vol 32, no. 15 Dec. 28, 2016 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com YEAR IN REVIEW

RIP, GEORGE MICHAEL Iconic singer passes away at 53. 2016 was a momentous year in general, but also for LGBTQs in Chicago and around the world. From the outpouting of PR photo love and support surrounding the Orlando massacre (top) to the triumph of the film Moonlight (above, left) and the Chicago production of Hamilton (above, right), we look back as we approach the new year. 17 Photo of the Orlando vigil at the 2016 Pride Parade by Tracy Baim; Moonlight photo by David Bornfriend, courtesy of A24; Hamilton photo by Joan Marcus

UPTOWN SHELTER YEAR IN THEATER, DANCE YEAR IN LGBT MOVIES Advocates march; shelter saved. Photo of Planet Chicago by Lauren Warnecke Also, Richard Knight, Jr. says goodbye. Photo of Ryne Poelker by Matt Simonette Photo by Ed Negron) 6 13, 18 16

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com 2 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES

WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 3 NEWS HIV-criminalization case reversed 4 Obits: Smith, Manzella 5 Uptown shelter saved 6 Heartland official; Illinois march Jan. 21 7 National LGBT news in 2016 8 National deaths in 2016 9 When A Great Deal Matters, Shop Rob Paddor’s... Photo by Carrie Maxwell Eva n st on Su baru INDEX Year-End Deal-Time! Subaru of america will donate $250 to one of Local LGBT news in 2016 10 Six charitieS, liSted below, with any new Subaru purchaSe.

Marriage proposal at Bulls game 11 download Views: Rudolph, Duddy-Burke 12 this issue ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS and browse the archives at Scottish Play Scott: Theater in 2016 13 Ends 1/3/17 Theater reviews 14-15 WindyCityTimes ** www. .com Knight at the Movies bids farewell 16 George Michael dies; ‘Toys R She’ event 17 ALL WHEE L D RIVE The year in dance 18 Now in Stock The year in LGBT sports 19 %on new 2017 NIGHTSPOTS 20-21 All New 2017

vol 32, no. 15 Dec. 28, 2016 OUTBACK www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com SUBARU YEAR IN OUTLINES FORESTER IMPREZA Classifieds 22 & LEGACY JUST ARRIVED Newly Re-Designed Calendar Q 22 REVIEW 0 RIP, GEORGE MICHAEL Iconic singer passes away at 53. 2016 was a momentous year in general, but also for LGBTQs in Chicago and around the world. From the outpouting of PR photo love and support surrounding the Orlando massacre (top) to the triumph of the film Moonlight (above, left) and the Chicago production of Hamilton (above, right), we look back as we approach the new year. 17 Photo of the Orlando vigil at the 2016 Pride Parade by Tracy Baim; Moonlight photo by David Bornfriend, courtesy of A24; Hamilton photo by Joan Marcus 2016 SU BARU LOVE PROMISE

UPTOWN SHELTER YEAR IN THEATER, DANCE YEAR IN LGBT MOVIES Advocates march; shelter saved. Photo of Planet Chicago by Lauren Warnecke Also, Richard Knight, Jr., says goodbye. Photo of Ryne Poelker by Matt Simonette Photo by Ed Negron) 6 13, 18 16 @windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com R ETAILER O F T HE YEAR! online exclusives at www.WindyCityTimes.com NEW 2017 SUBARU NEW 2016 SUBARU NEW 2017 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5i CROSSTREK 2.0i OUTBACK 2.5i art-felt Artivist Monica Raye Simpson (left) talks about her childhood, social justice. 22 Image courtesy of Simpson $ PER $ PER PER MONTH MONTH $ MONTH 4 * 9 * * 1 2 3 1 2 9AUTOM ATIC Back-up Camera 1 All-W he e l-Drive, All-Wheel-Drive HD Radio, USB Back-up Camera % Bluetooth Bluetooth, USB SEX SELLS %APR Bluetooth, VDC APR %APR 0 ** Flexible Storage 0 ** Back-u p Camera 0 ** All-Wheel-Drive NO SECURITY DEPOSIT! 36 month lease. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT! 36 month lease. 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Sara, Will Smith and Colton Haynes. Crosstrek $15,262, Outback $18,829 All offers end in 3 days, unless noted. *Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from 11/17/16, through 1/3/17, to 4 national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved two Hometown charities. Certain participating retailers will make Bent Nights looks at shows by Foxing an additional donation to the Hometown Charities selected. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity des- and blues singer Shemekia Copeland ignations by 1/ 31/17. The 4 national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See Evanston Subaru or subaru.com/share for details. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc. plus (above). DAILY BREAKING NEWS Photo by Vern Hester 4 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES Johnson HIV conviction reversed GUEST COLUMN Judges from the Missouri Eastern District by Paige M. Steffen, Esq., Clark Hill PLC Court of Appeals, on Dec. 20, reversed the con- victions of gay college student Michael John- son, who was sentenced to three decades in prison for exposing persons to HIV, and ordered Know Your Rights: Ensuring that he be retried. The appellate judges said in their ruling that Equality for LGBTQ Employees the lower court incorrectly allowed evidence— phone calls Johnson made from jail that were The Corporate Equality Index (“CEI”), 500 company provided such coverage not sufficiently disclosed in advance to the de- an annual list published by the Human in 2002, and less than 10% provided fense—in Johnson’s trial. Rights Campaign (“HRC”) Foundation coverage in 2011. Johnson was an athlete enrolled at Linden- that rates workplaces on LGBTQ equality, Further, 387 CEI-rated companies have wood University in the St. Louis suburb of St. recently released its 15th Edition, adopted gender transition guidelines for Charles who was accused of infecting two peo- which reported that a record number of employees in efforts to establish best ple with HIV and exposing four others to the businesses are now embracing inclusive practices for transgender inclusion in virus. He was ultimately convicted in 2015 of policies for LGBTQ employees. the workplace. These companies have one count of recklessly infecting an individual The CEI praises the success of the also invested in education. For instance, with HIV, one count of recklessly exposing an nation’s largest employers, stating 86% of the CEI-rated businesses offer individual to HIV, and three counts of reckless- that they have “demonstrated through education and training programs that ly attempting to expose an individual to HIV. Michael Johnson. their actions that LGBTQ people are not specifically include definitions of and/ His sentence was 30 years in prison. just tolerated, but welcomed in their or scenarios on gender identity in the Scott Schoettes, Lambda Legal HIV Project documenting how systemic racism, classism, workplaces and communities.” workplace. Director at Lambda Legal, who provided assis- homophobia and HIV stigmatization informed In a time of turmoil and uncertainty, As evidenced by the above statistics, tance to Johnson’s public defender in prepara- the athlete’s investigation and prosecution. these companies are taking the lead to the public sector has led and continues tion for his defense, said in a statement that “Living with HIV is not a crime,” added ensure that their most valuable assets, to lead the way in workplace equality. his organization “is elated with the outcome at Schoettes. “Except in the most extreme cases, their employees, are protected and Dozens of corporations have taken the appellate level in Michael Johnson’s case, the criminal law is far too blunt an instrument treated with respect and equality. strong stances and spoken publically and the second chance it provides Michael. The to address the subtle dynamics of HIV disclo- The HRC Foundation is one of the against federal and state bills that may real barrier to justice for Michael is the law sure. Willingness to be open about HIV status largest advocacy groups for the LGBTQ retract from the progress that has been itself—and we must energize efforts to change will be created only by the destigmatization community, and it has used the CEI made in LGBTQ equality. the laws and eliminate HIV-based prosecutions of HIV and policies that ensure people living as a platform to gauge companies’ These public efforts by some of the in the absence of the intent to harm.” with HIV are not singled out for discrimination level of LGBTQ workplace inclusion nation’s—and the world’s—largest Johnson refused to accept a plea bargain. or special prohibitions and punishments. Pros- and to encourage all employers to employers have reportedly helped His appeal also maintained that his sentence ecutions like this—under antiquated laws like promote equality for all employees. block more than 100 laws across the amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. Missouri’s--take us in the opposite direction. Approximately 900 companies with a U.S. that could have been detrimental The appellate court did not consider the merits “Given the outdated nature and extremely minimum of 500 full-time employees to the LGBTQ community. For example, for that point however, since the circumstanc- punitive nature of Missouri’s law, Lambda Legal throughout the U.S., representing Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest public es surrounding the inadmissible evidence were is hopeful the State will not appeal this deci- almost every industry, participated employer with more than two million in this year’s CEI. All of the involved employees, helped defeat anti-LGBTQ enough to warrant a new trial. sion, and will instead work to resolve the case companies were ranked with a score laws in Arkansas. Whole Foods Market, BuzzFeed extensively profiled Johnson’s case, without the need for another trial.” See www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp. from 0 to 100 depending on the among hundreds of other corporations, inclusiveness of its workplace. also intends to speak out against any The scores are calculated based and all Texas laws seen as hostile to graduate, is a professor of urban studies and upon the following categories: (1) LGBTQ persons. Gay couple removed planning at Hunter. Equal employment opportunity policy, The HRC Foundation encourages all after Ivanka Trump (2) Employment benefits (equivalent companies to use the CEI as a guide spousal and partner benefits); (3) to help develop and successfully confrontation Miss. man pleads Organizational LGBTQ competency; implement inclusive LGBTQ policies and At New York City’s JFK International Airport, guilty in transgender and (4) Public commitment to protections. a gay man verbally confronted soon-to-be First LGBTQ-specific efforts. Further, if the However, these companies’ efforts to Daughter Ivanka Trump, 35, on a JetBlue air- woman’s murder participating company was involved promote inclusive policies, practices, plane before he and his husband were removed Joshua Brandon Vallum, 29, of Lucedale, Mis- in a large-scale official or public anti- protections, and benefits for LGBTQ from it. sissippi, pled guilty Dec. 23 to a federal hate LGBTQ event, that company’s score employees have been met with backlash. “Your father is ruining the country,” attorney crime for assaulting and murdering Mercedes would be significantly decreased. For instance, some retailers who have Dan Goldstein (traveling with husband, col- Williamson because she was a transgender The CEI contained encouraging reports implemented supportive LGBTQ policies lege professor Matthew Lasner) said to Trump. woman. of great successes in ensuring fairness and made statements in support of the The oldest daughter of President-Elect Donald Williamson was 17 years old and resided in and equality in the workplace. Notably, LGBTQ community have faced protests Trump allegedly did not respond. Alabama at the time of her death. Vallum was 517 of the CEI-ranked companies, which and boycotts from consumers. One In a statement, JetBlue said, “If the crew de- charged with violating the Matthew Shepard is up from last year’s 407, received of the most publicized boycotts came termines that a customer is causing conflict on and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. perfect scores on this year’s Index. More after Target pledged that customers the aircraft, the customer will be asked to de- U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. of the than 40 of the CEI-ranked companies and employees could use the bathroom plane, especially if the crew feels the situation Southern District of Mississippi accepted Val- with perfect scores, including Boeing, of their gender identity. Additionally, runs the risk of escalation during flight. In this lum’s plea. Vallum faces up to life in prison and Crate and Barrel, Sears Holdings, and there are still companies that do not instance, our team worked to re-accommodate a $250,000 fine. several law firms are based in Illinois. recognize basic hiring protections for the party on the next available flight.” Vallum previously pleaded guilty to murder- Not only is this the largest number LGBTQ or recognize gender identity in Since the incident, Trump supporters have ing Williamson in George County, Mississippi, of companies receiving top scores, their company policies. expressed their displeasure with Goldstein. Circuit Court, where he was sentenced to life it is also the largest jump in a single While it is important to recognize the An item that some of the backers have posted in prison. While the state convicted Vallum year. Many additional CEI-rated great strides that have been made in reads, “What is wrong with you? You never on murder charges, the federal government was companies, approximately 650 in total, LGBTQ equality, it is equally important attack a Woman, especially when she is with able to bring this prosecution because Missis- offer transgender-inclusive healthcare to understand that there is significant her children! You two pu--y’s [sic] owe her an sippi does not have a hate crimes statute that coverage, and more than 90% of the work to be done and that there are still apology!” Some are also calling for Hunter Col- protects people from bias crimes based on their businesses have implemented both barriers to full equality for the LGBTQ lege to fire Lasner, who is a professor at the gender identity. sexual orientation and gender identity community. institution. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch; Princi- employment protections. Understanding and navigating However, at least one other witness has said pal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita In addition, 50% of the Fortune your rights as an employee can be that Goldstein did not “accost her directly,” ac- Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil 500 companies participating in this challenging and overwhelming. In the cording to Yahoo! News. Rights Division; U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Da- year’s CEI offer transgender-inclusive event that you have any questions, you Goldstein is an employment lawyer in Brook- vis of the Southern District of Mississippi; and healthcare coverage. To put this figure may want to contact an attorney to lyn, and graduated from Wesleyan University Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze of into perspective, not a single Fortune discuss your situation. and from UCLA School of Law. According to the FBI’s Jackson Division announced the plea. his Twitter page, Lasner, a Harvard University Paige M. Steffen is an Associate Attorney in Clark Hill PLC’s Chicago office. She concentrates her practice on insurance and health care law. Contact her at 312- @windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup 517-7501 or [email protected].

@windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 5

dnainfo.com/chicago/20161026/beverly/ meetings; Thayer intended to protest a $15.8 Retail shop blossom-boys-flower-shop-steve-english- TIF ordinance. ryan-steinbach. The Windy City Times article The Council will have to establish and record Blossom Boys closes is at http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/ rules allowing public comment at meetings; Blossom Boys, a retail flower shop at 9911 lgbt/Blossom-Boys-Business-blooms-on-the- its attorneys will report on their progress and S. Walden Parkway in Beverly, closed Dec. 24, South-Side/28324.html. timeframe in court on Jan. 3. The matter of according to DNAInfo. spectator access to the Council chambers was Owners Steve English and Ryan Steinbach not addressed in the ruling. opened the shop April 24, 2008. Steinbach Judge issues “While this is just round #1 in this suit, it is said, “I’ve told some people that we are re- a crucial victory not only for affordable hous- starting or changing our scope.” English add- decision in open ing advocates, but for everyone in this City ed that it has become harder to make a profit who has a beef with City Hall,” said Thayer in with retail flower sales. meetings suit a Dec. 21 statement. “Over the past few years On Facebook on Dec. 24, English posted By Matt Simonette we’ve seen the City Council pass a series of a photo of a “Closed” sign with the caption deeply unpopular measures, from phony re- “Thanks for the memories.” A Cook County judge, on Dec. 20, ruled that forms that don’t really reform the police, to When Windy City Times profiled the busi- the Chicago City Council violated the Open a whole series of increased taxes targeting ness in 2010, English said, “Beverly is the Meetings Act (OMA) by not having any forum Dr. Brent E. Smith. mostly poor and moderate income people, in- safest neighborhood in Chicago. It does not for public comment in its monthly meetings. creasing the chasm between the rich and the ‘feel’ like Chicago. The feeling is quaint, warm The partial ruling by Judge Diane Larsen rest of us. PASSAGES and friendly ... almost village-like, an oasis in comes after a lawsuit from two gay activists, “Mayor Emanuel and the Aldermen are able a fast-pasted urban city. Andy Thayer and Rick Garcia, who were unable to ram through these regressive measures in Dr. Brent E. Smith “We are accepted as a hardworking couple to enter the May and June meetings, though part because they concoct their Council meet- Dr. Brent E. Smith, of Bolingbrook, passed who own their own business and give back to they were nearly at the front of the line for ings in way where no visible opposition is al- away at his home Dec. 17. He was 55. the community.” the gallery. Thayer and Garcia similarly de- lowed.” Brent was born June 16, 1961, the son of The DNAInfo piece is at https://www. cried the lack of public comment at Council Richard and Bessie Louise (Miller) Smith in Carthage, Illinois. He attended Carthage High School graduating in 1979. He then went on to graduate from Illinois Wesleyan College in 1983 and was a member of Sigma Pi. He then went on to receive his medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and practiced internal medicine for over 20 years. He was, most recently, the vice president clini- cal integration chief medical officer at Edward Hospital. Brent is survived by his husband, Paul Mof- fett, of San Francisco; parents, Richard and Bessie Louise Smith of Carthage; and his sis- ter, Jeana (Miles) Schroder of Danville, Iowa; a niece and a nephew, Elizabeth and Anthony Schroder. Funeral services will be held at Saturday, Jan. 7, at 3 p.m. at First Christian Church in Car- thage. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until time of services at the church. Memorials may be directed to Illinois Wesleyan College or Pilots N Paws, 4651 Howe Road, Landrum, SC 29356. Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.

John Joseph Manzella.

PASSAGES John Joseph Manzella John Joseph Manzella, a retired beautician who lived in Chicago’s Lake View neighbor- hood, passed away peacefully on Dec. 17. He was 74. John was the beloved life partner of 51 years to the late Carlyle John Jajko, and was the faithful companion of Kukla Chang and many other shih tzus. John will be deeply missed by his neighbors, six of whom were with him when he died. He was regarded by many as the pipeline of the peripatetic community of Lake View. Services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Anti-Cruelty Society (Anticru- elty.org) or Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospice (773-975-1600). Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illi- nois; call 773-281-5058.

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com 6 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES homeless.” “Two days before Christmas, this is what you Homelessness do for the homeless?” asked Poelker. The sweeps under the Wilson viaducts and other places homeless sleep through the city come under the Bryant Agreement signed advocates march in in 2015 by by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and the city of Chicago’s law depart- ment. In that agreement, the city agreed to Uptown; shelter saved pay $42,500 to the homeless who sued the city for taking their materials illegally in an earlier sweep. By Matt Simonette and Tracy Baim open due to a large, multi-year donation from They sued under the Fourth and Fourteenth the Chicago-based Reva and David Logan foun- Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and the About two dozen community members gathered dation and renewed support from the Chicago Illinois Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act, and Dec. 23 at the viaduct at Wilson and Lake Shore Department of Family and Support Services further alleged that the city had breached the Drive and marched to Preston Bradley Center, (DFSS).” settlement agreement in a prior federal law- 941 W. Lawrence Ave., in a show of solidarity “This eleventh-hour donation has saved the suit, Love. v. City of Chicago (1996). for persons experiencing homelessness. shelter from permanently closing at the end of One of the tents moved from under the But the Bryant agreement still allows the city The gathering, sponsored by Uptown Tent today, December 23, as previously announced,” Wilson viaduct during cleaning. to come in and do periodic off-street cleaning. City Organizers, North Side Action for Justice, said Ducatenzeiler. “Support from the commu- Photo by Tracy Baim In the agreement, the city designated that Gay Liberation Network and other local com- nity during this period was overwhelming. We the homeless would be allowed to keep certain munity organizations, was both a celebration hope that the interest, and financial support, City should receive credit for its role in putting “portable” items but not other items. So in the of the reprieve given to the shelter, located remains strong so we can continue to provide pressure on the situation. Dec. 23 sweep, many items belonging to the in the the Preston Bradley basement, originally these critical services to our community. We “This savvy pressure group was composed of homeless were thrown out by the city. There scheduled to close the same day, and a call- will continue the fight to end homelessness in ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” were dozens of city employees from various de- to-action on behalf of persons living in the Chicago and hope that all Chicagoans will join Fraser said. “They learned as they went along partments, plus city garbage trucks, and other Uptown viaducts. us.” and became more and more effective; they city vehicles, used to sweep the Wilson viaduct The shelter is operated by North Side Hous- Andy Thayer of Uptown Tent City Organizers planned their demos carefully and made sure that morning. Chicago Police officers watched ing & Supportive Services and has 72 beds. Its and Gay Liberation Network called the reprieve TV cameras were rolling and reporters were tak- over the action. closing was announced earlier in 2016; North “a victory you all won. This was not the politi- ing notes every time they confronted an em- The Bryant language states: “’Portable per- Side Executive Director Richard Ducatenzeiler cians. This was not the wealthy.” barrassed Cappleman.” Fraser added that “time sonal possessions’ means that each homeless cited the state budget crisis and a persistent The shelter, which operates 365 days a year, and again they faced down city cops intent on person may have only the following items with $100,000 deficit as the main reasons. But a is the only emergency shelter for men in the harassing the homeless and intimidating them him or her in the Lower Wacker Drive Area or last-minute reversal came the previous day. Uptown neighborhood. In 2016, it served more out of their tents under the viaducts.” in the other areas covered by these procedures: Ald. James Cappleman (46th Ward) posted to than 300 men and since the agency took over Fraser concluded: “Uptown Tent City shows a sleeping bag or bedroll, not more than two Twitter on Dec. 22, “Great news that the North- operations in 2012, more than 1,000 men have us how it should be done: Organize, discuss coats, not more than two pairs of shoes or side Shelter will remain open thru the holidays been served, they said. tactics, admit mistakes, be inclusive, dem- boots, not more than five blankets, and not & I am working with DFSS & Mayor to keep Roger Fraser of Gay Liberation Network criti- onstrate, be in the streets, get the press to more than three bags or suitcases, and such open indefinitely.” cized the alderman for taking sole credit in the events. Mobilize people with the energy and contents as may be contained in said bags or In a press release, the shelter stated: “The reprieve, and for thanking Mayor Emanuel. In- foresight and modesty to do the hard and suitcases. From October through April, home- 72-bed shelter for homeless men … will remain stead, Fraser said in a letter that Uptown Tent largely thankless work of movement building. less persons also may have up to five additional We thank Uptown Tent City not only for win- blankets and one additional sleeping bag or ning a stunning victory but for showing us all bedroll with them in the Lower Wacker Driver the way forward in dark times.” Area. ‘Portable personal possessions’ do not in- Despite the coalition’s good news this week, clude, among other items, non-air mattresses, the organizers pointed to difficulties faced by box springs, potted plants, crates, large ap- persons forced to live beneath the viaducts. pliance boxes, carts, gurneys, wagons, or fur- That morning, residents had to drag their be- niture, including, but not limited to, chairs, longings out from the underpass while city tables, couches, and bed frames.’” workers performed a large-scale cleaning, People who have experienced the sweeps which is a weekly or biweekly occurrence. Much claim the city takes far more than they should, of the cleaning occurred at the same time as and in the materials being swept up Dec. 23 the demonstration. there were extensive items of clothing and “There’s no doubt that these cleanings are food. Since it was just before the holidays, harassment,” said activist Ryne Poelker. many people from the general public had just Maria Murray, who along with her husband recently donated items to those living under Joe lives at one of the viaducts, expressed frus- the viaduct. tration with what she said was stalling by city See the complete Bryant agreement here: officials over a solution. http://law.alumni.northwestern.edu/s/1479/ “We’re hearing, ‘It’s going to take time,’” she images/gid4/editor_documents/bryant_settle- added. … “It changes minute by minute.” ment_agreement.pdf?sessionid=f80a7a2c- Joe added, “We need support from the com- 7221-4c56-937b-8f79278e26b2. munity, to show that they care about the

Top: Maria and Joe Murray. Above: Sweep of those experiencing homelessness. Top image by Matt Simonette; above photo by Tracy Baim

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 7 Heartland official Thousands of Illinoisans set for D.C. march Part of a nationwide groundswell that originated the day after the presidential elections, women and men from across the state of Illinois are preparing to join the national Women’s speaks on testing, March on Washington on Saturday, Jan. 21—the day after the inauguration of the next presi- dent of the United States. Illinois organizers Mrinalini Chakraborty, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Amber Hummel, Julie PrEP outreach List, Amanda Jane Long and Amanda Drenth, have been coordinating the promotion and lo- gistics needed to make sure those Illinoisans who want to attend the march in D.C., are able By Matt Simonette to. They are coordinating buses throughout the state that marchers can buy individual seats on (through the RallyBus platform), as well as organizing efforts for sponsored buses for those For Ed Stellon, executive director of Heartland marchers in need of financial assistance. Health Outreach (HHO), engaging Chicagoans The work of the Illinois chapter has already been endorsed and aided by Chicago Women Take who have, or who are especially vulnerable Action (CWTA), the National Organization of Jewish Women (NOJW) and Rainbow PUSH Coali- to, HIV infection is about “more than putting tion, among other organizations and local advocacy groups. signs on a train.” The next public meeting for the group is Wed., Dec. 28 at Rainbow PUSH, 930 E. 50th St., HHO is the primary healthcare provider for at 6:30 p.m. persons experiencing homelessness for the city, The hashtags for social media are #wmwillinois #womensmarch, #whyIMarch, #hearourvoice. providing generalized medical, oral health and On Twitter, interested persons can visit @womensmarchIL; on Instagram, it is @wom- myriad other services for its clients. The larg- ensmarchillinois. People can download flyers for printing at https://goo.gl/10wuqw. er Heartland Alliance organization has been around since 1888 and has historically worked with adults living on the margins. “We’ve always taken the ‘latest and greatest’ when it comes to justice, housing, healthcare services, and then tried to tailor it to the most vulnerable populations,” Stellon explained. “We also take our ‘show on the road’ and partner with medical systems and go to shel- ters—about 36 different shelters—in the course of the month,” Stellon said. “In addi- tion to that, we have healthcare workers comb- ing the streets, engaging people, especially the most vulnerable.” The goal is that a person experiencing home- lessness will reach the same health outcomes as a person stably housed. “Our undetectable rate at HHO is 89 percent,” Stellon noted. “… Right now, we’re kind of outpacing the city. I’m Ed Stellon. pretty proud of that.” Photo courtesy of Stellon HHO case managers partner with other orga- nizations to keep its clients on a continuum of est income people who are really struggling. care, he added. If they are not [HIV-positive] but engaging in From left: Julie List, Amanda Jane Long, Mrinalini Chakraborty, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth “They remind them to take their meds and all high-risk behaviors, we will counsel them on (front), Amber Hummel and Amanda Drenth. kinds of ‘extras’ that provide day-to-day sup- PrEP.” Photo courtesy of organization ports,” Stellon said. The new program is in in the very early Those community partners are especially stages, so Stellon looks forward to seeing the important in offering PrEP for HHO clients results. But he said that wraparound services who might be more vulnerable to HIV infec- that help persons experiencing homelessness tion; Stellon noted especially their work with will fill in vital gaps when it comes to elimi- Chicago House and HHO’s sister organization, nating new HIV/AIDS infections. Heartland Human Care Services. “Even without a cure, we could technically “[They] have recently gotten a grant to en- end HIV,” he noted. “We could get everyone gage young men who have sex with men—and who is positive to find out their status and transgender folks—of color, especially on the engage them in care and keep them in care, South Side to really target transmission rates and with those around them considering and in Chicago,” he said. engaging in PrEP, we could actually end new With this new program, advocates are em- infections. It’s a lofty goal, but doable. What ploying what Stellon called “lived experience” they’re finding is, the group for whom this is to reach out to populations at risk; that means not especially working well is homeless young doing so through transgender persons or peo- people. When you’re homeless, the last thing ple already on PrEP who might already have on your list of what’s important is going to relationships built up in the the targeted popu- the doctor.” lations. Many of these folks will be reaching When people are stably housed, people are out through social media and hookup apps, and more likely to get and stay on anti-retroviral even in real-life gathering spots. medications, he explained. “The idea is to get tested and get treated,” “That’s why we use dynamic case managers Stellon said. “If you are tested and are posi- to keep people connected,” Stellon said. “We tive, come into HHO. Our focus is really unsta- follow people. If we don’t hear from you, we’re bly housed people, but more and more the low- going to find you and get you to come in.”

people access to birth control, abortion and New tracking tool other basic services based on moral or reli- gious objections. Still other measures, such for religious as anti-transgender legislation (or so-called bills launched “bathroom bills”), target specific groups and On Dec. 13, the daily online publication seek to shield businesses and individuals Rewire introduced a new resource, the Reli- from anti-discrimination laws. gious Imposition Legislative Tracker, a com- Regarding Illinois, the tracker lists 26 stat- prehensive and timely database of state and utes that fall into the categories, including federal legislation that seeks to expand the the Illinois Abortion Performance Refusal Act reach of religious power into secular lives. (in effect), the Illinois Health Care Right of The legislative tracker details state and Conscience Act (in effect), the Illinois Re- federal measures related to religious impo- ligious Freedom Restoration Act (in effect) sition, such as RFRAs (Religious Freedom and even the Illinois Bill Amending the Ana- Restoration Acts), which allow those with tomical Gift Act (failed to pass). religious objections to avoid complying with The tracker is at https://rewire.news/ certain laws. Others take the form of con- legislative-tracker/law-topic/religious-impo- science and refusal laws that permit civil ser- sition-laws/. vants, healthcare workers and others to deny 8 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES to presidential candidates. TUF said that no Re- parent scored two wins at the Emmys, includ- publican candidate’s campaign responded and ing Jeffrey Tambor (Outstanding Lead Actor, Looking back: both the Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton Comedy Series) and newly out lesbian Jill Solo- campaigns committed to complete the survey, way (Outstanding Directing, Comedy Series). although only Sanders has initially followed Also, Sarah Paulson won Outstanding Lead through. Actress, Limited Series or Movie award for por- National news in 2016 —Law and order: Edward H. Gersowitz was traying attorney Marcia Clark in The People v. installed as the 49th president of the New York O.J. Simpson; and lesbian actor/comedian Kate Compiled by ANDREW DAVIS State Trial Lawyers Association, the largest McKinnon became the first SNL cast member to state lawyer association dedicated to protect- win a supporting Emmy in a comedy category. Oh, 2016. It was a year of (sometimes extreme- ing the rights of consumers and advocating on —Bi anxiety: A new report previewed at the ly) emotional highs and lows—including devel- behalf of injured persons. He is the first openly White House in a groundbreaking policy meet- opments regarding what was quite possibly the LGBT president of a trial lawyers association in ing found that while more than half of the LGBT most polarizing election ever as well as a mass the United States. community identifies as bisexual, bisexual peo- shooting that, sadly, made the record books. —Taking care: The Defense Department em- ple experience alarming rates of invisibility, —Trump card: The biggest news of the year ployed personnel changes, such as expanded societal rejection, violence, discrimination, had to be the election of Republican Donald maternity leave for female service members and poor physical and mental health—often at Trump—who had been known before now as and medical coverage for transgender troops. rates higher than their lesbian and gay peers. a real-estate mogul, entrepreneur and reality- —Ambush in Texas: A former Army reservist —After all: Former AfterEllen editor-in-chief TV figure—as president of the United States who served a tour in Afghanistan went on a Trish Bendix was fired from her post after 10 by scoring a huge upset over Democrat Hillary shooting rampage over July 7-8 during a pro- years with the lesbian/queer-focused website. Clinton on Nov. 8. The electoral result made test over recent police shootings of African- She spent the last two years in her current role many (especially in the LGBT community) cau- American men in Minnesota and Louisiana, managing content and editorial functions daily tious about what Trump’s legacy will be. Clinton killing five police officers (including out gay to keep the site relevant. The website’s owners ended up in a dogfight with U.S. Sen. Bernie officer Jesus Retana) and wounding up to nine say they will keep the site online and use free- Sanders for the Democratic nomination, while others. lancers at some point for new content. Trump contended with more than a dozen other —Yes, Michigan: Fair Michigan—a Michigan —Moore or less: Alabama’s Court of the individuals, including Jeb Bush, Rand Paul and non-profit corporation seeking to end discrimi- Judiciary—saying Alabama Chief Justice Roy U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. nation against persons based on sex, sexual Moore violated judicial ethics when he ordered —Tragedy in Orlando: In what has now orientation, gender and gender identity— judges not to respect the U.S. Supreme Court’s become the largest mass shooting in U.S. his- President Obama. launched the Fair Michigan Justice Project, a landmark ruling on same-sex marriage—unani- tory, at least 49 people were killed, on June Photo by Michael Key program to assist Michigan law enforcement of- mously decided to suspend him for the remain- 12, when a gunman opened fire at the Orlando, ficers and prosecutors in solving serious crimes der of his term in office. Moore appealed; how- —Sister, sister: In a Windy City Times exclu- Florida, LGBT nightclub Pulse—with many of against LGBT persons. ever, he recently interviewed for U.S. Sen. Jeff sive, the second sibling of the filmmaking duo the victims being Latinx. More than 50 people The California State Sessions’ seat, as President-Elect Donald Trump known as The Wachowskis came out as trans- —Historical changes: were also reported as injured, and the gunman Board of Education unanimously voted to adopt nominated Sessions for attorney general. gender. Lilly Wachowski, sibling of Lana, came also died. The tragedy was noted globally, with a new history-social science framework. The For the first time, Fox News out in a statement after being threatened with —Making news: landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower lit in rain- framework sets out guidelines for K-12 schools anchor Shepard Smith publicly acknowledged outing by other media. bow colors to show solidarity with the LGBT to implement content standards for history and that he is gay—and it happened during Na- —Trans liaison: President Barack Obama ap- community. social science instruction. Among the many tional Coming Out Month. Smith did it while pointed Raffi Freedman-Gurspan as the White —Southern inhospitality: In North Caro- changes made to the framework, LGBT people speaking about Fox News head Roger Ailes, House’s primary LGBT liaison—making her the lina, Gov. Pat McCrory signed HB2—a so-called and their contributions to California and U.S. who was ousted in a major sexual-harassment first transgender person in the role. “bathroom bill” that forces transgender people history are accurately represented for the first scandal. —Award: Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer, to use the public restroom that correlates with time. Icandy, a popular gay bar the highest-ranking active officer to challenge —In the club: the gender they were born. Signing the bill Methodists meeting in in Philadelphia, was protested by activists the U.S. military’s ban on LGBT service mem- —Lesbian bishop: cost the state millions in revenue, with every- Scottsdale, Arizona, elected the United Meth- after video surfaced of its owner referring to bers, received the 2016 Leonard Matlovich one from the NBA to the San Francisco Sym- odist Church’s first openly lesbian bishop. Dele- its Black patrons using the N-word. During a Medal for Distinguished Service by American phony cancelling events there. gates at the Western Jurisdictional Conference 21-second exchange filmed three years ago, Veterans for Equal Rights, the nation’s lesbian, —Reversal of fortune: Judges from the Mis- elected the Rev. Karen Oliveto, senior pastor at proprietor Darryl DePiano is heard saying the gay, bisexual, and transgender veterans service souri Eastern District Court of Appeals, on Dec. Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, on the slur while conversing with another man; De- organization. 20, reversed the convictions of gay college stu- 17th ballot. Piano has apologized, but that was not enough —Center of love: Tom Swann, 58, and Guill- dent Michael Johnson, who was sentenced to Supporters of whistle- to quell the anger of LGBT people of color. ermo Hernandez, 21, of Palm Springs, Califor- —Chelsea lately: three decades in prison for exposing persons to blower, transgender activist Chelsea Manning One of the men convicted in the nia, made history as the first same-sex couple —Released: HIV, and ordered that he be retried. gathered in several cities around the world (in- brutal 2002 murder of transgender teen Gwen to get married inside an immigration detention —Marching forward: The U.S. Senate con- cluding Chicago) on her 29th birthday to ap- Araujo was approved for parole after serving 14 center. firmed the nomination of an openly gay man peal to President Obama to commute her prison years in prison. Jose Merel (sentenced to 15 —Mississippi turning: On March 31, U.S. to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Army—the sentence to time served. Several developments years to life) was convicted of second-degree District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III overturned first openly gay person to serve as the head of centered around Manning in 2016, including murder in the 2002 beating death; he and an- Mississippi’s ban on allowing same-sex couples any military branch. The confirmation of Eric reported suicide attempts and assurances that other young man killed the 17-year-old after to adopt children. However, in April, Gov. Phil Fanning, by voice vote, came very quickly after she will get gender-confirmation surgery. discovering she was transgender. Bryant signed the anti-gay HB 1523 into law; a U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) lifted a hold A Congressional notifica- Transgender student-rights judge later struck it down. —Hello, Harvey: —About Time: he had put on the nomination. tion indicated that the U.S. Navy would name activist Gavin Grimm, CoverGirl’s first “cover —No solo Gio: ABC News Correspondent Gio —Denied: In Indiana, Senate Bill 344—the a ship after the late openly gay San Francisco boy” James Charles and bisexual The Hunger Benitez married Tommy DiDario April 16 in Mi- so-called “LGB, no T” bill because it did not politician/gay-rights leader Harvey Milk. The Games actress Amandla Stenberg made Time ami. ABC News journalists, including Martha provide protections for the transgender com- notification, which Secretary of the Navy Ray magazine’s annual list of “The 30 Most Influ- Raddatz, Rebecca Jarvis, Kendis Gibson, Cecilia munity—died in the state Senate on Feb. 2 Mabus signed, indicated he intended to name ential Teens.” Vega and Alex Perez, along with Sam Champion without a vote. a planned Military Sealift Command fleet oiler Jean Hodges, attended the nuptials. —Changing of the guard: —Rent to be: Rentboy CEO Jeffrey Hurant the USNS Harvey Milk. chair of the PFLAG National Board of Directors, —Legal eagle: Rachel B. Tiven was hired as pled to promotion of prostitution—a case con- A U.S. District Court announced that Executive Director Jody Hucka- the new CEO of Lambda Legal, the nation’s old- —Injunction junction: demned by civil-rights groups as a witch hunt judge issued a preliminary injunction against by would step down in December after serving est legal organization fighting for equality on targeting gays and the world’s oldest profes- the federal government’s guidance to public in this role since January 2005. behalf of LGBT people and those living with sion. school districts regarding their legal responsi- On Nov. 23, four Texas lesbi- HIV. Tiven was executive director of the Im- —Exonerated: —Here comes the judge: The Puerto Rico bility to allow transgender students to use the ans were exonerated of the heinous crime of migrant Justice Corps. Senate confirmed a lesbian woman to be- same restrooms as other students. The ruling the gang rape of two young girls. The so-called —AIDS at 35: President Obama issued a come the next chief justice of the U.S. com- came in the multi-state lawsuit Texas v. United “San Antonio Four” (Elizabeth Ramirez, Cassan- statement on the 35th anniversary of AIDS. In monwealth’s highest court. Senators approved States. dra Rivera, Kristie Mayhugh and Anna Vasquez) part, he said, “We’ve learned that stigma and Maite Oronoz Rodríguez’s nomination by a 14- ackie Biskupski, the out were accused in 1994 of sexually assaulting silence don’t just fuel ignorance, they foster —Mayor marries: J 12 vote. mayor of Salt Lake City, married her partner at Ramirez’s young nieces, and were convicted in transmission and give life to a plague. We’ve —History lesson: While Black Panther Party a private ceremony officiated by their longtime 1998. seen that testing, treatment, education, and founder Huey Newton was a controversial figure friend, Kate Kendell, executive director of the GLAAD launched the acceptance can not only save and extend lives, —GLAAD to be here: in the civil-rights movement, he was also an National Center for Lesbian Rights. The cere- Trump Accountability Project (TAP). TAP is a but fight the discrimination that halted prog- early supporter of gay rights, as a 1970 speech mony was held at the Log Haven Restaurant in resource for journalists, editors, producers and ress for too long.” revealed. Salt Lake City on Aug. 14. other news makers reporting on the Trump —Grand finale: Obama also, in June, issued —Like a Rock: Host Chris Rock wasted no In a major ruling for same- administration that catalogs the anti-LGBTQ his final LGBT Pride Month proclamation. He —Family ties: time addressing the elephant in the room—the sex and other non-traditional couples, New statements and actions of Donald Trump and said, “LGBT individuals deserve to know their controversy over the lack of diversity of Oscar York’s top court ruled that non-biological and those in or being considered for his adminis- country stands beside them. That is why my nominees—at the 88th Academy Awards Feb. non-adoptive parents can seek visitation and tration. Administration is striving to better understand 28. Among other things, he rolled out video custody if a couple splits. Until the ruling, the Judge Todd Hernandez of the needs of LGBT adults and to provide af- —No protection: montages that poked fun at the lack of diver- courts have held that non-biological and non- the 19th Judicial District Court struck down fordable, welcoming, and supportive housing sity, including one that put African-American adoptive parents had no legal standing when it Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ executive to aging LGBT Americans.” spins on films such as The Martian, Joy and The comes to parenting. order protecting LGBTQ state workers and con- —TUF enough: Trans United Fund (TUF) is- Danish Girl. Amazon series Trans- tractors from discrimination. sued the first-ever trans-focused questionnaire —Kate expectations: WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 9 47. Her transition was documented in the film ban leader died at age 90. When it came to Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother. Her siblings LGBT rights, Castro was not known for his lib- Deaths in 2016 include Richmond, Rosanna, Patricia and David. eralism, as he sent thousands of gay men to —Janet Reno: Janet Reno—who then-Presi- labor camps. (He apologized for the camps in Compiled by ANDREW DAVIS dent Bill Clinton selected to become the coun- 2010.) try’s first woman U.S. attorney general—died —George Michael: British-Greek singer —Jeanne Cordova: Pioneer feminist, activ- Nov. 7 of Parkinson’s disease at age 78. Reno George Michael—who launched his career with ist, journalist, publisher and LGBT media figure was involved in some of the biggest crises in Wham! in the 1980s and later continued his Jeanne Cordova passed away Jan. 10 at the age the 1990s and early 2000s, ranging from the success as a solo performer—died at age 53 of 67. FBI siege of the Branch Davidian compound on Christmas Day. Michael, who was openly —David Bowie: Superstar British singer/ near Waco, Texas; to Clinton’s relationship with gay, had previously dealt with depression and songwriter David Bowie died at age 69 after intern Monica Lewinsky; to the arrest of sheik drug addiction, and almost died from pneumo- a sustained battle with cancer. On Sept. 23, Omar Abdel Rahman, who was connected to the nia in 2011. Among his hit singles were the 2014-Jan. 4, 2015, almost 200,000 people vis- 1993 World Trade Center bombings; to the saga title song, “Father Figure,” “Praying for Time,” ited the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago of Elian Gonzalez, a 6-year-old boy who federal “Careless Whisper” and “I Want Your Sex.” to see its “David Bowie Is” exhibition, setting agents seized and returned to his father, who This article features national and interna- attendance records. took the family to Cuba. tional individuals. See next week’s issue for —Antonin Scalia: Antonin Scalia—the U.S. —Fidel Castro: Controversial longtime Cu- coverage of deaths of local LGBTQA figures. Supreme Court justice seen by some as most hostile to equal rights for LGBT people—died, resulting in the court being reduced to eight “We continue to stand with the people of members. It stayed that way through 2016 be- HB2 repeal fails North Carolina, particularly the transgender cause of a Republican Congressional stalemate During a special session Dec. 21, North people who have been harmed by HB2 and against President Obama’s choice, Merrick Gar- Carolina legislators failed to repeal House their own lawmakers’ actions, and we will land. Bill 2 (HB2)—the state’s so-called “bath- continue to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with —Harper Lee: Nelle Harper Lee—who won Jeanne Cordova. room bill.” them until this shameful legislation is re- the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1961 for her Signed by outgoing Republican Gov. Pat pealed in its entirety.” book To Kill a Mockingbird—died at age 89 in widow of Adrienne Rich—died of liver failure McCrory in March, HB2 bans people from us- The legislature will meet again Jan. 11 for her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. June 12 at age 69. Cliff published “Notes on ing public bathrooms that don’t correspond a regular session of the General Assembly, at —John Gagnon: John Gagnon—a sociolo- Speechlessness” in Sinister Wisdom, a feminist to their biological sex, as listed on their which time they could discuss repeal again. gist who shifted the ground in sex research by journal of lesbian culture that she and Rich ed- birth certificates. Backlash against HB2 More information about the case is at proposing that sexual behavior could better be ited and published in the early 1980s. caused huge economic losses for the state, LambdaLegal.org/in-court/cases/nc_carca- understood by looking at social forces rather —Phyllis Schlafly: Arch-conservative activ- such as musicians (including Demi Lovato, no-v-mccrory. than biology or psychology—died Feb. 11 in ist Phyllis Schlafly—who bitterly opposed LGBT Nick Jonas, Bruce Springsteen and the San Palm Springs, California, at age 84. His wife rights, pro-choice rights and the Equal Rights Francisco Symphony) canceling shows and said the cause of death was pancreatic cancer. Amendment, among other causes—died Sept. the NBA moving its all-star game from Char- Bar groups address —Dr. Quentin Young: Dr. Quentin Young, 5 at age 92. In 1992, her son, John Schlafly, lotte to another city. known for his civil-rights activism, passed The state law was passed in response to a hate-motivated acts was outed as gay just after his mother debated The Affinity Bar Associations released a away March 7 in Berkeley, California. Among Charlotte city “nondiscrimination ordinance” a gay Republican at the 1992 GOP convention. statement regarding the recent increase in other achievements, Young participated in one that allowed transgender people to use bath- A staffer at his mother’s organization, the Ea- hate-motivated violence and harassment. of the historic 1965 Alabama marches from rooms that correspond with their gender gle Forum, he continued to support her in her In part, it says, “In the aftermath of this Selma to Montgomery, and co-founded and was identity. However, on Dec. 19, the Charlotte causes. particularly divisive presidential election, national chairman for the Medical Committee City Council rescinded its nondiscrimination —Juan Gabriel: Mexican singing superstar there has been a surge of bias-motivated and for Human Rights. ordinance—apparently in exchange for a Juan Gabriel died of a massive heart attack in hate violence across the nation targeting —Prince: Rock superstar Prince, whose mu- special session by the legislature to repeal Santa Monica, California, on Aug. 28 at age many groups, including Muslims, immigrants, sic and work inspired many in the LGBT com- HB2. 66. Fans and media outlets have long said Ga- women, members of the LGBTQ community munity—even as he courted controversy with Lambda Legal and the ACLU issued a joint briel (who had four children but never married) and African-Americans. We call on lawyers them—died April 21. He was 57. His body was statement condemning the repeal failure. was gay, but he has only answered the ques- across the country and our elected officials found in an elevator his Paisley Park compound “It is a shame that North Carolina’s General tion once formally, telling a Univision reporter, to denounce and take action against this in Minnesota. Assembly is refusing to clean up the mess “Don’t ask about something that is obvious.” hate. —Jack Evans: Gay Dallas advocate Jack Ev- they made. The support for the LGBT com- —The Lady Chablis: Transgender figure “To assist our members who may be part of ans—who made national headlines when he munity from political leaders, faith lead- The Lady Chablis (also known as Brenda Dale or work with communities affected by hate and his partner of 56 years became the first ers, businesses, and everyday people that Knox)—who became famous in John Berendt’s violence, we have created a Hate Crimes Re- same-sex couple to legally wed in Dallas Coun- has emerged this year will not fade. These best-selling book Midnight in the Garden of sources Toolkit, which has information about ty—passed away at age 86 after a battle with attempts to expel transgender people from Good and Evil—passed away Sept. 8 in Sa- reporting incidents, supporting community lung cancer. Evans and Harris—who met in public life will not be tolerated,” said James vannah, Georgia at age 59. In 1996, Chablis organizations, offering legal services, and 1961—founded the North Texas GLBT Chamber Esseks, director of the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV penned her autobiography, Hiding My Candy, coordinating with government agencies.” of Commerce, and were involved with The Dal- Project. “The legislature may not be willing and went on to play herself in Clint Eastwood’s The toolkit is at NAPABA.org/page/Hate- las GLBT History Project. to undo their unconstitutional overreach and 1997 movie adaptation of “Midnight.” CrimeResources. —Jeffrey Montgomery: Michigan LGBTQ- respect the rights of LGBT people, so we’ll —Edward Albee: Edward Albee—considered The Affinity Bar Associations consist of rights activist Jeffrey Montgomery, the founding just have to see them in court.” by many to be among the top U.S. playwrights the Hispanic National Bar Association, the executive director of the Triangle Foundation, National Center for Transgender Equality for at least a generation—died Sept. 16 at his National Asian Pacific American Bar Asso- died July 18 at age 63. In 1991, Montgomery, Executive Director Mara Keisling said, “This is home in Montauk, New York, at age 88 after ciation (NAPABA—the source of the toolkit), Henry D. Messer and John Monahan co-founded a short illness. Among his lasting works are unacceptable. The legislature’s actions today have proven that the people of North Caro- the National Association of Women Lawyers, the foundation, which later merged with Michi- Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; The Goat, or lina—particularly transgender North Carolin- the National Bar Association, the National gan Equality to become Equality Michigan. Who Is Sylvia?; and Three Tall Women. ians—cannot have any faith in their shame- LGBT Bar Association and the National Native —Michelle Cliff: Michelle Cliff—a Jamaican- —Alexis Arquette: Transgender personality/ less lawmakers. American Bar Association. American writer/activist/professor who was the activist Alexis Arquette died Sept. 11 at age

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1211007 State Farm, Bloomington, IL 10 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES boycotting North Carolina and Mississippi for non-vital city business. 2016: The local LGBT Alliance change: Anthony Papini, the former executive director of Illinois Safe Schools Alli- ance, stepped down from his post in order to take a new job in his native Washington State, year in review he said April 6. Owen Daniel-McCarter was By Matt Simonette named as his replacement. Investigation report: A task force commis- This was a tumultuous year for many in the sioned in December by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, LGBT community. There were numerous “highs,” in the wake of the protracted investigation and such as local advancements of pro-trans ordi- prosecution of the Laquan McDonald shooting, nances and dramatic expansions of healthcare released a frank and critical assessment of the services in the city. But there were “lows” Chicago Police Department (CPD) on April 13. too, especially as residents were impacted by The Chicago Police Accountability Task Force national events such as the Pulse nightclub was headed by Chicago Police Board Chair Lori shooting and the uncertainty surrounding Don- Lightfoot, who is openly lesbian. The report ald Trump’s impending presidency. Here are just acknowledged widespread distrust of CPD from a few of the high-points and low-points of the city residents, and presented numerous dis- local year in LGBT news. turbing statistics. New director: On Jan. 9, Imani Rupert-Gor- Center initiative: Center on Halsted an- don was announced as the new executive direc- nounced, on April 21, that it was accepting ap- tor of Affinity Community Services. plications for its Youth Housing Initiative. The Kirk support: U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), program is part of the Center’s two-pronged on Jan. 19, became the first Senate Republican Youth Housing Strategy, which it developed in to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, 2015. which would guarantee explicit and permanent School lawsuit: A federal lawsuit was filed protections for LGBT Americans in areas such as against the government and a Northwest sub- employment, housing, credit, education, public urban school district May 4 over that district’s State Rep. Greg Harris. spaces and services, federally funded programs rules allowing a transgender student to use the and jury service. Kirk lost his re-election bid in Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond locker room facilities of the gender with which November after a tumultuous race against U.S. she identified. Alliance Defending Freedom and the Thomas More Society filed suit on behalf Rep. Tammy Duckworth. Cherkasov left for a new post. He was replaced of 51 area families against the United States Priest comes out: A Chicago priest, Michael by Brian Johnson. Department of Education, United States De- Shanahan, on Jan. 31, publicly came out in the New institute: Northwestern University of- partment of Justice and Township District 211. pages of the Washington Post. Shanahan ini- ficials announced, on Feb. 29, the launch of CPS guidelines: Chicago Public Schools, on Rabbi Cindy Enger leads Congregation Or tially wanted to remain anonymous, but knew the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority May 3, issued revised guidelines pertaining to Chadash’s final Pride Shabbat. that coming out might have a meaningful im- Health and Wellbeing, which will be the first its transgender students, staff and volunteers, Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond pact on LGBT people or their family members. university-wide research institute in the U.S. tackling head-on questions surrounding rest- Birth certificate bill: State Rep. Greg Harris focused on LGBT Health. room and locker room use that vexed school clergy, activists and artists, were among those (D-Chicago), on Feb. 11, introduced a new bill Brewster opposition: A group of anti-gay districts across the country in 2016. who, on June 13, spoke at a vigil at Center on that would make it easier for transgender Illi- activists in the Dominican Republic in March New CEO: Following an extensive national Halsted. nois residents to amend their birth certificates. posted a petition on the White House’s web- search, the Chicago House Board of Trustees Measure passes: The Chicago City Council, on The bill, HB 6073, would amend the state’s vi- site demanding the ouster of the openly gay approved Scott Ammarell as the next CEO of the June 22, approved a measure that removed a tal records act so that a declaration by a phy- U.S. ambassador to that nation. The anony- agency. Ammarell replaced outgoing CEO Rev. provision in the Chicago Human Rights Ordi- sician that the individual is undergoing medi- mous petition, said that Ambassador James Stan Sloan. nance requiring individuals to show a govern- cally appropriate treatment would be the main “Wally” Brewster promoted “an LGBT agenda Target lockdown: A Bourbonnais, Illinois, ment-issued ID upon request when trying to requirement to change the gender-marker on a inconsistent with the Christian cultural values Target store and its neighboring businesses access restrooms and other public accommoda- birth certificate. and tradition of the Dominican Republic” in were placed on lockdown for two hours, on May tions. Anti-trans legislation: Illinois state Rep. his official duties. The White House supported 2, after a man created a disturbance over the Chicago celebrates: The 47th Annual Pride Thomas Morrison (R-Palatine), on Jan. 20, led Brewster. retail chains’ restroom policies for its transgen- Parade June 26 began with a moment of si- legislation that explicitly required school pu- Collette lawsuit: A Chicago man, Colin Col- der customers. lence. The 2016 event opened with a proces- pils to use restrooms and changing facilities lette, filed a federal lawsuit against the Arch- LGBT housing: Logan Square residents, politi- sion of individuals holding up photos of the that correspond with the gender assigned at diocese of Chicago in March, claiming that he cians and other stakeholders gathered May 21 49 persons murdered at the Pulse nightclub in birth. The bill, HB 4474, would amend the was unlawfully fired in 2014 from his position at Congress Pizzeria, 2033 N. Milwaukee Ave., Orlando just two weeks earlier. City officials School Code to require that facilities designate at an Inverness church because he became en- to learn about a new affordable-housing devel- estimated attendance to be at about one mil- their facilities by sex, and mandate that stu- gaged to his same-sex partner. opment, intended to be welcoming for LGBT in- lion spectators. Security was heightened this dents can only use the facilities of the sex that Howard Brown expands: Howard Brown dividuals. The complex, to be named The John year in light of the shootings; Chicago Police they were assigned at birth. Health, on March 10, announced that it would Pennycuff Memorial Apartments at Robert Cas- said additional officers and 160 private secu- Change turmoil: The 2016 Creating Change, be taking over management of the HIV practice tillo Plaza, was financed through the use of TIF rity personnel would be used. Parade officials sponsored by the National LGBTQ Task Force, formerly operated by the Chicago Department funds from the existing Milwaukee-Fullerton had previously announced that the number of took place in late January at the Hilton Chi- of Public Health (CDPH) at a clinic at 641 W. Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district, as well parade entries would be limited to 160, so the cago. But the changing nature of activism, as 63rd St. Howard Brown Health also announced as Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) funds, tax parade could end earlier. well as the intersecting stakes of progressive a new location for its Broadway Youth Center credits and private funding. It was approved by New leadership: Center on Halsted announced issues, proved to offer formidable challenges (BYC). Latonya Maley, formerly BYC’s youth the City Council in December. new leadership within the organization. Kim for organizers. First, participants balked when HIV/STI prevention manager, was selected as Plank stays the same: After a contentious Fountain, joined the organization in a newly officials from Immigration Customs Enforce- its new director. debate, the Illinois State Republican Party formed chief operating officer position, while ment were invited (they were subsequently dis- New name: The Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian voted May 20 at its convention in Peoria to re- longtime LGBT-rights activist Richard Turner invited), then a large scale-protest ensued at a Chamber of Commerce, marking its 20th anni- tain a plank preserving its 2012 language that was chosen to chair the board of directors. reception organized by A Wider Bridge (AWB), versary, changed its name to LGBT Chamber of said marriage should be between a man and a Meetings lawsuit: LGBT- and housing-rights a San Francisco-based organization that tries Commerce of Illinois. woman activists, on July 14, announced they were fil- to foster relationships between Israel and the Focus on rights: The Ann & Robert H. Lu- Synagogue folds: Congregation Or Chadash, ing a lawsuit against the Chicago City Council LGBT community. rie Children’s Hospital of Chicago became the which had primarily served Chicago’s LGBT for violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Rush benefits: Chicago’s Rush University first of its kind in the United States to adopt a Jewish community announced in May that it Activists contended that, despite being first in Medical Center announced in January that it program and policy initiative safeguarding the was closing as an independent synagogue. Or line—and arriving about 90 minutes early—for will provide comprehensive transgender health civil rights of transgender and gender-noncon- Chadash, which opened in 1975, merged with the May and June monthly meetings of the City care benefits to all employees enrolled in the forming youth. Temple Sholom in July. Council, they and others were denied entrance. organization’s health-care plan. Tulasi arrest: Chicago-based queer filmmaker Target support: Trans activists, the Gay Lib- Senior discrimination: Lambda Legal, on July PrEP campaign: The Chicago PrEP Working Moses Tulasi was arrested March 22 alongside eration Network and allies organized a demon- 27, announced that it was filing a federal law- Group (CPWG) launched PrEP4Love, a citywide, more than 30 students and faculty members on stration designed “to support Target and the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern sex-positive media campaign designed to in- the campus of Hyderabad Central University lo- trans community” at the Uptown Target store District of Illinois against a Chicago-area se- crease awareness of PrEP (pre-exposure pro- cated close to the outskirts of the Southern on June 4. nior housing facility for discriminating against phylaxis), a daily HIV prevention pill for HIV- India city. Chicago pays tribute: About 300 Chicagoans a resident because of her sex and sexual ori- negative people. Photography with the tagline NC bans: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel an- gathered in Lake View at the corner of Hal- entation. “One pill. Once a day. Protect against HIV” has nounced in April that he would not only pre- sted and Roscoe June 12, in memory of vic- Madigan brief: Illinois Attorney General Lisa been displayed in ads throughout Chicago on pare an order banning travel to North Carolina tims of the mass shooting at an Orlando LGBT Madigan, on July 28, joined with the attorneys CTA trains and buses throughout the year. for non-essential city business, but he’ll use nightclub early that morning. A second rally general of 12 other states to issue a brief in Pelosi speaks: Democratic House leader U.S. the passage of virulently anti-LGBT legislation was held concurrently in Andersonville, where support of Obama administration policies that Rep. Nancy Pelosi spoke Feb. 6 at Equality Il- as an opportunity to recruit businesses from Midsommarfest was being celebrated, and at- protect transgender individuals, among them linois’s gala celebrating its 25th anniversary. the Tar Heel State. The Cook County Board of tended by many LGBT Chicagoans and visitors. transgender students The LGBT-rights organization announced a re- Commissioners, on April 13, passed similar bills branding this year, and longtime-head Bernard Mayor Emanuel, along with Chicago politicians, Conversion therapy suit: An ad hoc group of WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 11 Gay-marriage proposal takes place

at Chicago Bulls game By Ross Forman mob at the [Jordan] statue,” Conrad said. The Bulls made the proposal so much bigger, Jake Conrad scored an NBA Championship- better and surprising—for Holtzman—and the worthy marriage proposal, thanks to a huge world has been able to witness the magical assist from the Chicago Bulls who, on Dec. 8, moment and the cheering crowd via social me- were playing host to Conrad’s favorite team, dia. The team’s cheerleading team, known as the San Antonio Spurs, at the United Center. the Luvabulls, changed their routine to show- The Bulls defeated the Spurs 95-91 that case Conrad and Holtzman, and the team’s Thursday night, and Conrad officially scored mascot (Benny The Bull) played an integral the love of his life, Michael Holtzman, who he role, too—and then cheered and pumped his has been dating for almost three years after fists in support when Holtzman said, “Yes.” Jake Conrad and Michael Holtzman. they met—brace yourself—on Grindr. “I never imagined the Chicago Bulls prepar- Photo courtesy of Conrad Holtzman is a lifelong Bulls fan, though ing such a magical moment,” Conrad said. “I he had never been to a game, and one of his had seen other proposals, I just didn’t believe and has shared this moment with us. Thank Conrad and Holtzman also were given tick- long-term goals was to simply attend a game that was something a same-sex couple could you for your kindness and support. It has been ets to another Bulls game, a gift they weren’t so he could see the life-size Michael Jordan do. It still feels like a fairytale. Here we were amazing to see how many people care. We are expecting when they drove to the United Cen- statue that is outside the arena. at the Chicago Bulls game because of an orga- touched by the fabulous work of the Chicago ter for the Spurs game. “Michael has been a fan of Michael Jordan nization that we have always deeply admired, Bulls and those that have shared our moment. Mary E. Linford of Goldmine Design Jewelers and the Chicago Bulls’ [championship-win- and they took a giant step towards inclusion, We have yet to see any negative reactions.” reached out after the proposal and inquired ning] dynasty from the 1990s all his life. He acceptance, and equality putting together Conrad, who played college volleyball at about the ring-pop that was part of their on- often reminisces [about] turning on WGN-TV an unbelievably special moment in front of Lewis University and also has coached that court proposal. Goldmine Design (goldmin- and watching every game with his brother,” 21,000 people. sport, said that players he coached more than edesignjewelers.com) offered to make rings Conrad said. “The Chicago Bulls offered Michael and me five years ago have shared his proposal video for both as a gift. Holtzman’s infatuation with former Bulls a lifetime memory, but what they offered the on social media and been re-connecting. Holtzman will, no doubt, look for a friendly, great Jordan is seen in Holtzman’s email and LGBTQ community is an opportunity to experi- “It is always great to be a part of the village loving revenge on Conrad’s shocking national- multiple personal passwords which even in- ence love fully, equally, without shame, and that raises kids. Reconnecting with them in spotlight proposal, and he isn’t shy about corporate Jordan’s famed jersey No. 23 or No. without compromise.” their adult life is the best,” he said. what it will entail: getting Conrad to meet his 45, which Jordan also wore, Conrad admitted. Conrad said the post-proposal response has Conrad and Holtzman got to meet Basketball idol, Ellen DeGeneres. Holtzman even won the Wisconsin State Art been “incredibly heartwarming.” Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, the legendary To watch the Conrad-Holtzman mar- Show in high school for a pointillism picture “We are a sucker for a great love story; we Bulls’ teammate of Jordan. They got a photo riage proposal at the Bulls game on Dec. of … you guessed it, Jordan. both love the movie Silver Linings Playbook,” with him, too. “I truly think meeting Scottie 8, go to https://www.youtube.com/ “My original [marriage proposal] plans were he said. “We all must realize how fortunate Pippen may have outshined the proposal for watch?v=sHTrqefX8IA. to try to meet Michael Jordan, or to do a flash we are to live in a society that embraces us [Holtzman],” Conrad joked.

religious personnel, calling itself Pastors Pro- ing that the entire court will hear the employ- tecting Youth, on Aug. 11, filed a federal law- ment discrimination appeal of Kimberly Hively. BRAD LIPPITZ GROUP suit against the state of Illinois, arguing that Hively was denied full-time employment at Ivy Boutique Real Estate, Worldwide the Youth Mental Health Protection Act infring- Tech Community College in South Bend, Indi- es on the rights of individuals offering pastoral ana, six different times and maintains she was CLASSIC, MODERN, ONE-OF-A-KIND PROPERTIES counseling. The Youth Mental Health Protec- eventually terminated because she is a lesbian. OVER $60 MILLION SOLD ANNUALLY tion Act, which was passed in Aug. 2015, bans Man’s Country closing: In Oct., Man’s Country so-called conversion therapy that purports to owner Chuck Renslow announced that he was “cure” individuals of their homosexuality from closing his Andersonville business. being practiced upon minors. Plaintiffs in the Westboro protest: About 50 Uptown residents lawsuit. and other community members staged a coun- Marriage milestone: On the morning of Wed., ter-protest the morning of Oct. 21, when mem- Aug. 31, Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office is- bers of Topeka, Kansas-based Westboro Baptist sued the 10,000th marriage license to a same- Church staged an anti-LGBT protest at Weiss sex couple. Memorial Hospital. Humana suit: AIDS Foundation of Chicago Haunted house: A Far South Side grade (AFC), on Sept. 6, filed a formal complaint school did not participate in a haunted house with the U.S. Department of Health and Human that contained, among other depictions, a rep- Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) against resentation of the June shootings at the Pulse Humana, charging that the insurance giant nightclub in Orlando, Florida, as was originally routinely denies coverage for or limits access planned. to HIV medications through prohibitively high Cher stump: On Oct. 30, superstar Cher con- cost sharing requirements. tinued to stump for Hillary Clinton with the Trans murder: Trans woman T.T. Safore was “Love Trumps Hate” tour that stopped in Chi- found murdered in the Garfeild Park neighbor- cago at Revel Fulton Market, 1215 W. Fulton hood on Sept. 11. She was the 20th trans per- Market. son murdered in 2016. Iowa trip: On Nov. 5, the “Hillary LGBTQ Bus PrEP expansion: Cook County Health & Hospi- Trip to Iowa” took place, with approximately tals System (CCHHS), on Sept. 15, announced 90 local volunteers making the trip to the an initiative to increase access to pre-exposure swing state. prophylaxis, or PrEP, for its patients. The new Trump protest: Thousands of protesters Whether you are in your new home, looking for a new home, or enjoying program funds staff in additional locations on marched through the streets of Chicago Nov. 9, where you are, we wish you and your family peace, health, and happiness. the city’s West Side, along with CCHHS’ Ruth chanting against the election of Donald Trump M. Rothstein CORE Center, to assist patients in as U.S. president. There were many rainbow obtaining PrEP. and bisexual flags. Best wishes in the New Year! School symposium: A symposium held in Brewster resigns: Openly gay U.S. Ambassa- mid-October sought community input for a dor to the Dominican Republic James “Wally” renewed effort for an education program sen- Brewster, on Nov. 23, announced that he would BRAD LIPPITZ GROUP sitive to the needs of LGBT students. Bishop be resigning from his post, effective Jan. 20, James E. Dukes of Pentecostal Liberation Chris- 2017. Brad Lippitz, Jim Paddleford, Brittany Shapiro, tian Center organized the gathering. Rogers Park opening: Howard Brown Health, Maria Campuzano & Yoni Pizer Hively suit: The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of on Dec. 5, inaugurated its Rogers Park clinic, Appeals, on Oct. 11, granted en banc review in at 6500 N. Clark St., 9:30-11 a.m., with elected Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College, mean- officials and invited guests. 12 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES viewpoints

always wear “Dad 1” and “Dad 2” T-shirts or Stay informed by reading respected and bedeck your baby stroller in rainbows (unless reliable news sources both mainstream and WINDY that’s your thing, in which case have at)—but niche—and crosscheck facts across several being active in our communities and talking sources to avoid spreading misinformation. openly about our families and identities can do Take the time, too, to occasionally read niche CITY Dana a lot to spread understanding. We should tem- news sites or blogs that focus on identities not RUDOLPH per this with an awareness that our children your own. I’ve found this is a great way to gain may sometimes wish to come out about their perspective, and I hope it helps me be a bet- TIMES MOMBIAN families in their own time—but setting an ex- ter ally. ample of openness can help children become Continue writing and calling our elected offi- VOL. 32, No. 15, Dec. 28, 2016 The combined forces of Windy City Times, LGBTQ families: similarly comfortable, I believe. cials about issues that matter to us. USA.gov is founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, Make sure our legal ties are as secure as one easy way to look up federal, state and local founded May 1987. Preparing for they can be—including getting second-parent officials and their contact information. adoptions for children even when both parents Talk with our children (if they are old the year ahead are married and on their birth certificates. In enough) about their ongoing feelings around PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tracy Baim an October legal memo on behalf of four mar- the election and the incoming administration. My family parties from Thanksgiving through ried lesbian couples petitioning a New York I know my son hears things from classmates New Year’s. I’m Jewish, my spouse is Protestant ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky court for second-parent adoptions, Lambda and sees headlines that could be frightening. MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis (though neither of us is particularly observant), Legal explained that even when both spouses I want to assure him that not everyone thinks ASSOCIATE EDITOR Matt Simonette and my family of origin has always celebrated BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine are on the birth certificates, there have been the same way, that we do have a system of Thanksgiving as our biggest family gathering, DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright and could be times “in which the parentage of checks and balances, and that his family will which means we start with turkey and pies at ART DIRECTOR/NIGHTSPOTS EDITOR Kirk Williamson a child born to a married couple (same- or dif- be here for him no matter what. SENIOR REPORTER Gretchen Rachel Hammond the end of November and don’t stop making ferent-sex) or conceived using assisted repro- I have been thinking this week, too, of a Senior Account Executives Terri Klinsky, Kirk merry until we raise our champagne glasses on Williamson, Amy Matheny, Gretchen Rachel Hammond, ductive technology has been litigated.” Earlier line from the Talmud, the compilation of Jew- Jan. 1. This year, the first night of Hanukkah Scott Duff, Monika Pickett, David Strzepek second-parent adoptions could have avoided ish oral law, which says, “You are not obligated was also Christmas Eve, creating a combined NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 this entirely, they said. to complete the work, but neither are you free SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Tony Peregrin, Lisa celebration the likes of which we hadn’t seen Stand with people of marginalized groups to desist from it.” There is much that needs Keen, Yasmin Nair since the great Thanksgivukkah conjunction of THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan not our own in whatever way they may need tending in our world, but no one person can do 2013. CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight Jr. our support. Be generous, too, to those in it all, especially when raising a child is one of The holidays may stem from different tradi- SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman need, through monetary donations, contribu- those things. We must strive for balance as we ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS tions, but share a theme of hope and of light in tions of goods, or offering your time, either work to make a difference. Mary Shen Barnidge, Lawrence Ferber, Mel Ferrand, the darkness. That message seems particularly Jerry Nunn, Jonathan Abarbanel to individuals or charities. It remains unclear Even if you have not been celebrating either poignant right now as we head into a year that COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Jorjet Harper, what the impact of the new administration will Christmas or Hanukkah this past week, per- ushers in a new federal administration and an Charlsie Dewey, Carrie Maxwell, Billy Masters, Sarah be on those most vulnerable in our society, but haps you will find similar inspiration in your Toce, Dana Rudolph, Melissa Wasserman, Joe Franco, era of uncertainty for LGBTQ people and our a little extra effort to help them can’t go amiss. own faith. And if you are not a person of faith Nick Patricca, Liz Baudler, Rex Wockner, Angelique families. Smith Same goes for our environment and the organi- (or even if you are), perhaps other stories Will the new administration try to take away SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Hal Baim, zations working to protect it. and myths from our human heritage will also the rights of LGBTQ people and families? Ru- Tim Carroll, Ed Negron Support the publication of quality, LGBTQ- provide insight and hope for the coming year. WEBSITE LISTINGS VOLUNTEER Gene Naden mors abound—but while we can’t predict the inclusive, diverse children’s and young adult Personally, one of my New Year’s resolutions future, we can do a few things to prepare for books and other media, by buying them, sup- will be to reread Harry Potter for exactly that CIRCULATION it. Here’s what’s on my list. porting Kickstarters and other funding efforts reason. CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright Be as out and visible as we feel we safely from independent publishers, requesting them It may not be the easiest time to be part of DISTRIBUTION: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Sue and can. No matter what happens over the next Victor from local libraries (and encouraging the li- an LGBTQ family in America, but we have lived four—or eight—years, LGBTQ people aren’t WEB HOSTING: LoveYourWebsite.com (lead braries to stock them if they are not in circula- through tough times before. However you cel- programmer: Martie Marro) going anywhere. We are neighbors, colleagues, tion), and spreading the word on social media. ebrate the season, may you and your families relatives, and friends, and must continue to Copyright 2016 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media If you have the talent and time, too, write your find joy, light, and hope for the year ahead. remind people of our presence. No need to Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back own tales! issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and persons with deep-seated homosexual tenden- tion, and increased poverty. This is shameful, no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. What can queer cies,” an allusion to the hierarchy’s claims that sinful even. All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned it was gay priests who are to blame for the It is also a perversion of the core of the for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing people expect from decades of sexual abuse of children. Catholic faith, which teaches inclusion, equal- and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, The pope’s endorsement of this document ity, compassion, and love. Fortunately, solid cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own Pope Francis? and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City sends a clear signal to those of us in the LG- majorities, at least of Western Catholics, reject Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy Not much BTQI and ally community who follow church church teaching on homosexuality and gen- City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the BY MARIANNE DUDDY-BURKE politics. Despite the pope’s tendency to say der identity. They realize that LGBTQI people sexual orientation of such person or organization. While reasonable things about us in unscripted mo- should be accepted in the church and in soci- we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept Pope Francis has made headlines worldwide for ments, when he is acting for the institution of ety for who we are, and many are actively re- responsibility for advertising claims. his conflicting statements and actions when it the church, he shows no willingness to disrupt sisting harmful teachings and practices. Some (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 comes to LGBTQI people. In famous off-the- the status quo. This means that those who saw do this by withdrawing support from or even e-mail: [email protected] or cuff remarks, he stunned many by asking “Who the Franciscan papacy as a time when official leaving the Catholic Church, and others strive [email protected] am I to judge?” when asked about gay priests. Catholic teaching on gender identity and sex- to work from within, leading by example and www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com He also had a reportedly warm meeting with ual orientation might be changed are likely to resisting practices with which they disagree. podcast: WindyCityQueercast.com a transgender man and his fiancée, and even be deeply disappointed. How long will it take before the voice of said that the Catholic Church owes an apol- In the case of the new guidelines for priests, this majority influences the Vatican? That is WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, ogy to gay people. On the flip side, he worked the way that gay men are described is rooted the great and too often tragic unknown. In 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL, 60640 U.S.A (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) to advance a referendum to prevent same-sex in the church’s belief that human relationships the meantime, it is the unfortunate truth that marriage and adoption by gay people in Slova- are and should be rooted in “complementar- despite being drawn to Pope Francis’s commit- Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. kia, he bowed to pressure to remove positive ity,” a belief that women and men have differ- ment to responsible environmental stewardship OUT! Chicago’s LGBTQ Visitor’s Guide Online statements about gay people and same-sex ent, divinely ordained roles rooted in biology. and many who are pushed to the margins of www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com couples from a report during the global Syn- Anything other than that is “objectively disor- society, our community will continue to experi- od on the Family, and he has called teaching “Windy City Media Group generated enormous dered” in the technical language of the church. ence misunderstanding and rejection from him. interest among their readers in this year’s LGBT about transgender people and gender theory a This thinking establishes a hierarchy that puts DignityUSA, the organization I represent, has Consumer Index Survey. Out of approximately 100 “global war” against the family. gay and transgender people in a degraded po- long called for Pope Francis and other church print and online media partners who participated On Dec. 8, the Vatican’s Congregation for the sition, and it seems that this is where we are leaders to engage in deep and open conversa- in the survey, Windy City was the best performing Clergy promulgated a new set of guidelines for regional media in the U.S. Only survey partners going to stay, at least when it comes to Pope tion with LGBTQI people and our families to with a nationwide footprint were able to generate the selection and training of Catholic priests. Francis and most other members of the church’s learn the reality of our lives, our relationships, a greater number of responses.” ­­—David Marshall, This document, which states it was approved hierarchy. our struggles, and our strengths. We believe Research Director, Community Marketing, Inc. and ordered to be published by Pope Francis, The fact that church leaders cannot accept they must listen in the spirit of humility. We states that the church “cannot admit to the the wide variety of human expression and rela- continue to believe that this step is a neces- seminary or to holy orders those who practice tionships has far-reaching implications. It im- sary beginning to the process of beneficial homosexuality, present deep-seated homo- pacts social policy, educational systems, health change for our community and families. sexual tendencies or support the so-called ‘gay care delivery, and cultures in many countries Marianne Duddy-Burke is the executive di- culture.’” It states that such people are unable around the globe. Their willful ignorance about rector of Dignity USA. This op-ed originally to have appropriate relationships with women healthy sexuality and gender puts countless appeared on Advocate.com. Dignity/Chi- or men and warns against “the negative conse- people at risk of violence, imprisonment, men- cago is the local chapter of the national or- quences that can derive from the ordination of tal and physical health problems, social isola- ganization, DignityUSA. WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 13 WINDY CITY TIMES DIVERSIONS THEATER • FILM • ENTERTAINMENT • SPORTS

‘Angels’ in America 14 20 20 Windy City Times reviews Honky Tonk Angels. Photo of Leryn Turlington by Adam Veness Dish: Best of 2016. January’s OUTspoken! at Sidetrack.

SCOTTISH PLAY SCOTT Reflecting on 2016 BY SCOTT C. MORGAN Trans stories Transgender stories and artists received a lot The close of the calendar year is typically a of Chicago attention in 2016. time to reflect. So here’s a look back on some Early in the year actress Delia Kropp starred notable Chicago-area theater news stories and in David Valdes Greenwood’s world-premiere trends of 2016. drama Raggedy And about a transgender poet for Pride Films and Plays. She later became the Hamilton in Chicago first trans performer to star as East German Lin-Manuel Miranda’s wildly acclaimed hip- survivor Charlotte von Mahlsdorf in About Face hop and pop musical Hamilton may have had Theatre’s reconceived revival of Doug Wright’s a 2015 debut in New York, but the sold-out 2003 drama I Am My Own Wife. by About Face Broadway show made waves locally this year Theatre. when a dedicated Chicago company set up shop Trans performer Sydney Germain also got at The PrivateBank Theatre. The fact that Ham- plenty of stage time this season, which could ilton’s producers chose Chicago for an open run be a sign that Chicago casting directors are and not just a launch for a national tour is a making strides to be more inclusive. In 2016, sign of the Windy City’s strength as a theater Germain played Minnie Fay in the Goodman town. Theatre’s non-traditionally cast production of Miranda’s exploration of this country’s found- Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker, Puck in A ing fathers is not only notable for commanding Midsummer Night’s Dream for First Folio The- stratospherically high premium ticket prices, atre in Oak Brook and the roles of Cinna and but also for its non-traditional casting. The in- Octavius in Julius Caesar at Writers Theatre in clusiveness of Hamilton is one of its strengths, Glencoe. and its message has become even more vital. The Living Canvas and Nothing Without a Company recently teamed up for the dance- “Whitewashing” accusations theater piece [Trans]formation. Diversity in casting, or the lack thereof, be- Also big news was the appointment of trans came a huge point of contention in 2016. Actor artist Will Davis as the new artistic director of Bear Bellinger took to social media to criticize American Theater Company. Davis’ first season the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire for the lack begins in January with the Chicago premiere of of Latino and Latina actors hired for its revival Jaclyn Backhuas’ gender-fluid historical drama of Evita. Men on Boats. Hamilton (above) made quite an impression on the theater scene in 2016. Meanwhile, Porchlight Music Theatre was tak- Photo of Michael Cervantes as Alexander Hamilton in the Chicago production of Hamilton by en to task for hiring actor Jack DeCesare to star Taking Manhattan Joan Marcus as the leading man Usnavi De La Vega for its Quite a few shows that made their debut in hit production of In the Heights—particularly Chicago also made the journey to New York. winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole Other distressing news is that financial is- once word got out that DeCesare was actually Others are in the New York pipeline for 2017. respectively starring as sparring cosmetics ti- sues are forcing The Hypocrites to cut short of Italian heritage rather than being Latino. Stephen Karam’s The Humans, which had its tans Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden. its 2016-17 season. Planned productions of The Many arguments over “white washing” in the world premiere in Chicago at American Theater Box-office records were broken, and it was no House of Martin Guerre and Las Meninas have casting of minority characters erupted, and it’s Company in 2014, triumphed on Broadway with surprise that a Broadway berth was later an- been cancelled, while the winter run of Wit has likely that the debates will spill over in 2017 four Tony Awards including Best Play. Karam’s nounced for War Paint, a documentary-style been shortened from Jan. 20 through Feb. 19. Thanksgiving-set drama shined a dispiriting musical by the creators of Grey Gardens. Also Alleged abuse modern light on a family’s economic and emo- be on the lookout for Andrew Hinderaker’s ac- In passing The Uptown-based Profiles Theatre quickly tional anxieties. claimed gay drama The Magic Play to appear Gay playwright Edward Albee, a titan of U.S. disbanded in June following a Chicago Reader Another 2014 drama that made it to New in New York at a Roundabout Theatre Company theater, passed away at 88. Some of his ac- cover story investigating allegations of abuse York was Exit Strategy by gay playwright Ike venue. claimed and prize-winning works include: from actors who had worked with the company. Holter. Originally created for Jackalope The- Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Three Tall Wom- A Chicago theater support group called Not in atre, Holter’s CPS school-closing play made it Tough times en and The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? Our House emerged in the fallout as a resource off-Broadway following a regional run at Phila- Condominium construction on Broadway Locally, GayCo co-founder and longtime Sec- to prevent potential future abuses of power. delphia Theatre Company. south of Sheridan Road severely impacted three ond City instructor Judy Fabjance died from In the aftermath, Pride Films and Plays took Though it originally debuted in Canada, the strong storefront theaters. Rather than seeking cancer in August at the age of 41. Fabjance up residence of the former two Profiles The- macabre theme park disaster musical comedy out a new home, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company fought through her cancer diagnosis by creat- atre spaces at 4139 and 4147 N. Broadway Ride the Cyclone also made it off-Broadway chose to shut down rather than relocate. Oracle ing comic theater pieces like Are You There, and renamed them the Pride Arts Center. The this year. It’s the same Chicago Shakespeare Productions also recently announced that it Judy? It’s me, Cancer and Tales of a Stage 4 first official Pride Films and Plays large-scale Theater production by Jeff Award-winning di- will cease operations by the end of the year. Cancer. production in the Pride Arts Center is Priscilla rector Rachel Rockwell. Yet Strawdog Theatre is still making a go of Cancer also claimed the life of First Folio Queen of the Desert The Musical, which opens The Goodman Theatre went out of its way it as an itinerant company. Strawdog has been Theatre co-founder and artistic director Ali- in January. to reshuffle its season to host a summer run staging its productions like Jerre Dye’s Dis- son C. Vesely at the age of 59. Vesely and her of the new musical War Paint, especially since tance and Shakespeare’s Cymbeline at the new- husband, David Rice, founded the professional it came attached with two-time Tony Award- ish Factory Theatre in Rogers Park. theatre in Oak Brook 20 years ago. 14 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW trance here is also not as exciting. This is one change I didn’t like at all. The other change Derrick Davis and Katie Travis in The Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom that doesn’t work is in the graveyard. Usually, Photo by Matthew Murphy the phantom is up above the couple, threaten- of the Opera ing them; here, he is on the same level they Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber are—making the threat very, um, non-threat- Lyrics: Chris Hart, with additional ening. You’re waiting for Raoul to just punch lyrics by Richard Stilgoe out the phantom. Book: Richard Stilgoe and Now that those negatives are out of the Andrew Lloyd Webber way, let’s get to the positives. This production At: Cadillac Palace Theater is very sumptuous and you feel you get your Tickets: BroadwayInChicago.com: $50-140 money’s worth. There is a very cool spinning Runs through: Jan. 8 tube-like structure that lots of the staging comes from, and I enjoyed watching it. Also, BY ERIC KARAS the descent of the staircase to the sewers of Paris was fun, and we get our iconic boat-in- Watch out for falling chandeliers! the-dry-ice moment. I also loved the dramatic Phantom is back in Chicago for a four-week way the opera house spun together. engagement at the Cadillac Palace. This is the The music is the beloved Andrew Lloyd Web- reimagined staging and scenic design version ber score. There’s not much to say about it ex- for the tour, not the Hal Prince version that cept the scenes where all the people are on is the longest-running Broadway musical on stage together. Singing different things at the Broadway. Most people won’t notice the differ- same time remains confusing and gets old fast. ence and it’s the same famous Webber score. He’s much better with the ballads. The funny The beginning of the original Phantom is one thing is the Phantom of the Opera song really of my favorite parts, as the broken chandelier betrays when it was written. Its 1980s synthe- comes to life and reassembles to its former sizer sound stands out like a sore thumb from glory over the audience. In this version, it isn’t the score. It’s a moment that is funny but also quite as grand. However, when it’s time for its so iconic I wouldn’t have it any other way. dramatic decent later I totally liked that mo- Derrick Davis, as the phantom, seemed less Craig—as her love interest, Raoul—has a mas- or simply set musicals. The whole affair is so ment. Yes, I’m reviewing the chandelier—it is menacing or creepy than others who have culine charm and never veers into camp, which iconic that it makes for enjoyable entertain- Phantom, after all. performed in the same role. In his favor, his could easily be done. Trista Moldovan was a ment. Like seeing the King of Siam waltz or The other “let down” from the original is the phantom seems sweeter and more vulnerable. fine opera diva as Carlotta, but she could chew Professor Harold Hill lead a children’s band, masquerade number. Usually, it’s on a big stair- You can understand Christine’s compassion for the scenery a little more for my tastes. sometimes you want to see a broken-hearted case full of a huge cast; in this production, it’s him. Katie Travis plays Christine as the sleep- Overall, it’s a very lush production with great phantom and a vertically challenged chande- the cast in masks in front of a mirror—and it’s walking victim she is. It’s a challenging role sets, costumes and effects. It’s nice to see af- lier. If you’re a fan, go see it. not quite as dazzling. Also, the phantom’s en- and she hits the right notes literally. Jordan ter so many recent projection disappointments

THEATER REVIEW “show business” means Nashville, and since Sue Ellen has abandoned working nine-to-five an upbeat “Time For Me to Fly” and the gospel they are all church-raised girls, their fortuitous to reconnect with her childhood home. Darlene hymn “I’ll Fly Away.” The stageside band led by Honky Tonk meeting in a Greyhound station is viewed as was born a coal miner’s daughter, but after Bil- musical director Jeremy Ramey at the ivories a Sign From Above, even before their voices ly Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchee gets its moment in the spotlight, too, ripping Angels are discovered to blend in perfect Appalachian Bridge, she packed up her guitar and set out to it up on the bluegrass show-stopper “Rocky Playwright: Ted Swindley harmony. Sure enough, by Act Two, durned if fulfill the dream they shared. Top.” At: Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre they aren’t performing together under the col- What elevates this gynecentric fantasy above If your previous impression of country music at the No Exit Cafe, lective label of —you guessed it—the Honky fan-fiction level is the infectious charm con- is one of sexist ditties like “Getcher Biscuits 6970 N. Glenwood Ave, Tonk Angels, as in “It Wasn’t God Who Made veyed by our Dixie Bells (two imitation and in the Oven and Yer Buns into Bed” (that’s Tickets: $34-$39 [Honky Tonk Angels].” one authentic) who warble, croon and chicken- not made up, by the way), Theo Ubique offers Runs through: Jan. 29 Ted Swindley’s premise is recycled from a walk through a staggering 28 honkers in just an opportunity to become acquainted with a thousand Hollywood musicals, so it should over two hours, wearing smiles that light up genre you may be surprised to learn that you BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE come as no surprise that his plot and char- the room like a Kentucky sunrise. The score know better than you thought. Adam Veness acters are cobbled together out of lyrics from ranges from trad favorites like “Barroom Hab- and James Kolditz’s decor make the No Exit There’s these three young women hoping to the featured repertoire: Angela is a housewife, its” and “Almost Persuaded” to crossover hits Cafe cozy enough to make you forget it’s winter make it in show business, see. Since Angela is weary of standing by her man and his coming like “Harper Valley PTA” and “Calling All An- outside and newly hired chef Tal Caspi will even from East Texas, Darlene from West Virginia and home a-drinkin’ with lovin’ on his mind, who gels” with forays into novelties like “Cleopatra, feed you sweet-potato pie at intermission. Sue Ellen from Houston by way of Los Angeles, decides that her boots were made for walking. Queen of Denial” and a delightful mash-up of c THEATER REVIEW playwright for the production—just the Pig- Pen ensemble. So that could explain why the CRITICS’ The Hunter and Ben promising mystery that gets so frighteningly Ferguson in built up ends with a so-so fizzle. PICKS the Bear The Hunter The Hunter and the Bear centers around a Created by: PigPen Theatre Company and the band of 19th century frontier explorers look- Crazy for You, Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook At: Writers Theatre, Bear. ing to build a logging company in the Pacific Terrace, through Jan. 8. The late, great Gersh- 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe Northwest. But things get creepy when they win brothers’ showtunes are once again put to Tickets: 847-242-6000 or Photo by Michael encounter the haunted wanderer Lewis (Dan expert and escapist use for anyone still suf- WritersTheatre.org; $35-$80 Brosilow Weschler) and his ghost stories that bear fering post-election blues in this solid revival. Runs through: Jan. 22 more truth than myth. SCM Part of the problem is that audiences are Pygmalion, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company BY SCOTT C. MORGAN led to expect that The Hunter and the Bear at Greenhouse Theater Center, through Jan. 8. will be an ensemble piece involving all the The musical might have been a romance, but Supernatural forces are at eerie play in The hollowed out trunks are nicely accentuated by the alternately spooky and fiery lighting frontiersmen facing down a supersize and Shaw’s source play was a comment on class Hunter and the Bear, a world-premiere ghost supernatural bear in a climactic big battle. warfare and the price of upward mobility—still story by PigPen Theatre Co. at Writers Theatre designs of Bart Cortright. There’s also clever use of puppetry styles ranging from shadow But that showdown never comes as the play a relevant topic, even a century later. MSB in Glencoe. Many theatrical flourishes are also ends on a sad personalized note between the The Nutcracker, Joffrey Ballet at Auditorium deployed that wow in the moment but, upon play to bunraku throughout, all ingeniously worked into the staging’s fabric by designer title hunter of Tobias (Ben Ferguson) and his Theatre of Roosevelt University, through Dec. reflection, ultimately outshine the play’s young puppet-rendered son, Elliot (Ryan Me- 30. Time is running out to catch Christopher tragic denouement. Lydia Fine. And there are no qualms in regards to the lia). Wheeldon’s new Chicago-centric take on the PigPen Theatre Co. is the talented troupe This shift leaves the rest of the ensemble classic Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet in its tri- behind the hit 2013 run of The Old Man and talented ensemble who navigate through multiple roles under the skilled direction of feeling under-defined, though not underuti- umphant world-premiere run. SCM The Old Moon in Writers’ previous intimate lized since they’re in constant motion in the Uncle Philip’s Coat, Solo Celebration at Tudor Court home. With The Hunter and the Stuart Carden. In one moment they’re simply eager actors, then folksy musicians. Other background to accentuate the story. Perhaps Greenhouse Theater Center, through Dec. 31. Bear, PigPen is working on a much bigger can- if The Hunter and the Bear could be refined in The season isn’t all holly and ivy—Matty Sel- vas in the sparkling new expanse of Writers’ times they’re puppeteers or on occasion Foley artists creating convincing sound effects like subsequent runs elsewhere to tighten the plot man’s tale of immigrant survival will warm your Nichols Theatre. or build to a bigger climax. Then the story it- heart like the ancient garment protecting his Technically, PigPen handsomely dresses up a crackling campfire. But ultimately The Hunter and the Bear self will feel more equal to the grand scale of eccentric mentor through a century of chaos the theater space with woodsy multi-level PigPen’s assured theatrical storytelling. and confusion. MSB sets by designer Collette Pollard. Her many gets lost in the woods due to an unsatisfying story conclusion. There’s no single credited —By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 15

ture video clips, audience interaction, games ‘The Dolphin Show’ and, of course, comedy. The premiere of The Kiki will feature Chicago favorites Gwen La running ‘Little Shop’ Roka and Allison Reese as well as Diamond, Jan. 20-28 at NU Duff, Kim and Lewis-Baker. The Dolphin Show—advertised as this All shows are for those 18 and older; visit country’s largest student-produced musical— LaughFactory.com or call 773-327-3175. announced that Little Shop of Horrors will be its 75th annual (“Diamond Dolphin”) show at Northwestern University. ‘Rip Nelson’ to run Little Shop of Horrors is directed by North- through Dec. 30 western School of Communication senior Hell in a Handbag Productions is running Maggie Monahan and co-produced by School David Cerda’s world-premiere comedy The Rip of Communication senior Janie Dickerson and Nelson Holiday Spectacular through Friday, Weinberg School of Arts and Sciences senior Dec. 30, at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. Bailey Sutton, with support from a cast and Handbag ensemble member Ed Jones stars team of more than 150 students. It will run as Rip Nelson, a mash-up of iconic television for five performances on Jan. 20-28, 2017, at celebrities Paul Lynde, Rip Taylor and Charles Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St. Nelson Reilly. Joining Rip on this bizarre Since its beginning as a swimming-pool holiday romp is his trusted make-up woman, fundraiser for the Dolphin Club in 1940, Brad Armacost and Dan Waller in The Weir. Gladys (Lori Lee) and a cavalcade of stars The Dolphin Show has produced more than Photo by Emily Schwartz circa 1982, including: Dom Deluise (Tommy 70 musicals, with teams of more than 150 Bullington), Bruce Jenner (Chazie Bly), ma- THEATER REVIEW bar and the ladies’ lavatory being rendered Northwestern students, each year, gician Doug Henning (David Lipschutz), Liza functional. Theatergoers anticipating violent Tickets are on sale; visit NUDolphinShow. Minnelli (Alexa Castevecchi), Patti LaBelle The Weir action or cataclysmic plot reversals, however, org, call 847-491-3787 or stop by the audi- (Robert Williams) and Nelson’s archrival, Ker- Playwright: Conor McPherson will be blinding themselves to the dynamic in torium’s box office. mit the Frog (Scott Merchant). At: Irish Theatre of Chicago progress. Tickets are currently available at Handbag- at The Den, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. Our first story, you see, is Jack’s third-hand LGBT-inclusive Productions.org or 800-838-3006. Tickets: $26-$30 account of unexplained noises witnessed by Runs through: Jan. 22 a long-dead ancestor. Our second is Finbar’s ‘Kiki’ set for 2017 anecdote of a spectral sighting by a personal Laugh Factory Chicago, 3175 N. Broadway, BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE acquaintance—an incident having an influen- is presenting The Kiki: Queer Comedy with tial effect on his own life. The third is Jim’s Variety—an evening of Chicago’s queer com- Our locale is a tavern in rural Ireland, close first-hand recollection of having, himself, en- ics, storytellers, spoken word artists and im- enough to seaside Ulster counties to attract countered a revenant spirit. None of the gal- provisers. summer vacationers, but this is not the nostal- lant raconteurs—who are quick to suggest This brand-new showcase—produced by gic-mythic Ireland beloved of tourists. possible rationales for the eerie occurrences, Eric Lewis-Baker (iO), Erin Diamond (Paper Pubkeeper Brendan may live on the prem- lest they frighten their guest—are prepared to Machete), Scott Duff (Laugh Factory, OUT ises—indeed, own the surrounding farmland— hear the circumstances driving Valerie to seek a CHICAGO) and Peter Kim (Second City)—will but his customers are equipped with modern ghost-friendly environment, though. Some are be an extension of Laugh Factory Chicago’s accoutrements like cars and telephones. To discomfited by her revelation, but ultimately, current hit LGBT show, Chigaygo. be sure, Valerie, the lone woman among the Jack and Brendan assure her that she is not the The monthly show, performing at 5 p.m. Ed Jones as Rip Nelson. regulars on this off-season night, is a city only one in the room to be haunted by regret- the second Sunday of every month, will fea- Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios girl—hence her chic ski pants and high-heeled inspired visions. boots—escorted by real-estate agent Finbar, Irish Theater of Chicago lives up to its bap- from whom she has just purchased a nearby tismal name of “Seanachai” (Gaelic for “story- house. Upon their arrival, local tradesmen Jack teller”) under the deft direction of Siiri Scott, and Jim proceed to entertain their new neigh- who ensures that no moment is wasted in ac- bor with shivery tales of the region’s paranor- torly posturing nor any narrative advancement mal activity. rushed to its conclusion (despite the perfor- Conor McPherson’s play premiered in 1997, mance time spanning a mere 90 minutes). but audiences—and actors too, for that mat- Three of the cast members—Sarah Wellington, ter—are still puzzling over a text seemingly Jeff Christian and Brad Armacost—reprise composed of nothing more than five selections their roles from the company’s 2010 produc- from its author’s stockpile of monologues. The tion, joined by Bradley Grant Smith and Dan men engage in some male-bonding horseplay, Waller (the latter growing nicely into character but overt flirtation is not the province of bach- parts). On dark winter nights when winds howl elors who care for aged mothers, nor does Val- and restless souls walk, playgoers will find wel- erie’s arrival presage any changes in the social come refuge in this shabby oasis tucked into order beyond wine being served at the front Wicker Park’s Den Theater. e SPOTLIGHT Pride Films and Plays teams up with mem- bers of the Chicago Cabaret Professionals to see out 2016 and look toward 2017 with the revue 525,600 Minutes: A Cabaret. Denis McGowan hosts the show with Beckie Menzie at the piano. Confirmed artists for the eve- ning include Joan Curto, Tom Michael, Hilary ERIC LEWIS BAKER ERIN DIAMOND scott duff PETER KIM GWEN LA ROKA ALLISON REESE Feldman and more. Also on the bill is Jordan Phelps, a star of Pride Films and Plays’ forth- coming production of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. 525,600 Minutes: A Cabaret plays A NEW QUEER COMEDY SHOW for 2017! 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at The Broadway at the Pride Arts Center, N. Broadway. General Sunday, JAN 8 at 5pm admission tickets are $25 and VIP tickets are $35 (includes a reception with prosecco and (AND EVERY SECOND SUNDAY) sweets); call 800-737-0984 or visit PrideFilm- sAndPlays.com. Beckie Menzie is the accompanist for Laugh Factory Chicag o 3150 N. Broadway 525,600 Minutes: A Cabaret at the Pride Arts Center. Photo by Michael Calas www.laughfactory.com 16 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES

Alex Hibbert and Mahershala Ali in Moonlight. KNIGHT Photo by David Bornfriend, courtesy of A24 at the movies

By Richard Knight, Jr.

The best movie of the year—and a final farewell

Last year, it was easy to put together a Top 10 LGBT Movie list. With titles like Carol, Grandma, Tangerine, The Danish Girl and others to choose from, it was actually a no-brainer. This year was not the same. Increasingly, queer-themed movies—and there are still a lot of them being made—go the LGBT film-festival route, followed by stream- ing and DVD release. Other than those festival screenings it’s become a rarity to find queer an awards favorite. Moonlight focuses on Chi- which has made this labor of love that much films in a movie theater though the smaller, in- ron, a young Black boy whose life is seen in lovelier. My enthusiasm for film, in general, and dependent houses still take chances on them. three defining stages—as the quiet, watchful for LGBT-themed ones, in particular, is just as That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek them boy we first encounter, as the cautious teen strong as when the first Knight at the Mov- out; quite the opposite. It’s more important eager to fit in and as the life-scarred man in his ies column appeared in May of 2004. But after than ever that Our People support the movies 20s. The film is split into these three sections, 12-and-a-half years as cinema writer for Windy that reflect our lives. with a trio of actors—Alex Hibbert, Ashton City Times, the time has come for me to move With that in mind, keep your eyes peeled for Sanders and Trevante Rhodes—playing Chiron. on (although my work with my non-profit, the these terrific LGBT movies: AWOL, bwoy, Cer- As I wrote in my review of the film earlier this Queer Film Society, will continue). I express my tain Women, Closet Monster, First Girl I Loved, fall: “Moonlight is a deeply lyrical work but un- deep gratitude and thanks to Tracy Baim for Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party, The Handmaid- fussy in its approach and the director is helped giving me the opportunity and to her and An- immeasurably by the stellar performances, drew Davis, my managing editor, for their con- 2013: Cloudburst. en, King Cobra, Lazy Eye, Major!, Memories of Image from Sony Classics a Penitent Heart, Miles, Other People, Paris without a false note among them. In Dee Rees’ stant support and encouragement throughout 05:59, Pushing Dead, Retake, Slash, Southwest lovely Pariah mainstream filmgoers were given the many years. of Salem, Spa Night, Tomcat, Upstairs Inferno glimpses of the interior life of a young Black It feels appropriate to sign off this final and Viva—for starters. All of these queer- lesbian and now we have, at long last, its male Knight at the Movies column with an overview themed movies—narratives and documentaries twin, though Moonlight goes much further; of a list of my Best LGBT Films since I’ve had alike—will reward your attention. digs down much deeper. How long have audi- the privilege of being film critic for WCT. Any- So will things like Andrew Haigh’s Looking: ences subconsciously (and consciously) been one wishing to explore the multifaceted world the Movie; Jill Soloway’s Transparent; Tig No- waiting for this kind of sensational film? I can’t of queer cinema will find these movies a great taro’s One Mississippi, Amazon’s tremendously recall a film since Marlon Riggs’ 1989 polemic starting point. In closing, I am happy to have queer, fantastically entertaining dual web Tongues Untied that has examined so closely this opportunity to also thank my loyal read- series; and a number of other TV shows with and with such insight the life of a gay Black ers. I sincerely appreciate your avid support 2014: Love Is Strange. prominent LGBT characters. And your financial male. I’m glad, as a queer film fan and critic, throughout the years. Image from Sony Classics support will encourage producers to greenlight that I lived long enough to see this extraordi- 2004—A Home at the End of the World and more queer-themed projects—something that’s nary movie and what I sincerely hope will be a Tarnation (a tie) going to be progressively more important as game-changer for cinema.” 2005—Brokeback Mountain and Capote (an- we head into this conservative regime and find As I penned my review I was contemplating other tie!) ourselves under the gun from all sides. my own game-changer—moving from writing 2006—Shortbus This year, although not a great one in gen- about movies to making them. I took my first 2007—Before I Forget eral for movies, did see the release of the step in that direction in 2012 with Scrooge & 2008—Milk cinematic equivalent of a revolution for Our Marley, the modern-day gay version of Dick- 2009—A Single Man People, albeit a rather quiet, elegiac one. This ens’ A Christmas Carol (executive-produced by 2010—The Kids Are All Right was Moonlight, from writer-director Barry Jen- Windy City Times Publisher Tracy Baim). 2011—Weekend kins—whose adaptation of In Moonlight Black Now, the opportunity to continue writing and 2012—How to Survive a Plague Boys Look Blue, a never produced story by the directing my own projects has proved irresist- 2013—Valentine Road and Cloudburst (a tie) Black gay playwright and actor Tarrell Alvin Mc- ible. Over the years, I’ve reviewed hundreds of 2014—Love Is Strange 2015: Carol. Craney (a Steppenwolf company member)—is films and interviewed dozens of filmmakers and 2015—Carol Image from The Weinstein Company justifiably heading multiple top-10 lists and is actors—all from my inherent queer sensibility 2016—Moonlight

fest’s approach to trans women. ating this fictional story we can remind wom- Tickets for “Wanting the Music” are a sug- Artemis Singers The concert format connects songs from en of all we’ve been through.” gested donation of $20 in advance and $25 at show on Michigan festival artists, including Cris Williamson, Fer- Several Artemis Singers members and com- the door for adults. Tickets for seniors age 65 ron, Melissa Ferrick and Toshi Reagon, with posers from other feminist choruses created and older and for children age 12 and younger Womyn’s Music an original story and songs by Artemis Sing- the arrangements of iconic festival songs. Ra- are a suggested donation of $15. To purchase ers members Allison Downing and Loraine Ed- chel Alexander, lead carpenter for MichFest for tickets, go to http://artemiswantingthemusic. Festival in Jan. walds. many years, arranged Nedra Johnson’s “August brownpapertickets.com/ Artemis Singers, Chicago’s lesbian feminist “Having the festival end in 2015 was a Moon,” a song written specifically about the For additional concert information, direc- chorus, will present “Wanting the Music: A deeply emotional experience for women who festival in 2014. tions to the venue, or to volunteer to be a Choral Musical of the Michigan Festival,” Sat- are part of the lesbian community,” explains Vendors who participated in the festival part of the event, email info@artemissingers. urday, Jan. 28, and Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. Edwalds, who attended the Michigan Womyn’s over the years will have booths in the bal- org or call 773-764-4465. The Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival was a Music Festival for 27 years. “With this perfor- cony that people can visit before and after Founded in 1980, Artemis Singers is com- woman-only event held in the woods of Michi- mance, we honor the musicians who formed the January 2017 show. There will also be a posed of women with diverse backgrounds gan for just one week every year from 1976 the heart of the festival community over the wall where concert attendees can share their who are dedicated to effecting positive through 2015. years.” memories of the festival, which will be shared change in cultural attitudes towards lesbians The festival was also controversial because “Our lives changed so much in the years on the Artemis Singers website after the per- and women artists. Performances highlight of its definition of “woman,” which was not that we had Michigan,” Edwalds recalled. formances complete. historical, political and personal events im- inclusive of trans women. Though organizers “How lesbians are accepted, how they’re able Artemis Singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. portant to women. claimed in later years not to enforce any for- to have children, the expectations they have Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, and at 1:30 p.m. See ArtemisSingers.org. mal policy banning trans women, there were for their relationships are very different now Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Irish American Heri- years-long protests and boycotts based on the than when the festival started. I hope by cre- tage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago. WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 17 with songs such as “Wake Me Up Before You —7 p.m.: Humboldt Park, at La Bruquena, Go-Go” and “Everything She Wants.” 2728 W. Division. George Michael On Twitter, Ridgeley posted, “Heartbroken at —TBA: Hyde Park. the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved All events are free and open to the public. ones, his friends, the world of music, the world Co-sponsors for Writers Resist Chicago in- at large. 4ever loved. A xx.” Other celebrities, clude ACLU–Illinois, Big Shoulders Books, Chi- dies at 53 including Elton John and Ellen DeGeneres, con- cago Book Expo, Chicago Review of Books, Chi- veyed their shock at Michael’s passing. cago Women in Publishing, Curbside Splendor, British-Greek singer George Michael—who Guild Literary Complex, Haymarket Books, In launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s These Times, Open Books, Packingtown Review, and later continued his success as a solo per- ‘Writers Resist’ Poetry Center of Chicago, Read/Write Library, former—has died at age 53, according to mul- event Jan. 15 Rose Metal Press, Seminary Coop Bookstore, tiple sources, including the BBC. Slag Glass City, South Side Weekly, StoryStudio Authorities said Michael “passed away peace- On Sunday, Jan. 15, writers across the Unit- ed States and in Europe will come together Chicago, UnAbridged Books, Windy City Times fully at home” and that there were no suspi- and Women & Children First. cious circumstances. for Writers Resist, a “re-inauguration” of their shared commitment to the spirit of compas- See http://slagglasscity.tumblr.com/tagged/ Michael, who was openly gay, had previously WRITERSRESIST and http://writersresist.org. dealt with depression and drug addiction, and sion, equality, free speech, and the fundamen- almost died from pneumonia in 2011. tal ideals of democracy. In a statement, the star’s publicist said: “It Chicago #WRITERS RESIST organizers are GLAAD report reveals is with great sadness that we can confirm our planning readings Jan. 15 all over the Chi- beloved son, brother and friend George passed cago area. Neighborhood readings are planned mostly good news away peacefully at home over the Christmas for Hyde Park, Humboldt Park, Albany Park/ GLAAD recently released its annual “Where period.” Old Irving Park, Logan Square, Pilsen and now We Are on TV” report. ITV reported that Michael’s 1990 album Lis- Evanston. See http://slagglasscity.tumblr. “Where We Are on TV” analyzes the overall ten Without Prejudice Vol. 1 had been set to be com/tagged/WRITERSRESIST for updated list diversity of primetime scripted series regulars reissued, accompanied by a new film featuring of events. on broadcast networks and assesses the num- Stevie Wonder, Elton John and the supermod- The Loop event will take place 12-3 p.m. at ber of LGBTQ characters on cable networks and els who starred in the video to his hit single Open Books, 651 W. Lake St. streaming services for the 2016-2017 TV sea- “Freedom! ‘90.” The event will include writers and community son. This marks the 21st year that GLAAD has His 1987 debut solo album, Faith, sold more organizations from around Chicago. The grow- tracked the presence of LGBTQ characters on than 20 million copies worldwide. Among his ing list of readers includes Audrey Niffenegger, television. hit singles were the title song, “Father Figure,” Audrey Petty, Barrie Jean Borich, Brian Kornell, The report found the highest percentage (4.8 “Praying for Time,” “Careless Whisper” and “I Daniel Borzutsky, Janet Burroway, Juan Marti- percent) of LGBTQ regular characters on broad- Want Your Sex.” Michael and Andrew Ridgeley George Michael. nez, Kelli Ellis, Mark Turcotte, Peggy Shinner, cast television since GLAAD began tracking all Quraysh Ali Lansana, Rachel Galvin, Rebecca formed Wham!, and they dominated the 1980s PR photo broadcast regular characters 12 years ago. Oth- Hazelton, Roger Reeves, Ruben Quesada, T. er encouraging findings include a record-high Clutch Fleischman, Toni Nealie and Tyehimba percentage of Black series regular characters Jess. on broadcast television (20 percent of all se- Items come to life Chicago #Writers Resist community events ries regulars) and a record-high percentage of will run from midday into the evening on Sun- regular characters with disabilities on broad- in ‘Toys R She’ day, Jan. 15, beginning with the noon Loop IT presented Toys R She, a holiday cast television (1.7 percent). event: party sponsored by This Free Life Dec. However, on the flip side, lesbian representa- —Noon-3 p.m.: Loop at Open Books in the 23 at Annoyance Theatre. tion dropped dramatically on broadcast televi- West Loop, 651 W. Lake St. The special planned guest was Ma- sion, down 16 percentage points to 17 percent —1 p.m.: River West at Woman Made Gallery, nila Luzon, of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s of all LGBTQ characters. Lesbian representation 685 N. Milwaukee Ave. “Inauguration: Affirma- season three. There were DJs, per- tion, Empowerment & Resistance.” is also down on cable, to 20 percent— from 22 formers, fashion, go-go dancers and —2 p.m.: Pilsen, at Flor del Monte, 1951 percent reported last year. more. The venue was decked out with West 22nd Place. Bisexual representations on broadcast rose art displays revolving around toys —2:30 p.m.: Albany Park/Old Irving Park, at to 30 percent, up 10 percentage points from from Chicago’s up-and-coming artists, Café Urbano, 4176 N. Elston Ave. last year. The number of regular and recurring and favorite childhood toys and deco- —4 p.m.: Evanston, at Bookends and Begin- transgender characters across all three plat- rations in every room. nings, 1712 Sherman Ave., Alley #1. forms tracked has more than doubled, from People brought donated items, in- —6 p.m.: Logan Square, at Cole’s, 2338 N seven characters last year to 16. cluding toys, to benefit The Pediatric Milwaukee Ave, 21+, Speak Up/Warm Up to The report is at GLAAD.org/where- Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, benefit the Logan Square Neighborhood Asso- weareontv16. a non-profit organization that pro- ciation. vides for joy and happiness children and teens diagnosed with cancer. Photos by Kat Fitzgerald @windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup

@windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com

CULTURECULTURE CLUBCLUB

Attendees at the Toys R She event. Photos by Kat Fitzgerald; more online at WindyCItyMediaGroup.com 18 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES Gerald Arpino’s 1983 “Round of Angels.” The situated in an ambiguous era that was part two wild-card spots went to Chicago Dance Elizabethan, part World War II, part apoca- Crash and Visceral Dance Chicago, who easily lyptic future. Alluding to the timeless nature filled the aesthetic gap once occupied by River of Shakespeare, it was a similar approach to DANCE North Dance Chicago in an evening that re- Krzysztof Pastor’s take on Romeo & Juliet (pre- members the impact of HIV/AIDS on Chicago’s sented for a second time by the Joffrey Ballet great dance community. in October), although far more effective. A top Attendees would later find out that the fund- —The year it premiered, Hubbard Street raiser’s silver anniversary would also be Antho- Dance Chicago’s “The Art of Falling” appeared ny Guerrero’s swan song, as he later announced on every “best of” list—except mine. Last sum- seven in he was leaving his post as executive director of mer’s revival was my first glimpse at the mas- the newly-formed Chicago Dancers United, an terful collaboration between Hubbard Street umbrella organization supporting ongoing pro- and The Second City. Laugh-out loud and at dance in grams and projects including Dance for Life and times bittersweet, “The Art of Falling” revealed the Dancers’ Fund, an emergency grant program the humanity of a world-class company that is for dance professionals experiencing financial otherwise super serious. 2016 distress due to chronic illness. Also worth a mention is the November Fall —Seeing Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) Series, which highlighted yin and yang in Jiri at the Dance Center last February was an ex- Kylian’s amazing duo of works for Hubbard traordinary treat. After a 37-year absence, the Street’s women and men: “Falling Angels” and longest running American jazz dance company “Sarabande,” respectfully. I personally pre- took to Columbia College’s intimate 278-seat fer the two pieces in the reverse order, but dance venue, performing audience favorites I’ll take them however I can get them, and from the past few seasons and a few Giordano the same goes for Alejandro Cerrudo’s gor- classics that are best viewed up close. geous world premiere, “Niebla.” If this weren’t The powerhouse GDC dancers, not typically enough, Hubbard Street gave us the first taste known for subtly, were challenged to make nec- of Brian Brooks’ much discussed choreographic essary adjustments that come with being just residency at the Harris Theater, for which the feet from the front row. This, perhaps, was a NYC-based choreographer will create a series of harbinger of things to come. Back at the mas- works over the next year. sive Harris Theater for their fall series a few —The Chicago Dancing Festival recently months ago, a new work by Peter Chu asked announced that it would not enter its second the typically emotive dancers to wipe their decade, deeming the project “complete” and Giordano faces free of any expressions. After more than likely clearing the way for new initiatives simi- Dance 50 years, it’s refreshing to see GDC stretch by lar to the aforementioned Brooks residency. The Chicago maintaining and revitalizing dances by the loss will be felt across the city—who now will dancer company’s founder while simultaneously push- miss out on the chance to see world-renowned Maeghan ing beyond S-curves and kick-ball-changes to local, national, and international companies McHale. explore the edges of the form. for free. The cut is all the more deeper having Photo by —In March, Chicago Repertory Ballet’s gotten a glimpse at a new direction this sea- Gorman Cook ambitious full-length ballet modelled on the son—one that I had hoped would become an Photography story of MacBeth was a new direction for the annual tradition: Planet Chicago. fledgling ballet company lead by Thodos Dance The outdoor mini-fest at Navy Pier featured Chicago expat Wade Schaaf. The brilliance here local dance companies performing an array was in the collaborations: namely Schaaf’s of world dance in a parade-style format that creative partnerships with projection designer included Bhaharatanatyam (Natya Dance The- John Pobojewski of Thirst Design and lighting atre), African dance (Muntu Dance Theatre), designer Sarah Lackner, who together literally Brazilian capoeira (Gingarte Capoeira Chicago) transformed and elevated the typically drab and charming student performances in tap, Ruth Page Center for the Performing Arts. jazz, and footworking. Planet Chicago showed The immersive visual environment and off Navy Pier, it showed off Chicago, it showed Schaaf’s unique mix of classical and contem- off dance and it challenged valid criticisms porary vocabulary generally kept to the Shake- that the festival wasn’t Chicago-centric or di- speare tragedy’s plotline, but the setting was verse. Also important: it was really, really fun. Joffrey in NYC Art Institute, By Lauren Warnecke Nutcracker. In fact, a mixed response for the new ballet is perfectly in line with the compa- March 29-April 2 Filmmakers among It’s been an interesting year for Chicago dance. ny’s founders: risk-taking “mavericks of dance” The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc. will Exciting, big-budget initiatives propelled our who challenged their audiences and brazenly present the New York City return of The Jof- NEA grant recipients city into national and international dance dia- pushed the form to new places. frey Ballet, performing the New York premiere For its first major grant funding round of log, while favorite local traditions are chang- —Chicago Tap Theatre’s June one-nighter of its production of Krzysztof Pastor’s Romeo fiscal year 2017, the National Endowment ing, shifting, evolving, and in some cases end- at the Athenaeum Theatre called “We Will Tap & Juliet at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch for the Arts (NEA) announced more than $30 ing. Choosing a top seven, rather than “the” You” was an all-out spectacle honoring the mu- Theater on March 29-April 2. million will be awarded to nonprofit organi- top seven, seemed appropriate in a year that sic of Queen. Set to a live onstage band playing A special gala performance of mixed reper- zations and individuals across the country for was full of surprises, and from which the only Kurt Schweitz’s arrangements, and featuring tory will take place Thursday, March 30. This grants in the areas of Art Works, Art Works: clear winner was us: dance audiences. This is rock-star vocalists Nick Davio and Elisa Carlson benefit for The Joyce Theater Foundation will Creativity Connects, Challenge America and by no means an exhaustive list, and doesn’t belting classic Queen hits, the ever uncouth include the New York premieres of Bells, by Creative Writing Fellowships. even begin to cover the storefront dance scene Mattrick Swayze (AKA Matthew Hollis) and his Yuri Possokhov, and Body of Your Dreams, These grants cross all artistic disciplines, (which I’m saving for another publication). I’ve “Swayzettes” emceed while managing a myriad by Myles Thatcher. Christopher Wheeldon’s reach 48 states as well as Washington, D.C., chosen these seven companies because they of costume changes and helping direct traffic Fool’s Paradise will complete the evening’s and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and also support made notable contributions to dance that were for pretty much every pride organization in program. partnerships between the arts and non-arts especially apparent this year. Chicago (the most notable of which were the Under the artistic direction of Ashley sectors. —After a year of waiting, The Joffrey Bal- Lakeside Pride Marching Band, the Chicago Gay Wheater, The Joffrey Ballet recently cel- Forty-eight grants (totaling $1.43 million) let’s brand-new Nutcracker was finally unveiled Men’s Chorus, and the Chicago Spirit Brigade). ebrated its 61st anniversary since its 1956 have been recommended to Illinois organiza- this December, with choreography by superstar The stakes were high in coordinating the founding by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino tions. A few of the grant recipients include Christopher Wheeldon and his top-notch de- company’s biggest endeavor in its 13-year his- in New York City. Twenty-one years ago, the 3Arts, Inc ($15,000), Art Institute of Chi- sign team. Most of the details were kept under tory, and fortunately this tap-dance-glam-rock- company moved to Chicago, where it has cago ($70,000 on behalf of the institute; wraps until the world premiere a few weeks musical-spectacular-summer-Pride-extravagan- been based ever since. $10,000 on behalf of the Gene Siskel Film ago, and Wheeldon’s Chicago-centric ballet za actually worked, and was totally awesome. Tickets are at DavidHKochTheater.com or Center), Chicago Architecture Foundation Plus, there are a few rumors floating around took artistic liberties that make this anything 212-496-0600. ($35,000), Chicago Filmmakers ($25,000), that CTT may continue to produce a Pride- but “just another Nutcracker.” Columbia College Chicago ($30,000), Facets Opinions about the reimagined holiday clas- themed show on an annual basis (yes, please!). Multimedia Incorporated ($65,000), Joffrey sic vary widely, and I certainly have mine. —Dance for Life celebrated its 25th an- Ballet ($20,000), Lookingglass Theatre Com- While I wouldn’t count the libretto among niversary this year with a stunning gala and Joffrey pany ($20,000), Snow City Arts Foundation my top picks this year, it’s impossible to deny record-breaking attendance at the annual con- Artistic ($20,000) and Steppenwolf Theatre Company Joffrey’s productivity and grit this season in cert which raised $425,000 for the AIDS Foun- Director ($60,000). bringing its ambitious new production to life— dation of Chicago and the Dancers’ Fund. All Ashley even if you don’t consider the fact that they the usual suspects were there: Hubbard Street Wheater. The full list of organizations is at https:// put up an entirely different full-length ballet Dance Chicago, Chicago Human Rhythm Proj- PR photo www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/fall- for October’s fall series in the middle of the ect, Giordano Dance Chicago, and the Joffrey 2016-grant-announcement-state-listing.pdf. process. So, this nod is for Joffrey, if not for its Ballet, which performed a stunning revival of WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 19 Chicago’s top LGBT sports memories By Ross Forman athletes not simply being lane mates, but in- deed great friends—making these accomplish- It was an award-winning, record-setting, grand ments of late, all the sweeter.” coming-out 2016 for Chicago’s LGBT sports Also in 2016, the Smelts registered a new scene, with cheers, jeers and tears. national record in the Women’s 18+ 400 Medley The year was, arguably, the best-ever local- Relay. The team of Julia Green, Allison Lloyd, ly, such that, ranking the Top 10 events—or Gabrielle Chang and Anna Miller bested the old Top 16, to coincide with the year, 2016—was, national record by several seconds and in doing without question, the most difficult list to so, “set a great new mark that will hopefully compile of any year that Windy City Times has endure for a little while,” Politan said. offered a ranking list of the year’s top local So, how does the threepeat look for 2017? LGBT Sports Moments/Events. “The team is as strong as ever, with new addi- There were, easily, five or six options for the tions joining us regularly,” Politan said. “Win- No. 1 spot from 2016, whereas in past years, ning a meet of this size is really about having it’s been a battle between, maybe, one or two, swimmers at every level and at every age. We or possibly a third, moment/event for the top are thrilled that in addition to gender diversity, spot. Heck, I’ll admit, I went back and forth on we have a vast range of ages and swimming ex- Chicago Smelts. the top three for quite some time. perience. Last year’s winning team featured an Photo courtesy of Doug Murphy That said, the top spot on the Top 16 List of 18 year-old and an 83 year-old, both of whom Chicago LGBT Sports Moments/Events goes to were instrumental to the team’s success. As we 4. College swimmer honored: Ayrton Kas- 13. Chicago Force rolls through regular sea- the Chicago Smelts, who became back-to-back look ahead to the State Meet in April, we are emets, a Chicago-area native swimming for son: The women’s tackle football team finished state champions in the annual state meet, held focused not necessarily on a third State Cham- Oakland University, received the school’s Cour- with a 7-1 mark in the regular-season behind in mid-April. pionship, but rather on individual performance age Award at the annual Black and Gold Awards quarterback Rasan Gore and others. Lesbian About 75 percent of the Smelts are LGBT, said goals. I am looking forward to April, not nec- Ceremony, held in the spring. Kasemets, who Linda Bache is the team’s owner. The Force will the team’s head coach Christopher Barrett Poli- essarily for the State Meet, but really for the competes in the breaststroke and individual kick off its 2017 season in the spring. tan, who is gay. About 80 Smelts competed in payoff from the next few months of work. To medley (IM), was recognized for being openly 14. Switching Sports: Brian Sommer stepped the State Meet and they faced more than 20 see folks excel in workouts and translate that, gay. He graduated from Mundelein High School down as the first and only commissioner for other teams. should they choose, into competition, is really in 2014. CMSA’s successful kickball league, and he will “Winning the title was an affirmation of the a great honor. I will say that one competition 5. Chicago Dragons shine on international assume the commissioner role in 2017 for success that we experienced in 2015,” Politan goal that I have for the forthcoming season stage: In the prestigious Bingham Cup, held in dodgeball. said. “Illinois is one of the most competi- is to have 8 to 10 women on our team break Nashville in late May, the rugby club brought 15. CMSA Ultimate shine: Jessamine Finch tive swimming states in the country, with our one minute in the 100-Free, which would be an two teams for the first time ever. The A-side won the annual CMSA Ultimate Spirit of the state meets often being one the largest meets astounding feat.” participated in Division 1 and the B-side par- Game Award, voted by every team and player, in the nation. Winning that first State Meet Politan said a key to the team’s success in ticipated in Division 3. The B-side won the and CMSA Field Day was extremely successful. was historic both for the team and as an LGBT 2015 and 2016 was a variety of team leaders, Challenger Julep, marking the first time in 16. Scantily clad runners—for a cause. The team. Winning this second State Championship “who make sure that the team runs smoothly Dragons history that they left the Bingham Cup annual Santa Speedo Run, held in early De- demonstrated just how deep and talented the both in and out of the pool.” Plus, the team’s with hardware. cember, was a 1-mile run through the heart of Smelts are as a team. During this past State volunteer coaches who wrote thoughtful and 6. WNBA star comes out: Elena Delle Donne Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood, with most Meet, 100 percent of the team contributed to challenging workouts throughout the season, of the Chicago Sky announced she is engaged wearing only a Santa hat and Speedo—and the victory, which is an amazing feat. More im- made preparing the team for the State Meet an to a woman, Amanda Clifton, and the two will shoes. The 2016 event raised about $50,000 pressive, however, were the brand-new Smelts, easy endeavor, he added. Those folks include be married. Delle Donne was the 2015 WNBA for Center on Halsted’s Youth Housing Initia- who invaluably contributed to the team’s suc- Steve Gilberg, Seth Hoff, Heidi Kakfa, Chris MVP and is a multi-time WNBA All-Star. tive. cess.” Layton, Adam Parker, Dan Perkey, Heather Say- 7. Christina Kahrl gets promoted: Kahrl, who Politan has lived in Chicago for five years. lor, Matt Trauner and Rob Welcher. has lived in Chicago’s western suburbs and Prior to that, he lived in New York City, where Chris Mosier, the incredibly talented trans- South Side as well as Rogers Park (the latter Amber Stocks is he also coached an LGBT team: Team New York gender athlete, put up a stiff fight to the since 2007), announced in late 2016 that she Aquatics. Smelts for the No. 1 ranking—and some may new Sky coach/GM is moving to Bristol, Connecticut, to work at “I think that we as a team take great pride as question how he didn’t grab the honor. After an extensive six-week process in which ESPN’s corporate headquarters. She has been a Smelts regardless of our identity,” Politan said. Mosier, after all, finished in the top third the organization interviewed over a dozen writer-editor for ESPN.com, but has been pro- “There is an incredible amount of diversity in among his competitors at the Sprint Duath- strong candidates, the Chicago Sky has select- moted to senior editor. the most robust sense of that word, and it is lon World Championship in June. Then, in No- ed Amber Stocks as its head coach and general 8. Jake Conrad proposes to his boyfriend, central to the team’s success. Indeed, I believe vember, Mosier had a third-place finish at the manager. Michael Holtzman, on-court during a timeout that one of the best things about the Smelts Sprint Triathlon World Championship qualifier. As an assistant coach for the Los Angeles in the Chicago Bulls’ game Dec. 8 against San is that swimmers of all ages, skills, speed and Mosier in 2016 also appeared in ESPN The Sparks, Stocks helped turn around a franchise Antonio. Holtzman said “Yes,” and the video of sexual orientation are welcomed, embraced and Magazine’s Body issue, becoming the first that went 14-20 in 2015 to 26-8 in 2016. their surprise engagement went viral. valued. Being a predominantly LGBT [team] openly transgender athlete to be featured in Stocks was key in scouting and strategy prepa- 9. Tribune sportswriter comes out: Chris and winning a second State Meet is a won- that special issue. And, Mosier was the first ration, spurring the Sparks’ run to 2016 WNBA Hine, the Chicago Blackhawks hockey beat derful achievement, but being a team that is transgender athlete to be featured in a Nike champions. writer for the Tribune, came out as gay. Hine focused on acceptance and friendship is even advertisement. Single-game tickets for 2017 Chicago Sky lives in West Lake View and previously has cov- more incredible.” And to top off Mosier’s 2016, he was named home game are on sale, starting as low as $18. ered University of Illinois football and basket- Politan said that winning back-to-back state Outsports’ 2016 Person of the Year. To purchase tickets, call 866-SKY-WNBA or visit ball and University of Notre Dame football and championships was a thrill. And this year, they Mosier, who is the founder of transathlete. Ticketmaster.com. basketball. Hine was named Honorable Mention won by an increased margin. com, now lives in New York, but was born in for Outsports Male Hero of the Year. “Winning [again] in 2016 was really icing on Chicago. Mosier grew up in northwest suburban 10. CMSA Hall of Fame honorees named: the cake,” Politan said. “It takes a tremendous Lake Zurich and lived there until high school, Gay Games raising The Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association amount of energy and commitment by every- and then attended graduate school at Loyola announced its latest inductees: Frank Kisner, scholarship money one on the team, be they competitive swim- University in Chicago in 2004. Brian Kupersmit, Mark Liberson (sponsor in- mers, or not. Truly, winning the second time for 2018 event ductee), Mark Sakalares, Brian Sommer and demonstrated that team-wide commitment to The Top 16 Chicago LGBT Sports Moments/ The international Federation of Gay Games is Leslie Wallin. working hard, having fun and celebrating both Events From 2016: raising funds to send athletes and artists to 11. Boystown rides wave of Chicago Cubs individual and team success. 1. Chicago Smelts win second consecutive #ChangeTheWorld at Paris 2018 Gay Games 10. success: Gay bars do incredible business in Oc- “Having coached masters’ swimmers in some State Championship. San Francisco’s Martha Ehrenfeld and Carla tober and early November as the Cubs claimed capacity for the past 15 years or so, these past 2. Chris Mosier has amazing run(s) on inter- McKay are matching the funds received by Dec. the team’s first World Series title in 108 years. two years have been remarkable. I am con- national stage. 31, 2016—up to $20,000. See https://www. 12. Ride For AIDS Chicago success: The 14th stantly amazed by the amount of work that 3. Pride Bowl named National Tournament of gofundme.com/fggscholarship. annual Ride, held in July, featured 190 riders masters’ athletes are willing to put into the the Year at the annual Compete Sports Diversi- The Gay Games is largely funded by partici- going 200-miles and 12 participants in the pool. Indeed, after a long day at work or some- ty Awards, held in mid-November to recognize pants. Donations will help fund more scholar- inaugural 100-mile Ride. The 2016 Ride raised times even before a long day, these athletes athletes, teams, leagues and organizations for ship applications. more than $485,000, which was over $50,000 arrive at the pool ready to swim hard and push their commitment to sports diversity and inclu- Also, see https://gaygames.org/ more than the 2015 Ride. The Ride, run by the themselves, their teammates and their friends. sion. The 10th Pride Bowl flag football tour- wp/2016/11/01/please-give-to-the-gay- Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), raises It is truly inspiring. Moreover, central to the nament will be held in Chicago in late June, games-scholarship-fund/. funds for HIV services and is the Midwest’s only Smelts is a commitment to camaraderie, with 2017. back-to-back century ride. 20 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES —Charlatan (1329 W. Chicago Ave.; Charla- tanChicago.com): With cuisine labelled as “Ital- ian countryhouse meets Midwest farmhouse,” this spot has items like goat cheese-stuffed the DISH chicken breast and sports phrases such as “Che Weekly Dining Guide in cazzo fai?” WINDY CITY TIMES —Oyster Bah (1962 N. Halsted St.; OysterBah. com): Being from the Chesapeake Bay area, I’m normally a bit skeptical of Chicago’s seafood of- SAVOR ferings. However, this spot has some of the best seafood I’d had in a long time. Don’t skip the Top spots of 2016 stuffies! BY ANDREW DAVIS —Arami (1829 W. Chicago Ave.; AramiChica- go.com): This Japanese spot has a rather non- In 2016, I had the opportunity to visit a lot of descript exterior—but the interior (decor- and area restaurants, ranging from fast-food places cuisine-wise) is the total opposite. Maki, ramen, to very upscale spots. Below are some of the sashimi—they’re all excellent. ones that stood head and shoulders above the —Travelle Kitchen + Bar (330 N. Wabash St.; others. TravelleChicago.com): Chef de Cuisine Ricardo —Analogue (2523 N. Milwaukee Ave.; Analo- Jarquin offers some stunning dishes at this gueChicago.com): Don’t be fooled by the lunch- Langham Chicago spot (in the former IBM build- time cafeteria trays. Analogue is a relatively ing). Some of them include the chilled English simple, relaxed site with Southern fare that’s 2016 highlights include the ramen at Arami (above), the pea soup (with lump crab, cucumber and yuzu), simultaneously straightforward, traditional (al- work of Analogue chef Alfredo Nogueira (left) and the pork and clams, and the banana-and-peanut but- though with the occasional twist) and more lounge at Travelle (below). ter pot de creme. complex than you might think. Arami photo by Andrew Davis; PR photos of Analogue and —LondonHouse Chicago’s rooftop bar (85 Travelle E. Upper Wacker Dr.; LondonHouseChicago.com): This is the city’s only tri-level rooftop venue— and boasts everything from imaginative cock- tails to tasty dishes to an unforgettable view from the 23rd-floor cupola. —Green Zebra (1460 W. Chicago Ave.; Green- ZebraChicago.com): What do you mean you don’t like vegetarian fare? Green Zebra will change your mind, thanks to items like the beet (not beef) tartare and pumpkin pot stickers. Runner-ups include NaKorn, Nonnina and Cafe Spiaggia. Here’s looking forward to 2017! note: Restaurant profiles are based on in- vitations arranged from restaurants and/or firms.

—Liz Baudler is—depending on the day— would go on to be the anthem for every school a queer agender journalist and submarine tour dance, and “Last Christmas” is a modern holi- Sidetrack’s guide. Her work appears in Windy City Times and day classic that rivals Mariah Carey’s crown any New City. She co-hosts Sappho’s Salon, a monthly DANCING day. OUTspoken! Series: performance series about gender, sexuality and —1986, “A Different Corner” Released on feminism at Women and Children First Bookstore, ABOUT Wham’s last album, “A Different Corner” was re- January’s featured and has performed at various shows around the ally Michael’s coming out as a solo artist. When city. She runs on coffee and Facebook. ARCHITECTURE the single came out, it was listed as George —Ann Marie Carrothers is an award-winning storytellers Michael, not Wham!, and he never looked back. singer, comedian, digital educator and filmmaker. By marc ‘moose’ moder Ann Marie has participated in every aspect of the It was not only written solo, but performed and theatre scene, from sketch comedy and playwrit- produced solo, something only Stevie Wonder Liz Baudler ing to Chinese opera and Turkish shadow puppet and Prince were doing at the time. theatre. You can see her around Chicago perform- ing stand up at the iO and Second City and teach- ing kids how to do awesome things with robots. George Michael’s —Lily Jean is all about embracing weirdness and has been working as a performer of all things eight most slightly left of up since returning to Chicago in 2014. As a company member with Movement Ann Marie Carrothers iconic moments Revolution Dance Crew, Modet Dance Collective, and Gorilla Tango Burlesque, their work is inter- With the death of pop icon George Michael, Lily Jean disciplinary and explorative. They most recently many in our community felt a loss akin to Bow- appeared in the collaborative project “[Trans] ie or Prince. But with only a smattering of sin- formation” and modeled for The Rational Dress gles over the past 15 years, there are many of Society. us who only recognize random singles from pop —Paul Lisnek is the political analyst for WGN- culture or (gasp!) their parents. It’s with great TV and hosts Politics Tonight, a live nightly talk sadness and reverence that we break down GM’s —1987, “I Want Your Sex” After the mourn- show covering the political scene on CLTV. He eight most important recorded moments for the ful, delicate “Corner” was turned, Michael also hosts Broadway In Chicago Backstage and lovers and the newbies. turned us all out with a song so brazenly sex- Peter Kim Newsmakers for the Comcast Network and hosts —1982, “Wham! Rap!” It made no impact ual, it was banned by the BBC and some US Behind the Curtain, a podcast which can be heard as their debut single, but was groundbreak- stations, which, of course, pushed it to the top Paul Lisnek at WGNPlus.com —Peter Kim is a Chicago-based writer, per- ing when 19-year-old George Michael pushed of the charts and helped set the table for the former, comedian and bad boy. Recent credits in- forward with a still-underground black genre diamond-selling Faith LP, which blew away any clude Zanies, The Laugh Factory, The Second City into the UK market. Only Blondie’s “Rapture” of his past group achievements with ease. At National Touring Company, and The Second City pre-dated him in a white audience’s exposure this point, the gay icon was still pushing his e.t.c. - where he was nominated for a Jeff Award to hip-hop. It wouldn’t be until the following heterosexuality onto us with his nude girlfriend in the critically acclaimed revue, A Red Line Runs year, when it was reissued, that it would finally in the video, but we all knew … Through It. He can currently be seen hosting The chart in the UK, and then again with a new —1990, “Freedom ’90” Three years, ten Ezra Solomon Moth at Lincoln Hall and The Kiki at The Laugh version in 1986. million albums, and seven Top Ten hits later, Factory. —1984, “Careless Whisper/Last Christ- George was ready to put his music in the spot- —Ezra Solomon is a graduate student in mas” By now Wham! was a phenomenon on light (instead of his tight bum) by shunning The January edition of OUTspoken! journalism at Northwestern University. He is an both sides of the pond with “Wake Me Up Be- the peak of the music video craze. After refus- LGBTQ storyteller series takes place openly LGBT writer who sometimes doubles as a fore You Go-Go,” but “Careless Whisper” and ing a video for the previous single, “Praying Tuesday, January 3, at Sidetrack, 3349 photography model and a fiction editor. Above all “Last Christmas” helped the band cross over For Time,” “Freedom ‘90” rounded up the hot- N. Halsted St. Doors open at 6 pm, else, he likes to tell a good story, and he’s always from teenie-bopper girl favorite to a cross- test collection of the queens of supermodelry stories begin at 7. had a bit of an entertainer in him. He loves creat- gender contender. Both singles represented to stand in for George, lip-synching his cut and See www.outspokenchicago.com for ing things and collaborating with other journal- something more mature, even thought Michael more info. ists and artists whenever he can. wrote “Careless Whisper” in high school. It Turn to page 22 WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 21 Billy Masters

“I don’t vote with my vagina—this is bigger than that.”—Susan Sarandon. So if you’ve got a problem with how the election turned out, reach out to Sarandon. Apparently her vagina is big enough to grab. As we look back on 2016, I want to start— selfishly, perhaps—with a story about me. Many people were taken aback when I discussed my In 2016, Greg Louganis had his Wheaties, decision to go on PrEP as a form of HIV pre- Billy Masters noted. vention. For me, it was a no-brainer; I tell you Photo from Louganis everything (well, almost everything). I don’t understand all this PrEP-shaming. Here’s how I brought to you by Head & Shoulders! look at it: Maybe someone who wouldn’t typi- Now that the season is over, Sepulveda is cally read a medical article got some informa- more than happy to not only talk about be- tion from my weekly scribblings. I am heartened ing a hooker, but also make some money off by everyone who wrote in—even those of you it ... ‘cause that’s what hookers do. His latest who felt it was mistake. At least you’re paying venture is a 2017 calendar called “Rented,” in attention. which he “gives the recipient a glimpse into Even in our darkest hour, there is some light. the harsh reality many sex workers face.” Forget Most of us were horrified as news of the massa- “prince”—the man is a saint. He’s the Mother cre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando trickled in. Teresa of prostitution! In the calendar, we see But immediately following the tragedy, JetBlue such telling photos as him counting the money offered to fly affected family members to Or- left on a nightstand—I never saw Terry do that lando for free. Disney donated $1 million to the in Calcutta! To prove he hasn’t left behind the OneOrlando Fund. Other companies reached out. world’s oldest profession (many claim he’s still But perhaps most impressively, Seth Rudetsky escorting), the calendar costs a whopping $50. and hubby James Wesley corralled dozens of Lest you think he’s pocketing that money, au Broadway luminaries to record “What the World contraire. Allegedly, all of the proceeds will Needs Now Is Love” and raised not only money go to SexWorkersProject.org. If this is handled but awareness. Bravo. anything like his Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks I love the summer Olympics. Lots of hot “charity,” next year’s calendar might be called muscular guys showing lots of rippling flesh— “Incarcerated!” what’s not to like? In a first, an Olympian was There were lots of celebrity nudes. On Bil- actually robbed of a medal due to the size of his lyMasters.com, you can find people likeRiver penis! Hiroki Ogita almost cleared the 5.3-meter Viiperi, Will Wikle, Orlando Bloom, Justin pole he was attempting to vault when his pro- Bieber, Alex Bowen, Lewis Bloor and Brandon truding penis pushed the pole. That was topped Myers. Those last few are quite well-endowed by Brazilian gymnasts Arthur Zanetti, Arthur British reality stars definitely worth checking Mariano and Sergio Saski, who all made nude out. Still, the top dog is John Barrowman’s videos. Mariano’s was the most impressive, since husband, Scott Gill—who is also a Brit. Scott he was nude, fully erect and hanging around the nearly broke the Internet when he wandered by team bathroom! Then there’s Britain’s Louis naked while Barrowman was doing a live web Smith, who was filmed polishing his javelin, if chat from their Palm Beach pool. You can see you catch my drift. You can see all on BillyMas- why Johnny is always so happy on our website. ters.com. What would a Billy Masters column be with- My favorite Olympic-related story is that Gen- out a Fayewatch item? We have bookend items eral Mills finally put the legendaryGreg Louga- about La Dunaway. Near the beginning of the nis on a box of Wheaties. Louganis said, “Back year, she was seen at a popular West Hollywood in ‘95, I wasn’t expecting to live very long be- grocery store wearing plastic surgical gloves and cause we thought of HIV-AIDS as a death sen- talking to the tomatoes. It would really be a sto- tence. So to be here today, now 56, the box ry if the tomatoes spoke back! As the year drew means so much more to me than it would have to a close, I ran into Faye in the most unlikely of then because I feel like I’m being embraced as a places. While I can’t share too many details, she whole person, not just for my athletic achieve- looked quite frail and was sporting a soft cast ment.” on her right foot. When I asked her about it, she Like it or not, we must mention Logo’s Find- said, “Well, I had a little run-in with my refrig- ing Prince Charming. Talk about being between erator—but that’s not how this happened.” She a rock and a hard place—it’s a show nobody but then hobbled off as I said, “Huh?” gay men has ever heard of, and yet one which When Faye is speaking in riddles, it’s time to almost no gay men admit to watching! It was wrap up another year of columns. As we go to a bold experiment gone tragically wrong. Logo press, we’re shocked to learn that it was George touted it as the first gay bachelor show, dis- Michael’s last Christmas. But even with that sad counting Bravo’s Boy Meets Boy—which was far news, I had to smile when I read Sarah Michelle superior, despite its own icky twist. But noth- Gellar’s Twitter tribute: “Do you really want to ing could be ickier than Logo’s “prince,” Robert hurt me? I guess you do 2016. #ripboygeorge.” Sepulveda Jr. Look: Nobody loves a hooker more Always on the cutting edge, Buffy! That’s why than me. But once there are videos of you drink- you get your news from.BillyMasters.com, the ing someone’s semen out of a used condom or site with a finger on the pulse of anyone with shoving a shampoo bottle up your ass, I think a pulse! If you’d like to reach out to us, drop a you’ve lost the right to the holier-than-thou note to [email protected] and I promise to attitude—to say nothing of the title “prince.” get back to you before the next celebrity death. Logo missed a great opportunity for product Thanks for yet another great year. And, remem- placement. Picture it: Finding Prince Charming, ber, one man’s filth is another man’s bible. 22 Dec. 28, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES

- 12:00am Multiple Indoor Venues and org store 5233 N Clark St Chicago http:// COMMUNITY Raymond Park,1427 Chicago Ave., Evan- www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/ ston, Tickets: https://www.eventbrite. Sunday, Jan. 1 event/happy-new-year-coloring-book- com/e/first-night-evanston-new-years- aChurch4Me Sunday Worship Service A extravaganza CALENDAR eve-gala-dozens-of-performances-plus- place to find peace, comfort and prayer kids-teen-shows-tickets-29917244283 11:00am aChurch4Me, 7366 N. Clark Friday, Jan. 6 Black & White Party! Back Lot Bash & Thursday, Dec. 29 St., Chicago http://www.achurch4me. Qigong and Tai Chi Classes Francesca Se- The L Stop present women’s NYE count- org gal will be offering tai chi classes (for Nutcracker Director Ashley Wheater brings down 7:00pm Lark, 3441 N Halsted Asians & Friends Dim Sum Each first beginners and up) on Friday mornings. unique, inclusive perspective on dance, St., Chicago Tickets: http://www. Sunday of the month 12:30pm Furama 9:00am - 10:00am Women & Children reflecting the diversity of America with brownpapertickets.com/event/2721532 4936 N. Broadway Chicago http://www. First Bookstore 5233 N Clark St Chicago its company, audiences, and repertoire. New Year’s Eve Celebration at Sidetrack afchicago.org Mozart’s The Magic Flute Through Janu- Through Dec. 30 7:00pm The Joffrey Champagne Toast at midnight. $25 ad- ary 27. 7:30pm Lyric Opera Civic Opera Ballet 10 E Randolph Chicago http:// vance tickets available from bartender House 20 N.Wacker Dr. Chicago 312- www.joffrey.org Wed., Jan. 4 or online. Doors open 7pm. 7:00pm Feminist Craft Circle! Pussyhat Project 827-5600 Tickets: http://lyricopera.org Bi Discussion Group Every other Thurs- Sidetrack 3349 N Halsted St Chicago day group chat about upcoming bisex- The Pussyhat Project is collecting one http://www.sidetrackchicago.com/ million handmade pink pussyhats for Saturday, Jan. 7 ual events, concerns, and answer each Legacy Project New Year’s Eve Benefit other’s questions about the community. protesters to wear at the Women’s March Affinity Burning Bowl 2017 Affinity General Admission Ticket Registration on Washington D.C. on January 21st. Community Service’s annual event dis- Bring snacks or a good book to share. includes guaranteed entry, party fa- 7:00pm Center on Halsted 3656 N 7:00pm - 8:30pm Women & Children penses with the old by setting it to at ‘17 vors, and a complimentary champagne First Bookstore 5233 N Clark St Chicago flame, providing the fuel for the future. Halsted Chicago http://www.centeron- toast at Midnight 7:00pm - 1:00pm halsted.org Saturday, Dec. 31 1:00pm - 4:00pm St. Martin’s Episcopal Sidetrack 3349 N Halsted St Chicago Thursday, Jan. 5 Church, 5700 W Midway Park, Chicago Ring in the new year at spots Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ Friday, Dec. 30 Bowie Ball Celebrate the legend, the http://www.affinity95.org all over Chicagoland. new-years-eve-at-sidetrack-with-the- chameleon, and the man... David Patricia Keporos Windy City Gay Idol win- Charles III Charles. Camilla. William. legacy-project-tickets-29709451770 Kate. Harry. One family holds the future Photo from @mosphere in 2015 Bowie. Glam it up, dress like a dandy ner with Bob Solone. 9:00pm Coq D’or by Jerry Nunn D.S. Tequila NYE 2017 Bash Each ticket and love the alien with some glitter restaurant/bar, Drake Hotel, Chicago Of Great Britain in its hands. But what includes access to the patio, southwest- will it be? 2015 Olivier Award: Best New on top. Performances by: Lucky Stiff , http://www.thedrakehotel.com/dining/ ern buffet, 4 hour open bar, party fa- Discord Addams, Queerella, Kat Sass. coq-d-or Play. Through Jan 14. 7:30pm Chi- vors, DJ, and more! 8:00pm - 3:00am cago Shakespeare Theatre 800 E Grand Mistress of Ceremonies: Lucy Stoole. DJs Art AIDS America Groundbreaking exhibi- gether dance, music and drag. 11:00pm DS Tequila Company 3352 N Hal- Heaven Malone, Mae West. Bowieoke tion underscores the deep and unforget- Ave Chicago 312-595-5600 http://chi- sted St Chicago Tickets: http://www. cagoshakes.com - 5:00am Fantasy Nightclub, 3641 N. at midnight. Reduced cover till 11pm table presence of HIV in American art dstequila.com/nye-2017.html?mc_ with more than 100 significant contem- 525,600 Minutes: A Cabaret Pride Films Halsted St., Chicago https://www.face- 10:00pm - 4:00am Berlin Nightclub book.com/events/1782013268732846/ cid=d7180c9221&mc_eid=2a3c8a2949 954 W Belmont Ave Chicago Tickets: porary works in a wide range of media. and Plays welcomes members of the Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago Meet- Chicago Cabaret Professionals. Year-end http://BowieBall.com Brought to Chicago by the Alphawood Saturday, Dec. 31 up, Ring in the New Year Free event AVER Monthly Meeting Chicago Chapter Foundation, culminating a U.S. tour show includes host Denise McGowan will also celebrate HM’s 10th anniver- Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance of American Veterans for Equal Rights, which included Tacoma Art Museum Tracy, Joan Curto, Beckie Menzie at the sary. Food, drink, good company, a great (LGBTQ) Support meeting to talk about the national organization of LGBT veter- in Washington State, the Zuckerman piano, Jordan Phelps, currently one of combination to ring in 2017! 8:00pm illnesses, symptoms, treatment, doc- ans formerly known as Gay, Lesbian and Museum in suburban Atlanta, and the the stars of PFP’s production of PRIS- Hamburger Mary’s and Mary’s Attic, 5400 tors, and personal issues such as dating, Bisexual Veterans of America (GLBVA). Bronx Museum of the Arts in New York CILLA: Queen of the Desert, Peter Ru- N Clark St, Chicago http://www.ham- relationships and work. Every Saturday. 7:00pm Center on Halsted 3656 N Hal- City. Free admission with timed tickets. gar, Sarah Conrad, Filipe Carrasco, and burgermarys.com/chicago Joseph Alvey. $35/$25 7:30pm Pride 11:00am - 12:30am Center on Halsted sted Chicago http://www.averchicago. Runs from World AIDS Day through Sun- org/ day, April 2, 2017. 11:00pm - 8:00pm Arts Center, 4139 N Broadway, Chicago, 3656 N Halsted Chicago http://dbsa- Sunday, Jan. 1 1 800 737 0984 http://pridefilmsand- glbt-chicago.com Holiday Coloring Book Extravaganza Alphawood Gallery, 2401 N. Halsted St. First Night Evanston New Year’s Eve aChurch4Me Sunday Worship Service A This event is BYOB & BYOCB! All of the http://ArtAIDSAmericaChicago.org plays.com place to find peace, comfort and prayer Purity Ball White Party Neverland pres- Wristband admits you to dozens of coloring books and colored pencils will performances of music, dance, poetry, 11:00am aChurch4Me, 7366 N. Clark be on sale during the event. 7:00pm - ents. All-white attire, high fashion end St., Chicago http://www.achurch4me. of the year celebration- bringing to- and a story slam. $10 - $100 1:00pm 8:45pm Women & Children First Book-

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DANCING from page 20 number one US hit, as well as his return MTV. production of “Fastlove” and we owe George for its disco urinals, is a thing of cheapness and —1996, “Fastlove” Six years had passed slowly coming out with his first two very gay beauty! After that cork had been pulled, he burning his iconic jacket. The video was bigger since Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, and Vol. singles. Unbelievably, this was George’s last had no issue speaking his mind and releasing because of his exclusion. However, with less 2 was a mystery. Since then, George had battled charting US single, period. the music he wanted to on his terms, though avenues of promotion, the superior second solo his record company and showed how it aged —1998, “Outside” As gay as some of Old- with decreasing frequency and consistency. album didn’t live up to Faith’s success, but re- him with the obviously mature album, Older. er was, it wasn’t until “Outside” and getting Recently, rumors of new material with Naugh- mains to this day the fan favorite. But despite the title, the second single was caught having public sex that George Michael ty Boy gave us all new hope, and with that —1991, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on decidedly youthful. Rick Astley may have kept really did come out. While we all knew—and he hope maybe we can get our iconic George Mi- Me” with Elton John. Recorded at Live Aid, this the disco flame alive, but George Michael set should have come out fully a decade or so be- chael back on the charts for “One More Try.” was the third charting version of this classic. it on fire by making it relevant and new (along fore—we loved that he not only made a video It would go on to dominate the singles chart with Jamiroquai) for a permanent comeback. addressing it, but also embraced his “outdoor” that year, but would be known as George’s final Pop and dance owe so much to the style and activity and made light of it. The video, with WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 28, 2016 23 CONNEXIONS MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS BUY IN ANDERSONVILLE

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