THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 Nov. 4, 2009 • vol 25 no 5 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Maine voters repeal marriage-equality law
by Lisa Keen Keen News Service Precious: Portland, Maine—The vote tally in Maine Nov. Lee page 14 4, while not complete and not official, suggests Reeling an effort to repeal the state’s newly passed mar- Daniels riage-equality law has succeeded. With 93 percent of the precincts reporting in ‘Em In as of 9:25 a.m. Nov. 4, the “Yes” votes to repeal Fish Out of Water (left) and Big Gay the law totaled 53 percent of the vote, while the Musical (below) are just two of the “No” votes against repeal numbered 47 percent. dozens of movies that will be shown The Bangor Daily News provided the tallies. The during Reeling, the second oldest state’s director of elections, Melissa Packard, LGBT-film festival in the United States. said her office would not report results publicly Read about the first week and peruse until they are certified—in about 20 days. interviews with Mink Stole, The apparent vote marks a significant defeat Ky Dickens and others. See for marriage-equality supporters, who were hop- pages 15-17. ing to regain ground lost last year when voters in California narrowly approved Proposition 8 to amend the state constitution to ban gay mar- riage and undermine a court ruling that had en- abled some 18,000 same-sex couples to marry in Lesbian 2008. ( The vote in that 2008 initiative was 52 Cubs Owner page 22 percent for, 48 percent against. ) It also appears to provide momentum to the anti-gay marriage movement, which is now attempting to stage an initiative against same-sex marriage in Washing- ton, D.C., and which has a bill pending before the New Hampshire legislature to repeal a bill enacted there earlier this year. In a ballroom at a Holiday Inn in downtown Portland, “No on 1” campaign manager Jesse Connolly announced to a hushed crowd of a few hundred supporters still on hand at 12:30 a.m. Nov. 4 that the campaign was not conceding
Turn to page 4 Terry Galloway page 17 Obama ends HIV travel ban by Lisa Keen called the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS bilization Project (CHAMP). Keen News Service Relief (PEPFAR). But it did not end the policy In his remarks at a White House ceremony, of the Health and Human Services Department Obama noted that he and First Lady Michelle President Barack Obama announced Oct. 30 that that excluded people with a “communicable dis- Obama had taken HIV tests during a visit to his administration will end the long-standing ease of public health significance.” That policy Kenya to help combat the stigma attached to policy at Health and Human Services (HHS) that also excluded people with HIV. And many HIV- the disease. He said his administration would banned immigration by people with HIV. He an- and civil-rights organizations said the law Bush take “another step toward ending that stigma.”
October 28, 2009 nounced the policy change during a ceremony at signed did not really end the discrimination He said HHS would publish a final rule that will #1004 nightspots the White House, where he signed a bill to reau- against people with HIV. eliminate the ban effective in 2010. n thorize the Ryan White program to help people “Practically speaking, with the ban once again “This is a battle that is far from over,” said pick it up with HIV and low incomes. under the purview of HHS, nothing has changed Obama, noting that 1.1 million people in the We Are All Made of Stardust Nightspots chats with Scott Cramer of Berlin’s Stardust Thursdays. take it home inSIDE page 22 And for some reason, for people living with HIV traveling through U.S. are living with HIV and 56,000 are newly Pooch Pride at The President George W. Bush signed legislation Glenwood. Pamela Anderson. page 12 page 42 last year that ended a 1993 statutory ban spe- or immigrating to the United States,” stated a cifically against people with HIV. That law wasT:10.25” press release from the Community HIV/AIDS Mo- Turn to page 6
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Dec. 3, 2008 13 $%# s 6/, ./ NCE 1985 Y, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SI THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GA nnn%N`e[p:`kpD\[`X>iflg%Zfd bUi[\hm#b]WY cbY. K]bXm7]hmH]aYgÈ kYY_ bUi[\hm 2009 BEST-OF December 31, 2008 NEW YEAR’S EVE ISSUE #976 Dec. 23 2008: The Year Of the year-endQueer best-of issue! Deadline: Wed., Dec. 16 Welcome to Nightspots’ annual Survivor’s Charlie Herschel inSIDE in our year-end Nightspots Pubert gives this year in MAFIA. porn a thumbs up... you page 27 know where. page 36 PLUS, REACH OVER 11,000 SUBSCRIBERS WITH OUR WEEKLY EMAIL BLAST Every Thursday WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP///5315 N. Clark St., #192, Chicago, IL 60640 773-871-7610 ph.///773-871-7609 fax///www.windycitymediagroup.com [email protected] Nov. 4, 2009 3 index NEWS Maine votes on marriage 4 Hate-crimes bill signed 5 Marching against bankers 5 Nat’l news; travel ban lifted 6 Passages: Rusty Gordon 6 Damski Award ceremony 7 Chicagoan-Clinton connection 7 Forum; VIDA; UCAN 8 Vital Bridges’ milestone 8 Quotelines; world news 9 Views: Solmonese, Hunt 10 Sponsors: ENTERTAINMENT Scottish Play Scott 11 Theater reviews 12 KATM; Lee Daniels talks 14 Book review: Galloway 17 Megan Fahlenbock (left) and Angela Vint Billy Masters 20 star in the Reeling Film Fest entry The Halloween parade pics 21 Baby Formula. Read an analysis on page 16. REELING FILM FEST Reeling: 1st week 15 Brought to you by: Ky Dickens; Baby Formula 16 Mink Stole 17 Festival Hotline OUTLINES Calendar Q 18 Real estate; classifieds 19 Sports: Marathon program 22 Sports: Lesbian team owner 22 Volunteer manager Lori Cannon (above) Cover photos and credits (from top): Art Johnston at attended a Nov. 2 ceremony that marked the Jon-Henri Damski Award ceremony by John Fenoglio; Vital Bridges’ 10 millionth meal to those the Ricketts family by Chicago Cubs Baseball Club, LLC/ Stephen Green; Terry Galloway PR photo affected by HIV/AIDS. See page 8. Photo by Blair Mishleau J\eXk\GXjj\j ?Xk\$:i`d\j9`cc ^ Gi\gXi`e ]fi:c`ekfe ;FNECF8;K?@J 8lkfj1 D\iZ\[\j 8Zk`fe >fkfnnn%N`e[p:`kpD\[`X>iflg%Zfdkf[fnecfX[Zfdgc\k\`jjl\jf] AXZbjfe N`e[p:`kpK`d\jXe[E`^_kjgfkj% C`cp DX`e\1;fnekfk_\n`i\ Kfdc`e n K_\eZc`ZbfeXepX[Xe[Y\kXb\e[`i\Zkcpkfk_\X[m\ik`j\iËjN\Yj`k\ www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com n in g h t s p o t s ONLINE INDEX THE a wynne-win situation HALLO- Read another Reeling- WEEN related interview online, October 28, 2009 #1004 ISSUE as Gwen Wynne (right, Photo by with Adam Pascal) talks nestorphoto- We Are All Made of Stardust about homosexuality Nightspots chats with Scott Cramer of Berlin’s Stardust Thursdays. graphy.com inSIDE page 22 Pooch Pride at The And for some reason, Glenwood. Pamela Anderson. page 12 page 42 in ‘70s Cape Cod in ‘American Primitive’ Photo courtesy of Wynne GET THE PICTURE? Vinny Valdez (left), Director Ky Dickens a deaf gay man, SHOW# 335 aspires to be a fashion photographer. Read www.WindyCity more about this Queercast.com remarkable man online. ‘SUGARLESS’ fun TVN QueerTVNetwork.com Read a unique conversation between performer Tim Miller and Check out our Sugarless writer James video channel for Magruder (right). new videos weekly www.QueerTV Network.com 4 Nov. 4, 2009 MAINE from cover taught about gay marriage in the schools. Then, porters will “push it on students.” The message they staked out the simple message of “Yes on was essentially a copycat of a message that had defeat and would wait for all the ballots to be 1” in a highly visible supply of blue and yel- been effective in passing Proposition 8. counted. low yard signs posted along many of the state’s “This is a razor-thin election,” said Connolly, busiest roads. In contrast, “No on 1” often had Ramifications beyond Maine “…and every vote counts. We will not quit until only a lone pale green sign in noticeably smaller Many political observers saw the vote in Maine we know where everyone of these votes lives. We numbers. as a political compass for which way the coun- won’t quit. We’ll be counting votes into tomor- At one busy intersection in Portland Nov. 3, try’s mood is heading on equal marriage rights row morning.” five “Yes on 1” activists stood on a median and for gay couples. The Nov. 4 New York Times re- But estimates of the number of outstanding hoisted “Yes on 1” placards, yelling “Vote Yes on port called it a “stinging setback for the national ballots to be counted appear to fall far short of 1—No Homosexuals!” to drivers passing by. The gay-rights movement.” The San Francisco Chron- the number needed to overtake the “Yes” votes lawn surrounding the intersection was bathed in icle predicted “Tuesday’s vote will influence the on the measure. bright blue and yellow “Yes on 1” signs, while same-sex marriage issue in California, where vot- The “Stand for Marriage Maine” group that led the “No on 1” sported only two large hand- ers approved Proposition 8, which struck down the effort to repeal the marriage equality law painted signs. legal same-sex marriage last November after the proclaimed victory. On one occasion, a car zipped by and a woman state’s Supreme Court declared it a right.” yelled out the window, “I voted no!” But many There will, no doubt, be much analysis of why Annise Parker. Dueling campaigns cars honked and their drivers waved, seeming to voters chose to repeal the law in Maine, but The campaigns for and against Maine’s equal- signal agreement with the “Yes on 1” position. even before the voting booths had opened Tues- marriage law had been underway since May when Voter turnout was much heavier than expect- day, there were critics of President Obama’s lack Elsewhere in the legislature passed, and the governor signed, ed. The secretary of state had predicted about of effort around the battle. the new law enabling same-sex couples to obtain 25 to 35 percent of registered voters would turn Longtime gay Democratic activist David Mix- the U.S. ... marriage licenses the same as straight couples. out, but the Daily News estimates at least 57 ner put it most bluntly on his blog: “President Maine was not the only place where voters Because repeal activists immediately began pe- percent of registered voters participated. Obama and his team were zero help in this criti- decided on gay-rights issues. In Kalamazoo, titioning for a “Citizens’ Veto” measure, the law While spending by both sides appears to have cal battle and in the last week might actually Mich., voters passed Ordinance 1856, which was put on hold and ballot Question 1 asked been roughly similar—about $3.5 million each, have hurt us.” alters the city’s non-discrimination law to in- voters if they would like to repeal that law. there was a tremendous push for last-minute In fact, in February 2008, as the Democrat- clude LGBT individuals. Many political observers praised the “No on funding. The “No on 1” campaign send out an ic primary battle was in full swing, candidate According to Advocate.com, 65 percent 1” coalition for running a well-organized cam- e-mail sent out at 10 o’clock Nov. 2 asking for Obama released an open letter to the LGBT of the city’s residents voted to uphold the paign, headed by Maine natives with consider- another $25,000 in donations to pay for televi- community saying “As your President, I will use measure, which a commission passed in June. able experience in Maine politics. At the top of sion ads to counter the “Yes on 1” campaign’s the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same- Now, LGBT people in Kalamazoo are legally that campaign was Jesse Connolly, a 31-year-old last-minute television buy. Supporters responded sex couples with full equality in their family protected from discrimination related to em- straight married father, on leave from his job as with $68,000 before the bank closed that day. and adoption laws. I personally believe that ployment, housing and public accommoda- chief of staff for the Maine speaker of the House. “Never did we think over 1,200 people would civil unions represent the best way to secure tions. The ordinance protects on the bases of Connolly had also run the successful 2005 cam- give a gift today,” said Connolly, in a youtube that equal treatment. But I also believe that sexual orientation and gender identity. paign to vote “No” on a ballot measure seeking message taped Monday evening. the federal government should not stand in the Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the to repeal the state’s recently passed law prohib- “I have never seen a campaign that has had way of states that want to decide on their own Family Equality Council, said in a statement iting discrimination based on sexual orienta- this many volunteers from so many walks of how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian that “Kalamazoo is a leading community in tion. The “No” vote that year won 55 percent to life,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the couples—whether that means a domestic part- the fight for equality. This Ordinance en- 45 percent. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Carey was nership, a civil union, or a civil marriage.” sures LGBT families basic protections such as The key focus of “No on 1” from the start was in Maine Nov. 3 helping with the get-out-the- But at a national Human Rights Campaign din- the ability to secure a place to live or eat identifying voters who would vote “No” and vote effort. She said her door-to-door team in- ner October 10, the president had nothing to in a restaurant.. It also enables that LGBT making a concerted effort to get those voters to cluded an older straight woman from Portland say about Maine or Washington State explicitly; individuals can work and provide for their actually cast their ballots—either by absentee, and a young woman from New Hampshire. instead, he said, “I believe strongly in stopping children and families without the fear of be- early voting, or at the voting booth on election Mary Bonauto, too, thanked straight allies laws designed to take rights away and passing ing fired for reasons unrelated to their job day. Activists from as far away as Hawaii came to “who made this fight their own.” Bonauto, who laws that extend equal rights to gay couples.” performance. The public’s support for LGBT Maine in the last days of the campaign to help lives in Maine, has been a key leader with Gay & And some days later, at an appearance at the people and these basic protections is great with that basic door-to-door, phone-by-phone Lesbian Advocates & Defenders in winning many University of Maine Oct. 23, U.S. Attorney Gen- for Kalamazoo and adds to the momentum to- effort. legal battles for marriage equality in New Eng- eral Eric Holder, when asked by a reporter about wards full equality for all families across this Tambry Young, co-chair of the Family Equal- land. She also represented the “No on 1” cam- Maine’s Question 1 specifically, said that he and country. Jon Hoadley did an outstanding job ity Coalition of Hawaii, said she came to Maine paign in numerous televised debates during the Obama “are of the view it is for states to make leading the charge and ensuring this passage last Wednesday because “at some point, we need weeks leading up to the vote. these decisions.” of Ordinance 1856.” Hoadley is the executive to stand up and say, ‘We need to do the right But the latest ad by the “Yes on 1” group ap- The White House offered no comment in re- director of Stonewall Democrats. thing.’” peared to have hit its mark. The ad showed a gards to Mixner’s criticism. There may be more than one LGBT-related But the Yes on campaign had considerable vis- rapid-fire sequence of newspaper clippings and Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights positive result in Kalamazoo, Mich. In ad- ibility for their messages throughout the state. official-looking documents while a female voice Campaign, said, “I do think that [ Obama ] was dition to approving the city’s nondiscrimi- First, they launched a heavy barrage of televi- urgently warned that gay activists “are already wrong—that neither he nor the Democratic Par- nation ordinance that included the bases sion and radio ads warning that approval of pushing their agenda in Maine schools.” A ra- ty spoke out” against the Maine ballot measure. of sexual orientation and gender identity, same-sex marriage would lead to children being dio ad warned that gay activists and their sup- “I’m disappointed in his failure to speak out voters may have elected Kalamazoo’s first on this issue,” said Solmonese on Obama. “He openly gay city commissioner. According to did speak out against Proposition 8 and it did WOODTV.com, out candidate Terry Kuseske led the challengers for a seat on the com- COMFORT ELEGANCE FUNCTION influence people. … I think when he talked about using the bully pulpit, that’s what we ex- mission with 90 percent of votes counted on pected he would do.” the evening of Nov. 3. According to the city’s HRC gave about $300,000 to the campaign ef- election rules, seven people win seats, with LAKESIDE INTERIORS fort and had “about a dozen” people “on the the person getting the most votes becoming mayor. Six incumbents led Kuseske, but he A full-service interior design firm experienced in ground” in Maine to help the “No on 1” cam- paign. was in the prime position for the last seat. In Houston, Texas, lesbian City Controller KITCHENS Waiting in Washington Annise Parker had an “even chance” of being In Washington State, where voters were asked elected mayor of the nation’s fourth-largest BATHROOMS to decide whether to keep a newly passed do- city, according to CNN.com. According to her FURNISHINGS mestic partnership law, a very preliminary results campaign Web site, Parker was on city coun- indicates voters have likely voted to retain the cil for six years and has been controller for CUSTOM BUILT-INS law. The secretary of state’s Web site Wednesday the last five. Before working for Houston, she morning showed 51 percent voted “Yes,” and 49 spent two decades in the oil and gas indus- WINDOW TREATMENTS percent voted “No.” But the final result in that try. contest is not likely to be known for several days. —Andrew Davis Voting in Washington State is done entirely by 1129 McDaniel Avenue mail—though voters can drop off their ballots Evanston, IL 60202 in person, too—and voters could postmark their Terry ballots as late as anytime Tuesday. The Web site Kuseske. ph. 847-512-5045 indicated 3.5 million votes had been counted; www.lakesideinteriors.com an estimated 390,000 were yet to be counted. But on one clear bright note, 62 percent of voters in Kalamazoo, Mich. voted Tuesday night to retain that city’s recently passed law prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. ©2009 Keen News Service Nov. 4, 2009 5 “And this law,” he said, “sends a loud message Obama signs hate-crimes bill that perpetrators of hate violence against any- Daley, Starks one will be brought to justice.” BY Lisa Keen lation. And Vicki and Patrick, Kara—everybody But the Hate Crimes Prevention Act signed praise bill Keen News Service who’s here—I just want you all to know how today follows the Hate Crimes Statistics Act, Mayor Richard M. Daley and the City of Chicago proud we are of the work that Ted did to help signed in 1990, by 19 years. That law, which was Commission on Human Relations, through chair- Saying “no one in America should ever be afraid this day—make this day possible.” a landmark achievement at the time, required man and commissioner Dana V. Starks, praised to walk down the street holding the hands of the In addition to the Shepard family, openly the U.S. Justice Department to count crimes President Barack Obama and Congress for enact- person they love,” President Barack Obama an- gay Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., was a guest based on “race, religion, sexual orientation, or ing the new and historic federal hate-crimes bill nounced his signing of the long-sought federal at the signing ceremony, which took place at ethnicity” and to publish those statistics annu- that Obama signed Oct. 28. hate-crimes prevention law Oct. 28. 2:30 p.m. During the reception that began at ally. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force In the joint press release, Daley stated, “While The legislation, formally known as the Matthew 6 p.m., Obama also recognized family members played a pivotal role in securing passage of that we are fortunate in Chicago to have strong hate Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Preven- of James Byrd, Jr., who was killed in a horrific bill, which was signed into law by President crime laws that include protection based on sex- tion Act, was included as an amendment within hate crime in 1998 in Texas because he was an George H.W. Bush. It was also heavily involved ual orientation, gender identity and disability, the National Defense Authorization Act. Obama African-American. in passage of the prevention law. this is not true for all of America. As such, vic- signed the defense-spending bill, with Depart- In his remarks, Obama singled out several ad- Both the Human Rights Campaign and the Na- tims of hate crimes like Matthew Sheppard and ment of Defense officials and members of Con- ministration officials and members of Congress tional Gay and Lesbian Task Force were among James Byrd Jr. for whom this bill is appropriately gress in attendance. He then hosted a reception for their help in securing passage of the mea- 29 gay advocacy groups that signed onto a named can now have their cases prosecuted to at the White House to draw special attention to sure, including Attorney General Eric Holder, statement for release following the signing. The the fullest extent of the law.” The bill would also the hate crimes measure. Both events took place House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Dick Durbin statement said President Obama’s signing of the make it a federal crime to attack U.S. service in the East Room of the White House. of Illinois, and all three openly gay representa- legislation “fulfilled a campaign promise.” members on account of their service. During the signing ceremony, Obama men- tives: Baldwin; Barney Frank, D-Mass.; and Jared “Our deepest hope and strong belief is that Commissioner Starks said, “The Commission tioned the inclusion of the hate-crimes legisla- Polis, D-Colo. He also thanked chief House co- this new law will save lives,” said the state- is excited that this day has finally come after tion within the funding bill. sponsor Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., and the ment. nearly a decade of advocating and supporting “After more than a decade of opposition and chief Senate sponsor, Kennedy, D-Mass. The statement noted that more than 1,200 efforts to pass a federal hate crimes bill. As we delay, we’ve passed inclusive hate-crimes legis- hate crimes target victims because of their sex- celebrate this important achievement, we must lation to help protect our citizens from violence A first and a follow-up ual orientation or gender identity every year. not forget the leadership and courage brought based on what they look like, who they love, Baldwin issued a statement calling the hate- “As a results of this legislation, if local juris- to this issue by the late Senator Edward M. Ken- how they pray or who they are,” the president crimes measure “the nation’s first major piece of dictions are unable or unwilling to investigate or nedy, a true champion of civil rights.” said. He also singled out the parents of Matthew civil rights legislation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orienta- The Commission on Human Relations assists Shepard, a gay Wyoming student killed in a bru- and transgender people to become law.” It is tion or gender identity, the Justice Department victims of hate crimes and provides anti-bias tal hate crime in 1998. also “the first federal law to explicitly protect can now step in,” said the groups. “And that’s education, in addition to its work in resolving “I promised Judy Shepard, when she saw me transgender Americans.” why the LGBT community never stopped working and mediating community tensions and investi- in the Oval Office, that this day would come, Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights for this historic day.” gating and adjudicating acts of discrimination. and I’m glad that she and her husband, Dennis, Campaign, also praised the measure, saying it The White House did not immediately release Thus far for 2009 there have been 46 reported could join us for this event,” said Obama. “I’m “marks the first time that we as a nation have a list of guests attending the reception, other hate crimes in Chicago. also honored to have the family of the late Sen. explicitly protected the LGBT community in the than members of Congress and the two families. “The Commission is proud to work with a Ted Kennedy, who fought so hard for this legis- law.” But Obama thanked openly gay philanthropist strong network of agencies to fight hate crimes David Bohnett and his partner, Tom Gregory, for led by the Chicago Police Department, State’s “helping host” the reception. White House LGBT Attorney’s Office, and civil rights organizations press spokesperson Shin Inouye said the recep- who work tirelessly to end hate crimes in our tion was held “in partnership” with the Bohnett city,” stated Starks. “It is our hope that this leg- Foundation and that the foundation “paid the islation will help other areas of the country work costs25-21856 of the reception.”IADT_WindyCityTimes_FINAL:Layoutwith 1 federal 10/9/09 law enforcement 9:50 AM agencies Page to1 create ©2009 Keen News Service similar partnerships,” he concluded. DESIGNNOW IMAGINE. CREATE. INSPIRE. Gender JUST members were among the marchers on Oct. 27. Photo by Chasse Rehwinkel Findyourfutureattheschoolthatgetsyou–andwhereyou Chicago Sheraton after a few protesters were wanttogo.Learnalongsidestudentswhoshareyourpassion LGBTs join able to infiltrate the hotel. Although SEIU was the major organizer of andinstructorswithreal-worldexperience. banking protest the protest, the march was well attended by BY CHASSE REHWINKEL activist organizations hailing from as far away FashionDesign | MerchandisingManagement | InteriorDesign as Buffalo, N.Y., and Detroit, Mich. The LGBT activist group Gender JUST joined Gender JUST was represented by a small but the more than 100 organizations that marched vocal contingent, almost all of whom were un- against the American Bankers Association’s der the age of 30. Sketch by: Demetrius M. Denton (ABA’s) Chicago convention Oct. 27. “I’m here because as a student my credit 2009 IADT Chicago Fashion Forward winner “Queer people are a part of every commu- score has gotten worse due to the bad deci- nity. We are affected by foreclosures and bad sions made by these bank executives,” said banking just like everyone else,” stated Gender Gender JUST member and Malcolm X College JUST leader Sam Finkelstein. “So we are out student Lucky Mosqueda. “Also, though, I’m here to add a queer voice to this struggle.” here because the queer community is a minor- More than 5,000 protesters gathered in front ity group that is extremely vulnerable to being of the Hyatt Regency’s west tower to begin marginalized by the greedy actions of these CallToday! their short march to the Sheraton Hotel, 301 E. banks. We are here to show these executives North Water, where members of the ABA were that we have had enough.” staying. The march was the culmination of a three- At about 10 a.m. the marchers walked to the day protest against the ABA’s convention, 888.446.1777 corner of Wacker and Michigan, where clergy which included direct-action training, protests persons of all different faiths and congrega- in front of the Goldman Sachs building and a tions had organized a prayer vigil. surprise takeover of the Wells Fargo building Following the religious leaders’ sermons, top by a reported 1,000 protesters. officials from the Service Employees Interna- Gender JUST has also been a strong advocate tional Union (SEIU) gave directions to the for improving the treatment of LGBT students One North State Street • Chicago, IL 60602 crowd before they were then led to the front of and LGBT persons of color. More information iadtchicago.edu the Chicago Sheraton. An anti-ABA banner was can be found about Gender JUST by visiting it also unfurled from one of the windows of the Web site at www.genderjust.org. IADT Chicago does not guarantee employment or salary. CEC2328390 10/09 6 Nov. 4, 2009 for creating false asylum documents for im- ats of risk and disease. ett, advocacy director for the AIDS Foundation migrants who wanted to be U.S. residents, the The forum will feature panelists Gary Harper, a of Chicago, one of the forum’s chief organizers. Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported. The docu- DePaul University professor whose research fo- “They are important to address, but we wanted ments claimed that the immigrants were seek- cuses on gay adolescent sexuality; Keith Green, to take an hour and set those things aside and Gavin ing asylum because of their religion, sexual ori- AIDS activist and spoken-word artist; and Sam- see if we can talk about gay sexuality and plea- Newsom. entation or political views. Mahoney was paid uel Galloway, a sex educator from the Tulip Toy sure without going immediately to risk. This is a $1,000-$1,400 per document; he said that he Gallery. Along with hosts Fausto Fernos and Marc real issue, I think—equating our sexuality with filed almost 100 false items. Felion of the FeastofFun.com podcast, the panel disease has a very negative impact.” The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defama- will try and facilitate an open and comfortable Pickett said he expects it to be difficult to tion (GLAAD) has released the 14th annual discussion about the positive outcomes of gay steer the forum away from a discussion about “Where We Are On TV” study, an analysis of sex. risk and disease considering how it’s been as- LGBT primetime characters in the 2009-2010 “For a very long time, whenever you’ve talked sociated with sex in the gay community for de- television season, according to an organization- about gay sexuality it is almost absolutely at- cades. al press release. The report shows that 18 LGBT tached to HIV and other STDs,” said Jim Pick- characters will account for 3% of scripted series regulars on the broadcast-TV schedule, up from TRAVEL from cover NATIONAL 1.3% in 2006, 1.1% in 2007 and 2.6% in 2008. infected each year. He also noted that, although However, the number of scripted LGBT series gay men comprise “two to three percent of the ROUNDUP regulars found on mainstream cable networks population,” they account for “half of all cas- BY ANDREW DAVIS has again declined, from 40 in 2007 to 32 in es.” 2008 and only 25 this year. He credited Presidents Clinton and Bush for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom—known A group of students at Kansas State Uni- beginning the process of eliminating discrimina- for his pro-LGBT opinions and actions—has versity has decided to invite a trans speaker tion against people with HIV. dropped out of the California gubernatorial after initially rejecting him, according to the “We are finishing the job,” he said. race, citing familial obligations, according to Topeka Capital-Journal. Transman Ryan Sallans Human Rights Campaign President Joe Sol- the San Jose Mercury News. Newsom said, “With is slated to speak after 50 students signed a monese issued a statement thanking Obama for a young family and responsibilities at City Hall, I petition asking him to come to the campus in taking action. found it impossible to commit the time required Salina. After deciding not to give $1,000 to fund “Today’s actions signal both to Americans and to complete this effort.” (His wife gave birth to Sallans’ appearance, the Student Governing As- to the world that the United States is a nation their first child in September.) However, Newsom sociation relented and settled on $600; students that will care for those most in need at home has struggled regarding fundraising, despite for- raised an additional $400. and will no longer close the door to HIV-positive mer President Bill Clinton’s endorsement. In San Diego, Calif., Bronti Kelly, a gay man, people abroad,” said Solmonese. “Today, Presi- In Williamsburg, Va., the College of William said that he was the victim of a hate crime dent Obama has extended one of our nation’s and Mary has elected its first trans homecom- after he was attacked outside a restaurant, proudest responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic ing queen, the Richmond Times-Dispatch re- according to 10News.com. Kelly said that he was and finally erased on our of most shameful.” ported. The queen, Jessee Vasold, said that “[a] walking outside of Baja Betty’s eatery when a Obama also thanked HIV-community organi- friend asked to nominate me and we really just man hit him in the back of the head; the victim zations for its “consensus statement” in work- wanted to see if I’d be put on the ballot.” A col- needed 18 stitches to close a wound and lost ing to renew reauthorization of the Ryan White lege spokesman said that “William and Mary is four of his front teeth. Police said that Kelly ac- Comprehensive AIDS Resource Emergency (CARE) President Barack Obama. a diverse and inclusive community, and student knowledged being attacked, but that he did not Act. Congress last week voted to extend the pro- hosted the International Conference on AIDS, selections to this year’s Homecoming Court re- say a hate crime occurred. gram for another four years. The program pro- many participants boycotted the conference and flect that,” The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked the vides medical care and medication to more than protested outside the conference. A subsequent In Carlinville, Ill., Southwestern High School release of names of people who signed peti- half a million people with low incomes to have conference scheduled for Boston was quickly re- English teacher Dan Delong has been suspend- tions aiming to overturn Washington state’s HIV infection. Congress must now wrestle with located to Amsterdam as a result. ed after he had students read an article about same-sex domestic-partner law, according to funding for the measure. Through the years, there was some effort to homosexuality in the animal kingdom, ac- the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The 8-1 deci- The HIV immigration ban has been in place soften and revise the ban. President George H.W. cording to the Journal-Courier. Delong report- sion means that the Referendum 71 petitions since 1987, when the HHS, under President Ron- Bush instituted a policy of allowing some people edly allowed students to read the article “The probably will not be released before the Nov. ald Reagan, adopted a policy of barring entry with HIV to obtain a 10-day waiver if they were Gay Animal Kingdom” from the June 7, 2006, 3 election. Gary Randall of the Faith and Free- to the U.S. of anyone with AIDS or who tested coming into the country to attend a scientific edition of Seed, a science and culture magazine. dom Network—which asked for the stay—said, positive for HIV infection. The ban was later forum. Although President Bill Clinton signed Delong is keeping mum until he speaks with a “Our request would not likely be resolved until made into law through legislation introduced by the bill in 1993 that codified the HIV ban, he union representative. next year, possibly June 2010. This is very good Senator Jesse Helms, R-N.C., and the policy was did grant a waiver of the ban in 1994 for the In Atlanta, Ga., gay activists have criticized news.” enacted in December 1987. Gay Games in New York and Atlanta in 1996. The the choice of community-liaison policewoman The ban has been enormously controversial, Bush administration granted a waiver in 2006 Dani Lee Harris to lead the city’s pride parade LOCAL NEWS putting the United States in the company of for the Gay Games in Chicago. because she defended a police gay-bar raid, ac- only a dozen countries worldwide that banned ©2009 Keen News Service cording to UPI.com. In the Sept. 10 raid, police Forum to address people with HIV. In 1990, when San Francisco allegedly held patrons on the floor, used anti- sexual pleasures gay slurs and arrested eight bar employees for BY STEVEN CHAITMAN improper permits. Writer/activist Michael Alvear said that Harris “was a terrific choice before the Gay men are taking pleasure back. The gay men’s raid.” Harris would be the festival’s first grand health forum “We’re Taking Pleasure Back” will marshal who is intersex, the Atlanta Journal- take place on Wed., Nov. 11, and is sponsored by Rusty Gordon Constitution reported. Project CRYSP and LifeLube.org. The event will (right) with In Washington state, Steven Mahoney, 41, aim to not only discuss gay sexuality by focus- Toni was sentenced to 18 months in prison (and ing on the pleasures of sex on multiple levels, Armstrong Jr. his wife, Helen Moody, received six months) but also without addressing the constant cave- The Chicago Chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights is proud to host the 17th Annual Veterans Day Dinner & Silent Auction Special Guest Speaker “with liberty Wed., Nov. 11 and justice for all” 6:30pm - 10:00pm Lt. LeAnna Bradley, USN (Ret.) PASSAGES various offices; involved with many LGBT causes Ann Sather Lt. Bradley was not scheduled through Equality Florida and other groups; and Restaurant to speak at Chicago’s 2009 Rusty Gordon was named as a Feminist Who Changed America 909 W. Belmont Salute to LGBT Veterans. Rusty Gordon passed away Oct. 27 after los- and awarded the Veteran Feminists of America However, she graciously ing her fight last night with progressive supra- medal (2008). Most recently, the Palm Beach Lt. Bradley stepped in for another speaker nuclear palsy. County Democratic Committee established the has 37 years of service. She and received a standing Gordon was a music producer for many years Rusty Gordon Award, to be given to people has two Purple Hearts after ovation for her remarks. (Rustron Productions and Publishing); pro- who have exhibited extensive commitment to being wounded in Vietnam. Come hear her speak: duced one of the first-ever women-only wom- local community activism. She is a charismatic, highly en’s music festivals (Yale University, 1972); photo: Ken Morris Veterans Day, 2009 She is survived by her life partner, Davilyn motivated transgender who started the Whimsey Political Clearinghouse $30 Donation “Davy” Whims of West Palm Beach, Fla. A me- never once faltered through for women (1967); heavily involved with NOW includes INFO & RESERVATIONS morial is being planned for early December in more than three decades of Dinner & Drinks (1970 onwards); helped start the Florida LGBT the West Palm Beach area. U.S. military service. Jim Darby, 773-752-0058 Democratic Caucus (1995), with which she held www.averchicago.org Nov. 4, 2009 7 “My role [at Chicago House] is to oversee the Chicagoan planning and execution of any public means of fundraising from beginning to end. Chicago connects House hosts four signature events each year, plus anywhere from five to 20 cooperative with Clinton community events, which collectively make up BY ROSS FORMAN about 10 percent of the agency’s annual oper- ating budget. Though special event revenue is Jeremy Hilborn sure has come a long way since just a small part of the budget, it’s an impor- his days in north suburban Deerfield, where his tant piece of the pie because events are often a first job was working at the concession stand donor’s first introduction to the organization. If at Mitchell Pool. He earned $3.85 per hour and I do my job well, event attendees will hopefully Art Johnson. was thrilled, especially when he progressed to return to future events or become long-term lifeguard, swimming teacher and, eventually, Jeremy Hilborn. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald friends of Chicago House.” pool manager. Hilborn worked at the pool for Chicago House is Hilborn’s second job since Damski nine years. 32, a 1999 University of Illinois graduate who graduating from college, where he earned a Today, he’s swimming with some really big has been working at Chicago House for seven journalism degree and then immediately start- fish—including someone with an enormous years. ed working for WBBM-AM, Newsradio 780. He remembered worldwide impact, not just a local celebrity or “I’m overseeing the event in its entirety, remained at the radio station for three years, an Uptown neighbor, where Hilborn now lives. from venue selection and contract negotiation, working in the newsroom and the production at ceremony Hilborn is the manager of special events at to marketing and publicity, timeline, volunteer department. BY JOHN FENOGLIO Chicago House, a local non-profit organization management, event production, printing, ticket Read much more about Jeremy—including that provides housing and various levels of sup- sales, and corporate sponsorship,” said Hilborn. his coming-out process—online at www. Arthur Johnston and Albert “Bill” Williams, cham- port to people affected by HIV and AIDS. Chica- “I’m excited to try my hand at something new, WindyCityMediaGroup.com. pions of equality for the LGBT community, were go House’s inaugural Speaker Series is Wednes- and to be working with such a highly visible Tickets to the Nov. 11 Chicago House honored at the Jon-Henri Damski Awards cer- day, Nov. 11, featuring President Bill Clinton. and highly respected world leader to bring Speaker Series with Bill Clinton are available emony held at the Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. And guess who is the point of contact now Chicago House’s programs to the forefront of at www.ChicagoHouse.org. Granville, on Nov. 1. between Chicago House and one of the most people’s minds, and to help create a dialogue The award, known as the “Jon-Henri,” is powerful men in the world? You got it—Hilborn, about HIV and homelessness. named after Damski, a Chicago journalist, activ- ist and “queer thinker.” Often referred to as the Studs Terkel of the gay community, Damski was a thoughtful writer and a voracious consumer of the art of conversation. Damski also wrote for Windy City Times, but ended his career at Out- lines (which later purchased Windy City Times and is now part of WCT) and Nightlines, which later became Nightspots. “Jon-Henri captured our lives. He talked to ev- eryone. He had this genuine interest in people’s personal stories. He gave a voice to hustlers and people in the community who weren’t otherwise accepted,” said Lori Cannon, a longtime friend and veteran AIDS community service provider. As an activist, Damski worked side by side with other LGBT pioneers, such as Rick Garcia, Art Johnston and Laurie Dittman. Together they became known as the “Gang of Four,” and their lobbying efforts led to the passage of the Chi- cago human-rights ordinance in 1989 and the hate-crimes ordinance in 1990. “He was instrumental in working with equal rights organizations to make Chicago a city where gays and lesbians were no longer dis- criminated against in areas like housing, em- ployment, public accommodations and things of this nature,” Johnson said. “Lots of people were involved with that effort, but what many people don’t know is that Jon-Henri was the supreme political strategist behind all of it. “You see, this was a time when most of us in the gay community didn’t know who our elected representatives were. And, of course, the city was just fine with us not being very interested in civil affairs. Jon-Henri, however, was someone in our community who had been to City Coun- cil meetings, who knew the history behind the Alderman we would later work with to pass civil rights legislation. Absent Jon-Henri, it wouldn’t Sidelined by diarrhea? At least 18 years of age? have taken two years to complete that work (on passing civil-rights legislation) that we did; it HIV-positive? would have taken another three or four. The rea- son that today, in this city, that you cannot fire somebody for being gay or lesbian is because of If so, you may be eligible to participate in our clinical study. We people like Jon-Henri.” Damski passed away in 1997 after battling are testing an investigational medicine that may help control cancer. Yet, his memory is alive in the hearts of those who knew him and his sense of community HIV-associated diarrhea and get you back in the game. For spirit was in full celebration at the event. “Beyond journalism, he was a master thinker,” Williams added. “He knew us so well. He was more information, call Alianza Research at 312-988-4500. writing before AIDS and he was writing when AIDS started. And, while he didn’t write a lot about AIDS specifically, he was able to capture the tone—the devastation—that AIDS had taken on our community. And, on journalism, he wrote it all. He got in people’s faces. He caused people to stop and read important information in bar rags that didn’t always have a lot of important information. We learned from Jon-Henri.” 8 Nov. 4, 2009 looking for quality over quantity here so that we Trans health can develop a long lasting program to serve the Legendary fun Chicago community.” pros address Each of the three awareness meetings held in October were reportedly well-attended by a mix needs, risks of concerned Chicago residents and social-ser- BY STEVEN CHAITMAN vice providers. Members from the program’s ad- visory board as well as representatives from the Chicago transgender health professionals pre- Host Home Program’s parent organization, the sented a wealth of information about the unique Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network (UCAN), needs and health risk factors applying to trans- led the meetings and answered questions about gender people Oct. 28 during a meeting of the the program’s philosophy, its training program HIV Prevention Planning Group (HPPG). and the expectations the program has for the Among other issues related to trans health, hosts and the youth. the presentation focused on the preliminary Hosts for the program must be at least 25 findings of Project Smart, a survey funded by the years old; a resident of Chicago for at least one Centers for Disease Control and subcontracted to year; have homeowner’s insurance; complete the the Howard Brown Health Center and the Chica- program’s background checks and training pro- go Department of Public Health (CDPH) in order gram; and have at least one extra bedroom. to obtain information about the HIV risk factors Information about the Host Home Program can for certain populations—in this case, the trans be found on UCAN’s Web site, www.ucanchicago. community. Project VIDA (Project Life), a not-for-profit organization that primarly provides program- org, or on the program’s official Facebook page, Helena Bushong, a transgender health advo- ming to prevent HIV infections and resources for people living with the disease, held its which can be found by searching for LGBTQ Host cate who conducted interviews for Project Smart, annual fundraiser Oct. 29 at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th. Home Program, UCAN. facilitated the presentation. She spoke about More than 150 people attended the “Resurrection of a Legend” masquerade ball that the variety of distinct risk factors that apply to coincided with Halloween weekend. Attendees had access to the museum’s current exhibi- transgender individuals because “transgender” is tion, “Dia de los Muertos: A New Beginning.” During the award presentations Celia Naranjo, Vital Bridges an umbrella term for many types of people, and owner of The Greek Steak House, received a VIDA recognition award for catering the event it knows no cultural or generational boundaries. every year and Dr. Pamela Vergara-Rodriguez received the Wellness Award for her tireless marks Among the issues mentioned were that trans- commitment to the agency.The highlight of the evening was the entertainment by Jorge 10 million meals gender people live in low-income situations, Ortiz, as singer Lady Gaga, and dance crew Jiggurs, who preformed a ghoulish spectacle to a BY BLAIR MISHLEAU they often receive illegal and unsafe injections remix of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” from unlicensed practitioners and that there’s a For more information on Project VIDA go to www.ProjectVida.org. Go to www.QueerTV- In the past two decades, Vital Bridges has pro- large sex worker population among them that Network.com to watch a video of Ortiz re-creating Lady Gaga’s 2009 MTV performance and vided more than 10 million meals for those af- often puts money before health. Jiggurs (Melissa Beecher, Ignacio V. Maldonado, Pedro Mercado, Ivan Ocampo, Freddy Pagan, fected by HIV/AIDS. Leaders of the organization, “We’re up against some tough decisions that Jonathan Rivera, Alexis Salgado and Miguel Salgado) entertaining the audience. Text and members of the LGBT community and others ob- people are having to make for survival,” Bush- photos by Emmanuel Garcia served this milestone Nov. 2 at the North Side ong said. program center, 5543 N. Broadway. The point of the presentation was to provide As guests flowed into Vital Bridges’ entrance the HPPG with better knowledge about disease go] found that there are about 25,000 homeless for supper, they were greeted with a cozy lounge risk within the TG community and also how to Group focuses on youth in Illinois, about 9,000 in Cook County area complete with couches, food and candle- do more effective outreach toward the quietest and around 2,000 in the city of Chicago. Right housing for light to commend the massive efforts of volun- segment of the LGBT population—the goal in now, Chicago has only 193 housing options for teers in the past 21 years Vital Bridges has been mind being to channel funds toward transgender homeless youth and that includes emergency LGBT youths around. health in a way that will effectively reach and shelters. It’s simply not enough.” BY CHASSE REHWINKEL “It’s bittersweet on some level. We’re pleased benefit the health needs of the TG community. First conceived three years ago, the Host Home to continue this much-needed service, but on “The emphasis was on prevention and how to Program began as the idea of a few concerned In an effort to further raise awareness for their the other hand... It’s a tragedy that we’re still get in touch with such a hard to reach commu- Chicagoans who wanted to create a stable hous- upcoming activities, the Chicago LGBTQ Host here. People have referred to this as a celebra- nity,” Bushong said. “… and we need to know ing model for Chicago’s LGBTQ youth. After years Home Program organized three informational tion. It’s not. It’s a milestone,” said Ron Nun- how to place that [funding].” of planning and training the Host Home Program meetings in early and mid-October. ziato, chairman of the board of directors. Other speakers who spoke were Pamela is finally set to begin its host training program, The meetings, which were held at various lo- Many of the volunteers present at the event McCann from the CDPH’s LGBT office, who spoke where eligible volunteers will be taught how to cations around the city, invited any interested have helped for years, some since the inception about effective social marketing toward the open their homes to a LGBTQ youth and help Chicagoans to come and ask questions about the of the organization. transgender community; Lois Bates, the trans them with what Wade said is “the next step in program or about the current youth homeless- “The secret of our success is that we’ve had health coordinator for Howard Brown; and Nikhil their lives.” ness problem in Chicago. people here all 21 years. It’s a testament to the Prachand, who also works with Project Smart. “We will be holding three training periods for “There are not a lot of housing options for LG- gay community,” said Lori Cannon, a volunteer. Bushong said a full report on the findings from new hosts, one in November, one in February and BTQ youth in Chicago,” stated Bonnie Wade, the One man came after his partner, who had been the Project Smart survey may be available within a third in April, and we hope to have around ten Host Home Program’s associate director. “A re- served by Vital Bridges, died. the next few weeks and will be accompanied by homeless youths placed in stable host homes by cent study at [the University of Illinois at Chica- “I was bringing in some of my [partner’s] another presentation. the beginning of next year,” said Wade. “We are clothing to donate. A man came in, and saw a raincoat of my partner’s. He asked if he could have it. It looked like it was made for him, it fit him perfectly. That’s how I joined the pantry,” Wed., Nov. 11 said John Warner, a volunteer. 7:30 p.m. Vital Bridges operates three main locations, Terry Galloway one on the North Side, one on the South Side Mean Little deaf Queer and one on the West Side. Overall, they serve over 1,300 meals a week. This number is increas- Friday, Nov. 13 ing. This year they are providing 50 percent more 7:30 p.m. compared to last year, Nunziato said. Beryl Satter “There’s more work to do. … There are still Family Properties people being infected here in Illinois. They need Have your someone to care about them,” said state Rep. Greg Harris, who has volunteered with Vital premiums Bridges. Select Italy Travel Along with their food pantries, they have a delivery service for those who cannot come and Custom Trip Planning increased pick up food. Honeymoons Vital Bridges also has programs covering nutri- Vacation Packages 5233 N. Clark recently? tion, short and long-term needs, housing and Privately Guided Tours (773) 769-9299 educational services. According to the Web site, Museum, Opera & Theater Tickets See me: www.VitalBridges.org, they have provided more Hotels, Villas & Apartments Charles T. Rhodes, than 600,000 nights of shelter and 250,000 hours of counseling to more 10,000 clients. Your Italian travel experts since 1997 Agent “Here we are, 21 years into serving the AIDS 2472 N. Clark community. I wonder what the next 20 years will 303 W. Erie Suite 410 [email protected] bring. Deep down my sincerest wish is that we Chicago, IL 60654 773.281.0890 www.womenandchildrenfirst.com State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company can close our doors forever,” said Cannon. Parking Available www.selectitaly.com/wct (not in NJ) Wheelchair Accessible 800-877-1755 State Farm Indemnity Company (NJ) Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois Nov. 4, 2009 9 Citing language used by the bashers, police WORLD have deemed the assault a homophobic hate crime. ROUNDUP Twelve of the alleged assailants, some of whom are as young as 13, have been arrested. QUOTELINES by rex wockner BY REX WOCKNER U.N. committee Brazilian man can’t Q blasts Russia’s live in U.S. with “Suspending enforcement of (Don’t intelligence. We had a watchdog, the media. American husband Ask, Don’t Tell)—which the president has (Now) they’re busy preparing us for an Iranian treatment of gays war.” — Gay writer Gore Vidal to The Times of The Obama administration let the clock run the authority to do—would instantly shift the The U.N. Human Rights Committee blasted debate to Congress. It would take DADT off London, Sept. 30. Russia’s treatment of gay people Oct. 29, say- out Oct. 23 on helping a Brazilian man who wants to return to Massachusetts to live with the president’s plate. What to do about DADT ing they face “systematic discrimination” by the “He fucked it up. I don’t know how be- his U.S. husband. would land on Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi’s government. cause the country wanted it. We’ll never see Tim Coco and Brazilian Genésio Oliveira mar- plate. Scrap DADT? Reform DADT? It’s not the “The Committee is concerned about acts of it happen.” — Gay writer Gore Vidal on Obama ried in Massachusetts in 2005 and own a home president’s problem anymore, it’s Congress’s violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and and health-care reform, to The Times of London, together in a Boston suburb. Oliveira was sent problem. And if Congress didn’t act—and transgender (LGBT) persons, including reports that’s a mighty small if—it would be a logisti- Sept. 30. of harassment by the police and incidents of home in August 2007 after losing an asylum case based on anti-gay persecution he said he cal nightmare for the next president, Democrat people being assaulted or killed on account of “(America has) no intellectual class experienced in Brazil. He later also lost a case or Republican, to reverse Obama’s suspension their sexual orientation,” it wrote in its peri- (and is) rotting away at a funereal pace. in which he sought to return to the U.S. based of DADT. So long as the president refuses to odic review of the nation. “The Committee notes We’ll have a military dictatorship fairly soon, on his marriage to Coco. U.S. Attorney General remove DADT from his own plate—and I’m with concern the systematic discrimination not holding my breath—I against individuals on the basis of their sexual Eric Holder had until Oct. 23 to overrule that decision on humanitarian grounds. He had been don’t have much sympathy orientation in the State party (Russia), includ- for him where his plate is ing hate speech and manifestations of intoler- urged to do so by U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. The anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act, passed concerned. Yeah, there’s a ance and prejudice by public officials, religious lot on his plate. No doubt. leaders and in the media. The Committee is also during Bill Clinton’s presidency, prevents the Marriage U.S. government from recognizing same-sex But until he takes DADT off concerned about discrimination in employment, his plate I’m not interest- equality has Young Austin by Photo health care, education and other fields, as well spouses for any reason. President Obama has said repeatedly that he ed in listening to him or as the infringement of the right to freedom of his apologists whine.” — nothing to do assembly and association and notes the absence supports DOMA’s repeal and the extension to with gay same-sex couples of every right and obligation Writer Dan Savage on his of legislation that specifically prohibits discrim- blog, Oct. 10. marriage. ination on the basis of sexual orientation.” of marriage—but he has taken no concrete steps —Perez Hilton The committee urged Russia to pass a national to achieve his stated goals. Coco and Oliveira have said they may sue the “During the prima- law banning discrimination on the basis of sexu- ries, Hillary Clinton al orientation, launch a “sensitization campaign federal government over DOMA in hopes of being reunited. portrayed (Obama) as aimed at the general public ... to combat dis- a slick salesman who could not follow through on the basis that nobody else can hold every- crimination against LGBT persons,” provide “ap- on his grandiose promises. In the general elec- thing together. Obama would have been better propriate training to law enforcement officials,” Gov’t threatens to tion, John McCain said Obama was an empty off focusing on educating the American peo- and “take all necessary measures to guarantee ‘celebrity’ who would not deliver. Standing on ple. His problem is being over-educated. He the exercise in practice of the right to peaceful close Turkish principle for GLBT equality would go a long doesn’t realize how dim-witted and ignorant association and assembly for the LGBT commu- gay group way in diffusing and dispelling this still-po- his audience is.” — Gay writer Gore Vidal to The nity.” tent line of criticism.” — Syndicated gay-press Times of London, Sept. 30. The Black Pink Triangle Association in Izmir, For the past four years, Moscow Mayor Yuri columnist Wayne Besen, Oct. 6. Turkey, has become the latest Turkish GLBT or- Luzhkov has banned gay pride events and sent —Assistance: Bill Kelley ganization to face a closure threat from the gov- riot police to violently arrest small groups of “If you have been gay your whole life ernment. activists who ignored the bans. He has called and feel that that’s the way God made you, The Izmir governor’s office filed suit against gay parades “satanic” and “weapons of mass de- God bless you. But I would still say that that the group, calling it illegal, immoral and anti- struction.” doesn’t mean you should act on that. I would QUOTE ON family. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 19, A group of combined lawsuits over the bans happen to say, for instance, that God made me 2010. should see a ruling from the European Court of with a pretty short temper. Now, I still think “ for you, high in The association plans to fight back. MOOSE MEAT IS VERY GOOD Human Rights sometime in 2010. God loves me, but I can’t act on that. I would protein and very lean. He’s an avid hunter, so he “The prosecutor’s demand for closure of our think that God made me with a particular soft has his own.” — Personal trainer Marvin Jones association is clearly a violation of civil rights,” spot in my heart for a martini. Now, I’d bet- on Levi Johnston (the father of former Alaska Portugal to legalize the group said in a statement. “Establishing an ter be careful about that.” — New York Roman Gov. Sarah Palin’s grandchild), on Johnston’s organization is a constitutional right and they Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan to New York nutritional regimen in preparation for a Playgirl same-sex marriage want to take that right from us.” magazine, Sept. 20. shoot, in an Oct. 16 posting on People.com. Sources close to Portuguese Prime Minister Previous governmental attempts to abolish José Sócrates, who is forming a new government GLBT organizations in Ankara and Istanbul failed “Marriage equality has nothing to “ following September elections, said Oct. 23 that after lengthy court proceedings. UNTIL RICE QUEEN AND SNOW QUEEN DIS- legalizing same-sex marriage will be one of the do with gay marriage ... and everything APPEAR from our own vocabularies and until I new team’s first actions. to do with a lot of people in America thinking don’t have to overhear two white guys describe “The measure is part of the official program of Kenya counts gays that being gay is bad, abnormal, sinful and not me as ‘Mandingo’ (as I did in a club in L.A. one the party and according to government sources, Kenya, which bans gay sex under penalty of worthy of equal rights.” — Gay blogger Perez night), then we’re not much better than [those] the move will be done as soon as (formation of) 14 years in prison, is planning to count its gay Hilton to the Oregon gay newspaper Just Out, who stand on corners with signs that say ‘God the government is complete,” writes correspon- population as part of its efforts against HIV. Sept. 18. Hates Fags.’” — Actor Doug Spearman (TV’s No- dent João Paulo from PortugalGay.pt. Officials don’t expect the numbers to be ac- ah’s Arc) on racism in the LGBT community for the Sócrates’ Socialist Party captured 97 of Parlia- curate, but figure the results could help with “(Being Perez Hilton) makes getting Aug. 10 entry in the Human Rights Campaign’s ment’s 230 seats. With 31 additional votes from projects such as condom distribution, safe-sex laid hard, and I’m a big gay! I like get- Back Story blog, as quoted in the October issue of members of the Left Bloc and the Communist education and HIV testing. ting my dick sucked just as much as any other The Advocate. Party, both of which support gay marriage, Só- Reports said gay men will be expected to iden- gay. In real life, I’m not as loud, crazy and crates should be able to pass the bill easily. tify each other to government officials. obnoxious as Perez is. In real life, I’m actually “I love going to the Playboy Mansion Portugal has had a “de facto unions” law for fucking boring. All I do is work and when I’m party with my boyfriend. Last year, we got opposite- and same-sex couples since 2001 that not working I go over to my friend’s house and dressed up as dead foppish Brits with topcoats grants limited rights to couples who have lived Argentina we play games, I go to concerts. That’s all I and white contact lenses. These naked girls on together for at least two years. do.” — Gay blogger Perez Hilton to the Oregon Ecstasy kept coming up to us, like, ‘We love your may legalize gay newspaper Just Out, Sept. 18. contacts.’ We’d twirl around and say, ‘Well, we gay marriage like your breasts!’” — Neil Patrick Harris in the Gay cop bashed in Argentina’s Congress has begun debate on le- “I would say the Mormon Tabernacle.” Sept. 17 issue of Rolling Stone magazine. — Lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes in Passport galization of same-sex marriage. Liverpool, England magazine’s November issue when asked, “Where “NBC, WATCH WANDA SYKES’ HBO SPECIAL. A 22-year-old off-duty trainee police officer The bill is expected to survive a committee should gay people visit as both a vacation des- That’s the person you should put on the air at was seriously gay-bashed outside the gay bar vote and advance to the full Chamber of Depu- tination and a political act?” 10 p.m. every weeknight.” — Item in “The Bulls- Superstar Boudoir in Liverpool, England, on Oct. ties. If passed there, it would move to the Sen- eye” section of the Oct. 23 issue of Entertainment 25. ate. “One thing I have hated all my life Weekly. James Parkes was set upon by a gang of 20 Several Argentine cities, including Buenos Ai- are liars, and I live in a nation of them. It —Compiled by Andrew Davis youths and suffered multiple skull fractures and res, and one province have local civil-union laws was not always the case. I don’t demand hon- a broken cheek bone and eye socket. He was that grant some of the rights and obligations of or, that can be lies too. I don’t say there was hospitalized in critical condition before being marriage. a golden age, but there was an age of general released Oct. 30 to recuperate at home. —Assistance: Bill Kelley 10 Nov. 4, 2009 VIEWPOINTS VOL. 25, No. 5, Nov. 4, 2009 The combined forces of Windy City Times, founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, should do is wait. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and DOMA tion Act” we fought back. When our opponents founded May 1987. are still on the books and an inclusive ENDA has claimed the bill was a threat to religious liberty yet to become law. Real families are left without we brought hundreds of clergy to Washington PUBLISHER & Executive EDITOR JOE protections and people living with HIV and AIDS to unmask the lie. That’s how we won and we’re Tracy Baim aren’t getting the care they need. Students are going to have to keep doing it with more energy solmonese Assistant Publisher Terri Klinsky being bullied in school because they’re different than we thought possible. MANAGING Editor Andrew Davis and bi-national couples are treated like they’ve I measure our success by the impact we’re hav- Business manager Meghan Streit never met. While we’ve started to turn the tide, ing on the people who vote for our bills. So far Director of New Media Jean Albright it’s clear that our community has a lot of rea- this year we have engaged thousands of peo- ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson account managerS: Amy Matheny, Kirk The last thing sons to be angry and impatient, and I’m thank- ple to go to in-district lobbying visits on hate Williamson, Cynthia Holmes, Carlos Paret ful to the tens of thousands who joined us in crimes, ENDA, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” DOMA, Promotions director Cynthia Holmes we should do Washington this weekend to demand a change. and our family benefits and protections agenda. NIGHTSPOTS MANAGING Editor Kirk Williamson So while I steadfastly believe that we will have We’ve reinforced that with our own lobbying National Sales Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner, Marie is wait accomplished an awful lot by the time Obama work here in Washington. Now, the measure of J. Kuda, David Byrne, Tony Peregrin, Lisa Keen, leaves office, I know that wishing won’t make it this weekend’s march will be how many people Yasmin Nair, Emmanuel Garcia Between President Obama’s speech at the Human so. put the pressure on their Members of Congress TheatER Editor Scott C. Morgan Rights Campaign (HRC) National Dinner Oct. 10 The fact is, we’ve got an agenda. It includes when they go back home. Cinema WRITER Richard Knight, Jr. BOOKS WRITER Yasmin Nair and the inspiring crowd of pro-equality marchers repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, passing an in- Will Obama be with us? Absolutely. Has he ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS who gathered at the Capitol Oct. 11, it was quite clusive ENDA, repealing DOMA, and getting real made his position clear? He has. Can he gener- Mary Shen Barnidge, Jim Edminster, Steve Warren, a weekend. In my mind, it all reflected the unde- protections for families and people with HIV/ ate all of the votes that we need? No. Only we Lawrence Ferber, Mel Ferrand, Catey Sullivan, niable fact that we in the LGBT community and AIDS. How do we make all this happen? We have as a community can. We all know by watching Zachary Whittenburg, Jonathan Abarbanel Columnists/Writers: Yvonne Zipter, Susie our allies have a new-found energy and focus to pass laws. When it comes to changing the the health care debate that the President can’t Day, Jorjet Harper, Lee Lynch, Steve Starr, Joe on what needs to be done to achieve the equal- lives of LGBT Americans, that’s the name of the make those votes happen without pressure from Rice, Dan Woog, Marie-Jo Proulx, Lisa Keen, Chris ity we’ve been promised and that we deserve. game. Whatever the president does or doesn’t the grassroots. And that’s us. Crain, Charlsie Dewey, Michael Knipp, Mark Corece, Of course, we are not a community that sees say, whatever I say and however anyone decides In the uproar over what Obama didn’t say, Sabine Neidhardt, Sam Worley, Billy Masters, John Fenoglio everything through the same lens (and thank to read it, there is only one way to pass a law: something he did say got lost. He said that we PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Mel Ferrand, goodness for that!), so there have been near- secure a majority of votes in the House and a will pass this agenda “day by day, law by law.” Steve Becker, Steve Starr, Emmanuel Garcia ly as many different views of what really went filibuster-proof 60 votes in the Senate. This is a We can only move each law day by day if we ARTISTS/CARTOONISTS Alison Bechdel, Mikeoart down this weekend as there were people march- lot easier said than done, but one thing is cer- move Congress, vote by vote. We as a community CIRCULATION ing past the White House. With this in mind, I tain: when an LGBT bill gets to the Oval Office, can do that. We have been doing that and no Circulation director Jean Albright Distribution: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Renee, want to address some of the issues people have this president will sign it. one who believes in our equality has a moment Sue and Victor been discussing and talk about how I see us all We’re on the cusp of an inclusive hate crimes to wait. moving forward. bill becoming law and that monumental victory That is why our confidence in what we will ac- Perhaps the biggest surprise for me was the provides some useful lessons moving forward. complish under this President is not misplaced. reaction some people had to my comment that We didn’t get to this point by sitting around At the end of the day, it is confidence in our- on the last day of Obama’s term, we will be able waiting. Since its introduction 12 years ago, we selves. I have confidence in the LGBT community to look back on many accomplishments in LGBT have faced a promised veto from the Bush White and the people who support us. We will claim rights. I still find it hard to believe that anyone House and at times unfriendly congressional ma- the equality that is our birthright, day by day, thought I was saying that we should be content jorities. But our members and supporters fought vote by vote, law by law. to wait patiently for our equality. What I said— hard, filling Capitol Hill switchboards and inbox- Joe Solmonese is the national president of Copyright 2009 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media and what I believe in my heart—is just the op- es. As part of strong coalitions, we put pressure Human Rights Campaign. He will speak at the Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. posite. on Members of Congress—working with our al- Nov. 7 HRC Chicago gala, which will be held at Back issues available for $3 per issue (postage included). We all worked hard to elect a President who Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, lies and standing up to our opponents. When the the Hyatt Regency, 151 E. Wacker; see www. and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and supports our rights and now that we’re in a posi- right-wing called the bill the “Pedophile Protec- hrcchicago09.com. no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. tion to make change happen, the last thing we All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing and advocacy, innovative research, youth de- After nearly 10 years of marriage, I made the and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, velopment, leadership development, social pro- difficult decision to own my sexual identity and cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own kim and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City gramming, and being a voice for marginalized live my true life. That’s when I learned how well Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of individuals within the larger LGBT community. protected and respected and acknowledged our a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy hunt City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the We recently implemented our Youth Leadership union was. Even with an amicable split, the sexual orientation of such person or organization. While Institute, an initiative to provide 12 months of process of divorce requires a series of legal ma- we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make training in social justice, community organizing, neuvers that highlight the contractual side of this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept responsibility for advertising claims. and nonprofit management to four individuals marriage. Assets had to be divided, decisions (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 each year aged 18-24 who identify as lesbians, had be made about how much of the children’s e-mail: [email protected] Equality: Present or bisexual or transgender women. Through the time would be spent in each parents’ home, and institute we are helping to train the next genera- when I moved out, it wasn’t assumed that my www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com and future tion of leaders for our organization, for the LGBT ex-husband would put an ad in the paper to get radio: WindyCityQueercast.com This speech was delivered at the Chi- community at large as well as for our broader a new “roommate.” video: QueerTVNetwork.com cago rally held Oct. 11 in solidarity society. I am proud to report that two of our Let’s fast forward about 15 years since my di- WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, Institute Scholars—our summer intern and our vorce. My partner, Mary, and I have been togeth- 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640 USA with the National Equality March youth program coordinator—are at the National er over 10 years. We pay a mortgage, make major (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) taking place in Washington, D.C., on March for Equality today! purchases, plan vacations, buy groceries, discuss Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. the same day. Although Affinity will be celebrating its 15th the needs of our aging parents, and nurture re- Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. year in 2010, I am the organization’s first execu- lationships with friends and family together just Identity (BLACKlines and En La Vida): Now It’s so exciting to see all of you today. You could tive director. I have to say that in my wildest as my ex-husband and I did when we were mar- online only all be nice and toasty at home, but instead you dreams, I never thought I’d find myself among ried. But, if Mary was to suddenly become ill, Deadline The 10th of month prior. OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE chose to be here to celebrate National Coming the ranks of people known as “professional les- I couldn’t assume that I would be allowed to www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Out Day and to renew the march towards civil bians.” The first three-quarters of my life was make medical decisions for her or even visit her rights for the LGBT community and I thank you pretty mainstream. I went to college, met and in the hospital. Furthermore, neither of us has for that. I’m Kim Hunt and I’m executive director married my future husband, had children, and automatic rights to a portion of assets acquired www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com www.WindyCityQueercast.com of Affinity Community Services. got divorced. A typical American story, right? during our relationship. And because my name www.QueerTVNetwork.com I’m going to spend my time today telling you a While married there were assumptions and isn’t on the mortgage documents for the condo bit about my organization, giving you a glimpse expectations—explicit and nuanced—that pro- we’ve shared for 10 years, I cannot assume that into my personal reasons for being so passionate tected and acknowledged our relationship. For I’d have a place to live if anything happened to about the work ahead of us, and stressing the example, although I did not sign our mortgage Mary. need to make sure that this work is inclusive of papers, it was assumed that if my husband As you can see, my more than 10 years in a “Windy City Media Group generated all LGBT communities and their allies. should become incapacitated or worse, few peo- same-gender relationship does not have the enormous interest among their readers Affinity Community Services is one of the best ple would question my right to have the house. same weight under the law as my 10 years of in this year’s LGBT Consumer Index kept secrets in Chicago. For nearly 15 years Af- When I took my husband to the hospital emer- heterosexual marriage. This inequality is why Survey. Out of approximately 100 finity’s leadership and volunteers have been pro- gency room it was expected that I would answer we’re here at Daley Plaza, why the fights for print and online media partners who viding community building programs and a safe questions regarding his health and insurance equality have been waged state by state, and participated in the survey, Windy space for African American lesbians and bisexual when he couldn’t and I was allowed to visit him why the National March for Equality and related City was the best performing regional women as well as LGBTQ youth of African de- in his hospital room without question. During activities are taking place in Washington, D.C. media in the U.S. Only survey partners scent. We are working on being a better resource family or social gatherings, I was introduced as today. with a nationwide footprint were for our transgender brothers and sisters. And we his wife, not his “friend” and people knew what I love the fact that the language of this move- able to generate a greater number of are very deliberately located on Chicago’s South that meant. Our relationship was respected and Turn to page 21 responses.” —David Marshall, Research Side. Our work has included health promotion acknowledged at all levels. Director, Community Marketing, Inc. Nov. 4, 2009 11 GOINGS-ON WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION THAT TOUCH OF MINK Mink Stole is in two films that will be shown at Reeling: Eating Out 3 (above, with Daniel Skelton) and Stuck! Read page 16. THEATER BOOKS SPORTS ‘Modern’ times. ‘Mean’ streets. Groundbreaking. Page 12. Page 17. Page 22. Photo by Photo by Chicago Cubs Baseball Johnny Knight Club, LLC/Stephen Green Goodman Theatre. Some of Philippi’s Goodman- Scottish to-Broadway lighting design credits include De- sire Under the Elms, Death of a Salesman and Play Scott The Speed of Darkness. Philippi got his start working alongside direc- A muse of Fosse tor Robert Falls at the old Wisdom Bridge The- BY SCOTT C. MORGAN atre, and he also designed extensively at other companies locally and around the nation. Condo- Reinking returns to Chicago lences can be sent via e-mail to condolences@ Bob Fosse passed away in 1987, but his work goodmantheatre.org. as a groundbreaking director, chorographer and Meanwhile on Broadway, the David Cromer- dancer continues to influence artists of all kinds. directed revival of Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Most recently, Beyonce Knowles cited Fosse’s Memoirs closed Nov. 1. The producers decided to choreography of the 1969 dance trio Mexican pull the plug on this anticipated repertory pair- Breakfast for the Ed Sullivan Show as the cho- ing of Brighton Beach Memoirs with Broadway reographic source of inspiration for her hit video Bound (which was to open later) despite receiv- of “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” ing a majority of positive reviews for the first Now, audiences can get a live taste of Mexi- play of Simon’s Jerome Trilogy. can Breakfast as part of Thodos Dance Chicago’s It was a shock to the show’s cast and crew world premiere of the Fosse Trilogy. Along with (which included Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble Mexican Breakfast, two other early Fosse works, member Laurie Metcalf) when they got word of Cool Hand Luke (previously seen in the Broad- From left: Wade Schaaf, Danielle Scanlon and Justin Sears take part in Thodos’ Fosse trilogy. the closure. Some are putting the blame on the way musical Fosse) and Tijuana Shuffle, make up Photos courtesy of Thodos Dance Chicago poor economy and smaller-than-anticipated ad- the trilogy for the company’s 2009 Fall Concert. said, ‘Gee, you know a lot about dance. Did you who is a cover (understudy) in the Fosse Tril- vance ticket sales. Brighton Beach Memoirs was Setting the works on Thodos’ dancers (and cre- dance?’ And she goes, ‘Yes I dance and I have my ogy and represented as a choreographer with the Broadway debut for Chicago-based director ating new choreography to link the pieces) is own company.’” the piece “Awakening” in the fall concert. “You Cromer. none other than Ann Reinking, one of Fosse’s Reinking was impressed with Thodos’ company dream about experiences like that.” Two other actors also out of work are Anna- major muses in the 1970s and ’80s (All That and later choreographed for it. Reinking previ- Thodos Dance Chicago performs the Fosse Tril- leigh Ashford (Wicked in Chicago and Broad- Jazz, Dancin’, Sweet Charity). ously choreographed the Thodos world premieres ogy along with other works for its Fall Concert way) and Michael Longoria (Jersey Boys). Both The Tony Award-winning choreographer for of CAUTION: Side Effects in 2004 and Rossini 2009 at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, for Centre East at were attached to the upcoming Cirque du Soleil the 1996 Broadway revival of Chicago returns to Recess in 2007. the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, vaudeville-themed show Banana Shpeel, which work with Thodos for the third time, thanks in Watching Reinking impart her own knowledge 9501 Skokie, Skokie. Tickets are $38; call 847- is playing the Chicago Theatre before an antici- part to a National Endowment for the Arts Dance of working with Fosse in rehearsals with Tho- 673-6300. Thodos then performs in Chicago at pated New York run in 2010. Masterpiece Grant. dos dancers was fascinating. The detail of when Millennium Park’s Harris Theater for Music and Despite being prominently featured at Banana “Every time I come here, it’s so positive,” Reink- dancers should smile and what they should be Dance, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets are $25-$60;; Shpeel’s media launch in September and in the ing said after a morning rehearsal at Chicago’s thinking about during particular moves was so call 312-334-7777 or visit www.thodosdancechi- show’s advertising, Longoria and Ashford were Menomonee Club Oct. 26. “The attitude is superb revealing. cago.org let go when the show’s creative team (David and you just want to do anything and everything “Bob was so specific and it was crystal clear,” Shiner and Serge Roy) dropped their characters you can for this great company.” Reinking said, adding that she herself got a Gone too soon from the script. Cirque du Soleil was quick to Reinking and company founder Melissa Thodos remarkable education not only from Fosse, but The Chicago theater scene recently suffered point out that it wasn’t the fault of the perform- initially met and became friends because their also from Broadway legend Gwen Verdon, who some major losses, both personally and profes- ers, just that Banana Shpeel was going in a dif- husbands were buddies on the semi-pro tennis was his wife. sionally. ferent direction. circuit. “It’s something a dancer dreams of—having a Baltimore-based lighting and set designer Mi- Please send theater news and other related “We took to each other right away,” Reink- Broadway legend who had first-hand experience chael Philippi, 58, died on Oct. 27. Philippi was tidbits to [email protected] and ing said when they were chatting during ten- with one of the most amazing choreographers of on his way to a technical rehearsal of High Holi- [email protected]. nis matches. “She just started talking and I our time,” said company member Wade Schaaf, days at his long-time collaborative home, the 12 Nov. 4, 2009 Man of La Mancha. Photo courtesy SPOTLIGHT of Theo Ubique Halloween may be over, but Hobo Junction still finds time to make merry with the ma- cabre subject matter of cannibalism in the world premiere of Josh Zagoren’s Horrible. THEATER REVIEW the character—it detracts from it. Find out if love can flourish between a pa- Making his directorial debut with Theo Ubique, tient doctor and a lovely cannibal trying to Man of Heimann does more than tinker with gender ex- save her family flower shop from foreclosure. pectations in Man of La Mancha. He also dis- Horrible plays 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays La Mancha penses with the traditional setting (a prison Nov. 6-Dec. 19 (no shows Thanksgiving week- Playwright: Music by Mitch Leigh, during the Spanish Inquisition) and puts the end), at the Apollo Studio Theatre, 2540 N. lyrics by Joe Darion, whole story in a contemporary mental hospi- Lincoln. Tickets are $15; call 773-935-6100 book by Dale Wasserman tal—or, rather, the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s or visit www.apollochicago.com. Photo of At: Theo Ubique at the Nest-circa-1970s stereotype of a contemporary Madeline Chlese in Horrible courtesy of Hobo No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood mental hospital. The patients are tired, tiresome Junction Phone: 800-595-4849; $25-$53 tropes straight out of central casting. They pick Runs through: Nov. 22 obsessively at imaginary nits, twist their faces with exaggerated facial tics and babble to them- delicate balance of power invoked by privileged an Theatre Ensemble’s earnest Chicago premiere BY CATEY SULLIVAN selves and their imaginary friends throughout. gentry under duress. The Rodman clan dynamic of the uneven 2007 off-Broadway show The Glo- In all, there’s not a single ensemble member is already unstable—Andrew Rodman exhibits rious Ones. Danielle Brothers can instill a torch song with who doesn’t pull repeatedly focus with labored, a curious reluctance to exercise his patriarchal The Glorious Ones clearly has elements that the sorrow of the world and belt with the fer- overwrought depictions of cartoon crazy. It’s responsibilities, wife Julie is having an affair should work in a musical: a score by the Tony vor of a tempest. Inarguably, she has the vocal like watching a room full of bad Marty Feldman with the family lawyer, spinster sister Cora is Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Ste- technique and the emotive talent to make music impersonators doing impressions of Young Fran- spoiled and pettish, and the servants do as they phen Flaherty (Ragtime) and a very theatrical resonate. But in the title role of David Heimann’s kenstein’s Igor. please—wanting only a brush with the movers subject of a commedia dell’arte troupe facing revisionist Man of La Mancha, Brothers is fight- If the ensemble’s collective performances and shakers in this world to shatter the status artistic and personal changes both on and off ing with a score that’s an octave or so below her were rooted in truth rather than mugging, the quo. stage. natural register. Both the actress and the score concept could work. When Miguel Cervantes is The Artistic Home is an actors’ theatre, first But Ahrens and Flaherty’s structural device of lose. She’s a woman playing a traditionally male committed to the asylum, it makes sense. He and foremost, and the company, assembled under giving each character a chance to reminisce di- role but the problem isn’t one of gender, it’s one believes himself to be someone he is not. He Kathy Scambiatterra’s direction, deftly navigate rectly to the audience dilutes the focus. Also, of vocals. thinks windmills are dragons. Clearly, he’s delu- its rat-a-tat dialogue to deliver uniformly well- inter-troupe jealousies and unrequited love As an actor, she’s perfectly credible as the sional. Heimann deserves credit for imagination crafted performances, down to the last nuance crushes get introduced and then go frustratingly Knight of the Woeful Countenance. But the and verve. If only he’d reigned in the Looney and grace note, redeeming all traces of heavy- unexplored. part requires a voice that can send songs Mitch Tunes schtick and cast a Don Quixote with the handed propaganda. The technical values—in With such a fragmented approach to the plot Leigh’s music soaring to anthemic heights. For requisite vocal prowess. particular, Joseph Riley and Gretel Ulyshen’s el- (remembrances about a charismatic acting Brothers, such musical flight is an impossible However, despite those major drawbacks, there egant sunroom, along with Adam Smith’s sound troupe leader who would rather die than des- dream—or, at least, it is in this key. The mu- are definite pleasures in Man of La Mancha. effects—likewise reflect an attention to ambi- ecrate his populist improvisational art), there is sical’s gorgeous score—which includes such Daniel Waters Padre and Kent L. Joseph’s Pedro ent detail contributing to suspense engendered very little for audiences to care about. instantly recognizable tunes as “The Man of deliver marvelous vocals on (respectively) “To by the high stakes in a war of attrition mandat- Yet even with this material that doesn’t live up La Mancha,” “Dulcinea” and “The Impossible Each His Dulcinea” and the “Little Bird, Little ing hard decisions on all fronts. to its storytelling potential, Bohemian Theatre Dream”—becomes a casualty of guttural low Bird.” Moreover, Ryan Brewster’s four-man band In the grim light of 2009, when the separation does a great job of presenting it. Director/set notes. The effect is akin to that of having a man captures the intricate emotions of the score with between rich and poor grows increasingly frag- designer Stephen M. Genovese has assembled a perform a traditionally female role in the airiest minimalist grace. ile, and citizens of all subcultures grapple with strong cast that sings the pleasant score won- of falsettos; the vocalizing doesn’t help build questions hitherto the stuff of bemused fantasy, derfully and un-amplified. THEATER REVIEW what better time for an old-fashioned morality Teresa Ham’s renaissance costumes by are lush, CRITICS’ PICKS fable to offer us guidance in our own affairs? To and Genovese’s pocket-size set design is spot Days to Come paraphrase the old song, which side will you be on. But this is a case of the material letting C’est la Vie, Light Opera Works, through Playwright: Lillian Hellman on? down the cast and crew. Nov. 15. Greg Opelka’s fizzy and stereotypi- At: The Artistic Home (formerly Live As for Thoroughly Modern Millie, it’s not the cally French cabaret revue is a delight from Bait Theatre), 3914 N. Clark THEATER REVIEWS greatest or most original of film-to-stage trans- start to finish, especially for those who Phone: 866-811-4111; $23-$25 fers (what with all its interpolated song stan- proudly proclaim to be Francophiles. SCM Runs through: Nov. 29 The Glorious Ones dards and PC revisions). But who cares when Playwright: Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty Lettice and Lovage, Redtwist Theatre, Drury Lane delivers such a razzle-dazzle stag- At: Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, 7016 N. through Nov. 8. Millicent Hurley and Jan BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE ing? Glenwood Ellen Graves deliver captivating tag-team Director William Osetek has cast the produc- Phone: 866-811-4111; $17-$22 performances in Peter Shaffer’s screwball “We are dealing with people far ... shrewder tion marvelously, and Tammy Mader’s tap-happy Runs through Nov. 21 comedy about a pair of spinsters deter- than we are,” declares a sheltered young matron chorography is guaranteed to plaster a smile on mined to rescue their society from creeping caught up in social upheaval beyond her under- your face. Every aspect of the production design mediocrity. MSB standing. She’s right, too. Her less-observant Thoroughly marvelously captures the exuberance of the op- Thoroughly Modern Millie, Drury Lane, husband, owner of the factory supporting the timistic 1920s in Manhattan. Oak Brook, through Dec. 20. The cast is as town’s economy, has cut his employees’ wag- Modern Millie As Millie Dillmount, Holly Ann Butler straddles lively as a Midtown juice joint in the heart es—a severe hardship in the depression years— Playwright: Adam Bock her character’s bright-eyed innocence and undy- of the roaring ’20s. Fantabulous choreog- only to find himself facing a strike. Both he and At: About Face Theatre at ing gumption to get ahead and marry wealthily. raphy, lavish production values as lovely the strikers are anxious to avoid any violent con- Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield She’s partnered wonderfully with her handsome a vintage Erte print and a score of retro frontations, but the Union spokesman and the Phone: 866-811-4111; $20 potential beaus of the fancy-free Jimmy Smith Broadway classics combine to create a truly “security chief” accompanying the “scab” work- Runs through: Nov. 7 (Mark Fisher) and Mr. Trevor Graydon (Randall marvelous party of a show. CS ers called in to keep production moving know Dodge). Treasure Island, Lifeline Theatre, through better than to anticipate a peaceful settlement. BY SCOTT C. MORGAN Even better character work comes from Paula Nov. 15. This new version breathes intel- When one of the thugs knifes the other during Scrofano’s sneaky Mrs. Meers, while Melody Betts ligent life into the evergreen classic, em- a card game, the corpse is then planted next A lot of theater critics (myself included) have brings the house down musically and comically phasizing character and moral ambiguity to the labor leader’s headquarters—a stratagem gotten snooty about the big trend of new musi- as the jazz singer socialite Muzzy Van Hoss- over high action, but with plenty of salt air rendering tragedy inevitable. cals based upon Hollywood movies. “Where’s the mere. nonetheless and authentic ship details in Movie buffs, in their imaginations, have prob- originality?!” we lament. Drury Lane’s superlative Thoroughly Modern the design. JA ably superimposed harshly-lit black-and-white But originality doesn’t always make for a bet- Millie is actually a case when the home-grown —By Abarbanel, Barnidge, cinematography on this drama already, along ter musical. This is apparent when comparing production is better than the national Broadway Morgan and Sullivan with a cast including, let’s say, Frederick March, two local productions of new musicals from this tour. When it’s this good, just drop your qualms Teresa Wright and Spencer Tracy. But despite its decade: Drury Lane Oak Brook’s smashing rendi- about film-to-stage adaptations and go have a ripped-from-the-headlines framing device, the tion of 2002’s Thoroughly Modern Millie (based great time. real focus of this early Lillian Hellman play is the upon the 1967 Julie Andrews film) and Bohemi- Nov. 4, 2009 13 THEATER REVIEW plot to an abrupt halt (not one extra minute a confident and accomplished singer. Her long, is expended on its consequences), we have not elegant gowns (also designed by Marr) hide the Summer People only seen it coming long before, but grown leg cast she wears (torn ligament), which slow Playwright: Jenny Connell downright impatient waiting for it—this, in a her down but give her movements a stately and At: The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee show running only slightly over one hour. dignified quality. Phone: 773-283-7071; $25 The cast assembled under Paul D’Addario’s di- Of course, the ensemble nature of Ernani also Runs through: Dec. 13 rection strive mightily to breath plausibility into is one of its limitations. There’s no mad scene or their one-dimensional characters, as does the spectacular sextet ala Lucia, no catchy tune a la BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE always-capable Gift Theatre technical staff— “La donna e mobile,” no extended romantic duet Joe Court’s sound design goes a long way toward a la Puccini’s—well, almost any Puccini opera. Our play’s setting is the cottage and campground locating us in our shifting environments. Nev- Giuseppe Verdi’s music is characteristically me- resort on the coast of Maine managed by Vietnam ertheless, the production cannot shake off an lodic and forceful (I think of his style as manly) vet Scotty Hammond, host to a pair of midsum- undeniable schoolroom ambience (did nobody in with often-symphonic orchestral parts, but none mer tourists-in-residence (as opposed to those the company know the correct pronunciation of of it is spectacular. Opera houses which produce who stay only for weekends). The first is a con- “irrevocable”?). To be sure, the extension of the Ernani may be tired of hearing it, but it’s true: scientious New York matron, recently separated Jeff-Recommended Ruby Sunrise may have made Verdi’s greater work was yet to come. Still, Er- from her liberal-activist husband and struggling for unexpected adjustments in the Gift Theatre’s nani actually is a well-integrated musical drama, to cope with the insecurities she projects onto fall play schedule, mandating that a script be unusual for its time. Among the musical high- called into readiness before its completion. But lights is a typical Verdi patriotic chorus about her two precocious daughters. The second guest Ernani. Photo by Karin Cooper/Washington haste, as the saying goes, makes for waste in Iberia. However, the Italian audiences of 1844 is a reclusive young ex-serviceman, recently re- National Opera turned from the war in Iraq, with a propensity this instance. understood that Verdi was stirring up sentiment to PTSD-fueled hallucinations. Do we need to be chitecture. Ernani is what it is. Enjoy its bravura for Italy’s independence from its Austrian over- told that no good will come of this volatile situ- OPERA REVIEW qualities or just stay home. lords, ironically the descendents of King Carlo. ation? Based on a Victor Hugo play that helped usher As ever, the Lyric Opera orchestra and chorus There’s nothing fundamentally untrue in Jenny Ernani in the Romantic Era in literature, Ernani is set in are outstanding. Renato Palumbo is the welcome Connell’s thriller: preteens frequently display a Playwright: Giuseppe Verdi (music), Spain in 1519 and concerns the love quadrangle guest conductor. Jose Maria Condemi is the stage fondness for videocam snooping, and adoles- Francesco Piave (libretto) of noblewoman Elvira (mezzo), old Duke Silva director. cents, for testing the boundaries of their sexual At: Lyric Opera of Chicago (villainous basso), Spanish King Carlo (bari- power. Nor is it freakish for an abandoned wife to Tickets: 312-332-2244; tone), and impoverished (by Carlo) nobleman seek the comforting arms of a compliant gentle- www.lyricopera.org/tickets; $33-$207 Ernani (tenor). All three guys love Elvira, but Lookingglass names man (especially one conveniently distant from Runs through: Nov. 23 what they do for love is nothing compared to her own social circle). And the phenomenon of what they do for their traditionally thick-headed new artistic director Lookingglass Theatre has announced that surviving warriors suffering nightmares based in BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL version of honor, which ends with someone dead Andrew White, a founding ensemble member, atrocities witnessed—or perpetrated—in com- and everyone unhappy. Hey, what’s opera, Doc? has been elected to the position of artistic bat has been observed for as long as there have The production is brand-new and sumptuous, The four principals are excellent and well- director-elect. White will make the transi- been armed conflicts. but Ernani is old-fashioned opera done the old- matched in this ensemble work. Salvatore Licitra tion into the position under the guidance of Summer People could have emerged a sweetly fashioned way. No high concept, no modern as Ernani has a youthful, supple voice. He sound- outgoing Artistic Director David Catlin, who tragic domestic romance not unlike the Har- dress; just stand-and-sing, love-and-vengeance ed not-quite-warmed-up at first (he claimed will step down in June 2010. Catlin recently lequins that comprise the older girl’s reading 19th-century Italian opera with a short, squat a sore throat) but soon was fine. Boaz Daniel, accepted a visiting professorship at North- matter. What undermines even the superficial tenor and a shorter squat baritone in high-heel as Carlo, delivers with clarity and power, and western University. credibility necessary to the genre, however, is boots. The tall, trim basso stole scenes merely appears to enjoy his bombastic role. Giacomo See www.lookingglasstheatre.org. the tidiness with which the emotions, and sub- by contrast. Even Scott Marr’s scenic design uses Prestia’s Silva is sufficiently oily and his pierc- sequent actions, of its stereotypical personnel a wing-and-drop concept that was old-hat when ing basso rings true. Berwyn-born Sondra Rad- bend to narrative expedience. By the time Con- Ernani was new in 1844, although it’s richly vanovsky makes the coloratura of her opening nell’s “shocking” ending brings the lock-step handsome for all that, inspired by Moorish ar- aria look and sound easy, which is a hallmark of 14 Nov. 4, 2009 ing the red carpet, etc.—that will be instantly operatic arias and recall other cinematic contests recognizable for the disenfranchised and, espe- of will between mother and daughter, although cially, the queer community. (I’m guessing our there isn’t a whiff of camp here. Daniels includes KNIGHT closeted, minority members will strongly iden- an inspired moment that particularly resonates tify with the fantasy.) When a tough but deter- in which Precious and her mother sit silently, AT mined teacher intuits there’s more to Precious side by side, emotionally a million miles apart, THE than meets the eye and gets her enrolled in an watching Sophia Loren and Eleanora Brown on alternative school, our hopes rise. Cautiously, TV in DeSica’s Italian classic Two Women, a mov- MOVIES Precious comes into her own, blossoming under ie in which a mother sacrifices everything for her the care of patient instructor Ms. Rain (a lumi- daughter. nous Paula Patton), whom Precious soon learns We’re deep into a matriarchal society and men is a lesbian. (“They talk like TV channels I don’t are on the periphery—glimpsed in gangs as watch,” Precious says with a touch of awe, lis- shadowy figures or as figures to be objectified tening to her learned teacher and her lover when (Lenny Kravitz as a male nurse). Moreover, all Mo’Nique in Precious. they meet.) the students in Precious’s class are female and Daniels is known for making daring casting Daniels captures this closed-off, female-driven the gift of optimism. The film is set in 1987, and choices in his movies (whether he’s producing world. (Some of the school scenes, however, lose when we first see Precious (played with great or directing) and they have paid off in spades— a bit of their punch as we repeatedly return to intuitiveness by Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe in her such as an Oscar for Halle Berry and a wondrous the classroom, where the teenage girls kvetch Precious acting debut), she is walking down the street character performance by Heath Ledger in Mon- at each other with little variation, but that’s a by RICHARD KNIGHT, JR. with her mouth set in a closed in pout, staring ster’s Ball; and the audacity of Shadowboxer, quibble). Daniels also brings an innate gay sen- out at the hostile world with watchful eyes. This with the romance between Cuba Gooding, Jr., sibility to the material that queer audiences will The critical buzz, word of mouth and heavyweight is not the kind of physicality the movies have and Helen Mirren. And he does so again by cast- instantly recognize and embrace. names (Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, etc.) attached often chosen for audiences to identify with. We ing comic Mo‘Nique as the vicious mother and Precious is certainly one of the heaviest mov- to the indie drama Precious are so overwhelm- are usually cued to see such characters as pa- Mariah Carey as a tough but caring social worker. ies of the year but audiences ready to be chal- ing that it’s become a movie that arrives—as thetic losers and, instinctively, we may do that Carey appears sans makeup and her music-diva lenged by deeper fare will be amply rewarded did Brokeback Mountain, Slumdog Millionaire upon first glance at Precious, with her hardened drag and makes the most of her screen time with an emotionally cathartic experience rare in and Pulp Fiction—with enormous expectations. scowl. while Mo’Nique is simply a force to be reckoned cinema. You sit there in a bit of a “show me the money” But then she speaks to us in voice-over, say- with. She’s right up there in the hall of fame of Check out my archived reviews at www. mood but, boy, does this movie live up to its ing, “Everything in the universe is a gift” and rotten mothers. windycitytimes.com or www.knightatthemov- hype. Director Lee Daniels—who describes him- we see the defiant, vivid red scarf—a symbol of But for each small triumph Precious achieves ies.com. Readers can leave feedback at the self as “a little homo, a little Euro and a little her hopes to “break through,” as she puts in— there is a setback—always thanks to the vile latter Web site. ghetto”—works with a Geoffrey Fletcher script and we ascertain the optimistic spark inside. mother. The scenes between mother and daugh- adaptation of the book by bisexual author Sap- Within seconds, we’re caught up in her outcome, ter—the epicenter of the movie—are like great phire (with the official title of the movie being rooting for this dour 16-year-old to overcome Precious Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire), her unbelievable odds, or at least to find peace has wrought an intensely moving underdog story Lee Daniels’ within them. In addition to economic and cul- that hits all its melodramatic marks and shoots tural restraints Precious also has a contentious ‘Precious’ moments over those, too. It’s one of those movies you relationship with her horrendous mother, Mary By Richard Knight, Jr. can’t wait to talk about afterwards. (Mo’Nique in a career-altering performance), to This tale of an unloved, 350-pound, illiterate deal with—her biggest obstacle. Film producer/director Lee Daniels, 49, is a Black high school teen in Harlem who is raped To escape these travails Precious has developed whirlwind of energy with an irresistible pas- and pregnant for the second time by her abusive a fantasy life—she imagines herself performing sion for movies that cut deep propelled by father is unbearably bleak, but the movie has “Come Into My House” by Queen Latifah, walk- his unusual casting choices. He produced the given its title character—and the audience— Oscar-winning Monster’s Ball; directed the compelling The Woodsman; and the odd but fascinating Shadowboxer—and now is winning film prizes right and left with Precious. The self-described “part homo, part Euro, and part ghetto” African-American Daniels has been fo- cusing all his energies on Precious, the bleak story of a 16-year-old Black, pregnant and illit- erate teenage girl set in Harlem in 1987. (The film is based on Sapphire’s novel Push.) Windy City Times: I strongly identified Lee Daniels. with Precious escaping into a fantasy world. I’m sure so many queer audience members them because the movie is me. You know? I will— had to marry the book with my own personal Lee Daniels: [Laughing] That’s my gay sen- life. So, Precious really steps into my fantasies. sibility, isn’t it? Someone said to me, this [Laughs] gay producer, “Lee, your gay sensibility is all WCT: As bad as things are for Precious, throughout the film” and I was like, “I never how much worse would they have been if tried to hide it!” Precious had been a gay male high school WCT: I think that’s magnificent. I know teen in 1987? there’s a queer sensibility in the movies but LD: I think that we all are Precious. I think it there is a Black queer sensibility as well? would have been the same story. LD: Oh yeah, definitely. Like I’ve said before, WCT: The queer in me loves that the most “It’s a little Euro, it’s a little ghetto and it’s a maternal character in the movie is the les- little homo.” bian teacher. WCT: That fantasy world she envisions just LD: There are so many subject matters to hit fires the imagination. Was that your experi- upon in this film—self-esteem issues, obesity, ence as a young, closeted gay man as well? the social-service system—I tried to hit on so LD: Yes. I often fantasized when bad things much but what people seem to miss which is happened to me. As a gay kid we have our own what I try to hint at strongly is just how peo- way of escaping. I knew growing up—and my ple from a specific socio-economic background boyfriend points this out—because he can’t feel about homosexuality and what I do in this figure out why I made it and other African film is I make our savior, this beautiful god- Americans in my same situation didn’t make it dess, a lesbian. [It] fucks up a lot of people out of the ghetto. But it was that gay sensibil- from a socioeconomic background that think ity that knew, “I. Don’t. Think. So.” You know? homosexuality is the root of all evil that this I knew there was some glitter somewhere. person is the savior. It really freaks a lot of NOW ON SALE [Laughs] people out. r WCT: You just had to go find it. Read more of what Lee Daniels has to November 24–29 LD: Yes, I did. Oftentimes what I did was say—including the one thing he used to do 800 775 2000 r … when I was being harassed as a gay kid that he now regrets—online at www.Windy- or just in bad places I often fantasized. The CityMediaGroup.com. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE BOX OFFICE AND ANY fantasies are not really that strong in the book. "2/!$7!9 ). #()#!'/ "/8 /&&)#% s '2/503 They’re hinted at in the book but I delved into www.thetentenors.com windy 1104 buffalo:Layout 1 10/29/09 4:42 PM Page 1 Nov. 4, 2009 15 Reeling 2009: The first week steppenwolf By Richard Knight, Jr. Reeling 2009, the second oldest gay and lesbian film festival in the country (after San Francisco) turns 28 this year. Over the course of this year’s 11-day fest (Nov. 5-15) audiences will get a chance to see more than 150 independent fea- tures and shorts ranging from documentaries to intimate dramas—all with a queer bent and as usual for Reeling, party like there’s no tomorrow after the nightly screenings. Reeling’s opening night kicks off with The Big Gay Musical, the latest from queer director Caspar Andreas (Slutty Summer, A Four Letter Word) who co-directed with screenwriter Fred Big Gay Musical. M. Caruso. The Big Gay Musical offers a nice combination of Naked Boys Singing (these are comedies with Rebekah Kochan as the crude, nearly so) and elements of the coming out story sex-crazed, gay-loving Tiffani and Mink Stole from LOGO’s late, lamented Sordid Lives. It’s returning for this third go-round. (Expect lots “city mouse/country mouse” plot focuses on a of copious male nudity and simulated gay sex.) hunky gay male horndog tired of the one night Make the Yuletide Gay—which certainly lives up stands looking for a fulfilling relationship in all to its title—also screens Nov. 7, followed by a the wrong places (offering viewers plenty of soft Christmas-themed DVD-release party that direc- core man on man action in the process). Said tor Rob Williams will attend. Eating Out screens hunk is star of a queer-themed musical variety at 5 p.m. and Yuletide at 7:15 p.m., both at the show along with his equally hot co-star who is Landmark Century. his opposite, an innocent queer, new to gay Fish out of Water, a telling and sometimes life, not yet out to his conservative parents who humorous examination of the Biblical passages have—gasp!—announced they’re coming to used by conservatives to condemn and justify opening night! Andreas (who co-directed) along anti-gay attitudes is the fest’s Documentary with out actor Daniel Robinson who stars will Centerpiece from local filmmaker Ky Dickens. It appear at the screening which is being held on will screen on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m. at the Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Box Music Box Theatre, to be followed by an after- Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. An opening-night party at In Fine Spirits, 5420 N. Clark. Dickens gala follows the screening at Architectural Arti- and many of her interview subjects from the film facts and includes a performance by local faves will attend. The Joans, David Cerda’s Joan Crawford inspired Other first-week highlights include Pornog- american rock-and-roll band (and Peter Neville’s hilarious raphy: A Thriller from writer-director David video for The Joans—“Mad at the Dirt,” just ac- Kittredge, a sexy, Kafkaesque walk on the dark cepted by LOGO, will screen during the fest). side of porn with more than a hint of David The Women’s Centerpiece selection Stuck!, a Lynch in its head-spinning plot twists (Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Landmark Century at 9:30 p.m.); buffalo loving homage to women’s prison films featuring Karen Black as a loony neighbor who mistakenly Lie (Miente), a Puerto Rican gay-themed film written by David Mamet sends a young innocent lovely to death row and which Reeling is screening a sneak preview of Mink Stole as a born-again inmate waiting in (Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the Landmark Century directed by ensemble member Amy Morton the Big Doll House to greet her along with the at 7 p.m.); Fig Trees, a documentary about two other ladies, will screen Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. AIDS activists fighting the good fight in South featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan and at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 Africa) (screens Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the Land- Tracy Letts with Patrick Andrews N. Clark. Mink Stole will appear in person at the mark Century at 9 p.m.), and the world premiere “Lesbian Lockdown-Jail Break” after-party at of the documentary Riot Acts: Flaunting Gender In a cluttered, run-down Chicago junk shop, three small time crooks plot to Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted. Deviance in Music Performance (Wednesday, Nov. steal a valuable buffalo nickel. As the heist unravels, the men’s frustration 11 at the Landmark Century). The latter screen- Other first-week highlights include the Satur- and paranoia intensify. Ensemble member Amy Morton directs this day, Nov. 7, screening of Billy Clift’s Baby Jane?, ing will be followed by an after-party at Jack- groundbreaking American play that weaves humor and menace throughout a spot-on, feature-length, drag-parody re-cre- hammer, 6406 N. Clark, with director Madsen ation (in black and white, no less) of the 1962 Minax. an emotionally charged struggle for identity and dominance. Bette Davis-Joan Crawford camp classic What There are many other first-week films, short Ever Happened to Baby Jane? It is alternately and long, that are worth checking out. Find out hilarious and disturbing. (Clift and cast mem- complete festival information, tickets, theatres bers will attend the screening at 2 p.m. at the and locations by calling 773-293-1447 or vis- Landmark Century.) iting www.reelingfilmfestival.org. Highlights of Tickets going fast! Saturday, Nov. 7, is also the night Reeling Reeling’s second week will run in next week’s will screen Eating Out: All You Can Eat, the lat- Windy City Times. est in the series of “Eating Out” gay situation December 3, 2009 - February 7, 2010 buy online at steppenwolf.org or call 312-335-1650. Production Sponsor of American Buffalo Pornography: A Thriller. 16 Nov. 4, 2009 REELING FILM FEST 2009 documentary at the Reeling Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. What’s next for your film? KD: We’re heading out on the road. We’re go- Reeling in ing to do some street marketing and handing out information to people to get the film out. the ‘Fish’ Fish out The DVD will be available in the spring of 2010 by Byron Flitsch of Water. to purchase and to rent. We just want to keep getting the word out. Various churches and religious leaders have spo- Fish Out of Water will premiere at the 2009 ken against homosexuality citing the Bible as Reeling Film Festival on Sunday, Nov. 8, at their main resource. But does the Bible really the Music Box Theater, 3733 N. Southport, at say anything about homosexuality? 5 p.m. A post-film discussion will take place Filmmaker Ky Dickens tackles that exact ques- at In Fine Spirits, 5420 N. Clark. See www. tion in her documentary Fish Out of Water. The reelingfilmfestival.org. film asks LGBT church figures and other people (e.g., the Rev. Fred Phelps) their interpretations on homosexuality in the Bible while unveiling new perspective on seven Bible passages that some fun aesthetics. You use animation was getting the LGBT community to trust this have been commonly used against homosexual- mixed with live-person interviews. Can you film. ity and same-sex marriage rights. explain the reason of using cartoons? WCT: Because it’s about religion? Windy City Times: Let’s get right down to KD: I wanted the documentary to be acces- KD: Well, it’s about church and religion and it. You’ve tackled two of the stickier moral sible to everyone and—let’s face it—talking because the LGBT community has been shunned debates [homosexuality and religion] in one about religion can get pretty boring. Two anima- or judged so harshly by the church we’ve placed film.W here did you get the bravery and inspi- tors from Columbia College [Kyle Harter and Alan this stigma on how terrible it is. When people ration to make such a project? Saunders] took on some of my ideas I had to vi- hear “another film about religion,” right away Ky Dickens: I wouldn’t say bravery as much sually describe certain Bible scenarios. It makes they want to put up defense. It makes people as necessity. When I came out to my sorority it easier for people to separate certain scenarios uneasy. I was afraid that I wouldn’t reach many friends in college [Vanderbilt University] I was and characters, too. Like, “Oh, that funny look- audiences because of the topic. But it’s been the approached with so much judgment and the ing character was introduced to us before when total opposite. majority of the judgment was based on these we were talking about Genesis.” WCT: Well, I think you’ve done your job now Ky Dickens. religion-based beliefs. You know—“You’re going wCT: It probably lightens up what can be a that you’re highlighted as the centerpiece to go to hell!” or “That’s a sin!”—and at the pretty heavy topic. Watch out as the tears and laughter begin. time I didn’t really have any facts to disprove KD: Totally. Our goal wasn’t to throw opinions REELING FILM FEST 2009 Angela Vint (Athena) and Megan Fahlen- what people were throwing at me. So I started at people. It was to comfortably integrate facts bock (Lilith) are well-cast as these partners in to do research, which led to the documentary. about something that people have a lot of mis- A closer look parenting, and you have a real sense of their WCT: Do you think this research and the conceptions about. I wanted any audience to screen partnership. In real life, director Reid evolution to the documentary was also about walk away with knowledge and not feeling like at ‘Baby Formula’ managed to shoot this film timed to the actor’s coming to terms with your own sexuality and they were just talked at for the entire documen- by Tracy Baim real pregnancies. The water breaking? That was acceptance? tary. happening in real life the same day. I can’t Ky Dickens: Absolutely. I needed to know WCT: You got a talented name to do the Mockumentary-style filmmaking is among my even imagine how difficult this shoestring what was true and what wasn’t and I started to soundtrack—Golden Globe nominee Kaki favorites, but it has been over-indulged and budget was with the added dimension of real discover that the Bible really doesn’t say any- King. How did you get to work with her and not true to its form in some recent TV shows pregnancies. thing about homosexuality in it. Actually, the how was it? and movies. However, The Baby Formula— The science in Baby Formula has the spark of word homosexuality isn’t even in the Bible. Most KD: That’s one of the great things about this playing Friday, Nov. 6, at Landmark’s Century reality because Reid did her research, speaking of what people use to call homosexuality is a project. When I first started, I thought it was Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark, at 9:15 p.m. as to scientists and bioethicists. sin based on interpretation; I started becom- going to be incredibly hard to get people to part of the Reeling Film Fest—is among my “Until recently, it has been impossible for gay ing more interested in what everyday people’s help. But it was the opposite. I had a bunch of new favorite lesbian films. couples to conceive of the idea of being able thoughts were about religion and those miscon- people approach me on their own or if I asked. I had a chance to meet the film’s director, to combine their genetics and have their own ceptions. Kaki came along when a friend and I went to a Alison Reid, and her partner, Cheryl Izen, at biological children,” Reid writes in her press WCT: The title of your documentary, Fish concert of hers and got to meet her back stage. San Francisco’s Frameline Film fest this sum- kit. “That has always struck me as sad. When I Out of Water, is a popular metaphor, but what We brought her some tamales from a stand out- mer, when Hannah Free premiered, and they read an article about some science that made does it mean to you and to the film? side and talked about the film. She was all about were very generous in offering advice about it possible to create offspring from two female KD: Well, it’s a double entendre! You may know it. The score is original. We really didn’t want their road so far with their first feature film. I mice, it resonated with me, and inspired me to this, but the fish is a symbol of Jesus. So that’s it to overshadow the rest of the film, but we had loved the trailer for Baby Formula but, as make this film.” one angle. The other involves the idea that gay wanted her style to be recognizable. with a lot of lesbian films, I feared the trailer The two leads are wonderful, but Jessica people are already a fish out of water in society. WCT: So, looking back, what was your big- would not live up to my expectations. It does, Booker is particularly great as Grandma Kate, When the church doesn’t show much acceptance, gest challenge with making this documen- and I highly recommend this comedy for your who steals the scenes she is in. Each of the where does out community get to go? We’re lit- tary? Was it asking the tough questions to Reeling viewing pleasure. family members have their own troubles, and erally fish out of water. It’s fun imagery. religious figures? The Baby Formula, made in Canada, follows the actors are allowed to seem human, not ste- WCT: Speaking of imagery, your film has KD: Aside from the actual production difficul- the exploits of a lesbian couple who are on ties, the biggest challenge I still think about the sci-fi fertility cutting edge, in a perhaps reotypes. And wait for the credits, because the not-too-distant future when lesbians can actu- scene with the stars singing Black Eyes Peas’ ally have each other’s babies rather than need “My Humps” is not to be missed. CULTURE CLUB an outside donor. Holy hormones, Catwoman! See www.reelingfilmfestival.org. ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD BY TOM STOPPARD DIRECTED BY MICHAEL HALBERSTAM Performed at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.” “RAZOR-SHARP.” “SUBLIMELY SPARKLING.” - CHICAGO SUN-TIMES Production Sponsor MARY PAT STUDDERT NOW PLAYING–ORDER TICKETS TODAY! Corporate Production Sponsor WRITERSTHEATRE.ORG | 847-242-6000 Media Sponsor WRITERS’ THEATRE From left: Megan Fahlenbock, Alison Reid and Angela Vint in Baby Formula. Nov. 4, 2009 17 BOOK REVIEW with Terry Galloway (performance, reading, vid- eos) Mean Little —Sunday, Nov. 15: Victory Gardens, Out All deaf Queer Night and Lost My Shoes, 7:30 p.m., part of the Written by Terry Galloway theater’s Fresh Squeezed series, 2433 N. Lin- coln, $20 advance, $25 day of, 773-871-3000, $23.95; Beacon Press; www.victorygardens.org 248 pages —Monday, Nov. 16: University of Illinois, REVIEW BY TRACY BAIM Chicago, An Afternoon with Terry Galloway (performance, reading, videos), 12:30 p.m., at “No holds barred” is the best phrase I can come U of I Chicago up with to describe writer/performer Terry Gal- —Monday, Nov. 16: University of Illinois at loway. On stage and in her new memoir, Mean Chicago, Videos from The Mickee Faust Club’s Little deaf Queer, Galloway is truly a force of Gimp Parade (a compilation of disability- nature—full of passion, anger and mostly a re- themed video shorts) and a talk-back solve to live life to its fullest, no matter the Note: Upcoming Victory Gardens Fresh Mink Stole. consequences. Terry Galloway. Squeezed performers include Michael Kearns Galloway is coming to Chicago for several Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m., doing his solo show inti- adult that started with me putting my hand on NUNN ON ONE: REELING signings and performances this month, includ- macies. Kearns is Hollywood’s first openly gay someone’s collarbone (which conducts sound ing Nov. 11 at Women & Children First Book- actor and also has spoken out about living like a hollow reed) and fastening my gaze on That touch store, and Nov. 15 at Victory Gardens Theater, with HIV. On Dec. 7, look for An Evening with their lips as if it were all I could do not to performing her piece Out All Night and Lost My Charles Busch and Julie Halston: the original bite. It was an inadvertent pickup technique I of Mink Shoes, which is considered one of the founda- Vampire Lesbians of Sodom are together again. ought to have found (but didn’t) shameful and by JERRY NUNN tional texts of the history of disability perfor- Next year, Tim Miller returns to Chicago, along misleading.” mance. with Holly Hughes, in March. Mink Stole continues more zany roles with two I have read a lot of LGBT memoirs over the While in Austin, Galloway helped found the flicks at our very own Reeling Film Festival. years, but few have been as brutally honest still-famous Esther’s Follies, a wacky troupe Stuck!, an homage to film noir, and Eating Out as Mean Little deaf Queer. Even the title is an that does just about anything on stage. And 3: All You Can Eat prove that Mink is not hung in-your-face claiming of Galloway’s fight for from Galloway’s telling, she did just about any- around anyone’s neck! her right to live a creative life despite all the thing offstage as well. Windy City Times: Where did the name Mink doors slammed in her face. And the little “d” Galloway’s ability to tell a story, to lead Stole come from? in “deaf” is also on purpose, as the book ad- you from one interesting event to the next, is Mink Stole: My name is Nancy Stoll. That is the dresses the issues that embroil the deaf/Deaf wonderful, and the book is very well edited. I name that I was born with. I never cared for it. communities over identity, with Galloway’s own highly recommend Mean Little deaf Queer for It was too sibilant, with the two sounds coming deafness, which came on gradually when she those who fit any of those words, and especially over top of one another. When we made the first was a child, viewed against the other forms of for those who don’t. John Waters movie, Roman Candles, back in the deafness. Her book addresses the controversial Galloway will be in Chicago with her long- mid-’60s, I said, “Give me another name.” So he aspects of surgical responses to some forms of time partner in life and art, Donna Marie Nudd, came up with Mink Stole. hearing loss, and her own decision to have sur- who is a native of the Chicago area. WCT: How did John Waters find you? gery. Galloway’s Chicago-area appearances: MS: We met in Provincetown, Cape Cod in the I first met Galloway recently during the Aus- —Wed., Nov. 11: Women and Children First summer of ’66. So we became friends. It’s funny tin, Texas, screening of Hannah Free. We share Bookstore, 7:30 p.m., reading of Mean Little because people think I met this man with a a mutual friend in her native Texas, and I sent deaf Queer and signing big halo over his head. He was just a guy. This Galloway the script for the film ahead of time —Friday, Nov, 13: Access Living, An Evening was way before Pink Flamingos, before he was a since the festival was not providing interpret- name. ers. Galloway is a lip reader, and Hannah Free WCT: Did you think it would turn into this is a hard film to understand that way. Galloway big thing? had also agreed to move her booksigning to the MS: There was no way to know that. It’s great. next day, to avoid competing with the film, so I am thrilled with it but no way to anticipate I attended her event at the crowded women’s that. bookstore in Austin. This was no normal book- Soojin Choi CEDAR LAKE WCT: Why does he call his regular actors reading; it was a book performance, with Gal- CONTEMPORARY BALLET “Dreamlanders?” loway thoroughly engaging her fans. . Photo by Erez Sabag. BENOIT SWAN-POUFFER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MS: Because in the beginning he called our Her fearless performance certainly made whole company Dreamland Studios. So that’s me uncomfortable, as does her book, but in a where Dreamlanders comes from. good way. She does not hold back about her WCT: You are one of two actresses who has own “bad” behavior as a child and adult, and NOVEMBER 14 & 15, 2009 appeared in all of his films. it serves her story very well. An autobiography MS: All except for three shorts. I was not in his can sometimes seem sugar coated, but Gallo- very first film, which he made before I met him. way wants us to understand her completely, TEN DUETS ON A THEME Then there were two black-and-white shorts that and I feel by the end of the book I do “get” her OF RESCUE » Crystal Pite he made in the ‘60s that I am not in for two dif- more than most writers who pick and choose ferent reasons—[with] one I was in Europe and the best of their lives to showcase. frame of view » Didy Veldman the other I had hepatitis. Mean Little deaf Queer starts with Galloway’s WCT: Those are good reasons! [Both laugh.] childhood, much of it spent in Germany where SUNDAY, AGAIN » Jo Strømgren Now, Fruitcake is his newest one? her father was a spy for the U.S. Army Coun- MS: Fruitcake is still in script form and not in ter Intelligence Corps after World War II. She production. Because of the economy, John has learned a lot about the “other” in a country full 4 EASY WAYS TO not found the backing for it but he still hopes of fear and death. She started to experience PURCHASE TICKETS to. visions, and slowly began to lose her hearing, WCT: Eating Out 3 was so hilarious! Your eu- as a result of medication given to her mother PHONE: 800.982.ARTS(2787) logy speech was classic. at a U.S. military hospital. As a child coping ONLINE: Ticketmaster.com MS: Oh, good; I am glad you liked it! I was with the awful-looking devices meant to help SAVE trying to play it as straight and non-campy as I her eyesight and hearing issues, she started to $10 GROUPS (10+): 312.431.2357 could. The dialogue was a bit much. I was trying develop her performing skills, including a fake IN PERSON: Auditorium Box Offi ce not to overplay the campiness of the dialogue. I drowning to get attention and sympathy. WITH 50 E. Congress Parkway hope it worked. Her queerness, too, was with Galloway as a WCT: Is there anything you won’t say? youngster, as she played with the boys and PROMO MS: I don’t know because everything depends was intimidated by the girls. She again holds on context and character. There are certainly nothing back in writing about her young adult CODE: things that I find objectionable. years, speaking of her frequent sleeping around Read the rest of Mink’s interview—and find with both genders, and her love of many gay WINDY out what she has to say about Stuck!—online men who died of AIDS-related complications. Discount available on price levels 2 & 3. May not be combined at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com. Of her sexual escapades, Galloway writes: with any other discount or offer. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Subject to availability; restrictions apply. auditoriumtheatre.org Also online: Read an interview with Gwen “One side effect of my deafness is that I’m Wynne, director of the Reeling entry Ameri- always presuming a physical intimacy, usually can Primitive, with Adam Pascal. where there is none. … I can’t tell you the Made possible through the support of Seymour Persky. number of ill-conceived affairs I’ve had as an Offi cial Airline Offi cial Hotel Partner 18 Nov. 4, 2009 OlymThe Laramie Project Mark the 10th anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death and the events that followed the tragic event in Laramie Wyoming 630-759-2970 http://www.tothbolingbrook.com/the- atre-on-the-hill/home.html Reeling 2009: Fish Out of Water Directed Brought to you by the combined efforts of by Ky Dickens, Fish Out of Water mixes animation with community and scholarly interviews (many from Chicago) to ex- THE FAME GAME plore the Bible verses used to condemn Thursday, Nov. 12 homosexuality. Intermixed with footage from nationwide Prop 8 protests and vari- ous wedding ceremonies, the film touches The Chicago Gay and Lesbian on the marriage debate, issues of pro- Hall of Fame induction Wed., Nov. 4 creation, public and pastoral fear, the ceremony will take place at Power Groups Looking for African Ameri- overused Sodom and Gomorrah example, can MSM’s who are HIV+ and have a his- I’M JUST A BILL Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. and scripture context. Admission: $10.00 Washington. tory of substance abuse to participate in Wed., Nov. 11 ($8.00 members), tickets available online: a 6-week intervention to reduce the risk http://reelingfilmfestival.tix.com http:// Photo from 2008 by Kat Fitzgerald of further transmission or reinfection, Former President Bill Clinton www.reelingfilmfestival.org (MysticImagesPhotography.com) and to reduce the use of substances. This will speak at the Chicago House Reeling 2009: Pornography: A Thriller group meets twice a week on Monday and Luncheon at the Palmer House In this sexy, trippy, psychological creep Wednesdays from 1-3 at 5537 N Broadway. show, a gay porn star named Mark Anton POWER is Positive Outcomes Wellness Edu- Hilton, 17 E. Monroe. mysteriously disappears after he decides tion, death, and paralyzing insecurity. As cation and Recovery. Call the POWER line to leave the business at the height of fleeting or lasting as their time together at 773-944-9400 and ask for the POWER his fame in 1995. Rumors of murder and may be, the significance of the love they department. 773 989-9400 http://www. Photo by Ralph Alswang blackmail swirl for years, until Michael, a share is undeniable. Admission: $10.00 tpan.com young New York writer researching a book ($8.00 members), tickets available online: BEHIV Art Therapy Reception & Exhibi- about pornography, decides to investi- http://reelingfilmfestival.tix.com http:// tion Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV) gate the strange events. Admission: $10 www.reelingfilmfestival.org Art Therapy program does amazing work as well as an open bar, courtesy of Blue Mr. International Rubber 2010, Part 1 ($8 members), tickets available online: for people struggling with the emotional Moon and SKYY Vodka. (Attendees must Mr. International Rubber, the preeminent http://reelingfilmfestival.tix.com; www. Wed., Nov. 11 stress of an HIV+ diagnosis. http://www. be 21+) Admission: Film Only: $12 ($10 annual men’s rubber fetish event, held reelingfilmfestival.org Chicago House Luncheon with Bill Clinton behiv.org members); Film & Gala: $35 ($32 mem- each November in Chicago, is at 6 p.m. at Author Nikki Rashan (“You Make Me Wan- Chicago House Inaugural Speaker Series bers). Tickets available at: reelingfilmfes- Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. www. na”) personal appearance Author Nikki Luncheon Featuring President Bill Clinton tival.tix.com and www.reelingfilmfestival. mirubber.com. Through Nov. 8 Rashan (“You Make Me Wanna”) personal 7732485200X303 http://www.chicago- Thursday, Nov. 5 org. Reeling runs through Nov. 15. Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus “Lipstick Lyr- appearance at Center on Halsted as a house.org SOFA CHICAGO 2009 Opening Night Pre- CoH’s Laughing Out Loud Series w/Jessica ics: Bring It On” Live Drag Review Chica- part of Center on Halsted’s OUTwrite (an LGBT Call In Show on Cable TV CAN-TV, view Gala celebrating its 16th year, SOFA Halem Center on Halsted’s monthly com- go Gay Men’s Chorus will BRING IT ON and LGBT literary program) in partnership 6:30-6:55 p.m. on Cable Channel 21 in CHICAGO 2009, the critically acclaimed edy series, laughOUTloud, presents Jessica haul out their highest drag to take to the with B.BLYSS! Production. 773=472-6469 Chicago, 2nd Friday of each month. 773- Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair, Halem and friends for a night of stand- stage at Hydrate for CGMC’s 6th Annual http://www.centeronhalsted.org 209-1187; http://gayliberation.net returns to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall (600 up comedy with Jessica Halem, Cameron “Lipstick Lyrics: Bring It On” Live Singing Writer/performer Terry Galloway. Author E. Grand Avenue) to present masterworks Esposito and Bill Cruz. Tickets: $20 V.I.P. Drag Revue. Hosted by Chicago drag star Monday, Nov. 9 of Mean Little deaf Queer is reading and from top international galleries and deal- (includes prime seats and 1 drink ticket); Madame X, regular cast member of the Kit Reeling 2009: Training Rules & Claiming signing her book at Women & Children ers. (773) 506-8860 http://www.sofaexpo. $15 general admission; $10 student/senior Kat Lounge and Supper Club. Tickets are the Title... The compelling documentary, First; www.meanlittledeafqueer.com com. Through Nov. 8. discount (with valid photo ID). Advance $15 in advance via online at www.cgmc. Training Rules, follows a lawsuit filed Veterans Day Dinner, Chicago AVER The Reeling 2009: Opening Night Gala Reel- purchase recommended, tickets available org; or $20 at the door the night of the by student athlete Jennifer Harris, who Chicago Chapter of American Veterans for ing rolls out the pink carpet for their 28th at centeronhalsted.org. (773) 661-0763 event. 9:30 p.m. Hydrate Chicago, 3458 N found the courage to stand up and speak Equal Rights 17th annual Veterans Day edition with The Big Gay Musical! After the http://www.centeronhalsted.org Halsted; www.cgmc.org or 773-296-0541. out about homophobia and discrimina- Dinner and silent auction with charismat- movie screening (7:30 p.m., Music Box), 773-296-0541 tion against gays and lesbians, collegiate ic transgender guest speaker Lt. LeAnaa celebrate at the Reeling 2009 Opening Friday, Nov. 6 sports. Admission: $10.00 ($8.00 mem- Bradley, U.S. Navy retired after 37 years Night Gala featuring a live performance Equality Illinois First Friday at Sidetrack bers), tickets available online: http:// of service with two Purple Hearts from by the Joan Crawford-inspired band The Equality Illinois First Friday Networking Saturday, Nov. 7 reelingfilmfestival.tix.com http://www. Vietnam service. $30 includes dinner and Joans. The night includes hors d’oeuvres Event http://www.eqil.org Human Rights Campaign Gala “Time To reelingfilmfestival.org drinks. Ann Sather Restaurant, 909 W. Bel- Shine” “Time to Shine” is the theme of Reeling 2009: Mr. Right For her directo- mont. www.averchicago.org 773-752-0058 this year’s HRC Chicago Gala with: Joe rial debut, Mr. Right, director Jacqui Mor- 773-752-0058; www.averchicago.org/ Solmonese, President of the Human Rights ris, along with her director/screenwriter The Call Boys’ flag football fundraiser Join Campaign; Tony Taylor, recipient of the brother David Morris, focuses on the highs the Call Boys flag football team to help HRC LGBT College Student Award; Rush and lows of gay relationships. Seasoned raise funds for TPAN. www.cattlecallchi- University Medical Center, recipient of swish fish Louise fears the guy she is see- cago.com the HRC Corporate Equality Award; Robert ing might be gay, so she enlists the help Gant of Queer As Folk; and Michelle Wil- of her gay boyfriends—William, Alex, and Thursday, Nov. 12 liams of Destiny’s Child http://www.hrc- Tom—to uncover the truth. Admission: Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame In- chicago09.com $10.00 ($8.00 members), tickets available duction 2009 Chicago Gay and Lesbian Design Industries Fighting AIDS “Believe” online: http://reelingfilmfestival.tix.com Hall of Fame induction ceremony. http:// Dining by Design Design Industries Fight- http://www.reelingfilmfestival.org www.glhalloffame.org ing AIDS “Believe” Dining by Design. Miss Heart of America Continental Plus & Toshi Reagon, Midwest Tour Toshi Reagon, Dynamic and innovative dining environ- Elite Pageants It’s two, two, two pageants out lesbian singer, in a mini Midwest ments will showcase stars of the Chicago in one as the new Miss Heart of America Tour “Music For Your Life” http://www. design community, paired with generous Plus and Elite will be chosen. 312-644- toshireagon.com Table Sponsors to create three-dimension- 5269 http://www.stellaproductions2.com Reeling 2009: Patrik, Age 1.5 Admission: al dining installations that are works of $10 ($8 members), tickets available on- art. Table Hop and Taste, $40, 11 a.m. - 3 Tuesday, Nov. 10 line: http://reelingfilmfestival.tix.com p.m., and Gala Dinner, Individual tickets Reeling 2009: Chef’s Special (Fuera de http://www.reelingfilmfestival.org $500, 6:30 - 11 p.m. Merchandise Mart, carta) The recipe for this terrific romantic CoH: Speed Dating—Women’s Night Cen- 8th Floor. 312-644-6412 or DIFFACHI- comedy by director Nacho G. Velilla calls ter on Halsted hosts an evening of Speed CAGO.ORG 312-644-6412 http://www.dif- for talented actors, a dash of humor, a Dating for women co-sponsored by Out fachicago.org sprinkle of fun, and one, bitchy queen! Alumni Chicago, the Chicagoland Gay and The Jen and Joe Show Local musicians Jen (Presented in Spanish, with English sub- Lesbian Singles Meetup, and the Chicago Thompson and Joe Rosenmayer will per- titles.) Admission: $10.00 ($8.00 mem- Professionals Meetup. Tickets are $12 at form a lively, witty mix of contemporary bers), tickets available online: http:// the door, and $10 advance online at www. songs at 8 p.m. at Wild Pug. 773-459- reelingfilmfestival.tix.com http://www. centeronhalsted.org . Cash bar begins at 6775, www.schoolstreetarts.org reelingfilmfestival.org 6:45 p.m.; 773-661-0763; www.centeron- Reeling 2009: Make the Yuletide Gay Af- Tuesday at the Cabaret ChicagoPride.com halsted.org ter-Party Reeling wants to help you stuff sponsors Tuesday at the Cabaret every your stockings at the Stuff My Stocking Tuesday night at Hydrate; featuring the Saturday, Nov. 14 party, a Christmas-themed DVD release Chicago Cabaret Project. http://www.chi- Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band Presents party with director Rob Williams, after cagocabaretproject.com Broadway Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band the screening of Make the Yuletide Gay. Reeling 2009: Gefilte Fish with a Side Presents: Broadway! Featuring Chicago THE PORN IDENTITY http://www.reelingfilmfestival.org of Shrimp on the Barbie The stories Gay Men’s Chorus, Evanston Township told in this short film program feature High School Band and Guest Emcee Laura Sunday, Nov. 8 Sunday, Nov. 8 mostly Jewish females trying to weather Freeman 630-901-6947; www.lakeside- 36th Annual Pro/Am Contest It’s the the storms of war, persecution, tradi- pride.org Pornography: A Thriller is part of the Reeling Film Festival. Get : WindyCityMediaGroup.com online ChicagoPride.com Nov. 4, 2009 19 REAL ESTATE FOR RENT SPACIOUS 3 ROOM STUDIO APARTMENT IN WELL- kitchen with stainless steel appliances including a EDGEWATER GLEN 3/BR (6200N), ONE MO FREE: MAINTAINED OWNER OCCUPIED 3 FLAT. This garden dishwasher, microwave built into the range hood, walk to beach, PET FRIENDLY, spacious 1800 sq ft, great kit, FDR, French windows, vintage built-ins, HOUSE apartment is cool in the summer, warm in the winter. 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Licensed*Bonded*Insured. ing healthy meals, light housekeeping and being an help you make sense of your chaos and finally clean (11/11/09-26) occasional workout buddy. Me: a non smoking, very 20 Nov. 4, 2009 BILLY MASTERS Last week, Rosie O’Donnell sat down for a mara- A few weeks ago, I told you not to believe thon interview with Howard Stern. Yes, Howard rumors that Scarlett Johansson would be joining Stern and, no, hell hasn’t frozen over. You’re not Sean Hayes in the Broadway revival of Promises, the only one who’s surprised. Someone asked Promises. Of course, I was right. Yes, she was in Rosie what she’d have thought 10 years ago if New York and yes, she was meeting with produc- she was told Howard would become a big sup- ers and yes, she’s going to make her Broadway porter of hers. She answered, “I would have said debut. But not in a musical. She will star along- r u on crack.” And yet, Howard has not only be- side Liev Schreiber in Arthur Miller’s “A View come a supporter; he’s the one who convinced From the Bridge” which will debut on January 8 Rosie that she could be a successful radio per- 24th. Yes, the same Liev Schreiber whose penis 18 10 sonality. Given that endorsement, Rosie signed we featured a few months back on BillyMasters. 2 a deal with Sirius and just launched “Rosie Ra- com (and, yes, it’s still there). 4 dio,” a weekday talk show that will air on Sirius So who will be the female lead in “Promises, Stars from 10 a.m. till noon ET (with an 8 p.m. Promises”? Sean Hayes, duh. Oops, the other fe- 16 11 9 1 replay). male lead. That would be the lovely and talented Back to the interview with Stern. This was 90 Kristin Chenoweth. The former “Pushing Daisies” 17 12 3 minutes of the most in-depth conversation Rosie co-star has been looking for work and found it. 6 19 55 14 5 has done with anyone. She’s quite revelatory The opening is set for April 25. 15 13 about her split with Kelli (it doesn’t sound like Everyone is reporting that Gavin Creel (from 7 they will survive as a couple), her problems with the Broadway production of Hair) and Jona- her dad (she hasn’t seen him in 17 years and than Groff (from Spring Awakening) are lovers. 58 speaks frankly about some sexual abuse), op- I dunno about all that...but they are dating. Eh, 46 48 47 portunities to romance famous women (believe who isn’t? What IS interesting is that when this 60 44 45 it or not, Petra Nemcova and Angelina Jolie), current revival of “Hair” first surfaced at Shake- 54 and a variety of other topics. It’s such a good speare in the Park, Jonathan was playing the 59 role of “Claude.” When it moved indoors, Groff 50 opted out to make Ang Lee’s “Taking Woodstock” 52 25 49 and Creel filled his slot...so to speak. The couple 37 22 51 24 26 turned up together at the gay march on DC last 32 month. We’ll run some pics of the pair on Bil- lyMasters.com. 33 BTW, Groff will surface on Glee for several epi- 31 30 56 23 sodes—and possibly play love interest to his old 53 39 28 38 41 57 “Spring” co-star, Lea Michele. 36 40 29 27 This talk of gay couples leads directly into 21 43 this week’s “Ask Billy” question. Karl in Tampa 42 34 asks: “What do you know about Matthew Bomer 20 on White Collar? A friend told me he’s openly gay. God, those eyes...he’s just gorgeous.” You had me with Matt Bomer but complete- 35 ly lost me on White Collar. Shows you what I know. This is a new program on USA Network (ah, that’s why) starring the beautiful Bomer as ANDERSONVILLE 18 Touché 35 Manhandler 52 Jeffrey Pub 1 @mosphere 6412 N. Clark St. 1948 N. Halsted St. 7041 S. Jeffery Blvd. a convicted art thief who is being used by the 5355 N. Clark St. ToucheChicago.com 36 minibar/winebar FBI to catch other white collar criminals. If you atmospherebar.com 19 Wild Pug 3341 N. Halsted St. THE BURBS Chaz 2 The Anvil 4810 N. Broadway Ave. minibarchicago.com 53 Club Krave aren’t familiar with Bomer, I’ll go beyond calling 1137 W. Granville Ave. WorldsGreatestBar.com 37 North End 13126 S. Western Ave. Bono him beautiful—he’s dreamy. Like James Marsden 3 Big Chicks 3733 N. Halsted St. Blue Island, IL gets it (who I’d actually like to see him do a love scene 5024 N. Sheridan Rd. BOYSTOWN NorthEndChicago.com ClubKrave.com off his BigChicks.com 20 3160 38 Pie Hole 54 Hideaway with, in case anyone reading this has that kind 4 Cattle Call 3160 N. Clark St. 737 W. Roscoe St. 7301 W. Roosevelt Rd. chest. of power). You may recall that Bomer was tapped 1547 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Chicago3160.com PieHolePizzaJoint.com Forest Park, IL CattleCallChicago.com 21 Berlin 39 Roscoe’s 55 Hunters to lead the revived Superman franchise back 5 Crew 954 W. Belmont Ave. 3356 N. Halsted St. 1932 E. Higgins Rd. when Brett Ratner was going to helm the proj- 4804 N. Broadway Ave. BerlinChicago.com Roscoes.com Elk Grove Village, IL WorldsGreatestBar.com 22 Bobby Love’s 40 Scarlet HuntersNightclubs.com ect (why our own Bryan Singer replaced him has 6 Eagle 3729 N. Halsted St. 3320 N. Halsted St. 56 John L’s Place always been a mystery to moi). And others may 5001 N. Clark St. BobbyLoves.com ScarletBarChicago.com 335 154th Pl. remember him from Chuck last season. Or Tru ChicagoEagle.com 23 Bucks Saloon 41 Sidetrack Calumet City, IL 7 El Gato Negro 3439 N. Halsted St. 3349 N. Halsted St. 57 Maneuvers Calling. But I go way back with Matty—back to 1461 Irving Park Rd. BucksSaloonChicago.com SidetrackChicago.com 118 E. Jefferson St. 2001 when he was on Guiding Light ... and shirt- ElGatoNegroBar.com 24 Cell Block 42 Spin Joliet, IL 8 The Glenwood 3702 N. Halsted St. 800 W. Belmont Ave. JolietManeuvers.com interview, I’m going to post it for your listening less all the time. To recap—he’s gorgeous, he’s 6962 N. Glenwood St. www.CellBlock-Chicago.com Spin-Nightclub.com 58 Moda VIP pleasure on BillyMasters.com. In fact, I’ll post talented, and he’s one of us. I dunno how open TheGlenwoodbar.com 25 Charlie’s 43 Steamworks 2409 N. Mannheim Rd. it for you to download as one of our far-too- he is—he never touched me, I swear. But rumors 9 Hamburger 3726 N. Broadway Ave. 3246 N. Halsted St. (bath) Franklin Park, IL Mary’s/Mary’s CharliesChicago.com SteamworksOnline.com myspace.com/modavip infrequent podcasts. have been circulating that he’s thisclose with Attic 26 Circuit 59 Rumors This was also the week that we got our first his publicist, PMK head honcho Simon Halls. 5400 N. Clark St. 3641 N. Halsted St. DOWNTOWN 2433 Desplaines Ave. HamburgerMarysChicago.com CircuitClub.com 44 The Baton North Riverside, IL glimpse of the gal formerly known as Chastity Could it be that a prior peacock has a pen- 10 Jackhammer 27 The Closet 436 N. Clark St. RumorsPubOnline.com Bono, now a man named Chaz. Bono is in the chant for PVC? So say several sources who ran 6406 N. Clark St. 3325 N Broadway Ave. TheBatonShowLounge.com 60 Velvet Rope midst of gender reassignment. In March, s/he into the openly gay gent at NYC watering hole Jackhammer-Chicago.com 28 Cocktail 45 Second Story Bar 728 W. Lake St. 11 Joie De Vine 3359 N. Halsted St. 157 E. Ohio St. Oak Park, IL had both breasts removed and began taking tes- The Eagle—on rubber night! Yes, our natty Nan- 1744 W. Balmoral Ave. CocktailBarChicago.com VelvetRopeOakPark.com tosterone. Chaz now has to shave once a week. cy was in full rubber regalia. And he didn’t go 12 Man’s Country 29 FireFly NEAR NORTH 5017 N. Clark St. (bath) 3335 N. Halsted St. 46 Club 2506 INDIANA “It kind of started to come in just like peach home alone. But the first rule of The Eagle is MansCountryChicago.com FireflyOnHalsted.com 2506 N. Clybourn Ave. 61 Dick’s R U Crazee? fuzz. I always wanted to shave. It is a very natu- you do not talk about The Eagle. You got that, 13 Scot’s 30 Halsted’s Bar & 47 Crobar 1221 E.150th St. ral process.” Isn’t it funny—you take these male Jonesy? 1829 W. Montrose Ave. Grill 1543 N. Kingsbury St. Hammond, IN ChicagoScotsBar.com 3441 N. Halsted St. 48 The Prop House DicksRUCrazee.com hormones and then have to start shaving. But When I’m back to giving hard clues for a blind 14 SoFo HalstedsChicago.com 1675 N. Elston Ave. 62 Encompass Chaz claims to enjoy it. That makes one of us. item, it’s definitely time to end yet another 4923 N. Clark St. 31 Hydrate 2415 Rush St. SofoBar.com 3458 N. Halsted St. Lake Station, IN Pics of Chaz will show up on our Web site. column. You see? We’re more than just a funny, 15 Spyners HydrateChicago.com THE SOUTHSIDE EncompassNightclub.com Broadway beaus Hugh Jackman and Daniel dishy column with pretty pictures. We’ve got vid- 4623 N. Western Ave. 32 Kit Kat 49 Club Escape Spyners.com 3700 N. Halsted St. 1530 E. 75th St. Craig are doing their part for Broadway Cares/ eos. We’ve got audio. We’re a freakin’ multimedia 16 Star Gaze KitKatChicago.com ClubEscapeChicago.com Equity Fights AIDS. After a recent matinee show center. So, what are you waiting for? Check out 5419 N. Clark St. 33 Little Jim’s 50 Escapades of A Steady Rain, they auctioned off their shirts www.BillyMasters.com or you’re missing out. And StarGazeChicago.com 3501 N. Halsted St. 6301 S. Harlem Ave. 17 T’s LittleJimsChicago.com 51 InnExile and each raised $4,000. The lucky winners got what if you have a question? Easy—just drop a 5025 N. Clark St. 34 Lucky Horseshoe 5758 W. 65th St. to go backstage and meet the guys as well. That note to [email protected] and I promise to TsBarChicago.com 3169 N. Halsted St. InnExileChicago.com day was special for another reason. Hugh Jack- get back to you before Cher announces that she’s man told the audience, “This was the first time taking up skiing! So, until next time, remember, we’ve done this whole show without a cell phone one man’s filth is another man’s bible. going off.” Glory be. Nov. 4, 2009 21 Mad world TThheerree’’ssssttiillllttiimmeettoorreesseerrvvee YYOOUURR hhoolliiddaayy ppaarrttyy MMEEMMOORRAABBLLEE EEVVEENNTTSS SSMMAALLLL OORR LLAARRGGEE.. CChhooiicceeooffvviiddeeooeenntteerrttaaiinnmmeenntt,,bbaarrtteennddeerrss,,rroooomm((ss))&&mmoorree.. CCaatteerriinnggiiddeeaassttoooo!! FFoorraaggooooddttiimmeeccaallll 777733..447777..99118899 The Northalsted Halloween Costume Parade scared up its 13th year, featuring a “Mad Hat- CCeelleebbrraatteetthheesseeaassoonn ter’s Ball” theme. Miss Foozie (as the Queen of Hearts) emceed the parade’s finish at the wwiitthhoouurrffrriieennddssaatt...... 7-11 parking lot (Roscoe and Halsted). This year included a new start time (6 p.m.) and a longer route (from Belmont to Addison). The event raised money for the community garden park. Some popular costumes were Where The Wild Things Are characters, Jon & Kate and Lady Gaga. Text by Jerry Nunn; photos by Nunn and Mel Ferrand 3349 N. Halsted • SidetrackChicago.com HUNT from page 10 there. We’re out to everyone except the ones who occupy a consistent and long term role in ment has shifted from a fight for LGBT rights to our daily lives as opposed to those in our week- a fight for civil rights because this isn’t a matter end lives. of “deserving” the right to marry or “deserving” When we live that way, we provide fodder for to have a safe environment in which to earn a those who think that civil rights for the LGBT living or simply to live. We are American citizens community is a white issue or a middle class is- and we have a right to the full protection and sue. We allow people to live in their belief that application of just laws that recognize our citi- they don’t know any gay or lesbian or transgen- zenship and our rights as human beings. der or queer people and therefore this is not an As we transition to this new phase of the issue that they have a stake in. And we allow movement, demarcated by the National March for some of our religious leaders to demean and vil- Equality, let’s pause for a moment of self reflec- ify us from the pulpit while we continue to tithe tion. The reason that Affinity agreed to be here and lend our talents to some of the best gospel today is because LGBT Change, the group that choirs in this city. organized this rally, has made a concerted effort It’s a new day! And we need to own it. More to reflect the diversity of the LGBT community. people than ever before are in favor of marriage We are a patchwork of races and ethnicities and equality and other rights for the LGBT commu- religions and identities, but you wouldn’t know nity. There are more gay and lesbian characters that from the images of us that are portrayed in on TV and in the movies than ever before. When the media. Sean Penn, who I remember as this hyper-macho I respect the work that has been done by na- tough guy in the ‘80s, can convincingly play a tional LGBT organizations to raise awareness, gay icon and get away with it—it’s a new day! fight against unjust laws and policies, cre- In honor of National Coming Out Day, I want to ate protective laws and policies, and generally discourage us from trying to advance the rights advance the rights of our community. That’s of the LGBT community from the shadows. We good work and it must continue. And it must have to step into the light so that people under- be broadened to better reflect the range of ex- stand that this is not a movement of strangers. periences of our diverse population because as We’re your sons and daughters, your neighbors, long as civil rights for the LGBT community is your school teachers, your car mechanics, your perceived only as rights for white gay men, we mail carriers, your garbage collectors, the par- will remain second class citizens as a group. ents f your classmates, and yes, your hairdresser In this next phase of our movement, we have too. We are Americans and we have a right to to forge a dual path to full citizenship, on the expect equality under the law. one hand we must continue our work on the leg- I implore my brothers and sisters in this move- islative and policy front and on the other hand ment and our allies to not let this momentum we must work on winning the hearts and minds die. Let’s all be the change we want to see. I of those who must enforce these laws and poli- wish peace and love for each of you. Thank cies as well as of those who are our neighbors, you. fellow church members, co-workers, family mem- Kim Hunt is executive director of Affinity bers, and other people who we interact with on Community Services, a 15-year-old nonprofit a daily basis. This is especially true for those of organization that serves African-American us who come from communities of color. A lot lesbians; bisexual and transgender women; of times we just blend in. Nobody knows we’re and LGBT youth of African descent. 22 Nov. 4, 2009 lenging economy,” Ishaug said. “In 2004, we Looking at the netted nearly $800,000, so we are setting our sights on reaching those levels once again.” Cubs make history AIDS Marathon Since 2003, the AFC has netted more than $4 million through its marathon training program. Training Program The 2009 top fundraisers were: Chris A. Cole- man (half-marathon): $6,000; Nathan J. Asling- By Ross Forman er (half): $5,273.43; Joseph L. Lucarelli (full): The AIDS Marathon Training Program, which $4,470; Lindsay Landsberg (half): $4,445; and serves as a major fundraiser for AIDS Foundation Kevin Lopez (full Maui Marathon): $4,197.47. of Chicago (AFC), had a successful 2009 season Program representative Dan Lakin said one of as more than 400 runners competed in three his 2009 highlights came at the Rock ‘n’ Roll races and raised more than $400,000 net. Here’s Half Marathon, when he and another program a detailed look at the ‘09 AFC running season: representative were waiting for their final run- —Total number of participants: 419 ners near the end of the 13.1-mile race. —Number of Bank of America Chicago Mara- “They spotted their last runner and started run- thon runners: 259 ning with her, but then Dan saw another woman —Number of Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Mara- who had stopped and was crying,” Ishaug said. thon runners: 121 “He let [the other program representative] run —Number of Maui Marathon runners: 29 with the AIDS Marathon Training Program [run- —Male/female ratio: 44%/56% ner] and Dan encouraged this woman to not give —Age range of runners: 12-66 up. He encouraged her to run and when she saw —Chicagoans: Ninety-two percent were from her sister on the sidelines, he pulled her in to start running with them, in her flip-flops, and Illinois. Other runners in the AIDS Marathon In a major development, the Chicago Cubs have become the first major-league sports as they got closer to the finish-line they pulled Training Program were from Alabama, California, franchise to have an openly gay owner. in other family members to help her finish the Colorado, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Georgia, On Oct. 30, the Ricketts family were announced as the new owners of the Cubs, buying race.” Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, the team, Wrigley Field and a share in Comcast SportsNet Chicago for $845 million from the “One of my most memorable training runs was Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Tribune Co., according to MLB.com. when one of the runners dedicated her run to New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Among the purchasers is Laura Ricketts, a lesbian who now becomes the first out indi- her brother who died of AIDS,” Lakin said. “She Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. vidual to own a professional sports team, according to MarketToMarketLLC.com. Laura, who said that they spread his ashes on a hill that “Given the challenging economic situation, I lives in Chicago, is a member of the board of Lambda Legal, a national organization fighting the runners normally run around. However, dur- would say we did well—very well,” Ishaug said. for gay rights, according to Jim Bennett, the organization’s Midwest regional director. ing one of the training runs, participants are en- “The $400,000 [raised] will support our hous- In an interview with MarketToMarketLLC.com, Laura Ricketts, who has a partner, said, “I couraged to run up this hill to practice for the ing, case management, prevention and policy came out to my family I would say early to mid 30s. I think for a long time I wasn’t really marathon and every time he sees that hill now programs and make a huge impact in the fight out to myself growing up in Omaha, Neb., to a Catholic conservative family. ... I think that he thinks of her.” against AIDS. An agency that raises $400,000 it really couldn’t of been a better experience. They were all immediately supportive. ... I Ishaug added, “We love, love our runners, our net from an event should be very proud, and have been really really fortunate in that regard.” volunteers, and all the families and friends that very grateful. So to all the runners and their Pete, Todd, Tom and Laura make up the board of directors, with Tom as chairman, NBC.com make the marathon training program so special. supporters, we are grateful beyond words. We added. We are certainly looking forward to 2010.” hope to be able to recruit and retain even more Nancy “Mac” MacKenzie, the softball commissioner of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports The training program is being dramatically participants next year and make even more mon- Association (CMSA), told Windy City Times that Laura is “an awesome person I’ve known revised and expanded, Ishaug said. Full details ey for our critical programs.” for years...she played softball in the league. Sweet, smart, funny, very environmentally will be announced Nov. 12 at AFC’s Annual Meet- The 2009 net total was about $100,000 less conscious [and] has done a lot of community service work. Seriously, she is one of the nic- ing & Reception, held at University of Chicago’s than the 2008 total, the result of a “very chal- est, most high-quality people i’ve ever met. No lie.” CMSA President Marcia Hill said, “Good Gleacher Center, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza. luck to Laura Ricketts, first openly gay owner in MLB . [I’m] looking forward to her family working with the gay and lesbian community.” The Ricketts have been outspoken about their quest to have the Cubs win the World Se- ries, a feat the team has not achieved since 1908. Photo of (from left) Pete, Tom, Laura and Todd Ricketts courtesy of the Chicago Cubs Baseball Club, LLC/Stephen Green Women’s Indoor Volleyball CLASSIFIEDS cont. 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Not at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where plant conservation scientists are using new environmental growth chambers to conduct experiments with temperature, light, and carbon dioxide to test how plants will respond to environmental changes. is research will help plants survive in a changing climate. e opening of the new Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center confirms the Garden’s role as a world leader in plant conservation science. A 38,000-square-foot laboratory building designed to earn a gold LEED rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Plant Science Center offers expanded research facilities, dynamic exhibitions, a 16,000-square-foot green roof garden, and public accessibility. savetheplants.org One of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County