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4 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES Immigration and the LGBT community: Inside ICE detention they told us but it didn’t sound like they were Part three being followed.” In June 2009, a bill was signed in al- By Gretchen Rachel HAMMOND lowing access for religious counselors and min- isters into immigrant detention centers. “[ICE] Every Friday at 7:15 a.m., Sister Pat Murphy and still didn’t want to let us in,” Persch said. “So Sister JoAnn Persch of the Sisters of Mercy in Rep. Dan Burke who had sponsored the bill Chicago arrive at the Broadview Detention Fa- came out with us and it took until the end of cility. It is a squat, two-story building located November to get the approval letter from the in a bleak-looking industrial park in Broadview, sheriff.” Illinois. To one side, there is a lot enclosed by However, the Sisters of Mercy were still de- a covered fence topped with coils of razor wire. nied access to Broadview. With help from the To the other is the closed entrance to a garage. Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee On an embankment behind the facility, a line Rights (ICIRR), they were eventually permitted Sister JoAnn Persch. Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond of rail freight cars sit motionless. onto the bus with the detainees. The only accessible public entrance to the “We get on and we talk to them and we give facility is a set of glass doors at the top of them information about safe houses once they ICE holds immigrants are currently covered by key efforts aimed at addressing LGBT priorities a small flight of concrete steps. To the right cross the border and we say a prayer of protec- a patchwork of standards and, prior to the es- within the immigrant rights movement.” of the steps, the sisters set up a speaker and tion for the journey,” Persch said. “So now at tablishment of the PREA standards in March, no “For the last four years, we have been fo- microphone on the sidewalk. They are soon Broadview we have people outside who greet one standard bound all facilities,” the report cused upon coalition building among LGBTQ joined by a crowd of 30 or more representatives the families before they go in, we have people added. and immigration activist groups,” Rodriguez and members from the Sisters of Mercy, Chi- inside with those being deported and we still At different events throughout 2014, ICE told Windy City Times, “informing both move- cago New Sanctuary Coalition, the Sisters and have the prayer vigil which started it all.” detention facilities all over the country served ments about what’s happening on the immigra- Brothers of Immigrants, the Jewish Council on For the detainees, the sisters offer a measure as focal points for protests organized by im- tion front and the issues that, in particular, Urban Affairs, the Office for Immigrant Affairs of comfort during the end of a terrifying pro- migrant advocates, supporters and detainees undocumented LGBTQ immigrants are facing.” & Immigration Education of the Archdiocese of cess that began when they were arrested by ICE themselves. He said these immigrants spend their days Chicago, and other members of Chicago’s faith agents and held at detention facilities scat- In March—at a detention center in Tacoma, under constant fear of their undocumented community as as, oftentimes, crowds of tered across Illinois at the Jefferson County Washington—detainees took part in a hunger status combined with their sexuality and the students and advocates. Justice Center in Mount Vernon, the McHenry strike. TIME magazine reported that the strike threat of a squad of ICE agents charging into They are gathered for a prayer vigil in sup- County Adult Correctional Facility in Woodstock focused on two central issues: the congressio- their homes or places of employment, no mat- port of and in solidarity with the small group and the Tri-County Detention Center in Ullin. nal mandate and mandatory detention “which ter how long they have lived in the United of immigrant detainees inside Broadview. The ICE was born out of the Homeland Security requires suspected immigration violators to be States. detainees had arrived long before sunrise and Act signed into law by then-President George held indefinitely while a deportation review is “We just had a recent incident here in Illi- now wait to see their family members and W. Bush in November 2002. The following pending, often without bond.” The story noted nois with a man named Humberto,” Rodriguez friends one last time before they are shackled March, ICE was established as an agency of the that one of the detainees claimed “harsh treat- noted. “He’s 52 and has lived here for over 20 into a bus that will start them on their forced Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, ment meted out by guards.” years. He found a job at a grocery store and journey back to the countries of their birth. according to their website, “granted a unique Early in April, Progress Illinois detailed hun- had a small circle of friends—people who loved Persch and Murphy have been coming to combination of civil and criminal authorities dreds of immigration activists who rallied in him. I mean, this was his paradise. Then, out Broadview for the past eight years. Previously, to better protect national security and public front of the Broadview facility demanding an of the blue, ICE came in and took him away. He they had worked in Central America with survi- safety in answer to the tragic events on 9/11.” end to the deportations occurring there and as couldn’t call a single one of his friends. Now vors of torture and so were more than familiar On Dec. 19, the DHS released 2014 end-of- part of a national “Not One More” campaign. you have an obvious gay man put into a deten- with the issues that immigrants to the U.S. year statistics that claimed removals, returns The website stated that 11 of the protestors tion center and the trauma that’s got to create face. They heard about a Chicago immigration and apprehensions of immigrants by the de- were arrested “by police clad in riot gear.” for him has to be devastating. Everything he lawyer who was having a hard time winning partment alongside ICE and Customs and Bor- According to a May press release, activists built up for the last 20 years is gone. There his cases. He was asking for their support in der Protection (CBP) totaling 1,379,889. Of and members of the Los Angeles are fathers arrested [by ICE] who are supposed prayer. those people, ICE was responsible for 315,943. based FAMILIA: Trans* Queer Liberation Move- to pick up their kids from school that day. The “There were four of us standing outside of “ICE’s 2014 removal illustrate the ment “formed a triangular human chain linked kids wait at the corner and their father never Broadview on this freezing cold day in January agency’s continued commitment to focusing to a metal cage blocking the entrance of the shows up and it isn’t until a week later that of 2007,” Persch recalled to Windy City Times. on the apprehension, detention, and removal Santa Ana [California] Police Department to they realize ‘our dad’s been taken away.’ When “Pat and I and another sister prayed with the of criminal aliens and other immigration viola- call on the city of Santa Ana to terminate its I see stories like that, I think to myself ‘this is lawyer and he explained to us what was hap- tors in the interior of the United States,” the contract with ICE which imprisons trans and the underbelly of what is happening’.” pening that day with the vans bringing the release stated. queer people in abusive conditions in the San- According to Rodriguez, ordeals in deten- [detainees] in to be processed and deported. The agency’s reach and the expansion of its ta Ana City Jail.” tion for LGBTQ immigrants are unique as to the The lawyer had been going once a month. We facilities continue alongside an equally grow- In July, The Los Angeles Times reported on level of mental and physical damage sustained felt a very strong calling and decided we had to ing controversy surrounding its alleged treat- advocacy groups “protesting the expansion depending upon an individual’s sexual orienta- be there every week.” ment and long-term detention of undocument- of Southern California’s largest immigrant de- tion or gender identity. The CAP report quoted Eventually, the sisters wanted to be inside ed immigrants whom activists claim are denied tention center” in Adalanto. According to the figures from the Government Accountability Broadview in order to talk and pray with those due process, basic human needs and—particu- article, the facility’s capacity of 1,300 men Office (GAO) which “found 215 allegations of about to be deported. “Of course they wouldn’t larly in the cases of LGBTQ immigrants—are would be expanded to add a further 650 beds, sexual assault between 2010 and 2012. It also let us in,” Persch explained. “So we told the subjected to abuse and assault from prison including a women’s housing unit. “But oppo- indicated that reports of sexual assault in im- lawyer that we would like to get into the im- inmates while guards and facility staff look the nents have raised questions about conditions migration detention facilities were not properly migration court.” other way. at the Adelanto facility, saying detainees have investigated, with only 7 percent of them sub- They began a Court Watch program in 2007 Other cases detail stories of transgender de- reported receiving inadequate healthcare and stantiated.” staffed by volunteers from the Sisters of Mercy tainees placed in solitary confinement in order poor quality food,” the report said. “If you’re an openly gay person who gets de- who attend immigration court proceedings to shield them from attacks from the general In November, the University of Texas at tained, you’re forced back into the closet be- each day wearing Court Watch buttons. “It population even though such segregation is Austin’s newspaper The Daily Texan published cause you’re with people that you have no idea makes the judge sit up a little straighter,” supposed to be utilized as a form of punish- a story concerning a group demonstrating what their feelings are about homosexuality,” Persch said. “People know who they are. They ment and has sometimes calamitous mental against the construction of an ICE facility Rodriguez said. “Somebody who may be lesbian take notes and we share reports with legal consequences. in Dilley, Texas. The article claimed it would is thrown in with women who aren’t sympa- groups. We connect with [detainees] at the According to an April 2014 report released be the “biggest immigrant detention facility thetic to them. Trans* individuals are forced jail. If they say ‘I have a court hearing Thurs- by the Center for American Progress (CAP) in the nation,” with a projected capacity of back into situations that are among the worst day, can somebody be there?’ then our court and entitled How the Prison Rape Elimination “2,400 detainees.” One protestor called it a things that can ever happen to them.” watcher tells us about the outcome of the case Act [PREA] Helps LGBT Immigrants in Deten- “modern-day internment camp.” Olga Tomchin, a Soros Justice Fellow at The and comforts the families. We also do a lot of tion, even though PREA was signed into law Transgender Law Center, was quoted in the CAP work with law school students and universities in 2003 it took over a decade before the “DHS Chicago action report. “Detained transgender immigrants, in- that want to do a community project.” published standards to prevent, detect, and re- Local activist and 2004 Chicago Gay and Les- cluding our clients, frequently experience such Meanwhile, the sisters kept calling Immi- spond to sexual abuse and assault in immigra- bian Hall of Fame inductee Julio Rodriguez is intolerable conditions in ICE custody that they gration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials tion detention facilities.” board president for the Association of Latinos/ desperately agree to give up their cases and requesting access to their detention facili- The report added that ICE is required by as Motivating Action (ALMA). The Chicago- risk persecution and death after deportation ties. “They never answered,” Persch said. “So Congressional mandate to detain 34,000 immi- based organization’s LGBT Immigrant Rights rather than remain in solitary one day longer,” we sent a certified letter. They called and said grants every day. “The 249 facilities in which Project teams up with a number of non-profits, Tomchin stated. “ICE is clearly incapable of de- they wouldn’t let us in. ‘We have standards’ agencies and legislators in the city “to support taining trans people with even minimum levels WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 5 of dignity and safety and thus must no longer LBTQ community, we’re asking if they’ve expe- her detention for 10 months in ICE facilities that there has been a phased approach to detain trans immigrants.” rienced discrimination or abuse based on their and the attacks and solitary confinement she agency-wide LGBT sensitivity training that in- sexual orientation or gender identity. We ask if was forced to endure while in their custody. cludes terminology, correct pronoun usage and ICE response they fear being placed with a particular gen- Less than two months after his interview, the undergarments distributed based on an indi- Windy City Times was granted a telephone der while being housed in a detention facility Transgender Law Center—in partnership with vidual’s gender identity or expression and that interview with ICE Deputy Assistant Director meaning, do they identify as male or female?” immigrant rights and LGBTQ advocacy groups appropriate medical care and conduct of pat- Andrew Lorenzen-Strait in June. “ICE operates He insisted that ICE takes an individual’s nationwide—sent a letter to Lorenzen-Strait down searches is administered. the largest confinement system in the world,” gender identity into account rather than the and others calling on the DHS to release Ma- One of the centers of that training has been he said. “It’s a big job. Over the course of a gender marker on a piece of identification and richuy Leal Gamino, a transgender woman who with the detainees at the ICE facility in the year, we have over half a million people in our that the agency’s working groups were estab- was sexually assaulted in July at the Eloy De- Santa-Ana Jail. “It’s a dedicated facility in care and custody and we take seriously every- lished alongside the National Center for Trans- tention Center in . She had been in ICE terms of housing of LGBT individuals with pro- one who may enter our facilities.” gender Equality. “We take a holistic approach custody for more than one year. gramming, access to recreation, legal and re- He asserted that the Congressional mandate to these individuals,” he said. “We want to be “Marichuy, who has been housed with men at ligious services,” Lorenzen-Strait said. “It has requiring 34,000 detained immigrants per day on the forefront of transgender issues because Eloy, was sexually assaulted by her cellmate af- some detractors. A lot of folks would like to see is a fraction of the total number of individuals it’s very important that we look at people as ter she repeatedly attempted to report harass- a world where there doesn’t have to be a pro- going through the immigration court system. they present.” ment and threats of abuse to detention center tective custody unit, but we’re just not there “That’s what we call the detained docket,” he However, Lorenzen-Strait admitted the agen- staff,” the letter stated. “Immediately after the yet. I have visited the facility on numerous oc- said. “Our non-detained docket is hundreds of cy still has a great deal of work to be done. assault, Marichuy reported the abuse but the casions and talked to the individuals there and thousands of people. In addition, the average For example, many LGBT immigration advocates facility staff—despite clear guidelines in the they feel that it is a very warm and welcoming length of stay for folk is less than 25 days.” have requested that transgender women be Prison Rape Elimination Act—instead tried to facility that is responsive to their needs. I my- According to Lorenzen-Strait, ICE has taken placed in women’s housing while in detention. cover up the attack by pressuring Marichuy to self am gay, out and proud. My husband and I steps over the past several years to ensure “Although it’s an individualized assessment, sign a statement claiming the rape was con- are married and we have a child. Discrimina- LGBTQ sensitivity within the agency. “Several at present we have protective custody pods sensual.” tion issues were something I personally faced years ago, we made a commitment to LGBT is- that include transgender and gay males,” he “I’ll be the first to admit that no human sys- growing up.” sues and the department formed an LGBT work- said. “So we have not been placing transgen- tem is perfect,” Lorenzen-Strait said. “It is a For Chicago’s Julio Rodriguez, his own ex- ing group that looked at equities for employees der females into female housing yet, but I do work in progress and we’ve made improvements periences have taught him that resolving im- and for people who had come into contact with believe that it is something we will be doing in in terms of training and process to ensure that migration issues—particularly those centered DHS,” he said. “We have made considerable ef- the future. We also want to ensure that, when there’s a ubiquitous playing field throughout around the LGBTQ community—is far from a forts to ensure that—at any time during the they are housed, there’s not an automatic our detention facilities. However, things need hopelessly complex issue with no political or ICE process of encountering, detaining or re- placement into segregated housing. Under our to be improved each and every time. We have practical solutions. moving an individual who identifies as lesbian, policies, it is not allowable for a person who the largest transgender population in the world “I grew up as a gay man during the AIDS cri- gay, bisexual or transgender—[they receive] identifies as LGBT to be placed automatically in a confined setting. Most of these people sis,” he said. “I remember people saying to me the utmost attention.” in solitary confinement. That practice has been are looking for some kind of asylum release. this will never change, you’ll never get policy Lorenzen-Strait went on to describe a risk done away with. Anytime there’s a placement They’re also going to have some criminal back- change because the political will is against classification assessment developed by the [in solitary] of a special factor, which includes ground because they’ve been involved in solici- you, yet look at where we are today. Politics agency in 2010 and rolled out in 2012 for use LGBT issues, or beyond 14 days, headquarters tation issues in order to make a living, so we is in the moment. When communities are in a during detainee processing. “We assess some- is made aware of it and we are immediately have to be attuned to that.” struggle, they get strategic and they get smart- one with a very sophisticated methodology alerted to do instantaneous oversight.” To that end, Lorenzen-Strait asserted that er. The economy of this country has been built that’s both computer and person based,” he Although Lorenzen-Strait claimed ICE’s risk ICE has local review systems in place along on immigrants. One in probably six gay pro- said. “Immigration and criminal history and assessment tool was in place system-wide by with a fully staffed call center for detainees to fessionals is someone of color and, more than humanitarian equities [are used] in order for us 2013, and solitary confinement (also referred use—whether they have been placed in general likely they came from an immigrant family.” to determine whether or not to release or de- to as administrative segregation) oversight or segregated housing—if they wish to register Next week: Part four of our series, with more tain somebody. For the first time, we’re asking was instituted one year later, it did not seem any kind of complaint be it about food, lack of on the ICE system questions about whether or not they have been to help lesbian immigrants like “America” who medication or abuse due to their LGBT status. victimized by persecution or torture. With the told her story to Windy City Times concerning In terms of the LGBT population, he added

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208 S. LaSalle St., Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60604 312-600-6220 www.kikislaw.com 6 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES ELECTIONS 2015: distasteful to a lot of folks, but really getting really a life-changing experience. It was such a 5TH WARD to know the police in the area; figuring out variety of people, that it totally emphasized to what the crime concerns are for the neighbor- me that gay people are everywhere. hood and then targeting what those concerns Around that time, I was also politicized with are instead of just punishing people because regards to anti-racism and pro-woman issues. I Urban policy pro it’s the law, even if the law doesn’t make sense. became really outspoken and developed a net- WCT: You’re quite the activist. Can you tell work of LGBT folks and allies, who really gave us about your experience in regards to LGBT- me the strength to do the work I do. I like the Jocelyn Hare runs related issues? feeling of community—it’s part of my life and JH: I grew up in Oak Park, which is a super of course I’m going to advocate for the things diverse and gay-friendly community, but I was that I would want as a part of that community not comfortable coming out in high school. … to be able to marry a women, to adopt, to for 5th Ward seat But today, it’s so exciting for me to see that not be bullied in school because of sexual ori- kids are coming out as young as grade school. entation. These are very basic things that we By Angelique Smith We’re starting to create environments that are haven’t achieved yet, but we’re getting there. safe and welcoming, which is pretty cool. I got For more information on Hare, check her Growing up in a multiracial household as the into activism in part because I had a pretty out on Facebook (https://www.facebook. granddaughter of first-generation Chinese im- easy coming out experience. But, I saw it com/hareforchifive) and (https:// migrants, candidate Jocelyn Hare (who iden- wasn’t easy for others. When I was down at twitter.com/hareforfive). tifies as queer) is a longtime activist for un- [the University of Illinois], I was asked to help derrepresented groups. She has been a board co-facilitate a coming out group and that was member of the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance for six years, a supporter of increasing the mini- mum wage, and a believer in a woman’s right to choose. With a master’s degree in public policy Coalition challenges from the University of Chicago, Hare spent the past decade implementing policy initiatives in CPS and wants to “modernize approaches to Meeks education economic development, city services, and com- munity outreach” in the 5th Ward. Windy City Times: Why run for alderman? appointment Jocelyn Hare: One of the best ways to make a positive change in the city is through local By Matt Simonette government. With the policies you make at the local level, you’re able to see the impact of Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (ISSA) and a them right away. I decided to run in the 5th coalition of organizations have joined to- Ward for a variety of reasons, one of which is gether to challenge the nomination of former that there are many opportunities down in the state Sen. Rev. James Meeks as the chairman 5th that aren’t being capitalized on. You have of the state School Board. Gov. Bruce Rauner the north side with more resources, it’s a bit named Meeks for the post Jan. 10. more diverse, crime is down, schools are good, In a Jan. 20 statement, ISSA LGBTQA folks are generally happy with their quality of Youth Engagement Manager Lawrence Carter life. And then as soon as you get south of Hyde questioned Rauner’s commitment to educa- Park into areas such as Woodlawn, you have tion by appointing an individual as divisive totally different concerns. Issues with schools, as Meeks, who has extensively challenged gun crimes … much more dire needs. I’m con- Jocelyn Hare. Photo by Joshua Gaines the goals of Illinois LGBT community. cerned about how we solve these issues on a “Rev. Meeks has made his contempt and Ward level. disgust of many communities very clear,” WCT: What distinguishes your campaign ments are funded at the level that they need Carter said. “He has said publicly that LGBT from the other candidates running? to adequately operate. Another is improving people are ‘not natural’ [and have] ‘an evil JH: I don’t come from a background in poli- relations overall. It’s not a Ward-specific issue sickness,’ and supports a deadly anti-choice tics and I’m not tied to Chicago routine or that we have conflict between police and com- stance. Meeks also believes in the exclusion politicians. I come from public policy, making munities of color. That’s not new to Chicago; of Latinos and Asians as minorities, and decisions using data. It makes a lot of sense for it’s not new to our country. But what we can do that women of all races should not be con- us to make decisions based on not only policy is start having discussions about other models sidered a minority community because they best practices, but also talking with experts of policing. What are other ways that we can ‘are not people who have been discriminated and working with residents in the community. operate that are not punitive? What are ways against.’ Reverend Meeks’ long history of actively and vocally working to undermine WCT: What do you want to accomplish in we can engage with our youth that don’t take The Rev. James Meeks. your ward? them out of school and send them to prison? every effort and initiative that support the JH: I would really like to even out the resourc- There’s got to be a better way. values of equality and justice that we have es and opportunities … or maybe “increase” is WCT: Perfect segue into what you would sought to achieve is insulting and harmful to ing comments about women and members of the better word … particularly in the southern recommend to have a better relationship the children and their parents in our school the Latino, Asian and Jewish communities. part of the Ward. We’re lacking a grocery store between the police and the citizens they system. It is offensive and duplicitous that Such divisiveness has no place in setting an in South Shore. It’s unconscionable to me that serve, including marginalized groups such Governor Rauner, after promising ‘no social education agenda for our children’s future. we have a food desert in our neighborhood. as people of color and the transgender com- agenda,’ would nominate a bully to lead a We urge Governor Rauner to withdraw this We should not have a 71st street that looks munity... board whose mission is ‘to provide leader- nomination.” more like Gary, IN than it does 53rd Street in JH: As a city, we need to look at our laws— ship, assistance, resources and advocacy so Rauner proclaimed that he had “no social Hyde Park. What I’m hearing from residences who are we criminalizing and why? Through the that every student is prepared to succeed.’ agenda” during his campaign, despite re- is, “I want to be able to go shopping in my war on drugs in the ‘70s and ‘80s, we switched As of Jan. 23, eight other organizations marks that gay marriage should have been neighborhood and all we have is Walgreens and from a public health perspective to a criminal had joined the coalition, including About decided in referendum, and his acceptance a Starbucks; what’s the business plan?” Under perspective … drug users as criminals instead Face Theatre, Affinity Community Services, of campaign funds from anti-gay contribu- the current alderman, there hasn’t been a plan of folks who could use resources to get off Center on Halsted, Equality Illinois, Lambda tors. Activists in the gay community were for education, for business development, or drugs. We are locking up poor kids who don’t Legal, Peoria Proud, Prairie Pride Coalition vocal about his perceived indifference or op- a plan for public safety. How do we grow if have funds to pay their bonds. What good does and Pride at Work Chicago. position throughout 2014. we don’t have any benchmarks and we can’t that do anyone? My time working in bond court In a Jan 23 statement, Christopher Clark, “The governor has said he has no ‘social measure where we’re going against what we’ve was purely awful. I watched young Black man Lambda Legal counsel and Youth and Schools agenda,’” said activist Rick Garcia in a Jan. done? I think I can change that dramatically. after young black man who was there for pos- Program strategist, said, “Keeping LGBTQ 21 statement. “Surely this doesn’t mean he WCT: What do you think the causes of, and session of weed—no violent crime—not being students safe in school and protecting their will turn a blind eye to discrimination and the solutions for, crime in Chicago? able to pay their bonds and being sentenced right to a fair and equal education is a critical the demonization of those who are different JH: I think the cause is clear: lack of op- to trial. part of Lambda Legal’s mission. The people or ignore efforts to make sure we all live in portunities. Anytime we have opportunities for When we treat people that poorly and with who lead and oversee our schools must con- harmony. …Meeks’ position is not only in- folks, the crime rate goes down. I also think we that much disrespect and disregard, our rela- sider it their highest duty to ensure that our sulting it is dangerous to the common good. need to be able to fund the police department tions are bound to be messed up. But we can’t schools are safe, respectful and supportive His positions give tacit approval to dis- at the level that they need. Some of the con- just come out and say it’s just the police’s to all students. We simply cannot allow anti- crimination and bullying of lesbian and gay cerns mentioned when I talked to the Frater- fault, because they’re following policy and the LGBT rhetoric and policies to stand in the people and send the message that we can nal Order of Police were budgetary. The police law. We need to look at our laws and adjust way of our children becoming the best that demonize and treat unfairly those we dislike working right now don’t get to take a sick or a them to match our values. Beyond that, we they can possibly be. … Rev. Meeks’s long or who are different from us. Someone like vacation day and they are incentivized to work have to change the relations between police record of making hateful public comments this should not be in a position to lead the overtime. and the community. What that means is train- about the LGBT community and his active Illinois State Board of Education.” It’s a weird reverse set of incentives that we ing: training on LGBT issues, training on how attempts to deny our families the freedom For more information, visit http://illinois- have going on when we play with the budget, to interact with homeless folks and trans folks. to marry are well-known, as are his demean- safeschools.org/meeks-ISBE-chair. so we really need to make sure that all depart- And really increasing interaction. I know that’s WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 7 ELECTIONS 2015: WCT: What do you see as the most perti- ceive funding from student fees. So there was 35TH WARD nent issues for the LGBT community, both on funding for Latino programs, Native American your ward and in the city? programs, African American programs, but no CR: I think it would be unjust of me to say funding for LGBTQ and women’s programs. I led Openly gay candidate that there is one pertinent issue. I think that a coalition that collected the signatures and the city needs to continue being a partner in got a majority of the student body to vote in LGBT health. There’s a lot more that can be favor of creating funding for LGBTQ programs. done around HIV care and prevention, particu- That allowed us to get speakers on campus to seeks to unseat Colon larly in the use of PrEP [pre-exposure prophy- speak on issues for young LGBTQ folks. But I’ve laxis]. There’s more the city can do to make been a mentor and a tutor to Chicago Public By Matt Simonette sure that young people, particularly queer men School students. Some of them have also been of color, are familiar with it, and expanding ac- gay. My working with those students, and their Organizer Carlos Ramirez-Rosa has been, since cess. seeing me as a young professional who’s out of September, working to unseat longtime 35th I also think the city has to do more to create the closet is a good example for them. Ward Ald. Rey Colon. Ramirez-Rosa is the first open and affirming spaces and communities. WCT: A disproportionate number of home- openly gay Latino candidate in the city’s his- Having Boystown is not enough, and some- less youth are LGBT. Have you done any work tory. times Boystown is not open and affirming to around that issue? He’s running on a platform emphasizing all members of the of the LGBTQ community, so CR: I’ve been an advocate for BYC [Broad- transparency, accountability and open neigh- one of my commitments is to make sure that, way Youth Center]. I know BYC has faced some borhood engagement, and further maintains in the neighborhood for whom I’m alderman, tough fights in Lake View, and I’ve been by that serious financial reforms will alleviate I’m working actively to create those open and BYC’s side, saying, “We need to have a home for Chicago’s money woes better than property tax affirming places—in workplaces, schools, li- LGBTQ youth in the “gayborhood” of Chicago. increases and service cuts. braries and on the street. I would hope that one day in the 35th Ward, Windy City Times recently spoke with WCT: What kind of engagement have you when I’m alderman, we’ll have a similar space Ramirez-Rosa about his ideas for the ward, had with LGBT youth, working on their is- for LGBTQ youth here. There’s one in the 26th which encompasses areas of Logan Square, sues? Ward on Paseo Boricua on Division Street and Avondale, Irving Park, Albany Park and Her- CR: When I was at the University of Illinois, I see no reason why we can’t have one in the mosa, and what it’s like to be an openly gay we championed and were able to pass a ref- 35th Ward too. I would commit myself to work candidate. The conversation has been edited erendum that said that LGBT programming, to make that a reality here. for length and clarity. meaning speakers and seminars, would re- See carlosrosa.org. Windy City Times: How the campaign been going? Carlos Ramirez-Rosa: Things are going re- ally, really well. We’ve knocked on over 10,000 Legislation banning doors and overwhelmingly people in the 35th Ward, whether it’s the old part or the new part, are telling me that they’re ready for change, conversion therapy and they’re ready for an alderman who’ll work side-by-side with families to put our neighbor- hoods first. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. Photo by Matt is reintroduced WCT: What made you decide to run? Simonette CR: I love Chicago and I’m tired of the direc- By Matt Simonette that attempts to change the unchangeable, our innate sexual orientation and gender tion that we’re going in. We have $8.9 billion sure we’re taxing big corporations the same Equality Illinois announced Jan. 20 that it identity,” said Equality Illinois CEO Bernard in City Hall and it’s time that we spend that way that we’re being taxed. was launching an initiative to promote pas- Cherkasov in a Jan. 20 statement. “Conver- money in our neighborhoods, not as handouts WCT: Do you see corporate taxes as your sage of a bill banning anti-gay conversion sion therapy bans are the law in California, to corporations and not as sweetheart con- main solution, then? City services is a major therapy in Illinois. New Jersey and the District of Columbia. tracts to well-connected campaign contribu- concern of yours. If property taxes are off The legislation, HB 217, or the Conversion Multiple respected medical and mental tors. We’re going to see fully-funded public the table, would that mean service cuts? Therapy Prohibition Act, was filed Jan. 16 by health organizations have rejected the ther- schools, we’re going to see potholes being CR: I think two-thirds of Illinois corporations state Rep. Kelly Cassidy and prohibits mental apy because it does not work and has the fixed. We’re going to see the police that we do not pay property taxes. That’s ridiculous. Il- health care providers from engaging in sex- great potential to harm the youth on which need on our streets to keep us safe, and we’re linois is in the one-third of states that does ual orientation change efforts with patients is is tried. going to have the money that we need to in- not have a graduated income tax. Two thirds of under the age of 18. It also says that provid- “We cannot endanger the LGBT teens of vest in our neighborhoods. states ask corporations and super-wealthy peo- Illinois by attempting to change who they WCT: You call yourself an “organizing al- ple to pay more in taxes than regular people are. We and other organizations that support derman”—what does that really mean? like you and me. So what I’m saying is, in the LGBT youth hear their stories of rejection, CR: It means I’m going to knock on doors state of Illinois, we need a fair, graduated in- and we must fight to help them. We are mak- year-round, not just around election time. come tax that lifts the tax burden off working ing the passage of the Conversion Therapy After I win Feb. 24, I’m not going to stop people and asks the corporations to pay their Prohibition Act one of our legislative priori- knocking on doors. I’m going to be talking fair share. So what I’m saying is, let’s close cor- ties of the 99th Illinois General Assembly.” to my neighbors year-round, block-to-block, porate tax loopholes. Let’s generate that rev- Transgender teenager Leelah Alcorn, who and making sure that I engaging every single enue by asking everyone to pay taxes like the committed suicide Dec. 28, said that she person and be transparent in my work. It also rest of us. Lastly, let’s stop the corporate hand- was sent to conversion therapy, where prac- means I’m going to create spaces where neigh- outs. That’s why TIF reform is very important titioners reinforced the idea that her gender bors come together and play an extremely im- to me. That combination of revenue-generating identity was inherently wrong. portant role in deciding the direction of the proposals and also being fiscally responsible— Equality Illinois asks Illinoisans who have neighborhood. I’m going to have participatory saying, “We don’t have money to give to these taken part in conversion therapy to contact budgeting where neighbors and ward residents private corporations when we can’t even fix the organization at [email protected]. will get to decide how to spend $1.3 million potholes on our streets.” Doing those things in ward-infrastructure funds. It also means I’m will have the revenue that we need not to just going to have community-driven development, maintain city services but really improve up to LGBT issues part of where it’s not campaign contributors that are the level that our constituents deserve. determining what zoning and development WCT: You’re the first openly gay Latino al- 2015 aging confab changes are made in the ward, but rather its dermanic candidate in the city. What does Aging in America 2015 will take place ward residents, that are going to be affected, that mean for you? March 23-27 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, that are telling the alderman what it is that CR: Growing up as a closeted young man, I 151 E. Wacker Dr.—and LGBT issues will be they want to see and what they want built in never thought we would be at point in time significantly covered at the event. the community. where not only could I be open, but I could There are almost 20 LGBT-related sessions WCT: What are your thoughts on housing also be asking my neighbors to support me in State Rep. Kelly Cassidy. planned. Among them are “Improving LGBT issues in the ward right now? an election and at the same time be openly Inclusiveness of Aging Service Providers,” CR: Rahm Emanuel said that property taxes gay. I think because of the work that has been “Being Gay Ain’t What It Used to Be” and ers found to be engaging in such conduct were either going to have to double or we’re done over the past decades, pre-Stonewall and “Transgender and Queer Perspectives on Sex- will be subject to discipline by their licens- going to have to have major cuts in order for post-Stonewall, because of the millions of uality in Later Life.” ing agency or review board with appropriate our city to meet its pension liability. One of the people who have come out of the closet, we’re Also, among the site visits planned is one jurisdiction. starkest contrasts between my opponent and at a point where I can say, “I’m running for on March 25, 1-4 p.m., to the LGBT-inclusive State Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, will myself is that I have taken property tax in- alderman and I’m a proud, openly gay Latino Town Hall Apartments in Boystown at Addi- soon introduce a counterpart bill in the Sen- creases off the table. My opponent has refused man.” It’s a wonderful thing. I feel so grateful son and Halsted streets. ate. Cassidy introduced a similar bill in 2014 to do the same thing. We might very well see, to the generations of people that have done The conference will cover many other ar- but the legislation was voted down in April. if Mr. Colon is re-elected, that there will be that work. But I also feel responsible about eas, ranging from mental-health issues to She later admitted that she called for a vote property tax increases coming down the line. continuing to move that forward. The city of creativity programs to spirituality and reli- too early. I think that makes housing unaffordable for a New York recently elected two openly gay La- gion. “Illinois should be at the forefront of ban- lot of families in my community. We cannot af- tino men. We’re in the “second city” so I think Visit http://www.asaging.org/aia12. ning this failed and discredited non-therapy ford to double property taxes. We need to make it’s time that it happens here. 8 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES ELECTIONS 2015 short-shrifted here?” housing, you’re not going to be able to replace The blog Crime in Wrigleyville and Boystown those 200 units in one shot somewhere else, is excellent in compiling crime data. If you so the likelihood that we’re going to be able look at Tribune data, murders and shootings to just rebuild all of that affordable housing Lesbian candidate are up over the last year in Uptown and the is really low. What I would be open to as al- 19th police district has seen an increase in derman would be adding some affordable units murders by more than 50 percent, shootings for working people and seniors, particularly a vies to win seat as more than 40 percent. We’re one of the only mixed-income building, and for serving what police districts in that category. Most of the we’ve got. other police districts have seen a decrease over WCT: A disproportionate number of home- the past year. We’ve had more murders in the less and displaced youth are LGBT. What can 46th Ward alderman las four years in Uptown than the prior four. I be done to help them? know that the alderman is talking a lot about AC: It’s something that hits home for a lot of by Matt Simonette crime going down, but the violent crime is Lake View residents. Lake View makes up about what scares people. a third of the Ward but I think that the current Business attorney Amy Crawford, an openly gay WCT: What kind of work will you do to alderman has been primarily focused on Up- partner with the Chicago firm Kirkland & Ellis, make sure there’s more affordable housing town and is blind to the neighborhood’s needs is mounting a campaign to unseat incumbent in the ward? down in Lake View. That’s something that I’m Ald. James Cappleman, also openly gay, in the AC: Many people in the ward feel we have hearing a lot from Lake View residents. Those February 24th municipal election. too much and I’ve actually talked to people youth are spending a lot of time in Lake View, Among the issues Crawford sees as being key who are in affordable housing who say we ac- for obvious reasons. In my early twenties, I to the race are public safety, economic devel- tually have the right balance now, and they’re moved to Chicago and I moved to Lake View opment and sustaining affordable housing in not looking to add much more. The fact is, we because it was a haven for LGBT people. I think the Ward, where Crawford lives with her partner have lost units of affordable housing over the it’s important that it remain that way. We want and their adopted son. Crawford recently dis- last four years, and that’s a concern for me. to preserve the diverse nature of our commu- cussed her candidacy with Windy City TImes. What we need to focus on is preserving the nity and be a welcoming community. I was just The remarks were edited for length and clarity. affordable housing that we have, and if there talking to some folks in Lake View about this Windy City Times: Why did you decide to are problems with certain units that we address today, who had concerns about kids hanging run? them proactively and forcefully. For me, it’s out on corners there, and they are likely home- Amy Crawford: We’ve lived in Uptown because about preserving what we’ve got, not demon- less kids with no other place to go. I think we love the diversity here and we love the cul- izing people living in affordable housing as a we’ve some good organizations in place to deal tural opportunities here. Being in a same-sex group, and making sure that we’re embracing with these issues, but they need to have more couple and having adopted a biracial baby them in the community. support. Among them I would include Howard boy a year ago, this is where we want to be. Something else is that affordable housing brown’s Broadway Youth Center as well as the We think this has the potential to be the best means a whole range of things. What I think Center on Halsted. I know that you can have an neighborhood in Chicago. We continue to be people react to most in this neighborhood— LGBT host program as well. concerned about the continued violent crime when they say they don’t want more “afford- WCT: Is there anything you would like to in our neighborhood as well as some of the lack able housing”—is that they want to not see add? of development—empty storefronts—here. In more homeless shelters or facilities in the Ward AC: That I would be a full-time alderman if being an observer of our politics over the bet- for folks living with mental illness. They feel elected. A lot of people ask me about that and ter part of the last decade, I’ve been distressed like we have had more in the way of social I want to make sure it’s clear. A lot of people that there is a really damaging divide, mostly services than other wards across the city for ask how I would be a full-time partner at Kirk- about the issue of affordable housing. a long time, but I think there’s more willing- land & Ellis and alderman at the same time. My That’s been a wedge issue for the community, ness to embrace affordable housing for work- answer is, There is no way I could possibly do and I think [the divide is] just unnecessary at ing folks and for seniors. When you tear down that, and I won’t even try. this point. I think we all agree that the crime an SRO that has maybe 200 units of affordable See http://www.amyfor46.org. is a problem, that we need more development, that we want to preserve our diversity, but he have an alderman who’s gotten bogged down post by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2003 and is in a lot of distractions like pigeons and taking the longest-serving director of that agency. on the Salvation Army. To me, it’s about hav- Amy Crawford. Photo courtesy of Crawford Among IDHR’s responsibilities are enforc- ing priorities and focusing on the big picture ing anti-discrimination laws that protect the things so we all agree. That’s what a leader rights of LGBT Illinoisans. Claps oversaw the implementation of those protections on the should do. their businesses so our retail corridors are more basis of sexual orientation and gender iden- WCT: How is the campaign going so far? walkable. That means being somebody pro-ac- tity after they were included in the Illinois AC: I think the campaign has gathered a tive in building business in the ward. For me, Human Rights Act. The agency has a budget lot of steam in the few short months since I it’s not just about being someone who can help of over $14 million and nearly 150 employ- entered the race. We’ve raised a lot of money. connect businesses with city services and help ees. At the end of the fourth quarter we reported them cut through the city bureaucracy, but Prior to his tenure at IDHR, Claps was dep- having raised around $150,000, with about also being a booster for the neighborhood— uty assessor at the Office of the Cook County $120,000 on hand. We’ve had dozens and doz- identifying what businesses we want and going Assessor and worked in a number of posts for ens of volunteers helping out with our cam- out and getting them, rather than only serving Democratic officials. He was inducted into paign, and people contacting us every day who the existing community. the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in want to help out, because they see the need Safety is a huge part of that equation. Peo- 2013. for new leadership. We’ve also picked up key ple come into the ward and they leave quickly Capitol Fax’s article is at: http://capitol- endorsements from groups like the Fraternal because they don’t have the confidence that fax.com/2015/01/23/rauner-announces- Order of Police, the Chicago Chapter of the they’re going to be safe here. I think we need new-appointments/. National Organization for Women, IVI-IPO, Re- safer streets and as alderman, I’d walk the claim Chicago and others. We’re feeling really streets block by block with the commanders. good with where we’re at with over four weeks I also think we need more youth engagement. Cornel West left in the campaign. We can be partnering with the city to be offer- WCT: What do you think the ward most ur- ing programs to engage that youth. lecture Feb. 1 gently needs to address at this point? I think in addition to crime and small busi- AC: Certainly, housing has been a wedge is- ness development, we just need to be rigor- at Rockefeller sue for the neighborhood. The tone has been The Center for the Study of Race, Politics ously focused on providing excellent constitu- Rocco Claps. needlessly divisive. There have been some ent services. We have major pothole issues and and Culture Annual Public Lecture will pres- common principles we all agree on—that di- various safety issues that [residents] see lin- ent Dr. Cornel West discussing his new book, versity is a huge neighborhood strength. That’s gering that haven’t been addressed. The Radical King, on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Rock- one of the reason people move here. People WCT: What are your thoughts on the crime Claps continues as efeller Memorial Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn generally agree that part of that diversity is rate in the ward? IDHR director Ave. economic diversity. So the question becomes, AC: It’s come up a lot as the one concern of West is the Class of 1943 University Profes- how do we balance all of these interests to do almost all of the voters I’ve talked to. Some- under Rauner sor at Princeton University. He has written both small business development and improve thing I want to point out is that we’ve lost By Matt Simonette 19 books and edited 13 works. He is best retail in the ward while also not being hostile more than 20 percent of our officers in the known for his book Race Matters, Democracy to a certain group of people? 19th Police District in the last four years. That’s Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) Matters, and the memoir Brother West: Liv- WCT: How do you bring about that bal- not just the result of routine budget cuts that Director Rocco Claps has been re-appointed ing and Loving Out Loud. The Office of Civic Engagement’s UChicago ance? are happening citywide. That’s because of the by Gov. Bruce Rauner to continue in the po- Engages series, Seminary Co-op Bookstore AC: The alderman has a “mini-mayor”’s role merger of the 19th and 23rd police districts. sition that he has held for the past 12 years, and Beacon Press are co-sponsoring to this and needs to be the loudest voice and biggest The 19th District has seen a bigger cut of po- Capitol Fax reported Jan. 23. event that is free and open to the public. booster for businesses in the community. They lice than any other district in the city. There’s Claps, the first openly gay cabinet member See “Cornel West: “The Radical King”-CSR- can partner with the chamber and let business- a case of misallocation. It’s not just “We need in Illinois history, was first appointed to the PC Annual Public Lecture” on Facebook. es know what funds are available to improve more cops citywide.” It’s “Why are we getting WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 9 10 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES of more police it’s a matter of better trained nesses encouraging them to hire young people police. who need a start. The bully pulpit of City Hall WCT: And accountability? used correctly can be very helpful in that re- Joe Laiacona: An elected police Board of Re- gard. view so citizens can have oversight. Let’s not WCT: So why should the residents of this expect the police to police themselves. I don’t ward pick you over Laurino or Murphy? Why trust someone like Rahm to appoint the right should the LGBT community? people to boards like that. Joe Laiacona: I have the tools to be a re- WCT: Laurino has talked about zero toler- ally good Alderman. I’m well spoken, well edu- ance to bullying in schools. As an educator, cated and experienced. I just finished serving how would you propose to enforce it? on the local school council. I’m an experienced Joe Laiacona: The answer is the teaching of negotiator. I also have a strong focus on rep- tolerance, diversity and the highlighting of the resenting citizens not people in big businesses contributions of groups such as the LGBT com- in foreign countries. I’m an independent voice. munity. It should be fostered and be a part of I think Bob Murphy is a good candidate. I just the curriculum in our school systems. have a leg up on him in terms of my expertise WCT: LGBTQ youth homelessness is a dev- and my background. I have a proven record of astating issue. How do you intend to combat service to the LGBT community. People who it? read my columns were encouraged. I was the Joe Laiacona: We need to fully fund our men- LGBT police liaison when I lived in Boystown. tal health and social services in the city. We I’m not afraid to speak my mind and I won’t need to hire social workers and counselors, kowtow to anybody. provide safe housing and employment training. Visit http://laiacona4ward39.com/. Joe Laiacona. Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond We need someone from the city going to busi-

ELECTIONS 2015: 39TH WARD HRC issues first State Gay aldermanic Equality Index The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has is- sued its first State Equality Index (SEI)—is- sued in partnership with the Equality Fed- candidate runs as eration—that shows LGBT protections (or the lack thereof) on a state-by-state basis, according to a press release. ‘anti-Emanuel’ For example, more than 206 million peo- ple—65 percent of U.S. residents—live in By Gretchen Rachel Hammond ment is meant to serve the people and privati- states where LGBT people have no explicit zation of government services does not. It puts statewide workplace protections that include Joe Laiacona is an out gay man who has lived money in rich people’s pockets. sexual orientation and gender identity. in Albany Park for over a decade. Under the WCT: And Emanuel’s record on LGBT issues, The SEI assesses statewide LGBT-related pen name Jack Rinella, the 68-year-old wrote particularly those affecting the transgender Cory Jobe. legislation and policies, good and bad, in the Leather Views column for Gay Chicago Mag- community? six areas: relationship recognition, parent- azine for 17 years and published nine books Joe Laiacona: I don’t think he has much of ing laws and policies, non-discrimination about the leather scene. His biography states one. We need a progressive view in City Hall. laws, hate crimes laws, youth-related laws that he has been a “high school and college It’s regressive in my opinion. Cory Jobe to and policies, and health and safety laws and teacher, a cook, a computer salesman, a Catho- WCT: Can you be more specific? policies. lic seminarian, an advertising copy writer and Joe Laiacona: Closing mental health clinics become Illinois Based on that review, the SEI assigns states a graphic designer.” and public schools. Fighting with the teachers. to one of four distinct categories. Illinois is Now Laiacona has set his sights on a new WCT: You’re in for a tough fight against a tourism chief in the second-highest category, “Solidifying line of work. He is seeking to end almost half a well-funded incumbent. Can you talk about By Matt Simonette Equality.” According to the report, “States century of Laurino family history presiding over some of the issues facing the 39th ward and in this category have marriage equality and the 39th Ward by replacing Margaret Laurino as the way you would approach them that dis- Springfield city council member and Illi- nondiscrimination protections, though some alderman. Also vying for the seat is architect/ tinguishes you from Laurino? nois comptroller official Cory Jobe has been lack explicit gender identity protections. photographer Robert Murphy. Joe Laiacona: First of all, Marge is Rahm’s picked to be the state’s new director of tour- They have relatively robust anti-bullying Laiacona talked with Windy City Times about number one rubber-stamper as far as I’m con- ism, the (Springfield) State Journal-Register laws, but bad laws begin to crop up in this his campaign and how he intends to confront cerned—protecting the status quo, lining their reported Jan. 21. category.” Other states in this category in- issues not only affecting the 39th Ward but LG- pockets one way or the other. She’s become a Jobe, who is openly gay, was deputy chief clude Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, BTQ people across the city. Answers have been millionaire as a political entity in Chicago. It’s of staff under the late Judy Baar Topinka and Minnesota and New York. edited for clarity and length. a hereditary oligarchy. The Laurinos have had has continued in that capacity under the The full report, including detailed score- Windy City Times: Can you talk a little that office for fifty years. That’s not democracy. state’s new comptroller, Leslie Munger. He cards for every state, as well as a compre- about your life and decision to run as alder- That’s royalty. will divide his time between the comptrol- hensive review of 2014 state legislation, is man? WCT: How are they lining their pockets? ler and tourism offices through the current available online at www.hrc.org/sei. Joe Laiacona: I’m a late bloomer. I came out Joe Laiacona: Because if you know what’s legislative session, scheduled to end May 31, at age 37 and I’ve been with my partner Pat- happening in the city before it happens, you then take on the tourism post full-time. WORLD NEWS rick for 18 years. Most of my career has been can invest in real-estate property when you Jobe has represented Ward 6 for the with college education and writing. When know the zoning’s going to change. She votes Springfield City Council since 2011, and was Canadian HIV first became known, I was living in Fort 100 percent with Rahm and if I’m opposed to that city’s first gay alderman. Shortly after publications Wayne, Indiana, and I was member of a gay Rahm, I’m certainly opposed to a woman who his election, he told Windy City Times that support group. One of the members asked if votes with him 100 percent of the time. he was fiscally conservative but “leans left” become all-digital we could help with her son who had come back WCT: Do you feel like this sentiment is on social issues, noting that he was pro- (PTP) announced a ma- from Chicago dying from the disease. That was shared by the people in your ward, particu- choice and “obviously pro-gay.” jor strategic repositioning to an all-digital the beginning of an AIDS support group that larly the LGBT community? He added that he didn’t think that his publishing company. As a result, next month we started in Fort Wayne. I came to Chicago Joe Laiacona: I have contacted about 4,000 stance on those issues conflicted with be- PTP will close print editions of the Xtra gay in 1991 and I was selling computer systems people since June and I’ve found a great deal ing a Republican: “I’m the kind of guy who and lesbian community newspapers in Ot- when I went to Gay Chicago Magazine to sell of dissatisfaction. They don’t like the way the wants to bring people together.” tawa, Toronto and Vancouver, according to them a computer. I heard the publisher Ralph ward is being run. They don’t like the way the Jobe had close ties to Topinka, who passed a press release. Gernhardt saying he was looking for someone city is being run. Is Marge petitioning and mak- away in December. “She is really my political PTP will focus on developing its journalism to write a leather column. I went home and ing noise to hire more police, and have them mentor,” Jobe said in 2011, adding that he website, DailyXtra.com, and gay adult dating wrote three columns as samples and they hired out on the street walking the beat? There is an learned from her “ability to cross party lines website, Squirt.org. The all-digital direction me as a freelancer. My desire to run is based on LGBT presence in this ward. We’re comfortable and work with constituents to get things is a result of an eight-month strategic as- the way [Mayor] Rahm Emanuel is running this and we’re accepted. done.” sessment process senior management at PTP city. I think corporations are more important to WCT: But the violence against transgender In 2013, Jobe organized an committee began in spring 2014. him than people. people in this city is alarming as well as al- to explore the possibility of his running for The final issues of Xtra Vancouver and Xtra WCT: Can you cite some examples? legations of misconduct by the CPD. If your mayor of Springfield, but he announced in Ottawa will appear on streets Feb. 12. The Joe Laiacona: Closing 50 public schools. He plan is to put more police on the street, how August 2014 that he would be seeking a sec- Toronto edition of Xtra will close on the said because they’re “underutilized” but then do you ensure sensitivity to the LGB and ond term as alderman instead. newspaper’s 31st anniversary; the final issue he turned around and opened up 37 Charter particularly the transgender community? The State Journal-Register’s story is at will be on streets Feb. 19. schools. That’s a destruction of public educa- Joe Laiacona: They must be well-trained and http://bit.ly/15CIOYZ. tion as far as I’m concerned. I think govern- sensitive to LGBT issues. It’s not just a matter WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 11 owning guns.” On the subject of education Garcia stated that, while he is not against Charter schools, the city has engaged in “Charter-mania” that “takes away resources from existing neigh- borhood schools further undermining [their] stability,” he said. “We have to care for those schools. We have to ensure those children are getting a good education.” Corley asked Garcia to clarify that he is a proponent of increasing the city’s minimum wage and not just to $13 per hour. “Yes and I’d like to do it before 2017,” he said. “I’ve represented districts that are predominantly working class with many immigrants in them. Raising the minimum economic purchasing power of those people also will create a greater economic stimulus in those areas.” Garcia noted that of all the candidates, he was the most qualified to address immigration. Candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. Photo by “I’ve been involved in this line of work all of Gretchen Rachel Hammond my life,” he said. “It is near and dear to my heart, so you can be sure that we will protect all of our immigrants in Chicago.” backbone of the family.” He asserted that he has been unwavering Wilson not only reiterated his support for a in his position supporting a woman’s right to minimum wage increase but that it should be National Public Radio Chicago Bureau Chief Cheryl Corley and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. choose, despite his Catholic faith and that of “as high as we can get—20, 30, 50 dollars an Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond many of his constituents. “We need to keep the hour,” he said. right of women to have control over their bod- Making a third stab at the job of mayor, Walls ies,” he said. asserted that he is “competent, knowledgeable Wilson heralded both his Christian faith and and experienced in the functions, operations Chicago Women the fact that he is no politician. “I’m going to and inner workings of Chicago city govern- speak from the heart,” he said. “I’m not going ment.” to give political questions or answers. I’m go- “It hurts when I hear that 19 people got shot Take Action forum ing to be myself whether it’s popular or not.” and only one person got arrested,” he said. “It He said that he had entered the race for a hurts when you look at the city of Chicago and number of reasons—economic empowerment, see 97 percent of young black men who are hosts mayoral candidates education, public safety, economic develop- disconnected—they have no real existence ment and equality for all “regardless of where in Chicago so they wander the streets. If 97 By GRETCHEN RACHEL HAMMOND Corley’s question of “looking back, would you’re from, color, race or creed.” percent of the dogs were running around with you have closed fewer schools?” resulted in re- Expressing his disappointment in Emanuel for their leashes dangling, people would protest.” The pews of the Chicago Temple were crammed sounding applause. On the issue of an elected his closure of fifty schools, Wilson said that he His answer to the issue of sex-trafficking with supporters and guests of Chicago Women school board, Emanuel that such bodies already would approach the issue of education funding included a combination of early education to Take Action (CWTA) Jan. 24 to hear arguments exist at the local level. “The governor said he’s from a “business perspective not a politicians young women and public service announce- from incumbent mayor Rahm Emanuel and not for it, the legislators say they’re not for it,” perspective.” Thus he proposed opening up a ments. “We want to make certain that we are his challengers 2nd Ward Ald. Robert Fioretti, he contended before reminding the audience of water-based Casino in the city. “We would also getting the message out there to young wom- 7th District Cook County Commissioner Jesus his own education agenda. lower taxes,” he added. “Most of citizens drive en,” he said. “We also have to have the means “Chuy” Garcia, multimillionaire CEO/producer Fioretti stated that the city is going in the into neighboring suburbs to buy gasoline be- of identifying when women are being abused.” Willie L. Wilson and community/political activ- wrong direction. “I have proposed common cause the taxes are so high.” Walls agreed with Garcia that those with a ist William “Dock” Walls as to why voters and sense solutions to get our city moving again,” Corley challenged him on the numbers of history of domestic violence should be prohib- women in particular should take the candi- he said. “I’m not a rubber-stamp alderman. I women denied economic empowerment and ited from owning guns. He also said that he date’s pledges to and strategies for the city of say what I believe and I stand up for the peo- entrepreneurship. “All my employees make on would never have closed fifty city schools and Chicago seriously when they arrive at the ballot ple that this administration has left behind.” average over $100,000 a year in my business- would in fact reopen them. “Those schools now box in one month. He also pledged to reopen the mental health es,” Wilson replied. “I believe [women] should are sitting vacant, boarded up and it’s costing Dedicated to women’s equality and leadership clinics closed in 2012—an act which Emanuel be paid the same as a male. I will not toler- us just as much now to maintain those build- regardless of age, race, background or whether claimed saved some money. ate discrimination of anyone. Females are the ings as it cost us previously.” cis or transgender, CWTA formed a coalition Responding to what he intended to do to in 2014 of two hundred women to create the benefit young women and especially young Chicago Women’s Agenda which includes full women of color in poorer communities, Fio- reproductive rights, economic security and em- retti began by directly countering Emanuel. DJ held after fatal Gay film and powerment, real immigration reform, freedom “We need an elected school board,” he said. Lake Shore crash ‘Homestretch’ from violence, common sense gun control and “There are conflicts of interests running amok By Matt Simonette expanded opportunities for young women. right now. We have 18,000 homeless kids in our parts of PBS series In separate 30-minute interviews with each school system. We need to find the resources to A popular Chicago DJ is being held on $1 A film about a couple’s decades-long fight candidate, National Public Radio (NPR) Chicago help those kids.” million bond after a Jan. 19 car crash result- for the right to marry and a documentary Bureau Chief and award-winning journalist Fioretti’s demand for a moratorium on Char- ing in the death of a woman riding in his car, about homeless Chicago youths are in the Cheryl Corley fielded questions that had been ter schools was answered with cheers and em- NBC5 reported. line-up of PBS’ Independent Lens’ winter/ emailed to the CWTA. Some were framed within phatic applause. Rafael Rodriguez, also known as DJ Lego, spring 2015 season. the agenda’s issues as well as topics which He said he would support the redirection of was allegedly speeding and lost control of Limited Partnership, which will air June have become campaign fodder for each of police resources away from sex workers to in- his car in the 2200 block of North Lake Shore 15, centers on a gay couple’s 40-year fight Emanuel’s opponents. stead focus on people buying sex and engaged Drive, running it into a frozen lagoon at the for the right to marry in the United States. The mayor opened by reiterating his sup- in human trafficking. “Every day 25,000 women Lincoln Park Zoo. Rodriguez and his passen- The Homestretch, which will run April 13, port for women—which he defined as “family are engaged in prostitution in this city,” he ger, Claudia Beruben, had to be extracted features three ambitious Chicago teens who issues”—and claimed that the city’s increase said. “It was amazing that so many City Council from the car. Beruben later died from her deal with “frigid winters, high school pres- in minimum wage, addressing of domestic vio- people did not know the scope of the prob- injuries. sures and homelessness as they fight to stay lence, increase in kindergarten hours and his lem and how to deal with it. We need to get Police said Rodriguez smelled like alcohol, in school, graduate and build a future,” ac- support of healthcare reform were reflective of [women] out of the cycle of poverty and break and his blood alcohol level measured .17, ac- cording to a press release. that. “We are opening the first domestic vio- up human trafficking.” cording to Assistant State’s Attorney Akash Kicking off the 2015 season Jan. 5 was lence shelter in the city of Chicago in a de- Garcia’s campaign has been one designed Vyas. He was charged with driving under the Tracy Droz Tragos and Andrew Droz Palermo’s cade,” Emanuel touted in an almost verbatim around championing the city’s forgotten and influence, driving on a suspended license Rich Hill, a look at poverty in a small Mid- repeat of a speech he delivered at the Chicago impoverished people and both his opening and failure to reduce speed. He sustained a western town. It was followed by Darius Clark Foundation for Women (CFW) luncheon in Sep- statement and answers emulated that assur- fractured vertebrae and hand injuries in the Monroe’s acclaimed Evolution of a Criminal, tember. ance. In preventing domestic violence against accident. in which the filmmaker returns to his Texas women, he was emphatic that it was important When Corley challenged him on the closure Prosecutors said that Rodriguez had been hometown to explore what led him to rob a for the city to support advocates and service of fifty schools in 2013, Emanuel repeated his stopped for speeding six times in the past bank as a teenager. providers. “We need the bully pulpit continu- kindergarten reforms. “Kids start dropping out five years. A popular Latin and House DJ, he All programs are at 9 p.m. CT. Visit pbs. ously getting into elementary and high schools of college in the third grade” he said. “Our job previously had residencies at a number of org/independentlens. to inform students that domestic violence is is to get to them when they are three-years- Chicago clubs, among them Hydrate Night- unacceptable,” he said. “That gender dis- old. We’ve gone from a K through 12 strategy club in 2004, according to ChicagoPride. crimination is inhumane and needs to cease. to a pre-K to 14th grade strategy.” He insisted com. I do believe that people who have a history that the closure was a difficult decision but NBC5’s article is at http://bit.ly/1zc1xYd. that the benefits in classroom time, attendance of violence with guns, especially in instances and graduation rates had vindicated it. of domestic abuse, should be prohibited from 12 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES city of Chicago, particularly those who are go- materials is that those participating in training ing to have any interactions with the police, will “learn relevant terminology, understand City Council bans are the most at risk for not being in a position the misconceptions that impact the prevention to afford any of the associated expenses to of and response to hate crimes and develop an change their gender marker. The General Order awareness of strategies and resources for suc- police profiling of grew out of the realization that trans people cessful collaboration.” and particularly homeless trans people were Both Kahrl and James have assisted the DoJ being harassed by the police. They are still in with such training. the crosshairs but the General Order doesn’t do “I would like to find out what the CPD has trans community anything to address them.” in mind in terms of actual implementation and Kahrl said she doubts Tunney’s statement as training of police officers particularly around By Gretchen Rachel Hammond to how CPD training and sensitivity will occur trans people and trans issues,” Kahrl said. “And and who will deliver it. “Although he partici- I would like to see them change their policy By a unanimous vote Jan. 21, the Chicago City pated in conversations with then the Lakev- around IDs.” Council approved the expansion of an exist- iew Action Coalition and was involved with an “We’ve got people pointing the finger at law ing city ordinance prohibiting police profiling effort to create a City Council ordinance that enforcement and law enforcement pointing based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and would have been favorable to the police, he their fingers at the community,” James said. disability, military discharge, marital, financial does not have all the information at his dispos- “The bridge is never mended because mistakes or parental status to include gender identity al,” Kahrl said. “We talked a lot about the need are being made publicly. If the CPD can receive and national origin. for in-person training. We wanted and recom- the training from trans men and women who Tom Tunney, alderman of the 44th Ward, mended a stronger implementation effort. We were targeted and impacted by the system, I co-sponsored the ordinance. “It came to the did not want the Chicago Police Department to think that it would be a plus, not just for the attention of council members through [Attor- go with a virtual learning mode. I have seen no trans community but for society as a whole.” ney General] Eric Holder’s work adding gender evidence that it has actually happened.” Windy City Times reached out to the CPD on identity to the prohibition of racial profiling,” In March of 2014, the Department of Justice multiple occasions to determine if a training Tunney told Windy City Times. “I’ve been in- (DoJ) Community Relations Service launched plan is in place, and who or what organizations volved with this for a long time knowing that transgender training materials that were in- will be delivering it. The CPD told Windy City the relationship between the community and tended to be disseminated to police depart- Times that inquiries had been “forwarded to the police has had its ups and downs. We have ments across the country. The object of the the appropriate department.” worked for years making sure that sensitivity to the transgender [community] was manda- tory as part of [Chicago Police Department, or CPD] initial training and reeducation. I think it’s even more important, not just for the re- Apartment Adoption cruits, but for the existing workforce.” Tunney added that several Chicago advocacy Projects starts for organizations will assist with gender identity training and sensitivity. “We’ve had issues over homeless Chicago youth the years on Halsted Street and with local rec- ognition of the transgender community,” he CHICAGO—The 750 Club Apartment Adoption said. “We’ve also heard about too many issues Project has launched in Chicago to provide where transgender people in custody have not Ald. Tom Tunney. Photo by Matt Simonette private apartments for youth moving out of been treated well.” transitional housing. The project was initi- Tunney said that it took three months for the during which she gave a speech to members ated at the LGBTQ Homeless Youth Summit expansion to pass. of the United Nations which focused upon the hosted earlier in 2014 by Windy City Times ONE Northside (formerly the Lakeview Ac- profiling and targeting of transgender women newspaper. tion Coalition) Executive Director Jennifer Rit- of color by law enforcement and its devastating The 750 Club aims to provide additional ter applauded the move. “We had worked for repercussions and resulting disenfranchisement scattered-site housing to unstably housed several years to draft an internal police policy of the transgender community. youth who are in school or working at least around the treatment of transgender individu- “Any time we can get something in writing, part-time. There will be a special focus on als and worked with [the CPD] to agree to it,” dialogue and the representation of transgen- LGBTQ youth, but the program is not exclu- she told Windy City Times. “This sounds like a der, gender non-conforming and queer commu- sive. services for over 750 supportive housing great next step.” nity members, any time we can get language Studies show that stable housing is a ba- residents each month,” said John Peller, She added that it was the treatment of LGBT included in laws and the policy of how govern- sic necessity to maintain health and safety. president & CEO of AFC. “The 750 Club is a youth in Lakeview by both local businesses and ment interacts with that community, I think Without it, youth have difficulty attending cost-effective extension of our existing pro- the CPD that spurred the organization to be- that’s a great step moving forward,” James said school, finding and keeping jobs, eating grams that will help youth, including LGBTQ gin work on the policy. “It’s kind of Lakeview’s of the ordinance. right, staying healthy, and more. youth, a population that is highly vulnerable dirty little secret, and not a very well kept se- However, she added that training will only The 750 Club will address this issue by to HIV. We are grateful for Tracy’s leadership cret, that despite the fact that it prides itself be effective if entire department received the raising funds for private “adoption” of apart- to address a serious, long-standing commu- on being such an open community, there are training “whether they are in the field or on ments. Existing homeless youth agencies nity need.” youth being harassed by the police,” Ritter administrative duty,” she said. “But also I only and their case manager programs will pro- The donation categories are: said. think it’s going to work if training is facilitated vide supportive services to the residents. The —Bronze: $75 one time — House one Harry Osterman, alderman of the 48th Ward, and implemented by people from the commu- program will cover young adults ages 18 to youth for three days was a fervent supporter of the expansion. “It’s nity who have suffered from the targeting of 25, or emancipated minors. —Silver: $75 per month for 10 months — important that the transgender community trans folks and the LGBTQI community as a Every $750 raised will get approximately House one youth for one month feel safe and know they are not going to be whole. Law enforcement has the opportunity one youth in one apartment for one month. —Gold: $75 per month for 24 months — discriminated against by the Chicago police,” to make mistakes behind closed doors and have Team captains who agree to recruit 10 Partnered with nine others, you will house he told Windy City Times. “In addition to the them corrected.” people to each give $75 a month for two one youth for two years ordinance passed today, it’s important that A former board member of the Lakeview Ac- years will have adopted one apartment for —Platinum: $750 a month for 6 months — the police department continue to do ongoing tion Coalition, Chicago trans activist and Gay one youth for two years, which is the aver- You will house one youth for six months training and that’s something that they have and Lesbian Hall of Fame inductee Christina age minimum time agencies recommend for —Titanium: $750 per month for 24 months embarked upon. This is a very important step, Kahrl said she believes the expansion of the stabilizing a formerly homeless young per- — You will house one youth for two years but I think that ongoing awareness and train- ordinance does not address the fundamental son. Online donations and monthly pledges can ing is also critical. My colleagues are going to problem with the CPD’s August 2012 general “This is an amazing, one-on-one way our be done via the AFC website, http://tinyurl. work to make sure that continues.” order concerning “Interactions with Transgen- community can make a difference in the com/ApartmentAdopt. In a press release, Equality Illinois CEO Ber- der, Intersex and Gender Nonconforming “In- lives of at-risk youth,” said Tracy Baim, pub- For landlords interested in donating the nard Chersakov said that “adding gender iden- dividuals.” lisher of Windy City Times. Baim is oversee- use of an apartment at no or low-cost, please tity to the anti-profiling law is a major win for “These problems are, unfortunately, still ing the project, and is seeking help from contact Baim to discuss options. Email: edi- the city’s transgender residents. The ordinance there and create a liability issue for the city,” team captains willing to recruit friends to [email protected]. recognizes the unique situation that transgen- Kahrl said. “We’re talking about people with commit to raising $75 each for two years. Note: The average studio apartment rented der people face in achieving full equality, and IDs with the wrong gender marker because they “A small group of just 10 people can change through the agencies is $750 a month. The it enshrines in law that they should be treated can’t afford to change their ID’s, their names the world of one youth. The case managers 750 Club will use this as the target goal to fairly and with understanding.” or to get a doctor’s note to take to the Depart- will handle the logistics, but we also help to raise funds for two-year leases for youth who Reactions from two members of the transgen- ment of Motor Vehicles to get the gender mark- provide mentorship opportunities as well.” are working through agencies to find stable, All funds raised will be collected and ad- der community were mixed. er changed. By only looking at people on the long-term housing. In some cases it might ministered by the AIDS Foundation of Chi- Activist and collective member of the Trans- basis of how their gender marker is set up on be a two-bedroom apartment at average rent cago’s (AFC’s) housing program, so all dona- of $1,500. Because this is an average num- formative Justice Law Center of Illinois Monica their ID, the police department have basically tions will be tax-deductible. Agencies who ber, in some cases the funds will help more James suffered decades of profiling, abuse and set up an economic model for the dispensation utilize scattered-site youth housing options than one youth, and in others additional harassment by both the CPD and the Illinois of justice for transgender people. will then apply for the use of the funds. money will be needed. Any extra funds will Department of Corrections. James was a 2014 “You’re only going to be treated properly if “AFC has the infrastructure to pay rents roll over into additional apartment rentals. delegate in the 2014 Community Against Tor- you can afford to be treated the way you self on behalf of residents, and we coordinate ture (CAT) convention in Geneva, Switzerland identify. Too many transgender people in the WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 13 deluge of problems that transgender individu- als face when confronted by and dealing with society’s systems. “As a trans movement that is ‘Out at CHM’ begins led by trans people, we really need to be think- ing about how those systems interact with one another at the same time,” he said. “One of the with trans resilience reasons why we focus on the criminal legal is- sue at the TJLP and as a practicing attorney my entire legal career is that it seems like an is- sue that’s always touched our community. The cross-dressing statute was a criminal code in the city of Chicago that criminalized transgen- der people for existing. It was a crime to be trans. We see that legacy last until today with police profiling of particularly trans women of color in certain neighborhoods.” Daniel-McCarter also commented on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s recent appointment of the Rev. James Meeks as chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education. “He has been very out- spoken and a leader in opposing LGBT rights,” Daniel-McCarter noted. “It’s very disheartening for a governor who has stated that he is not taking a position on social issues to appoint such a person who is a known figure as being very hateful. What does that show our young people about what we intend to do with our schools, what we are going to think of as bul- lying and violence prevention?” Allen asserted that seeing many transgender youth in the streets is discouraging. “Educa- tion is the key to everything,” she said. “They don’t do that and a lot of kids are thrown out Out at CHM panelists (from left) Owen Daniel-McCarter, Precious Davis, Mama Gloria for being themselves. I love youth today and Allen, Angelica Ross and Kelly Lauren. Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond I want them to know that I’m here for them. Without love, you can’t survive. I was born in the 40’s and I’ve been through a lot. Transgen- der women are not all street workers. Some of them have to do it to survive.” By Gretchen Rachel Hammond face setbacks, misrepresentations, pervasive changes and progress made community-wide “Some of the young people on the streets, stereotypes, inappropriate and invasive ques- and within the art-form of female imperson- the only hug they get is from Mama Gloria,” The Chicago History Museum began its 12th tions from even the most well-meaning allies ation, have been not been nearly enough in Davis added. annual Out at CHM series Jan. 22 with “Trans- and of course, the ever present threat of dan- three decades spent as a transgender individu- The panel fielded audience questions in- mopolitan: Transgender Resilience.” ger to our lives and livelihoods.” al. “I don’t understand the weird stigma there cluding the media’s portrayal of transgender Trans activist and evangelist Precious Davis “Even within our own LGBT community,” is towards it,” Lauren said. “Especially when it individuals from the nefarious exploitation of led and moderated a panel which represented Davis added, “although it continues to pro- involves romantic endeavors.” shows like Maury Povich to Ru Paul’s Drag Race an ongoing dynasty of transgender history, mote itself with the acronym of inclusivity, Ross described many drag-performance ven- as well as the “privilege of passing.” advocacy and achievement. Speakers included I’m obliged to point out how quickly the ‘T’ is ues as “sweatshops.” Among the audience was the parent of Trans- beloved activist and Center on Halsted charm all too often forgotten in favor of mainstream “They get these entertainers in and what parent creator Jill Soloway and the inspiration school principal “Mama Gloria” Allen, celebrat- agendas. It is up to us from within the trans they don’t realize is that girls are competing for the award-winning show. She was given a ed and former Miss Continental title holder Kel- community to be our own heralds and story- for their lives,” she said. “The girls are trying standing ovation. “Because of her bold tenac- ly Lauren, Executive Director, founder of Trans- tellers.” to make money to make ends meet and are just ity to tell her truth, we are witnessing Trans- Tech Social Enterprises and rising star Angelica parent,” Davis said. Ross and impassioned activist, founding mem- “When you show up for whatever the oppor- ber and Project Attorney of the Transformative tunity is, you can’t predict what the outcome Justice Law Project Owen Daniel-McCarter. is going to be,” Ross said. “Because the trans Their spirited and moving dialogue, deeply Chicago History Museum community has not given up, we are seeing personal stories and opinions demonstrated president Gary Johnson. this kind of movement. Not because the gay the tenacious resolve of the transgender com- Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond community finally said ‘it’s your turn.’ I have a munity to be a compelling and meaningful part wallet-sized cutout of Laverne Cox’s Time mag- of the conversation rather than a disregarded azine cover so the next time somebody tells me or reviled afterthought. to wait on an issue, I’m like, “No bitch—it’s In an illustration of expanding support and time.” awareness of that community, the Chicago “Out at CHM” continues on March 26 with Room was filled with an audience that en- Secret Loves: Before We Could Ask or Tell. compassed a unified spectrum of LGBTQ and For more information on Out at CHM please straight allies representing a vast range of age, visit: http://www.chicagohistory.org/pla- race and gender, identity and including some of navisit/upcomingevents/out-at-chm. Chicago’s most celebrated LGBTQ activists—all For more information on TransTech Social enthusiastic parishioners for an evening in “the By way of example, Davis not only honored seen as ‘we’re your entertainment.’ I’ve seen Enterprises, please visit: http://transtech- Church of Precious Davis.” Their overwhelming the groundbreaking achievements in courage, gay and lesbian business owners move forward social.org. accord with the issues raised was demonstrated creation and audacity of transgender individu- and leave the trans community behind, and For more information on the Transformative in a combination of standing ovations and fin- als such as actress and Golden Globe Winner Al- then ask us to come and perform at their wed- Justice Law Project, please visit: https:// ger snaps. exandra Billings, writer, actor and former may- dings.” www.facebook.com/pages/Transformative- “I stand before you today as a representa- oral and presidential candidate Joan Jett Black Daniel-McCarter—who recently accepted a Justice-Law-Project/224106214271090. tive and as a testament,” Davis said, “of the and activists Lois Bates, Channyn Parker and position as Policy and Advocacy Director of the online version of this article features tremendous and beautiful trans community of Bonn Wade but invited the audience into her the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance—noted the videos of the speakers. which I am a part and joyfully give testimony, confidence as she gave an exhaustive account by my very presence here before you, to the of her own life that began in Omaha Nebraska glorious new heights of trans visibility we are when “I had no language or context to make TH in the process of achieving.” sense of how I felt.” MARK THOMAS FOR 44 WARD ALDERMAN However, Davis cautioned that the recent “Through the hurt and challenges I faced surge in media and public interest in the trans- through my adolescence, I eventually became gender community was not an opportunity to be intimately familiar with the beautiful insight squandered. “This possibility of this moment is that helped me with my journey through gen- FED UP WITH CRIME? a gift,” she said, “a legacy given to us by those der,” Davis said. “Transformation is just not whose lives which were lived with authentic- possible, it is inevitable. We are always chang- VISIT MY WEBSITE ity, purpose and unimaginable resilience at a ing, blossoming anew with each passing sea- time when visibility more often meant danger son. It is up to us to decide [in] what form we VOTEFORMARKTHOMAS.ORG than empowerment. We must remind everyone, will emerge from our individual cocoons.” including ourselves, that this doesn’t mean the About to celebrate 20 years of sobriety, Lau- VOTE MARK THOMAS ON FEBRUARY 24, 2015 trans community is something new. We still ren said that despite being an optimist, the VOTEFORMARKTHOMAS.ORG | PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF MARK THOMAS 14 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES Chicago Women in Trades forges new, nontraditional lives By Gretchen Rachel Hammond want to rehab your house, this isn’t going to work for you. This is strictly for people who One of the legacies left when feminist leader want a career. But we like to assess everyone Christine Johnson passed way Jan. 23 was an so we can look at them on an individual basis. indelible advancement in the attitudes, growth They may have the drive and the passion and and opportunities for women wishing to follow we can work with that.” in her steps and forge a career as a construc- A perfect illustration of that drive and pas- tion machinist or as a plumber, electrician, sion was found in the line of working trades- welder or in any number of trades that had women who stood in front of the applicants once been viewed as remaining solely within and “stepped forward” to declare personal de- the purview and capabilities of men despite the tails of their lives whether as single parents or indisputable and highly skilled success women even having had a criminal background. made of those industries in the United States Also available to the applicants were repre- and Great Britain during both world wars. sentatives from local trade unions who sat at “I always was the first woman at any job I desks lined with information. went to,” Johnson recalled during a 2007 in- Adam Sutter of the Pipefitters Local 597 told terview for the Chicago Gay History Project. Windy City Times that there has been an up- Bricklayer Jacqueline Townsend (left) and Chicago Women in Trades co-founder Lauren “The more I got pushed, the more I would say take in applications of women into the trade Sugerman. Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond ‘you’re not getting me to leave. I’m not leav- and acceptance of them into apprenticeship. ing. This is a good job, it pays well and some- “We actively recruit women,” he said. “There’s day I may even be your boss’.” that misconception that the trades are a man’s crimination in the apprenticeship training pro- touches hundreds and—according to current Johnson’s steadfast battle against discrimi- world. We are here to show our support and grams at the 11-acre Washburne Trade School Executive Director Jayne Vellinga—maintains a nation manifested itself in innumerable actions make sure that women know they can abso- complex in Little Village that were occurring at budget of close to 1 million dollars. and associations. One was as a board member lutely do this as well as a guy can and we want the time. “There was one female bathroom, no “When I talk to women now, I think we made for Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT). them to come and actively apply.” female teachers no female administrative staff a difference and times have changed,” Johnson Founded in 1981, CWIT has been dedicated Sutter added that a first year pipefitter ap- and teachers would feel free to call women up had said in 2007 interview. to the training, support and encouragement of prentice makes $18.40 per hour—a figure in front of the class and ask for a kiss,” she When the women selected at orientation fin- women wishing to enter into and succeed in which increases annually. “After five years recalled. “It was just a degrading experience ish CWIT’s training programs, they will enter “nontraditional” or “male-dominated” indus- when they become a journeyman, they’ll make so we filed a sex discrimination complaint with into apprenticeship in one of the trades avail- tries. According to co-founder Lauren Suger- 46 bucks an hour which comes out to 92 grand the US Department of Education. It was inves- able and, from there, a career that will not man the organization was formed by a small a year before overtime so they have the poten- tigated for two years and all of our charges only change their lives but the face and per- group of tradeswomen who were forced to deal tial to make six figures,” he said. were substantiated.” ception of the American trade-worker. with an unrelenting denigration and persecu- CWIT and the tradeswomen who are a part In 1986, fed up with her hostile work envi- Sat at one of the orientation desks was tion by their co-workers and bosses simply for of and have benefitted from the organization’s ronment, Sugerman took a leave of absence. “I John Retondo—an instructor for the Chicago wishing, as most people do, to excel in their work have come a long way together. fell into the job [of Executive Director] with Labor Training and Apprentice Fund. He told chosen careers. When Sugerman co-founded CWIT, she was an Chicago Women in Trades,” she said. “It be- Windy City Times that the numbers of women “It was really important for us to come to- elevator constructor. “I started [that work] in came clear that we had the ideas and the re- in the construction industry are growing. “It’s gether to recognize that it wasn’t something January 1980,” she recalled. “I hadn’t graduat- sources because we knew what women would very encouraging,” he said. “It’s great for the that we were individually causing,” she told ed college and I was working as a translator for respond to in terms of getting interested in economy, great for the union. These women do Windy City Times. “It was a systemic issue. In the federal government making four-something these jobs.” exactly the same work [as men] for the same 1981, there was a huge solidarity demonstra- an hour. I was taking a training program with She remained with the organization for 23 pay and the same benefits.” tion in Washington, D.C., and we caravanned the Chicago Urban League, looking to get into years, eventually moving on to a position with Asked how many women from CWIT’s pro- in three cars of tradeswomen. It was along I-80 any kind of job that had a union attached to Wider Opportunities for Women. Staff turnover grams he would accept into apprenticeship, that we began to talk about forming Chicago it because I knew I could get good wages. I at CWIT is practically non-existent. So when Retondo replied “we’ll take them all. It’d be Women in Trades. We had a meeting at my didn’t know about elevator constructors, but it Sugerman arrived for the orientation, the feel- great for everyone.” house to formalize that idea.” made $7.43 an hour and I jumped at that. But ing was akin to a family reunion with not only Next week, two tradeswomen talk about Thirty-four years later, CWIT held an orienta- then I was sent to interview with the super- staff and board members but the many women their lives and careers. tion Jan. 21 for women thinking about careers intendent and he said to me ‘you don’t really on hand who had benefitted from the organiza- For more information about Chicago Wom- in the skilled construction or manufacturing want this job. It’s too dangerous for a girl, too tion’s services and the support of each other. en in Trades, visit www.chicagowomenin- trades at its multifaceted office and workshop dirty, you’re not going to like were you have to What started as a small group of women now trades.org. complex located in a massive warehouse on the go.’ He basically did a dis-interview. The only reason I got the job was because of the Af- city’s West-Side. of anti-abortion demonstrators stream to firmative Action Laws that extended require- Attendance was standing-room only. More National news Washington to mark the anniversary of the ments to women in construction.” than 350 women of all races and covering a Just months before the U.S. Supreme Court 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized She spent the next five years surviving wide age range—some with their children in is scheduled to consider the issue of nation- abortion. some extraordinarily bad days on the job. “It tow—crowded into a vast workshop replete wide marriage equality, President Obama, in Patsy Keever, vice chair of North Carolina’s was rough,” she said. “I had some good co- with facilities and learning projects designed his State of the Union address, praised the Democratic Party, apologized in a post to her workers and I had some who didn’t want to to open the doors to the tools and skills need- issue as “a story of freedom across our Facebook page after she called her oppo- see me there. The environment was just not ac- ed in the hitherto unseen worlds belonging to country” and “a civil right,” LGBTQ Nation nent for chair of the party, Janice Coving- cepting of a woman. There was a considerable carpenters, electricians and plumbers among noted. In his sixth State of the Union ad- ton, a man at a public forum, Metro Weekly amount of sexual harassment and often benign many others. dress, Obama said that U.S. residents now noted. Covington, who is transgender, was neglect—a shunning to menial assignments The atmosphere was that of an enthusiastic “value the dignity and worth” of gay citizens, listing the various groups she represented not really having a chance to learn my trade. I revival as CWIT staff members Linda Hannah and for the first time recognized lesbian, bi- as a delegate to the Democratic National worked around graffiti that had my name in it and Pamyla Berryhill talked the women through sexual and transgender people in a State of Convention in 2012 when Keever uttered the and sexual innuendos. I would enter an eleva- the application process and requirements to the Union address. “I’ve seen something like comment, according to QNotes. Keever cut in tor and guys would be telling rape jokes.” join each of the organization’s two available gay marriage go from a wedge issue used to with “a man,” to which Covington retorted, Despite the better salary, the isolation Sug- training programs in technical opportunities drive us apart to a story of freedom across “There ain’t no man left in here, honey.” erman felt was daunting. She said that an and welding. Both Hannah and Berryhill led our country, a civil right now legal in states New Orleans’ oldest active gay Mardi invitation to a pot-luck dinner of women car- the orientation with ardent enthusiasm, ener- that seven in 10 Americans call home,” said Gras krewe has canceled its annual Carnival penters was life-changing. “It was such a relief getic persuasion and reassurance but also some Obama, noting the rise in support for mar- ball for 2015, a decision it said was difficult to hear other women tell their stories, to rec- emphatic quid pro quos. For example, appli- riage equality. but financially necessary amid increasingly ognize that we were all experiencing the same cants needed to have a driver license and be U.S. House Republicans abruptly decided difficult times, The New Orleans Advocate thing,” she remembered. prepared to submit to a drug test. to drop planned debate of a bill criminal- reported. The Krewe of Petronius, founded in In 1982, CWIT began to see a pattern of Thus not all of the women would be select- izing virtually all late-term abortions after 1961, said that it will not hold Bal Masque women not being hired in the trades. “We tried ed. Berryhill told Windy City Times that CWIT objections from GOP women and other law- LIV this year, instead putting all of its funds a strategy of fighting back on the basis of sex hopes to start up to 35 women in the technical makers left them short of votes, The Chicago toward its 55th-anniversary ball next year. discrimination, but we couldn’t muster enough opportunities program, while the welding pro- Tribune reported. The legislation would’ve Petronius will still hold a small gathering for documentation as evidence,” Sugerman said. gram is open on a rotating basis. banned most abortions after 20 weeks of members and their guests; it will announce “But we got connected to lawyers and they en- “We do an aptitude test, physical assessment pregnancy. The decision came on the eve of details of its 2015-16 membership rush party couraged us to find other ways to fight back.” and an interview,” she said. “We need to see the annual March for Life, when thousands and other events later this year. who is a good fit for the program. If you just `So Sugerman stated that they took on dis- WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 15 Moxie networks LGBTs in urban planning areas By Ross Forman “Moxie, like the LGBTQ community, is like any microcosm of a larger group: we’re unable to Steven Vance, a transportation blogger for represent the breadth and complexity of our Streetsblog, made a simple suggestion last community to the fullest extent by virtue of January: that there be a group for queer trans- who shows up, or doesn’t, but we do offer a portation professionals. chance for those who do to shape the group At the time, Daniel Ronan was in the midst of they want,” Ronan said. “For many, LGBT- a six-month job search, having moved to Chi- identified groups are a bit passé in particular cago from Portland, Oregon, without a job and because the community today in the broadest had spoken with more than 90 people in three sense does not experience the same level of months from three different sectors: transpor- discrimination as it did 25-plus years ago. Old- tation, historic preservation and economic de- er queer people, for instance, have experienced velopment. a much different reality than Millennials. “Seeing the sheer number of people I had “What Moxie can do, and I think is doing for contacted, the number of them who happened the LGBTQ community, is highlighting just the to identify as queer, and the generally friendly amount of social capital we have as queer peo- attitude of everyone I have met in Chicago, I ple and the various roles in which we can give decided to expand Steven’s suggestion and in- back to our community. Regardless if we want corporate queer people from all urban policy to wave the rainbow flag or just create the and planning disciplines,” said Ronan, who space within which we can talk to people with now serves as the organizer for Moxie—an in- similar identities and experiences as our own, terdisciplinary group of LGBTQA urban public the strength of Moxie is its members’ abilities policy and planning professionals in Chicago to share, to partner, and to collaborate. which seeks to break down the silos among dif- “I think [Moxie] is important for members ferent sectors, politics, and identities in Chi- and broader LGBT people to ask why more queer cago and beyond. people aren’t in more leadership positions. “We’re a diverse group with members span- Given the amount of talent we have, and an ning environmental, transportation, education, inherent professional drive I’ve noticed within museums, real estate, economic development, the community, I don’t see many out queer in- Daniel Roman (center). Photo courtesy of Roman law and other fields with a mission to connect, dividuals at the head of many companies, non- collaborate, and create community change. profits and governmental organizations. Why is “Our goals, while seemingly lofty, are quite this?” versity of Illinois-Chicago lecture featuring among group members,” Ronan said. “In the tangible. Ask yourself, ‘Have you taken the Ronan said the Moxie demographic is male- Windy City Times publisher Tracy Baim discuss- meantime we’ll be working to create policy fo- time to learn about another’s sector’s jargon or dominated, with a “small handful” of women ing ways to be more responsive to LGBTQ youth rums which touch upon pressing issues such as culture? What would it take? Do you like beer who often participate in events and are active- experiencing homelessness. LGBTQ-youth homelessness, affordable hous- and great company?’ That’s what we provide: a ly looking for ways to encourage more women “It’s a long-standing goal for the group to ing, and transit investments.” relaxed yet professional space in which people to join. become more engaged politically, I’d say, but For more information about the Jan. 29 are free to network in the traditional sense if Moxie Meetups are held about once a month. what shape that takes and at what juncture event, go to http://www.meetup.com/Mox- they please, but more importantly, learn about “Community change is getting people talk- this will happen will take some time to fig- ieChicagoland/events/219901872/. other people and what they do to make this ing and getting them to act on what they talk ure out and will require a broader conversation city such a great place to live. By working about,” Ronan said. “I think too often what together and meeting people outside of our happens when people form groups is that they typical policy worlds, we’re able to broaden our accept people that typically are just like them, Her HRC Web series outlook on our own work and make unlikely who think alike, and have the same friends. event Feb. 15 premieres connections and collaborations happen—and It’s no wonder, then, how much of what we do “Chicago Her HRC Presents: 4th Annual Va The online series McTucky Fried High de- have fun while doing it.” turns out to be preaching to the choir, espe- ~ Va ~ Vaudeville!” will take place Sunday, buted Jan. 26. Ronan, 25, lives in Chicago’s Uptown neigh- cially in places as liberal as Chicago. But mean- Feb. 15, at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., The series—the brainchild of local film- borhood—and has called Chicago home since while, we have aldermen who advocate against 7-10 p.m. maker-illustrator-activist Robert-Carnilius— October 2013. He is the site projects and pub- raising the minimum wage here, and even balk Past events have featured burlesque danc- uses LGBTQ characters, and focuses on issues lic engagement manager for the National Public at $13 an hour. Does our community know that ers, comedians, jugglers, magicians, musi- teens face, including coming out, going on Housing Museum. He identifies as queer. there is a gay alderman that is against raising cians, sword swallowers, painted ladies and extreme diets, being genderqueer, bullying “I help gather ideas for future [Moxie] pro- the minimum wage? Community change would belly dancers. Gwen La Roka will host this and sexting. gramming and events the group will implement be having even slightly more people within the year’s event, with Lady Gia, Aerin Tedesco, Each episode will be released biweekly throughout the year,” Ronan said. “I help lead LGBTQ community understand regressive poli- Cruel Valentine and Shana Vaughn-Gabor starting Jan. 26 on www.McTuckyFriedHigh. broader discussions on the direction of future cies and platforms and take a stand for policies among the slated performers. com, where people can sign up for the Mc- Moxie Meetups, whether they be cultural out- and politicians that more broadly reflect our VIP admission (50-person capacity) is at Tucky Bites newsletter for exclusive content ings to museums, policy sessions on timely beliefs. 6 p.m., with general admission (150-person and sneak peek privileges. topics, general mixers, or educational tours. “Taking it a step further, why are we con- capacity) at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and A trailer is at www.youtube.com/ I work closely with a core group of members tinually fighting for a higher minimum wage? $35; see http://www.hrc.org/events. watch?v=w0-N-L8of0. which volunteers regularly to help prepare Shouldn’t it just rise with inflation or another event programming, organize event logistics economic metric? Community change is ask- and give input on where to host future events.” ing the broader policy questions rather than ‘State of AIDS in Or Chadash series There are about 100 in Moxie’s online meetup fighting the fires of injustice every time they group, and about 25 show up for its events. appear. Let’s work as a community to create Black Chicago’ Feb. 8-March 22 “This group is for folks who want to be in- firebreaks and finally put out the fire.” Feb. 17-19 Congregation Or Chadash will host a series, volved in a growing group that is thinking of Ronan scored his current job through Moxie. “Journey to Freedom: Pesach and the LGBTQ The Black Treatment Advocacy Network Experience” that will run Feb. 8-March 22. new ways to look at common issues. This group “My now-boss came to the first ‘Moxie Mixer’ (BTAN) Chicago will host “The State of AIDS should challenge you to collaborate, excite along with 45 other people. It was a great (It culminates with a communal Seder on in Black Chicago: From the Bench to the May 3 at Anshe Emet, 3751 N. Broadway.) you to participate, and entice you to bring a event which really allowed me to see how I Bedside” Feb. 17-19 at the University Center, friend,” Ronan said. “At the start of the group, could take a group of seemingly disparate peo- In each of the eight professionally facili- 525 S. State St., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. tated workshop sessions—which will take we tended to host social mixers as a way to ple and create a community. I would say the The event, among other things, will com- build the group’s base. Last fall we started to extension of my personal network through the place in various Chicago and suburban lo- memorate National Black HIV/AIDS Aware- cations—attendees will engage in a process branch out by having a tour of the South Shore group has also helped my efforts at work also ness Day (NBHAAD). Feb. 7 marks the 15th neighborhood. We also took a tour with Alison by expanding my professional network.” of reflection and discovery to create written year for the day, a national HIV testing and and artistic works, some of which will be in- Fisher, the curator of the ‘City Lost and Found’ So what is, Moxie? treatment community mobilization initiative exhibit at the Art Institute, and had a tour of A word, Ronan said—not an acronym. corporated into the Haggadah used during targeted at Blacks in the United States and the May 3 Seder. [the] ‘Ink, Paper, Politics’ exhibit at the DePaul “Someone who has moxie, has chutzpah, the Diaspora. Art Museum. We also had dinner and went to know-how, or guts,” Ronan said. “The name is The series is open to anyone, regardless of Among the topics that are slated to be cov- religious affiliation, who is interested in ex- see Drunktown’s Finest at the LGBT Interna- supposed to challenge you, encourage action, ered are the origins of HIV, immune respons- ploring the intersection of Jewish and LGBTQ tional Film Festival. and be fun.” es, major scientific discoveries, biomedical narrative, identity, history and liberation. “In short, we’ve worked to incorporate out- The group’s first event of 2015 is Jan. 29, a HIV prevention and testing. For more information, visit www.orcha- ings and activities that have broader appeal to tour of the pedway system. The event starts Register and find more information dash.org or email community@orchadash. different identities and types of people.” at 5:30 p.m. at Infields, with a tour at 6 and at http://events.aidschicago.org/site/ org. Ronan said Moxie is, or should be, particu- then more beer and socializing at Houlihan’s. Calendar?id=101201&view=Detail. larly appealing to newcomers to Chicago. On Feb. 25, Moxie members will attend a Uni- 16 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES I had with her since I am in a nursing home was her aid to me in working through the maz- es of Humana, a healthcare firm she worked for. Chris was a rare and versatile person who could always be relied on. I have lost a friend and advisor—she will be sorely missed.” Another of Johnson’s long-time friends, Jeanne Baker, recalled their many camping and hiking trips, especially in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. “She loved nature, and really enjoyed being among the trees and wild flowers, walking long trails, and spending time with her friends,” Baker said. In addition to Poore, Johnson is survived by two sisters, Anne and Linda, and a brother, Mark. She also is missed by close friends, in- cluding Chris Straayer, Joyce Bolinger, Lavina Tomer, Jeanne Baker, Carol Pastor, Robin Hardy, Holly Smith, Cheryl Miller, Jean Albright and Paul Baker. Johnson is interviewed on the Chicago Gay History Project website at http://chicagogay- history.org/biography.html?id=801. From left: Chris Straayer, Chris Johnson and and Janet Soule at Metis early 1980s. Photo Donations can be made to any animal charity, courtesy of Marie J. Kuda the Chicago Women’s Health Center or preser- vation of the Smoky Mountains. Chris Johnson. Printer, artist and Punk rocker Meghan feminist leader Galbraith dies at 35 By Carrie Maxwell Chris Johnson dies Meghan Galbraith, 35, front woman for the BY TRACY BAIM Chris was as good at repairs as she was at queer Chicago-based rock/pop/punk trio beautiful design,” Poore recalled. “Chris’s gen- band 8 Inch Betsy, died Jan. 22 after a year- Christine Johnson, a former Chicagoan who erous heart, strong endurance, and amazing long illness. played a key role in the early Women-in-Print range of talents exemplify the qualities that Brooke Benjamin relayed Galbraith’s death and women-in-trades movements locally and made her so beloved and respected. Her superb to Windy City Times. nationally, died Jan. 23 of complications from sense of humor and matchless intelligence are Galbraith was born Aug. 13, 1979, in cancer. She was 63. among the daily delights I shall miss most. I Waukegan, Illinois, and graduated from Johnson and Nancy Poore were married in have never ceased to be inspired by her ex- Waukegan High School. Shortly after moving Canada in February 2007, their anniversary. ample—and by the beautifully unique person to Chicago in 1997, Galbraith began working This February would have marked their 34th she was. She inspires me still, and always will.” at Beans and Bagel on Montrose eventually year together. Johnson, originally from Cincin- One longtime friend from her Chicago years, becoming a manager of the location. She nati, was a co-founder, in the 1970s, of Metis Chris Straayer, said that through the decades, also was a doorperson at The Longroom and Press, publisher of lesbian-feminist literature, “Chris’s and my motto, always spoken with bartender at Bar on Buena. and a founding member of the national Wom- great gusto and humor, was: ‘Instant Success!’ Galbraith is survived by her parents, Mike en-in-Print network. This indicated an approach more than a con- and Diane Galbraith and her older sister, Erin As a blue-collar lesbian construction machin- clusion because, although her amazing talent Galbraith. Galbraith was born on Erin’s third ist, Johnson was a pioneer in opening up ex- helped, Chris worked very hard for everything birthday. Meghan Galbraith. Photo from Michael F. clusively male, high-paying union blue-collar she got in life. Even more impressive is how A singer/songwriter and self-taught guitar- Galbraith jobs to women and minorities, and was a board hard she worked to help others. Instant gener- ist, Galbraith joined 8 Inch Betsy’s bassist Eli member of Chicago Women in the Trades. osity.” Burke and drummer Stephanie Levi in 2004. “Meghan and I moved to Chicago right af- Other affiliations include founding member- Lynn Hull worked with Johnson on vari- Galbraith’s addition to the band gave the ter high school and worked at the same cof- ship in the U.S. Alliance of Lesbian & Feminist ous projects. She said: “Chris and I will never band a second life and for eight years they fee shop together for nearly a decade. We Printers, Feminists in Alternative Business, ‘double dyke ’em’ again at the Metropolitan performed at festivals and shows all over the both had bands, 8 Inch Betsy and Dr. Killbot. and as a collective member of Black Maria, a Sanitary District—being there together was United States. 8 Inch Betsy also opened for We’d support each other and play shows to- Journal of Feminist Literature. In 1979, she co- the only thing that saved our skins and helped The Gossip and toured with Amy Ray and the gether. We helped each other through every authored A Book of One’s Own Guide to Self- us make it through five grueling years … . No Volunteers. single relationship we ever had. The universe Publishing, under the name Christine Leslie. more ‘Wild Thymes’ while producing [the book] Galbraith was featured in the Chicago Tri- threw her in my path right when I needed Johnson played , and other Bernice, or designing solstice cards and print- bune, Chicago Now and AfterEllen.com. In her, and I held on tight all the way until the team sports in the Chicago area, including in ing them on Pearl, a Victorian cast-iron clam- the 2009 Chicago Now Q&A, Galbraith noted end.” the gay sports leagues, and especially loved shell press. No more triumphs and tribulations that Early to Bed was her favorite queer- Adam Snow, general manager of the Beans outdoor activity such as kayaking, camping, at Chicago Women in Trades.” owned business in Chicago. As for where she and Bagels on Rockwell in Lincoln Square, and hiking. She was also musical, and played Marie J. Kuda also sent her memories of work- liked to take out of town guests, Galbraith added that “Meghan was an incredibly gen- guitar. ing with Johnson: “I first met Chris Johnson cited the beach and a walk through Ander- erous person. Although she was a private After she and Poore moved to Michigan, at one of the first Lesbian Writers’ Conferences sonville among the places she wanted them person, she gave everything as a friend and Johnson ran the Running Rivers Kayak Rental and wound up together at the iconic Women- to see. Galbraith shared that if she were a performer. As an artist, she would retreat to in Douglas. The couple ran a vacation rental in-Print Conference in Nebraska in 1976. She Chicago neighborhood she’d be Ravenswood, her bedroom and wouldn’t let you know what cottage, and Johnson created art and contin- went on to organize subsequent conferences. which she called the perfect neighborhood. she was working on until she was ready to ued her interest in publishing. She compiled Thereafter our paths crossed occasionally for “I don’t think anybody’s had a bigger im- share it. Meghan had a raw passion and it her late mother Helen Ruth Johnson’s writing varying amounts of time—we worked together pact on my life than Meghan,” said Steve didn’t matter if she played acoustic or elec- and award-winning photographs into a book, at the De Paul University Library for four years Albertson, a longtime friend, former room- tric guitar, she just put it all out there. Her The Farm Story: A South Dakota Memoir, in in the 1980s. De Paul was just converting their mate and director of media at Baby Robot live performances were a sight to behold. I’m 2011. In 2012, Chris Johnson’s illustrations catalog from cards to online and as I recall Media in Atlanta, Georgia. “I was lucky really sad to lose such a great friend so early were used in the children’s book The Rock and Chris was so diligent and put in so much time enough to have spent a long night of laugh- in both of our lives.” Me, Immediately. Johnson also worked as a on the project that she got carpal tunnel syn- ing and eating with her just after Christmas. “Meghan was my best friend. I’m so grate- Medicare consultant for Humana. drome and ended up in wrist brace. We met in high school and bonded over punk ful that I got be a part of her life and mu- Most recently, she began to develop talent “When Chris partnered with Nancy Poore, co- rock, skating and trampolines. We hung out sic,” said Eli Burke, 8 Inch Betsy’s bassist. for fused glasswork, which has been featured founder of letterpress work with Helaine Vic- constantly. Meghan always played music and “She made me feel like I was somebody and I at galleries and events. toria Press, our mutual friend Pat LaBelle ob- it’s one of the things that drew me to her. think she did that for a lot of people. I have Poore, a retired editor, regards hers and John- tained a letterpress for Metis. When my partner She amazed me with her guitar playing and I no way to express the magnitude of this loss. son’s shared love of printing and typography as of 23 years, Shirley Rissmann, bought a small would often force our friends to name a song She was just an incredible human being.” essential to the mix of interests and commit- house Chris came out and for the better part of and make Meghan play it. ‘See. She knows A memorial service will take place Sat- ments that enriched their 34 years together. a day (without charge) went over everything every song ever.’ I would tell them. Her origi- urday, Jan. 31, 1-4 p.m., at the In-Laws They met at a bookstore party on February 14, for us to prioritize the maintenance and repairs nal songs, even in high school, would make Restaurant 720 N. Milwaukee Ave., Gurn- 1981, and never stopped talking shop. needed—by this time she had her contracting me cry. ee, Illinois. “Printing on offset and letterpress machines, and rehab business underway. The last contact WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 17

Some see David Garcia as simply a hair dresser, hairstylist or hair guru. But he considers himself, a style educator. “I thrive on meeting new individuals and love assisting them with their styling and lifestyle needs,” LIFE Garcia said. inDavid the Garcia TEXT and photos BY ROSS FORMAN

Since he was 3, Garcia has been judging other people’s image. At age 18, he decided to take his gift more seriously—he enrolled in the Mario Tricoci University of Age Beauty Culture, “where I was able 25 to enlighten others with my talent. Town I quickly grew to understand the Bloomingdale, Ill. power of change and set out to Relationship status change the beauty industry in Single itself.” He is now in his sixth year as a Job title hair stylist, working in northwest Stylist at Mario Tricoci suburban Arlington Heights and Three favorite TV shows downtown along Michigan Avenue. Gossip Girl, Scandal and RuPaul’s Drag Race “My style influences derive from pop culture,” Garcia said. “I believe it’s important to keep an updated account Favorite movies on celebrity stylists. That said, Guy Tang, Oribe, Tracey Cunningham and George Papanikolas are some of the Body Guard; To Wong Foo, Thanks For celebrity stylists I follow closely for inspiration. Last but not least, Taylor Swift’s entire being gives me life.” Everything! Julie Newmar.; Hairspray Garcia said Blake Lively has the best hair on TV. “She made pregnancy look like a piece of cake, and Matt Bomer and Dream Girls. can do no harm,” he said. Favorite pizza toppings The worst-hair label falls on Chelsea Handler. “I Italian beef pizza with hot love her, but I’d love to give her a real blowout,” he giardiniera said. “Every day is a new opportunity to set new goals,” Preferred drink at a bar Whiskey soda Garcia said. “I have been very privileged throughout my career and have decided to embrace my duties Fear factor [now] as an instructor, [too]; I plan on being the He fears being alone. “As long as I best instructor I can be. To achieve that, I plan on can remember, I have poured myself taking classes with Intercoiffure, Wella Studios and into some sort of relationship. The Redken Exchange,” among others. obstacle I have come to learn is, Garcia said the most fulfilling part of his job is “being able to create new looks from person to person. I believe it’s OK to be solo. If anything, some it’s essential to guide your guest with his or her needs, but also by giving them a little edge or character.” of my most productive moments in And the worst part of the job? “Honestly, I can’t think of a single thing,” he said. “I collaborate with people I my life have happened while being single. In a relationship, compromise love on a day to day basis. If anything, whenever I am a customer and pick up on a worker’s lack of enthusiasm is a key factor to the success; I have for their job, it drives me to want to do mine better.” a bucket list and I plan completing it Garcia has certainly had his share of hairy/funny moments on-the job. Such as, “That awkward moment when a by myself, or with people who have neighboring stylist and their client are talking about something racy, and my client and I catch each other’s eye similar interests.” and smile,” he said. So what look is “in” these days? Instagram The lob is totally in, he said. “This bold, yet simple style has got to be this year’s greatest trend; it’s practical, @Davidgstylistmt yet versatile,” he said. “It’s never about what’s out. [Rather,] it always is about what’s next. But if you still live Little-known fact in the 1980s [style and fashion], please just give it up.” “I can’t stand around and do Garcia added, “I thrive on the energy of people, events and my surroundings. I am constantly looking for new nothing; it’s just not in my nature to inspiration when it comes to my work—be it on social media or in person; my eyes and ears are always open. be a slob.” Being a part of different fashion shows, such as the Akira Fashion show, Fashion Week Chicago and Mario Make Me a Model, really allow me to take my styling abilities to the next level. The fast-paced, high-fashion looks is what I live for. Instagram also has been a huge part of my success; it’s important to keep your audiences updated; it’s basically an online portfolio.” 18 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES viewpointS WINDY CITY TIMES VOL. 30, No. 18, Jan. 28, 2015 REV. The combined forces of Windy City Times, founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, IRENE founded May 1987. MONROE PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tracy Baim these civil rights icons and encourage a new disobedience, sit-ins sprung up not only in generation of leaders.” Greensboro but throughout the South, chal- ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky Many from Yarborough’s generation stated lenging other forms of this nation’s segregated MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis they went to see Selma to see the film’s con- public accommodations, including bathrooms, BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine Historic Black DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright nection to Ferguson, and they came to the water fountains, parks, theaters and swimming ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson LGBTQ talk on event looking for a way to make connections pools, to name a few. SENIOR REPORTER Matt Simonette … to find clues and tidbits on how to be in the For a younger generation of people of color Senior Account Executives Terri Klinsky, ‘Selma’ takes place as well as whites whose ballots help elect this Kirk Williamson, Amy Matheny, Chris Cheuvront, Black Lives Matter Movement. Gretchen Rachel Hammond “The most important take-away for me was country’s first African-American president, Ev- PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT Scott Duff If Bayard Rustin were alive today, he certainly the sense of legacy and stories in the room. ans stated he could have never fathomed “a NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 would have been proud on Monday as the LG- It was inspiring to have LGBTQ people in the Black man in the White House.” And his clarion SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Tony Peregrin, Lisa BTQ communities held discussions on the film room who lived through many of the events call to those in the room was to vote. “I had to Keen, Yasmin Nair Selma. THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan in the film and could speak to their personal know the preamble to vote, too,” Evans stated, CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight Jr. “Flashback Sunday,” a social group for LGBTQ experiences with it,” said Quincey Roberts, Yar- referring to the scene in Selma where Annie BOOKS WRITER Yasmin Nair elders of color and their friends, and the His- borough’s partner and co-founder of HBGC. Cooper (played by Winfrey) goes to register to SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman panic Black Gay Coalition (HGBC) convened “an And Charles Evans was one of them. vote and is denied. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS honest and open dialogue” between a genera- Mary Shen Barnidge, Steve Warren, Lawrence Evans was born and raised in the South in The film Selma is unquestionably a call to Ferber, Mel Ferrand, Jerry Nunn, Jonathan tions of LGBTQ activists. Folks who were active the small town of Wallace, North Carolina (pop- action. And it invites white allies, like Bob Abarbanel during 1960s civil-rights era and today’s LGBTQ ulation 3,880 at the 2010 census), which is Linscott—assistant director of the LGBT Ag- COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Jorjet “Black Lives Matter” activists met at Emmanuel several miles from the big port city of Wilming- ing Project that operates out of The Fenway Harper, Charlsie Dewey, Carrie Maxwell, Billy Church in Boston Jan. 19 as a way of honoring Masters, Sarah Toce, Dana Rudolph, Sally Parsons, ton. Evans shared with the group that he “nev- Institute—to reflect and act in intergenera- Melissa Wasserman, Joe Franco, Nick Patricca, Liz the twenty-ninth anniversary of Martin Luther er went to an integrated school. I remember tional and interracial ways that will keep them Baudler, Rex Wockner, Marie J. Kuda, Kate Sosin, King Day. the KKK growing up, riding at the back of the ever vigilant of other isolated and oppressed Angelique Smith, Meghan Streit For the first time, an intergenerational and bus and whites using the n-word for my name.” groups. SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Mel Ferrand, Hal Baim, interracial gathering of LGBTQ voices met and Emmanuel Garcia, Tim Carroll, Ed Negron, Susan Evans attended North Carolina Agricultural “Selma calls each one of us, regardless of Mattes created a paradigm of how future discussions and Technical College (NC A&T), a historically race, gender or orientation, to action if we CIRCULATION should take place. Black college, in Greensboro, NC, which was care to listen. What Edmund Pettus Bridges are CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright Selma is about King’s campaign to secure one of the hot spots during the 1960’s civil we called to cross? ...For me it is to encour- DISTRIBUTION: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Renee, equal voting rights for African-Americans in rights era. Evans not only remembers the sit- age those of us living comfortably in privileged Sue and Victor the South. Rustin was an integral part of King’s WEB HOSTING: LoveYourWebsite.com (lead ins that became an iconic form of civil disobe- positions in liberal cities to carry our work to programmer: Martie Marro) efforts that Ava DuVernay’s film depicts. A dience but he was actively engaged in them. the rural communities to help elders and those lot of what Rustin endured and learned as an “I was afraid. We all were but it was our clar- without a community find their voice.” openly gay activist is still with those unsung Copyright 2015 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media ion call for action.” For the first time ever, an intergenerational Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back LGBTQ activists of King’s era. And those actions paid off. and interracial gathering of LGBTQ voices of issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). During the civil-rights movement, Rustin— Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, On Feb. 1, 2010, the International Civil color and our allies came together creating the and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and the strategist and chief architect of the 1963 Rights Center and Museum (ICRCM) opened in paradigm of how future discussions should take no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. March on Washington that catapulted the MLK All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy Greensboro, North Carolina, honoring the cou- place with an amazing younger generation of City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned onto a world stage—was always the man be- rageous action of four African-American stu- LGBTQ activists’ fierce commitment toward civil for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing hind the scenes, mostly due to the fact that dents. Their actions led to the Civil Rights Act rights for all Americans. and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, he was gay. cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own of 1964, which mandated desegregation of all “I thank God to see this moment with you and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City Since the Ferguson protests of last summer public accommodations. all and to share it with a younger generation, “ Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of (resulting from the fatal shooting of Michael a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy Fifty-five years ago, on Feb. 1, 1960, what Evans told the group. City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the Brown, one of several unarmed African-Ameri- is now ICRCM was a Woolworth’s store and the “While representing themselves as openly sexual orientation of such person or organization. While can males killed by police that year) a younger we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make site of the original sit-in where Ezell A. Blair Jr. LGBTQ individuals they clearly understand the this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept generation of activists has emerged. Some (also known as Jibreel Khazan), David Leinhail struggles of their forefathers and how they responsibility for advertising claims. have questioned their tactics. Richmond, Joseph Alfred McNeil, and Franklin stand on the shoulders of so many unsung he- (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 In promoting the film Selma, producer Oprah Eugene McCain (from North Carolina A&T) sat roes who paved the way for them,” Paul Glass, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Winfrey set off a firestorm with her comments at its lunch counter as a form of non-violent head of “Flashback Sunday,” proudly shared to People magazine stating that “Black Lives direct action protesting the store’s segregated with me because his partner, Charles Evans, is www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Matter” activists lacked leadership. seating policy. And as a result of their civil one of them. podcast: WindyCityQueercast.com “I think it’s wonderful to march and to pro- test and it’s wonderful to see all across the WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, country, people doing it,” Winfrey said. “But 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, Illinois 60640 what I’m looking for is some kind of leadership U.S.A Letters to time, money and organizational expertize (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) to come out of this.” for more than 20 years. They’ve donated not Winfrey’s remarks, however, resonated with only to affinity’s organizational efforts, but Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. the editor: Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. a generation that’s shaped by a heterosexist to many LGBTQ Chicagoans, especially those male-dominated movement rather than a non- OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE Bowled over who live on the South and West sides of Chi- www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com hierarchical, diffuse model with an intersec- cago. www.WindyCityQueercast.com tional analysis that “Black Lives Matter” activ- I was delighted to read the Jan. 21 article Unfortunately, the sexism that exists within ists are illustrating. “Windy City Media Group generated by Carrie Maxwell entitled “Affinity kicks off the broader LGBTQ organizational leadership But this is not the first time younger and old- enormous interest among their readers 20th-anniv. year with Burning Bowl Event.” is mirrored in African-American LGBTQ orga- er generations locked horns. Sen. John Lewis in this year’s LGBT Consumer Index I’d like to publicly thank and congratulate nizational leadership, and too often, results and his group, the Student Nonviolent Coordi- Survey. Out of approximately 100 Affinity Community Services on its 20 years in barriers to gender-inclusive organizational nating Committee, didn’t see eye to eye with print and online media partners who of organizational history, which, I must add, collaborations. King, and the Southern Christian Leadership Since 2009, Executive Director Kim Hunt’s participated in the survey, Windy Conference (SCLC) on how to move forward on was built upon strong grassroots organiza- City was the best performing regional tional skills and experience. implementation of Affinity’s various organi- voting rights in Selma. zational programming includes the proposed media in the U.S. Only survey partners Corey Yarborough, co-founder of HBGC, saw Affinity continues to be an organizational with a nationwide footprint were beacon of light among the vast non-collabor- “Civic 101 workshops as well as past pro- both the occasion of Martin Luther King Jr. Day grams such as the Domestic Violence Sunday able to generate a greater number of and the release of the film Selma as an op- ative organizational emptiness that unfortu- responses.” ­­—David Marshall, Research nately exist among many organizations that sermons, the “It Takes a Village” program and portunity. the various research projects. These are all Director, Community Marketing, Inc. “HBGC and Flashback Sunday wanted to be- purport to empower Black lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and LGBTQ youth of perfect examples of how a grassroots com- gin bridging the generational divide in Black munity-service organization’s vision can be and Latino LGBTQ communities of color, by African descent in the Chicago metropolitan area. relevant, long-term and sustainable. It can, bringing together community members of all most importantly, proactively engage those ages to discuss our history...sheds light on how I can personally attest to Affinity’s long- standing commitment to community service they purport to represent! young leaders were groomed to take power and transform the very institutions that once op- and social justice; longtime members that immediately come to mind are Lisa Pickens & Sincerely , pressed them.” Yarborough said. “It’s my hope Michael O’Connor to pull the inspiration and lessons learned from Chris Smith, both having volunteering their WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 19 GOINGS-ON WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

Photo from Walt Disney Pictures

ICE TO MEET YOU Frozen (above) is a movie to see when it’s cold outside. See more of WCT’s subzero film special on page 24. THEATER DISH SPORTS ‘Revolution’-ary. Bread dawn. On the mend. Page 20 Page 27 Page 26 Photo from Plastic Revolution Monkey bread at Crew Sports Bar + Grill Photo of Mike Petracca by Ryan Bourque Photo by Andrew Davis by Michael Stewart

SCOTTISH PLAY SCOTT A modern ‘Princess’ BY SCOTT C. MORGAN “In the middle of the story there’s this little woman who is stuck in her house, taking care Out playwright and performer Aaron Holland’s of her father, and as I was reading the book, world premiere play Princess Mary Demands I kept feeling at home in her place,” Holland Your Attention includes a mystical drag queen, said. “In her story, whenever you came back pot-smoking and shade-throwing teenagers to her, I would feel connected and kind of like and an agoraphobic protagonist who feels that she was telling my story through her emo- trapped by an overwhelming duty to stay in tions and through her prayers.” Richmond, Va, and watch over his widowed At the same time Holland was reading War mother. Oh yeah, the play was also inspired by and Peach, he was also playing a drag queen in Tolstoy’s epic 1869 novel War and Peace. Profiles Theatre’s 2012 revival of Hellcab. Hol- If that sounds in any way incongruous, Bai- land attributes this in part to his inclusion of a liwick Chicago artistic director Lili-Anne Brown defiantly forceful drag persona named Princess will argue otherwise. Mary who appears in his play to serve as an “I’ve always appreciated Aaron’s artistic apparition for the main character named Amari voice, and combined and juxtaposed with War Bolkonski. and Peace I found that particularly interest- “I never played drag before on stage, and ing,” said Brown about Holland, who is a resi- [my character] was giving me this freedom on TJ Crawford, Omer Abbas Salem, Armand Fields and David Kaplinsky (from left) in Princess dent playwright for Bailiwick Chicago. “His un- the inside that I was finding that Princess Mary Mary Demands Your Attention. Photo by Michael Brosilow derstanding of the story and how that filtered was searching for in the book,” Holland said. “The drag queen sort of entered the Princess through his experience I thought was some- During the preview process for Princess Mary “Unless you’re making the characters more Mary story as a spiritual guide—a representa- thing that I had not seen on a stage before.” Demands Your Attention, Brown was slightly than two-dimensional, sprinkling them in like tion of freedom and self-fulfillment.” Brown also found Holland’s characters so taken aback by an individual audience member sprinkles on ice cream, it does not represent In casting the show, Brown said that it was eminently familiar in her own personal world, who commented on how “very gay” the play much of anything when I talk about capital “D” vital to find performers who could believably but who haven’t been properly represented on was. diversity,” said Brown, adding that it’s really deliver the dialogue, which she says at times stage that often. These were some big reasons “I thought, oh yeah, I guess the play is “actually being interested in someone’s point is very reminiscent of so many beloved sitcoms why Brown fast-tracked Princess Mary Demands very gay, but we had not really thought of it,” of view besides your own and wanting to repre- focused around a quartet of close friends in- Your Attention for Bailiwick Chicago to produce Brown said. “When I program, I’m thinking of sent that in a really respectful way.” cluding Sex and the City, The Golden Girls or this season and why she chose to direct it. it, but I haven’t thought about it really that Princess Mary Demands Your Attention con- Living Single. The germ of the play developed when Holland much since then because first of all it comes tinues through Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Vic- “I think we feel really vindicated in during finally got around to reading War and Peace af- from Aaron, who is like a brother to me, and tory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater at the casting process to go for a ‘heart’ feeling ter multiple stalled attempts. What actually it’s semi-autobiographical and it’s these people the Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. as opposed to this person should look like this, helped Holland succeed starting in late 2012 that I’m so familiar with by living with this Remaining performances are 8 p.m. Thurs- and this person should be like that. We went is when he downloaded the novel to his smart- story for so long, that I wasn’t particularly days through Saturdays, with 3 p.m. mati- with our guts and heart on who just felt like phone via a Kindle app so he could read it on thinking like, ‘Hey everybody, Gay Play!’ I was nees on Sundays. Extra performances are at the characters and we’re seeing that pay off public transit. more like, don’t we love these characters and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and Feb. 10. now,” Brown said. “It’s comforting and wonder- Little did Holland know at the time that the don’t you know these people?” Tickets are $30 with discounts available ful because the cast is doing it by tackling this Tolstoy’s epic novel about five Russian families Brown is wary about programing in diversity for groups of 10 or more. Call 773-871-3000 strange and wonderful script that is written in caught up in the Napoleonic Wars would speak into a theater season and just making it into or visit www.bailiwickchicago.com or www. almost dialect, and when you look at it on the to him so deeply and artistically—particularly an issue about numbers or demographics. victorygardens.org. the character of Princess Mary. page, you have to be ready for that.” 20 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES

THEATER REVIEW Minor (Elise Mayfield) and Gladys Carroll (Lizzie Schwarzrock). Plastic Revolution This time around, the show’s authors and Book: Will Cavedo & Andrew Hobgood; director Evan Linder have moved the musi- Score: Julie Nichols and Hobgood cal’s tone more firmly into camp territory, At: The Den Theatre, which gives Plastic Revolution a more con- 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. sistent storytelling approach than before Tickets: www.thenewcolony.org; $20-$25 (still, there is one odd earnest interaction Runs through Feb. 22 between Clarke and her late husband played by Joshua R. Bartlett). Yet for anyone who BY SCOTT C. MORGAN has seen the wonderful 2005 American Expe- rience documentary Tupperware! on PBS, the The New Colony may call Plastic Revolution a breadth of Plastic Revolution will still come world premiere, but it’s actually a thoroughly off as fairly narrow and strangely dismissive revised version of the company’s 2009 show with its arguably mocking tone toward the Tupperware: An American Musical Fable. And women who became business savvy via sell- while Plastic Revolution is a definite im- ing Tupperware. provement over its predecessor, it’s still far Some might also question the colorblind from perfect. casting of Plastic Revolution, which is set Like its previous incarnation, Plastic Revo- firmly in the 1950s before much societal lution focuses on the newly widowed Delo- progress made through the civil-rights move- res Clarke (Sasha Smith), who feels discon- ment. Surely, the appearances-conscious nected to her 1950s suburban existence in Johnstonton wouldn’t dare live in a desegre- Kissimmee, Fla. But Clarke is taken under the gated neighborhood. But then again, John- wing of ambitious Tupperware saleswoman stonton is a drag role and could be argued Brownie Wise (Cassie Thompson), who pio- as a casting comment on how women’s roles neered the company’s system of “home party are often rigidly enforced by men, so one sales.” In fact, the real-life Wise was so suc- shouldn’t take the historical lapses in Plastic cessful that she convinced the Tupperware Revolution too seriously. top brass to remove their products from re- Despite the quibbles about the plotting tail stores and to sell them exclusively via a and storytelling approaches of Plastic Revo- largely women’s sales force long before the lution, what can’t be denied is its playful party sales division was moved to Florida. sense of fun and winking camp in all of the But Wise and Clarke arouse suspicions from fine performances as the characters debate the neighborhood’s more established sub- what roles women should be allowed to The LIfe and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle. Photo by Lee Miller urban ladies, who are under the controlling play in American society. Plastic Revolution thumb of Lilah Johnstonton (played in drag is certainly new and improved from before by Danny Taylor). Johnstonton sees the ease and sure to inspire plenty of laughs. But the THEATER REVIEW her house, whom she vows to locate, despite and convenience of Tupperware as a threat questions about the show’s ingredients are the intervening distance, for delivery of the to her enforced homemaking life, so battle still up for debate. The Life and Sort of belated epistle. commences to win over the other wives Dungan erects numerous obstacles to en- named Kitty Toots (Daeshawna Cook), Gertie Death of Eric Argyle sure that the road of you-know-what never Playwright: Ross Dungan run smooth, but a narrative proposing a per- THEATER REVIEW At: Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn Ave. formance time of 105 intermissionless min- Tickets: 866-811-4111; utes demands presentation sufficient to hold Mr. Burns, A www.steeptheatre.com; $10-$35 its audience’s attention while setting up its Runs through: Feb. 28 premise. The thirteen-member Steep Theatre Post-Electric Play Playwright: Anne Washburn; cast operating under the direction of Jonathan BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE music by Michael Friedman Berry accomplishes this task, navigating their At: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. intricate text with agility and alacrity right up Consider for a moment how many great works of Tickets: 1-773-975-8150; to a suspense-filled climax that will have the- art originated with a young man trying to im- www.TheaterWit.org; $38 atergoing romantics sniffling into their hankies press a girl (or boy—let’s be fair), or a young ($25 if 29 or under) and the rest pretending not to. woman pouring out her heart to an unseen lis- Runs through: March 1 tener/viewer. Consider, also, the popular icons whose acclaim faded with the passing of their BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL fan base. (Thomas Kyd’s dramas consistently CRITICS’ PICKS outsold Shakespeare’s, but how many theaters In Act I of this intelligent but disturbing play, Mr. Burns. Photo by Charles Osgood do The Spanish Tragedy nowadays?) Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them, television’s The Simpsons is a fondly-remem- The fact is, we can never TRULY be certain First Floor Theater at Flat Iron Arts Build- bered program in the near-future (think I Love of our legacies. Eric Argyle, the hero of Ross ing, through Jan. 31. Children smarter Lucy episodes). In Act II, seven years later, sources who remember bits and pieces. Others, Dungan’s play, isn’t thinking of posterity as than their parents are a mainstay of Young The Simpsons is recreated in live performances they reveal, similarly recreate other popular TV he records his memoirs in a series of faux- Adult fiction, but A. Rey Pamatmat allows in a make-shift studio without actual broad- shows. At the end of the act, unseen gunmen fictional tales, addressed to his best friend’s boys to discover sex with one another and cast technology. In Act III, 75 years later, The break into the studio and the ensuing shoot- widow, but never mailed. When the solitary kid sisters to fire BB guns—how cool is Simpsons appears to have become an object of out leaves several characters dead or wounded. chronicler perishes at the age of 58 in an ac- that? MSB veneration. Each act sports a different theatri- It’s a serious shock ending to a lively act which cident while crossing the street in the town H.M.S. Pinafore, The Hypocrites at Den cal style and different characters. There’s no features several musical numbers. he never abandoned, the unanswered questions Theatre, through Feb. 7. Gilbert and Sul- continuity except The Simpsons frame of refer- Act III is a through-sung opera—or perhaps his sudden departure engenders mandates the livan’s 1878 operetta gets re-imagined ence. Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play will be a it is meant to be a religious pageant—in which assembling of a tribunal in the afterworld to as a band camp slumber party in this wasted evening if you don’t know the show at the characters are The Simpsons themselves. examine his stay upon the earth. The purpose fun promenade production with actor/ all. They are murdered by Mr. Burns, acquire wings of this inquest is to determine, not whether musicians that builds upon director Sean The play appears to be set after a nuclear and ascend to heaven (?) except for Bart, who the deceased is to rest in peace, but whether Graney’s previous hit adaptations. SCM catastrophe has destroyed the electric grid, if sword fights Mr. Burns to the deaths. This act those he left behind are to do so. Will the jury Keys of the Kingdom, Stage Left at The- not industrial civilization altogether, but play- is not at all funny, yet many audience members (that’s us, by the way, but don’t worry—our ater Wit, through Feb. 15. God’s messen- wright Anne Washburn never actually says this laughed. The Simpsons, after all, is a sardonic verdict is conveyed by silent assent) decide to gers come in strange guises, even lesbian or explains what’s going on or why. Mr. Burns animated show and cartoons inherently are allow the humble village store-clerk to die as atheist artists hired to paint megachurch- is bewildering because it’s completely without funny. anonymously as he lived, or will it vote to or- es, and Penny Penniston’s smart play finds context. It seems we are to infer a conclusion Except for Act I’s slow pace (perhaps nec- chestrate a resolution for the survivors whose common ground for Darwin-thumpers and from a fact of The Simpsons: the show’s power- essary), this meta-theatrical production is destinies were influenced, however briefly, by amen-snorters alike. MSB ful and villainous industrial oligarch, Mr. Burns, lively, imaginative and—well—cartoon-like his acquaintance? The Who’s Tommy, Paramount Theatre, owns a nuclear power plant. under director Jeremy Wechsler. All design el- Well, what do you THINK it does? Can there Aurora, through Feb. 15. The 1969 rock Act I features a family group sitting before a ements and the focused performances of the be any argument over the worthiness of a opera album by The Who receives a visu- charcoal fire in the woods, guarding their turf eight-member cast are bang-on. The stylistic lonely lover reaching from beyond the grave ally stunning production full of stimulat- with a rifle, and reconstructing famous epi- transitions are seamless. In some ways it’s a to comfort the woman who never suspected ing pop art projections and a truly rocking sodes of The Simpsons from memory. It’s low- riveting show because one expects it to snap his devotion—not to mention the neighbors, pit band. SCM key, conversational, gently comic in tone and into focus, make sense or offer explanations. classmates and relations comprising his nar- feels long and slow. In Act II, actors armed It never does. The best sense I can extract is row social circle? Oh, and let’s not forget the —By Abarbanel, Barnidge with guns struggle to recreate The Simpsons that Washburn is exploring how story becomes musician who never met him, but unexpect- and Morgan accurately. Without access to the originals myth becomes faith ... and the journey is both edly finds herself the recipient of a lengthy (post-electric, remember), they buy lines from scary and absurd. manuscript posted to the previous owner of WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 21 SPOTLIGHT

If you’ve ever wanted to attend an immersive per- formance art happening, now is your chance to do so with REVIVAL 2015: Source::Evolution, which builds upon the 2013 version of the event. See what spectacles have been cooked up this year by creators Eric Andrew Hoff, Jesse Morgan Young and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. REVIVAL 2015: Source::Evolution plays four nightly party performances Jan. 28-31 with doors opening at 8 p.m., final entry at 9 p.m. and the experience concluding at midnight on the stage of Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St. Admission is free, but do- nations are greatly appreciated and tickets are required. For more information, visit www.revival- event.com or www.millenniumpark.org. Photo by Jonathan Mathias Accidentally, Like a Martyr. Photo by Michael Brosilow

THEATER REVIEW still fancies himself a modern-day Oscar Wilde and Brendan is now an EX-policeman with a Accidentally, cocaine habit. What makes this night different, however, is that a stranger invades this shabby Like A Martyr citadel—a tweedy prepster venturing on his Playwright: Grant James Varjas first dating-app rendezvous, but also seeking of “Shirt Off My Back,” a full-company work At: A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St. Giordano Dance at clues to the mystery of his former lover’s death choreographed by award-winning choreog- Tickets: 312-943-8722; in this same bar, years earlier. rapher Ray Mercer of Disney’s hit Broadway www.aredorchidtheatre.org; $30-$35 Auditorium Jan. 31 Well, doesn’t every musty old bar have its The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt musical The Lion King, and an all-new ver- Runs through: March 1 stories—especially a bar whose clientele University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., will pres- sion of Autumn Eckman’s Pilsen-themed weathered the dizzying turmoil of the hedo- ent Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) in the “Moving Sidewalks.” BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE nistic ‘70s, the paranoid ‘80s and the crusading company’s first full-length performance at Tickets are $27-$67; visit AuditoriumThe- ‘90s, only to face dismissal for unfashionable the venue as part of the “Made in Chicago” atre.org, call 800-982-2787 or stop by the Don’t be fooled by the Bee Gees playing on the irrelevancy in the new millennium? As the ten- Dance Series, Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m. box office. jukebox or the twinkling lights strung over the sion mounts, Varjas employs flashbacks reveal- Highlights will include the world premiere walls. This isn’t 1973; it’s 2005, the lights are ing the events leading up to the fatal ride. If because it’s three days before Christmas and some of these leaps in time occur too swiftly the music is so Edmund, the heavy-drinking for audiences to follow—a hazard exacerbated novelist, can delay returning home to care for by the obstructed sightlines on the far sides his dying father. Later, Grant James Varjas in- of the stage—our emotional investment in the troduces us to the other neighborhood regulars denizens of this sanctuary is such that plot who make this gay bar their home—notably, ambiguities are easily shelved for post-curtain Brendan, a policeman with a cocaine habit, contemplation. and Charles, who conceals his bereavement However old-school Varjas’ life-in-the-big- behind a pose of urbanity—before bringing us city aesthetic may come off in 2015, it con- up to the present, where the play is really set. stitutes the perfect showcase for a superlative Mart Crowley’s The Boys in the Band assem- ensemble performing under the direction of bled a group of men who love men in 1968 Shade Murray, commanded by Troy West and to cry the blues over their impending midlife Doug Vickers as the tribal elders, Layne Manzer crises. Their lament spurred a younger genera- and Steve Haggard as its prodigals and Domi- tion to action promising respite from a similar nique Worsely as its patiently vigilant governor, fate, but all their progress, ironically, failed to dispensing hooch and compassion. The results render the prospect of aging happier for the are a watering-hole ambience so comfortable, veterans of the Stonewall uprising and the you might want to spend a year or two in it AIDS epidemic. Edmund has gone on the wag- yourself. on and resumed his literary career, but Charles Chicago Theatre About Face’s ‘A Kid Week expanding Like Jake’ in Feb. Chicago Theatre Week is expanding. About Face Theatre will present the Chi- The upcoming celebration of theatregoing cago premiere of A Kid Like Jake Feb. 6-8 and in Chicago is returning for its third year and Feb. 12-March 15 at The Greenhouse Theater will take place Feb. 12-22, spanning a week Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. and two full weekends for the first time. It will run Thursdays through Saturdays at More than 100 productions are expected 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday mati- to participate as part of the 2015 line-up. nees at 3 p.m. Chicago Theatre Week is presented by the The plot is as follows: Alex and Greg’s in- League of Chicago Theatres in partnership telligent and precocious 4-year-old son is with Choose Chicago. a leading candidate for enrollment in one A few of Chicago Theatre Week’s 2015 par- of Manhattan’s top kindergarten programs. ticipating productions include The Selfish However, when attention turns to his pas- Giant at Chicago Children’s Theatre; Waiting sion for Cinderella and dress-up, his imagi- for Godot at Court Theatre; Rapture, Blister, nation and behavior becomes a lightning rod Burn at the Goodman Theatre; Tannhauser at for all involved. the Lyric Opera of Chicago; Tommy at Para- Tickets are $10-$35; visit http://green- mount Theatre; Marie Antoinette at Step- housetheater.org/kid-like-jake/. penwolf Theatre Company; Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play at Theater Wit; and Samsara at Victory Gardens Theater. The complete list of participating theaters will be listed this fall on www.chicagothe- atreweek.com. 22 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES NUNN ON ONE: THEATER K. Todd Freeman flies freely in ‘Airline Highway’ by Jerry Nunn podge of them but visually I took inspiration from Big Freedia, who Lisa D’Amour, the writer, Steppenwolf ensemble member K. Todd Free- based the character on. man is bringing sass to a Sissy this season. WCT: I heard the Big Freedia song at the Directed by the “Wicked”-ly talented Joe end. Mantello, Airline Highway depicts the drama KTF: I was so pleased that it wasn’t full beat surrounding the parking lot of The Humming- drag. I could do exactly what I wanted. He’s a bird, a motel in New Orleans. The cast comes boy. He’s a girl. He is his own thing. You can’t together for the final party set at the motel for define that. It’s a wig, no makeup, and a heel. Miss Ruby brings some poignant moments to I was into it and comfortable with that. the story for a grand finale. WCT: Have you been to a Big Freedia con- Portraying Sissy Na Na, a flamboyant char- cert? acter with a heart of gold, Freeman gives life KTF: No, I can’t twerk. I’m too old for the to someone many of us may know in real life. bounce! The Tony-nominated Freeman is a staple for WCT: Do you have crazy Buffy fans in your Steppenwolf with The March, The Brother/Sis- life? ter Plays and Art. KTF: They are starting to fade away but they Off-Broadway credits include Spunk, Intel- are there. They pop up when you least expect ligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and it. They flew me to England for a Buffy conven- K. Todd Freeman in Airline Highway. Photo by Michael Brosilow Uncle Tom’s Cabin. tion. It was like a Trekkie convention and I had Some television watchers know him as Mr. never experienced anything like it before. In acter’s sons. It is dense because Tony Kushner time. You have to listen to things all over the Trick on Buffy the Vampire Slayer or have spot- the United States people know me from Buffy can only write dense plays. stage and it splits your focus. It is challeng- ted him in movies like Grosse Pointe Blank, Ci- or NYPD Blue. The people that are into Buffy WCT: Or long plays! ing with all of the overlap. To orchestrate it in der House Rules or The Dark Knight. are usually middle aged to older dudes. Appar- KTF: When we did the first read through in rehearsal was exhausting, plus running around Windy City met with Freeman on opening ently, I am really big in England and I had no rehearsal and it was five hours. We finally cut in five inch heels didn’t help either! night to walk the runway on this Highway. idea. it down to the four hours on opening night. It Catch Highway before its Broadway debut Windy City Times: Where are you from WCT: Are you wanting to make more mov- took six weeks to cut it down to that. I love while in Chicago at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. originally? ies? doing new work and that gives me the biggest Halsted St., only through Feb. 14. For tick- K. Todd Freeman: Houston, Texas. KTF: I have one coming out with Tim Blake thrill. ets, call 312-335-1650 or visit steppenwolf. WCT: What brought you to Chicago? Nelson that might go to Sundance. We shot it It is not so much that Airline Highway is org. KTF: I was living in L.A., and auditioned for last December; it’s called Anesthesia, with Sam harder but there is so much happening all the a play called Song of Jacob Zulu that Steppen- Waterston and Glenn Close. wolf was doing. I got the job and that was the I was just on an episode of Elementary that first time I came in 1992. They asked me to came out two weeks ago. So hopefully more Dianne Reeves Films on LGBTs and join the company in 1993. I never lived here but I am booked with this play for awhile. until about five years ago. I was always just WCT: You have such a touching scene in show on Jan. 30 the Middle East Symphony Center Presents (SCP) is host- bouncing in. Airline Highway with your backstory. ing, for the first time since 2013, Grammy- on Jan. 31 WCT: You have had a longtime relationship KTF: I like that shit because it is completely winning jazz/R&B vocalist Dianne Reeves, Silk Road Rising and the Chicago Palestine with Steppenwolf. unsentimental. I love it and I am glad it is as she shares her Beautiful Life project with Film Festival will host “Breaking Borders,” an KTF: It has been 21 years but I am only 18! there. That was the reason that I decided to audiences on Friday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m. evening of screenings followed by a discus- WCT: I heard you went full-frontal in a the part because that scene was there. It added Recently nominated for a Grammy Award, sion with the filmmakers. Clockwork Orange for Steppenwolf. Was that dimensional so he is not just a jester character. the new release is her first in five years. She The event will take place Saturday, Jan. nerve-wracking? It brought depth and purpose. At one point, covers songs such as Bob Marley’s “Waiting 31, at 8 p.m. at The Historic Chicago Temple KTF: Not at all. I had no problems with that. Lisa talked about cutting it—and I wouldn’t in Vain,” Harold Arlen’s “Stormy Weather” Building, 77 W. Washington St. WCT: How long were you in Wicked? let her. and Ani DeFranco’s “32 Flavors.” The films slated to be shown are The Imam KTF: I was in Wicked for over four years, one WCT: Oh no, that scene is important. In Tickets are $38-$135; visit www.cso.org, and the Homosexual, a 16-minute piece that year on the road, and I closed it out for the the wrong hands, this role could have [been or call 800-223-7114 or 312-294-3000. Jamil Khoury wrote and directed. This short last two years here. I joined the Broadway a] caricature. probes the political alliance between Imam company in January of 2014. I did it for nine KTF: It was really important to me to make Mustafa Khan (played by Khurram Mozaf- months right before I came here. Joe Mantello an homage to the queens I was talking about Gay horror film far), spiritual leader of a besieged Naperville is a friend of mine and we have known each who are so special, like Lady Chablis in in the mosque, and Carl Baker (Nicholas Cimino), other since college. That is not why I am in movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. showing canceled the gay son of the imam’s chief nemesis. this show, I actually had to audition. Steppen- We always see the grand drag queen who is all A showing of the gay indie horror film In- City of Borders (66 minutes) features Yun wolf is an institution that when you are in it girl. Another inspiration was the movie Paris call—slated for Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. Suh as the director. City of Borders follows then you really never leave. People are always Is Burning. This is an homage to those unsung at The Patio Theater, 6008 W. Irving Park the daily lives of the Israeli bar owner and coming back and popping in when on tour. It is people. Rd.—has been canceled. four Israeli and Palestinian patrons as they a great gig to have when you need to bulk up WCT: Are you out of the closet in your ca- Writer/producer/director/actor Brock navigate the minefield of politics, religion that bank account. reer? Riebe said in a statement that the movie and discrimination to live and love openly. WCT: How was it working with Joe on this KTF: I don’t go around saying, “Heyyy,” but may screen at The Landmark Century, 2828 General admission is $15; visit https:// show? if people ask me I tell them I am gay. That is N. Clark St., on March 5. web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9976694. KTF: It was great. Like I said we went to not my agenda... The plot of Incall is as follows: Kasey is school together. He was a few years ahead of WCT: You did a show called Intelligent down on his luck. He has no family or friends me. We had acted together because we did the Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism, so talk except a woman (Beth) who always seems to ‘Sound of Music’ original Angels in America in L.A. He was Louis about that. show up at the wrong time. (Is it love?) To and I was . We have been friends for 30 KTF: The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to make ends meet, Kasey does “incall” mas- retelling Feb. 1 years. When I was in Wicked he would come Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the sage from his apartment. Unfortunately, On Sunday, Feb. 1, at Davenport’s Caba- and give notes but we had never worked to- Scriptures—it was Tony Kushner’s last play he some of his married, middle aged, male cli- ret, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., at 7 p.m., the gether with him being a director and me as an did in New York. Stephen Spinella was in it; ents are more interested in things other than Robert Rodi Quartet will perform “The Sound actor from the beginning, so this was fantastic. [he’s] from Angels in America. It was a great massage. of Music, Man”—a revue featuring jazz ver- We were able to bring our history to the work, play and four hours long. It was recently done Enter Marco, a drifter, in the country under sions of songs from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s which was really good. again at Berkeley. I am glad because it was mysterious circumstances. After the acciden- musical, with a Beat-poetry narration of the I know the level of perfection he requires and another pass at that play and it wasn’t done tal death of one of his massage clients (that story. you don’t want to suck in your friend’s play! when we did it in New York. I know he wanted looks like a murder) and through a bizarre This is Rodi’s second take on a classic mu- There was some pressure so it was a double it to go to Broadway and that didn’t happen. I set of circumstances, Kasey enlists the help sical: “My Fair Lady, Man” ran in 2012 and edged sword. think it could be another great piece of Ameri- of Marco to dispose of the body. What start- 2013. Rodi is also a successful writer. His WCT: Is your character, Sissy, based on can dramatic literature. ed as an accident soon becomes intentional best-known novel is Fag Hag. someone you know? It is the story of someone done with life who as the duo lure unsuspecting men to their Admission is $12, and there is a two-drink KTF: No, but I am from Houston so I have calls in his three children to tell them he’s go- deaths. minimum. Visit www.davenportspianobar. been around those Southern provincial drag- ing to commit suicide. I played the lover of com/ or calling 773-278-1830. queen men since high school. It is a hodge- Stephen Spinella, who is one of the main char- WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 23 MUSIC promote the band. “This past year I went over- board,” expressed Maimone. By taking on vir- OUTMusic Awards tually every opportunity Maimone was always Mike Maimone and away on tour which he expressed led to the ceremony break-up with his boyfriend of six years. During the winter of 2014, following the postponed break-up, Maimone wrote the music for Fuel The OUTMusic Awards event—which the Mutts set out to honors LGBTQA artists, and which were Yer Delusion. “[At that point] it was a question of: was it supposed to be held Jan. 19—has been life imitating art? Or vice versa?” articulated postponed. impress in 2015 “Due to circumstances beyond our con- Maimone. trol we are forced to postpone [the Jan. perform at a plethora of festivals and shows. Now the Mutts have “concise tours” to avoid By Lauren E. Childers 19] 9th Annual OUTMusic Awards, which The group chose the name to mean that they just what their album warns against. was to be held at the Town Hall Theater,” refused to be pinned to a single genre or influ- Maimone acts as proud member of the gay Mike Maimone is a gay musician whose most it states on the website’s home page. ence; though one fan has described the music community by performing in things such as the recent passion project is as manager, vocal- The message continues, “We apologize as “ragtime grunge.” OUTspoken event and upcoming event Homo- ist, and keyboardist with the band, the Mutts. for any frustration caused by the abrupt “[What started] as a hobby turned into a latte, while resisting any imposed inclinations The Mutts released its latest album, Fuel Yer postponement of the Awards and know passion project,” said Maimone. to define him by his sexuality. Delusion Vol. 4, on Dec. 9, 2014. The band you’ve made the effort to set aside time, Maimone described the music making pro- “It’s like the Harvey Milk thing—being out— also recently performed at Riot Fest 2014 and travel and great expense in some cases to cess with his band as a “catharsis—[we] just that a doctor, a lawyer… can be gay.” Maimone was featured at the OUTspoken series attend. do what feels good.” This philosophy produced The Mutts have an upcoming show at the at Sidetrack, a monthly LGBTQ live storytelling “Per our policy, we will not be issuing re- the theme for the concept album Fuel Yer Delu- Subterranean on Feb. 19 for Dunn Dunn Fest. event. funds under any circumstances, but you’re sion: that losing track of relationships is in- Maimone will be playing solo at Homolatte at All members of the Mutts, before joining, entitled to free entry at our rescheduled evitable if one gets too absorbed in any one Big Chicks/Tweets on Feb. 3 and will now be were playing for other bands. “We wanted event. We really appreciate the support thing—not allowing time for a relationship to playing every 1st Thursday of the month at something ours,” expressed Maimone. “…so we you demonstrated by purchasing tickets be nurtured. High Hat Club—new piano bar/jazz lounge. would not have to fit into a particular sound.” and we sincerely hope to see you when In addition to performing with the Mutts, To find their music, visit http://mutts- Not long after the band formed, they opened the new date has been confirmed.” Maimone has set out on solo tours in part to music.com/fuel. for the Plain White T’s and have gone on to Orange Is the New Black actress Lea De- Laria and singer Sir Ari Gold were slated to co-host. Artemis Singers concert Feb. 6-7 Chicago lesbian feminist chorus Artemis Singers will present “Loves Lost, Loves Found,” a concert of songs about love in all its complexity, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Ethical Humanist Society, 7574 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Artemis Singers will perform Adele’s “Rumour Has It,” Smokey Robinson’s “My Girl,” and women’s music legend Cris Wil- liamson’s “Lullabye” and “Shooting Star.” The 35-member Artemis Singers special- izes in music written or arranged by wom- en. The nonprofit chorus will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2015. Visit http://artemisloves.brownpaper- tickets.com to purchase tickets online. Tickets for “Loves Lost, Loves Found” are a suggested donation of $15 in advance and $20 at the door for adults. Tickets for seniors age 65 and older and for children age 12 and younger are a suggested dona- tion of $10. Mike Maimone (left) and the Mutts. Photo courtesy of Maimone CULTURE CLUB 24 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES snowbound mansion. Harder to find but just as delightful is Patty Duke as a pregnant woman kept against her will by the woman she thinks is her mother-in-law in 1972’s You’ll Like My KNIGHT Mother. AT More movies to watch when it’s 10 below: THE Sci-fi adventure:Snowpiercer (2014), The MOVIES Day After Tomorrow (2004) Mysteries: Smilla’s Sense of Snow (1997), Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) Bloodthirsty vampires: Let the Right One In (2008) and its U.S. remake, Let Me In (2010); 30 Days of Night (2007) By Ravenous zombies: Dead Snow (2009) Richard Killer aliens: The Thing (1951, 1982, 2011), Knight Jr. Dreamcatcher (2003) Documentaries: March of the Penguins (2005), Chasing Ice (2013), Encounters at the End of the World (2007) Baby, it’s Comedies: Groundhog Day (1993), New In Town (2009) cold outside! Romance: Winter’s Tale (2014), Mrs. Soffel (1984) When the weather outside is frightful—as it Dramas: A Simple Plan (1998), Frozen River is these short, frosty days—that’s the time (2008), Winter’s Bone (2010) when a film fan like myself gets out the winter movies. It may seem perverse but, baby, when More Groff stuff it’s this cold outside I like nothing more than Out actor Jonathan Groff, the multitalented Jonathan Groff (left) and Denis O’Hare in C.O.G. to shovel down to the frosty depths of my ad- cutie pie who stars in Frozen and HBO’s queer- mittedly vast movie collection for some frigid themed Looking (now back in its second sea- character and his pals return to theaters in Interested in reading some of my in-depth weather favorites. Some of these blustery sea- son), starred as a cynical gay writer working their second movie outing. Antonio Banderas reviews? The Best of Knight at the Movies: son films will be very familiar while others are as an apple picker in the offbeat 2013 indie is featured as Burger-Beard the Pirate in live- 2004-2014—a compilation book of my film more obscure. There’s enough of an assortment feature C.O.G., the first movie to be adapted action and animated segments. reviews from a queer perspective for Windy City here to keep you entertained as you hibernate from the works of essayist David Sedaris. Times—is available through www.knightatthe- until the icicles thaw (and in between, recom- movies.com. mendations for Valentine’s Day and some great Love is a bowtie selections for Black History Month are coming Love Is Strange’s out writer-director Ira down the pike). Sachs and the films two stars, John Lithgow A few favorites from my annual Frigid Movie and Alfred Molina, have teamed up with Tie Fest: the Knot, the seasonal collection of neckwear For the young and young at heart—Let created by Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Fer- it go (one more time!) with Elsa (voiced by guson and husband Justin Mikita, to promote Idina Menzel), Anna (Kristen Bell) and Kristoff marriage equality. The $25 brightly colored (voiced by Jonathan Groff) in Disney’s delight- bow ties designed by Sachs and his actors pay ful 2013 animated musical and instant classic homage to their characters and to the iconic Frozen, then get your flippers tapping to “Boo- Manhattan West Village gay bar Julius which gie Wonderland” with the dancing penguins in is prominently featured in the movie. Love Is 2006’s Happy Feet (and again in 2011’s Happy Strange is now out on Blu-ray and DVD; the Feet Two). ties are available exclusively at http://www. Black comedies—Oh you betcha! Frances thetiebar.com/jtf. McDormand won the Best Actress Oscar as the pregnant police detective in Fargo, the Coen Upcoming movie calendar brothers’ 1996 Minnesota-set crime thriller. Highlights from films opening in Chicago, The movie inspired the equally dark (and Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 (or available online or On- equally fun) 2014 FX series of the same name Demand) that is loosely (and very cleverly) tied to the The Loft (1/30)—Five married men (includ- film. Ryan Gosling gives his best performance ing out screenwriter-actor Wentworth Miller, to date in 2010’s Lars and the Real Girl, the James Marsden and “Modern Family’s” Eric poignant and endearingly odd story of a lonely Stonestreet) share the title co-op, where each man slowly coming back to life after he forms a brings his mistress for afternoon delight—until romantic attachment with a sex doll. a murdered woman is found there. Things that go bump in the snow—What Mommy (1/30)—Out French Canadian au- film epicurean doesn’t know Stanley Kubrick’s teur Xavier Dolan (see interview with him in 1980 chilly, creepy adaptation of Stephen this week’s WCT) returns with a film driven King’s novel The Shining? Unnerving, rather by the performances of Anne Dorval and Su- than scary, driven by Jack Nicholson’s tremen- zanne Clement. Both actresses were stunning Uzo Aduba portrays “Crazy Eyes” on Orange Is the New Black. Photo from Lionsgate dous, scenery chewing performance, it’s the in previous Dolan movies –Dorval in I Killed story of a writer, his wife and their psychic son My Mother as the mother of a difficult gay teen snowbound in a luxurious but haunted hotel (played by Dolan) and Clement in the epic Lau- high up in the Rocky Mountains. King returned rence Anyways as the girlfriend of a man tran- ‘Orange’ nabs SAG awards to the frozen climate in the genuinely creepy sitioning to female. miniseries Storm of the Century (1999), about Seventh Son (2/8)—After shifting release The awards season continued with the 21st the Chicago-set Shameless, beating Modern a malevolent stranger who descends upon the dates multiple times over the past couple of Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Jan. 25. Family’s Ty Burrell and Eric Stonestreet, out residents of a small island just as the worst years, this fantasy adventure a la Game of The Netflix series Orange Is the New Black Big Bang Theory actor Jim Parsons and Lou- blizzard in history is striking. Creepier still is Thrones is finally arriving in theaters. Ben won twice—once for best comedy ensemble ie’s Louis C.K. 1981’s Ghost Story, John Irvin’s lavish adap- Barnes (who played the bisexual, morally deca- and other with Uzo Aduba (who portrays Viola Davis won for best female dramatic tation of Peter Straub’s horror novel with Al- dent Dorian Gray in the British version a few “Crazy Eyes”) winning best female actor in actor in a loaded field that included Home- ice Krige as an avenging spirit determined to years back) stars but it’s the supporting cast a comedy series. In winning, Aduba edged land’s Claire Danes and Orphan Black’s Ta- take out the four old men (Fred Astaire, Melvyn that gives this extra interest: Jeff Bridges as Modern Family’s Julie Bowen, Nurse Jackie’s tiana Maslany, among others. Davis said, “ Douglas, John Houseman, Douglas Fairbanks a Jedi-type master and gay audience fave Juli- Edie Falco, Veep’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and I’d like to thank Paul Lee, Shonda Rhimes, Jr.) who done her wrong in their wanton youth. anne Moore as a vengeful witch. Park and Recreation’s Amy Poehler. Betsy Beers, Bill D’Elia, and Peter Nowalk, Trapped inside with criminals—It’s always Jupiter Ascending (2/8)—Another delayed Mark Ruffalo won for best male actor in a for thinking that a sexualized, messy, mys- worth revisiting Rob Reiner’s 1990 Misery with release, this follow-up to the Wachowski sib- television movie or miniseries for his role in terious woman could be a 49-year-old dark- Kathy Bates in her Best Actress Oscar winning lings critically acclaimed epic Cloud Atlas is a Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart. (Presenters skinned, African-American woman that looks role as psychotic Annie Wilkes, “number one sci-fi space opera starring Mila Kunis as a lowly Jared Leto and Lupita N’yongo accepted on like me.” fan” of a romance novelist played by James janitor whose destiny is to rule Earth along- his behalf.) Another “Normal Heart” nomi- In the cinematic arena, Eddie Redmayne Caan whose obsession goes off the rails. Equal- side alien entities from other worlds. Channing nee, Julia Roberts, lost to Frances McDor- (The Theory of Everything), Julianne Moore ly fun are the twists and turns in 1987’s Dead Tatum, Eddie Redmayne and British heartthrob mand, who won for Olive Kitteridge. (Still Alice), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) and of Winter, with Mary Steenburgen as an in- Douglas Booth co-star. Also on the television end, William H. Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) were among the nocent actress caught in some deadly cat-and- The Spongebob Squarepants Movie: Sponge Macy won for best male comedic actor for winners. mouse games while being kept a prisoner at a Out of Water (2/8)—The beloved children’s WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 25 MUSIC GS: Girls and guys love him because he’s a beautiful person. The thing about him is, growing up in London—it’s such a cool place to grow up because there is so much freedom Gwen Stefani: there, and there’s so much exposure to so many different people and art. It’s just a different way of growing up compared to [my] growing Underneath it all up in Anaheim. With all the music that we grew up to—and the British invasion and Vivienne Westwood you sure you wanna do pink, because you’re By Chris Azzopardi and everything that I love about London in gonna go to school tomorrow? Are you sure the ’80s—it’s been really amazing to be able to you’re not gonna be embarrassed?” He said, From bed in her Los Angeles home, Gwen Ste- have a friend and lover like Gavin because he is “No, I don’t care; it’s a cool color.” fani insisted she doesn’t mind doing her first from London. He’s a smart, interesting person, I just love that. It’s really important more gay press interview in a decade on her day off. and he’s this connection to something I was a than anything else to not be talked into some- “I love talking about myself,” the No Doubt fan of growing up and getting to know London, thing, to stand your ground and to be able to frontwoman said, giggling. where I think so much music and fashion has be strong about what you feel. That’s what I Set to release her third solo album this come out of, and which has so much history like and that’s what I want them to learn—that spring, Stefani rang to open up about her “late for me. being individual and being unique is impor- in life” introduction to the gay community, the WCT: Let’s take it back to No Doubt’s “Star- tant. Don’t be scared of that. I don’t want them lesson she’s teaching her boys when she paints ing Problem” and all those “cute girls” who to try to be like everyone else, and at that age, their nails and how hubby Gavin Rossdale has made you jealous. These days, who can’t you everybody just wants to have the same shoes broadened her worldview. stop staring at? Who are your girl crushes? everybody else has, and I don’t really like that. Windy City Times: You were raised Roman GS: I’m not feeling a girl crush right now. I If they do want to, I’ll support that as well. You Catholic in [California’s] infamously conser- really am not. I’m sorry! There’s nobody. But I just want them to be happy. It’s a short life and vative Orange County. Considering this up- have to say that I like a lot of the new Taylor it goes by so quick. bringing, what was your introduction to the Swift. There’s a few songs on that record that WCT: In 2012, you designed a marriage- gay community? I like and she’s a good songwriter. Charli XCX is equality shirt for Target that said “Love Is Gwen Stefani: Oh, that’s a really good ques- a very good songwriter too—she wrote songs Love.” What inspired you to raise awareness tion. I’m going back in my brain. When did I for my record—and who else? I mean, my fa- for marriage equality? get introduced? I think my first friend that I vorite all-time girl songwriter is Joni Mitchell, GS: Overall in my life, I’ve been shy to be had was Mathu Andersen—that was pretty late but I wouldn’t say I have a girl crush on her. too politically active in any kind of way. I’m in life. He’s a makeup artist that I met doing [Laughs] a Libra. I’m all about balance; I’m not about the “Ex-Girlfriend” video [in 2000], and he was WCT: Everyone’s always surprised you’re confrontation. I feel like I’m sort of rebellious, with this guy Zaldy, a designer who’d eventu- 45. And it’s true—you look half your age. but you said it—I grew up in a Catholic fam- ally work on L.A.M.B. with me. Then Mathu in- Gwen Stefani. Photo by Vijat Mohindra What’s your secret? ily. I was the peacemaker of the family. I just troduced me to Danilo, who ended up being my GS: [Laughs] Thank you! I do not have any wanted everybody to be happy. So, taking a hairdresser, who introduced me to Gregory Arlt, secrets. I’m doing what everyone else is do- stand was—I mean, obviously I have my feel- knows, so he sees me in a different way as well. my [current] makeup artist. ing—just trying to make it last as long as pos- ings about things, but I’m subtle about it. He sees me as being really strong, and I don’t These guys have become some of my closest sible on all levels. That shirt was not meant to be a big state- really see that as much. It’s really an incredible friends over the years, and also the team that Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndi- ment. It can work for that, but it doesn’t have relationship that we have and a surprise that I have helped me creatively on so many levels. cate, the international LGBT wire service. to be for that. It wasn’t meant to be like, “Oh, would be hanging out with him so much again It’s interesting how it feels. All the people that Reach him via his website at www.chris- I’m making a huge statement here.” What I’m [after “Hollaback Girl” in 2004]. I’ve met in the gay community in my particular azzopardi.com. saying is that this shirt can work for anybody. WCT: There are obviously lots of gays who life have just been very creative people and Read the entire interview at www.Windy- It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do and adore you, but how aware are you of all the people that have just been friends to me in a CityMediaGroup.com. way that I haven’t had in my life before that. what you think—love is love. Take it whichever gay love for your hubby, Gavin Rossdale? It’s hard to put into words. I don’t know how way you want to take it. to describe it, but it’s interesting because we WCT: In the spirit of the emoji-filled can talk about so many things that we are all “Spark the Fire” single, what’s your most- interested in and yet it’s different from having used emoji? a guy friend or a girlfriend. It’s like having a GS: These days, luckily, they have a little creative partner. spark and fire and cloud emoji, so I’ve been WCT: When No Doubt first hit the scene, using those a lot. The thing is, they’re right up you were known for your tomboy image. Be- my alley. Emojis are the perfect thing. Like, of cause of your style, were there times you course we have to have those! were mistaken as a lesbian? WCT: I’m surprised you didn’t invent them, GS: I don’t remember there ever being too actually. many rumors about that. I think everybody GS: I wish that I did. I feel like they invented knew my story, because when Tragic Kingdom them for me. [Laughs] came out I had broken up with Tony [Kanal], WCT: Pharrell called “Spark the Fire,” so everybody knew that “Don’t Speak” and all which he co-wrote and produced, a feminist those songs were about that, so I think that’s anthem, but you say otherwise. What does probably why [there weren’t rumors]. I was so that song mean to you? young when all that started. I mean, I started GS: Yeah, for me, it’s not a feminist anthem. the band when I was 17. Our relationship is so interesting. I say to him, WCT: The way you’ve personally subverted “You are so talented and incredible; how do gender norms seems to have influenced your you come up with this stuff? It’s blowing my three boys. You’ve gone with your oldest, mind.” And he’ll say to me, “It’s you. I wouldn’t Kingston, to get [manicures]; also, he wore have come up with this unless I got the energy a tutu on his birthday. As a parent, how im- you gave me that night.” And I didn’t do any- portant is it to you to show your kids that thing! It’s so weird. His interpretation of me there’s no wrong way to express themselves? is: He thinks that I need to be the torch for GS: It’s one of those things where, it’s not feminism. [But the song] was so perfect for like I don’t think about it, but they’re used my story—for what I was feeling in my own to being around me, and I’m always doing my personal life—that I didn’t even get it as a hair, makeup, nails. Their whole life is, like, sit- feminist anthem. I thought it was just about ting on my lap while I’m doing that surrounded me! I was just feeling me. by three gay men who are on me the entire What’s so weird is, it works on two levels, time. [Laughs] but it’s very personal for me. If it’s working for It’s just normal for them. What I like to say [feminism] as well, that’s awesome. But with is that being unique and original is what makes “Just a Girl,” too, I wasn’t trying to make a On Sale thiS me happy, and I think that rubs off on them. statement at all when I wrote that song. I nev- Friday at nOOn! My sons did nails just the other day, and the er even thought that anyone would hear the only reason was because their nails were so song. I was just making a personal statement disgusting! Like, they were in the mud and I about my life, about me, and I feel like this is was like, “We have got to do your nails! Why the same thing. It’s really about me, my jour- don’t we do ‘Nail Salon?!’” ney and where I’m at in my life. It’s just very , I literally have 400 bottles of nail polish, so personal. I love the fact that it kind of has two Saturday March 21 they took them all out and put them all over faces. But it’s funny, because he’s so fired up athenaeuM theatre 2936 N. Southport the bathroom. We really played “Salon” and we about it. Watching my journey, he knows a lot ticketS available at the veNue box office, jamuSa.com or atheNaeumtheatre.org did tiger-stripe nails. I said to Kingston, “Are about me personally that maybe not everyone ® 26 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES Gay Softball World Series. The Sin City Shootout through this horrific time. On behalf of CMSA is the annual tournament hosted by the Greater Open Sunday Softball would like to extend our Softball player Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA). thoughts to everyone. We look forward to the “I am deeply saddened by the tragic freak ac- day that we can give Mike the high-five on the cident,” Neilsen said. “Although I did not know field and welcome him home to his softball injured at gay Mike personally, he is part of our N.A.G.A.A.A. family again. Godspeed Mike.” Family. It’s overwhelming to see the outpour- To support Petracca’s mounting medical ing of support, both financial and emotional, bills, go to: www.gofundme.com/mikepe- Vegas tournament for Mike and his family while they are going tracca. by Ross Forman ‘Mr. Cub’ Ernie Banks A San Diego man was seriously injured at a gay softball tournament in Las Vegas on Jan. 18. Mike Petracca is slowly improving—and was dies; world mourns downgraded on Jan. 22 from critical to stable condition and moved into a private room at became the first African-American to play University Medical Center from the ICU—as for the Chicago Cubs, and the first number the LGBT community rallies around him. He re- the team retired. Along the way, he became turned to San Diego Jan. 23. known as much for his 512 home runs and Petracca, 28, who is openly gay and lives and back-to-back National League MVPs as for works in Carlsbad, California, was participating his cheer, his optimism, and his love of the in the 8th annual Sin City Shootout—a multi- game. As a Hall-of-Famer, Ernie was an in- day event that attracted about 7,500 partici- credible ambassador for , and for the pants for 18 sports. He was between fields city of Chicago. He was beloved by baseball with his teammates—including former Chicago fans everywhere, including Michelle, who, resident Chuck Jacobson, who now lives in San when she was a girl, used to sit with her Diego—awaiting their next game after already dad and watch him play on TV. And in 2013, having played two. They were watching a C-Di- it was my honor to present Ernie with the vision team from Chicago, the Chicago Havoc, Presidential Medal of Freedom. which was playing. “Somewhere, the sun is shining, the air is Petracca was struck in the head with an alu- fresh, his team’s behind him, and Mr. Class— minum softball bat that had been accidentally Ernie Banks receives the Presidential ‘Mr. Cub’—is ready to play two.” released during a batter’s swing on a nearby Medal of Freedom from President Obama. Banks’ stature also led to a statue, which field. The bat flew nearly 40 feet and hit Pe- Image from the Chicago Cubs’ Facebook the Cubs temporarily moved from outside tracca on the left temple area. He immediately page Wrigley Field to downtown Chicago. It will collapsed, striking his head on the ground. Mike Petracca. Photo by Michael Stewart be on display in Daley Plaza for several days. “It is the very definition of a freak accident, Still, a makeshift memorial was built out- he’s aware of that; we told him that. By Ross Forman as bats rarely leave a batter’s hands in softball side Wrigley Field, particularly along Addison “This is really hard; it’s a roller coaster [of and no one at the fields could ever recall see- Street, inches away from where Banks’ name emotions],” the elder Petracca added. “It’s two Chuck Jacobson was living and working in ing a bat leave the field of play, let alone strike is etched into the concrete, along with many steps forward, one step backwards here and Chicago in 2005 when he went to New York another person,” said Brian Burnett, a team- other Cubs’ legends. there. He’s in so much pain; his head is throb- City for a June weekend to watch his beloved mate of Petracca who created a GoFundMe web- The famed Wrigley Field marque also paid bing like you can’t believe.” Cubs play against the Yankees at iconic, page for Petracca’s mounting medical expenses. tribute to Banks and Banks’ flags hung sur- Petracca returned to San Diego, where he original Yankee Stadium. In one day, more than $26,000 had been rounding the marquee. will go directly into a managed care facility to Jacobson, who was sitting near the Cubs raised. “Ernie Banks transcended all fandom, es- make sure he’s stabilized and further tend to dugout, had gotten a foul ball from then- “I heard a clunk [when the bat struck Pe- pecially in Chicago where most people are his care, Burnett said. Cubs manager Dusty Baker—and boy did that tracca], the bat [hitting the ground] and a either Cubs’ fans or White Sox fans. Ernie Petracca works as a server at the Tin Leaf ball come in handy. lot of noise, a lot of screaming,” said Anthony Banks had respect on both sides of town. Fresh Kitchen. He is a diehard San Diego Pa- During the game, Jacobson spotted Ernie Miceli, 49, of Chicago, who was in the Havoc He was that guy who absolutely everyone dres fan, and his dad tagged him as a “baseball Banks seated nearby, so he asked the long- dugout at the time as his team was batting. respected, not just for his baseball skill, encyclopedia, especially about the Padres.” retired Cubs’ hero to autograph the ball. “I turned around and saw [Petracca] go down which mind you earned him a spot in the Petracca played Little League Baseball, then But Banks refused. and hit his head, and immediately jumped out Baseball Hall of Fame, but more so, for who soccer in high school and he has played gay So Jacobson walked away and simply of the dugout. he was and how he lived his life,” said Mark softball for about five years. Petracca has two thought, “Oh well.” “It was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen; I Sakalares, 53, who grew up a Cubs fan and sisters, one older and one younger. A few seconds later, Banks started throw- couldn’t believe it.” remains a diehard—and is a vice-president “While insurance will certainly cover a large ing peanuts at Jacobson and said, “Give me Miceli said blood was “literally squirting of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Associa- portion of these immediate expenses, the road that ball.” out of his head,” so he immediately applied tion (CMSA). ahead could be a long and arduous one, with Jacobson did; Banks signed it—and both pressure to Petracca’s head. Miceli and others Banks was a 14-time All-Star, yet never a lot of therapy,” Burnett said. “The long-term smiled. talked to Petracca and tried to keep him calm reached the postseason. Still, he was induct- outlook for how much of that can or will be “Ernie always had fun and truly loved the as they awaited medical personnel to arrive. ed into the Hall of Fame in 1977, the first covered is much less clear. Mike deserves the game,” said Jacobson, who now lives in San Petracca suffered a skull fracture and swell- year he was eligible, and he was selected to best possible care going forward and we are Diego, but remains a diehard Cubs fan. “I ing of the brain. He had immediate brain sur- baseball’s all-century team in 1999. determined to smooth the road ahead as much always related to Ernie Banks in the way he gery to relieve the swelling and repair the frac- Banks was a Cubs’ goodwill ambassador as possible. Thus, any contributions made to just wanted to have fun. Ernie always had ture, and the MRI results showed some damage for decades after retiring, and he rode on this fundraising effort will be forwarded to something positive to say to everyone.” to the left side of the brain where the frontal, the Cubs’ float in the 2010 Chicago Pride Mike’s trust account, where non-covered costs Jacobson and the entire sports world was parietal, and temporal lobes meet, specifically Parade, though his appearance that year related to his care and recovery will be the only shocked to hear Jan 23 that Banks, nick- Broca’s area, according to Burnett. “This is the was overshadowed by the actual Stanley priority.” named Mr. Cub, had died at age 83, just sev- part of the brain for speech production,” Bur- Cup and a member of the 2010 Stanley Cup- Medical expenses are expected to exceed $1 en days before his 84th birthday. Days later, nett said. “At this time, he is unable to talk winning appearing on million, his dad said. it was announced that Banks died of a heart clearly; he comprehends and wants to talk, but the Pride float of the Chicago Gay Hockey The LGBT community, not just the softball attack, his family said. can’t get the words out. Association—an organization that Jacobson world, has stepped up, rallied behind Petracca “It is certainly a sad day for us,” Ernie’s “This isn’t something that can be fixed with founded. and is wildly sharing his story to aide his medi- wife, Liz Banks, said two days after his death surgery or other medical procedures, so we’ll “Ernie Banks was an ambassador of good,” cal bills. at a press conference. “I’d like to thank ev- have to see how it heals with time and therapy. Sakalares said. “He knew [the fight that the “The outpouring of emotion from his com- eryone for being here. He was very beloved He also has right side muscle weakness/lack LGBT community has been in] because he munities—meaning, our community of family and he is going to be dearly missed by fam- of control that will hopefully get better with went through racial discrimination during and friends, the softball community, the LGBT ily, friends and all of his fans.” time, and he has some lower facial paralysis, his career.” community, and others—I can’t even begin to Banks’ legendary stature reached well be- [which] will hopefully heal when the swelling Trans writer Christina Kahrl stated, “Er- explain or express my appreciation, both finan- yond the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, subsides as well.” nie Banks should be forever remembered as cially, plus love and support.” the Cubs’ home that was Banks’ home for all Petracca’s dad, Michael, said by phone Jan. something more than a great ballplayer— Michael Erwin, the president of the Chicago 19 years that he played in the major leagues, 22 that his son is “really frustrated; he seems he was a great American. Anyone who can Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) who from 1953-1971. President Obama, for in- a little bit defeated. He knows what happened, translate his experience with integrating the was in Las Vegas for the tournament, posted stance, issued a statement about Banks. somewhat.” Cubs on the field into action, decades later, news about Petracca on Facebook and tagged “Michelle and I send our condolences to The elder Petracca said his son’s long-term to get the team to enter a float in the Pride it, “such a sad story.” the family of Ernie Banks, and to every Chi- prognosis “is going to be a fight.” Parade—and put himself on it—deserves our Jack Neilsen, the commissioner of CMSA’s cagoan and baseball fan who loved him,” the “His speech is either going to go from no admiration for a life spent on the front lines open Sunday softball division, is a board mem- chief executive said. “Ernie came up through improvement to full speech. We don’t know yet for creating change.” ber for the North American Gay Amateur Ath- the Negro Leagues, making $7 a day. He [what it will be]; it’s just a matter of time, and letic Alliance (NAGAAA), which runs the annual WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 27 WEEKLY DINING GUIDE IN Leghorn expands the Leghorn Chicken is known for its tasty fare DISH and unconventional style—and it’s now in the River North area, occupying the tiny cafe con- nected to the Ohio House Motel, 600 N. LaSalle Crew Sports St. The original socially conscious (announcing Bar + Grill; it would donate some proceeds to LGBT orga- Leghorn expands nizations), BYOB chicken shack first opened Left: Crew GM Mark Robertson and chef BY ANDREW DAVIS Robyn Marfurt. Above: Mac n’ cheese bites. Below: Crew’s beer selection. Photos by A few years ago, I remember attending an Andrew Davis LGBT-focused event downtown. There were various goodies on the table, and I asked a then-intern if he wanted anything. “Are you kidding?,” he responded. “There are carbs ev- erywhere—and no vegetables anywhere.” Well, he might head for the hills upon see- ing the menu at the gay gathering spot known as Crew Sports Bar + Grill (4804 N. Lawrence Ave.; http://www.worldsgreatestbar.com/). Al- though there would be some (pretty nice) sal- ads for him to graze on, this place specializes The “cookie of the moment” at Leghorn. in (carb-loaded) comfort food. Photo by Andrew Davis Oh, and about those comfort foods: Some experienced in other places (e.g., Kanela). This Lastly, I got a sneak preview of the LGBT sand- seasonal changes have been implemented. Chef one is a biscuit with pimento peppers, asiago wich, which contains arugula (in place of the doors in Ukrainian Village in March 2014 and Robyn Marfurt has kicked in some items such cheese, cheddar cheese and chives, served lettuce, of “L”), pickled beet, tomato jam, goat instantly drew in the masses with its signature as the Big Fat Southern Sausage, monkey bread with a side of sriracha butter; it has just the cheese and bacon—I would come back for this menu item: a Nashville Hot or Pickle Brined and a chicken-fried burger. right amount of heat, although some may like alone, as no one ingredient didn’t overwhelm fried chicken sandwich, simply prepared and I relish this place for two reasons: I’m a it even hotter. There are also pepperjack mac any of the others. served hot on a bun or biscuit. It also drew sports fan (with a cluster of screens) and I like bites that have just that: bite. However, Crew has still retained many of controversy with its unapologetically loud air- comfort food (although, thankfully, I also like The chicken-fried burger (with pickles, mayo, its popular items, including pulled-pork mini- ing of graphic hip-hop music. (Said music is working out a bit). However, watch out: The American cheese and bacon) is not for the sliders, fried pickle chips, the shrimp po’ boy also at this venue, although it’s not as loud key word I associated with most of the culi- weak-willed, in terms of size or taste—my din- wrap—and just enough salads (like the pear & here—possibly because of its hours: 8 a.m.-4 nary newcomers is “kicky” (as in “at least a bit ing companion and I both loved it. Somehow, pecan as well as the fire-grilled Cobb) to pos- p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays, and 8 a.m.- spicy”). I managed to finish off that entire sandwich. sibly lure my carb-phobic friend. 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.) 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an unknown truck driver arrives. Through Monday, Feb. 2 8:00pm Theater Wit 1229 W Belmont QueerCast Windy City Queercast with host Ave. Chicago http://www.theaterwit.org Amy Matheny joined weekly by guest Star Wars vs Star Trek A geek-inclusive hosts Mitchell Fain, Deb Pearce, Stephen CALENDAR variety show. Followed by Cosmix dance. Rader, and Colman Domingo 12:00pm 10:00pm - 4:00am Berlin Nightclub 954 Online http://www.windycityqueercast. W Belmont Ave Chicago http://www.ber- com/shows.html Brought to you by the linchicago.com combined efforts of Formerly Known As (FKA) Long-running Tuesday, Feb. 3 Northside queer dance party moves to Sidetrack: Outspoken! First-hand LGBTQ second Friday of each month. Welcoming stories presented in this ongoing series. info at the link. 6:00pm - 10:00pm Vari- Wed., Jan. 28 space for people of all genders, represen- This month featuring stories by Archer ous locations http://www.windycitymedi- REVIVAL 2015: Source::Evolution Fully tations, expressions, identities and sexu- Coe, Anna DeShawn, Katie Liesener, Be agroup.com/gay/chicago/events/11261/ immersive performance art experience, alities. 10:00pm Big Chicks 5024 N a Sullivan and Paco Zamora. 6:00pm - Chicago-Red-Dress-Party-Dine-Out-Day visceral and sexy, replete with ritual and Sheridan Rd., Chicago http://facebook. 9:00pm Sidetrack 3349 N Halsted St Chi- Call Me Kuchu screening Documentary HAVING A BALL mystery. Free. Through Jan. 31. Donations com/FKADANCE cago http://www.sidetrackchicago.com welcome. Doors open 8 pm 9:00pm Jay on efforts of Ugandan activists to stop Saturday, Jan. 31 Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park Tick- passage of anti-homosexuality bill. Post- Saturday, Jan. 31 screening discussion will feature filmmak- Thursday, Feb. 5 ets: https://revival-event.tixato.com/ 18th annual Strike Out Hunger bowl- 1st Thursday - Chi-Town Squares Dance er Katherine Fairfax Wright and Ugandan “Strike Out Hunger” will buy/ ing fundraiser Hosted by 9 to12 Bowl- Party Intro-level square dancing. No ex- LGBT activist Nikilas Mawanda. Free. Space Fabitat: Strange Brew Fabitat gets weird ing League, River Rand Bowl and HHO. take place at River Rand perience necessary. Professional caller/ limited. RSVP online. 6:00pm Center on with live music from Strange and Wolf Three games in teams of six, light dinner, Bowl in Des Plaines, teacher will set a fun, comfortable pace. Halsted 3656 N Halsted St., Chicago Tick- Blood. DJ Adam El and Lady Problems. snacks,raffles, music by DJ Jim Stubble- Come with or without friends. Smoke- and ets: http://tinyurl.com/mh5hu47 Illinois. Drag performances from Lucy Stoole, field. Benefits HHO’s Vital Bridges Center alcohol-free event. $9 includes lessons, Curlene Ribbon, and Joan Waters. 9:00pm Photo from Jack Marunde Friday, Jan. 30 on Chronic Care program. $40 or $200 for snacks, soft drinks 7:30pm - 9:30pm Eb- - 2:00am Double Door’s Door No. 3 1551 a team. 6:00pm - 10:00pm River Rand enezer Lutheran Church 1650 W Foster N Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60622 Love Me Forever! Oh! Oh! Oh By gay car- Bowl 191 S Des Plaines River Rd., Des International Kennel Club Dog Show Pure- Chicago http://chitownsquares.org toonist Jeremy Sorese, a series of illustra- Plaines, IL 60016 773-271-5117 http:// bred dogs, world canine freestyle com- Thursday, Jan. 29 tions, selected from The Best American www.heartlandalliance.org/vital Tickets: petition 8:00am - 4:00pm McCormick Saturday, Feb. 7 Senior Hot Lunch Center on Halsted is a Comics 2013, exploring the idea of get- http://www.heartlandalliance.org/vital/ Place Lakeside Center, Chicago http:// Artemis Singers Loves Lost, Loves Found City of Chicago Golden Diners site, where ting married. On display in the Congress events/strike-out-hunger-2013-3.html ikcdogshow.com concert The weekend before Valentine’s seniors age 60+ receive a hot lunch on Corridor through March 8, 2015. 9:00am REVIVAL 2015: Source::Evolution Fully Reading, Documentation: For The Record Day Chicago’s lesbian feminist chorus Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon. The sug- - 5:00am Harold Washington College 30 immersive performance art experience, Poems in the form of documents: How-to presents songs about love in all its com- gested donation for lunch is $1.50. No E. Lake St. Chicago 312-747-4050 visceral and sexy, replete with ritual and manuals, FAQs. transcripts of imagined plexity: Adele’s “Rumour Has It,” Smokey pre - registration required, but we ask http://tinyurl.com/kwb5mnl mystery. Free. Donations welcome. Doors interviews, policy documents, inventories. Robinson’s “My Girl,” women’s music that you sign in for lunch before 11:30 Grand Duchess Eartha’s Charity Birth- open 8 pm 9:00pm Jay Pritzker Pavil- Readers: Tara Boswell, Nina Li Coomes legend Cris Williamson’s “Lullabye” and to ensure that you receive a lunch ticket. day Blast Grand Duchess Eartha Tremors ion in Millennium Park Tickets: https:// Charlotte Pence, Margaret Rozga. Wendy “Shooting Star.” $15 in advance, $20 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm Center on Halsted James and Grand Duke Jeff Tiritilli James revival-event.tixato.com/buy/ Vardaman, and Yvonne Zipter. 1:30pm door for adults. $10 kids, seniors. Info: 3656 N Halsted Chicago http://www. requests your presence at their first show The Book of Merman New musical com- - 3:30pm Woman Made Gallery 685 N. [email protected]. 7:00pm Ethi- centeronhalsted.org/newevents-details. for the Windy City Empire Reign 11. This edy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Milwaukee Ave. Chicago http://www. cal Humanist Society of Chicago 7574 N. cfm?ID=9271 year’s charity is Chicago House. Line-up Schwartz. When two Mormons ring a womanmade.org Lincoln Ave Skokie, IL 60077 773-764- Meditation Class Open to participants 40+. includes Eartha, Emperor Neil Douglas doorbell, they have no idea that a certain Dr. Cornel West: “The Radical King”-CSRPC 4465 http://www.artemissingers.org No previous meditation experience neces- James, Imperial Crown Princess Felicity Ethel will open the door. Dazzling parody Annual Public Lecture The Center for the Tickets: http://artemisloves.brownpaper- sary. Free. Contact Troy Johnson at tjohn- St.James (Jonathan P. Meester), Impe- music and original songs. $25. Thursday Study of Race, Politics and Culture Annual tickets.com t [email protected] or by phone rial Princess Diamond Devereaux, Elysse through Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at Public Lecture presents West discussing 1:00pm - 2:00pm Center on Halsted Giovanni, Honey Brown, Ben D. Mann and 5:00 through February 15th. 7:30pm Brian D Hamilton. 7:00pm - 9:30pm At- his new book. Co-sponsored by the Office Sunday, Feb. 8 3656 N Halsted Chicago 773-472-6469 Mary’s Attic 5400 N Clark Chicago 800- Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation mosphere Bar 5355 N Clark St Chicago of Civic Engagement’s UChicago Engages x491 http://www.centeronhalsted.org/ 838-3006 Tickets: http://thebookofmer- 8th Annual “Be My Valentine” Family Young Playwrights Festival Professional series, Seminary Co-op Bookstore, and newevents-details.cfm?ID=9277 man.brownpapertickets.com Event Family brunch buffet and Valen- production using professional actors and Beacon Press. Free and open to the pub- Co-Ed Volleyball Every Monday and Thurs- Breaking Borders Showcase of LGBT life tine’s activities for children. Music, perfor- directors to shine a spotlight on area lic. 2:00pm Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, day in the gym, compete and practice. All in the Palestine and parts of the Middle mance, sweet treat decorating tips, a room emerging teen writers. Through Jan. 31 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago welcome. $7 daily pass or monthly pass East. $15. 8:00pm The Historic Chica- of allergy-safe treats. $85 adults, $65 kids 7:30pm Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Super Bowl Sunday at Scot’s Featuring $30. Contact Mia Zucker at mzucker@cen- go Temple Building 77 W Washington St in advance. $100 adults and $80 kids Chicago Ave., Chicago 773-878-8864. the 16th annual “Slap My Ass and Call Me teronhalsted.org, or by phone. 6:00pm Pierce Hall, Chicago Tickets: https://web. at door. Proceeds benefit the Lynn Sage Tickets: http://www.PegasusTheatreChi- Sally” chili contest. 1st place $100. Bring - 9:00pm Center on Halsted 3656 N ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9976694 Cancer Research Foundation 10:00am - cago.org in your culinary creations before the game Halsted Chicago 773-472-6469 ext. 446 1:00pm The Ritz-Carlton Chicago Hotel Tickets: https://community.centeronhal- The Rose Tattoo Unique in Tennessee Wil- Sunday, Feb. 1 starts, judging at half time. 4:00pm - 10:00pm Scot’s 1829 W Montrose Ave 160 E Pearson St Chicago 312-926-4274 sted.org/Volleyball liams work, a special blend of comedy, OutChicago, LGBT radio Progressive talk Chicago http://www.chicagoscotsbar.com Tickets: http://www.lynnsage.org Chicago Red Dress Party Dine Out Day By emotional depth and lyricism. On Louisi- with Scott Duff. Streaming live online simply dining out with us you can help ana’s Gulf Coast, a passionate overprotec- 11:00am - 1:00pm WCPT 820 am http:// Chicago Red Dress Party stop the spread tive Sicilian widow controls the life of her www.chicagosprogressivetalk.com/pages/ of HIV and empower those affected. More daughter. Earthy eroticism is unleashed as pages.php?page=451

Special content from A new Mr. Chicago Leather was chosen to represent the Windy City at the 37th annual International Mr. nightspots Mr. Chicago Leather weekend Leather contest in May. Here are just a few photos of the contest, Sat., Jan. 24, at Leather Archives and Museum. Photos by Kirk Williamson

Above: Host IML 2003 John Pendal introduces the five contestants.

Far left: Mr. Chicago Leather 2014 Miguel Torres gives his stepdown speech.

Left: Pendal with current IML Ramien Pierre.

The winner, Mr. Chicago Leather 2015 Luis Tipantasig.

Pick up next week’s Nightspots for more photos from this event, plus much more! /nightspots /nightspotschicago WINDY CITY TIMES Jan. 28, 2015 29 BILLY MASTERS

“Happy Birthday Russell. Birthdays are like rim jobs—you gotta get involved. Open up and get ready for another great year!”—So said the in- scription on the birthday cake of Russell Tovey on the set of HBO’s Looking, which just started its second season. He says it’s a sign of things to come. We sure hope so! So, I’m having sex with this incredibly hot guy who is way out of my league. (Let that be LGBTQ Storytelling at Sidetrack a lesson to you—too many pills and booze and you end up having sex with Billy Masters!) In the middle of the act, I asked, “What’s your rd name?” Call me old-fashioned, but when parts tuesday, FeCurbated by 3David Fink of my body are entering you repeatedly, I think it’s only polite to know your name. “Kirby,” he Doors 6pm • Stories 7pm OutspokenChicago.com answers between gasps and clenched teeth. At this point, I have two simultaneous thoughts: 1) How likely is it that the name Kirby is anywhere on this guy’s birth certificate? And 2) Wasn’t Kirby a character on Dynasty? And with that, erection gone—mission not accom- plished. We don’t like to rush, but your case has been packed. If we’ve missed anything, you could give us a ring. But we don’t always answer the phone. While I was in Fort Lauderdale trying to fig- Archer Coe Anna DeShawn Scott Duff ure out if the guy I was shtupping was related The recent lifetime movie Whitney (with to Kathleen Beller, John Travolta was chatting Yaya DaCosta, above, as Whitney Houston) up a stranger in a Planet Fitness in Ocala, Flor- got plenty of criticism, Billy says. Photo by ida. At 3 a.m., Justin Jones thought he’d work Jack Zeman out in an empty gym when a familiar-looking bald man approached him. (Coincidentally, I snapped wearing one). You may buy Jared’s met Kirby in a kinda gym.) “Hi, I’m John,” said wares at JaredLetoMerch.com, but you should the hairpiece-free Travolta. He then bombarded definitely check him out wearing very little on the guy with a barrage of questions: marital BillyMasters.com. status, do you have kids, what do you do for Derek Hough has left Dancing with the Stars. fun. Jones later told The National Enquirer (in He wants to try something really different: “I Bea Sullivan Paco Zamora Katie Liesener exchange for payment, I’m sure), “I understood am ecstatic that I’ll be able to extend my pas- what was happening when it was happening— sion for performing to the Great Stage of Radio SidetracK • 3349 N. Halsted • SidetrackChicago.com it was in his body language. It didn’t make me City Music Hall in New York Spring Spectacu- uncomfortable, but I noticed it.” lar.” Yes, you read correctly—Hough is going to Last week saw the debut of the long-awaited become a Rockette. He’s certainly got the gams Whitney Houston biopic. Considering it fol- for it. lowed Lifetime’s previous biopics on Anna Ni- Derek may have left DWTS, but we still have cole Smith and Brittany Murphy, I can’t say the Julianne keeping Len company at the judges’ results were disastrous. On the positive side, table. And she had a big announcement of her we got to enjoy the stellar vocals of Deborah own. FOX will be joining the TV musical craze Cox, doing her best Whitney impersonation with a live performance of Grease. And play- (and purposely suppressing her trademark ing Sandy will be Hough (Julianne, not Derek), soul). The person getting the brunt of the criti- while Rizzo will be portrayed by Vanessa Hud- cism is Angela Bassett, who was making her gens. Since Grease: Live isn’t taking place un- directorial debut. Most of the barbs came from til Jan. 31, 2016, it continues the longstand- the Houston family. Matriarch Cissy all but is- ing FOX tradition of casting the roles of high sued a fatwa on Angela, but Whitney’s daugh- school students with people a generation older. ter, Bobbi Kristina, went further. You see, BK This week’s “Ask Billy” question comes from wasn’t pissed the film was made. Oh, no—she Barry in Atlanta: “I loved the photo of you and was pissed she wasn’t IN it! Believe it or not, the Carver twins—they are so hot on Teen Wolf. Whitney’s only child wanted to be cast as the But what is this three-way you mentioned? Is lead. Hmmm, let’s look at the reasons why she that in a movie? A gay three-way?” wasn’t. First, I don’t believe she can act. Sec- Yes, indeed. I Am Michael is about Mi- ond, she would be doing love scenes with the chael Glatze, who worked at XY magazine and guy playing her dad. And third, she looks noth- founded “YGA” and was a gay-rights activist. ing like Whitney. Perhaps she would have been Eventually, he became a proponent of conver- more successful if she’d gone after the role of sion therapy and an outspoken ex-gay. James Bobby Brown! Franco is playing Glatze while the role of his Bobbi Kristina went public with her com- boyfriend is being played by Zachary Quinto. plaints. While the film was in production, she According to sources who saw the flick at Sun- Tweeted, “Ha MsAng ‘bassketcase’ has such a dance, Franco meets Charlie Carver in a club damn nerve. My lord, at least the world doesn’t and hits on him. When Carver asks about his mistake me for the wrong sex.. she has #Xtra- boyfriend, Franco says, “He’d like you, too.” Eequipment [sic].” She then added, “When I This leads to a very hot sex scene. How hot? win my first Grammy or Oscar, *Shrugs* hmm We’re told there’s lots of kissing, skin and, at whichever comes1st, I’ll be sure 2shout UR- the very least, asses. How do we know for sure? name out b-tch! hah UrTestResults = MALE. Because a little birdie leaked us a photo from Lmao.” I’m not sure where to start dissecting the scene. Check it out on BillyMasters.com. this—the grievances, the grammar or the gran- When Luke Perry could be cast as Danny Zuko diosity. It is fascinating that LaPrincia’s sister in Grease: Live, it’s definitely time to end yet muses on whether she’ll win a Grammy or an another column. Since we ran long, let me Oscar first while bashing someone who at least quickly remind you to check out the all new has been nominated for an Oscar! www.BillyMasters.com—the site that can fill Jared Leto recently Tweeted a mega-hot any gap. If you’ve got a question for me, send selfie wearing only tights and a fanny pack. it along to [email protected] and I prom- Turns out, Leto is selling the accessory, which ise to get back to you before the Rockettes he calls a “hip pack” (a term I’m sure he picked realize they hired the wrong Hough! So, until up from his Dallas Buyers Club co-star Matthew next time, remember one man’s filth is another McConaughey, who called it that when he was man’s bible. 30 Jan. 28, 2015 WINDY CITY TIMES 2015 Detroit Auto Show recap: Five best cars, three trends BY RICHARD READ, GAYWHEELS.COM the door handles and the side-view mirrors would’ve been dead giveaways.) However, it’s The media preview of the 2015 North American very clear that GM plans to produce this vehicle International Auto Show has come to an end, in some form very soon: the company estimat- and most of us have returned home to reflect ed that the sticker price would ring in around on what we saw. After a day of recuperation $30,000 after federal tax credits. (including some much-needed cuddle time with Let’s just hope Chevy changes the name be- my Xbox), I’ve put together a short list of run- fore it goes on sale. Having a Volt and a Bolt in ning themes at NAIAS and the most important the same showroom could get confusing. vehicles on view in Detroit. —Ford GTFord GT: I freely admit, I’m not bowled over by supercars. I was one of those Themes sad little kids who was always intensely prac- —Money is flowing. It’s no secret that U.S. tical, and while supercars are many things, auto sales are booming right now, with nearly practical they are not. Apart from the six- and every major car company ending 2014 in the seven-figure sticker prices, where the hell are black. (Volkswagen being one of the few excep- you supposed to put groceries? Chevrolet Bolt Concept. Photo from Gaywheels.com tions.) Automakers took some of their profits Normally, the Ford GT wouldn’t do much for from last year and invested them in high-end me, but it completely stole the show at this gen like America. The automaker controls Plan- Sure, VW offers the Tiguan and the Touareg, booths to show off high-priced rides on the year’s NAIAS. Somehow, Ford managed to pre- et Earth’s other car markets like only a German but most U.S. shoppers avoid those models like convention floor. From the giant video screens vent any details about the car from leaking outfit bent on world domination could. But in the plague. hovering above fleets of luxurious cars, cross- prior to the reveal. No one expected it. And it America? Not so much. That’s where the new Volkswagen Cross Coupe overs, and trucks, this year’s NAIAS was all rolled out at one of the convention’s very first Personally, I find most Volkswagen designs GTE comes in. VW hopes that when it goes on about excess. events, upstaging everything else that debuted very, very dull. Even the Golf—which was voted sale late next year, it will change consumer —Power is back: Just a few years ago, the after it. this year’s North American Car of the Year—is opinion—and VW’s sinking fortunes in the U.S. Detroit auto show put modest, gas-sipping So, beyond the fact that it’s a beautiful ride, an acquired taste. The awesomeness of the Golf If it doesn’t, VW will remain a minor player in green cars front and center. This year, all any- the GT proves Ford’s sense of showmanship. has little to do with its ungainly silhouette and the U.S. car market, leaving the company with one wanted to talk about were two supercars— That alone is worth a nod. more to do with how fun it is to drive. little hope of achieving its goal of becoming the Ford GT and Acura NSX. The obsession with —Honda HR-VHonda HR-V: The Honda HR-V VW’s biggest problem in America is its lack the world’s biggest automaker by 2018. power filtered down to other models, too, in- wasn’t revealed at NAIAS—that happened sev- of crossovers, which U.S. consumers crave. cluding the monster Cadillac CTS-V sedan. eral weeks ago. However it’s still a very, very —High-tech no longer dazzles: Once upon a new model, and it’s poised to shake up the time, a touchscreen was all automakers needed compact crossover segment. Some of the key features include “About to turn heads. Now, they’ve got to work much Basically, the HR-V is meant to be the cross- Chicago Auto Show the Show,” which includes directions, show harder to get attention—and with tech firms over sibling of Honda’s hugely popular Fit com- dates and times, interactive displays, spe- like Apple and Google beginning their assault pact car—or, put another way, it’s the baby set for Feb. 14-22 The Chicago Auto Show will take place cial guest appearances and more; “Vehicles on dashboards (and powertrains), the going brother to Honda’s equally popular CR-V. That’s on Display,” a comprehensive listing of the isn’t going to get any easier. one hell of a pedigree. Feb. 14-22 at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr. new 2014 and 2015 models, concept cars and Pair all that with good looks and a start- new-product reveals; and “Multimedia,” with Best cars ing price expected to be around $20,000, you Called North America’s largest auto show, the 2015 Chicago Auto Show spans more a virtual tour, photo galleries and the latest What was interesting at this year’s NAIAS could be seeing a lot of these in the very near news via its official blog. was that there weren’t that many standouts. future. than 1 million square feet of floor space and will sport a range of domestic and imported Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for seniors Conversations tended to be equally divided —Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion age 62 and older and children ages 7-12, and among a range of vehicles on the show floor. concept: Every year, automakers debut a slew passenger cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, minivans and concept cars. The Chicago Auto free for children under 7. Tickets are avail- To me, that suggests that—as I’ve said else- of crazy concept cars. This year, Mercedes-Benz able at the show box office at McCormick where—competition between automakers is took all that crazy, threw it in a casserole dish Show also features several indoor test tracks and outdoor ride-and-drive opportunities. Place and on Drivechicago.com. stiffer than ever, making it harder for new mod- with some Pam and a layer of Lay’s potato Visit http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/. els to leave a lasting impression. chips, and tossed it into an 8,000-degree oven The black-tie “First Look for Charity” event, That said, there were a handful of cars that until everything melted and came out as this slated for Feb. 13, stands as one of Chicago’s I found noteworthy in Detroit. Here are my top awesome mercury blob of a car. greatest one-day fundraisers, regularly gen- erating more than $2 million for 18 area non- Auto news five, in alphabetical order: What does it do? Who cares? It’s the typical —Uber apologizes: The transportation profits. Vehicle giveaways this year are the —Chevrolet Bolt Concept Chevrolet Bolt autonomous-driving conversation pod with dis- service Uber came under fire when a London 2015 Ford Explorer and a 2015 Ford Fusion. Concept: Unlike the Chevy Volt, which em- plays on every surface—a variation on a theme driver allegedly ejected a gay couple from Among this year’s beneficiaries are Special ploys a hybrid propulsion system that uses that we’ve seen from many other automakers his car for showing one another affection on Olympics Illinois, Advocate Sherman Hospi- both a battery and gasoline, the Chevy Bolt at many other auto shows. What matters about New Year’s Day, The Huffington Post noted. tal, the Jesse White Tumblers and March of is 100-percent electric. And unlike some other the F 015 Luxury in Motion concept (yes, that’s Following the incident, Uber suspended the Dimes. battery electric vehicles, the Bolt has a pretty its full name) is its sleek, unusual look. Think driver, saying in a statement, “Uber does not The website has undergone a change. good range: an estimated 200 miles of travel of it like a work of art: it’s not functional, just tolerate any form of discrimination either by Building on last year’s re-design, the web- on a full charge. pretty. Very, very pretty. And deeply weird. our partner drivers or towards our partner site now features social-media integration, Of course, at this point, the Bolt is just a —Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE: As I’ve drivers.” concept. (If Chevrolet hadn’t said as much, written elsewhere, nothing pisses off Volkswa- historical videos and larger image galleries.

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