International Gay Bowl- Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Cul- at 7pm. No Cover. Sidetrack, 3359 N. tive director at the National Immigrant Image from Varisco Justice Center. 7:00pm Event takes ing Organization bowling tournament ture, 3015 W. Division St., Chicago Halsted St. place by phone. https://action.aclu. in Chicago. SCOTCH evolved from the org/illinois-tele-town-hall-conversa- long-running Chicago Pride Invitational Sunday, March 5 Wed., March 8 tion-about-immigration Michigan Ave. http://www.colum.edu (CPI). 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm registration at aChurch4Me Sunday Worship Service Activism Series: Personal PAC Terry Cos- AVER Monthly Meeting Chicago Chapter Waveland. 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm opening Find inclusiveness, peace, comfort and grove of Personal PAC and Andi Fried- Thursday, March 2 of American Veterans for Equal Rights, night party a location to be announced. prayer 11:00am aChurch4Me, 7366 man of AF Advocacy discussing the sta- Bright Light, Darkroom benefit auction the national organization of LGBT veter- Through March 5. 7:00pm Waveland N. Clark St., Chicago 773-373-9916 tus of reproductive rights in Illinois and and party Photography community an- ans formerly known as Gay, Lesbian and Bowl 3700 N Western Chicago http:// http://www.achurch4me.org the way forward. 7:00pm Women & nual benefit, a festive evening of cock- Bisexual Veterans of America (GLBVA). www.scotchbowling.com/tournament/ Hedwig and the Angry Inch Brunch at Children First Bookstore 5233 N Clark tails, hors d’oeuvres, and an auction. All 7:00pm Center on Halsted, 3656 N schedule Kit Kat Win Tickets to the Broadway in St Chicago http://www.womenandchil- proceeds will support MoCP. VIP recep- Halsted Chicago http://www.averchi- Chicago Show. Diva Madam X will per- drenfirst.com/event/activism-series- tion 5:30 pm. 6:30pm - 9:30pm Mu- cago.org/ Saturday, March 4 form live. Raffles throughout the day, personal-pac seum of Contemporary Art (MCA), 610 S. Gender-bending, family-friendly “Jack with three lucky participants winning a

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