‘NATE & MARGARET’ DIRECTOR NATHAN ADLOFF WINDY CITY THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

PAGE 18 Aug. 29, 2012 vol 27, no. 45 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.comTIMES IDPH dismisses trans complaint BY KATE SOSIN enjoyment of their services. According to Sommerville, she remains banned from Sommerville had transitioned from living as male to using the women’s room at her Aurora store. In a stunning blow to transgender-rights advocates, the female at the time and had obtained a driver’s license The dismissal confirms that Hobby Lobby personnel Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) has thrown indicating that she is female. instructed Sommerville to use the men’s room because out a complaint by a transgender woman barred from Transgender advocates have long held that the Illi- she “still possessed his (sic) male anatomy.” using the women’s restroom at work, despite having nois Human Rights Act, which grants equal access to A Hobby Lobby spokesperson said the company does state ID indicating she is female. public accommodations regardless of gender identity not comment on pending legal matters. victory fund’s Meggan Sommerville, a 14-year employee of Hobby or sexual orientation, protected transgender people in In June, IDHR dismissed Sommerville’s case for lack chuck wolfe Lobby, filed a complaint against her employer last year public restrooms, especially if they had obtained state of evidence. Sommerville learned of the ruling in late page 4 after the chain admittedly refused her access to the IDs indicating their new gender identity. July through Betty Tsamis, a well-known lesbian attor- women’s room. “IDHR basically showed an absolute ignorance,” said ney who had been working on the case (Sommerville The complaint argued that Hobby Lobby violated the Sommerville, noting that the IDHR decision incorrectly Turn to page 8 Illinois Human Rights Act by denying her full and equal refers to her being transgender as a “sexual identity.” ‘KILLER’ LOOKING BACK ROLE

DISH: DONNA’S CAFE page 22

page 20 page 10 cris williamson AT MICHFEST pagE 16 Actress Gina Gershon talks about her role in the new movie Killer Chicagoan Mickey Powers (here in a vintage photo) reflects on the city’s history with gay Joe—and why she took the role of Corky in the movie Bound (despite people. See page 10. Photo by Ross Forman her agent’s advice) on page 20. Photo courtesy of LD Entertainment 2 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES FOR THE PRICE THAT’S THE BEST You’ve Gotta % APR Available * 0 on any new or used vehicle in stock

2010 Mercury Milan 2011 Ford EscapE 2011 Mazda cX-9 aWD 2012 LincoLn MKT 23K Miles, Stk#50928 10 To Choose From! Stk#50966 Black, 26K Miles, Stk#50960 Loaded, 19K Miles, Stk#50972 $18,992 $18,992 $24,992 $37,992

CHOOSE FROM OVER 200 QUALITY PRE-DRIVEN VEHICLES!

2004 Saturn Vue 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis 2007 Pontiac G6 2007 Buick LaCrosse 2006 Honda Accord 2010 Nissan Sentra Stk#T28311A $7,992 Stk#25209A $8,992 Stk#T27501C $11,992 Stk#T28117B $12,992 Stk#T28122B $12,992 Stk#25149A $14,992

2006 Ford Explorer Ltd. 2011 Ford Fusion 2009 Chevy Traverse 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid 2008 Nissan Maxima 2011 Buick Regal Loaded, Stk#T28701A $14,992 Stk#50915 $17,992 Stk#T28292B $17,992 Stk# T28670A $17,992 Stk#T28206A $18,990 Stk#25253A $21,992

2009 Lincoln MKS 2008 Ford Taurus Ltd. 2009 Nissan Maxima 2010 Ford Edge Ltd. 2009 Ford F-150 2011 Ford Flex Ltd Eco Boost 12K Mi, NAV, Roof, Lthr, Stk#25282A $23,992 Stk#51013 $23,992 Stk#T28720A $25,992 Stk#T27702A $27,992 20K Mi, Stk#T28546A$35,992 Stk#T28608B $35,992 Add tax, title, license and doc fee. *0% APR for 60 months on all new vehicles. 0% APR for 60 mos. = $16.67 per $1000 financed with approved credit. 0% APR available. Maximum balance to finance is $10,000. 0% APR for 24 mos = $41.66 per $1,000 financed with approved credit. Offers end 08/31/12.

6200 S LaGrange Rd • Countryside, IL SALES HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9AM - 9PM, 708-354-8600 Sat. 10AM - 5PM LaGrange Rd. Visit Us 24 Hours A Day... 12/20 ...Seven Days A Week at... Joliet Road www.westfieldford.com WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 3 this week in WINDY CITY TIMES NEWS ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Talking with Chuck Wolfe 4 Scottish Play Scott: Fringe 13 Iowa marriage-equality town hall 5 Theater reviews 14 Catholic Charities controversy 6 Looking back at Michfest 16 Trans housing; Fiorito cases 7 Leddick and his ‘Gorgeous Gallery’ 17 Passages: Thurman 8 KATM: For a Good Time, Call... 18 IDHR dismisses transgender case 8 Nathan Adloff on ‘Nate & Margaret’ 18 Mickey Powers on Chicago 10 Gina Gershon interview 20 Gay in the Life; T in the Life 11 Dish: Bar Umbriago; Donna’s Cafe 22 Viewpoints: Monroe; letters 12 Love Fest pics 23 Billy Masters 25

Photos on cover (left, from top): Publicity OUTLINES photo of Nathan Adloff; photo of Chuck Real estate; classifieds 23 Wolfe courtesy of Victory Fund; photo of Calendar Q 24 Donna Adams by Andrew Davis; photo of Cris Sports: A career in cheering 26 Williamson at Michfest by Charlsie Dewey Sports: Chicagoans in ASANA 26

Y, LESBIAN, THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GA & ANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 ‘NATE BI AND TR 2012 RGARET’ . 29, MA Aug no. 45 DIRECTOR WINDY CITYvol 27, NATHAN ADLOFF

PAGE 18 TIMESww.WindyCityMediaGroup.com w

ned from emains ban , she r . IDPH dismissesre el Sommerville nn rding to t her Aurora sto Acco obby Lobby persocause en’s room a at H oom be using the wom s th men’s r missal confirm The dis my.” ices. living as male to merville to use the oes r serv cense s (sic) male anato nt of thei sitioned from river’s li instructed Som sed hi said the company d enjoyme ad tran ses rson rville h d obtained a d spokespe ers. Somme and ha she “still pos Lobby l matt e for lack e e Illi- Hobby ding lega lle’s cas female. ld that th A ervi n late female at the timt she is ess to t on pen sed Somm ling i trans, the complainting tha ave long he al acc not commen smis of the ru or- es es h equ ed OSIN at indicat vocat rants y une, IDHR di learn esbian att BY KATE S ights advoc own ender ad der identit In J merville DOWNLOAD THIS! r-r r ct, which g en Som ell-known l erville ansgende ) has th Transg ts A of g dence. , a w e (Somm to tr from uman Righ regardless people in of evi y Tsamis the cas ning blow an Rights (IDHR rred nois H ations sgender tate h Bett ng on 8 a stun Hum oman ba g ommod d tran ained s roug worki o page In rtment of nder w havin lic acc , protecte d obt July th ad been Turn t pa nsge despite pub entation f they ha Illinois De nt by a tra t work, xual ori i ney who h room a or se s, especially identity. out a complai ’s rest obby estroom gender ance,” said omen female. of H public r eir new lute ignor ctly g the w she is mployee ing th n abso e usin ating r e last year indicat owed a ecision incorr e ID indic a 14-yea ployer IDs ically sh DHR d tity.” stat merville, her em t o the the I xual iden t against a ccess “IDHR bas oting that as a “se ’s Meggan Som omplain sed her erville, n sgender FuND a c ly refu Somm ing tran y Lobby, filed the o her be vICTOR e chain admitted olated refers t WOLFE after th y Lobby vi equal uCk oom. hat Hobb ull and CH women’s r gued t 4 laint ar t by denying her f PAGE The comp hts Ac Human Rig Illinois LOOkING BACk Go to www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com ‘kILLER’ ROLE to download complete issues of Windy City Times and Nightspots. DIsH: s CAFE DONNA’ PAGE 22

page 20 with gay history he city’s to) reflects on t n a vintage pho wers (here i orman key Po oss F Then click on any ad and be taken directly to the advertiser’s Web site! n Mic Chicagoa 0. Photo by R See page 1 ovie Killer ple. new m peo n the (despite r role i Bound CRIs out he vie ent sON s ab in the mo tainm shon talk of Corky f LD Enter WILLIAM na Ger he role urtesy o sT Actress Gi took t T MICHFE y she ge 20. Photo co A Joe—and wh ce) on pa E 16 advi PAG her agent’s online exclusives at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Couples Therapy Read a review of the new DVD release Weekend.

PR photo

Pop Making Sense looks at 1645 West North Avenue, Chicago the upcoming Read a review of www.enfusemedspas.com A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE North Coast Kathy Griffin’s Find out all about captive insurance Music Festival and Pants Off and Phone 773-904-8310 companies. various artists. Tired Hooker. Dr. Williams Evans, M.D. Photo from 2010 by Andrew Davis FOR BETTER OR NURSE Read about longtime local gay couple whoa, kelly! Tommy Starr and Brent Alwood, who both work as nurses. “FUE” Follicular Unit Extraction Revolutionary Technology that An advanced “minimally invasive” hair offers non-invasive skin tightening, transplant method which allows for the cellulite reduction, facial wrinkling and harvesting of individual follicles from the circumferential reduction. THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT back of the head (donor area). - FDA-cleared Read entertainment news about Hugh - Little or No Discomfort - Pain Free/No Downtime Hefner, Rachel Zoe and Joan Rivers. - No Real Downtime - Lunch-Time Procedure - No Stitches/No Linear Scar - No Scalpel Incision - No Strip Method plus Kelly Osbourne helped kick off the Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival. DAILY BREAKING NEWS Photo of Kelly Osbourne and Judd Minter by Andrew Davis Are LGBTs #1075 • August 29, 2012 BEFORE AFTER nightspots PET-OBSESSED? Show

OH, THE #483 PAGEANTRY! LABOR DAY WEEKEND AND THE CONTINENTAL SPECIAL: BUY ONE PACKAGE

Labor Day weekend means Miss and Mr. Continental at The Mention this ad for PAGEANTS Baton, the Park West, and The Vic Theatre. Page 17 GET ONE $500 off PACKAGE FREE Find Nightspots on www.WindyCityQueercast.com 4 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES If you compare it to the “truth” campaign: ONLINE AT That operated with billions of dollars of settle- Victory Fund CEO ment money, and the Victory Fund operates with WINDYCITYMEDIAGROUP.COM money it raises each and every year. They’re real- NATIONAL NEWS ly not directly comparable, but the fundamentals Chuck Wolfe talks are the same. You need to have a brand message. WCT: What’s up next for 2012? CW: Our Women Out to Win project is really cool. Growing that program is probably our 2012, strategy greatest excitement right now—having Annise Parker elected as mayor of Houston, Texas; hav- By Erica Demarest ing Tammy Baldwin running for the United States —Joe Biden praises Senate; watching Chris Quinn run for mayor of gay-rights activists Since 1991, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has New York City… These women are encouraging given openly LGBT candidates the financial, stra- other women in our community to step up and —Bullied gay student tegic and technical support needed to win rac- run for office, and that is really, truly exciting. gets free car es. As the nation’s largest LGBT political action To learn more about the Victory Fund’s Sept. makeover committee, it has one simple goal: to change 9 brunch fundraiser, visit www.victoryfund. American politics through queer elected leaders. org/chicago. —Bathhouse offering During a recent trip to Chicago, President/CEO free admission to Chuck Wolfe sat down with Windy City Times to RNC delegates talk strategy, funding and the 2012 elections. Wolfe joined the Victory Fund in 2003, after a successful run as vice-president and chief oper- ating officer at the American Legacy Foundation, sition-related medical care in recent years. which fights the tobacco industry. Psychiatric assn. Both the American Medical Association and Windy City Times: Hi, Chuck. With the 2012 the American Psychological Association have elections, there’s a record number of out released such statements. queer candidates and officials. Can you tell supports Claudia Mosier, director of mental health us about that? at the Center on Halsted, said the APA posi- Chuck Wolfe: This is the first year that we now transition tions are particularly powerful when placed have someone [who is openly LGBT] elected in alongside the stances of other medical asso- every state in the country. That’s important be- health care BY KATE SOSIN ciations. cause we know that no LGBT-specific legislation “It so totally solidifies what all the major moves without having some of us in the state In a move that could have a far-reaching im- health and mental institutions are saying legislature, county council or whatever it might pact on transgender healthcare, the American about transgender and gender-variant indi- be. It’s really important for us to elect members Psychiatric Association (APA) has come out viduals,” Mosier said. of our own community. with a series of transgender-positive posi- Mosier said the statements could have a WCT: The Victory Fund issues “Out to Win” tions. practical impact on health care for transgen- endorsements. In 2010, you only backed 164 The statements represent a shift for the der people, removing barriers to care and en- of the more than 350 openly LGBT candidates APA, which has long provoked the ire of couraging insurance coverage for transition- who ran. What motivates that? trans activists who say the group’s labeling related health care. CW: Well, it varies on the level of race they’re of transgender people in the Diagnostic and running for. Our endorsement seal gives a [po- Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) tential] donor the confidence that we’ve vetted is offensive. Webinar for that candidate through our board of directors The APA recently released two statements, and campaign board, and that the candidate approved by its assembly and board of trust- undocumented meets certain qualifications—namely that he or ees, in support of transgender people. The she is a viable candidate running in the right LGBT individuals first condemns discrimination against trans race at the right time, and that they actually Several organizations—including National people and calls for policy that supports have a good chance of success. It also means Council of La Raza, Immigration Equality, Hu- transgender individuals. that they’re pro-choice and pro-gay. man Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, and the The second advocates that gender-affirming That’s where we start. That could also be the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, Chuck Wolfe. Photo from the Victory Fund health care is medically necessary and should point in which we start to invest in the race among others—are providing information to be supported by the medical community and directly. We offer technical assistance to every LGBT undocumented individuals who are look- insurance providers. candidate, but then for some, if they’re in a ing to apply for the president’s new deferred CW: It’ll be at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. “Transgender and gender-variant individuals focused race—like Tammy Baldwin running for action immigration program, according to a And Christine Quinn, who is a member of the currently lack access to the best standards of United States Senate—then they get a lot of press release. New York City Council and who’s running for clinical practice, frequently do not have the extra assistance. According to the memo issued by the presi- mayor of New York City, is going to headline that opportunity to pursue patient-focused treat- WCT: And how important would you say dent Aug. 15, youth must meet several crite- event. Her race is next year, so it’s really excit- ment decisions, do not receive scientifically funding is for queer candidates? ria to qualify for the program: ing. establish treatment and could benefit signifi- CW: This isn’t a question of sexual orientation. —Under the age of 31 as of June 15; WCT: How is your 2012 strategy different cantly from APA’s advocacy,” the statement Money is what drives the message, and this is —Came to the United States before reach- from 2010 or 2008? reads. true throughout politics. You need to raise mon- ing 16th birthday; CW: Well, we have definitely staggered the The statements come alongside news that ey to be able to send your message—period. The —Continuously resided in the United States endorsements differently this year. But if you’re the APA is doing away with the unpopular successful candidates are the ones who figure since June 15, 2007, up to the present time; asking what’s causing those increased numbers, term “gender identity disorder” in favor of out how to fundraise. —Physically present in the United States I think the real reason is just that we’re get- the term “gender dysphoria” in the upcom- WCT: Can you tell us about the Victory June 15, 2012, and at the time of requesting ting more of our community members willing to ing DSM. Some activists have advocated the Fund’s work in Illinois and Chicago? consideration for deferred action from U.S. engage in the community and run as out candi- removal of transgender identity from the DSM CW: We have such great success here with Citizenship and Immigration Services; dates. We’re getting more people running, and altogether, stating that it unfairly categorizes people like [Metropolitan Water Reclamation —Entered without inspection before June others are seeing that you can be successful. transgender identity as a mental illness. District Commissioner] Debra Shore, who chairs 15 or lawful immigration status expired as of There is this great track record. However, trans advocates applauded the the Victory Institute board, and [state Rep.] June 15; I would not claim that the Victory Fund is do- APA’s latest statements. Greg Harris. Greg’s been a great champion and —Currently in school, have graduated or ing some miraculous thing. More of the commu- “We welcome the American Psychiatric As- is a wonderful out elected official but you have obtained a certificate of completion from nity is simply willing to step up and run, and if sociation’s support, which is part of a long to realize that, in time, these people will move high school, have obtained a General Educa- we’ve been helpful in any way, it’s that we show trend in the medical community affirming on and you’ll need more great people to come in tional Development (GED) certificate, or are them a way to win. transgender people’s access to health care behind them. We’ve added more trainings in the an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast WCT: At the American Legacy Foundation, and civil rights,” said Mara Keisling, execu- city and the Midwest. Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; you worked on the iconic “Truth” anti-smok- tive director of the National Center for Trans- We also have a partnership with Equality Il- and ing campaign. How important is that type of gender Equality in a statement to Windy City linois that we’re really proud of. The Appoint- —Have not been convicted of a felony, sig- messaging? Times. “The National Center for Transgender ments Project has been especially successful. nificant misdemeanor, or three or more other CW: I think that’s essential anywhere. Brand Equality strongly believes that changes like There’s a lot of groundwork that’s been laid for misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a awareness is key. Our benefit is that we have this are just going to keep us moving for- us to be able to do more work here, and we’re threat to national security or public safety. a very focused mission. We are out to win, and ward.” actually bringing our first brunch to Chicago To join the webinar, visit www3.gotomeet- that’s what we say—both in our day-to-day The APA statement is part of a growing on Sept. 9. We offer this series of fundraising ing.com/register/737026030, or call 877- work and also in our marketing message. Be- trend among medical societies to back tran- brunches around the country, which are meant 273-4202 and use Conference Room 9495854. cause we’re such a focused organization, when to highlight our candidates so everybody gets to people invest with us, they know what we’re meet them. This will be our first time in Chicago. about. Nobody has to wonder. WCT: Can you give us any details? WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 5 on the Varnum decision, and had substantial fi- nancial support from the National Organization D.C. shooter Iowa marriage-equality for Marriage and the American Family Associa- tion. indicted “The latest move to oust judges is, as we Floyd Lee Corkins II has been formally backers prepare for know, politics at its worst,” Red Wing said dur- charged with the Aug. 14 shooting of the ing the event, which was broadcast streaming security guard at the Washington, D.C., on the Internet. “It’s a movement that we be- headquarters of the conservative group the vote on justices lieve is mean-spirited and bigoted.” Family Research Council (FRC), according Red Wing said One Iowa is committed to trav- to the Huffington Post. by m.c. clark eling across the state prior to the upcoming re- A grand jury indicted Corkins, 28, on a tention vote in support of Justice Wiggins. One federal charge of interstate transportation Lambda Legal and One Iowa held a town hall at Iowa has also begun a Why Marriage Matters of a firearm and ammunition and two D.C. Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 27, campaign. It is also a supporter of the Justice offenses: assault with intent to kill while signaling the beginning of a new chapter in the Not Politics campaign, which aims to counter armed and possession of a handgun during campaign to support marriage equality in Iowa. out-of-state funding for judicial retention elec- a crime of violence. The panel for the event (which also streamed tions. A law-enforcement official said that dur- online) included author and activist Zach Wahls, “To all of us, it felt like a watershed moment,” ing a scuffle with the guard, Corkins ex- One Iowa Founder and Board Chair Sharon Mal- Bennett said during the town hall, providing a pressed views different from those of the heiro, One Iowa Executive Director Donna Red national context for the Iowa decision. Bennett FRC, the Washington Post stated. The of- Wing and Midwest Regional Director for Lambda stressed that while the removal of the judges ficial also said Corkins was carrying a bag Legal Jim Bennett. has no impact on the decision itself, it does still that had a Chick-Fil-A bag inside. Chick-Fil- Wahls has recently become a spokesperson for undermine the judicial process. A President Dan Cathy has expressed views the marriage-equality movement after a YouTube “[The goal] was to send a chilling message to about same-sex marriage that are similar video was posted of his address to the Iowa Ju- judges across the country,” Bennett said. to the council’s. diciary Committee in 2011 concerning a consti- Bennett, who was a leading strategist of Afterwards, Perkins accused the Southern tutional amendment to ban gay marriage. He is Lambda Legal’s educational and media efforts in Poverty Law Center of sparking hatred that the author of My Two Moms: Lessons on Love, Iowa, told the Windy City Times, “Our hope is led to Corkins’ actions, calling the shooting Strength, and What Makes a Family. to just keep the conversation going and to get “an act of domestic terrorism,” which led Much of the conversation centered on the up- Iowans to consider their own judicial process. to angry responses from pro-LGBT groups. coming retention vote this November for Iowa We don’t take judges out based on an unpopular Corkins had volunteered at a community Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins. decision. And that is what we hope to achieve center for LGBT individuals. In 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously nationally.” ruled in Varnum v. Brien that an Iowa law that Lambda Legal has its own Fair Courts Project, existed at the time, defining marriage between a which conducts workshops at universities and man and a woman, violated the equal protection bar associations. clause in the Iowa constitution. It effectively In May, Public Policy Polling found that 71 legalized same-sex marriage in the state, which Correction percent of voters in Iowa support some form of Ed Negron, not Hal Baim, took the cover made Iowa the third of six states to do so. legal recognition for same-sex couples. photo of the Aug. 22 issue, which show- But in November 2010, three of those justices cased Dance for Life participants. failed a retention vote that is required for the Windy City Times regrets the error. renewal of their eight-year terms. The votes fol- lowed a campaign to remove the judges based Jim Bennett. Photo courtesy of Lambda Legal

For a limited time receive $500 Camry Conquest Cash* on top of great Camry offers!

New 2012 Toyota Camry

0% APR financing 877.200.4532 | ContinentalToyota.com for 36 months† on 2012 Toyota Camry 6701 S. LaGrange Rd. | Hodgkins, IL 60525 *Customers who trade-in a competitive vehicle (non-Toyota, non-Lexus or non-Scion) or can provide a copy of the registration for a family owned vehicle (non-Toyota, non-Lexus or non-Scion) for the purchase of a new non-fleet, unused and unlicensed 2012 Camry Sedan (gas models only) are eligible to have a Camry Conquest Cash Certificate ($500) applied to their purchase. No payment gas models! will be made directly to consumers. †0% APR financing for up to 36 months with approved credit through TFS in lieu of any rebates available on new 2012 Toyota Camry (gas models). Please see dealer for details. Offers ends 9/4/12. Dealer will not honor any pricing errors in this advertisement. 10 May 23, 20126 WINDY CITY TIMESAug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, a dumping ground for demoted employees who national origin, disability, marital status, age, were trained in other careers. Gay Black pastors talk LGBTs question Catholic gender including pregnancy, sexual orientation, “They never wanted to work with the home- status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled vet- less,” he said, adding he felt the way some work- eran or any other basis prohibited by federal, ers treated clients was unacceptable. LGBT issues and churches Charities deal with city state, or local laws in all matters relating to LoBianco pointed out that Catholic Charities employment with the Agency, including hiring, has received city contracts for decades. During By KaTe sOsin know they are LGBTQ but their identities are training, promotion, demotion, transfer, recruit- his time heading homeless services, he said, LG- rarely acknowledged outright. Others simply find ment, help wanted advertising, layoff, termina- BT-specific complaints were filed with the city, Two gay Black Chicago pastors explored a largely “church” or worship in other ways—by watching for homeless outreach tion, compensation, and other terms and condi- but Catholic Charities never received a com- invisible “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that they services on TV or listening to them on the radio, tions of employment,” the statement reads. plaint. said affects LGBT people at a May 21 discussion or by having conversations about faith at coffee Finally, the newly released “Plan to End Home- “There are not a lot of agencies committed to at the Alder School of Professional Psychology. shops. BY KATE SOSIN less, 2.0” includes recommendations on better doing this work, and of those, Catholic Charities The conversation focused on Black churches, not Reynolds and Tindell point out that that while serving LGBT people, said Smith. is the best,” LoBianco said. the military. homophobia within Black churches impacts LGBT The city is outsourcing some of its homeless That inclusion comes in the form of a men- Openly gay Ald. James Cappleman expressed Rev. Kevin Tindell, founder of Center Minis- people of color, so too does racism among LGBT- services to Chicago Catholic Charities, a move tion of LGBTQ people among “special popula- similar feelings. tries, and Rev. Benjamin Reynolds, interim pas- affirming people of faith. raising eyebrows among some LGBT people who tions” that also include families, youth, victims Cappleman is a longtime member of Dignity/ tor for the First Church of the Brethren, Chicago, “When I walk in certain circles, it is easier see the organization as anti-gay. of domestic violence, seniors, people who have Chicago and a former social worker. Overall, explored the realities facing Black LGBTQ people for some white folks to see me as gay than as Mayor Emanuel announced the move, intended been convicted of a crime, persons with a dis- he said, he was not concerned about the deal. in faith communities during a discussion titled Black,” said Reynolds. to cut down on youth homelessness, in an Aug. ability, people who are chronically homeless, He never witnessed homophobia from Catholic “Religion: The Black LGBTQ Experience.” Both Tindell and Reynolds are among a hand- 23 press conference. people with HIV/AIDS, undocumented people Charities when he was doing social work. “It’s very complicated,” Reynolds said of the ful of out gay Black pastors in Chicago. Asked “If you can cut somebody off at a younger age and people with limited English proficiency. Asked if he worried about the image of the church’s role in Black communities. to discuss why Black churches may be reticent who’s homeless, get them the jobs and get them One openly gay person who supports the deal city contracting with Catholic Charities, he said, Tindell later added that “complicated” was the to embrace LGBTQ people, Tindell and Reynolds the education, they won’t be an adult statistic,” is Jim LoBianco, who headed up homeless ser- “I’m mostly focused on making sure that people theme of the discussion. speculated that it may be part of a legacy of Emanuel said. Dignity/chicago’s 40th-anniversary Mass. Photo by Kate sosin vices under Mayor Daley and currently serves as are who experience homelessness are getting Black LGBTQ people are sometimes willing to racism within the United States. According to the mayor, the deal will save executive director of Streetwise. the best possible care.” overlook homophobia within their churches, said Being LGBT is still taboo, said Reynolds, and the city $1.7 million, to be funneled back into LoBianco contends that because “human ser- —Contributing reporter: Bill Healy Reynolds, because the church is often integral to coming out as LGBT-affirming can feel like a homeless services. The result, he said, will be “It’s one of the proudest moments of my life vice worker” is one of the lowest titles in Chica- a sense of community. concession of power for communities that have a 40-percentDignity/Chicago increase in the number of shelter to be with you,” Pett said. go government, homeless services had become But Tindell and Reynolds reject assertions that been forced to fight for a more equitable place beds. Dignity/Chicago also celebrated its anni- homophobia and faith go hand in hand. in the world. Catholiccelebrates Charities will take 40over the years city’s pro- versary with a dinner May 20. Jamie Manson, By KaTe sOsin “Those scriptures are pretty much always taken “It’s complicated in the structures of us being gram that offers late-night rides to homeless writer for the National Catholic reporter, gave for three years, totaling $1.5 million, while out of context,” said Tindell of Bible passages accepted in the country club,” said Tindell. shelters, operating 12 vehicles and employing the keynote address. Singer-songwriter Jef- TPAN receives grant NNHSC will receive $200,000 per year for More than 50 people crowded into Broadway often used to denigrate LGBT life. “We all put Tim Brown, accounting coordinator at Adler, 50 workers. frey Altergott provided the evening’s enter- three years, totaling $600,000. United Methodist Church May 21 to celebrate tainment. for new initiative out own interpretation and spin on it… It also moderated the discussion which was presented But many LGBT people questioned the move, The local HIV/AIDS agency TPAN (Test Posi- The other recipients in Chicago include Ac- the 40th anniversary of LGBT Catholic organi- The Lakeview Clergy Association received says we shouldn’t wear wool and cotton.” by Adler’s LGBTQ Mental Health and Inclusion as Catholic Charities in Illinois and the Archdio- tive Aware Network) has received a $10,000 cess Community Health Network ($353,328 zation Dignity/Chicago. this year’s John Michie award. The Spirit of per year), Hektoen Institute for Medical Re- “I am absolutely not in love with the Bible,” Center and Institute on Social Exclusion. cese of Chicago have taken high-profile stances Joe Murray of Rainbow Sash Movement. Photo grant from The Gibbs Family Foundation in The joyful evening Mass reflected on the Dignity award went to Rev. Mary Ramsden, search ($1,382,507) and the board of trust- said Reynolds, who added that his loyalty was to The discussion was the second in a series of against LGBT rights in recent years. courtesy of Murray support of its new HIV prevention initiative hurdles overcome by LGBT Catholics and re- who ministers to Dignity/Chicago. Daniel God, not to the book. conversations expected to be held on the inter- “It just raises a lot of red flags in my mind,” for serodiscordant couples. ees of the University of Illinois (separate newed affirmations that being LGBT is not Bender and Steve Forst both received special But within Black churches, they said, LGBTQ sections of LGBTQ issues and race by the LGBTQ said Joe Murray, executive director of Rainbow This prevention initiative is available to all grants of $200,000 and $292,956). inconsistent with the Catholic faith. anniversary recognition. people often go silent. Their faithful peers might Mental Health and Inclusion Center. Sash Movement, an LGBT Catholic organization. Chicago Catholic Charities was not a party in HIV/AIDS-impacted populations in the great- The full list of recipients is at www.hrsa. “We became the first large Catholic group “Catholic Charities, one, does not recognize us the suit, but George oversees all of the state’s er Chicago Metropolitan Area. The psycho- gov/about/news/2012tables/120807hivaids. ever not to surrender to hierarchical bully- [LGBT people] and two, believes we are morally six dioceses. educational program will be composed of six html. ing,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive Pantoja tribute June 1 disordered.” “Catholic Charities are the same in every dio- weekly groups for five couples, approximately director of Dignity/USA, who came to Chicago A tribute to Dr. Antonia Pantoja will take Chicago Catholic Charities is an arm of the cese no matter where you’re at,” explained Chris two and a half hours per session, three cycles to deliver the 40th-anniversary homily. place Friday, June 1, at the Institute for Puer- Law Project offers Archdiocese of Chicago, headed by Cardinal Pett, president of LGBT Catholic organization per year. “When the official church did not respond in to Rican Arts and Culture, 3015 W. Division Francis George, who sparked outrage last winter Dignity/Chicago. “Now the city will layoff work- TPAN is currently finalizing the initiative forums for love, you ministered to each other,” Duddy- St., 6:30-9:30 p.m. when he compared the Pride Parade to a Ku Klux ers and shift the service to an organization that and expects to convene its first group this Burke said. Pantoja was an educator and social-justice emerging nonprofits Klan gathering. is known to be anti-gay.” fall. For more information, visit www.tpan. The mass was both jubilant and pained, as advocate who founded Aspira, “the only na- The Law Project (TLP)—a project of The Responding to a Lakeview church’s request to Ed Flavin, a spokesperson for Chicago Catho- com. Duddy-Burke recalled a history of exclusion tional Hispanic organization dedicated ex- Chicago Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights alter the Pride Parade plans to let parishioners lic Charities confirmed that the organization’s by church leadership, of the impact of AIDS clusively to developing the educational and under Law—is offering a series of five work- attend Sunday mass, the Cardinal repeatedly stance on LGBT parents is the same as the other on Dignity members and the continued resil- leadership capacity of Hispanic youth,” ac- shops for individuals looking to form nonprof- stated that parade was at risk of turning into a charities, but he said there was no connection HBHC, Near North ience of Dignity chapters throughout the U.S. cording to its website. In 1996, she received it organizations. KKK gathering. between the foster care dispute and homeless Dignity/Chicago was disallowed from hold- the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2002, among those Participants can register for each workshop “You don’t want the gay-liberation movement services. ing mass in Catholic churches after the orga- she came out as lesbian in her autobiography. individually or—for a significant discount— to morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan, “We’ve never discriminated against anyone, nization refused to renounce its affirmation She passed away that same year. with HHS grants for the entire five-course series at once. demonstrating in the streets against Catholi- period,” Flavin said. of LGBT people in 1988. It currently holds The Legacy Walk will recognize Pantoja and Howard Brown Health Center and Near Workshop titles include “Nonprofit Board Ba- cism,” he told Fox News Chicago. Flavin noted that he personally “is a major ad- Sunday evening services at Broadway United her contributions Oct. 11. North Health Service Corporation are among sics,” “Business Planning for New Nonprofits,” George later apologized for the remarks. vocate of assisting that community.” Methodist Church. Tickets to the June 1 event are $10-$20; the Illinois recipients of a $68-million grant “Developing a Budget for a New Nonprofit,” However, Illinois Catholic Charities have also According to Matt Smith, a spokesperson for Dignity has crossed church leadership in see http://legacyprojectchicago.org/Anto- disbursement that Health and Human Ser- “Funding a New Nonprofit” and “Legal Steps come under fire in recent years for other anti- Chicago Department of Family and Support Ser- other ways. The organization recognizes nia_Pantoja_Tribute_Tickets.html. vices (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius an- to Create a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organiza- gay stances. Last year, a group of Illinois Catho- vices (DFSS), all agencies contracting with DFSS nounced. women priests. Sponsors of the event include The Legacy tion.” lic Charities refused to place foster children in are contractually required to follow federal, state The disbursement is part of the Ryan White Rev. Barbara Zeman presided over the mass Project, Aspira, the Association of Latino Men The first series of workshops will conclude same-sex households after civil unions went into and local anti-discrimination laws and policies. HIV/AIDS Part D program to provide coordi- while Joanna Mochalski served as the lay for Action, Amigas Latinas, Unidos, La Casa at The Law Project, 100 N. LaSalle St., Aug. effect. The state pulled the charities’ contract In addition, Smith said, Catholic Charities pro- nated HIV primary medical care and support minister of prayer. Norte, Puerto Rican Agenda, VIDA/SIDA and 30 and Sept. 6; advance registration is re- over the refusal, and the charities unsuccessfully vided the city with its own anti-discrimination services to women, infants, children and Chris Pett, president of Dignity/Chicago, Primera Iglesia Congregacional de Chicago. quired. Visit www.thelawproject.org. sued to keep the contract while turning away policy. provided the closing an opening remarks. youth. HBHC will receive $500,000 per year rev. Benjamin reynolds (left) and rev. Kevin Tindell. Photo by Kate sosin LGBT parents. “Catholic Charities maintains a policy of

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! Gay Owned and Operated Chicago’s Dedicated and ALEO Comprehensive LGBT Program Exposition VAT CHICAGO LAKESHORE HOSPITAL Valeo at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital provides comprehensive psychiatric Flooring Design Center and addiction-related treatment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. Serving the LGBT community with pride & privacy The program offers a safe, affirming therapeutic environment for members Oh My! You’re so Warm, Fuzzy, Plush ... of the LGBTQ community. The Valeo ... I Just Feel Like Lying Down On You and Dreaming of Sheep ... • English, Spanish, Polish & Ukranian Spoken staff is comprised of well-trained, experienced gay and gay-sensitive • Most Insurance Accepted, Medicaid, Medicare behavioral health professionals from a wide variety of disciplines. CARPET • RUGS • WOOD • TILE • LAMINATE • Homeopathic/Organic Health & Beauty Products Family owned for 40 years • Featuring Jack Black, Kiss My Face, Tom’s of Maine & much more 4840 N. MARINE DRIVE CHICAGO, IL 60640 5718 N. Broadway • Chicago • (773) 784-5600 1-800-888-0560 1800 W. Chicago Ave. • 773.486.1200 www.chicagolakeshorehospital.com WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 7

Drew said the settlements conclude the City settles last of cases involving Fiorito. But, he said, “The settlement is not an admission of liability.” Fiorito DUI suits The city had been prepared to take Dean’s BY KATE SOSIN case to trial Aug. 20, he said.

The City of Chicago has settled the last of federal lawsuits aimed at Richard Fiorito, a UIC, U. of C. former Lakeview cop who allegedly hit LGBT among most people with false DUI charges. James Dean Jr. and Steven Lopez recently LGBT-friendly schools settled their cases against Fiorito. The devel- Campus Pride has released its list of the top opments began with 37 complainants on DUI 25 LGBT-friendly colleges and universities, arrests dating as far back as 2003. according to a press release. Dean and Lopez were each awarded $99,000 The University of Illinois at Chicago and in the settlements and up to a combined the University of Chicago are the only area $250,000 in attorney’s fees, to be determined schools on this list. Other schools include In- at a later date by a judge. diana University, Oberlin College, the Univer- “Justice was served,” said attorney Jon Er- sity of Oregon, the University of Utah, Stan- ickson, who represented both men. “It took a ford University and the Ohio State University, long time.” among others. Complaints about Fiorito first surfaced in “Praise and accolades are deserved for these 2003, but it was not until 2009 that the al- ‘Top 25’ colleges and universities. Each has legations made headlines. demonstrated in policy, program and practice Chicago House CEO the Rev. Stan Sloan (left) and Dr. Rob Garofalo at the event. Photo by Carrie Several LGBT people complained that Fiorito inclusion and safety for LGBT and ally student Maxwell had used anti-gay and racist language during populations,” said Campus Pride Executive Di- the arrests, and Fiorito became the target of rector Shane Windmeyer in a statement. gay rights activists who protested his contin- The Campus Pride Index lists nearly 350 ued employment after the allegations broke. publicly available campus climate reports on- Chicago House Fiorito allegedly issued hundreds of false line at www.campusprideindex.org. DUIs to motorists, more than 130 of which the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office ‘LGBTQ Healthy Aging announces new threw out. But the State’s Attorney dropped criminal proceedings against Fiorito in early Fair’ Sept. 7 at Center 2010, amid community protest. “Taking Pride in Wellness: LGBTQ Healthy According to Erickson, most of cases Aging Fair” will take place Friday, Sept. 7, at trans initiatives the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., 9 against Fiorito, filed in the Northern District By Carrie Maxwell in rectifying that situation.” of Illinois, were dismissed because plaintiffs a.m.-1 p.m. Garofalo remarked that this project is a labor had committed minor infractions before be- There will be a complimentary lunch, free About 50 people attended a party at the Wicker of love for him. “I am honored to be involved ing stopped—driving without headlights, not health screenings, flu and pneumonia shots, Park home of Chicago House CEO the Rev. Stan with the Chicago House TransHealth program,” having a city sticker or failing to use a turn raffle prizes, massages and more than 40 ven- Sloan Aug. 25 to hear about the organization’s he said. signal. dors. new TransLife programs. Jampole said she is looking forward to work- Roderick Drew, a spokesperson for the city’s Email [email protected] or call The programs will launch next year with the ing with everyone to ensure the success of these law department, said that some of the plain- 773-472-6469, ext. 445, for more info. opening of the TransLife Center in Edgewater. initiatives and expressed excitement at being a tiffs also failed to show for court. In total, 17 The center will offer TransHousing, TransWorks new board member. cases involving Fiorito were filed in federal ‘Out in the Park’ and TransHealth (Connect-to-Care) services for Sloan explained how his understanding of the court. Three were settled, while the rest were transgender adults. transgender community grew over the years as dismissed. Sept. 8 at Six Flags The event’s hosts were Sloan; Dr. Rob Garofalo, he learned more about their lives. From that Others could not file suits involving the BestGayChicago.com and vitaminwater® are director of adolescent HIV services and research understanding, Sloan said he recognized there DUIs because they had accepted earlier deals premiering “Out in the Park 2012,” an all-new for the Center for Gender, Sexuality and HIV Pre- were gaps in services to the transgender commu- in the criminal charges against them. LGBT event and fundraiser at Six Flags Great vention at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago nity that he hopes Chicago House will fill in with “Everybody that we filed for was not guilty America. The event will take place Saturday, and point person for the TransHealth program; the TransLife programs. “So far there is enough of the DUI,” said Erickson. Sept. 8, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. and two new Chicago House board members: funding to get the programs started, however, Erickson contends that Fiorito issued the The park will be closed for this event. The June LaTrobe and Emma Joy Jampole. more donations are needed for the programs to DUIs to buy himself overtime hours in court. music of DJs Matthew Harvat and Phil DaBe- Guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and continue,” said Sloan. Many minorities complained that the officer atz will be heard live throughout the venue. cupcakes ahead of a presentation by Chicago Chicago House Program Director Judy Perloff had unfairly targeted them. Advance tickets are $35; the price includes House board and staff members. explained what each component of the program According to Erickson, Fiorito used racist admission to the park all day long, free park- Following introductory remarks by Chicago will provide for individuals and said, “Our goal slurs against Dean, a Black gay man who was ing and access to the private event. A portion House Special Events Manager Jeremy Hilborn, is very simple. We want to provide long-term stopped by Fiorito moments after being re- of the advance ticket sales will benefit HIV/ LaTrobe said, “The trans community has cer- structural intervention to improve the stability leased from the Town Hall District Police sta- AIDS agency Test Positive Aware Network. tainly seen tremendous progress in terms of pro- of the transgender community to decrease eco- tion on a traffic charge. Erickson alleges that Tickets are available online at www.sixflags. tections and rights. However, that hasn’t always nomic and social marginalization and to improve Fiorito instructed Dean to move his car and com, using promo code “OUT2012.” been the case and is not even the case today for greater health outcomes.” then immediately pulled him over for a DUI, Regarding bus tickets (which are limited), the most vulnerable members of our trans com- See www.chicagohouse.org for more informa- despite the fact that police did not report him visit www.GaySixFlagsChicago.com or call munity, young trans women of color. Chicago tion. being intoxicated minutes earlier. 773-979-5323. House TransLife project is a very important step

God is Gay… Ehrlich Dental and Straight…and bi…and trans…and Democrat…and “A great dentalGeneral & experience... Cosmetic Dentistry“ Republican…and Reform…and Orthodox…and Israeli…and “ I have“I have never never felt felt more more at at ease ease in in a a doctor’s dentist’s office.”offi ce...” Palestinian…and a runner…and in a wheelchair…and you! Over 150 patients have reviewed our work and awarded us a 99.4% positive patient rating! Read reviews for yourself at www.demandforce.com/dentist/ehrlichdental • Licensed Sedation Dentistry High Holidays begin Sept. 16! • Check Out Our Reviews Online Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago 3118Call N. 773-935-0300 Sheffield Ave. Our services will take place at Jewish www.ehrlichdental.com Reconstructionist Congregation, 303 Chicago, IL Dodge Ave., Evanston. For ticket and (773)Joshua 935-0300 H. Ehrlich, DMD PC, General & Cosmetic Dentistry schedule information, please visit www.EhrlichDental.com3118 N. Sheffi eld Ave. Suite 1N, Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois 60657 orchadash.org or call (773) 271-2148. EDUCATION BA: University of Chicago, DMD: Tufts University, GPR: Rush University Serving Chicago’s Jewish LGBT community, and their families, friends and loved Joshua H. Ehrlich, DMD ones, since 1976. Serving Lakeview & Beyond! 8 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES PASSAGES TRANS from cover the Illinois Human Rights Ordinance.” Kahrl argued that the dismissal sends a said Tsamis is no longer representing her be- message that rights are “economically de- John Thurman cause the two had a disagreement). termined” by who can afford gender-related According to the IDHR dismissal, the com- surgeries and who cannot. plaint was thrown out because at the time of She also worries that the dismissal has set John Dee Thurman, formerly of Rogers Park, a precedent under which similar cases of al- passed away Aug. 25 in Munster, Ind., from com- her conversations with managers on the issue, Sommerville was still in the process of transi- leged discrimination could be thrown out. plications of a fall. He was 52. “A non-ruling doesn’t mean they will rule Thurman was the beloved life partner of Da- tioning from male to female. It also says, her “physical anatomy was that of a male,” and incorrectly on something in the future, but vid Lee Fleer and husband of the late Constance it does create uncertainty on something that “Connie” Watterson. He was also the son of the she had failed to provide her managers with legal precedent that would prove the store should be absolutely clear,” she said. late Dee Thurman and Hazel Wilson Thurman. Kahrl said that Equality Illinois would be Thurman was also “deputy chief of staff” to was required to let her use the women’s room. The document further notes that Sommer- taking action on the dismissal, but declined Lili the cat. to provide further details. She added that she The deceased was an aficionado of gospel as ville had previously agreed to use the men’s room, a statement that Sommerville contends believes transgender people should continue well as country and western music, especially to use the bathrooms that they have been Donna Fargo, with whom he had a special musi- is false. Finally, the dismissal references a series of using. cal relationship. He was also an active member Equality Illinois was instrumental in the of Chicago Prime Timers, an organization for incidents in which Sommerville was accused of sexual harassment for side-hugging, fol- 2005 inclusion of gender identity protections mature gay and bisexual men as well as their in the Human Rights Act. admirers. lowing and making physical contact with a co-worker in 2006. Sommerville was relocated Aiding in the effort at that time was Rick After receiving his associates degree in inte- Garcia, policy advisor of The Civil Rights rior design from Harrington School of Design, to another Hobby Lobby store over the allega- tion, but a formal police complaint was never Agenda (TCRA), and a longtime LGBT-rights Thurman enjoyed a long career in the banking activist. Garcia has worked closely with IDHR industry, retiring as executive administrator filed. Sommerville denied the allegations of sexual harassment. for years, he said, even conducting a training from a major institution. on trans issues for IDHR with trans advocate Thurman lived Fargo’s assertion that “you Sommerville said she worries for her safety and for the image of the store when she uses June LaTrobe. can’t be a beacon if your light don’t shine.” “They have been really good about under- A memorial mass was held Tuesday, Aug. 28, a male bathroom shared by customers. “I look over my shoulder every time I need standing trans issues,” said Garcia. “From at 2 p.m. at St. Paul & the Redeemer Episcopal what I understand of this case, this was an Church, 4945 S. Dorchester Ave., Chicago. to use the restroom,” she said. She has to wait, she said, until no one is in or around aberration.” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Garcia said he urged Sommerville to ask for his name to Hospice of the Calumet Area, 600 the bathroom before going. Sommerville’s anxieties are not uncom- a review of the case. Superior Ave., Munster, Ind., 46321. Mike Claffey, a spokesperson for IDHR, said Arrangements were made by the Cremation So- mon among transgender people. Transgender women in particular face harassment in large IDHR cannot comment on cases still in the re- ciety of Illinois (773-281-5058 or www.crema- quest for review period. “But anybody who is tion-society.com). numbers regardless of the gendered bathroom they choose. not satisfied with the outcome of their com- John Thurman. Photo courtesy of David Fleer Last year, Chrissy Lee Polis—a transgen- plaint has an avenue of appeal,” he said. der woman who used a female restroom in a Sommerville has until Sept. 24-25 to ap- Baltimore, Md., McDonald’s—made headlines peal the two charges listed in her initial com- when she was beaten by two other women plaint. She could also take her case to the while employees filmed the attack. circuit court. While Polis was using the women’s room at Those avenues, however, may not be op- the time, many advocates have argued that tions for Sommerville. She is behind on rent, trans women face a greater risk of violence in she said, and can’t afford the cost of an at- men’s rooms. torney she may need to pursue either route. Sommerville’s case could prove significant Sommerville can likely request a review at for other transgender Illinoisans, many of IDHR at no cost and without the help of an whom use the bathroom that corresponds attorney. If her case makes it past that pro- MEET with their updated IDs, despite not having cess, however, she will likely need legal as- had genital surgery. sistance. Such surgeries are often costly, are rarely Disclosure: This reporter participated in an covered by insurance providers and are not unrelated educational project around trans- PAMGRIER always desired by trans people. gender people and restrooms in Illinois that at REEL ART in Berwyn! Transgender people can change the gender referenced the Illinois Human Rights Act. markers on their state IDs and on their U.S. passports without proof of genital surgery. THURSDAY This year, the American Civil Lib- erties Union won a court ruling on SEPT. 6 • 5-7PM behalf of three trans people who wanted new Illinois birth certifi- cates but had not undergone geni- tal surgery. FOXY BROWN Just one transgender person is & THE L WORD known to have won a discrimina- tion case under the Illinois Human STAR APPEARING AT Rights Act. Vanessa Fitzsimmons, CHICAGO’S FINEST a taxi driver, successfully sued her COLLECTIBLES former employer for discrimination last year. STORE “Nobody has tested this [bath- room issue],” Sommerville noted. “This could have been a landmark case.” REEL ART But despite lack of precedence under the Illinois Human Rights 6727 W. STANLEY Act, trans advocates have long advised that IDs were more than BERWYN, IL sufficient proof of the right to use the bathroom marked with their reelartstore.com preferred gender. “This just seems like a slam dunk 708-288-7378 case of discrimination,” said Chris- tina Kahrl, a trans advocate and Ms Grier is appearing courtesy of The Hollywood Show board member of Equality Illinois. www.hollywoodshow.com Meggan Sommerville. Photo courtesy of Sommerville “They are betraying the spirit of Ms Grier will be charging for signing items. WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 9

You conquered the closet.

Your career is next. Let us help you discover a career that's as fabulous as you are.

C A R E E R C O A C H I N G • E X E C U T I V E C O A C H I N G

773.275.5566 www.jodymichael.com 10 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES Mickey Powers looks back on Chicago’s gay life

By Ross Forman friend of the family, and we drove past two men holding hands on Belmont Street,” he said. “I It was an early summer evening when Mickey thought he was going to fall out of the car. He Powers walked from his Lakeview apartment to was shocked. Today, that’d be nothing. the lakefront near the totem pole to read, as he “Today, I don’t hesitate to hug and kiss anyone often does. on the street when I see them, yet we couldn’t He spotted two twentysomething Latino men do that years ago.” sitting side by side on a bench, and one had his Mickey tended bar in the Chicago area for 20 legs draped over the other man, and they were years, including 15 years at The Nutbush in sub- kissing intimately. urban Forest Park. He also worked at a bank and An array of emotions raced through Mickey’s in the travel agency industry. 66-year-old body. He is now retired, single, smiling and reflec- He thought that he personally would never be tive on what he’s watched in the LGBT world, Mickey Powers. Photo by Ross Forman so open, in public, with his affection for another specifically, gay bar life, dating back to the man. He’s too old-fashioned, he said. And years 1960s, when he first was a customer. ago, if they were kissing in public, they likely “Years ago, I think there was much more cama- “I still remember walking in [to a gay bar for ly rejected the tag. He’s too proud of the path would have been arrested or attacked, or some- raderie in the bars, with all of the dancing. The the first time] and thinking, ‘This is fabulous; he’s paved—for others—to be insulted, which thing more severe, Mickey said. bars were a lot of fun back then,” said Mickey, this is where I belong,’” Mickey said. “The [gay] is how he took it. He replied, “I’m one of the But on this night, as Mickey watched others in who also worked at The Hideaway in Forest Park bars then basically were [almost all] straight- ones who paved the way for you to dance down the area, no one even looked twice at the lovers. for less than a year, and at The Lucky Horseshoe owned. Halsted Street.” “We’ve really come a long way,” Mickey said, in Lakeview from 1992-96. “My memories of the 1960s include the differ- Clearly, Mickey is an LGBT pioneer, along with reflecting on how gay life has progressed. There “People were more hiding themselves back ent bars: Finocchio’s, The Chesterfield, The An- others from his era. was a time, which Mickey witnessed first-hand, then, meaning, people often would walk into nex and others. When I first started going into That said, Mickey laughs when he goes to gay when gay men couldn’t and wouldn’t even touch the bar with their collars up, wearing hats, with Kitty Sheon’s, there was a woman at the door bars nowadays. “I feel like a fossil,” he said. each other in a gay bar. There was a time when sunglasses [on]. Many people didn’t want others named Pat; she was so nice. It was a really excit- “When I see Boystown, I just think of what two men needed two women to join them on to know that they were gay, but once they got ing time for me, coming out in the ‘60s.” it was years ago. I remember when Sidetrack the dance floor if they wanted to dance, even at inside, all hell broke loose and the fun would He went to The Nutbush on the day after opened, and it was one storefront, only one a gay bar. Today, we’re talking about same-sex begin.” Thanksgiving 1976, and was friends with its bar,” he said. “Halsted Street and Boystown … marriage. Mickey said the The Nutbush regularly had se- owner. Then on New Year’s Eve, he was back at that used to be a nasty neighborhood, not what The world has certainly changed for the LGBT curity guards in the parking lot to protect its the bar, which stayed open until the following it is today. And over to Lake Shore Drive, too. community. Mickey, originally from Chicago’s customers, and poppers were a common sight morning. Mickey was in drag that memorable It’s changed greatly, thankfully.” South Side and a Lakeview resident for the past inside the bar. night—and he ultimately lost a shoe, ripped a Mickey has battled bone-marrow cancer for 12 20 years (though he’s moving to Edgewater by “You could not touch anybody in the 1960s, mink coat, “and was a mess,” he said, laughing. years. He had a stem-cell transplant 11 years the end of the summer), has had a front-row nor buy a guy a drink, [even in a gay bar]. Danc- A photo from the night is framed and hung at ago that “has changed my life,” he said. seat on the world—good, bad and indifferent. ing was out [for same-sex couples]. If I wanted his home. Mickey now often gets fatigued quickly, “but “I’m not ashamed of who or what I am. But to go dancing with a fellow, we would have to In February, 1977, Mickey started working at I cannot give up. My job is not done here,” he years ago…” said Mickey, cutting off his sen- take two girls with us, and pretend that we were The Nutbush, at the request of its owner. said. tence. He came out in 1965, first telling his dancing with them.” “I never envisioned that I’d work there for 15 So what else do you want to do, or what is mother’s hairstylists. Mickey came out to his mother’s hairdressers years, but I loved it. The people at The Nutbush there still to do? “One day in the 1980s, I was driving with a at age 18, and they took him to his first gay bar. were like family to me,” Mickey said. “I’m not sure. My life is not over, yet,” he said. The Nutbush closed three years ago and has He is considering taking French or Spanish since been converted to an auto service center. classes, which he saw are taught at the Center Mickey drives by it nowadays and reflects. “I on Halsted. “I think that would be wonderful for think of all the wonderful times that I had there me,” said Mickey, who also plans to travel more, and the wonderful people who I met,” he said. including at least one more trip to Paris. “Many of them, though, are now [dead]. Thank- “I don’t feel bad when I’m at the bars nowa- fully I still have a lot of photos from when I days; I just feel … older,” Mickey said. “I wish, worked there.” years ago, I could have done things that gays Mickey endured the early years of the HIV/ can openly, freely do today, such as, holding AIDS epidemic, when countless customers died hands in public. Even now, if someone came from the disease. Mickey is grateful, though. “I into my life, I still couldn’t walk down the street did not lose a ton of close friends to AIDS,” he holding someone’s hand, though; it just isn’t me said. because I’m from the era where you had to be Your financial needs are unique. “I enjoyed the 1970s the most. The ’80s were more proper and so forth.” Whether you want to provide for your loved ones, support the organizations that are a lot of fun for me; there was a lot of partying More Mickey Powers: important to you, or plan for your own comfortable retirement, I can help you plan for and drinking,” he said. “I enjoyed the bar life in the ’70s the most because it was the disco —Said he had several memorable relation- your goals. I’ll look at all aspects of your finances, then find solutions that are right for your era and there were wonderful parties. The 1980s ships unique needs. And as your goals and needs change, I’ll be there to adjust your plan and help were filled with a lot of illness and death; maybe —Is an active fundraiser for the Leukemia & put your dreams within reach. that’s why I didn’t think it was so wonderful. Lymphoma Society Our Advisors. Your Dreams. MORE WITHIN REACH® The 1980s were a fun time, yes, but also a sad —Describes himself as “outgoing, gregarious, time.” loving, and old-fashioned” Call me todaytoday at (312)(312) 346-1000849.3002 Mickey said it wasn’t until the 1990s when —Mickey is amazed at the growth of the an- Phillip J. Sitar, MBA 3033 7North N M Dearbornichigan Av St.e , |Suite Suit 1400e 181 8 LGBT bar customers came and went without wor- nual Chicago Pride Parade: “I walked to the pa- Financial Advisor ChicagChicago,o ,IL I L60602 60601 rying about being spotted or outed. Gay life be- rade this year, but left [before getting to the Ameriprise Financial (3(312)12) 346-1000 849.3002 came more acceptable in the 1990s, he said. route] because it was too crowded. It was so Services, Inc. [email protected] “My immediate, close friends did not come mobbed; I couldn’t take the crowd. I never, ever ameripriseadvisors.com/phillip.j.sitar down with HIV/AIDS, though of course there envisioned the parade would grow to what it is were many who I met at the bar who were diag- today. Never, ever.” nosed with HIV, and yes, many ultimately died,” —The quote: “I don’t think I could handle Ameriprise Financial is proud to be recognized with another perfect score Mickey said. “The bar was affected, certainly, [same-sex marriage]. I’m too old-fashioned; it on the Human Rights Campaign’s but not me personally. No one extremely close just isn’t me.” He also said, based on his past, Corporate Equality Index. to me died, so I was very lucky.” he never could refer to a partner as “my hus- Still, Mickey long has done extensive fundrais- band.” Brokerage, investment and nancial advisory services are made available through ing for Chicago House, which assists people with —Mickey said his role model in the 1980s and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and HIV/AIDS. 1990s was Phil King. services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. Mickey was called “Grandma” one day at a gay © 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. bar in the 1990s, and he quickly and immediate- WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 11 The quiet, reserved Kim Marks who works at her sub- urban desk is truly worlds apart from the aggressive defensive specialist who preys on opposing quarter- GAYin the backs for the Chicago Force. Even her boss admits it’s hard to imagine Marks on the football field. LIFE But that’s her home to let out aggression and Kim Marks frustration. Text by Ross Forman “How I am on the field allows me to be how I Wed., Sept. 5 photos by forman and courtesy of marks am in the office,” Marks said. “After a hard day of work, there’s nothing like going to the field, getting physical and getting to let off some steam—and I don’t get yelled at, but rather, praised.” BK Loren Marks started playing for the Force while in law school at DePaul University. She learned of the women’s tackle football team while playing rec- Theft reational basketball with former Force stars Pam 7:30 p.m. Schaffrath, Angie Bandstra and Jessica McPeake. They said she had to try out, that she’d be a natural in helmet and pads. How true that turned out to be. Her brother, Chris, played football in high school and then at Illinois State University. Now 33, he Sun., Sept. 9 lives in Chicago. And her dad, Ricky, was Chris’ football coach when he first started playing. “There’s nothing more exhilarating than being on the field, especially [delivering] a big hit,” said Marks, who, during her first Force game ever, caused a fumble on a quarterback sack—and the moment is still her most memorable. Kids First Marks’ most memorable off-the-field moment in years happened this past May—when she married her girlfriend, Tara, in New York. Book Club Age They had been dating since last October after 5 p.m. 31 meeting through a mutual friend. Marks made the proposal, and Force teammate Neighborhood Sami Grisafe wrote and sang their wedding song at Bucktown the event. Job title Kim and Tara held a special party for their Chi- Senior corporate tax accountant, cago friends in late August, and Kim said she’s still Schwak, Inc. uncertain what they will do in October when they celebrate the anniversary of their first date. Hobbies Basketball, softball, flag football in the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) Family 5233 N. Clark Married Tara Marks on May 26; step- daughter Maia, 13 (773) 769-9299 Football position Defensive linebacker High School Rich Central, class of 1999 College University of North Dakota, class of 2004 [email protected] womenandchildrenfirst.com Little-known fact Competed in gymnastics for 10 years Parking Available Wheelchair Accessible

in the T LIFE Kay “Sugarpuss” Yu COMPILED BY Kate Sosin Pronouns Whom do you admire most? She/her “I have to say my mother, even though she might or might not fully un- derstand how I am in so many way (not just how I express myself), she was Identifies as always so strong and hopeful and no matter how things were in life.” Trangender female What issues outside of the queer community do you care about? Neighborhood “Animal rights and the environment.” Near North When did you start questioning gender? Life’s work “At the early age, I never thought I was any different than other little Artist/ Writer girls within the circle and I thought I was just like one of them and dream- ing about how I would be when I grow up. I dreamt about being a beauty Hobbies queen [with] a handsome and popular boyfriend, the clothes...etc. But TV, movies, books, outdoor activities then by four to five years old I realized that I was not as the same (body- wise) as all the other girls, and I was being told that I was a boy and that Do you have a coming out story? was it.” “Growing up in a single parent Asian family where I was the only “boy” in the household it was hard for me to express who I really am. I’m not like How do you explain the way you feel about gender to others? blaming my family for being that way to me, and I totally understand where “I always tell them that there is no such thing as black and white when they [were coming] from. I stayed the same way as I was no matter how it comes to gender issue. We are all unique (every single one of us). There sad and empty I’ve felt over the years just to keep things as they are...up shouldn’t be a strict rule that separates us as in only this or that.” until the end of 2008. That’s when my mother passed away. I finally have the courage to live my life as I am and fully express myself to the outside What do you think is the most pressing issues facing trans people? world without feeling like being tied down for actually doing it. Still, I had “One of the thing other than dealing with the outside world, we need no idea there’s a term called “Transgender,” let alone the people within the to come together and make our own community stronger. There is a lot of To nominate a person community, and so I went online to see if anyone was also facing the same hatred even in our own Trans community with some of the girls constantly for T in the life, email: Kate Sosin issue just like I do. I was so happy to finally get connected with people like trashing one another or like not liking one another because you have this [email protected] me.” or that. We need to stop that and be happy with ourselves because it’s super hard to go through the transition to begin with.” 12 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES WINDY CITY VIEWPOINTS TIMES incident with U.S. Republican Missouri Rep. think those are broader issues, and that is a sig- VOL. 27, No. 45, Aug. 29, 2012 REV. Todd Akin. Akin’s remark about rape—made on nificant difference in approach between me and The combined forces of Windy City Times, a St. Louis television station—stated a bogus, the other party.” founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, IRENE magical biological defense mechanism that Although Akin has apologized for his remark, founded May 1987. highlighted not only insensitivity but also pure stating he misspoke, the incident is a classic il- MONROE PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR ignorance. lustration of deeply held sentiments many still Tracy Baim “It seems to be, first of all, from what I under- hold about rape: that there’s “legitimate rape” stand from doctors, it’s really rare,” Akin said. versus “fake rape,” and “she wanted it.” ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has Obama came out with a full-throated condem- MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine Nothing new in ways to try to shut the whole thing down.” nation of Akin’s remarks about victims of “legiti- DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright Akin apparently also has a rape hierarchy— mate rape.” ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson GOP’s platform classifying some rapes as “legitimate” and some “Let me first of all say, the views expressed SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS: Terri Klinsky, Amy Matheny, Kirk Williamson, Dave Ouano, Chris as “illegitimate.” were offensive,” the president said. “Rape is The GOP’s anti-abortion platform hasn’t Cheuvront If the GOP had hoped to avoid controversy be- rape. And the idea that we should be parsing PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT Cynthia Holmes changed—it is identical to that of its 2008 plat- fore the national convention, it has failed. If and qualifying and slicing what types of rape CalendarQ Content Coordinator Nico Lang form, allowing abortions only in cases of rape it had hoped to woo independent heterosexual we’re talking about doesn’t make sense to the NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 and incest. SENIOR WRITERS Kate Sosin, Bob Roehr, Rex women voters, an important constituency the American people and certainly doesn’t make The GOP’s anti-gay platform also hasn’t Wockner, Marie J. Kuda, David Byrne, Tony Per- Romney-Ryan team hopes to win, it has failed sense to me.” egrin, Lisa Keen, Yasmin Nair, Erica Demarest changed—it is identical to that of its platform, there, too. When rape is misunderstood, it is also assumed THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan allowing marriage only between a man and a CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight, Jr. Moderate Republican and independent women to be particularly to a specific gender (female) woman. BOOKS WRITER Yasmin Nair voters have long been leery of the party’s insen- and sexual orientation (heterosexual). And, SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman The Grand Old Party’s future, which includes sitivity to their issues, especially the issue of sadly, only a certain voice is heard over other ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS younger generation of social conservative and abortions justified in cases of rape. voices even if the assault is assumed to not be a Mary Shen Barnidge, Steve Warren, Lawrence Fer- LGBTQ voices, depends on its ability to have ber, Mel Ferrand, Jerry Nunn, Jonathan Abarbanel The GOP platform upholds an oppressive stance “legitimate rape.” Male and LGBTQ rape victims open discussions about abortion, reproductive COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Jorjet on abortion, one, that in my opinion, could be are too often dismissed. Harper, Meghan Streit, m.c. clark, Charlsie Dewey, coercion and gay rights. loosely defined as “reproductive coercion” which In exposing the myth about rape, new studies Carrie Maxwell, Billy Masters, Tyler Gillespie, Sarah Yet no Log Cabin Republican is among the Toce, Dana Rudolph, Sally Parsons, Melissa Wasser- is a form of sexual violence. One form of re- show that males—heterosexual or gay—are at a GOP’s list of invited speakers at the convention. man, Jamie Anne Royce, Joe Franco productive coercion refuses to let women use greater risk of being raped because of the stigma SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Mel Ferrand, Hal Baim, As a matter of fact, “the Log Cabin Republicans forms of birth control, as the Catholic Church that “real men” aren’t rape. These victims are Steve Starr, Emmanuel Garcia, Dave Ouano, Tim may be glad to get a sentence in the Republi- suggests, and it controls women’s reproductive less likely to speak up than women. With a high Carroll, Ed Negron, Susan Mattes can platform suggesting that all Americans be health decision-making. Prohibiting women to percentage of male rape in prisons, parks and CIRCULATION treated with respect and dignity, but that’s all CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright make choices for their well-being is a form of in sports, according to the U.S. Justice Depart- they’re getting. The rest of the document will be DISTRIBUTION: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Renee, violence. ment, one in 33 men in the United States has Sue and Victor an homage to how to respectfully tell the LGBT In commenting on Akin’s remarks, Obama stat- been a victim of a rape or attempted rape, com- WEB HOSTING: LoveYourWebsite.com (lead pro- community that they don’t have true American grammer: Martie Marro) ed the following: pared with one in six women. Many assume gay values and need to just shut up already,“ Hunter “So what I think these comments do under- sexual intimacy is synonymous with rape, think- of the Daily Kos (http://hunter.dailykos.com) score is why we shouldn’t have a bunch of poli- ing being gay is all about forced and violating Copyright 2012 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media wrote. Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back ticians, a majority of whom are men, making sex. issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). Clearly, the GOP is also signaling that it nei- healthcare decisions on behalf of women. And So I give thanks to the GOP for waking us up. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, ther wants nor cares about the safety and full and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and so, although these particular comments have led We are not included and, in fact, we are endan- no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. rights and protections of its citizens—especially Governor Romney and other Republicans to dis- gered. The 2012 Republican National Conven- All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy their female, LGBTQ Republicans and Republican City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned tance themselves, I think the underlying notion tion (RNC) kick-off officially began Aug. 27 with for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing families. that we should be making decisions on behalf of the theme “A Better Future.” and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, In case I wasn’t paying attention, the GOP hit cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own women for their health care decisions—or quali- But for whom? and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City me with a bucket of cold water in the recent fying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape—I Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person or organization. While we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept responsibility for advertising claims. LETTERS (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] A plea for the homeless decided not to reopen its Chicago operation be- the publication’s editorial page! cause the clients were LGBT. We do not think it His comments concerning Ald. Proco Joe More- www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Mayor Emanuel, please reconsider your decision is unreasonable to ask if LGBT youth will get a no’s position on the Chick -Fil-A restaurant are radio: WindyCityQueercast.com on Catholic Charities and homeless LGBT youth. fair shake from Catholic Charities if they already another example of how many within conserva- video: QueerTVNetwork.com refuse to serve LGBT families. tive political circles continue to regurgitate the Why is the mayor not supporting homeless WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, LGBT youth on the streets? While the Rainbow We understand the mayor will use money saved narrow-minded “take my country back“ state- 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, Illinois 60640 Sash Movement (RSM) understands the mayor’s by this transfer to Catholic Charities as a way ments often expressed by the simple-minded! U.S.A need to cut wasteful spending, we don’t under- to save $1.7 million annually, and that would I reviewed Smith’s LinkedIn page, which states (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) allow for the city to provide more beds at area stand why he is dismissing the needs of LGBT the “IFI works within the state of Illinois to Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. Youth by turning over some services to Catholic shelters—but at what cost to LGBT youth? We promote and defend Biblical truths to foster Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. Charities. should not be robbing Peter to pay Paul. an environment where families can thrive and OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE Now, homeless youth are encouraged by lo- We do not believe the needs of LGBT youth reach their full God-given potential to serve and www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com should be dismissed in order to get Catholic www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com cal none Catholic Churches on the North Side to glorify Him—making the most of the opportuni- www.WindyCityQueercast.com ride the Blue Line during late hours in order to Charities on board with this program. We are ties afforded to each of us by His gift of life and www.QueerTVNetwork.com calling on the mayor to reconsider his decision, get sleep in a safe environment. Some of these liberty.” or to guarantee that Catholic Charities will serve Churches are opening their facilities to home- It is my position that if Smith were sincere in “Windy City Media Group generated all youth regardless of their sexual orientation. less LGBT/Straight youth to provide showers on his efforts to “defend biblical truths” and “foster enormous interest among their readers the weekend. Lakeview Presbyterian supports a an environment where families can thrive and in this year’s LGBT Consumer Index Rainbow Sash Movement Cafe Pride that gives LGBT youth a safe space for reach their full God-given potential to serve and Survey. Out of approximately 100 about 4 hours every Friday night. glorify Him,” he would simply follow the only print and online media partners who Have you heard about The Crib? It’s Chicago’s Hate speech known Biblical truth directly professed by Jesus participated in the survey, Windy City was the best performing regional only overnight, low-threshold shelter for home- and biblically referenced by his apostle John. Letter to the Chicago Defender Editor: media in the U.S. Only survey partners less gay and straight youth ages 18-24. Staffed I specifically refer to John 13:34-35, where by The Night Ministry, it is located at Lakeview with a nationwide footprint were Jesus stated, “A new command I give you: Love Lutheran Church, on Chicago’s North Side. What I am astounded that David E. Smith, the ex- able to generate a greater number of one another. As I have loved you, so you must is the Catholic Church doing around this issue ecutive director of the Illinois Family Institute responses.” ­­—David Marshall, Research love one another. By this all men will know that absolutely nothing and that includes Catholic (IFI), would publicly express his hate-filled Director, Community Marketing, Inc. you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Charities. This facility was recently closed for demagoguery in the editorial page of the Aug. the summer because of lack of funding. [Editor’s 1-7 issue of the Chicago Defender. Obviously, Michael O’Connor note: The Crib is closed until the fall.] David Smith isn’t aware of the Defender’s long Chicago The RSM is concerned that Emanuel is willing history or its first platform plank disavowing to turn over the operation of providing rides “prejudice and racism in all forms!” to these homeless youths to Catholic Charities That’s why I was briefly perplexed and sadly an organization that has already closed down disappointed that the Defender’s editors would it adoption agencies across the state, and has allow Smith’s right-wing propaganda to pollute WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 13 GOINGS-ON WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

Photo from Breaking Glass Pictures BRING ON THE ‘NATE’ Director Nathan Adloff talks about his movie Nate & Margaret (above), which our critic says is not the typical gay film. See page 18. DISH THEATER BOOKS Bar none. Texas two-step. Simply ‘Gorgeous.’ Page 22. Page 14. Page 17.

Photo at Bar Umbriago Photo from Princes of Waco Art from Gorgeous Gallery by Andrew Davis by Johnny Knight from David Leddick

SCOTTISH PLAY SCOTT Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the Good- man Theatre both led with 18 nominations each (though several of the Goodman’s nominations were on shared productions with other regional theaters). Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook and the Fringe benefits Court Theatre were close behind with 17 and 15 nominations respectively. By production, Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s BY SCOTT C. MORGAN Both Sides Art Gallery throughout the Chicago take on the Sondheim musical Follies, a revival Fringe Festival. of Death and Harry Houdini by The House The- Theater producers are always gambling on shows, The Chicago troupe Terra Mysterium offers The atre of Chicago and the Court Theatre’s Invisible hoping that the hits outnumber the flops. How- Alembic, a “Steampunk” tale involving transmu- Man all lead with seven nominations each. ever, very rarely do they produce things on an tation and a heavenly goddess who sullies her- Of LGBT interest, Sarah Gubbins’ new lesbian open lottery system. self when she becomes one with humanity. The play The Kid Thing (co-produced by Chicago Dra- But that’s just what the organizers behind the Alembic plays seven performances throughout matists and About Face Theatre) received three Chicago Fringe Festival have done in the past, the festival at Dream Theatre. nominations for new work, its scenic design and and they’re doing it again for the festival’s third Social Paraphernalia is presenting In My Own actress Kelli Simpkins, while the Chicago-set edition, which runs from Thursday, Aug. 30, Defense for five performances at the American family comic drama Immediate Family received through to Sunday, Sept. 9, in the Pilsen neigh- Stage, touching upon notions of sanity when Rebecca Kling. two nominations for its scenic design and for borhood. someone goes against the expected norm. production of a play in a midsize theater. The 24 acts from the Chicago area, the 22 Chicago-based Revision Theatre presents three But as with any round of nominations, there’s from other parts of the United States, a com- performances of Dawn on a Splintered Heart at Those venues are: Americana Stage, 600 W. Cer- always surprise at the omissions. Several Broad- pany from South Korea (The Interpreters) and the Dream Theatre space. This focuses on three mak Rd. (basement); Black Cloud Gallery, 1909 way veteran actors like Nathan Lane in The Ice- one from France and Canada (Le Petite Famille) couples facing three difficult moments under ex- S. Halsted St.; Both Sides Gallery, 1838 S. Hal- man Cometh at the Goodman Theatre, Gregg all got into this year’s festival largely based on treme circumstances in three short plays. sted St.; Chicago Art Department, 1932 S. Hal- Edelman in Drury Lane’s Sweeney Todd and Brent an unfiltered lottery system. More than 200 per- The Roast of Cinderella promises to be an un- sted St. #100 and Dream Theatre, 556 W. 18th Barrett in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Follies formances will be offered by the festival’s end. derhanded and irreverent take on a classic fairy St.; Tickets are available at Fringe Central, 600 were excluded. “The 2012 Chicago Fringe Festival is a rare op- tale by Forest Park-based The League of Miscre- W. Cermak Rd. To get a full look at the list of Jeff Award portunity to see an incomparable mix of perfor- ants. This show runs five performances at Dream Performance times vary, but most shows are nominees, visit www.jeffawards.org. The 44th mances at very affordable prices,” said execu- Theatre. performed three to five times during the festi- Annual Jeff Awards ceremony itself is to be held tive director Vinnie Lacey in a statement. “From Newly formed troupe White Elephant from val. Tickets to most shows are $10 (ticket sales Monday, Oct. 15, at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 traditional theater to solo shows to dance to Evanston presents a drama with dance elements go directly to the artists), on top of a reusable Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Pre-show appetiz- performances that do not fit into any category, in Pink Milk, which looks at the tragic life of $5 festival button. Other ticket/button packages ers and cash bar will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 Fringe 2012 offers something for everyone.” gay mathematician and Nazi code-breaker Alan are also available. For tickets by telephone call p.m., with the Michael Weber-directed awards As in last year’s Fringe, LGBT artists and audi- Turing. This show (which comes with a warning 866-811-4111. For a more thorough schedule of ceremony beginning at 7:30 p.m. A buffet and ences have also been invited to have a place of brief nudity) plays seven performances at the showtimes and for more info, visit www.chicago- reception follow the ceremony, which features at the performance table amid a diverse mix of Americana Stage throughout the festival. fringe.org. musical numbers featuring cast members from shows. Publicist James Juliano highlighted sev- What’s a 16-year-old girl to do when her love nominated musicals and video segments from en shows by Chicago-area artists and troupes to for her best friend, Sarah, is threatened by out- Equity Award nominations nominated plays. Advance tickets for the cer- be of interest to LGBT audiences. side forces like parents, boys and society in gen- The nominations for the Jeff Awards were an- emony and buffets are $75 ($55 for members Transgender performer and playwright Re- eral? Find out in The Last Sleepover, a drama nounced last week, focusing on professional of Actors’ Equity Association, United Scenic Art- becca Kling of Chicago returns with a new show presented by Eleusis for three performances at theater in the Chicago area. A total of 197 nom- ists, Stage Directors and Choreographers Soci- called Storms Under Her Skin, which questions the Chicago Art Department. inations in 34 categories were bestowed upon ety, Stage Managers’ Association, The Dramatists how gender is physicalized among other topics The 3rd Annual Chicago Fringe Festival runs 96 “Jeff Recommended” productions during the Guild of America and the American Federation ranging from breasts to metaphorical weather. from Thursday, Aug. 30, through Sunday, Sept. 2011-12 season. of Musicians). The evening is black tie-optional Storms Under Her Skin plays seven shows at 9, at five venues in the Pilsen neighborhood. and open to the general public. 14 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW (with the occasional beer, their only stock) to the same three customers. In short, it’s where Princes of Waco life is dark and bitter as chicory coffee and grim Playwright: Robert Askins as a Johnny Cash song. At: Signal Ensemble Theatre, What distinguishes Robert Askins’ ballad from 1802 W. Berenice Ave. such prototypical panhandle parables as Killer Tickets: 773-698-7389; Joe and Bug is that its desperadoes lie, rob, be- www.signalensemble.com; $20 tray and murder not for money or glory, but for Runs through: Sept. 22 love. “You ain’t no angel, and you can’t save nobody,” the seen-it-all bartender tells Esme, BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE the inadvertent candidate for the role of good woman to whom her two suitors look for their “When Jesus comes back, He won’t be coming reformation and ultimate redemption. to Texas—because there’s nothing here worth Tragedy recounts the fall from lofty heights saving!” After blurting out these angry words but in this universe, the descent is from the at the funeral of his clergyman father, teenage curb to the gutter—or the grave. It takes a bare Jim prepares to flee the despair reflected in this 90 minutes for everybody’s plans to go awry, but pronouncement. As the man who will sabotage director Bries Vannon refuses to hurry the dra- his escape observes, however, “If you were re- matic action, instead allowing it to emerge as ally going, you’d be gone.” Jim hesitates before slowly and ominously as a sidewinder stretch- embarking, just long enough to order a beer. So ing in the sun. By encouraging us to savor each does Esme, the church-going girl he invites to new twist in the Byzantine plot, Signal En- Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride. Photo by Stephen Townshend come with him. Soon both these waifs find their semble company members Joseph Stearns and destinies inextricably entangled with that of ag- Meredith Bell Alvarez, along with guest players ing hell-raiser Fritz and the repercussions of his Rob Fenton and Carolyn Braver, gradually draw THEATER REVIEW Foss and a cast led by Lisa Herceg as the indomi- own hesitation, years earlier. us into their personae’s quest for a ticket out of table Swayne strike just the right note of proto- Oh, yes, we are in the realm of Southwestern soul-shriveling existential squalor. Starwatchers Susan Swayne and feminist audacity. It’s easy to envision Swayne noir now—territory rendered familiar by, among are advised to note especially Braver’s nuanced the Bewildered and her feisty colleagues starring in a series of other authors, Sidney Kingsley, Sam Shepard and performance as the enigmatic Esme. When a jail- Steampunk-marketed graphic novels. Tracy Letts: a sun-baked wasteland where—de- bait-pretty damsel shrugs, “You take what you Bride spite references to malls and carry-out lattés—it get,” her complicity in the fates of those willing Playwright: Reina Hardy is always 1955, where a riverside metropolis still to offer her things is a question that lingers in At: Babes With Blades Theatre conjures visions of cactus and drought-infested the mind. Company at Lincoln Square in the flatlands and where bartenders dispense whiskey Berry Methodist Church, 4754 N. Leavitt St. ‘Steamwerkz the Tickets: 773-904-0391; Musical’ through www.babeswithblades.org; $15-$20 THEATER REVIEW Runs through: Sept. 22 Aug. 31 The Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broad- Marvin’s Room BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE way, will presents Steamwerkz the Musical Playwright: Scott McPherson Fridays through Aug. 31 at 10 p.m. At: Circle Theatre at Madison Street The Society of Lady Detectives (S.O.L.D.) is a The comedy-musical is about “a wide- Theatre Studio, 1010 W. special branch of Her Majesty’s Secret Service, eyed gay boy [who] comes to Chicago look- Madison St., Oak Park. usually assigned to matters of national security, ing for love in all the wrong places when he Tickets: 708-660-9540; but lately one of its agents, against the advice stumbles on a popular bathhouse Steam- www.circle-theatre.org; $24-$28 of her commanding officer, has taken it upon werkz,” according to a press release. Runs through: Sept. 30 herself to prowl the streets of Whitechapel in a Tickets are $15-$20; visit www.theannoy- solo undercover operation to capture a Ripper- ance.com or call 773-561-HONK (4665). BY SCOTT C. MORGAN styled murderer. In the course of her patrols, super-sleuth Susan Swayne encounters a dis- AIDS is never mentioned in the late gay traught young matron who reports her husband playwright Scott McPherson’s acclaimed and missing. Further investigation points to the er- award-winning 1990 comic drama Marvin’s rant spouse being—well, not the man that his Room. Yet AIDS acts as a behind-the-scenes bewildered bride thinks he is. CRITICS’ PICKS scourge to the play, since the disease untime- That was where Reina Hardy’s one-act play, ly felled McPherson at the age of 33 in 1992. submitted to the first Joining Sword And Pen At least the native of Columbus, Ohio, who competition in 2006, left us—i.e., wanting found successful work as an actor and play- The Dumb Waiter, TUTA Studio, through more. Six years later, what began as a simple wright in Chicago was able to see Marvin’s Sept. 1. You and 24 others are the cold, un- cross-dressing farce provides the premise for a Room go onto be a off-Broadway hit in 1991 caring universe literally looking down upon, full-length exploration of gender issues as the and finish a screenplay adaptation for the and smirking, at the poor, mortal yobs try- women of S.O.L.D. confront the ambiguities of acclaimed 1996 film starring Diane Keaton, ing to figure it all out in Zeljko Djukic’s the status quo in Victorian England. By the time Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio. striking production of Pinter’s quintessen- intolerance and rigid sexual roles have been Now, Marvin’s Room is back in the Chicago tial absurdist classic. See it. JA identified as the source of social disorder—some area with an intimate studio staging at Cir- RenFaire: A Fistful of Ducats, Factory things don’t change—the question of what con- cle Theatre in Oak Park. Though elements of Theater at Prop Thtr, through Sept. 2. Matt stitutes the female “natural” sphere emerges as director Mary C. Redmon’s production aren’t Engle’s comedy pits RenHeads against Cow- more complex than even its defenders imagine. always the most ideal, Marvin’s Room shows Marvin’s Room. Photo by Bob Knuth boy-Shooters, Eurocentric chivalry against These weighty issues are buoyed up by the how nearly timeless and insightful it is in ex- American swagger, rapiers against six-guns, extravagant spectacle we have come to an- ploring issues of family loyalty, disease and comic timing. (Kisner’s Ruth, Liliana Mitch- but in this live-action cartoon universe, the ticipate in productions generated by the Babes death. ell’s psychiatrist/retirement counselor and pure-in-heart emerge the victors. MSB With Blades Theatre Company. In addition to the Marvin’s Room focuses on Bessie (Amanda Eliza Shin’s flustered Dr. Wally all aren’t quite A Steady Rain, Chicago Commercial Col- standard swordplay, fight designer Libby Beyreis Hartley), who has devoted a good portion of there in making their characters the laugh ri- lective at Chicago Dramatists, through Sept. serves up an exemplary demonstration of Bartit- her adult life taking care of her slowly dying ots they could be.) 2. Keith Huff’s tight gritty cop-gone-wrong su wrestling (aka, Sherlock Holmes’ secret weap- father, Marvin (voiced by Paul Chakrin), and Undoubtedly, Morgan makes the biggest im- drama reaped considerable gains from its on), umbrella and sword-cane fighting, a flying- her aging aunt Ruth (Kate Kisner). When Bes- pression as Lee, especially when she sarcasti- foray into the big time following its sellout petticoat fracas utilizing an array of household sie is diagnosed with leukemia, she’s forced cally deals with Aiello’s sarcastically defiant Chicago premiere, but now it’s back in the objects, knifework with a grisly hashshashin to contact her long-estranged and bitter sis- Hank (who starts the play in a mental institu- look-em-in-the-eyes-and-smell-the-sweat dagger and a splendiferous surprise-finish to the ter, Lee (Elizabeth Morgan), and her troubled tion for his destructive pyromania). Hartley bunker where it all began. MSB final girl-power showdown. Oh, and did I men- sons, Hank (Todd Aiello) and Charlie (Danny as Bessie is good, but could plumb the depths Steamwerkz the Musical, Annoyance tion that the women of S.O.L.D. execute these Mulae), with the hope that they’ll be match- of her character’s fears beneath her outward Theatre, through Oct. 5. This zany musical athletics dressed in corsets, bell skirts and fre- ing bone marrow donors. and enduring show of strength and fortitude. with plenty of gross-out humor spoofs the quently only their—ahem!—unmentionables, in If you think this all sounds like a relent- Even if Circle Theatre’s production of Mar- similarly named and notorious North Hal- locales ranging from millinery shops to opium less downer, fear not. McPherson layers on vin’s Room is far from perfect, the play itself sted gay bathhouse and (oddly enough) dens? the laughs throughout Marvin’s Room so that remains a must-see. Not only does Marvin’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. So “fall The fundamental test of action-oriented dra- they outnumber the teary-eyed moments, for Room survive as a wonderfully insightful into the hole” while you still can. SCM ma, however, is whether you’d still have a story sure. But wringing out those potential laughs blend of comedy and drama, the play is a if the stunts were diminished, or even eliminat- isn’t always the strong suit of Circle’s pro- lovely memorial to McPherson as an artist —By Abarbanel, Barnidge ed altogether. Not to worry—Hardy’s script dis- duction, which has some issues with casting who was only beginning to bloom into great- and Morgan plays an articulate mastery of romantic-fiction (Mulae is too old for the role of Charlie) and ness before AIDS cut his life short. conventions for this period, while director Dan WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 15

last week to buy! Must aCt Now! 16 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES

SPOTLIGHT

The life of Alan Turing, the gay British mathematical genius and code-breaker who helped defeat the Nazis during World War II before he was later persecuted by his own government for his sexuality, is told in Pink Milk. This acclaimed production infused with dance (and some Idomeneus. Photo by Jonathan L. Green promised nudity) is reimagined by the new Chicago company White Elephant after a sold-out run at the New York Fringe Festival. Pink Milk plays Aug. 31-Sept. 9 as part of the 4th Annual Chicago Fringe Festival at the Americana Stage, 600 W. Cermak Road. Tickets are $15 without a THEATER REVIEW flagship survived only when he vowed to sacri- fringe festival button, or $10 with a fringe festival button. Visit www.pinkmilk2012.com or www. fice the first living thing he saw once he safely whiteelephantproject.com for tickets and more information. Photo by Justin Barbin. Idomeneus returned to Crete. But this is Greek mythology: Playwright: Roland Schimmelpfennig You’re damned if you do or don’t. The first living At: Sideshow Theatre Company at thing Idomeneus saw was his eldest son. When the DCA Storefront Theatre, he fulfilled his vow, a plague fell upon Crete reasonable clarity. More to the point, all the re- whom speak the roles of Idomeneus, his son, 66 E. Randolph St. and he was driven into exile—or, a younger son tools of the tale serve a larger idea, tipped by a his wife, etc., although even these roles shift Tickets: 1-800-838-3006; overthrew him. There are several versions. banner hung across the stage before the show, among several players. I suspect the script al- www.sideshowtheatre.org; $25 Contemporary German playwright Roland “War is over. Please discuss.” The entire play is lows the director assign the lines and decide Runs through: Sept. 23 Schimmelpfennig (meaning “moldy penny”) riffs a discussion of Schimmelpfennig’s central prem- how many actors to use. Here, Jonathan L. Green on Idomeneus (in this production pronounced ise that the sacrifice of even one human life is the skillful director substantially assisted by BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL “EYE-doe-MEN-ius” vs. the usual “EE-doe-mi- is “crossing the boundary,” let alone the many movement coordinator Katie Spelman. The ritu- NAY-us”) and complicates things by rerunning lives sacrificed in war. The chorus comments to alistic movement combines elements of dance, Things didn’t end well for participants in the the various possible scenarios of the myth: he Idomeneus, “The human sacrifice has already combat and the esoteric performance discipline, Trojan War, not even for the victors. Crafty Odys- didn’t kill his son, his son became a sea monster, happened, is happening. Who knows this better eurhythmy. The striking thrust sandbox play- seus needed 10 years to get home, although he his wife was unfaithful to him, his son was be- than you?” It doesn’t matter if he actually killed ing area, with an upswept cyclorama of blond got laid a lot along the way. Or consider lesser- trothed to Electra (whose father sacrificed Elec- his son or not. wood slats, is well-conceived and -executed known Idomeneus, king of Crete, who ranked tra’s sister), etc. Idomeneus is stimulating but demands focus as (Joe Schermoly, scenic designer; Mac Vaughey, with Odysseus and Agamemnon as a Greek gen- Familiarity with Greek mythology would help it’s exceptionally classical in form and length lighting). Kristin DeiTos’ costume elements are a eral. He commanded 80 warships—79 of which one understand the tangle of possibilities, but (one hour). It’s an extended choral ode spo- carefully selected mishmash that blend well and were destroyed in a storm on the way home. His it isn’t essential as things are explained with ken and chanted by a chorus of 15, several of suggest the universality of the message.

elastic in the center of it. It’s my only chance Michigan Womyn’s to encounter music that I wouldn’t know about otherwise because a lot of this music is still underground, a lot of the poetry, a lot of the Music Festival: More work because women don’t have any money so here everything is to scale so we women can go around and discover groups and music, for me as than a week of camping a musician, music that is just knocking my socks off. And it makes me so proud. My, how we’ve by Charlsie Dewey it’s for gay rights or for all women’s rights and grown.” that continues to be real important issue that Williamson also mentioned that the festival The well-established, 37-year-old Michigan we continue to struggle with in the real world. offers an important opportunity for performers Womyn’s Music Festival (or Michfest) was held So it’s just not about being a lesbian—it’s about to interact with their fans. Throughout the week Aug. 7-12 outside of Hart. Despite two days of being a woman. performers mill about with the crowds, camp- nearly constant rain, women’s voices and laugh- “This is the part that I really love,” Kim said. ing alongside of them and sharing a very similar ter could be heard at all hours of the day and “It allows one woman to come here totally by experience to what their audience are having night across the expansive 650-acre wooded herself, never been here before and feel safe. there. area where women had pitched their tents for When she comes she will not only leave with a “I’ve always loved coming to festival, but now a week of music, performances, workshops and, feeling of rejoice, she will leave with friendships I have a daughter,” Chin said. “She is seven most of all, freedom to be themselves without and she’ll want to come back.” months old; she is floating around here some- judgment. In addition to friendships and a place of sol- where. I think people who have common experi- “This is my third year,” said Kim (no last ace and retreat, the festival offered a morning- ences, common struggles, common issues, com- name), who was attending the festival with her through-night roster of performances and work- Cris Williamson. Photo by Charlsie Dewey mon triumphs even need to be able to sit at a girlfriend. She said that the festival offers her shops. There were three venues—the acoustic, common table. This is not the only table that I a week of total freedom to be an out lesbian, day and night stages—all of which offer a tree- come to for that commonality, but this is a table pieces during their sets. which she is not able to be back in her Midwest- lined backdrop and lawn seating. This year’s list I come to for women who were born as girls, The festival’s official kick-off was held Aug. 8; ern community. She said there are still many of musicians included both well-established and who were raised as girls, who lived a particular Chicagoan C.C. Carter hosted, and was attending women like her who visit the festival each year up-and-coming artists, many of whom are vet- kind of life, and I am so happy my daughter gets the festival for the 12th time. It included per- for that promise of being able to be out in a erans to the festival: Amy Ray, Chris William- to experience it. I hope it is around for a long, formances by many of the performers who would completely accepting and comfortable environ- son, Holly Near, Team Dresch, Mazzmuse, Gina long time to come.” return throughout the week to give hour-long ment. Breedlove, Leslie & the Ly’s, C.C. Carter and Sis- This year’s festival was smaller in size than shows, including Ray and Chin. “A week of total freedom as a lesbian with no tas in the Pit, Dar Williams, Tender Forever, Mary some of the previous years, which often average Musician Cris Williamson attended the first judgment,” Kim added. “I think we really need Gauthier, Scream Club and several others. 6,000-8,000 attendees, and almost all of the festival and has been coming back regularly ever a festival like this. There is nothing else like it Comedians Elvira Kurt, Karinda Dobbins, Jen- performers reiterated from the stage how impor- since. in the world this size, with the foundation it nie McNulty, Kate Rigg and Marga Gomez also tant it is for women to keep coming back and to “I don’t want to miss it,” Williamson told has. I think it’s important to continue to realize performed as well as writers Dorothy Allison and bring their friends. Windy City Times. “It keeps growing. It’s so the struggle, the fight and the success. Whether Staceyann Chin, both of whom read unpublished WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 17 BOOKS WCT: So the objective with this book was WCT: What did you learn during the process to…? of putting this book together that surprised DL: To take the mixture of sexuality and fine you? ‘Gorgeous Gallery’ mixes art as far as we could. DL: How quickly within my lifetime we’ve gone WCT: What was the biggest challenge? from where we didn’t even know what gay was, DL: Maybe overriding my own prudery. Some- to thinking being gay was terrible, to being in- sexuality and fine art times I said, “Wait a minute, David. Is some of terested when one of the major television per- this maybe too extreme?” And I’d say, “No, it’s sonalities announces he’s gay and nobody even By Sally Parsons not too extreme.” It’s fine art, it’s something cares. In 80 years, that’s a very fast social devel- other people might call porn, but you have to be opment, I think. David Leddick’s book Gorgeous Gallery combines true to your own judgment. … You can’t weasel WCT: What’s next for you? popular sexual art with fine art, compiling exam- out of stuff. You’ve got to stand by it. DL: The next big book we’re pushing is all ples of the homoerotic works of 47 artists of the WCT: What’s an example of one picture done and ready to go, and it’s called How to Hit 20th and 21st centuries in color reproductions. where you initially thought you were too 70 Doing a Hundred. That’s kind of a combina- Leddick is a noted gay art chronicler, novelist prudish about? tion picture book thing—anybody that’s in their and actor. DL: There are some great pictures by Paul Cad- 60s? We can all easily live into our 90s. Are we Windy City Times: What distinguishes pop- mus, The Kinsey Institute. They are really out going to sit about for 30 years? This could be ular art from fine art, and which is it that we there. Also, I want to tell you my favorite artist the best part of your life. I tell everybody, you have here? is Michael Leonard. He’s such a good artist. … can never ruin your reputation after 70. David Leddick: It’s really only the last couple They’re very sexy and they’re all portraits, very Gorgeous Gallery, by David Leddick, retails centuries that we’ve made this big difference in nude portraits, very original. You haven’t seen it for $52.99. our minds between what is the one and what before. I think he’s superb. is the other. Besides, I think a lot of what we consider fine art from the past is homoerotic. But I think fine art can be sexy. And I think a Del Shores show Gay Chinese expat lot of what we consider popular art—and even pornography—can be fine art. … There’s some- Sept. 7 at pens personal story thing really beautiful about this work that is Dave Yan—a Chinese expat who resides in kind of exciting to look at, and it can also be Mary’s Attic New Zealand—has penned the book Over A sexually exciting. And those two things can ex- Out writer/storyteller Del Shores will per- Year. form Friday, Sept. 7, at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. ist in the same art piece. Set in Auckland, the story surrounds the life Clark St., at 9 p.m. as part of his “Naked.Sor- WCT: Describe the three periods—classics, of an international student for the time pe- did.Reality” tour. Tickets are $20 each. contemporary and avant-garde—that the riod of over a year. He comes to New Zealand, After the show, Shores will attend Ludicrous book covers. What distinguishes each period? pursuing his dreams, but he struggles more Theatre Company’s reboot of its production of DL: The Classics is really from 1920 on. Clas- and more to achieve his value in this foreign Del Shores’ Sordid Lives—with the original sics, for the most part, are artists that are dead. country. The story also explores the realities Item in Gorgeous Gallery by Michael Leonard. cast getting together again for one weekend … They were people that, in their time period, of his sexuality and gay life during time in the Photo from David Leddick only. The show will run at the Athenaeum a lot of their work was very undercover. They city. Theater, 2936 N. Southport Ave. only gave it to friends, never published in a See www.Amazon.com. He also has a new DVD out entitled Del book, ever. A lot of this material from this sec- Shores: Sordid Confessions. well-known as landscape painters and they said, tion came from [the] Leslie Lohman [Museum See www.DelShores.net for more info and “I really can’t come out as an artist of the male of Gay and Lesbian Art] because these [pieces] tickets. were in personal collections. People would buy nude or I’d lose my landscape painting clientele the drawings or buy the paintings. There wasn’t probably.” … much available. The avant-garde, for me, means ahead of the WCT: Moving onto contemporary, how do general trend. The [artists] are much younger. you classify that period? It’s really sexy, but not in a way I would ever VH1’s ‘Best Week Ever’ DL: They’re people that have gallery shows even think of. and Showtime’s ‘Queer and books have been done on them; they have a Part of it has to do with their mind set, the as Folk’ clientele, they’re well-known as fine artists. We way they look at it. They’re abstract and sexual have in that group Andy Warhol, David Hock- at the same time. ney—people who are very major names. Also, I think one of the most interesting is a guy it’s interesting. A couple people in this section named John Parot because he combines photog- are under assumed names because they’re quite raphy and graphic art in a very abstract way. You think, “Where do his ideas come from?” Very HAL sexy—but then suddenly you realize that it’s not so sexy because he’s really looking at the visual material as elements of a design and it kind of takes the whole sexual quality out of it. SPARKS WCT: How do you define sexy? DL: Well, if you see a big close-up of some- SEPTEMBER 6-8 body masturbating, [then] I think a lot of gay men would see as being very sexy. And then he 5 SHOWS! [Parot] includes a kind of drawing of an abstract face right in the crotch. And you think, “Wait a Blues Breakers minute. This face has nothing to do with this AUG SEPT. Show: at all.” It’s very jarring, very unexpected. I’m Gary Nuñez & always so interested in where it comes from in Plena Libre John Mayall the artist’s mind. 26 with CAPRE 18 with Pegi Young and WCT: Which of the three periods is your fa- 7PM 8PM The Survivors vorite, and why? DL: Contemporary. I have several portraits by AUG SEPT. Don Bachardy. I think Don Bachardy is very un- The Del Barely derrated. I think he is a very important artist Moroccos Bloodshot: He’s not working from a photograph. He’s really 30 with Little Rachel 22 Bloodshot Records looking at you, and he works very quickly and 8PM Beer tastings from Lagunitas 730PM 18th Birthday Party really captures... WCT: Other art books have focused on male erotic art. Whose concept was Gorgeous Gal- SEPT. The OCT. lery, and how did you think of it as different Handsome From The from the other books? 14 20 DL: Gorgeous Gallery was really a Bruno Family Jam Gmunder [publisher] concept because I had 9PM with Jon Langford 8PM done a number of forewords for them for other people’s art books. I think there’s never really been a book like this before because this is go- ing a whole lot further sexually than any previ- ous book that anybody’s done. 1328 W Morse Ave | maynestage.com David Leddick. Photo by David Vance STEPS FROM MORSE RED LINE | $5 VALET 18 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES in fits and starts—usually when it is focusing on the importance of the friendship between the MOVIES two young women and displaying some genuine KNIGHT emotion. Writer/director AT Of related interest: Nathan Adloff, another THE queer director, also made his feature debut this year with Nate & Margaret, the offbeat story MOVIES of a friendship between a 19-year-old college Nathan Adloff talks film major and his eccentric 52-year-old neigh- bor who dreams of becoming a stand-up comic. Adloff’s quietly effective movie is a genuine ‘Nate & Margaret’ charmer and is just out on DVD from Breaking Glass Entertainment. (See my interview with him By Richard Knight, Jr. female character we actually had the idea of By Richard in this issue.) having her closer to Nate’s age and in college Knight, Jr. With Nate & Margaret, out writer-director Na- and living in the same apartment building. Lawless, the second also-ran to open in the- than Adloff has crafted—along with his writ- We didn’t know anyone specific in mind to aters this week, is based on a true story set in ing partner Justin D.M. Palmer and two stars, pull true stories from so we actually posted For a Good Time, Franklin, Va., in 1931, when Prohibition and the Natalie West and Tyler Ross—an indie film ads in Craigslist asking for crazy true stories Great Depression collided and found desperately that is a lot more hip and has a lot more go- based around an apartment building, and got Call...; Lawless poor folks resorting to bootlegging to make ing for it than the oftentimes derivative “gay a bunch of responses. We began scripting ends meet. movie” label. In retrospect, the “gay movie” based on that—weaving those together. We’re in the home stretch as far as summer re- Three brothers—Jack (Shia LaBeouf), the tag is not so surprising considering the film’s I found out that Justin knew Natalie West. leases goes, which means that a lot of just-okay baby of the family; Howard (Jason Clarke), the premise: an unlikely friendship between a I loved her on Roseanne and I said, “Well, we movies are upon us. For a Good Time Call…, middle one with the violent temper; and Forrest 19-year-old film student in the throes of his have to see if she wants to have something a raunchy sex comedy, and Lawless, a Prohibi- (Tom Hardy), the oldest and the craziest of the first queer romance and a 52-year-old anti- to do with this” and we approached her with tion-era gangster flick, are two cases in point. lot—run a successful bootlegging business that social who actually dreams of becoming a the idea of making the female character her. Neither film is particularly original or inventive, is portrayed in director John Hillcoat’s film as stand-up comedian. We were pretty early on in the process so we but an enthusiastic cast in the comedy and a being as exemplary as a manufacturer of Gideon But the odd twists and turns in the char- actually got her to agree to have us write the group of terrific young actors in the second cer- acter arcs, the quirky bystanders at the edge role for her. So, it was really an accident. tainly don’t hurt. of the friendship (with Gaby Hoffmann as the WCT: So neither one of you has had this In the age of online instant gratification, does hedonistic party girl Darla, the most vivid kind of relationship that you portray in the anyone still call phone-sex lines to get off? Ac- character) and a deft touch have easily sepa- film? cording to For a Good Time, Call…, they do and rated Nate & Margaret from the usual queer NA: No. call often. The premise of the movie hangs on indie fare (and label). Blessed with a raft of WCT: Oh my God. Then you’re geniuses; two twentysomethings who meet one night at a good reviews and a brief theatrical run, the you’re brilliant. [Laughs] college frat party and can’t stand one another. film is now out on DVD from Breaking Glass NA: I think I gravitate to those odd souls But the brash, slovenly one (the blonde) needs Entertainment. but I haven’t had a much older close friend a roomie to help her pay for the expensive, The twentysomething Adloff, a Chicago na- and I don’t believe Justin has, either. formerly rent-controlled apartment she lives in tive who made the film here, talked about his WCT: That’s interesting. So maybe that while the prim, proper one with the exquisite debut feature as he was packing to head off explains why we don’t see the backstory manners (the brunette) has just been dumped to yet another film-festival appearance with between Nate and Margaret. We don’t see by her cutie-pie boyfriend, has lost her job and the movie in tow. the moment where the two first get to- immediately needs a place to stay. Windy City Times: As I pointed out in my gether—that moment where the bond is Katie (Ari Graynor) is the sluttish loudmouth review of the film, I loved that your film re- somehow instantly formed. and Lauren (Lauren Anne Miller) is the Miss ally captured this relationship between an NA: It’s been something people have asked older, straight woman who is a little irasci- about. It’s never been, “Oh, I wish that I Goody Two Shoes. This mix of human oil and wa- Ari Graynor in For a Good Time, Call... Photo ble and a little eccentric, and this younger could have seen that.” ter was brought together in a moment of inspi- from Focus Features ration by their joint über-gay friend Jesse (Jus- gay guy. I know so many gay men who have WCT: It was with me. [Laughs] tin Long). Katie loves to talk and it isn’t long relationships like this but I haven’t seen NA: Really? Well, I guess it’s just easier before Lauren figures out that Katie’s working Bibles. The three bros are captains of their local this examined in a movie before like this. to assume that they met at school or some- for a phone-sex line. With her business smarts, industry, delivering their product on time, look- So, did this come from a relationship of thing. It wasn’t something we felt we needed she and Katie are soon running their own com- ing the other way when little old ladies can’t yours or your co-writer? to draw out; just as we felt we didn’t need pany, with the money pouring in. afford to pay for the hooch and making nice nice Nathan Adloff: It actually was an accident. to draw out Nate’s sexuality. There’s never a After an undercover born-again Christian tries with the local fuzz. My co-writer, Justin D.M. Palmer, and I start- coming-out story or any idea that he’s had to sabotage their business, Lauren joins Katie as But into this bucolic scenario comes the nasty ed writing a very different script. Nate was al- hardships because he’s gay. a second operator and then the two really start dandy Charles Rakes, a special agent with the ways sorta based on me but then [with] this WCT: [That] is also lovely to see. A lot raking in the dough. Naturally, Lauren’s straight- feds who is charged with enforcing the law. Guy laced parents have no idea what she’s up to and Pearce, who plays this elegant priss, has a whale Katie’s hiding a few secrets of her own. In be- of a good time (and so do we) as a psychopathic tween these all-too- familiar hijinks, the ladies bad guy from hell who is determined to shut chat on the phone with a series of horny guys down the three brothers and come out smell- with a lot of the usual offbeat sexual peccadillos ing as sweet as his heavily pomaded hair. When (Seth Rogen cameos as one of them) and fall in Pearce is referred to as a “nance” because of his like with one another. sartorial splendor and heavy use of cologne, he Graynor—who is as brash and funny here as goes ballistic; the idea of even appearing queer she was in Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist and is shown to be just cause for murder and unend- Miller, and who looks and acts like a young Kate ing revenge. The war over the illegitimate booze Beckinsale (albeit without the British accent)— that ensues is, naturally, filled with plenty of brings plenty of enthusiasm to the awfully fa- violent set pieces mixed in with a soupcon of ro- miliar, sitcomish proceedings that seem awfully mance. (LaBeouf courts a Mennonite gal played close to the TV hit Two Broke Girls. Miller wrote by Mia Wasikowska while Hardy hooks up with the script with Katie Ann Naylon, and openly Jessica Chastain, who’s a mystery woman from gay Jamie Travis makes his feature directorial the big city who shows up looking for refuge.) debut. The result is old-fashioned and fairly enter- The movie, with its tired premise, might have taining—and a nice way to pass the time un- been helped and scored some honest laughs til the new season of Boardwalk Empire starts (instead of the usual blue jokes and gross out next month on HBO. However, the attempt to sight gags) had it been set in the early ‘90s, the show these violent bootleggers as mythic heroes era where it belongs. Travis also needs to learn doesn’t quite come off and the movie’s long, when to reel in his actors—Long’s playing of the overextended coda that portrays these thugs as gay character is so over the top (he plays to the peace-loving, upstanding regular Joes certainly balcony in every one of his scenes) that one can isn’t sweet-smelling—it stinks. almost hear him lisping as he minces around. Check out my archived reviews at www. Talk about retro. windycitymediagroup.com or www.knightat- Short on laughs and high on vulgarity (it’s themovies.com. Readers can leave feedback like a modern day, pornographic variation on at the latter website. Nathan Adloff. PR photo The Odd Couple), For a Good Time, Call… works WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 19 ADLOFF from page 18 them were but it wasn’t enough so I myself put and maybe get it out there somehow. It’s been NA: It’s about that and losing my father to a in a chunk of cash and the rest of it was raised a whirlwind of positivity; it’s been really, really heart attack. [It’s also about] finding out that of the new queer cinema pictures are getting through two Kickstarter campaigns—one before great. he bought one of my brother’s ex-girlfriends a past the coming out story which I’m happy to we shot and one for finishing funds. WCT: Another thing that I love about the $30,000 Corvette and left the bill for my mom to see. Increasingly, it’s just portrayed as a fact WCT: And having Natalie West attached cer- movie is that it really has crossover appeal. pay, so that’s why I wasn’t able to go to college of life which I think is to the good. tainly must have helped. This is a relationship movie with a gay char- in Chicago. It’s about working at the theater in NA: Definitely. NA: Yeah, it was nice to be able to say early on acter, viewpoint, whatever. But I suspect that the town, trying to save up money and meeting WCT: So, working on the piece you shaped in the pitch video and add some level of validity mainstream audiences, even alternative ones, guys online. We’re setting it in 1999-2000 when it for Natalie, but what about the young actor to the project that it was actually going to hap- still have a bit of a resistance in this area; AOL chat rooms were big. who played Nate, Tyler Ross? Did you write pen—that we were serious about it and wanted they want to label it as “just a gay movie.” WCT: It sounds interesting. Based on your for him as well or were there auditions for to move forward with it. NA: I think that’s very true. We actually assured touch with Nate & Margaret, I cer- that role? WCT: And how did Gaby Hoffmann get in- shopped it around before it was finished to dis- tainly look forward to seeing it. NA: Nate was always based on true story of volved? I love her from all her childhood pic- tributors, and Breaking Glass did/does see it as NA: Thank you. myself in college, though in the film I would say tures—Now and Then, Field of Dreams, etc. a crossover film; they really got it and they were See www.nateandmargaret.com. only about 10 percent is really true. Tyler I had NA: She had met Ash in New York at some really passionate about it and wanted to give it seen in The Wise Kids; when we were getting point; when we were thinking of actresses to the best release possible. So it was a no-brainer close to casting and I was thinking about actors offer that role to, she came up and we sent the to go with them. If people want to see it as a that would be good for certain roles, I [remem- script to her manager and he sent it to her. At gay film that’s fine but I also think it’s a cross- Pam Grier bered] loving him in that. He auditioned and we the time, she was living in Rome doing some over film that is about friendship. saw about 30 other young men for the role, but sort of cooking school; she said she wanted WCT: I think that anyone looking for a great appearance it was just always him. He really blew the other nothing more than to come back and do a small relationship picture and an usual one will re- movie. So, she came back and was in Chicago ally [be drawn] to your movie. Sept. 6 in Berwyn ones out of the water. Actress Pam Grier will be at Reel Art Col- with us for three days during the shoot. She’s NA: Thanks so much. WCT: He’s very good in the film. Let’s talk a lectibles, 6727 W. Stanley St., Berwyn, on awesome; she’s great. She said that it was the WCT: So now that you’ve created a movie little bit about the process of actually mak- Thursday, Sept. 6, 5-7 p.m. script that pulled her in but she didn’t know me about this unusual relationship, have you ing a micro-budget indie. You’ve done the She will sign copies of autobiography, or Justin and barely knew Ash so she put a lot of now yearned for one? Have you created one creative and now you get to the business as- FOXY: A Life in Three Acts, as well as post- trust and took a chance with us. in your life? pects. Doesn’t that money just appear some- ers and photographs. (Grier will charge for WCT: Nice validation, isn’t it? NA: [Laughs] Do I need a Margaret in my life? how? [Laughs] her autograph and photos.) NA: It’s very encouraging—absolutely. At the No, I can’t say that I do. NA: Right now I’m packing to go to Sidewalk, Grier became famous in the early 1970s very least, it’s a very nice compliment even if it WCT: Well, I’m going to encourage you to the festival in Birmingham, Ala. I’ve been there after starring in a string of women-in-pris- doesn’t pan out. find one. Having had a lot of those “Marga- the past two years and two years ago I met Ash on and blaxploitation films such as 1974’s WCT: She’s a lot of fun in the film. What was rets” in my life, they are friendships to be Christian, who produced the movie. He’s made Foxy Brown. Later, she appeared in Quentin the shoot schedule? treasured. three of his own films and been around the block Tarantino’s film Jackie Brown (1997). She NA: Two weeks. Six on, one off, and we had NA: I would love to know what that is. I can a few times, and he was looking to produce oth- has also been in TV series such as The L two pick up days after that. So [it was] 14 days imagine what it is and maybe one day… er people’s films. I told him I was working on Word, Law & Order: SVU and Smallville. total. WCT: So, what’s next for you? a script and sent it to him and he read it on Grier is coming to Reel Art through a spe- WCT: It’s a lot to cram in, but with every- NA: Justin and I are starting to script our next the plane ride home; he emailed me and said cial arrangement with the Hollywood Show body pulling together it can happen. Then it project which is, again, based on me. This time, he wanted to help make it happen. So, as far as autograph and collectible show, where she must have been so great to get those raptur- junior high/high school age, [when] I was grow- funding, he got all those balls rolling. will be appearing Sept. 7-9 at the Hilton ous reviews from top critics. ing up in small-town Illinois, and I really did WCT: Great—so you got to just worry about Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel, NA: It’s just extremely encouraging and hum- have a graduating class of 63 like Nate does in the creative elements. 5500 N. River Rd., Rosemont. bling, and I’m so grateful for it. It certainly the movie. And I was the only guy on the girl’s NA: [Laughs] No, no. I was very, very much See www.reelartstore.com for more info. involved but Ash had an army of people to see wasn’t expected; I just wanted to make my first volleyball team. if they were interested in helping and some of feature and do as good as I could with my means WCT: Oh dear, oh dear.

Youth of Halsted Survey

The past two summers For the next three months, have seen much debate Windy City Times reporters about who LGBTQ will be out polling LGBTQ and youth in Chicago are heterosexual young people on and who they are not. their experiences in Lakeview Now, Windy City Times and beyond, from their needs is asking young people to their interactions with police themselves. and residents and more.

Young people ages 24 and under can also take the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/wctyouthsurvey 20 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES MOVIES CA: Is it a double standard? GG: Yes and no. I think Magic Mike wouldn’t have been made 10 years ago with big movie stars in it. There’s no way their agents would have let them play this 10 years ago, or maybe Gina Gershon: even seven years ago. CA: So, fried chicken. Will you ever look at a chicken leg the same after fellating one in Killer Joe? Show girl GG: Oh, yeah. It’s still finger-lickin’ good to me. [Laughs] I’ve never been a KFC girl but I do Gina Gershon on her rule, which in Europe they don’t have. I forced love fried chicken. I had a Southern Black lady my parents to take me to see The Exorcist at when I was younger who was the real deal, and crotch close-up 11. I was completely enthralled and so excited; she taught me how to make fried chicken. When and how it’s cool to my mother was mortified. Had I been a different she would make fried chicken, it was a special 11-year-old, I might’ve been completely trauma- event. It was really good! Juno [Temple’s] like, play gay now tized. So it’s up to the parents and the kid to “I don’t really like fried chicken. I don’t get it.” know what they can and can’t handle. I’m like, “Yeah, you’re from London; you gotta By Chris Azzopardi To me, it’s a hardcore movie, and I think peo- have real Southern fried chicken.” ple should know going in. It ain’t a Disney film! CA: How was the fried chicken in Killer Joe? Vagina. That’s the first thing to come up dur- That being said, and because of this system, I’m GG: It was good! We were in New Orleans so ing my recent interview with Gina Gershon, who really respectful and completely behind [direc- I made sure it was. I can’t remember if we did goes full-frontal as Sharla in the awesomely tor] William Friedkin in choosing not to change Coop’s or Church’s—there was a big debate. But twisted Killer Joe. a frame. He’s earned the right to make the film I made sure it was good fried chicken. New Or- The actress plays a trashy two-timer who that he wants to make—and god bless him for leans. Hello! [Laughs] gets caught in the middle of a family’s murder it. I think it’s great. It’s just a bummer that it’s Before that scene, I knew I wanted to devour plot when they hire a hit man (Matthew Mc- harder to roll out. It can’t show in as many the- the fried chicken. I had to keep eating it and Conaughey) to take out their mother to collect aters, but I think word of mouth is getting out. I thought, “Well, I wanna make sure it’s good the life insurance money. Just minutes into the People who want to see this film are going to fried chicken.” I do like my fried chicken. Not movie, and there she is—all of her. see it. gonna lie. We got Gershon on the phone to chat about CA: With Bound, your agent told you at the CA: In an interview with DIVA a couple of her crotch coat, the agent that almost stopped time that playing a lesbian role would ruin years ago, you said you wish you could be gay. her from playing a lesbian in one of her most your career. But you did anyway. Why did you Can you clarify what you meant? lady-loved films and why she really wishes she take the role of Corky despite your agent’s GG: It was one of those days. At that time I were gay. advice? was looking around at my gay men friends and Chris Azzopardi: Are you sick of talking GG: Because it was a great role. The hero sto- they were so hot and sexy and nice and I’m like, about your vagina yet? ries were always men—they got the money, they “Ugh, why can’t I be with them?” If I were a gay Gina Gershon: You mean my merkin? I never got the girl, they got away with things. When I man, I could be! And then they would want me get tired of talking about my merkin. read this movie, I was like, “Wow, I get to be the in that way. [Laughs] CA: Did you name your merkin? hero.” CA: That’s what all the straight girls say: GG: Yes, I believe I was calling my merkin I’m really proud that I did that film. And so that gay men are so hot but unavailable. Bertha—a big, heavy-set merkin. Make room for what—at the end of the day, I got new agents. Gina Gershon in Killer Joe. Photo courtesy of GG: Yeah. Well, they’re still a girl’s best friend! Bertha! She’s ready for her close-up. They literally said, “We can’t represent you if you LD Entertainment CA: If you were lesbian, which character of CA: This isn’t the first time you’ve been part do this,” and I said, “OK, here’s your commis- yours would you hook up with? of a movie that was rated NC-17. Do you think sion; I’m doing this film.” GG: Corky. That’s the most narcissistic answer, the MPAA has been fair to the movies you’ve GG: Wasn’t he great? He was so great. I’m so CA: So it was worth the sacrifice? isn’t it? [Laughs] starred in? proud of him. As soon as I saw him, I told him, GG: Yeah, it was actually. Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, GG: Listen, I think the whole rating system “Dude, that was awesome.” He really did a great CA: Do you think actors are still being told the international LGBT wire service. Reach is unfair. It’s just arbitrary and there’s no con- job. He showed more ass than I did in Showgirls, to avoid gay roles? him at www.chris-azzopardi.com. sistency and I find it fairly ridiculous. I mean, too. Look at that. They don’t make a big deal GG: No, man. The gayer the role, they’re like, Showgirls was NC-17—why? I’m still not really about that! “Do it! You’ll get nominated for an Academy sure. I guess there was a lot of nudity. And in Award.” That just goes to show how far we’ve this country if you cut off a boob, it’s rated PG; come. Before it was going to ruin your career. of Chicago—and Bill Marsland on piano. if you just show them, then they’re sometimes Field Museum Not anymore. Admission is free, but there is a suggested NC-17. Bound was going to be NC-17 because CA: Are you currently looking at any gay donation of $10; proceeds will go to Team to that love scene was very intense and very beau- fashion exhibition roles? End AIDS. Email [email protected] tiful and didn’t show anything of Jennifer [Tilly] GG: I don’t look at roles if they’re gay or starts Sept. 14 for more info. or myself, but it was too much of a love scene The Field Museum’s newest exhibition, straight or young or old or black or white. I just so we had to change it. Once it was more of a “Fashion and The Field Museum Collection: don’t distinguish roles like that. I look to see fucking scene then they were like, “Yeah, that’s Maria Pinto,” will run Sept. 14-June 16, 2013. if I can relate to what the character is going North Coast OK.” The exhibition explores the world of design, through or if I like the whole story and if I like CA: You can get away with full-on sex but mixing artifacts hand-selected from the mu- to feature the director. I like colorful stories. you can’t show lesbian love? seum’s collections by esteemed Chicago fash- CA: Your co-star in Killer Joe, Matthew Mc- Oakenfold, Big Boi GG: It seems a little bit strange to me. I just ion designer Maria Pinto along with contem- Conaughey, is also in another recent movie, Legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold and Big Boi— think the whole rating system is arbitrary. I porary pieces Pinto created. Magic Mike, as a stripper. As a dancer in known as one-half of the duo Outkast (“Hey don’t quite get it. Of all of them, Killer Joe prob- In 2010, Pinto selected objects that in- Showgirls, did you approve? Ya”)—are among the scheduled headliners at ably should be NC-17 if we’re going by an NC-17 spired her in collaboration with Alaka Wali, this years North Coast Music Festival. the museum’s curator in North American an- The event, nicknamed “summer’s last DaveOuanoPhotography.com thropology. Pinto’s artistic perspective in- stand,” will take place Friday-Sunday, Aug. Events • Fashion • Fitness cludes items such as a crocodile skin vest, a 31-Sept. 2, in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph parka made of bird skins and a necklace made St. of woven monkey fur. See www.NorthCoastFestival.com for tickets The museum is at 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. and info. See www.FieldMuseum.org. Chicago among ‘Singing to End Mika’s first live dates AIDS’ Aug. 30 Singer Mika has announced his first U.S. The fundraiser “Singing to End AIDS” will live dates to support his upcoming album, take place Thursday, Aug. 30, at Chicago’s The Origin of Love, out on Universal Republic Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 716 W. Addi- Oct. 16. son St. Each starts at 7:30 p.m. (It had been His first dates include New York’s Webster slated for Aug. 23, but was rescheduled.) Hall (Oct. 15), the Vic in Chicago (Oct. 18) The event will feature baritone Peter Ru- and Los Angeles’ The Fonda (Oct. 21). ger—who is running the 2012 Chicago Mara- His single “Celebrate” (featuring Pharrell ModelMayhem.com/DaveOuano thon with the organization Team to End AIDS, Williams) will be available on iTunes Sept. 4. Facebook: Dave Ouano Photography which donates funds to the AIDS Foundation Find out more at http://MikaSounds.com. [email protected] WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 21

Battle of the Posts

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012 SKY VS. LA SPARKS @ 5:00 PM

CALL 866.SKY.WNBA For Tickets,OR VISIT CHICAGOSKY.NET 22 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES theDISH WEEKLY DINING GUIDE IN SAVOR crowd or for nightclubbers to enjoy themselves. (However, if Bar Umbriago cleared some tables, Bar Umbriago said club-hoppers might never leave, as the mu- BY ANDREW DAVIS sic playing was a heady mix of dance songs.) In addition to the wines, Bar Umbriago has an Bar Umbriago (6 W. Hubbard St.; www.barum- interesting drink list, with items such as meat briago.com) is in the spot that EATT formerly oc- and potatoes (with potato vodka and salami- cupied. Having had a mixed experience at EATT, stuffed olives) and the summer social (which in- I was wondering what I’d be in for at this new- cludes rum, watermelon, peach, Prosecco and a est eatery. Chef Michael Ponzio has done himself squeeze of lime). With the day being a bit hot, I proud at Bar Umbriago, which is named after a asked for the latter—after being denied my first choice, the Tacco Rosso. (I was told that not all of the ingredients were available. The drink inclues mango, passionfruit and blood orange.) However, the social was definitely a hit—and was certainly refreshing. All that jazz: The Italian menu (which relies on mostly lo- cally sourced food) is divided into sections such as salumi, cheese, crostini, cicchetti (small side Talking with cafe owner Donna Adams dishes), primi, secondi and pizza. Bar Umbriago serves smaller portions; however, the prices are BY ANDREW DAVIS Cotechino meatballs (above) and whipped quite reasonable, with side dishes running as Donna Adams is possibly one of the friendliest, ricotta crostini at Bar Umbriago. low as $6. Having never tried a Scotch egg (with most honest people one could come across—but Photos by Andrew Davis arugula and pecorino sardo), I went for it—and was pleasantly surprised. However, my favorite don’t mistake her for a pushover. item was probably the whipped ricotta crostini; Adams, a retired police officer, is the owner if you get nothing else from it, try this dish. of Donna’s Cafe (1255 S. State St.; www.don- The goat-cheese gnocchi wasn’t far behind, nascafechicago.com), a jazz-themed eatery in nor was the crispy poussin with roasted veg- the gentrified South Loop area. She’s an unmis- etables. Of course, the desserts are sinful as takable presence in the cafe; as soon as some- well, as I tried la bomba (homemade doughnut one enters, she greets the person with a “Good with chocolate and Nutella) and the cioccolato morning” and a smile. She often recognizes pa- (a chocolate mousse cake with fresh berries). trons by name, and they catch each other up on I paid the price in the gym the next day—but the latest. character in Italian-American singer Jimmy Du- those items were worth it. Talking with Adams, a staunch ally of the LGBT rante’s famous song. (In addition, as Ponzio told On top of it, Ponzio and General Manager Nick demographic, is an experience in itself—and I Lombardo are extremely outgoing, talking with mean that in a good way. In a conversation that Savor, it’s about a “man who is the life of the Donna Adams. Photos by Andrew Davis party.”) almost every patron that evening. (They even was about an hour, she talked about everything Also—although it’s in the family-friendly Riv- talked about how their servers have personali- from Frankie Knuckles to writing police reports come in here and get the attitude of ‘Oh, you’re er North area just off Michigan Avenue—one can ties—verified when they called one over who to the South Loop area itself—and that was be- just a shop owner.’” With my background, I never surmise from the first part of the spot’s name told a joke I can’t reprint here.) fore we talked about the city’s leather commu- kissed ass—and I’m not about to start now. I’m that it caters to the adult crowd. The wine list Bar Umbriago offers a bit of everything, but is nity. too old for that. I let them know: ‘You don’t is quite extensive (half-off on Wednesdays), and (thankfully) not over the top. I definitely plan When asked why she decided to become a cafe impress me, either.’” the set-up is perfect for the after-work business on returning. owner, Adams deadpanned, “Well, after a year and a half, I’ve yet to come up with a really However, something Adams loves is the chance good reason. I don’t have a story tell people to showcase her love of jazz (although she’s also so I can say I was on drugs, obviously—or I an admitted “househead,” but she acknowledges The Perfect Setting for your should’ve been on them so I’d have a good ex- house music would be too much in the morn- cuse for this foolish move. This is more work ing—even for her). Adams said that she’s always Commitment Ceremony than I ever did—and there’s nothing glamor- love the music genre, thanks to her grandmother, ous about it.” (She later stated that her reasons who she called a “jazzy, jazzy lady.” Her grand- were, like with all business owners, financial— mother left Adams a huge jazz record collection; but she also wanted to leave something for her she said it would take “at least a year to transfer Proudly Serving Delicious children.) [all the music] to digital.” Hormone/Antibiotic-Free Burgers! Talking about a down side of the business, she Adams said it’s “straight-ahead jazz” that she Located in the of Boystown said, “I came up in an era when owning your likes. She added that it’s “different from easy- 666 W. Diversey • (773) 935-1995 janesrestaurant.com own business was something to be proud of; it listening jazz that will put you to sleep.” Adams www.thecounterburger.com 1653-55 W. Cortland • 773-862-5263 was an accomplishment. Now, people sometimes listed some of her favorites as Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and early Miles Davis. She also the DINING LISTINGS listed someone who may initially seem like an DISH odd choice to some: Queen Latifah. “I love her singing jazz,” Adams said. American Hamburger Mary’s Bakery Club Lucky Ceres’ Table When asked what she wants people to come The Counter 5400 N. Clark St., Swedish Bakery 1824 W. Wabansia Ave., 4882 N. Clark St., away with, Adams said, “I want them to have 666 W. Diversey Pkwy. Chicago 5348 N. Clark St., Bucktown Chicago a good experience. I want them to have AN EX- Chicago 773-784-6969 Chicago 773-227-2300 773-878-4882 PERIENCE. I want them to get the vibe that you 773-935-1995 hamburgermarys.com/ 773-561-8919 clubluckychicago.com cerestable.com can come here and be comfortable. You can chat Custom built burgers with chicago swedishbakery.com 1940’s style Italian Supper Sustainable, locally sourced with me about anything.” Club & Cocktail Lounge contemporary Italian food, hormone-and-antibiotic- Burgers, salads and sass European-style cookies, As for the food itself, it is wonderfully tasty. free 100% Angus beef. served up in a kitschy pastries, breads, and tortes. Award-winning. Holiday great cocktails, and fabulous Facebook: The Counter atmosphere with an on-site We’ll create a cake for any decorations and private wine and beer lists. The sandwich I ordered, the “Cool Bird” (named Lincoln Park. brew pub. celebration. party room. Accepting after Parker), contains turkey, Romaine let- online reservations. german tuce, Swiss cheese, apple and cranberry mayo Jane’s Restaurant ASIAN Chicago Brauhaus on wheat bread—and it was heavenly. There are ITALIAN Armand’s Pizzeria 1653-55 W. Cortland Miss Asia 4732 N. Lincoln Ave., also items such as a garden panini that vegetar- Taverna 750 4159 N. Western Ave., Ave. 434 W. Diversey Pkwy., Chicago 750 W. Cornelia Ave., Chicago ians will love, but there are also selections rang- 773-862-5263 Chicago 773-784-4444 Chicago 773-463-5200 ing from the Wynton Marsalad (with spinach, janesrestaurant.com 773-248-3999 chicagobrauhaus.com 773-348-5172 armandspizzeria.com pears, Craisins, walnuts, goat cheese and Paris An everyday, upscale eatery missasiacuisine.com Bright and fresh Italian Serving up traditional Since 1956. Award-winning dressing) to banana pudding. But don’t fear if located in neighborhoody At Miss Asia we provide small plates with an exciting thin crust. Also baked clams, German specialties, beer, you’re on a diet: Just tell Adams and she’ll re- Bucktown. Stunning Special fine traditional Thai cuisine cocktail menu. Surprisingly sandwiches, salads. Dine in, wine, music and dancing 6 Events Room. Brunch, Lunch and an elegant dining mind you every time you’re there—especially if affordable. take out, delivery. days a week. & Dinner. atmosphere. you reach for the wrong item. Donna’s Cafe: Come for the food, stay for the To get your business listed in The Dish, contact [email protected] conversation—and the music. (Musicians per- form on Fridays.) WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 23 Crystal Waters rocks ‘LoveFest’ Dance-music artist Crystal Waters and local entertainers Mz. Ruff N Stuff and Cyon Flare headlined Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus’s 8th Annual LoveFest, which initially took place at Jackson Park (63rd Street and Cornell Drive) Aug. 26. The event was eventually moved to Club Escape because of the inclement weather; more than 300 people went inside as well, according to event promoter David Dodd. LoveFest is an annual summer “edu-tainment” festival designed for the African-American LGBT community— specifically gay and bisexual men—to bring awareness to health and wellness management with live entertain- ment, dancing, health screenings and physical-fitness activities. In addition, Lovefest hosted the Old School vs. New School Battle of the DJs as well as the EGOmania Mini-Ball. This year’s theme was “Healthy.Sexy.We.,” from the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Healthy Chicago LGBT Community Action Plan. Visit www.chiblackgaycaucus.org. Text by Andrew Davis; photos by Ed Negron

CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISE HERE DANCE LESSONS SPIRITUALITY WINDOW TREATMENTS ADVERTISE HERE: Want to advertise your product, PRIVATE DANCE LESSONS AVAILABLE. Ballroom dance WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THOSE WINDOWS?: service, etc. to thousands of readers? Place an ad in the lessons by En Haut Academy. Contact Stephanie - 630- Call me! I take care of it all from design through Windy City Times! We offer affordable rates, convenient 532-3225. Chicago location - great rates. (8/29/12- Reviving installation, customizing to your needs. JOSEPH RICE service, and as a bonus, your ad runs in our online 3) Interiors, Inc. Full Decorating Services with a specialty section for free. To place an ad, contact Terri at 773- The Spirit... in window treatments for over 25 years. 773-271- 871-7610 ex 101, [email protected], HOME IMPROVEMENT 2361. www.JosephRiceInteriors.com (8/29/12-26) or go to our website www.WindyCityMediaGroup. BATHROOM REMODELING, HOME REPAIRS, PAINTING Renewing com. & MORE. Licensed-Bonded-Insured. One year warranty. Price by the job - not the hour. FREE estimates! Check The Life... CLEANING SERVICES us out on Angie’s List. Andy OnCall, 773-244-9961. CHESTNUT CLEANING SERVICES: We’re a house cleaning www.getandy.com (8/1/13-52) Atonement Episcopal Church service for homes, small businesses and small buildings. 5749 N. Kenmore We also have fabulous organizational skills (a separate LEGAL SERVICES www.ChurchOfTheAtonement.Org function at a separate cost that utilizes your assis- Sundays at 11 A.M. tance) for what hasn’t been cleaned in many months The Law Office of or years due to long-term illness, depression, physical/ mental challenges, for the elderly, if you have down- Alexander Weaver sized and more. Depressed about going home to chaos? 312-588-5005 We can organize your chaos, straighten out your chaos, email: [email protected] help you make sense of your chaos and finally clean You Are Loved, what is no longer chaos. Can we help you? Bonded and A Full Service You Are Welcome, insured. Chestnut Cleaning Service: 312-332-5575. Law Firm You Are Celebrated! MOM www.ChestnutCleaning.com (11/21/12-52) for the Community A Tribute to Mothers of LGBTs since 1988 a book of photographs by Kat Fitzgerald COUNSELING (with additional photographers) and essays celebrating the special relationships of LGBTs and their mothers 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago Coalition of AVAILABLE NOW AT Suite 628, Chicago Welcoming Churches BROUGHT TO YOU BY 60+ ministries celebrating 5233 North Clark Street NEED LEGAL HELP? Pride Law, Andersonville’s legal aid Chicago, IL 60640 LOVE FROM THE CENTER LGBTQ lives (773) 769-9299 clinic for the LGBT community can help. Clinic hours www.chicagowelcomingchurches.org OF WHO YOU ARE every Wednesday, 5-8:00 p.m. by appointment only. Call Life Coaching • Ceremonies 1-866-703-5509 or send us an email at prideslaw@ tsamislaw.com. Office & Phone Appointments REAL ESTATE OUT OF TOWN HOUSE FOR SALE TWO BEDROOMS FOR RENT Rev. Jacki Belile, CEC MASSAGE FABULOUS NEW BUFFALO contemporary condo walking ANDERSONVILLE, STEPS FROM CLARK STREET, Large 2 Nurturing Pride & Faith for 20 Years FIRST-CLASS ASIAN MALE MASSEUR. London-trained distance to all amenities. Every imaginable upgrade, bedroom, 1 bath + sun porch. Hardwood floors through- 773.655.4357 and qualified. Over 25 years of worldwide experience too many features to list- a must see. http://tours. out. Free laundry in basement. Available now. $1475 + and 100% attuned to your needs. Satisfaction assured. www.livingwellministries.net positiveimagelive.com/65791 Call Nora , 312-953- one month security. 312.909.0052 Please call Dennis at 773-248-9407 (11/14/12–26) 1783. (9/5/12-8) EDGEWATER COMMUTER ADVANTAGE you’d be happy to MILLER BEACH, INDIANA - Highly upgraded ranch come home to. Walk to beach, bus, redline and shops. COUNSELING AND CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY: Providing PERSONALS a short stroll to beach & dunes, 3BR, 1.75 BA, new Joyously sunny and secure 2br. Big bedrooms and walk- help to individuals and couples in our community since MAN SEEKING VERY MASCULINE MAN. Blue collar kitchen, appliances, windows & roof; $129,900, Ayers in closets. Large kitchen and formal dining room. $1300 1987. I specialize in relationship issues, spiritual workers preferred. 6’2” or taller, 200lb or heavier. “Just Realtors, 219-938-1188, See virtual tour at http:// with heat. Plus laundry, storage, video intercom and issues, childhood trauma, and recurrent patterns for fun.” If interested call Ken at 773-975-0967 or MillerBeach.com (9/5/12-3) yard. IT’S YOUR MOVE… 773-706-6065. (8/22/12-2) that inhibit potential. Starla R. Sholl, LCSW, PC, 773-332-5510 (8/29/12–4) CALIFORNIA COOL IN ST. JOSEPH MICHIGAN. Trans- 773.878.5809, www.starlasholl.com (2/20/13-26) formed ranch with amazing architectural style and LOOKING TO RENT SOLUTION FOCUSED COUNSELING Solution focused PLUMBING amenities. Check out the virtual tour at http://tours. WANTED: FLAT IN SMALL BUILDING. Prefer South of counseling in warm & affirming environment by licensed DENIZA’S PLUMBING IS BACK again as the community’s positiveimagelive.com/74742 and then call Nora Duffy, Peterson, East of Western, West of Broadway. Looking psychotherapist. Wounded self-esteem, body image plumber of choice. All plumbing services available at Crawford Group Sotheby’s Realty- 312-953-1783. for reasonably quiet, safe neighborhood. Middle aged issues, career counseling and relationship challenges. reasonable rates. If you need plumbing services call (10/17/12-8) single man, no pets, non-smoker, looking for clean, BCBS PPO & Aetna. Sliding Scale. Lakeview, close to CTA 773.891.6322 or place a service request via email updated apartment in well maintained building with & Parking. Dr. John Moore. (773) 703-5300. www. at [email protected]. Deniza’s - serving the garage space. 2 or 3 flat would be perfect, but open to johndmoore.net (9/19/12-13) community since 1985. (10/17/12–8) alternatives. If you’re a proud owner of a well main- tained building, I’d be an excellent renter. Email info to [email protected] (8/29/12-3) 24 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES

feedback from residents. 6pm-8pm, Chi- cago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St., www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/ dca.html Pink Milk, the story of Alan Turing At the Chicago Fringe Festival through Sept. 9, a drama infused with dance is inspired Brought to you by the combined efforts of by the true story of Alan Turing, the man basically responsible for ending WWII in WINDY CITY Britain and later criminally charged for SPARKS AND being gay, who chose chemical castration TIMES over prison and died a mysterious death. RECREATION Written by Alex Paul Young, a Latino Chi- Thursday, Sept. 6 cago playwright. 7pm, Americana Stage, Wed., Aug. 29 600 W. Cermak Rd., www.pinkmilk2012. Hal Sparks will perform com Gay/Lesbian Chamber 6th Annual Private ALL THAT ‘BRASS’ AIDS Foundation Chicago AIDS Run/Walk at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Boat Cruise Aboard Chicago’s First Lady, Fundraiser Come support and/or learn Morse Ave. dinner buffet, open bar, fireworks on the Friday, Aug. 31 how you can join the team. Minimum $5 lake. Boarding 6:30pm sharp. Cruising till Tamale Sepp will present suggested donation at the door; $5 drink Pic by Kat Fitzgerald 10pm. Fireworks on the Lake at 9:30pm. “Brass Chuckles” at specials and $5 raffle tickets. The mission Register early, the event may be at capac- of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is to ity. 6:30pm, Michigan & Wacker aboard Playground Theatre, 3341 N. lead the fight against HIV/AIDS and im- Chicago’s First Lady, www.glchamber.org Lincoln Ave. prove the lives of people affected by the Hounds of Love: The Music of Kate Bush epidemic. 9pm, Big Chicks, 5024 N Sheri- oyne), www.newchicagochurch.com Shana Spiegel spanning all the eras of the dan Rd., www.afchicago.org Miss Continental 2012 Preliminaries First music of Kate Bush, giving musical preci- Photo from Sarah Tamale Presents Brass Chuckles Com- night of the two-night contest to choose sion and treatment reflective of the origi- Terez Rosenblum edy Showcase Brass Chuckles is a comedy Miss Continental 2012. Doors open at 6 nal recordings. Rare live show. 8:30pm- show that invites fascinating people to pm; contest begins at 7. Call 312-527- 11pm, Schubas Tavern, www.schubas.com come out to play hosted by comedian and 9338 for ticket information. 6pm, The Vic Curtains Up! Showtune Video Night Come Theatre, 3145 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, Bryn Mawr Ave. Charleston, Boulder and San Francisco, femme(ce) Tamale Sepp. Explores comedy and enjoy the music of the Great White http://www.thebatonshowlounge.com Fundraiser recital for Team to End AIDS An this play was accepted into the 2012 NYC through stand-up, sketch, improv, videos, Way and the Silver Screen, 9pm, The Call Broadway DIVA/DJ David Byrne’s Birthday hour of amazing music featuring baritone Fringe Festival! Limited engagement off to performance art, live readings of personal (Chicago), 1547 W Bryn Mawr Ave., Show Come celebrate DJ David Byrne’s Peter Ruger and pianist Bill Marsland, a New York. 8pm, Center on Halsted, 3656 N narrative work and other creative meth- $1 Drink Night Join SPIN every Wednesday birthday while you enjoy Broadway DIVA set of songs inspired by the fight against Halsted St., www.centeronhalsted.org ods. $10. 10pm, Playground Theatre, 3341 for $1 Cocktails, featuring 42 Below Vod- with drag divas Miss Sassy Trade, Elysse AIDS plus English Art Song, popular musi- Put It In the Scrapbook--Chicago Fringe N Lincoln Ave., www.brasschucklescom- ka, Wine & Beer and $5 Bacardi Bombs! Giovanni and very special guest Cee Cee cal selections, cabaret songs. Free but $10 Festival Put It In the Scrapbook, an edy.com 9pm, Spin Nightclub, 800 W. Belmont LaRouge. Cheap drink specials, $5 Rock donation is suggested. 7:30pm, Lakeview original one-person show about the life Ave., www.spin-nightclub.com Islands. Never a cover and showtime is 8 Hydrag Revue Join Hydrate Nightclub for Presbyterian Church, 716 W. Addison St of vaudeville’s most famous female im- Saturday, Sept. 1 Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago A month- pm sharp. 8pm-11pm, @mosphere, 5355 the world famous HYDRAG REVUE hosted LIVE Music Karaoke/Ultimate Open Mic personator Julian Eltinge, is an official ly meeting with the goal to erase the N. Clark St., www.atmospherebar.com by Tajma Hall, featuring the all star cast of Charlie’s has some great local musicians selection of the Chicago Fringe Festival to invisibility of bisexual identified people Dida Ritz, Sorraya Dash, Mercede Andrews, & singers that throw down, creating a fan- be performed August 30-September 9th, tastic live music show. It’s acoustic & laid 2012. 8:30pm-9:30pm, Dream Theatre, within the LGBT community. Through out- Monday, Sept. 3 Kelly Lauren, Erica Andrews and special Miss Continental 2012 Finals Final night back. Join them and be part of the band. 556 West 18th St., www.chicagofringe.org reach, education and discussion, the BQAC guests each week! 10pm, Hydrate, 3458 of the two-night contest to choose Miss 10pm, 773-871-8887, Charlie’s, 3726 N. Cult with Jessica Wild, Ab Soto RuPaul’s hopes to raise awareness of issues facing N. Halsted St., www.hydratechicago.com Continental 2012. Doors open at 7 pm; Broadway Drag Race star Jessica Wild, and DJs Ab bisexual identified people. This group is open to bisexual people and their allies. contest begins at 8. Call 312-527-9338 for Thursday, Aug. 30 TimeLine Theatre Company presents 33 Soto, Moneyworth, Ten Witch, Baby Bam- 3pm-5pm, Center on Halsted, 3656 N Hal- ticket information. 7pm, The Vic, 3145 N Cocktails Without Prejudice Stop in The Variations 16th season opens with the boo and more. Party photos by A/S/L. sted St., www.CenterOnHalsted.org Sheffield Ave., www.thebatonshowlounge. Call any Thursday in August, enjoy a Van Chicago premiere by Moisés Kaufman, Hosted by Debbie Fox. Club paintings by Put It In the Scrapbook--Chicago Fringe com Gogh PB&J Jammer shot, and a $1 will through October 21. 7:30pm, 773-327- Rafa Dejota. To RSVP for guest list: do312. Festival Put It In the Scrapbook, an be donated to “Give a Damn Campaign” a 5252, Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., com/event/2012/08/30/cult . $2 PBR www.timelinetheatre.com and Berlin bombs, $6.50 Patron Silver and original one-person show about the life Tuesday, Sept. 4 project of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund. Intersex Chicago We have features typical 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche After a suc- $5.50 42 Below. 10pm, Berlin Nightclub, of vaudeville’s most famous female im- That’s right $1 for each shot, so bring your of both male and female at once or may cessful run and extension in the sum- 954 W Belmont Ave., www.berlinchicago. personator Julian Eltinge, is an official friends!! 4pm, The Call (Chicago), 1547 W. have no clearly defined sexual features at mer of 2011 and productions in Omaha, com selection of the Chicago Fringe Festival all. There are many different kinds of in- Rhythmatic: Down & Dirty w/ Michael to be performed through Sept. 9. 5:30pm- tersex people. 6:30pm, Center on Halsted, Serafini Gritty, sleazy house and techno 6:30pm, Dream Theatre, 556 W. 18th St., 3656 N Halsted St., www.centeronhalsted. is the soundtrack for trouble at Wang’s. www.chicagofringe.org org Perfect for its opium den-inspired interior Mr. Continental 2012 Finals Final night of and well made cocktails. Every last thurs- the two-night contest to choose Mr. Con- day of the month. No cover. 10pm, Wang’s, tinental 2012. Doors open at 7 pm; con- Wed., Sept. 5 Gay Liberation Network meeting Chicago’s 3317 N Broadway St. test begins at 8. Call 312-527-9338 for ticket information. 7pm, Park West, 322 W multi-issue, LGBT direct action group call- Friday, Aug. 31 Armitage Ave., www.thebatonshowlounge. ing attention to equality and liberation for LGBTs, against America’s wars, sup- Chicago Convergence 2012 Convergence com porting labor and immigrant rights, and is an international gathering of gay big D.I.L.F. It’s Labor Day Weekend and daddy more. Chicago’s multi-issue, LGBT direct men and their admirers. It is the largest works hard and needs a day of rest! Host action group; 7pm-9pm, 773-209-1187, event of its kind in the world for the Chub Jason Hendrix and DJ Marc “Moose” Moder Berger Park Cultural Center, 6205 N. Sheri- and Chaser community. Through Sept. 3. bring you D.I.L.F., the place to be in Chi- dan Rd., Chicago, http://www.gaylibera- Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel, cago for men over 35 and the men who tion.net www.convergence2012.org want them. First Saturday of every month. Curtains Up! Showtune Video Night Come Women’s Labor Day Weekend Camping, 9pm, The Sofo Tap, 4923 N Clark St. and enjoy the music of the Great White Sisters for LGBT Community Fundraiser Way and the Silver Screen, 9pm, The Call Bags, frisbee cups, flippy cups, flag foot- Sunday, Sept. 2 (Chicago), 1547 W Bryn Mawr Ave. ball, fishing, karoake, listening to Mindy Urban Village Church Spiritual worship is Bartlett sing and share her acoustic set. about coming together as community to Through Sept. 3. Questions to Edith make space for God to move in us. It’s Thursday, Sept. 6 Hal Sparks Actor/comedian performing Nieves at [email protected]; 1pm, a place to receive God’s grace and love stand-up through Sept. 8. $23-$27; 8pm, 773-790-1180, Hide-Away-Lakes Camp- and to give of ourselves, as well. 10am- Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., www. ground, 8045 Van Emmon Rd, Yorkville, 11:15pm, Spertus Institute 610 S. Michi- maynestage.com. http://labordaycamping.eventbrite.com/ gan Ave., www.urbanvillagechurch.org Judy Tenuta Opening Night Support Pride Mr. Continental 2012 Preliminaries Open- Urban Village Church: Andersonville ser- Films and Plays by purchasing opening ing night of the biggest pageant weekend vice Andersonville is a neighborhood full night tickets, $20. Questions to PFPTick- in America. First of two nights to choose of passion, art, diversity, and eclectic [email protected] with Judy Tenuta in the Mr. Continental 2012. Doors open at 5 pm; energy, all which makes Urban Village subject line. 8pm, Laugh Factory, 3175 N. contest begins at 6. Call 312-527-9338 for Church thrilled to be joining the commu- Broadway, www.pridefilmsandplays.com; ticket information. 5pm, Baton, 436 N. nity! 10:30am-11:45am, 1602 W. Ainslie Tickets: http://gopride.com/z7et Clark St., www.thebatonshowlounge.com (at Ashland), www.newchicagochurch.com Town hall discussion of draft of Chicago Urban Village Church: Wicker Park eve- CONTINENTAL DRIFT Cultural Plan In continuing with its pub- ning service Wicker Park is a neighbor- lic engagment process for the Cultural hood full of passion, art, diversity, and Friday-Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 3 Plan, the Department of Cultural Affairs eclectic energy, all which make Urban Vil- and Special Events will once again hold lage Church thrilled to be in the commu- a series of public meetings to get direct nity! 5pm-7pm, 1502 N. Hoyne (At LeM- The Mr. and Miss Continental pageants will take place in Chicago this weekend. Get WindyCityMediaGroup.com Photo by Kat Fitzgerald : online ChicagoPride.com WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 25

BILLY MASTERS

catalogues under the title Criminal Cocks. The “I have a lot of gay fans because they know that synopsis reads, “Ripped from the headlines! I just accept people as they are. That’s not my Porn stars before they became real-life crimi- place to judge. I ain’t God and I ain’t runnin’ nals. Grand theft, attempted murder, serial rape, for office.”—Dolly Parton explains her support and 1st-degree murder ... these criminal cocks for filmmakers (and dear friends) Gary and Larry have done it all and now you can see them all on Lane. Their documentary, Hollywood to Dolly- one convenient disc ... compiled for your plea- wood, won a slew of awards at film festivals sure.” While that’s pretty fabulous, the back and is now available on DVD at www.Hollywood- cover is even better. Alongside stills from the 2Dollywood.com. Our first story has many sections, so I’m go- ing to report it sequentially. It all started when Olympian Ryan Lochte started putting the word out that he’d be interested in doing some televi- sion projects. In addition to filming a cameo for 90210, he was throwing his hat into the reality- show ring. First he said he’d like to do Dancing with the Stars—but only if Michael Phelps also competed so he’d have the chance to whip his ass (a visual I find most appealing). He’s also like to be the next guy on The Bachelor because he wants to find true love—however, his agents are trying to find $750K for his participation. While these negotiations proceed, reports have surfaced that a former girlfriend is trying to sell some nude photos Lochte sent her when they were dating. Around the same time, Prince Harry was com- ing to the United States on holiday. He arrived in Vegas while Lochte was belatedly celebrating his 28th birthday in a pink Speedo. The royal hottie expressed interest in meeting the Olym- pian at XS nightclub. After some imbibing, the prince challenged Lochte to a swimming race that Lochte won. Harry left the party first and invited some girls he met at the bar up to his VIP suite. Some- how they all ended up playing a game of strip billiards—something I must confess that I not only haven’t played but haven’t heard of. Re- gardless of what they tell you, what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. (Thank God for moi.) One of the revelers happened to snap some photos of the prince nude, which means two things: 1) He’s not very bright and 2) He lost the game! In the first photo, he’s seen cup- John Barrowman will be back on TV, Billy says. CLICKTOWIN! ping the royal jewels while an anonymous girl crouches behind him. In the second, he is bent See over said girl, exposing the royal buttocks. Initially the British press was reticent to run sex scenes included are each guy’s real-life mug the photos. Why? Because the palace “asked” shot and the crime. BRILLIANT! Brandi them not to—an intriguing request since we’ve Our “Ask Billy” question comes from Mitchell already seen William’s willy and Charles’ cock. in Cincinnati: “Have you heard any news about After a couple of days, The Sun broke ranks and the new John Barrowman series that Shonda Carlile put Harry right on its cover. And you know what Rhimes is producing? I haven’t heard anything happened? His approval rating went UP! Most since it was announced.” people feel that he’s young, he’s single, he’s just It’s amazing to me how many potential series Sat. Oct. 20 having fun—who cares? I should add that this is have involved Barrowman, and how many have the same public who once saw Fergie as a breath either never made it to air or fizzled shortly @ The Chicago of fresh air, and we know how that turned out. thereafter. Obviously, he has talent and a fol- (I believe toe-sucking is the line that one can- lowing, but he’s not had much luck here in the Theatre not cross.) Since I’ve never been one to stand States—but not for lack of trying. Rhimes’ Gild- on ceremony, I’m happy to run all these naughty ed Lilys was ordered by ABC, but the network with special guest bits and regal rears on BillyMasters.com. passed. That meant Barrowman was able to take Blitzen Trapper Remember Nick Gruber? Calvin Klein’s most a role in the upcoming Green Arrow series for recent boytoy with a porn past? Since his break- The CW. We know precious little about his part www.ticketmaster.com up with the designer, his arrest and subsequent (well, not THAT part—his quite large member is www.thechicagotheatre.com stint in rehab, he’s planning to write his mem- readily available on BillyMasters.com). On the oirs—tentatively titled What Came Between Me show, he’ll be playing a wealthy, sexy, mysteri- and My Calvin. Oh, he’s a clever one. A writer ous man who has ties to quite a few characters. ENTER TO WIN two tickets by sending who’s been approached to “collaborate” with He’ll initially be recurring with hopes of being an email with “BRANDI” Gruber on the tawdry tale claims that this is the a series regular for season two—if, of course, in the subject line to only way Gruber can get “closure” in the wake of there is a season two. [email protected] his tumultuous two-year relationship with Klein. When Harry’s using his penis as a billiards cue, by Mon., Sept. 3 to be entered. While shopping it around, he’s telling potential it’s time for me to end yet another column. Per- SATURDAY publishers that lots of secrets about Klein and haps that’s why he lost. Since we’ve run long Winner will be selected at random from all his cronies will be revealed. On the record, he’s (unlike the prince), let me quickly remind you to SEPTEMBER 29 entries and will be notified via email. One only saying, “Yes, it’s true that I’m writing a check out www.BillyMasters.com, the site with entry per person, please. book.” I suspect he’s saying that for the benefit nothing to hide. If you’ve got a question you’d of people like me who are not at all convinced like me to tackle, send it along to Billy@Bil- that he’s ever READ a book. lyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you Our pals at Channel 1 Releasing (i.e., Chi Chi before Nick Gruber appears in Criminal Cocks 2! LaRue) have issued a compilation of vintage Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is an- gay-porn vids from the Catalina and All Worlds other man’s bible. ON SALE NOW 800-745-3000 | TICKETMASTER.COM | LIVENATION.COM

THECHICAGOTHEATRE.COM 26 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES Gay man turns cheering into a career By Ross Forman ing Japanese students with a Japanese cheer- have been involved in cheerleading, but I’m sure leading company. He did not know how to speak they don’t think about it much because, well, I Lee Trudell didn’t start cheerleading until he ar- Japanese at the time, and has not retained much don’t look like a stereotypical cheerleader. rived on campus at the University of Wisconsin- of what he learned. “But cheerleading has been a huge, positive Milwaukee about 20 years ago—but he’s been “It was amazing to experience so much of Ja- part of my life.” hooked ever since, touring the world to enter- pan. They didn’t understand [English] but they And yes, several times over the past couple tain fans and educate future cheerleaders. understood based on how we taught, the mo- years, Trudell has been approached at Sidetrack “It just looked like a fun thing to do in front tions, the facial expressions, etc. That crossed by students he once taught in cheer. of people—flip around and lead a crowd,” said the language barrier.” “I enjoy the fact that I’m not what someone Trudell, who was first intrigued by the sport as Trudell’s cheerleading career also has taken would envision as a cheerleader,” Trudell said, a senior in high school in his native Wisconsin. him five times to London, even to perform at smiling. “If I send someone an email [about “I just enjoyed the athleticism, the creativity. the city’s New Year’s Day parade. “Their reaction cheering], they usually think it is coming from There’s just an enthusiasm and spirit with cheer- to 1,200 cheerleaders coming down the street a woman who is petite and blonde, but I’m not. leaders that’s so positive.” in London was unbelievable,” he said. “Doing a I’m a guy who’s bearded, grey and gay—and I Trudell spent two years as a college cheer- partner stunt in front of Tower Bridge was an think that’s great for everyone to understand leader, and even was on the sidelines for a awesome experience. that everyone is different.” Wisconsin-Milwaukee basketball upset win over “To take the kids to London, to do something Trudell teaches at various studios in Chicago intra-state rival Wisconsin-Madison. that they may never do again, and expose them and hopes to have his own training center in Also while in college, Trudell met a cheerlead- to a different culture; that was neat.” the city within a few years. He can be reached er friend from a rival university. She worked for a He also has performed in front of the Eiffel at [email protected]. Lee Trudell. Photo by Ross Forman company that taught summer camps, so he audi- Tower in Paris. tioned and made the summer staff at the camp. “When I see cheerleaders on ESPN, it always That involved tours throughout the Midwest sparks something; that’s always nice,” said for cheerleading, and then across America, and Trudell, who has been active for years as a eventually worldwide, including a month teach- cheering judge and event organizer. Chicago teams struggle ing cheerleading in Japan. He now is a cheering consultant for various He also has traveled to London, Paris, Jamaica schools, working with their choreography, rules and elsewhere for cheerleading. and more. He mostly works with high schools during ASANA Series “I never expected [cheering] to turn into a across the Midwest, and by the fall, several Chi- By Ross Forman didn’t get the clutch hitting that, at times, career, which it has, nor to travel to the extent cago schools, including Evanston Township High we needed,” Roberts said. “We got knocked that I have [due to cheering], nor make the School. SAN DIEGO—It was the bottom of the sev- out of the tournament earlier than we wanted friendships that I have, or to affect lives the In June, Trudell started teaching recreation- enth inning, with the Chicago Raw Energy Ma- [to be,] but we’re OK with that, though not way I have.” al cheerleading classes in Wicker Park, where jors leading 8-4 in a must-win softball game happy. Trudell, 39, who lives in Chicago’s Lakeview young and old alike learn from a 20-year profes- here Aug. 24 in the annual Amateur Sports Al- “We’re already talking about the 2013 World neighborhood, has taught cheer for almost two sional cheerleader—even though he may break liance of North America (ASANA) World Series. Series in Portland.” decades—and some of his former students from the stereotype of what a cheerleader looks like. The Dallas Outkasts had runners on base in The Raw Energy Majors went 3-1 in round- his early years are now parents and coaches “Cheerleading definitely is still fun. I like this early morning C-Division game in the los- robin portion of the tournament, earning the themselves, and they bring their children to working with kids; I like teaching kids, help er’s bracket pool play. Chicago pitcher Mary- No. 5 seed, “which we were really excited Trudell for coaching. them have new experiences,” said Trudell, who ann Baran delivered a pitch, and with seem- about,” Roberts said. “Going to Japan [in mid-1999] and staying for also, for the past two years, has been a doorman ingly dramatic affect, the umpire paused, and The team; however, lost its first game in a month, after really never leaving the Midwest, at Sidetrack in Lakeview. “Some people [at Side- then called the Outkasts’ hitter out on strikes. pool play on Thursday, Aug. 23, falling 6-3 to that was amazing,” said Trudell, who was teach- track] know that I’m involved in cheerleading, It was the final out of the game, sealing the Deiderich’s Diamond Divas from Orlando. “We Chicago win. definitely were within reach in that game, but ADVERTISEMENT “Our team went nuts. It really was a special didn’t get the hits we needed,” Roberts said. When experience counts... moment that we’re still talking about [hours The other Chicago team in C-Division also In service to the community for over 30 years. after the win,]” said Courtney Roberts, the lost its first game in pool play, as the Dallas Chicago Raw Energy Majors coach. Aftershock defeated the Chicago Breeze. The Law Offices of The celebration ended shortly thereafter, The Breeze won one loser’s bracket game, though. The Raw Energy Majors lost their next and then was eliminated from the tournament Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss & Associates tournament game 4-0 to Portland GirlPlay, following a 17-8 setback to Los Angeles Re- thus ending their World Series run. ally Though. THE DANGERS OF SELLING YOUR HOUSE WITH NO MONEY DOWN “We had a good tournament. … We just In D-Division play, the Chicago Raw Energy Minors and the Chicago Thunder T’s each lost Q. My partner and I are selling our Lake Shore Drive condominium so we can retire in their first two pool play games, thus ending Florida. Our condo has been for sale for over a year but we can’t seem to find a buyer. their Series. A real estate investor who lives in our building agreed to pay our full asking price but “Typically, for whatever reason, the Chicago wanted us to finance 100% of the purchase price. The offer is tempting because we could teams don’t do very well in the ASANA World get our price and receive monthly payments, but we would get no money at closing. Is there Series,” said Roberts, 35, who has played in any risk to us? the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) women’s softball league for about 14 A. On the other side of every “no money down” transaction is the seller who accepts a piece years and five World Series. “We always play of paper for his or her property instead of cash. Typically, these sellers are older and own their in divisions that challenge us. Still, we always property free and clear. Even though the seller may be getting his or her asking price the question have fun.” is should the seller take this kind of financing? The answer is no. That was true on and off the field. Baran, There are many valid and creative strategies to help buyers finance the purchase of real estate. for instance, got engaged to her girlfriend, A seller financing part of the purchase price is a legitimate method to make real estate purchases Olga Prutnikov, while at the San Diego Zoo. affordable to buyers and can benefit both parties in a sale. Ironically, the only game of the Series that With the “no money down” method of real estate financing, instead of the seller receiving the Prutnikov missed was the Friday morning bulk of the sales price at the closing and financing 10 to 20 percent of the price, the seller finances game, highlighted by Baran’s strike out. “We the entire purchase price for a buyer who needs no money to close. An acceptable alternative re-enacted that strike out many times for would be to sell the condo on a land contract, receiving a 10 or 20 percent down payment while her,” Roberts said. “That [strike out] really financing the balance over 20 to 30 years with a five-year balloon was exciting.” My advice to the couple in the question is that they should not sell their home to someone Second baseman Megan Gibson was one of who does not have any money. Their buyer could be a big risk because he may lack the income the offensive stars for the Raw Energy Majors, and savings to buy the condo on conventional terms. The buyer could have bad credit, too many often connecting with hard-hitting singles. loans or have gone bankrupt. “She was really consistent and had some Whenever a seller agrees to give up property for a promise of future payments at less than the going rate, the value of the deal is reduced. The couple would be better off selling their condo clutch hits in the Series,” Roberts said. with different seller financing methods that offer real protection to the seller instead of only risk. Gibson earned Series MVP honors from her team. Outfielders Amber Unruh and Katie Rutter • Bankruptcy • Wills, Trusts & Probate led the Majors defensively. “Each normally • Real Estate Closings • Civil Unions plays shortstops, but stepped up big in the outfield,” Roberts said. 19 S. LaSalle, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60603 Batter at ASANA. Photo by Ross Forman 312-263-8800 [email protected] We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code. WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 29, 2012 27 CONNEXIONS MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS

Air Conditioning & Heating PeT 100% Gay Owned & Operated frIeNDLY serving chicago and suburbs Repair, Service & Installation All Makes & Models Same Rates for Day, Nights, TexT for a free quoTe Weekends & Holidays 773.230.8613 Low Prices for the Community faCeBooK: Mention WCT for 10% off labor & parts after the job is completed HuK CLeaNING CreW 847-529-0050 www.hukcleaningcrew.com www.AmericanBudgetMechanicalService.com [email protected]

Deborah A. Discounts as Dr. Edward J. Fajardo big as a house. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Accounting Murphy CPA Or condo. Tax Services Or apartment. 4633 N. Western Ave., Suite 203 Chicago, IL 60625 Financial Linda Kuczka, Agent See just how big your savings could be. (312) 623-0502 954 W Webster Your savings could add up to hundreds Consulting Chicago, IL 60614 of dollars when you put all your policies [email protected] 773-404-8401 Bus: 773-975-9111 together under our State Farm® roof. www.lindakuczka.com GET TO A BETTER STATE.™ CALL AN AGENT OR VISIT US Business ONLINE TODAY. Specializing in Planning 2155 W. Roscoe Gay-Affirmative Psychotherapy 1 South www.debmurphy.com State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, 1103155 11/11 State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL i

Ray J. Koenig III and Clark Hill PLC l Ray is a legal authority on all of his practice areas, which include probate, o trusts, guardianship, estate planning, and elder law, including the litigation of those areas. He is a longtime i 25% OFF advocate for and member of the LGBT community, and is involved in l Custom Framing several charitable groups, community associations, and professional o organizations. Ray is a member of Clark Hill PLC, a full-service law firm consisting of a diverse team of attorneys and professionals committed to our clients and our communities.

Tel: 312.985.5938 | Fax: 312.985.5985 [email protected] | clarkhill.com CUSTOM FRAMING Framing Chicago’s art since 1991 All work done on premise. ARIZONA ILLINOIS MICHIGAN WASHINGTON DC 1478 W. Berwyn - 773.784.3962 Mulryan MOM A Tribute to Mothers of LGBTs A book of photographs by Kat Fitzgerald & York (with additional photographers) and essays celebrating the special relationships of LGBTs and their mothers Attorneys At Law AVAILABLE NOW AT

4001 N. Wolcott BROUGHT TO YOU BY Chicago, IL 60613 5233 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 248-8887 (773) 769-9299 28 Aug. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES

NO PAYMENTS FOR 0% Financing 90 for 60 months^ DAYS^^ –OR– $1,000 Consumer Cash^

Lease a 2012 FIAT 500 for 38 $ PER SIGN AND DRIvE LEASE* * MPG MONTH Plus $0 due at signing for 42 months on a $16,000 FIAT Pop model Highway† 199 $0 Down Payment • $0 Security Deposit • $0 First Months Payment PRIDE 2012

Fields FIAT of Highland Park 250 Skokie Valley Road Highland Park, IL 60035 (847) 579-6900 / fieldsfiatofhighlandpark.com

Photos are for representative purposes only. Vehicles shown may differ from actual vehicles to be sold. Offers expire 8/31/12. Tax, title, license and documentation fee not included. All offers subject to credit approval. Please see dealer for details. ^Offers exclude Abrath model and cannot be combined together or used in conjunction with any other special offers or rebates. ^^With financing through Ally Financial. For terms up to 60 months.*Lease based on a 42 month term, 12,000 miles per year. †EPA estimated 30 CITY and 38 HWY MPG for 2012 FIAT 500. Actual mileage varies.