vol 31, no. 45 Aug. 3, 2016 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

Mindy Verson (right) and Olivia Newton-John. Photo courtesy of Verson GETTING PHYSICAL Chicago entrepreneur teams with Olivia Newton-John on fundraising walk, run By Gretchen Rachel Hammond a teenager in her hometown of Melbourne—Verson and her friends will participate in the 2016 Wellness Walk & Research In the title track of her 2006 album Grace and Gratitude, musi- Run. cian, cancer survivor and philanthropist Olivia Newton-John Verson’s company Verson Productions is a corporate sponsor sang “All I have and all I feel is all because of you. All I reap is of the fundraising event which includes a 5K walk, 5K run and all I sow and love is our living proof.” 10K run around the magnificent Bundoora campus of La Trobe It sums up the effect Newton-John has had on Chicago entre- University in Melbourne. preneur and philanthropist Mindy Verson. It is organized by and in support of the Olivia Newton-John On Sept. 11, 2016, Verson—who describes Newton-John as a Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (The ONJ Centre) which, childhood hero and a woman who “inspired my dreams”—will according to its website, is “dedicated to providing the very MAKING HERSTORY make the trip of a lifetime to Melbourne, Australia. best in medical care and treatment; combined with research Hillary Clinton is official Democratic presidential There, Verson will team with six individuals who not only programs for new treatments to help stop cancer from destroy- candidate. share a passionate love for Newton-John’s work but a motiva- ing the lives of so many people.” Washington Blade photo by Michael Key tion to “do something good in this world for others.” In the ‘70s and ’80s, Newton-John was a worldwide 14 Collectively calling themselves The Sol Seven—a tribute to the all-girl group The Sol Four, which Newton-John formed as Turn to page 16

GUAY & KOLDAN GOING FOR THE GOLD GORE VIDAL Lesbian couple are artists, shop owners. Record number of LGBTs set to compete in Olympics. Late author is subject of new book. Photo of Shirley Guay and Rosalie Koldan by Carrie Maxwell 8 Photo of Megan Rapinoe by David Durochik/Chicago Red Stars 22 25

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com 2 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES

Ride together Get a reliable ride in minutes with the Uber app

Sign up with the code WINDYCITYTIMES at Uber.com/app for a FREE ride.

First-time riders only. Up to $20. Expires 12/31/16. WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 3 WINDY CITY TIMES INDEX presents

NEWS Jerusalem Pride; column 4 download About Face director deals with fire 6 this issue Lesbian couple are artists, shop owners 8 and browse the archives at Out model/designer dies 9 DNC roundup 14 www.WindyCitytimes.com Chicago entrepreneur and Olivia Newton-John 16 VIEWS: Michelle Obama 18 ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Scottish Play Scott 19 Olympics and LGBTs 22

Wedding listings 24 vol 31, no. 45 Aug. 3, 2016 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Author talks about Gore Vidal 25

mindy Verson and Olivia newton-John. NIGHTSPOTS 26 Photo courtesy of Verson GETTING PHYSICAL OUTLINES Chicago entrepreneur teams Classifieds 28 with Olivia Newton-John

on fundraising walk, run Chicago Dancers United By GReTCHen RaCHeL HammOnD a teenager in her hometown of Melbourne—Verson and her friends will participate in the 2016 Wellness Walk & Research Calendar Q 30 In the title track of her 2006 album Grace and Gratitude, musi- Run. cian, cancer survivor and philanthropist Olivia Newton-John Verson’s company Verson Productions is a corporate sponsor sang “All I have and all I feel is all because of you. All I reap is of the fundraising event which includes a 5K walk, 5K run and all I sow and love is our living proof.” 10K run around the magnificent Bundoora campus of La Trobe It sums up the effect Newton-John has had on Chicago entre- University in Melbourne. preneur and philanthropist Mindy Verson. It is organized by and in support of the Olivia Newton-John On Sept. 11, 2016, Verson—who describes Newton-John as a Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (The ONJ Centre) which, childhood hero and a woman who “inspired my dreams”—will according to its website is “dedicated to providing the very MAKING HERSTORY make the trip of a lifetime to Melbourne, Australia. best in medical care and treatment; combined with research Hillary Clinton is official Democratic presidential There, Verson will team with six individuals who not only programs for new treatments to help stop cancer from destroy- candidate. share a passionate love for Newton-John’s work but a motiva- ing the lives of so many people.” Washington Blade photo by Michael Key tion to “do something good in this world for others.” In the 1970s and ’80s, Newton-John was a worldwide 14 Collectively calling themselves The Sol Seven—a tribute to the all-girl group The Sol Four which Newton-John formed as Turn to page 16

GUAY & KOLDAN GOING FOR THE GOLD GORE VIDAL Lesbian couple are artists, shop owners. Record number of LGBTs set to compete in Olympics. Late author is subject of new book. Photo of Shirley Guay and Rosalie Koldan by Carrie Maxwell 8 Photo of Megan Rapinoe by David Durochik/Chicago Red Stars 22 25

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com online exclusives at www.WindyCityTimes.com

MEX-IMUM EXPOSURE Windy City Times shows why so many people love going to Puerto Vallarta (left). Photo by Jerry Nunn

STORMIN’ ‘MORMON’

August 20, 2016 WORLD PREMIERES BY Randy Duncan 5pm Harrison McEldowney Hilton Chicago’s Grand Ballroom EMCEES Carisa Barreca and Tim Mason 7:30pm of The Second City FIVE BY FIVE Auditorium Theatre The upcoming film Suicide Squad and Daxton Bloomquist plays Elder McKinley of Roosevelt University BENEFICIARIES Home Run Inn are among Five Worth in Book of Mormon, which is wrapping up The Dancers’ Fund Finding. PERFORMANCES BY AIDS Foundation of Chicago its Chicago run soon. Giordano Dance Chicago PR photo Hubbard Street Dance Chicago $15 – $75 Performance Only

Joffrey Ballet Mattingly Dara Holmes & Tom Sandro | DANCER PHOTOGRAPHY Chicago Dance Crash $250 – $600 Includes admission BAR NONE Visceral Dance Chicago to the 5:00p.m. gala reception and premiere seating at the LEWIS AND SNARK performance SPONSORS Windy City Times reviews the theatrical production C.S. Lewis Onstage.

MEDIA PARTNERS THAT’S SHOW BIZ a&u Magazine | 4Dancers.org | Best Gay Chicago | ChicagoPride.com | GC Magazine Find out the latest about Justin Bieber, Star Trek and Troye Sivan. GRAB Magazine | Positively Aware Magazine | SDC Chicago SeeChicagoDance.com | Windy City Media Group Equality Illinois honored local law firms with its “Raising the Bar” event. plus Photo of Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson and ChicagoDancersUnited.org | 312-922-5812 Judge Staci M. Yandle by Gretchen Rachel Hammond DAILY BREAKING NEWS /DanceForLifeChicago @danceforlifechi /DanceForLifeChicago 4 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES GUEST COLUMN BY Michael A. Horvich Evolving as “Gay” I have grown up. Again. When I was was young. a young man, I would look at a new As a young man; Drag Queens, understanding regarding myself and Transsexuals, Transvestites, Leather life and say, “Wow, I was so naive. I Men, Butch and Lipstick Lesbians, and will never let that happen again.” Ends probably a few others groups were up, my life, which is now in its 71st embarrassing to me. I wanted gay men year, has been a series of “being naïve and women, including myself, to be agains.” Maybe that is not so bad as well-behaved, normal, invisible, etc. it shows I am continuing to grow and I thought that if only these extremely become. visible groups would calm down, gays My recent visit to San Francisco, Gay like me in general would be more easily Capital of the USA to attend the Frameline accepted into society or at least go un- 40 Film Festival where I experienced my noticed. This belief was pretty common, documentary ALZHEIMER’S: A Love Story I think, among many gay men of that screen in front of a warm, accepting time. For me this was based on little audience of 1,300 gay and gay-friendly if any knowledge of who these people Marchers at Jerusalem Pride. people—and having had the chance to were emotionally, physically, or belief Photo by Ronit Bezalel view over 25 films (shorts and longs) system wise. I had few if any friends dealing with gay issues, and meeting in these groups and knew little of who a wide variety of people from different they really were so I had no right to walks of life—has brought a new sense judge, but judge I did. Jerusalem hosts its to my homosexuality. After Stonewall, during what is I have been gay all my life. In looking known as the Gay Liberation Era, there back, the signs were there since my was a huge spit between gay men and earliest memories. I “came out” at the gay women, the women fighting to be largest Pride march, age of 18, meaning had my first sexual known as “lesbians” not “gay women.” experience, and began to understand At the time I thought this was foolish. why I was different than most other I understand this now and give the honors slain teen boys. I had known it for a long time but lesbian community credit for being didn’t understand why. among the first groups (including the by Ronit Bezalel Security was high as the police blocked traffic I probably did not fully accept with early suffragettes) to fight for equality and all marchers had to pass through a security confidence that I was gay until I was for women in general. The battle JERUSALEM— With 25,000 in attendance from check. More than 40 people were detained for 40 years old when I informed my continues. across Israel, the 15th Annual Jerusalem Pride attempting to harm the march, including two mother that I no longer was going Men, especially in those days, were March, which occurred July 21, 2016, was the who were found with knives. to lie to family and friends about my dominant; making most important city’s largest yet. The parade stood in stark Participants first assembled in Liberty Bell sexual preferences or my male lover. decisions; holding most important roles contrast to last year’s tragedy, when six people Park, where the chant of mourners reciting Everyone knew anyways but just weren’t in business, government, religion and were stabbed by Yishai Schlissel, an ultra-Or- the Kaddish for Shira Banki mingled with the acknowledging it out loud. making decisions about who and what thodox Jewish assailant. Shira Banki, 16, later thump of disco from the stage as police heli- During the first 50 years of my life, women could be. During gay liberation, died from her wounds. copters whirred overhead. Pre-march festivities the 1950s through the 2000s, society’s the lesbians said, “Hell no! We are in The march is organized each year by the Je- culminated when Jerusalemites Yochai Werman attitudes toward gay people, men and charge of ourselves and will make rusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance and Yotam Hacohen were married on a small women, were quite different then they decisions about ourselves ... men will (JOH). The organization serves the city’s di- stage. A wall of photojournalists shoved for are today. Life for gays was closeted not be in charge of us and we do not verse LGBTQ communities. Pride organizers prime spots as the couple exchanged vows and and characterized by the expression, want to be dumped into the group with worried that people might stay away because each husband broke a glass in the traditional “The love that dare not speak its name.” them known as gay.” of fear of another attack. In fact, Schlissel was Jewish wedding style. The couple kissed to Older role models did not exist. Most My next awareness was that seemingly accused of planning a new plot from prison to cheers and dancing from the crowd. gay activities and socialization was “outrageous” expressions of self by Drag harm the march. However, undeterred marchers The parade began an hour late due to the un- underground. Queens, Transgender People, Leather came out in droves, as this year’s parade was expected throng of attendees. People marched, Things today, while not perfect, are Men, and Butch Dykes turn out to be five times larger than last year’s. chanted, celebrated and danced, while flanked amazingly different with same-sex honest outward expressions of how “The march was better than we could have on both sides by armed guards. The route paid marriage legal at the national level (and these people see themselves, how they ever hoped for,” said organizer Noam Eyal. “Je- homage to the spot where Banki was stabbed. parts of the world); wider acceptance of want to live their lives, and part of their rusalem really needed this. It’s a message to The mood grew somber as crowds stopped to homosexuality by more people; greater fight for equal rights and protection any future attacker that if you try something place flowers at the site, adorned with a large visibility of gays in the political, under the law. They lives their lives like this, it will backfire.” photo of the fallen teenager. entertainment, and sports worlds; and and do no harm. I now understand and Eyal should know. He was one of the six The parade ended at Independence Day Park perhaps more understanding in religious accept that. people stabbed last year. “I was number two where there were a variety of performances and arenas. I now have a wider life range of stabbed. Shira Banki was number three. I didn’t speeches, including a speech from Shira Ban- This scenario brings me to the friends in my social groups. Slowly know her, we just happened to be standing ki’s father. He urged everyone to fight for a tol- discussion of some of the realizations I society is becoming educated about and next to each other,” Eyal said. erant society. “Don’t let hatred, ignorance and mentioned in the first paragraph. more accepting of these groups. Just “The events of last year’s march caught us prejudice sweep you away. Get up and stand for Most of my younger life I liked other because I am not part of these groups off-guard,” said Tom Canning, the development your right to live in a tolerant society.” younger men and found older gay men does not and should not mean that they director at the Jerusalem Open House. “We The parade featured a mixture of young and disgusting. Now I am an older gay man. are wrong, or bad ... or embarrassing. I thought the violence couldn’t happen, but it old, Orthodox and secular, LGBT folks and Age affects how beautiful a person’s have become more accepting of myself did.” Canning explained that while the LGBT straight allies. While there were individual Arab body might be, it does not affect the and of others in this area. community is accepted in the liberal neigh- marchers, noticeably absent were Arab organi- beauty of a person’s soul and their Some say we shouldn’t label or borhoods of Tel Aviv, discrimination and ho- zations, including the East Jerusalem-based al- continued sexual desires. While I look categorize at all, but I maintain that mophobia still exist throughout the Israel. Qaws, a non-profit supporting LGBTQ Palestin- pleasant enough, my physical beauty is in order to have some understanding in “What Israeli society realized is that maybe ians. Earlier this year, Palestinian queer groups gone, my sexual needs not as easily met our life this is what human beings do to we are not doing as good with LGTBQ rights as and other Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions as when I was in my 20s. I wish I had make sense out of the huge amount of we thought we were,” said Canning. Movement activists launched a Boycott Tel Aviv been a little more “generous” to the data available to us. So LGBTQ it is and The JOH spent the past year trying to heal a Pride campaign which asserted that Israel was older men who approached me when I God Bless us, one and all. traumatized community and to build bridges. using gay rights as a cover for its policies of “We’ve been working with rabbis and religious occupation, referred to as Pinkwashing. After a 30-year teaching career, Michael Horvath has been retired for 20 years institutions to create dialogue. At the end of Although there was no official boycott Jeru- but has been more than active as an educator, writer, poet, photographer, blog- the day we have the same mission to bring salem campaign, the lack of participation from people together and promote understanding,” Arab organizations was a clear reminder of the ger, artist, jeweler, book binder, lecturer, actor, supernumerary, museum cura- Canning explained. divisions that still exist. Yet, in a complicated tor, and dementia/Alzheimer’s caregiver partner for his life partner Gregory The efforts of the JOH paid off as busloads of city full of clashing politics, the LGBTQ com- Maire (RIP.) Visit www.horvich.com. attendees from across Israel arrived in Jerusa- munity sent a clear message that homophobia lem to march. and violence will not be tolerated. 6 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES apartment once. It was incredibly traumatic. I than $9,000 as of July 27. can’t get the image out of my head so I’m try- “With everything that’s going on in About Face director ing to fill it with a future.” the world, money seems so trivial and To that end, a GoFundMe was set up July 21 unimportant,”Hoefnagel said. “But it has been with the goal of raising $25,000 for Hoefnagel really incredible. People I haven’t talked to in a to “get back on her feet and cover the expenses long time, people I have never met are sending faces apartment of finding and moving into a new apartment.” well-wishes. It’s been really heartening. The The bulk of the money raised will “cover support that I have felt has made me feel like everything else—clothing, books, furniture, I can get to the other side of this.” fire’s aftermath food, dishes along with personal items.” To donate to Hoefnagel’s Go Fund Me, visit: The campaign had already gathered more https://www.gofundme.com/2fprz5w.

By Gretchen Rachel Hammond “I got a phone call from my friend and co- director Kieren Kredell and she said there was Federal judge rejects Lesbian senior files Ali Hoefnagel describes themselves (preferred a Facebook message that my apartment was on pronoun) as “really lucky” despite recent set- fire,” Hoefnagel said. archdiocese’s discrimination backs—including a fire that gutted their apart- The police called shortly afterward. motion to dismiss suit against ment. “The way they were talking about it was real- For the past three years, Hoefnagel has been ly scary,” Hoefnagel added. “They asked if I had Collette suit housing facility the education and outreach director for Chi- any pets in the building. I didn’t know what I By Matt Simonette By Matt Simonette cago’s About Face Theatre while retaining a was going to come home to. It was pretty bad.” teaching artist position with Steppenwolf The- The fire destroyed Hoefnagel’s entire apart- A federal judge, on July 29, rejected a mo- Lambda Legal, on July 27, announced that atre. ment. The floor was covered with the charred tion from the Chicago Archdiocese to dismiss it is filing a federal lawsuit in the U.S. Dis- discrimination charges filed this past March trict Court for the Northern District of Illi- by Colin Collette. nois against a Chicago-area senior housing Colette was dismissed from his position at facility for discriminating against a resident as music director at Holy Family parish in In- because of her sex and sexual orientation. verness in 2014, shortly after he announced Karen Loewy, senior attorney and seniors his engagement to his longtime partner, Wil- program strategist for Lambda Legal, made liam Nifong, via social media. The new ruling the announcement at the federal courthouse allows Collette to proceed with the charges. in downtown Chicago. “We have believed all along that Colin has an actionable claim and we are extremely pleased with the decision of the court to- day,” said Collette’s attorney, Kerry Lavelle, in a statement. “There remains a long road ahead but this validates our position that the suit merits review by the court.” Collette’s suit maintains that his dismissal for announcing his engagement violated federal, state and county laws. He asks for reinstatement, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, as well as damages for the alleged discrimination. Collette is claiming sex discrimination un- der Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Lambda Legal attorney Karen Loewy. sex, sexual and marital status discrimination Photo by Matt Simonette under the Illinois Human Rights Act, and sex, sexual and marital status discrimina- The case was filed on behalf of Marsha Wet- tion under the Cook County Human Rights zel, 68, a lesbian who moved into the Glen Ordinance. A key question in the suit may be St. Andrew Living Community in Niles in No- whether Collette’s role was classified as ei- vember 2014. Wetzel alleges that since early Ali Hoefnagel. ther staff or clergy at Holy Family; that clas- 2015, she has been subject to repeated ha- sification becomes a determinant for which rassment by other residents, including physi- Photo courtesy of Hoefnagel sets of discrimination rules applied to his cal assaults, for being a lesbian, as well as employment. He had been barred from em- retaliation after lodging complaints “We do a lot of different things at About debris of what used to the modest furniture, ployment at other Catholic churches as well. According to the complaint, Wetzel was Face,” Hoefnagel told Windy City Times. “We clothing and deeply personal keepsakes Hoef- The archdiocese, in November 2015, reject- called repeated homophobic slurs by other engage in incredible social-justice dialogue nagel owned. The walls around it were black- ed the possibility of mediation in the case. residents, and injured on two occasions, and create socially conscious, justice-driven ened by smoke. What had been a laboriously Collette has not spoken to media in recent once when the mobility scooter she uses was art based on what’s happening in [the partici- built first home was completely destroyed. months, but he told Windy City Times shortly knocked over, and the other time when she pants’] lives. We’re teaching storytelling and “I hadn’t even been there a year,” Hoefnagel after filing the federal suit, “My hope is that was hit over the head while retrieving her movement-building—focusing on how to place said. “A long-term relationship had ended just we can come to some sort of agreement to mail. our stories at the center of movements that before I moved in and I was looking to get a get me back in church work. That has been The suit asks for punitive and emotional we are a part of. It’s art for social change that fresh start in my life. Then I lost everything.” my hope all along.” distress damages from the facility and its of- takes a lot of different shapes.” No one else in Hoefnagel’s building was hurt ficials. According to Loewy, the suit is one of As well as co-directing a full production with and there was very little damage to the other the first claiming Title IX-based discrimina- the Youth Theatre Ensemble—which this year units. Navy to name ship tion on behalf of an LGBT senior. is the world premiere of Ad Hoc [Home] writ- Investigators determined the fire to have “This case is part of increasing recognition ten and performed by Youth Ensemble mem- started in the electrical outlet behind Hoefna- after Harvey Milk by both courts and agencies across the coun- A Congressional notification has indicated bers—Hoefnagel takes original queer theater gel’s bed. A search for the cause is still ongo- try that legal prohibitions of sex discrimina- that the U.S. Navy will name a ship after the to Chicago Public Schools (CPS), corporations, ing. tion apply to LGBT people, alongside explicit late openly gay San Francisco politician/gay- churches and community organizations. Without renters’ insurance, all Hoefnagel had protection against discrimination based on rights leader Harvey Milk. Hoefnagel is also immersed in after-school left were the clothes on their back and what- sexual orientation,” said Loewy. “This case is The notification, which Secretary of the programming at About Face similarly centered ever could be salvaged from the devastation, [also] among the first opportunities for the Navy Ray Mabus signed, indicated he intend- upon social-justice-based art. including a record player and records; a small, courts to address those issues in the context ed to name a planned Military Sealift Com- However, as often happens in life, Hoefna- stuffed penguin; and Hoefnagel’s bikes, which of senior housing. mand fleet oiler the USNS Harvey Milk. The gel’s luck recently changed with unexpected were “a little worse for wear but luckily intact.” “We know that these issues are going to ship would be the second of the John Lewis- speed—and in a monumental way. A huge fan of the rock band Sleater-Kinney, keep arising. The numbers of LGBT seniors class oilers (named after civil-rights leaders) On June 22, instead of accepting a well- Hoefnagel had been collecting memorabilia for accessing senior facilities is only going to being built by General Dynamics NASSCO in deserved 30 Under 30 honor from Windy City years. increase. Recent estimates suggest that, by San Diego, California. Times, Hoefnagel was in hospital getting their “Almost all of that was gone,” Hoefnagel 2030, there will be over three million LGBT Other names in the class include former gall bladder removed. said. “I grew up in a family where we didn’t senior adults in America,” she noted. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, “I’d been having some really unmanageable have very much but we had what we needed. Loewy also said that Lambda Legal wants women’s-rights activists Lucy Stone and Sou- pain under my ribs for the better part of a It took me all of my 30 years and a lot of re- to see the facility end the discrimination, journer Truth, and former Attorney General year,” they recalled. “It culminated in a trip to sources to believe I deserved a home and to dismantle the atmosphere of harassment and Robert F. Kennedy. the emergency room. I was told that the gall build one for myself. It’s devastating in a way institute staff trainings to address future In the 1970s, Milk became the first openly bladder was in really bad shape.” that I never imagined. People say ‘they are just problems. gay person to be elected to public office in On July 18, Hoefnagel was less than a month things’ but when you have spent so much time “This is a great opportunity for the courts California when he won a seat on the San into their recovery and back at work in final thinking about what home is and trying to cre- to send a message across the country,” she Francisco Board of Supervisors. tech rehearsals ahead of Ad Hoc [Home]’s ate that on your own, something like this is added. opening four days later. truly hard to accept. I only went back to the WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 7 THE GREAT LGBT SCIENCE FICTION TRILOGY OF OUR TIME

“If you’re looking for something incredibly well-written, a Sci-Fi romance epic that delivers on every front: action, love, perfect villains and triumph, this is the series you need to read. Even if you’re not a Sci-Fi fan (and I’m not), you will likely fall in love with “Alien Dangers”. I did.” - Allen @ Sinfully Gay Romance Reviews

Available as ebooks or in paperback at amazon.com and mlrpress.com and mlrbooks.com Available at Unabridged Bookstore, 3251 N. Broadway, Chicago 8 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES Lesbian couple find second lives as artists, shop owners By Carrie Maxwell tering. We went to a couple of other towns in the area and found the same thing. When this In 2006, Chicago couple Shirley Guay and Ro- building opened up, we thought, ‘Well, why not salie “Rosie” Koldan embarked on a new adven- Amboy?’ and the rest is history.” ture as shop owners in Amboy, Illinois—100 Guay and Koldan’s journey as a couple and miles west of Chicago. Their shop—Amboy Arts business co-owners began 23 years ago at a & Antiques—sells a hodge-podge of antiques, gathering at Guay’s house in Chicago. Koldan collectibles and works of art including Guay was on the Paris Dance Club softball team— and Koldan’s pieces. the Paris Animals—at the time. Her team was Ahead of their grand opening on Memo- invited to Guay’s house for a dinner party by rial Day weekend in May 2007, they did a soft one of Guay’s tenants in the apartment build- opening in Nov. 2006 for the town’s Christmas ing she owned. walk to take advantage of holiday sales and “They were a rough group and very hungry give people a taste of their store’s wares. from playing softball and ate everything in “We’d been coming out here to Woodhaven sight,” said Guay. “After it was over, Rosie was Shirley Guay (left) and Rosalie Koldan. Lake campsite,” said Guay. “Rosie was work- the only one from the team that came up to Photo by Carrie Maxwell ing for the Cook County Sheriff’s department me and thanked me for having them there. Her at the time. When Sept. 11th happened, her kindness and politeness stood out to me.” “I went to Harold Washington College for time—told her about a job at the Cook County job became extremely stressful. I was making They’ve been together for 22 years. When a year and a half, taking general-education Sheriff’s Office. plans to retire from teaching right around that Cook County approved domestic partnerships courses, but I didn’t graduate,” said Guay. “I “My nephew called me and told me that he same time, so we decided to look for a build- for same-sex couples, they were one of the left college to travel the country and lived in had an application for a sheriff’s job but found ing near the campsite where we could open up couples who took advantage of that option. Maine and Independence, California for three out he had to be 21, so he asked me if I want- a business and live above the store, which is “We’ve talked about having a wedding cer- years. I was a beatnik, hippie and got restless ed the application,” said Koldan. “That’s how I what we did. From 2001 to 2006, we rehabbed emony mostly when we’re having cocktails but so that’s why I moved away.” ended up as a sheriff. I stayed there 11 years the entire building and I shopped for stuff for then the next day we say, well maybe not,” When Guay returned in 1971, she went back but all the while I knew it wasn’t for me. I took our new store at estate sales and auctions. We said Koldan. “What we’re thinking is having a to Harold Washington College to take art class- it because I was out of work and wanted some- filled up our suburban Chicago basement and in wedding ceremony for our 25th anniversary.” es—50 in total. thing more stable than the hardware store.” 2006 we moved everything out here.” Prior to moving to Amboy, they lived to- “My painting teacher, Annalee Hultgren, was Koldan started doing her own 3-D assem- “When we were looking for a storefront, we gether for 11 years in Chicago and Forest Park, my mentor and the reason why I took so many blage art while working as a sheriff. would’ve preferred a larger town because we Illinois. art classes,” said Guay. “I was teaching arts “I make boxes along the lines of the late Jo- thought we’d get more business,” said Koldan. Guay was born in 1943 and grew up on the and crafts to kids and I felt like a fraud because seph Cornell,” said Koldan. “I make art out of “We scouted locations in the area, including West Side of Chicago before moving to Lom- if I was going to have the word art associated found objects. Sometimes they take on some- Mendota, which we thought would get com- bard, Illinois as a teenager. She moved back to with what I did for a living, I needed to really one’s personality or an environmental, politi- muters becauseUIC_LindaCliffordSummer2016_QuarterPg_v1.pdf the town has an Amtrak sta - 1 7/22/2016Chicago 12:02:09 after PM her high school graduation and know something about it. I was determined to cal or social issue, or someone I admire. I’ll be tion; however, the businesses there were fal- stayed for seven years. learn the techniques behind art and that’s why launching my own website soon and my work I took those art courses and studied with An- will be featured at the Freeport Art Museum nalee.” in 2017.” Other than Hultgren, Guay counts her mom as Koldan’s art has also been displayed at a va- her biggest influence when it comes to art and riety of locations since 1997. She received an more specifically painting, which she’s loved honorable mention at the Geneseo Art League’s for as long as she can remember. In order to 37th annual Maple City Fine Arts Exhibit for LIVE learn more about art, Guay took lecture classes her mixed media work honoring John James in CONCERT when she was 11-years-old at the Art Institute. Audubon. Guay taught children’s art for over 30 years, “I had the elements at hand and got energy spending the majority of those years at North from that material,” said Koldan. “That’s how Avenue Day Nursery in Chicago, where she also the Audobon box came to fruition. Unlike in YOU KNOW THE HITS... served as the school’s director. She retired in the city, we’ve received a number of awards 2006 when they moved to Amboy. since moving out here. We’re pretty well re- “IF MY FRIENDS COULD SEE ME NOW” Currently, Guay’s art is on display at Art on ceived and it’s nice to know that people are “RED LIGHT” Armitage in Chicago and she’ll have a show recognizing us and appreciating our efforts.” at Woodlawn Arts Academy Nov. 2016 to Feb. Since 2008, Koldan has received six other “BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER” 2017. Her work has also been exhibited at a awards for her artwork. “RUNAWAY LOVE” variety of other locations since 2001. In terms of how they see today’s world, the C Guay has won more than 20 awards since thing they marvel at the most is how open the

M FRIDAY, AUGUST 26TH 2007—most recently the Jean Sieben Memorial younger generations are in terms of expressing Award for her painting “Universal Dance” at the themselves publicly. Y Geneseo Art League’s 37th annual Maple City “I still don’t overtly show my affection to-

CM Fine Arts Exhibit. ward Rosie in public,” said Guay. “I had an “It was a real pleasure to get the award be- operation recently that requires me to carry a MY 80s DISCO LEGEND cause it turned out the table they sat us at cane and it’s great because I’m able to have CY included the three other awardees and the peo- Rosie on my other arm. People look at us and

CMY ple who sponsored my award, including state think the old lady needs help. They don’t see a Senator Todd Sieben,” said Guay. “We had no lesbian couple.” K idea they sat all of us together. It was a lot of “Shirley probably doesn’t even need the fun and I enjoyed talking to them about my cane but she uses it anyway,” said Koldan. “Al- artwork.” though we have a 17 year age difference; both Although art has been a through-line in Shirley and I have experienced ageism, racism Guay’s life, Koldan’s journey as a self-taught and homophobia at various times throughout artist has been circuitous. Koldan was born in our relationship.” Chicago in 1959 and lived in the Wicker Park/ As for what they do for fun, Guay played 7pm • Concert + Meet & Greet with Linda | $50 Bucktown neighborhood until she finished high the guitar and loves listening to music while school. Koldan loves cooking and eating. sponsors 8pm • Concert only | $35 “I moved to Pittsburgh to attend college “I used to dance with a gentleman named Beer and Wine Only $5 but I ended up coming back to Chicago,” said Kim On Wong,” said Guay. Koldan. “I missed my family and friends here.” “I live vicariously through Shirley’s rich life,” TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT Koldan took a job at Ace Hardware when she said Koldan. “Even when we vacation we’re moved back to Chicago and stayed there for shopping for antiques for the store.” 12 years. She was in management and liked See http://www.shirleyguay.com/ and VISIT UNITYCHICAGO.ORG FOR ALL DETAILS running the various departments there. Koldan http://koldan-guay.blogspot.com/ for more 1925 WEST THOME AVE | CHICAGO, IL 60660 | 773.973.0007 got laid off due to downsizing and was looking information. for work when her nephew—who was 18 at the

$50 for Concert + Meet & Greet with Linda • 7pm $35 for Concert only • 8pm WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 9 nephews. tures over 20 plus years in Chicago, Miami, New He was preceded in death by his father. York, Montreal and more-all of them filled with Out model/designer “Mel and I appreciated our differences and joy. His heart of gold, unmistakable humor, enjoyed our similarities,” said longtime friend incomparable talents in furniture making and Kip Helverson. “If he was Ferris Bueller, I guess fine art will forever live on. So many memories that makes me Cameron .... ugh!” filled with awe and gratitude for the times we Mel Platzke dies “For the very first Halloween parade in Boys- shared.” town in 1997, Mel and I decided we wanted to “Mel always did so much for everyone and By Carrie Maxwell walk the route before we had to bartend to- never wanted anything in return except for gether at Roscoe’s,” said longtime friend Mat- people to be happy,” said another longtime Melvin “Mel” Platzke III, 48, died July 29 and, thew Harvat, aka Circuit Mom. “Mel decided we friend, Emily Santos. “He made me laugh hard- at the time of this publication, the cause of needed to be in drag, so we bought matching er, dance more and love life just by being my death is unknown. pleather French maid costumes and strutted friend and occasional partner in crime.” Windy City Times was made aware of his our stuff. It was very liberating and from that Memorial services will take place in Chicago, death via a Facebook posting. moment on, I knew this handsome man would Miami and New York City. Further information Platzke, who most recently split his time be an amazing friend for life. Countless adven- about these services TBA. between Chicago and Miami, was a part of a class-action lawsuit filed against some of the top modeling agencies in the United States it viewed as precedent, it did make clear this past June. Their claim states that these Court: Title VII does not however that there is no coherent basis for agencies fleeced their clients by deducting cover orientation bias excluding sexual orientation from other types bogus expenses as well as classifying them as A three-judge federal appeals court panel of sex discrimination claims. independent contractors to circumvent labor has upheld the dismissal of lesbian Kimberly In a separate press release, National Center laws. Hively’s lawsuit against Ivy Tech Community for Lesbian Rights Legal Director Shannon Platzke was born March 10, 1968, in Oak Har- College of Indiana because federal law does Minter said, “The Seventh Circuit’s decision bor, Ohio, and spent his childhood there be- not protect people who claim workplace dis- yesterday is baffling, since the court recog- fore moving to Chicago to attend the School crimination because of sexual orientation. nizes there is no principled way to carve out of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where Even though the panel criticized Title VII sexual orientation claims from other types of he received a bachelor’s degree in residential of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for not includ- sex discrimination claims—and that doing so Mel Platzke. planning and design. While at SAIC, Platzke ing sexual orientation under workplace pro- leads to unfair and irrational results. Facebook photo also studied performing arts and theater pro- tections, the judges of the 7th U.S. Court of “It makes no sense to recognize that prior duction. Appeals upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a precedents are wrong and yet to refuse to One of the motivating factors that drove and created coffee tables, side tables and other complaint filed by Hively, a former part-time reconsider them. Such a ruling damages the Platzke to residential planning and design as furniture as well as original artwork which was Ivy Tech instructor who said the college did credibility of courts and diminishes respect his major was his early years spent learning featured on the TV shows Million Dollar List- not hire her full-time because she’s a lesbian. for the law. “ construction and home repair from his dad. He ing and Flip This House. Platzke’s work is also “We are deeply disappointed in the 7th Ivy Tech Community College has 32 de- gree-granting locations and serves more began reimaging problem spaces in homes with displayed at Wood restaurant in Chicago. His Circuit Court’s decision failing to join the than 170,000 students a year. It has grown an eye for affordability and making a big im- commercial work has been installed in Chicago; growing consensus that existing civil rights to become the largest public postsecondary pact. Miami; Raleigh, North Carolina; and New York law must reasonably be interpreted to in- institution in Indiana—and the largest sin- He spent 17 years working as a fashion model City, and his outdoor lounge furniture is also in clude non-discrimination protections based gly accredited statewide community-college for well-known designers and photographers in residential dwellings in Chicago and Miami. on sexual orientation,” said HRC Legal Direc- system in the entire country. Europe, Africa and the Americas. In addition Platzke is survived by his dog, Pepper; his tor Sarah Warbelow in a statement. “While to his modeling career, Platzke also designed mother; two sisters; and his loving nieces and the court made its decision based on what

 NGLCC INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

CALIFORNIA AUGUST  

www.nglcc.org/nglcc16 WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 13

AD REMOVED FROM ONLINE VERSION OF THE PAPER BY REQUEST OF THE CLIENT

ence of cannabis (marijuana) and strengthens “These leaders are showing the nation what penalties for the dangerous production process it means to stand up for all students, ensuring Gay politicians talk of butane extracts. that our transgender youth are affirmed and re- HB 4360 amends the School Code—which spected in one of the places they should feel Cassidy filed with the clerk and has state Sen. most safe—their schools,” said Sarah Warbe- Patricia Van Pelt as the Senate’s chief spon- low, Human Rights Campaign legal director, in LGBT representation sor—and eliminates the lifetime bar on em- a statement. “No student should have to live ployment and reduces time frames of prohib- in fear of being who they are, and we thank By Matt Simonette Takano added, “Representative democracy is ited hiring for various non-violent offenses for the tireless advocates working to guarantee a about people from different walks of life com- those seeking work in schools. future full of opportunity for all young people.” The 2016 elections will be “unprecedented” in ing together, and it’s very important to have the number of openly LGBT candidates running LGBT members be part of that conversation.” for office, especially in Congressional elections, New research from the Victory Fund bears Madigan, others sign Land of Lincoln ACA according to Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. that idea out: A new report from the organiza- Victory Fund President/CEO Aisha Moodie- tion says that 70 percent of elected officials brief on trans rights insurance plans to end Mills, on July 26, moderated a discussion with polled said that their votes on LGB issues were By Matt Simonette By Matt Simonette openly gay U.S. Reps. Sean Patrick Maloney (D- influenced by LGB colleagues. New York) and Mark Takano (D-California), as Maloney spoke briefly on the progress of the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, on The Land of Lincoln insurance co-op will no Equality Act, legislation that would enlarge July 28, joined with the attorneys general of longer be offering plans through the Federal protections extended to racial minorities to 12 other states, to issue a brief in support of Health Insurance Marketplace. LGBT Americans. He said supporters of the leg- Obama administration policies that protect Coverage ends for policyholders Oct. 1 but islation were confident they had the votes to transgender individuals, among them transgen- they will have special enrollment periods avail- pass but were continually hamstrung by the in- der students. able to them in order to ensure at least a mini- ability to get a vote to take place. California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, mal gap in coverage. Enrolled individuals who “Now we have the votes, so now we need to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, switch plans between Aug. 2-Sept. 30 should have the vote [take place],” he said. “…If we New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and see no gap, according to the company. can just clear away the weak elements in the Washington, DC attorney general also signed The organization, one of many such co-ops process, we’ll win.” the amicus brief, which was filed in U.S. Dis- to form in the wake of the Affordable Care Act Takano added, “There are a number of Repub- trict Court in the Northern District of Texas. (ACA), was placed into rehabilitation pursuant licans who are looking for an exit-strategy from The brief was a response to legal challenges to Article XIII of the Illinois Insurance Code in intolerance.” from two groups of states on the Obama ad- July. Parker noted that much work remained to be ministration’s application of federal anti-dis- “We have already had a few people call us or done on mobilizing on behalf of the trans com- crimination guidelines to transgender people. talk to their providers, concerned about this,” munity. While many Americans now know an “While Plaintiffs’ claimed harms are hypo- said Eric Roldan, communications manager at openly gay, lesbian or bisexual person, many thetical, the discrimination suffered by trans- Howard Brown Health. gender individuals is all too real,” the brief Land of Lincoln policyholders who make the Victory Fund President/CEO Aisha Moodie- don’t know a trans individual. Consequently, stated. “Such discrimination harms transgen- switch by Sept. 30 will see new coverage begin Mills. many people have a more difficult time per- der individuals at work, at school, and in pub- Oct. 1. Those who switch between Oct. 1-Nov. Photo by Matt Simonette ceiving the stakes in trans-related issues. “We understand what we need to do, which is lic, causing tangible economic, emotional, and 29 will have new coverage beginning on the well as former Houston Mayor Annise Parker. let our transgender brothers and sisters speak health consequences. To prevent such harms, first day of the following month. Policyholders There are currently more than 470 openly for themselves. Let them become visible and many States protect transgender people from waiting until after Nov. 29 will likely have to LGBT elected officials serving nationwide, claim their space, and we have to keep shoot- discrimination. wait until Jan. 1, 2017, for coverage to begin. Moodie-Mills said, adding, “LGBT people are ing down the myths,” Parker said. “The States that file this brief … do so be- The official ACA enrollment period will by that currently under-represented in serving office, cause our shared experience demonstrates that time be in effect, but the new coverage won’t but we are making progress, and we have a re- protecting transgender individuals from dis- start until the new calendar year. cord number of LGBT people running for office. Rauner signs crimination benefits all members of the public. Land of Lincoln, in late July, sued the federal Victory [Fund] has endorsed 152 candidates And contrary to Plaintiffs’ claims, our shared government, saying that it was owed payments across the nation, many of them running for marijuana-related experience demonstrates that protecting the for “risk-corridor” patients, individuals who statewide or other high-level positions. There’s civil rights of our transgender friends, rela- were considered uninsurable before the ACA. criminal-justice bills The company lost over $90 million in 2015, also a record number of openly LGBT people On July 29, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed tives, classmates, and colleagues creates no according to Chicago Tribune. Of 23 insurance running for Congress, a total of 17.” criminal-justice reform measures SB 2228 and public safety threat and imposes no meaning- co-ops launched under the ACA, only 11 are The three politicians spoke to the importance HB 4360. ful financial burden.” still operating. of having an LGBT presence in various elected SB 2228—which state Sen. Heather Steans “Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is Land of Lincoln policyholders must shoulder bodies. Parker noted that it’s difficult for legis- initially filed and had state Rep. Kelly Cas- standing firm for the equal rights of transgen- an additional burden besides changing their lators and other politicians to proactively put sidy as the chief House sponsor—amends the der Illinoisans, especially students. In signing this bold brief in support of the Obama Ad- insurance: Having a new plan means that de- forward anti-LGBT laws when they know that Cannabis Control Act by providing a statewide ministration’s trans-inclusive policies, Attor- ductibles are reset; money they’ve paid towards a colleague who is part of that community is standard for cannabis possession, with a maxi- ney General Madigan’s position is rooted in the Land of Lincoln deductibles in 2016 won’t be sitting in the same room with them. mum $200 fine for possession of 10 grams or best traditions of the Land of Lincoln,” said credited to their new policies, according to the “When we’re in the room, we can speak up less and automatic expungement upon fine Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, in a company. and speak out,” she said. “We’re part of the payment. The bill also implements scientifically statement. Information is at http://bit.ly/2aUqGgy. conversation.” proven standards for driving under the influ- 14 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks at the Democratic National Convention on July 28. Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

DEMOCRATIC NAT’L CONVENTION ing a consensus to pass gun safety legislation, Kimberly Saylor, a lesbian delegate from In- expanding the Affordable Care Act and Social diana pledged to Sanders who turned 40 years Security and alleviating student debt. old on the day of speech, said Clinton hit the “In America, if you can dream it, you should right notes. Clinton seeks broad be able to build it,” Clinton said. “We’re going “I appreciated the fact that she and President to help you balance family and work. And you Obama acknowledged all the hard work we have know what, if fighting for affordable child care done, and I appreciated the fact that she said coalition in and paid family leave is playing the ‘woman that our issues are now her issues,” Saylor said card,’ then deal me in.” Despite her support for Sanders in the pri- Clinton also laid into Trump directly for seek- mary, Saylor said she plans to vote for Clinton ing to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border in the general election and “would never, ever acceptance speech as well as derogatory comments he expressed vote for Trump.” against Latinos, immigrants, Muslims and just Introducing Clinton on stage was her daugh- By Chris Johnson, Washington Blade overturning the U.S. Supreme Court decision about every minority group. ter, Chelsea Clinton who talked about raising of Citizens United. For national security hawks, “It was just too hard to fathom — that some- her two children Mark and Aiden and the candi- PHILADELPHIA - On the final night of the Clinton laid out her strategy for defeating the one who wants to lead our nation could say date as a mother and grandmother. Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clin- Islamic State, declaring, “Make no mistake — those things, could be like that,” Clinton said. “My earliest memory is my mom picking me ton in her acceptance speech for Democratic we will prevail.” For disaffected Americans “But here’s the sad truth: There is no other up after I had fallen down, giving me a big presidential nomination late Thursday sought a allured by Trump, Clinton acknowledged “an Donald Trump. This is it. And in the end, it hug, and reading me ‘Goodnight Moon,’” Chel- broad coalition to take on Donald Trump. awful lot of people feel there is less and less comes down to what Donald Trump doesn’t sea Clinton said. “From that moment to this “We have to heal the divides in our country,” respect for the work they do, and less respect get, that America is great because America is one — every single memory I have of my mom Clinton said. “Not just on guns, but on race, for them, period.” good.” is that regardless of what was happening in her immigration and more. That starts with listen- “So I want to tell you tonight how we will Clinton landed a well-received hit on Trump life, she was always there for me.” ing to each other, hearing each other, trying, empower Americans to live better lives,” Clin- when she said, “Imagine him in the Oval Office Elizabeth Birch, a lesbian Clinton supporter as best we can, to walk in each other’s shoes.” ton said. “My primary mission as president will facing a real crisis. A man you can bait with a in attendance for the speech and former head The speech marked the first time a woman be to create more opportunity and more good tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear of the Human Rights Campaign, said Clinton’s took the stage at a major U.S. party conven- jobs with rising wages right here in the United weapons.” speech was “deep and detailed” in contrast to tion to accept a presidential nomination, States, from my first day in office to my last, Sarah McBride, a transgender advocate and Trump’s proposals. which Clinton recognized during her remarks as especially in places that for too long have been spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, “She covered every part of her vision from a “milestone.” left out and left behind.” hailed Clinton for the speech, which took place local and community action, and what we have “Standing here as my mother’s daughter, and At one point during her speech in which she hours after McBride’s own address before the to do door-to-door-to-door up to the state lev- my daughter’s mother, I’m so happy this day has listed various groups she would protect, Clin- Democratic National Convention, and similarly el, federal and global,” Birch said. “And I think come,” Clinton said. “Happy for grandmothers ton also briefly enumerated her support for the criticized Trump. the primary point she made is that she will and little girls and everyone in between. Happy LGBT community. “I think it was a comprehensive, inclusive vi- sweat the details and always has. Diplomacy is for boys and men, too — because when any “We will defend all our rights — civil rights, sion for this country,” McBride said. “I think it not about sarcasm, or about empty words, or barrier falls in America, for anyone, it clears human rights and voting rights, women’s rights stood in contrast to Donald Trump’s messages rash words. She thinks hard and is enormously the way for everyone. When there are no ceil- and workers’ rights, LGBT rights and the rights of negativity, division and discrimination. As intelligent, and I think she brought that to the ings, the sky’s the limit.” of people with disabilities,” Clinton said. “And she said, she offered plans for move our coun- speech.” Calling for a unified America, Clinton deliv- we will stand up against mean and divisive try forward while Donald Trump just talked Rallying attendees toward the end of her ered a speech characterized by outreach to just rhetoric wherever it comes from.” about all the problems he sees and offered ab- speech, Clinton invoked the hit musical “Ham- about every segment of society. Anthony Woods, a gay Bowie, Md.-area del- solutely no path forward for our country.” ilton,” which has a song that includes the line “In this campaign, I’ve met so many people egate pledged to Clinton and former service McBride predicted during the general election “we may not live to see the glory, let us gladly who motivate me to keep fighting for change,” member discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t in November voters will choose “an optimistic, join the fight,” as well as the memory of the Clinton said. “And, with your help, I will carry Tell,” said the candidate’s speech was “really, forward-thinking vision, not a message of hate Founders in 1776 signing the Declaration of all of your voices and stories with me to the really inspiring.” and fear.” Independence just miles from the convention White House. I will be a president for Demo- “I’m just incredibly excited about an overly Those attending Clinton’s speech within the site. crats, Republicans, and Independents, for the qualified person who can do this and really Walls Fargo Arena carried tall, narrow signs in- “They were drawn together by love of coun- struggling, the striving and the successful, for excited about the fact that we’ve got a wom- scribed with “Hillary” and several waived large try, and the selfless passion to build something those who vote for me and those who don’t.” an who can inspire women around the world American flags to express support for the can- better for all who follow,” Clinton said. “That For supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I- in this country to dream incredible things,” didate. On the other hand, numerous times dur- is the story of America. And we begin a new Vt.), Clinton said “our economy isn’t working Woods said. ing the address protesters in the arena sought chapter tonight. Yes, the world is watching the way it should because our democracy isn’t In terms of policy, Clinton proposed build- to interrupt her, but they were drowned out by what we do. Yes, America’s destiny is ours to working the way it should,” and called for ing a path to citizenship for undocumented overwhelming chants of “Hil-lar-y! Hil-lar-y!” choose. So let’s be stronger together.” immigrants, raising the minimum wage, reach-

More DNC coverage online at www.windycitytimes.com. WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 15 2016 Democratic National Convention Washington Blade photos by Michael Key

President Barack Obama. Senators Elizabeth Warren (left) and Tammy Baldwin, the senate’s first open lesbian.

Sarah McBride made history as the first open transgender speaker for a major party political convention. She’s HRC president Chad Griffin. pictured here with gay Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney.

Ghazala and Khizr Khan, parents of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq in 2004, Army Captain Humayun Khan, speaking at the DNC July 28. Their emotional convention speech about being Muslim immigrants who lost a child in military service resonated with millions of people, and was attacked by Donald Trump. Screenshot from CSPAN

The Illinois delegation included state Rep. Barbara Flynn Senator Tim Kaine. Currie.

DEMOCRATIC NAT’L CONVENTION Transgender DNC delegates hold first- ever caucus meeting By Michael K. Lavers, Washington Blade LGBT delegates or alternates to this year’s Democratic National Convention. They met PHILADELPHIA — The first-ever formal meet- hours before Human Rights Campaign National ing of transgender delegates to the Democratic Press Secretary Sarah McBride became the first National Convention took place on July 28 in openly trans person to speak at a major party Philadelphia. convention. Many of the 28 openly trans delegates to the Rev. Merrick Moise of Baltimore, who is a convention attended the Transgender Caucus pledged Hillary Clinton delegate, told the meeting that Mara Keisling, a long-time trans Blade after the meeting that he is “honored” activist who sits on the Democratic National and “blessed” to attend the Democratic Na- Committee’s platform committee, convened at tional Convention. Trans caucus delegates. the Pennsylvania Convention Center. “This is a very profound moment in our his- Photo by Robyn Tyler “I am so blown away by this delegation,” said tory, in our community in general,” he said. Keisling. “I’m talking to people about our challenges Unity Fund held in Cleveland during the Repub- Pennsylvania Physician General Rachel Levine and our successes in Baltimore,” added Moise. lican National Convention. The Olympian who and Misty Snow, who is running against U.S. “I’m here on a mission for our community.” came out as trans in April 2015 has also spoken Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in November, both at- Anita Green, a Bernie Sanders supporter from in support of Republican presidential nominee tended the meeting. Gay U.S. Rep. Mark Takano Missoula, Mont., is one of 21 pledged delegates Donald Trump. (D-Calif.) spoke to the delegates before the from Montana. “He seems very much behind the LGBT com- Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus She told the Blade after the Transgender Cau- munity because of what happened in North meeting began. cus meeting that she is “so honored to be here Carolina with the bathroom issue,” Jenner re- “I’m almost speechless … at the turnout,” on behalf of Montana” because it shows that cently told STAT, a medical publication in Colo- said Barbra Casbar Siperstein, a trans activist her state is “incredibly progressive.” Green also rado. from New Jersey who is a member of the Demo- described the Democratic Party’s platform as Both Levine and Green described Trump as a cratic National Committee’s Executive Commit- “great.” “demagogue.” tee. “It’s such a sea change.” Caitlyn Jenner on July 20 criticized North “He is the three-card Monty guy from 42nd The delegates who attended the Transgen- Carolina’s House Bill 2 and other anti-trans and Eighth Avenue,” Moise told the Blade, Rachel Levine. der Caucus meeting are among the 515 openly laws as she spoke at an event the American noting he grew up in New York. “He can’t be trusted.” Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers 16 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES PHYSICAL from cover At a young age, Verson’s dreams were wholly way backstage almost every time. eBay auction where I sold some autographed inspired by Newton-John’s work. Ewbank recalled the early concerts when New- merchandise for her. We made about $8,000 do- “I was a latchkey child,” Verson told Windy ton-John was “so wracked with nerves she felt ing that.” phenomenon. She landed a starring role as City Times, “and latchkey kids look up to our physically ill.” Verson is the only person from the United Sandy in the 1978 film Grease only five years favorite musicians or actors. [Newton-John] was “Today in concert,” he added, “she sings with- States on The Sol Seven team, some of whom after winning a Grammy Award for her debut that for me from the age of 10. She became a out fear the songs she loves, the songs she she met on social media, some at Newton-John’s album Let Me Be There. The massive success moral compass and I emulated her behavior. She wants to sing and for the sheer joy of the musi- concerts. of Grease was followed by a double-platinum didn’t do drugs so I didn’t do them. I kept to cal gift she has been given.” It will be Verson’s first trip to Australia but her album Physical. myself and never got in trouble.” As a teen, Verson hoped it was a gift they had excitement at being able to take a walk around “Her records sold millions,” author Tim Ew- At age 5, Newton-John moved from her birth- in common. the Boondura campus with her childhood hero bank writes in a biography Olivia, “her concerts place of Cambridge, England to Australia. At the “I was terrible,” she admitted with a laugh. or even seeing the Ku-ring-gai Chase National were sell-outs and, at her peak, she was receiv- same age, Verson was nurturing a love of Aus- “At some point in life, you are either good Park near Sydney where Skippy the Bush Kanga- ing 2,000 fan letters a week.” tralia that began with multiple viewings of the enough as a musician or you’re not. I realized I roo was filmed pales compared to something far But, in 1992, Newton-John’s fortunes changed 1967 television series Skippy the Bush Kanga- wasn’t. So I had to figure out a way to still be more significant. so dramatically that they threatened to both roo. in the business I loved, but not be a musician. To support Mindy Verson and The Sol Seven in collapse her world and end her life. In August of “It was my favorite show,” Verson said. “I still After high school I got jobs at record stores. I The ONJ Centre Wellness Walk & Research Run, that year, Newton-John wrote “Why Me?” which win money from Aussies in bars who don’t be- started managing them and then I started man- visit wwrr16.everydayhero.com/au/mindy. would be eventually be featured on her album lieve I can sing the theme song.” aging and booking bands in Chicago. I called Gaia: One Woman’s Journey. Verson will also never forget the first time she Foote Kirkpatrick who I had once worked with She had been diagnosed with breast cancer saw Newton-John in concert. at an audio studio called Universal and asked within days of her father Brinley succumbing to She was playing during a rodeo at the now- her for a job. She said, ‘Verson, you’re hired.’ She Chelsea Manning the disease, which ravaged his liver. demolished International Amphitheatre in Chi- was quite a mentor and we stayed friends until Newton-John had to mourn him while en- faces new charges cago’s Canaryville neighborhood. the day she died.” gaged in her own mental and physical struggle Imprisoned transgender whistleblower Verson was 13. Staying out of trouble be Verson would eventually leverage her knowl- as she endured chemotherapy, a partial mastec- Chelsea Manning received a document from damned—simply remaining an audience mem- edge of the recording industry to found two tomy and breast reconstruction. Army officials informing her that she is be- ber was just not enough. businesses. Verson Productions offers artist and The night after her surgery, Newton-John ing investigated for serious new charges “My best buddy and I snuck backstage,” Verson social media branding. Stir Post provides audio penned the lyrics to “Why Me?” related to her July 5 attempt to take her said with a laugh. “When we met [Newton-John] post-production for commercial, film and web “Life does the strangest things. You never own life, according to a press release. we said ‘hello’ and just stood there shaking. I content. It has garnered multiple awards. know what each moment can bring. You turn If convicted of these “administrative of- was utterly speechless and, if you’d known me “The more successful I became, the more I around, your life has changed. You’ve got to fenses,” she could be placed in indefinite back then, you would know that was a pretty thought of paying it back,” Verson said. “I don’t fight each round. Yes take it on the chin. No solitary confinement for the remainder of rare thing. She was polite and she was pleasant have children. So in 2003, I adopted [The ONJ don’t you ever give in.” her sentence. and maybe said two sentences but it was magi- Centre] as a surrogate baby. I wanted to give Such a resolve to survive, the lessons Newton- These new charges, which Army employ- cal. It was a moment in time that was pivotal. back to someone who had given so much to me John learned through a personally created heal- ees verbally informed Manning were relat- It changed my life.” in ways that she knew and didn’t know about.” ing regimen and her determination to, as she ed to the July 5 incident, include “resist- Years later, Verson was able to tell Newton- Verson asserted that one of the things the ONJ put it, “help others going through the same ing the force cell move team,” “prohibited John why. Centre did not know about was the extent of the journey” ultimately led to the founding of the property” and “conduct which threatens.” “If she had been mean to me, my life might organization’s global reach. Those, like her, who ONJ Centre. If convicted, Manning could face punish- have taken a different path,” Verson explained. wanted to donate from the United States hit a “I believe that, through our research, we will ment including indefinite solitary con- “Famous people meet [their fans] all the time road-block on the website. ultimately find cures for all types of cancer,” finement, reclassification into maximum so they can forget who they are. But the person “You could not donate from outside of Austra- Newton-John wrote. “My dream is that one day security and an additional nine years in who meets them remembers it for a lifetime.” lia,” Verson recalled. “I helped them by being the ONJ Centre will be only about Wellness, and medium custody. They may also negate any Verson has been to countless Newton-John a guinea-pig as to how to do that. This past we will no longer need cancer [centers] because chances of parole. concerts since and has managed to make her January, [Newton-John] asked me to hold an cancer will be a thing of the past.”

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 17 Lambda Legal event focuses on book about marriage equality By Gretchen Rachel Hammond Times. “Lambda has a reputation as being more of a men’s organization. Our hope with the In the hours prior to Secretary Hillary Clinton Women’s Diversity Council and evenings like making history when she accepted her party’s this is to let more women know who Lambda is nomination for president of the United States and how important it is to their lives.” on July 28, the cozy Andersonville bar Joie Ewert acknowledged that adding her narra- de Vine was filled with jubilant women at a tive to Love Unites Us was hard, as it called Lambda Legal fundraiser and celebration of the upon her to relive days when victory was fol- organization’s book detailing another of this lowed by devastating loss. Attendees at Lambda Legal Love Unites Us event. country’s pivotal moments. “There were so many amazing parts, but the Photos by Gretchen Rachel Hammond Edited by Lambda Legal Director of Education end of the story wasn’t that great because I and Public Affairs Leslie J. Gabel-Brett and the lost my wife in March [2014],” she said. “The ber general elections and the dire consequenc- all the way backwards.” organization’s former executive director, Kevin reality of the story is that we were there when es they could reap if people are not motivated Ewert agreed. M. Cathcart, Love Unites Us relates Lambda Le- the governor signed equal marriage into law to get to the polling stations. “It concerns me a lot,” she said. “Equal mar- gal’s fight for marriage equality, the lives that in the beginning of November and it wasn’t “It’s absolutely my greatest fear,” she said. riage and a woman’s right to choose could be were touched during those years and the tire- supposed to take effect until June 1. Vernita “If you look at the demographics of people rolled back. It scares me.” less work of the organization to support them. never would have been alive. She had fought who don’t tend to vote, it is people of color, Although she pledged to work hard to make According to Lambda Legal’s website, the for equal marriage for 30 years in our commu- LGBT and other disenfranchised groups. I am sure people do go to the polling stations, Ew- book is replete with “the history of activists’ nity and to not get the opportunity to take black, gay and a woman. If we don’t get out ert acknowledged that such fear may be their passion and persistence in the struggle for advantage of it before she died would have and vote, we are in trouble. A person could greatest motivator. marriage rights for same-sex couples in the been heartbreaking. But Lambda stepped up [become President] who attacks all of that. All “We just have to get our people as afraid as United States, told in the words of those who and that was wonderful to write about.” the LGBT laws that are in place could be taken theirs,” she said. waged the battle.” Leslie Henry is a fellow member of the Wom- Among those warriors were Pat Ewert and en’s Diversity Council. Like Ewert, she hopes Vernita Gray—the first same-sex couple to be that all women, no matter their race, income married in the state of Illinois. level or their place along the gender spectrum will realize they have a staunch ally in Lambda Ewert, who shared her and Gray’s story in Love Leslie Henry (left) and Legal. Unites Us, now sits on Lambda Legal’s Women’s Pat Ewert. Diversity Council. She was at the event, making “Tell us about your story so we can tell you sure everyone at Joie de Vine bought a raffle how Lambda Legal can help you,” she said. ticket. The historic nature of events occurring in “It is important that more women understand Philadelphia at the Democratic National Con- what Lambda Legal does and how vital they vention were just as important to Henry who are in our community,” Ewert told Windy City also recognized the significance of the Novem-

THE BRAD LIPPITZ GROUP presents August Featured Properties The “Firehouse” Residence 4,500 Sqft of Ultimate Entertainment Space! 3921 N. Ravenswood in Lake View Chicago, IL 60613 $1,350,000 Finally a property with 1510 N DEARBORN #501 3150 N LAKE SHORE DR #24F 2920 N COMMONWEALTH #9A

Wonderful light-filled Gold Coast Truly spectacular, total renovation With glorious views of the park style and character! gem on the top floor of a charming of expansive 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath and lake, this 4 bedroom, 3 vintage boutique elevator building. residence with the most amazing bath vintage condominium of a A true original Chicago Firehouse with 14’ Enjoy a spacious skylit floorplan views in all directions of the lake classic pre-war elevator building ceilings, exposed brick walls, two levels of with fabulous south city views. and the city, both day and night. offers classic elegance and a $849,000 $799,000 wonderful floor plan for living and open living space and 3 original working entertaining. $925,000 firehouse doors. Imagine hosting an event for 100 guests, displaying your art collection, or parking your sports cars.

Open the original firehouse doors in front and welcome 3400 N LAKE SHORE DR #2D 3524 N OAKLEY 607 W BUCKINGHAM PL #3N guests to a wine tasting Refreshing, beautiful, sunlit Custom designed, light-filled 5 Spacious 2 bedroom vintage unit on from the temperature residence in move-in condition bedroom, 3.5 bath home on extra- top floor in East Lakeview has sun in prized Beaux Arts building wide lot in Bell School District pouring in and oozes charm at every controlled cellar. Create has been totally renovated and in Roscoe Village. 100% move-in turn! Wonderful separate formal your own legacy with new redesigned for gracious living ready, with everything finished and living and dining rooms, gorgeous and entertaining. 2-car on-site designed with style and integrity. granite/stainless kitchen, rear deck possibilities. parking included. $1,295,000 $1,599,000 overlooking common yard. $359,000

A proud member and supporter of our community for over 20 years, no real estate broker in the city sells or gives back to our community as much as Brad.

BRAD LIPPITZ 3323 N. Broadway | Chicago, IL 60657 980 N. Michigan Ave #900 | Chicago, IL 60611 LAURA TOPP Top 1% Producer 773.404.1144 Platinum Award Winner [email protected] (773) 419-0076 BradLippitz.com [email protected] www.lauratopp.com 3921nRavenswoodAve.KoenigRubloff.com 18 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES viewpoints WINDY not left or right. No, this election, and every we are all created equal, each a beloved part election, is about who will have the power to of the great American story. (Applause.) And shape our children for the next four or eight when crisis hits, we don’t turn against each CITY years of their lives. (Applause.) And I am here other—no, we listen to each other. We lean tonight because in this election, there is only on each other. Because we are always stronger Michelle one person who I trust with that responsibility, together. (Applause.) OBAMA only one person who I believe is truly qualified And I am here tonight because I know that TIMES to be President of the United States, and that that is the kind of president that Hillary Clin- VOL. 31, No. 45, Aug. 3, 2016 is our friend, Hillary Clinton. (Applause.) ton will be. And that’s why, in this election, I’m The combined forces of Windy City Times, Endorsing See, I trust Hillary to lead this country be- with her. (Applause.) founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, cause I’ve seen her lifelong devotion to our You see, Hillary understands that the Presi- founded May 1987. Hillary Clinton nation’s children—not just her own daugh- dent is about one thing and one thing only— Below is the full text of Michelle Obama’s speech ter, who she has raised to perfection—(ap- it’s about leaving something better for our to the Democratic National Convention in Phila- PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR plause)—but every child who needs a cham- kids. That’s how we’ve always moved this coun- delphia, July 25, 2016. Tracy Baim pion: Kids who take the long way to school to try forward—by all of us coming together on avoid the gangs. Kids who wonder how they’ll behalf of our children—folks who volunteer to ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. (Applause.) Thank MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis ever afford college. Kids whose parents don’t coach that team, to teach that Sunday school you so much. You know, it’s hard to believe ASSOCIATE EDITOR Matt Simonette speak a word of English but dream of a better class because they know it takes a village. He- that it has been eight years since I first came BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine life. Kids who look to us to determine who and roes of every color and creed who wear the uni- DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright to this convention to talk with you about why what they can be. form and risk their lives to keep passing down ART DIRECTOR/NIGHTSPOTS EDITOR Kirk Williamson I thought my husband should be President. SENIOR REPORTER Gretchen Rachel Hammond You see, Hillary has spent decades doing the those blessings of liberty. (Applause.) Remember how I told you about Senior Account Executives Terri Klinsky, Kirk relentless, thankless work to actually make a Police officers and protestors in Dallas who his character and conviction, his decency and Williamson, Amy Matheny, Chris Cheuvront, Gretchen difference in their lives—(applause)—advo- all desperately want to keep our children safe. Rachel Hammond, Scott Duff his grace—the traits that we’ve seen every cating for kids with disabilities as a young law- (Applause.) People who lined up in Orlando to NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 day that he’s served our country in the White SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Tony Peregrin, Lisa yer. Fighting for children’s health care as First donate blood because it could have been their House. Keen, Yasmin Nair Lady and for quality child care in the Senate. son, their daughter in that club. (Applause.) I also told you about our daughters—how THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan And when she didn’t win the nomination eight Leaders like Tim Kaine—(applause)—who show CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight Jr. they are the heart of our hearts, the center of years ago, she didn’t get angry or disillusioned. our kids what decency and devotion look like. SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman our world. And during our time in the White ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS (Applause.) Hillary did not pack up and go Leaders like Hillary Clinton, who has the guts House, we’ve had the joy of watching them Mary Shen Barnidge, Lawrence Ferber, Mel Ferrand, home. Because as a true public servant, Hill- and the grace to keep coming back and putting grow from bubbly little girls into poised young Jerry Nunn, Jonathan Abarbanel ary knows that this is so much bigger than her those cracks in that highest and hardest glass COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Jorjet Harper, women—a journey that started soon after we own desires and disappointments. (Applause.) ceiling until she finally breaks through, lifting Charlsie Dewey, Carrie Maxwell, Billy Masters, Sarah arrived in Washington, when they set off for Toce, Dana Rudolph, Melissa Wasserman, Joe Franco, So she proudly stepped up to serve our country all of us along with her. (Applause.) their first day at their new school. Nick Patricca, Liz Baudler, Rex Wockner, Marie J. once again as Secretary of State, traveling the That is the story of this country, the story I will never forget that winter morning as I Kuda, Angelique Smith, Meghan Streit globe to keep our kids safe. that has brought me to this stage tonight, the SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Mel Ferrand, Hal Baim, Tim watched our girls, just 7 and 10 years old, pile And look, there were plenty of moments when story of generations of people who felt the lash Carroll, Ed Negron into those black SUVs with all those big men WEBSITE LISTINGS VOLUNTEER Gene Naden Hillary could have decided that this work was of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting with guns. (Laughter.) And I saw their little too hard, that the price of public service was of segregation, but who kept on striving and faces pressed up against the window, and the CIRCULATION too high, that she was tired of being picked hoping and doing what needed to be done so only thing I could think was, “What have we CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright apart for how she looks or how she talks or that today, I wake up every morning in a house done?” (Laughter.) See, because at that mo- DISTRIBUTION: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Sue and even how she laughs. But here’s the thing— that was built by slaves—(applause)—and I Victor ment, I realized that our time in the White what I admire most about Hillary is that she watch my daughters—two beautiful, intelli- WEB HOSTING: LoveYourWebsite.com (lead House would form the foundation for who they never buckles under pressure. (Applause.) She gent, Black young women —playing with their programmer: Martie Marro) would become, and how well we managed this never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clin- dogs on the White House lawn. (Applause.) Copyright 2016 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media experience could truly make or break them. ton has never quit on anything in her life. (Ap- And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters— Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back That is what Barack and I think about every issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). plause.) and all our sons and daughters—now take for day as we try to guide and protect our girls Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, And when I think about the kind of President granted that a woman can be President of the and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and through the challenges of this unusual life in no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. that I want for my girls and all our children, United States. (Applause.) the spotlight—how we urge them to ignore All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy that’s what I want. I want someone with the So don’t let anyone ever tell you that this City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned those who question their father’s citizenship for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing proven strength to persevere. Someone who country isn’t great, that somehow we need to or faith. (Applause.) How we insist that the and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, knows this job and takes it seriously. Someone make it great again. Because this, right now, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own hateful language they hear from public figures who understands that the issues a President is the greatest country on earth. (Applause.) and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City on TV does not represent the true spirit of this Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of faces are not Black and white and cannot be And as my daughters prepare to set out into a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy country. (Applause.) How we explain that when boiled down to 140 characters. (Applause.) Be- the world, I want a leader who is worthy of City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the someone is cruel, or acts like a bully, you don’t sexual orientation of such person or organization. While cause when you have the nuclear codes at your that truth, a leader who is worthy of my girls’ we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make stoop to their level—no, our motto is, when fingertips and the military in your command, promise and all our kids’ promise, a leader who this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept they go low, we go high. (Applause.) responsibility for advertising claims. you can’t make snap decisions. You can’t have will be guided every day by the love and hope With every word we utter, with every action (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 a thin skin or a tendency to lash out. You need and impossibly big dreams that we all have for we take, we know our kids are watching us. e-mail: [email protected] or to be steady, and measured, and well-informed. our children. [email protected] We as parents are their most important role (Applause.) So in this election, we cannot sit back and models. And let me tell you, Barack and I take I want a president with a record of public ser- hope that everything works out for the best. www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com that same approach to our jobs as President vice, someone whose life’s work shows our chil- We cannot afford to be tired, or frustrated, or podcast: WindyCityQueercast.com and First Lady, because we know that our dren that we don’t chase fame and fortune for cynical. No, hear me—between now and No- words and actions matter not just to our girls, WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, ourselves, we fight to give everyone a chance vember, we need to do what we did eight years 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL, 60640 U.S.A but to children across this country—kids who to succeed—(applause)—and we give back, ago and four years ago: We need to knock on (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) tell us, “I saw you on TV, I wrote a report on even when we’re struggling ourselves, because every door. We need to get out every vote. We you for school.” Kids like the little black boy Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. we know that there is always someone worse need to pour every last ounce of our passion who looked up at my husband, his eyes wide OUT! Chicago’s LGBTQ Visitor’s Guide Online off, and there but for the grace of God go I. and our strength and our love for this country www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com with hope, and he wondered, “Is my hair like (Applause.) into electing Hillary Clinton as President of the yours?” (Applause.) I want a president who will teach our chil- United States of America. “Windy City Media Group generated enormous And make no mistake about it, this Novem- dren that everyone in this country matters—a Let’s get to work. Thank you all, and God interest among their readers in this year’s LGBT ber, when we go to the polls, that is what Consumer Index Survey. Out of approximately 100 president who truly believes in the vision that bless. we’re deciding—not Democrat or Republican, print and online media partners who participated our founders put forth all those years ago: That in the survey, Windy City was the best performing regional media in the U.S. Only survey partners with a nationwide footprint were able to generate a greater number of responses.” ­­—David Marshall, Research Director, Community Marketing, Inc.

Send columns or letters to [email protected]. Letters may be edited for brevity or clarity. WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 19 WINDY CITY TIMES DIVERSIONS THEATER • FILM • ENTERTAINMENT • SPORTS

Right said Fred(erick) 20 26 26 Frederick Douglass’ oratory skills are featured in Douglass. Photo by Evan Barr Lark. CGHA’s fundraiser at Crew.

SCOTTISH PLAY SCOTT musical keeps true to the story of Albert.” their shows before live audiences. Deratany had nothing but praise for Stevens, “All of these shows are in some sort of de- who drew from songs of the 1860s and 1910s velopmental stage and we absolutely have to to create the bluegrass score of The Transcivil- go through this process,” Schwartz said. “I do New things to sing ity of Albert Cashier. Stevens also served as a have some producers and directors from other consultant to Deratany and Wooten on trans- parts of the country to see the show in hopes gender issues. of doing future full-on productions.” by SCOTT C. MORGAN two of them and they really find that they’re “In some sense, was Albert a trans man? Not Underscore Theatre Company’s 3rd annual interested in each other and where does the re- in the current definition, I suppose, because Chicago Musical Theatre Festival runs from The history of musical theater teems with boy- lationship go from there—especially when real this individual didn’t have access to modern Tuesday, Aug. 9, through Sunday, Aug. 28, meets-girl stories. So you can’t blame LGBTQ life comes along and starts making demands?” medicine that we have now. But was this per- at the Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen fans of the genre who grumble about the pau- Real-life history is what inspired The Transci- son in his heart a male? I think so,” mused Theater, 2433 N. Lincolns Ave. city of new musicals that reflect the diversity vility of Albert Cashier, the third LGBTQ show Deratany. “Was this a woman who just wanted Pen plays 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, of their lives on stage. featured in the CMTF. It’s about a Civil War to dress up as a man? Maybe. Was this a wom- 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, and 6 p.m. Three of the 14 new musicals debuting at Un- veteran with an enormous secret, which was an who didn’t want to answer to a man and Wednesday and Friday, Aug. 17 and 26. derscore Theatre Company’s 3rd annual Chicago revealed several years after the title character after the war get paid less for work per hour Rogue Elephant Productions’ staging of Musical Theatre Festival (CMTF) seem poised to lived the majority of his life in a small town than a male wage? Maybe… We don’t know the Planted plays 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, 8:30 do some redressing by featuring leading LGBTQ as a man. complete story, but for whatever reason, this p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 17 and characters. And stylistically, these three shows Attorney and playwright Jay Paul Deratany individual wanted to live his life in a male cir- 25, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Perm- couldn’t be more different. fell in love with the true-life story of Albert cumstance and our show is about his freedom ovio Productions and Keaton Wooden’s pro- The first of the three out of the gate is the Cashier, and he found a very willing collabora- to do so.” duction of The Transcivility of Albert Cashier contemporary song revue Planted, co-con- tor to dramatize his life with director Keaton Like the other 11 shows featured in the CMTF, plays at noon Sunday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m. Tues- ceived by director Christopher Pazdernik and Wooden. Where the musical aspect came along each of these three LGBTQ shows will receive day, Aug. 16, 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Wed., songwriter Jeff Bouthiette. (Rebekah Walen- is when the two reached out to composer/ four performances only in rotating repertory. Aug. 18 and 24. dzak is also a lyric contributor.) singer Joe Stevens, a trans man. The sheer number of musicals calls for minimal Individual show tickets are $20. For tick- “There’s a lot of heteronormative song cycles “We wanted to keep true to the time period,” scenery and other production values, but each ets and an exact schedule of all the produc- from the 1980s and ’90s like Closer Than Ever or said Deratany “And very much, hopefully, this of these writers are relishing the chance to get tions, call 773-871-3000 or visit cmtf.org. even I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” Bouthiette said. “We wanted to do something From left: Max DeTogne, Korey that focused more on gay men and explore that White, Cisco Lopez, Jerome in a more contemporary way.” Riley and Conor McGarry. Bouthiette said Planted aims to look at fam- Photo by ily dynamics, relationships and what it means Emily Schwartz to be single. The six men of the ensemble don’t play named characters, though Bouthiette says they do have a dramatic through-line via the “seasons of a gay relationship.” “There is a general arc from the moment of meeting someone,” Bouthiette said. “And then all the twists and turns and different possible variations on that.” The musical Pen is more narratively structured in a linear fashion, though the subject matter of a dating pen-pal relationship between a gay prisoner and a lovelorn guy on the outside is far from conventional. Pen previously received a scripts-in-hand reading via Pride Films and Plays, but its appearance as part of the CMTF will be more fully fleshed out. “[Pen] actually came from a newspaper ar- ticle about a website where gay prisoners can connect with gay men on the outside,” said Schwartz, whose past noble credits include the gay musicals Under a Rainbow Flag and The Book of Merman. “David Zak of Pride Films and Plays actually sent the article around to several of us in a writers network and suggested there was a show in this, so I sent it to [book writer and lyricist] DC Cathro.” Pen focuses on the recently dumped Paul, who starts a correspondence with the prisoner, Rod. “It’s a relationship that Paul feels he can con- trol because the guy is not going anywhere,” Schwartz said. “Things get heated between the 20 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW From left: Charli Williams, Anna Dauzvardis and Katrina D. Richard in Direct from Death Direct from Death Row: The Scottsboro Boys. Row: The Photo by Dean La Prairie Scottsboro Boys Playwright: Mark Stein, music and lyrics by Harley White Jr. At: Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Tickets: $42 Runs through: Aug. 27

BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE

The title references a real-life chapter in our nation’s history, but this is not another cut- and-dried, preserved-under-glass docudrama. Likewise, its subtitle promises “An Evening of Vaudeville and Sorrow,” but don’t worry—the sorrow doesn’t come until after the “vaude- ville” has supplied so much merriment, you’d almost think this was the Kander and Ebb musi- cal of similar name. The story related by the nine African-Ameri- can teenagers who serve as narrators/perform- ers of the play-within-the-play tells how, on continued to find them guilty, drawing national ing bloodhound features for Attorney-General This remount of last season’s multiple award- one spring day in 1931, they all happened to attention for the six years that the Death Row Thomas Knight, for example, or a dainty cur- winning production reunites director Michael be hitchhiking on the same freight train—al- inmates waited for the verdict that would de- lew’s beak for Defense Attorney Samuel Lei- Menendian’s original cast, however, every one beit in different cars—traveling the Tennes- cide their futures. bowitz—eases any guilt engendered in urban of whom exhibits chops honed to split-second see border from Chattanooga to Memphis. Authors Mark Stein and Harley White Jr. illus- audiences identifying along colorist lines. (Far perfection. Two-and-a-half hours may seem a Following an altercation with some of their trate these events with popular variety acts of left-wingers may face problems with Interna- lengthy history lesson, but never for an instant fellow stowaways, the lads were arrested in the day: straw-hat-and-cane hoofing, multieth- tional Labor Defense’s Joseph Brodsky depicted does our attention wander, whether chortling Paint Rock, Alabama, after two other illegal nic songs (sentimental Stephen Foster ballads, as a nimble-fingered huckster.) at the two top lawyers kicking up their heels passengers on board were discovered to be dirge-tempo slave spirituals, even a “Danny The danger in this irreverent approach is the in a jubilant tap-dance or stifling our horror at (white) women, both of whom declared that Boy”), cross-talk comic patter, sleight-of-hand propensity for actors to become carried away the abuse inflicted on the youngest convicts the (African-American) men had raped them. illusions and loose-limbed acrobatic clown- by their own daring, indulging in just one more in the prisons. If you missed this show its first Despite overwhelming evidence of the latter’s ing. David Knezz’ expressive masks caricaturing shoulder-roll or extending a deep-south vowel time, don’t make that mistake again. innocence, courts adhering to regional custom the visages of the white participants—droop- just a second or two longer than necessary.

THEATER REVIEW ity—was longer than his pre-War abolitionist free woman of color, helped him or how he tion schemes. Douglass was vigorously Ameri- work. overcame illiteracy. Settling in Massachusetts, can and a proponent of integration and equal Douglass Regrettably, you’ll learn little about Douglass’ Douglass was mentored by William Lloyd Gar- justice, points which are especially pertinent Playwright: Thomas Klingenstein vivid life in this world premiere, in which the rison (Mark Ulrich), arguably the best-known during an election season shaded by Blacks At: The American Vicarious at focus is narrow and expository information is and most important abolitionist of the day. Lives Matter. Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. scant. However, the play does suggest the pas- The play focuses on Douglass and Garrison There are handsome projections (by Liviu Tickets: 773-975-8150; sion and quality of his thought and speech, as and their bitter split over the United States Pasare) of written/printed texts which the TheaterWit.org; $25 a good portion of the dialog sounds as if drawn Constitution, which Garrison saw as a pro- audience cannot always relate to the onstage Runs through: Aug. 14 from his writings. The language of oratory and slavery document and Douglass, eventually, as actions. Mieka van de Ploeg’s costumes pleas- publication does not necessarily make good open to anti-slavery interpretation. It makes ingly suggest mid-19th Century with elegant BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL theatrical speech, but it works well enough the case, too, that Garrison was jealous of touches. Christopher McElroen’s staging is here. Still, you’ll have to Google Douglass to Douglass’s rising fame and influence, which clean and efficient, making use of virtually A theatrical tribute to Frederick Douglass is ap- remind yourself of the full extent of his life and probably was true. The split became personal no furniture or props, so actors enter, stand propriate as his bicentennial nears (probably career. and was not mended until the late 1870s, but and deliver in mostly two-person scenes, then born 1818). This remarkable American, born a Presented on a handsome platform stage bor- it was a fact by 1855 and that’s as far as the exit. The play ends abruptly without complet- slave, became an internationally revered advo- dered above by 19th-century-style Italianate play goes, although without specific date refer- ing Douglass’ story. Folks will understand some cate for freedom and justice and a charismatic crown molding (William Boles, scenic design), ences. of his ideas, but not why he is so important in writer and speaker. He counseled Abraham Lin- Douglass opens with the man himself (De’Lon The play is sketchy about Douglass’s private U.S. history. coln and several other presidents and died in Grant) narrating his uncertain birth informa- life and personal development, but makes 1895, so his post-Civil War career—champion- tion and escape from slavery. He doesn’t tell abundantly clear his consistent rejection of c ing universal suffrage, education, racial equal- us when he escaped or how his wife-to-be, a Black separatism and back-to-Africa coloniza- CRITICS’ THEATER REVIEW PICKS Now. Here. This. Byhalia, Mississippi, Definition Theater & Now. Here. This. Photo from Music & lyrics: by Jeff Bowen The New Colony at Steppenwolf 1700, through Rivendell Aug. 21. Don’t call them “white trash”—these Book by: Hunter Bell & Susan Blackwell Theater At: Rivendell Theater, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. are the people who could elect our next presi- Tickets: BrownPaperBox.org; $25 dent, and their efforts deserve our respect. MSB Runs through: Aug. 21 Between Riverside and Crazy, Steppenwolf Theatre, through Aug. 21. Cop shootings, eco- BY ERIC KARAS looking for the cafeteria and the other girl everyone. “Dazzle Camouflage” shows a gay nomic insecurity and the troubles of margin- (Anna Schutz) is playing on her smart phone. kid avoiding bullying by being funny. Overall, alized citizens aren’t funny in 2016, but at If they were my friends I’d go to the museum it’s kind of like an adult Schoolhouse Rock, Steppenwolf, playgoers can expect to be enter- Brown Paper Cox Company presents Now. Here. without them or leave them there. about emotions. Like that comparison, some tained as well as enlightened. MSB This., by composer Jeff Bowen, who wrote the The songs in this show are universally re- songs are better than others. Chops, Dashnight Productions @ Theater popular [title of show] musical. Reviews like latable but it’s definitely written by someone The cast is terrific. Neala Barron wrings Wit, through Aug. 14. This neat four-hander is this usually have some sort of story hook to in his or her late 40s/early 50s; I’m not sure emotion out of her character which otherwise an authentic Chicago “guy” play in the Mamet tie everything together. In this one, the story the millennials will get references to Ed Grim- is written as annoying. Matt Frye (my favorite tradition, only slicker. Profound? Naw. Great hinges on a museum geek (Nick Shoda) who ley, the TV show Paper Dolls or Lola Falana. here) is very funny in all the songs and, when play for actors? Yeah! And that’s why you’ll en- wants to share his love of this planetarium/ I especially liked the song “Members Only,” he has a chance to be emotional, he flips on joy this 90-minute who’s-conning-who riff that natural history museum with his friends. As about how, as a youth, you will buy clothes to a dime from funny to tears. He’s really good. also pays tribute to classic jazz. JA they see the different exhibits, they sing fit in and how when you get older you shud- Anna Schutz is our belter in the group and I Company, Writers Theatre, Glencoe, ex- songs about love, growing up, and their re- der at the fashion choices (Gloria Vanderbilt really enjoyed her performance. No one wants tended through Aug. 7. Stephen Sondheim and lationships with other people and the world. Jeans, Members Only jackets, acid washed someone singing loudly in his or her face in George Furth’s groundbreaking 1970 Broadway The negative part about the book by Hunter jeans etc.). “That’ll never be me,” about self a small theater, but she found great balance. musical about a New York bachelor weighing Bell and Susan Blackwell is that they cre- doubts, is quite moving. The emotional “Gold- Nick Shoda has the geeky charm to sell his the pros and cons of marriage receives a super- ate really annoying friends for him. One girl en Palace” regarding creativity really reso- character and the bad premise. Overall, go see lative production under the assured direction (Neala Barron) is always on the phone doing nates. “That makes me hot” is an entertaining the talented cast but the musical revue is re- of William Brown. SCM business, The other guy (Matt Frye) is busy look at embarrassing moments that happen to ally uneven. —By Barnidge and Morgan WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 21 “AN INTRIGUINGLY JUICY AND “STARRING A DELICIOUSLY PAIRED GLAMOROUS NEW MUSICAL.” PATTI LUPONE AND CHRISTINE EBERSOLE. –Chicago Tribune BOTH ARE KNOCKOUTS.” –The New York Times “LUPONE AND EBERSOLE WRAP THEIR PRODIGIOUS VOICES AROUND “BRILLIANT, POIGNANT AND SUPERBLY PERFORMED. A SWINGING AND A MUSICAL WHOSE BEAUTY IS SOARING SCORE.” FAR MORE THAN SKIN DEEP.” –The Washington Post –Chicago Sun-Times

TWO-TIME TONY AWARD WINNER TWO-TIME TONY AWARD WINNER PATTI CHRISTINE LUPONE EBERSOLE IS HELENA RUBINSTEIN IS ELIZABETH ARDEN

BOOK BY DOUG WRIGHT MUSIC BY SCOTT FRANKEL LYRICS BY MICHAEL KORIE

DIRECTED BY MICHAEL GREIF HURRY, LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE | MUST CLOSE AUGUST 21

GoodmanTheatre.org/WarPaint

Major Corporate Sponsors Official Lighting Sponsor FOR GROUPS 15+: 312.443.3820 22 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES

Megan Rapinoe (right) during her Chicago Red Stars days. Battle for gold in Photo by David Durochik/Chicago Red Stars Rio meets other Olympics issues Record number of out Soccer sensation Megan Rapinoe, who played for the Chicago Red Stars in 2009-2010, and LGBTQ athletes set to WNBA star Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mer- compete in Summer Games cury are among the out Olympians competing By Ross Forman in Rio. Also set to represent the red white and blue are Seimone Augustus (women’s basket- The Summer Olympics that Chicago bid to host ball), Kelly Griffin (rugby), Angel McCoughtry will, instead, open Friday, Aug. 5, in Rio de (basketball), Ashley Nee (kayak whitewater sla- Janeiro, Brazil. lom) and Jillion Potter (rugby). Jill Ellis is the The Games of the XXXI Olympiad, known as head coach of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Rio 2016, run through Sun., Aug. 21, with a re- and Pia Sundhage, who previously coached the cord number of countries participating in more Americans, is now the head coach of Sweden’s sports than ever. More than 10,000 athletes women’s soccer team. from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) Gold medal Olympic diver Greg Louganis will will participate in 28 sports—including golf, travel with the United States diving team as an which is making its Olympic debut—and battle official athlete mentor, the same role he held for bragging rights in the form of gold, silver in 2012, according to Outsports. and bronze medals. “Having 42 LGBT Olympic athletes is pretty Rio was announced as the host city for the cool,” said Sheryl Jans, a lifelong Chicago-area tion. And women’s basketball is Jans’ favorite tended the University of Notre Dame, where 2016 Games in October 2009, stunning the resident. “This can be two-fold: stereotypical Olympic sport. Jans also cherishes Olympic she was an eight-time USTFCCCA (U.S. Track & United States, particularly the Windy City, as that a lot of athletes are of those persuasions, memories of watching Mary Decker run, “and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) Chicago was the first of the four finalists to but also shows that they are people first and being so excited to watch her,” she said. “Zola All-American, among other accolades. be eliminated. Rio ultimately edged Madrid and who they love is secondary. It shows that there Budd, from South Africa, was running behind Bamgbose lives in South Bend, Ind., and will Tokyo. is a definite ability to just be who they are and her and clipped her, taking Mary Decker out. I start her job at Whirlpool in Michigan after re- So, the eyes of the sporting world now shift not worry about being judged. was screaming at the TV and freaking out. Zola turning from Rio. to the Southern Hemisphere, but with many “[Caitlyn] Jenner could have never done that Budd, though, impressed me because she ran Colwell said the U.S Women’s Gymnastics non-sporting subplots seemingly stealing the during the time that she was an Olympic ath- barefoot and I was amazed at how strong she team, which is filled with Chicago area prod- spotlight from the athletic stars. lete.” really was.” ucts, “will be phenomenal,” and added that Safety is, for sure, an issue and has garnered Jans, who said she “absolutely” is an Olym- Julie Colwell, of Chicago, is a lifelong fan of she’s most excited to watch track & field worldwide press. Then there have been major pics fan, said her favorite Olympian of all time the Olympic Games—and now has a personal events, which “are true [competitions] in the questions about Rio’s infrastructure and media is Flo Hyman, a volleyball player in 1984. tie to the Rio Games that will keep her hooked sense of the Olympics,” she said. reports have repeatedly questioned the ath- “Before the Olympics began, I saw USA versus to TV coverage and additional online exposure. “I sort of piggy-back the Gay Games to the lete’s village, particularly how operational and Japan, decked out in my Olympic volleyball at- A former Evanston Township High School [real] Olympics. The Gay Games is just a little functional it is, or will be. And perhaps most tire,” she said. “Flo Hyman was larger than life. student-athlete is competing in track & field piece; I can only imagine what the real Olym- prominent is the outbreak of the mosquito- “Back then, [a nearby] 7-11 [store] had in Rio, representing Nigeria—and Colwell is a pics experience must be like.” borne Zika virus, which has spread fear world- posters of the volleyball team [hanging] up. former ETHS teacher, having retired from the Colwell said that “it’s great” that so many wide about its potential impact on athletes I asked them to give them to me, [but] they suburban school earlier this year. out athletes will be competing in Rio. and visitors. wouldn’t. When the Olympics [ended], they set “That’s super exciting,” Colwell said. “It’s like in anything in life, the more people The gay card also has been in the spotlight, them outside for me so I [could] get them and Margaret Bamgbose is a 2012 ETHS graduate, who are out, the more people will see that gay but for good reasons. Rio 2016 will have a re- I put them up in my bedroom. At that time, becoming the school’s third girls track gradu- people are just the same as typical straight cord number of LGBTQ athletes. all women’s sports were on in the middle of ate to compete in the Olympics. Bamgbose is people and can do anything,” she said. Outsports and Olympic/LGBT historian Tony the night because women’s sports weren’t that a dual citizen of the U.S. and Nigeria, who at- Scupham-Bilton have identified at least 42 out important. athletes who will compete, as well as three “I had just gotten my grandma’s old black- Melichar (New Orleans) as Outstanding Male coaches. There are a record 10 out male ath- and-white TV and stayed up all night in ’84 to Todrick Hall event Volunteer; Alex Davis (London) as Outstand- letes, though none from the U.S. There is also watch the Olympics. I couldn’t function the fol- ing Female Volunteer; Flying Bats Women’s one married couple: Helen Richardson-Walsh lowing days during that time because I was up Aug. 7 in Chicago AwesomenessTV announced the commence- Soccer Club (Sydney) as Outstanding Local and Kate Richardson-Walsh, British field hock- all night. When Flo Hyman passed away from Women’s Organization; Sydney Stingers Wa- ey players. Marfan’s Syndrome, I sobbed. She was cut away ment of production on a behind-the-scenes film following personality Todrick Hall’s North terpolo for Outstanding Local Organization; In comparison, the 2012 Summer Games in in her prime, and who knows what she would Caroline Symons, Ph.D. (Melbourne) for So- London featured 23 out LGBTQ athletes. Others have accomplished.” American tour, “Straight Outta Oz.” The tour follows out performer Hall as he cial Justice; and Danielle Warby and Matthew have come out publicly since they competed Jans’ favorite current Olympian is Chicago- Mitcham, both of Sydney, as Local Heroes. in London. area native Candace Parker, a basketball sensa- stages a full-length, Wizard of Oz-inspired musical with an original score by him. Di- Founded in 2007, the Legacy Awards are rected by Katherine Wright (Call Me Kuchu), presented annually to acknowledge the work the film will go behind the scenes as Hall of LGBT+ sports and culture organizations, mounts the musical, which tells the story of individuals and allies in the local area where his life growing up in small-town Texas, his the AGA is being held, as well as those who CULTURE CLUB have made significant contributions to the CULTURE CLUB struggle to come to Hollywood and his even- tual success. global LGBT+ community. The tour will stop in Chicago on Sunday, Complete 2016 AGA information is at Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. All- https://gaygames.org. port St. Straight Outta Oz tickets ($35-$300 each) Streisand in can be purchased at TodrickHall.com. Hall’s video is at https://www.youtube.com/ Chicago Aug. 9 watch?v=O1YEYOTUxcg. Barbra Streisand—who last year became the only recording artist or group to achieve number-one albums in each of six decades— FGG announces will bring her live performances to nine cities in August. 2016 Legacy Awards Chicago is among the stops, with Streisand Following a three-month nomination and performing at the United Center Aug. 9. selection process, the Federation of Gay Live Nation Global Touring and S2BN Enter- Games (FGG) board has approved seven Leg- tainment are presenting the tour. acy Awards to be presented at the Annual Also, Columbia Records has announced Bar- General Assembly (AGA) this October in Syd- bra Streisand’s “ENCORE: Movie Partners Sing ney, Australia. Broadway” album will debut Friday, Aug. 26. This year’s award recipients include George WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 23

“Spectacular” “Cast is excellent – Gena, Facebook

without– Tribuneexception” “Mix of hyper-reality, social is commentary and sitcom…

“Between Riverside and Crazy nothing and no one in this play is exactly where– NewCity you want to be” exactly who– Chicago they Sun-Times appear to be”

“Resonates with “What a compelling, authenticity” vital story” – Daily Herald – Esther, Facebook

By Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis Directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov Ex-cop “Pops” navigates a steady stream of sketchy houseguests and the slippery slope of justice in this rowdy dark comedy from the author of The Motherf**ker with the Hat.

Through August 21 | Tickets start at $20 | steppenwolf. org | 312-335-1650

Corporate Presenting Sponsor 2015/16 Grand Benefactors 2015/16 Benefactors 24 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES LGBTQ Download our new Windy City Times LGBTQ Wedding Guide magazine! Wedding Guide www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/WCMG_weddingguide_20160803_web.pdf

ACCOMMODATIONS Audrey Gordon, Empress of see also VENUES Schmooze LICENSES Hilton Garden Inn 312-504-3600 David Orr 1818 Maple Ave, Evanston, IL [email protected] Cook Co. Clerk’s Office 847-492-4344 www.ag-parties.com cookcountyclerk.com/ www.evanston.hgi.com vitalrecords/marriageequality Maureen.Schoenbauer@hgievanston. FINANCIAL PLANNING com Christina Frum, OFFICIANTS GCG Financial, Inc. Dignity/Chicago BAKING/CATERING Three Parkway North, Suite 500, www.dignity-chicago.org/content/ Berghoff Catering Deerfield, IL families 17 W. Adams St. 847-457-3228 312-408-0200 [email protected] Living Well Ministries LGBTQ www.berghoffcatering.com www.gcgfinancial.com 773-655-4357 [email protected] www.livingwellministries.net FLOWERS Hilton Garden Inn Michele Wolgel Rose, The Blossom Boys WeddingSIXTH EDITION Guide 1818 Maple Ave, Evanston, IL 9911 S. Walden Pkwy. Certified LifeCycle Celebrant Fall 2016 847-492-4344 773-779-4400 847-215-7715 www.evanston.hgi.com www.theblossomboys.com [email protected] Maureen.Schoenbauer@hgievanston. roselifecycleceremonies.com com GIFTS Leigh Gallery PHOTOGRAPHY/ Polo Catering 3306 N. Halsted St. VIDEO 3322 S. Morgan St. SHE SAID ‘YES’ 773-472-1865 amyBcreative photography Page 12 773-927-7656 www.theleighgallery.com 847-571-0684 www.polocafe.com [email protected] [email protected] www.amybcreative.com Tri-Star Catering INVITES 150 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago 312-368- John Faier Photography PLUS 8266 Total Promotions, Inc. 312-733-8054 Frankly speaking www.tristarcatering.com Contact David Strzepek, www.johnfaier.com Page 10 [email protected] 773-505-7794 www.totalpromote.com [email protected] Wedding planner educated in LGBT events by father Page 14 Urban Icing John Gress Photography Business listings 1944 N. Damen Ave., Chicago JEWELRY Page 32 312-545-5438 773-384-4418 Jan Dee Custom Jewelry http://johngress.com www.urbanicing.com 1425 W. Diversey Pkwy., Chicago Congress Plaza Hotel 773-871-2222 Lincoln Park Conservancy [email protected] 520 S. Michigan Ave. www.jandee.com Lisa Howe-Ebright 125 W. Fullerton, Chicago Photography 312-427-3800, ext. 5071 773-883-7275 [email protected] http://lincolnparkconservancy.org/events- DENTAL 708-710-2874 Steve Quick Jeweler www.congressplazahotel.com tours/lily-pool-weddings/ Dr. Sims Dentistry 773-751-0034 www.LHEphoto.com 5503 N. Clark St., 2nd Floor www.stevequickjeweler.com [email protected] 773-878-7467 The Duck Inn Morris Performing Arts Center www.GrantSimsDDS.com Tucker, Inc. Maxey Mediaworks 2701 S. Eleanor, Chicago 105 W. Colfax Ave., 312-724-8811 South Bend, IN 5 S. Wabash, Suite 507 708-359-6455 www.theduckinnchicago.com 574-235-5612 ENTERTAINMENT 312-263-3315 [email protected] www.palaisroyale.org The Actors Gymnasium www.tuckercompany.net www.maxeymediaworks.com 847-328-2795 Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa www.actorsgymnasium.org Gayle Weiss Design Consulting Tres Jolie Photo Galena, IL Museum of Contemporary Art [email protected] 800-892-2269 708-207-8001 414-737-9576 Chicago (MCA) www.eagleridge.com www.gayle weissdesigns.com [email protected] 220 E. Chicago Ave. Artists, Events and [email protected] www.tresjoliephoto.com/love 312-397-4017 (Chaz Hearne) Entertainment Inc Galena JDC www.mcachicago.org 312-832-1100 LEGAL REAL ESTATE www. galena.org/weddings [email protected] www.artistsandevents.com Scott Ferguson, Dreamtown Donald J. Boyd, Jr, Family Law Palmer House 113 S. Marion St., Ste. 100 [email protected] Glessner House Museum Bill Pollack Band 1800 S. Prairie Ave., Chicago Catering Team Oak Park, IL scottfergusonhomes.com 847-475-0411 312-326-1480 17 E. Monroe St. 708-848-1005 [email protected] www.glessnerhouse.org 312-422-1325 www.boyddivorce.com VENUES [email protected] www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/ Psychic Entertainment by Chicago Athletic Association weddings Ray J. Koenig III, Clark Hill PLC [email protected] Barbara G. Meyer Hotel Grand Geneva Resort & Spa 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2700 12 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago 773-282-6556 7036 Grand Geneva Way, 800-949-3124 312-940-3552 [email protected] Lake Geneva, WI Polo Cafe and Catering 312-985-5900 www.chicagoathletichotel.com 3322 S. Morgan St. www.bgmeyer.com 800-558-3417 [email protected] 773-927-7656 www. GrandGeneva.com www.clarkhill.com www.polocafe.com EVENT PLANNING Chicago History Museum Amy Bloom Inc. 1601 N. Clark St. The Grove Redfield Estate Lambda Legal 312-799-2254 Rotary Botanical Gardens 773-742-1753 1421 Milwaukee Ave. 312-663-4413 www.chicagohistory.org/hostevent Janesville, WI www.amybloominc.com Glenview, IL www.lambdalegal.org 608-752-3885, ext. 16 847-298-0095 [email protected] [email protected] Chicago Marriott Suites www.redfieldestate.org Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss, Esq. www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org Clover Events Deerfield Law Offices of Roger V. 2 Parkway North www.acloverevent.com McCaffrey-Boss & Associates, Deerfield, IL Hilton Orrington Second Presbyterian Church 847-556-7940 P.C. 847-405- 9666 1936 S. Michigan Ave. www.orringtonevanston.hilton.com Frank Event Design 33 N. Dearborn St., Suite 800 www.marriott.com/CHIDS 312-225-4951 secondchurch1936@ [email protected] Frank J. Andonoplas, Master Bridal 312-263-8800 comcast.net Consultant [email protected] http://2ndpresbyterian.org/weddings/ 5555 N. Sheridan Rd., Arcade Level City Winery Chicago 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago 312- Keith House 773-275-6804 1900 S. Prairie Ave., Chicago Rosemary Mulryan, 229-5989 Sidetrack www.frankeventdesign.com 312-907-7909 Mulryan & York, Attorneys at www.citywinery.com 3349 N. Halsted St. [email protected] www.keithhousechicago.com Law [email protected] 773-477-9189 4001 N. Wolcott www.sidetrackchicago.com Chicago, Illinois 60613 [email protected] 773-248-8887 www.mulryanandyork.com WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 25 BOOKS Jay Parini discusses book about Gore Vidal

BY FRANK PIZZOLI WCT: As a schoolboy, was Vidal a classic underachiever? Jay Parini was born in 1948—the same year JP: He was deeply stunted emotionally over Gore Vidal published The City and the Pillar, the problems he had with his mother, especial- his seminal book on U.S. homosexuality that ly her rampant alcoholism. It had always been blacklisted him with reviewers. a very rough relationship between them. That’s As varied and prolific as his subject, Parini what led to his being shuffled off to his grand- has written five books of poetry, seven fictional parents, one of whom was, of course, Sen. novels and 12 nonfiction titles, including bi- Gore. That’s where, at about age 10, he began ographies of John Steinbeck (1994), Robert reading the congressional record to his grand- Frost (2000) and William Faulkner (2004). He father who suffered from poor vision and was is Vidal’s official biographer. Each year, he edits legally blind. Years later when visiting Gore at volumes of criticism for Scribners in their series home I could see that he was obsessive about American Writers and British Writers. In 2009, his novel The Last Station was turned into an Turn to page 28 Academy Award-nominated film. Film adapta- tions of Benjamin’s Crossing and The Passages of H.M. are currently underway. “My selves are many,” wrote Pabla Neruda of himself. Many, too, are the Gore Vidals of Jay Parini’s Empire of Self: A Life of Gore Vidal. Windy City Times: What is the correct lin- eage of Vidal’s biographers? Jay Parini: Vidal had selected Walter Clem- ons, who, unfortunately, suffered from diabe- tes and frequent writer’s block and had died before any chance of completing the project. Gore begged me to take it on: “Please, please be my official biographer.” My wife warned me against doing so fearing we would never be friends again. Gore was very thin-skinned and could not tolerate even the slightest criticism. I declined but began writ- ing notes for a book that could only be pub- lished after Vidal’s death. Then I ran into Fred Kaplan at a writer’s conference and I asked him 60%60% THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS to do me a favor and take on Gore’s biogra- phy, which I may have suggested to him earlier Sold!Sold! Book by David Thompson but cannot remember for sure. He agreed (Gore Music & Lyrics by Kander & Ebb Vidal: A Biography, 1999) but the problem is FRIDAY, MARCH 3 that Gore hated the book and in my presence HAND TO GOD* PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE through it across the room. Kaplan focused on “Brave, Brilliant & Unmissable.” – The Times London Gore’s youth and a lot on his money issues ear- by Robert Askins ly in his adult life. Reviewers were also rough, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 arguing the 800 pages had no ‘through line’ or VICTORY GARDENS THEATER SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE* central argument. After that, I came into the “Wickedly funny. Sesame Street Based on the screenplay by picture as Gore’s official biographer. meets The Exorcist.” – The New Yorker Marc Norman + Tom Stoppard WCT: When writing about a famous author Adapted by Lee Hall who acknowledges how easily it is to misre- TUESDAY, APRIL 18 member one’s life, how did you guard against I AM MY OWN WIFE* CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER misremembering Vidal’s life? by Doug Wright JP: I was constantly making notes. And bi- SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 The Oscar-Winning romantic comedy blooms onstage! ography is 80 percent agreed-upon fact and 20 ABOUT FACE THEATRE percent interpretation. As his official biogra- The Pulitzer and Tony award-winning play PARADE* pher, I had full access to his archives, letters, By Alfred Uhry & Jason Robert Brown notes and interviews with many who knew him. comes back to Chicago! WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 I also have about 25 years worth notes, clip- pings and notebooks on him. HOLIDAY SHOW WRITERS THEATRE His literary estate helped with setting up in- A rare intimate revival of this celebrated musical! terviews, provided access to his diary entries. TBA I had access to anything I thought I needed. DECEMBER TBD HIR* WCT: At the end of each chapter, you in- By Taylor Mac clude your own experiences with Vidal. They MEN ON BOATS* WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 were intimate moments... by Jaclyn Backhaus JP: Yes, they were very close moments for us. STEPPENWOLF THEATRE SUNDAY. JANUARY 8 Visiting Rock Creek, where he lived when his “Four Stars! A dizzying theatrical tilt-a-whirl!” AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY mother married Hugh Auchincloss, or peeking – Time Out NY into the windows of Edgewater, the first home “A ROLLICKING history pageant brought to he purchased in upstate New York. It was a INFECTIOUSLY VIVID life!” – The New York Times last minute thought to food the stories I must have at least 100 or more of them. I thought it would be a good way to declare my interest in the subject. WCT: Jimmy Trimble—a real or imagined for all 8 shows! ACT NOW! affair? $265 *Receptions prior to shows! LIMITED AVAILABILITY Imagined but something he certainly got a lot of mileage out of over the years. He was an adolescent who knows about adolescent crushes. A school chum, Barrett Prettyman, EMAIL [email protected] FOR AN ORDER FORM swore the relationship never happen. I think Shows, locations, dates/times subject to change. No requests for alternate dates will be guaranteed. it was all Gore’s perception and that Trimble would have been shocked to know how Gore felt about him, real or imagined. 26 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES nightspots the big TO-DO OUR WEEKLY PICKS TO PLAN YOUR NIGHTLIFE CALENDAR

Most Wanted: Journey to Shatlantis

Wed., Aug. 3, 9:30 pm Berlin, 954 W. Belmont Ave. Join host Trannika Rex on a fantastic CREW voyage to Shatlantis with Crash Landing winners, Joan Waters, Toyota Corona, Showing off at Chicago Gay Hockey Association’s Hot Jock fundraiser, Friday, July 29. Wanda Screw, Alex Kay and Krissy Feet- Kyle Henderson Photography face, with pre-show hosted by Briawna Ba Nana. the DISH ChiGayGo: The August Show Weekly Dining Guide in WINDY CITY TIMES SAVOR

Bacon mushroom arancini Thu., Aug. 4, 10 pm Lark (left) and raspberry basil Laugh Factory Chicago, BY andrew davis lemonade at Lark. 3175 N. Broadway Photos by Andrew Davis Beat the heat with Chicago’s funni- Boystown restaurant Lark (3441 N. Halsted St.; est LGBTQ comics and their allies. This LarkChicago.com) basically has something for ev- However, stays will be short if the food and liba- and serrano peppers), but this carnivorous bunch month’s cast of fabulously funny folks eryone. tions aren’t great. Fortunately, Lark has a lot of went for the sausage combo item; the fennel sau- Adam Bindert, Bill Bullock, Adam Gueri- As for the name, owner Mark Liberson—who appealing options on the menu—and I do mean sage, wild mushrooms and caramelized onions no, Reena Calm, Rachel McCartney and seemingly owns half of the Boystown strip—told of lot: There are sizeable bar snacks, salads, sand- made for a mesmerizing treat. Our meal concluded Rebecca O’Neal, with hostess with the mostest Scott Duff. Windy City Times, “Lark was inspired by the idea wiches, standard sandwiches, burgers, pasta dishes with the scrumptious churro ice-cream sandwich- of bringing people together, like ‘birds of a feather and pizzas. es, combining hot, soft churro “buns” with three flocking together,’ and having a lark, engaging in Overall, the menu items warrant returning (for different types of ice cream. Monica Beverly Hillz’s mischievous, light-hearted fun together. In this dinner or brunch). The tempura-fried green beans As for drinks, I absolutely loved the pineapple #TSDIARIES Doc Benefit case, Lark is the neighborhood’s go-to place to (served with ranch dressing) were tasty, and Lark’s daquiri (actually called the Improved Pineapple meet, relax and create new memories over cock- smoked bacon-and-mushroom arancini offers a Daquiri). Among a couple of the other options are tails, dining and retro board games every night of solid twist on the traditional Italian risotto ap- Lark (with Aylesbury Duck vodka, vermouth, pas- the week.” petizer. (Honestly, I’d pass on the somewhat wa- sionfruit, Rhine Hall pear brandy, soda and fruit) Yes, board games are part of the aim to make tered-down grilled calamari, but that was the only and Fresh Squeezed Bees Knees (Ford’s gin, honey, Lark a place to revisit—and I’m always down for a dud that I had.) Deschutes fresh squeezed IPA and lemon). good Connect Four match. In addition, Lark (which The pizzas all look pretty enticing, with choices Lark officially opened June 16. I predict that is where Halsted’s Bar + Grill used to be) retains such as seaside (shrimp, lobster, calamari and crab the birds of a feather Liberson mentioned will be Sat., Aug. 6, 11 pm its predecessor’s large, picturesque outdoor patio, meat), Peruvian potato and bacon and Bernardo’s flocking here soon. Jackhammer providing yet another reason to attract patrons. Favorite (chorizo, basted egg, roasted tomatoes 6406 N. Clark St. Support Monica’s dream to film the docu- mentary of her life’s journey at this fun- draiser show with performances from Teri Yaki, Serena Fiierce, Skyla D, Chanel, Angel LeBare, Diamond Devereaux and more.

Tea in A-ville’s Big Boi and Phantogram Hælos Bloc Party G-Eazy Summer of Love

Sun., Aug. 7, 4-8 pm Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. Four-hour celebration of all the music that heals our heart. Hosted by Vince Rango. Moose the DJ brings you a high- er love. $5 Planters Punch. Disco, ‘80s LOLLAPALOOZA 25 HINRG/synth and ‘90s/’00s floor-fillers. The sights and sound(maker)s of this quarter-century celebration of Chicago’s biggest music festival. Photos by Jerry Nunn WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 27 Billy Masters

“When I was dating a guy I was hiding every- thing that I did because everything personal felt like it was immediately trivialized, so I didn’t like it. ... But then it changed when I started dating Billy says that fitness model Alex Bowen is a girl. I was, like, ‘Actually, to hide this provides making a big impression. the implication that I’m not down with it or I’m Instagram photo ashamed of it’, so I had to alter how I approached being in public. It opened my life up and I’m so much happier.”—Kristen Stewart talks about her tastic footage of the full final face-off. And the relationship with Alicia Cargile. only place you’ll see these fabulous 15 minutes I pride myself on knowing a little about a lot is on BillyMasters.com. of things. But I don’t know everything about ev- After seeing War Paint, a musical centered erything. For instance, did you know that if you around two very different women, I found my- get electrocuted, you can singe your clothes? self thinking about Wicked. Composer Steven That’s just one of the lessons I learned in the Schwartz was at Comic-Con recently and said emergency room. That, and when working with that the film version will have at least three new electrical wires, flip the circuit breaker first! Add songs composed especially for the movie and one in a ladder and a loose overhead wooden board, song that was cut prior to Broadway. and it was a recipe for disaster. You won’t be sur- With the Olympics looming large, we were prised to learn that I drove myself to the hospital thinking about hunky gymnast Danell Leyva. with one hand...while holding the remains of my You may remember the Cuban-American from four face with the other. years ago, when we ran a series of nearly nude Theater devotees are flocking to Chicago for photos that came from his cell phone, to say the chance to see Patti LuPone and Christine nothing of a nude workout pictorial (all of which Ebersole star together in the new musical War can be found on BillyMasters.com). Believe it or Paint. You don’t think I’d let a little hospital not, Danell (who was the only U.S. gymnast to stay keep me away from seeing two double Tony win a medal at the 2012 London Olympics—he Award winners sparring, do you? So off I went— won the bronze medal for all-around gymnast) facial bandaging be damned. As luck would have was an alternate on this year’s Olympic team. But it, the musicalized story of cosmetic mavens he’s been moved up due to a teammate’s knee Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden included injury. It’s ironic that an injury worked to Leyva’s a passing moment of electroshock therapy, but advantage, since an injury is what kept him off that’s neither hither nor yon. the team in the first place. Days before a key It’s a curious thing to form a show around two qualifying meet, Danell was left with several gap- women who never actually met despite having so ing wounds on his legs and hands after trying much in common (including swapping the men in to separate two of his pit bulls! And this isn’t a their lives). Most of the show is done in parallel first—four years ago, he had to get 80 stitches scenes on opposite sides of the stage, with the near his ear after being bitten by the same dogs ladies only meeting face-to-face in a fictitious days before the American Cup! I don’t even think late-life encounter. Despite both women’s suc- Betty White would object to both dogs being put cess, they are victims of their own ambition, of down after this latest attack. the times, and of their inability to change. Arden Many of you have written in the same “Ask is not allowed to join an exclusive club (which Billy” question. But the e-mail from Kurt in Dal- she helped design) because “for a woman to las was the first I received: “Who is Alex Bowen, have money is one thing. But to earn it? Surely and is that photo of his penis real? It can’t really you understand that changes things.” Likewise, be that big!” Rubinstein is discriminated against when try- Alex Bowen is a fitness model who appeared ing to buy a penthouse because of her ethnicity. on Love Island, a UK dating show. At the time, Recounting this episode, LuPone’s Rubinstein is he listed his occupation as “scaffolder,” but I sanguine: “So, what did I do? Did I cry like a doubt he’s done much scaffolding lately. A photo child? Do I walk away? No—I buy the building, of him flaunting his phenomenal physique and instead!” Shades of Evita. sporting a borderline double-digit dick mysteri- Both LuPone and Ebersole are at the top of ously popped up in public and virtually broke the their game. Both are actresses of extraordinary internet—to say nothing of countless other ori- caliber whose vocal abilities are two sides of the fices. In fact, the hoopla made its way across the same coin: Ebersole has a cooler, purer soprano, seas, leading many of you to write in wanting to while LuPone is more idiosyncratic, guttural and see all. Ask and you shall receive—on BillyMas- harsh. These vocal attributes fit the characters ters.com. ideally—not surprising since the roles were writ- When a penis can double as a scaffold, it’s defi- ten for them. And, yet, there are times when the nitely time to end yet another column. Before singers swap harmonies with striking dramatic we wrap up, we’re gonna slip in one last dick. results. It made me wonder how each would play Basketball player Draymond Green claimed that the other’s role. It’s a challenge that perhaps a penis pic that appeared on his Snapchat feed they’ll tackle one day. For now, the show has was due to his phone being hacked. He quickly been extended at Chicago’s Goodman until Aug. changed his story, saying it was meant to be pri- 21 (if you can get a ticket). I don’t think it’s too vate but he hit the wrong button. His erect penis early to anticipate a very healthy Broadway run will hit all the right buttons on www.BillyMas- shortly thereafter—after a bit of tweaking and ters.com—the site that’s always on the ball. If judicious pruning. While only a few scant sec- you have something you’d like us to look into, onds of video of the musical have been released, write to [email protected], and I promise you won’t be surprised to hear that quite a bit to get back to you before I get cast in a tour- more has made its way into my rather well-worn ing production of “Phantom.” So, until next time, lap. A certain someone has supplied us with fan- remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible. 28 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES HELP WANTED RELIGIOUS SERVICES & ½ bath. Private yard, detached 2 car garage & ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRITS WANTED. Achieve Person- sprinkling system. 2 blocks from Metra & Proksa Park. CLASSIFIEDS al & Financial FREEDOM. Help us help you help others. 20 minutes to Chicago’s loop. http://tinyurl.com/zu- ADVERTISE HERE It’s what we do. Earn $10,000/month while you learn wujd5 Asking $369,000. Carolyn Michals, Michals Realty, Inc. 708-447-9950. www.michalsrealty.com ADVERTISE HERE: Want to advertise your product, to invest VERY PROFITABLY in Real Estate. For a brief (8/24/16-4) service, etc. to thousands of readers? Place an online overview, call or text your name to 708-292- You Are Loved, ad in the Windy City Times! We offer affordable 8778. (7/27/16-4) You Are Welcome, rates, convenient service, and as a bonus, your You Are Celebrated! PUDDLEJUMP PROPERTIES ad runs in our online section for free. To place HOME IMPROVEMENT & CASSANDRA FRANCIS, BROKER an ad, contact Terri at 773-871-7610 ex 101, PAINTING [email protected], or go to our MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK FABULOUS! We do Bathroom Chicago Coalition of website http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/ Remodeling, Carpentry, Drywall Repairs, Painting and placeaclassified.php. more. “A+” with BBB. Licensed-Bonded-Insured, One Welcoming Churches year Warranty. Free Estimates! Andy OnCall 847-328- 80+ ministries celebrating BOOKKEEPER AVAILABLE 3100 www.andyoncallchicago.com (12/16/16-56) QUICKBOOK BOOKKEEPER AVAILABLE. Accounts LGBTQ lives Payable/Accounts Receivable, Invoicing, Collections, RELIGIOUS SERVICES www.chicagowelcomingchurches.org Time Tracking, Bank & Credit card reconciliations, Fi- CLASSIC MICHIANA LOG COTTAGE. nancial Statements, Journal Entry, Reports for accoun- FULLY RENOVATED 3 BR, 2BTH + tants for year-end and Much More! www.rockstarbooks. REAL ESTATE DEN. VAULTED TIMBER GREAT ROOM, webs.com FIELDSTONE FIREPLACE, ISLAND HOUSES - FOR SALE KITCHEN. CENTRAL A/C, SCREEN CLEANING SERVICES 3 LUXURIOUS LEVELS OF LIVING SPACE WILL TRULY PORCH, DECK, BEACH SHOWER. NEW CHESTNUT CLEANING SERVICES: We’re a house clean- AMAZE! 3110 WISCONSIN, BERWYN. 5 bedrooms/5 ROOF 2016, HUGE TREES, LOW ing service for homes, small businesses and small baths. Elegant chandeliers, Italian ceramic flooring & TAXES. WALK TO LM BEACH, HOUR buildings. We also have fabulous organizational skills marble throughout. 2 room ensuite with fireplace & FROM CHICAGO. BROKER-OWNED (a separate function at a separate cost that utilizes balcony access. 3rd floor in-law arrangement. 3-car 312.259.4011 $369K. 103 CHICKADEE TRAIL, MICHIANA, IN your assistance) for what hasn’t been cleaned in many garage. 2 blocks from Metra. http://tinyurl.com/ months or years due to long-term illness, depression, hqh3z9p Asking $440,000. Carolyn Michals, Mi- physical/mental challenges, for the elderly, if you chals Realty, Inc. 708-447-9950. have downsized and more. Depressed about going www.michalsrealty.com (8/17/16-4) REALTORS home to chaos? We can organize your chaos, straight- DESIRABLE OCTAGON FRONT BUNGALOW. 3004 Maple CHICAGO’S TOP GAY REALTORS INSTANT FREE ACCESS en out your chaos, help you make sense of your chaos Avenue, Berwyn. 4 bedroom, 2 ½ baths. Spacious TO CHICAGO’S TOP GAY REALTORS. FREE Buyers Repre- and finally clean what is no longer chaos. Can we help living room, formal dining & newly remodeled kitch- sentation - FREE Sellers Market Analysis - FREE Reloca- you? Bonded and insured. Chestnut Cleaning Ser- en. Hardwood flooring throughout main level. 2nd tion Kit any City, USA! On-line: WWW.GAYREALES- vice: 312-332-5575. www.ChestnutCleaning.com floor has additional living space & full bath. Base- TATE.COM or Toll Free 1-888-420-MOVE (6683). No (11/23/16-52) ment is fully finished with family room, 2nd kitchen Cost or Obligation (2/28/17-52)

she was a tireless worker, storyteller, truth- multimedia exhibit is at the Leather Archives & mainly on participation by people of color in seeker. Museum (LA&M), 6418 N. Greenview Ave. clubs, events and organizations, the LA&M ex- “I don’t think she ever would have retired. We “Excavating Experience” draws upon mate- hibit’s goal is to both inspire and to encourage only met in person once ... in Chicago when I rials from the museum’s archival holdings, as participation. invited her to see our town and judge Windy well as images, artifacts, ephemera and oral The exhibit will run through Sunday, Jan. 8, City Gay Idol. (She fell in LOVE with Chicago histories donated by people of color within 2017. and the Chicago LGBT community.) And yet, I Cook County’s BDSM/leather/fetish/kink com- LA&M is celebrating its 25th anniversary this feel I knew her heart and soul more than most munities specifically for this exhibit. Focusing fall. friends in my life.” VIDAL from page 25 WCT: Why bring it up? Casting call out JP: I think Nina thought she was going to his research for his historical novels. Even as get millions more than she got. Burr had been for new Mirza film we sat there talking with one another he had promised Gore’s LA house and, somehow, that Out Chicago actress/producer Fawzia Mirza stacks of history books that he would pour was reneged on in his will. is seeking extras for her new film, Signature through for details. WCT: Vidal’s lifelong partner Howard was Move. WCT: The movie Best of Enemies, about always the mysterious one to those outside All ages, races and genders are welcome; no 1968 and Vidal’s cantankerous relationship of the inner circle. What role did he play in acting experience is necessary. Extras are not with William F. Buckley Jr, shows them bear- his life? paid, but there will be lunch, snacks through- ing teeth but did they actually need one JP: I loved Howard. He was funny, a mensch. out the shoot and credit in the film. Filming another? At one point, Vidal whispers into They truly loved one another but there were will take place throughout August. Buckley’s ear, “I guess we gave them their some rough times. In the ‘70s, Howard serious- Fill out the form at http://FullSpectrumFea- money’s worth tonight?” ly thought about leaving Gore who had begun tures.com/sigmoveextras or email Ray Gold- Psychic Ms. Cleo JP: They were both actors. They knew what acting rude toward him. berg ([email protected]). Find they were doing. I had dinner with Gore and WCT: Howard could tell Vidal to shut up? dies at age 53 out more about the move at ChicagoFilmPro- Norman Mailer, another of his newsworthy rela- JP: Yes, especially when Gore was full of him- Youree Harris, aka famed psychic Ms. Cleo, ject.com/SignatureMove/. has died at age 53 from cancer. tionships. All three of them were true to their self, drunk, or both. Howard would say, “Okay, Harris, who was born and raised in Los Ange- beliefs and actions. that’s enough Gore” or “Time to shut up!” They les, died in Palm Beach County, Florida. A rep Disco legend Clifford WCT: Speaking of famous relationships, were like any longtime married couple. for Harris did not state what kind of cancer she Vidal always peddled that he was an “inti- WCT: He had all kinds of moments? suffered from, but did say that she was a “pil- in concert Aug. 26 mate” of the Kennedys. You disagree. JP: He did. I’ve been at dinner parties were lar of strength” during her illness. The Advo- Disco legend Linda Clifford will be in concert He was more of an “onlooker” than an in- Gore was the delight of the evening, holding cate, in 2006, reported that Harris—who also at Unity in Chicago, 1925 W. Thome Ave., on sider. They were not in each other’s company everyone in the palm of his hand, charming, did voiceover work for Grand Theft Auto: Vice Friday, Aug. 26. that many times. Now, remember, he and Jackie funny as one could be. Other dinner parties he City—was lesbian. There will be a meet-and-greet with Clifford shared a stepfather when each of their respec- was plain drunk, slurry. As a friend, you’d be Windy City Media Group’s Amy Matheny, who at 7 p.m., followed by a concert at 8 p.m. tive mothers married Hugh Auchincloss. But embarrassed for him. He was thin-skinned and interviewed Harris many times on the now-in- Clifford is known for such hits as “Runaway that was before she was a Kennedy. could be dismissive of others. With me, and I active podcast Windy City Queercast, posted a Love,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now” and WCT: Vidal’s half-sister, Nina Straight, and know others too, he was also kind, and solici- lengthy Facebook quote about Harris. In part, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” her son Burr Steers, while talking to Tim tous. He always asked about my wife and chil- Matheny stated, “ Cleo was FULL of life, a seek- Admission is $35 (concert only) and $50 Teeman, author of In Bed with Gore Vidal, dren. We talked on the phone constantly. Once er of clarity, a civil rights activist, and a deeply (concert and meet-and-greet); visit BrownPa- brought up the “pedophile” issue regarding I arrived at his home and asked how he was loyal friend. Her full throated laugh, mouth perTickets.com. For more about the event, visit Vidal. William Buckley also intimated for doing. He said,” Better now that you’re here.” wide and head flung back was joy personified. UnityChicago.org. years that he too thought Vidal was involved Like all of us, he had a range of emotions. She was a frequent guest on my podcast for with underage males. Thoughts? WCT: He’s part of you? a decade, but very quickly, she became more JP: That’s just nuts, insane. He was not a pe- JP: Gore was an important part of my life. than a guest. She became my friend. LA&M exhibiting dophile. He really didn’t like children although This has been cathartic for me. Writing the “[Harris] was passionate about spirituality. ‘Excavating he was always polite to those children in his book helped me to understand our friendship. ... She was passionate about south Florida, her orbit. Did he have sex with younger men, 20 We also write to get rid of stuff. Then, move community and family, and talked of all three Experience’ to 25 or even older when he was himself much on. every call. She was passionate about Spain and “Excavating Experience: The Presence of LG- older? Of course. He never hid that fact at least dreamed of owning a home there to retire. But BTQ People of Color in Cook County, IL” is a not among his inner circle. WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 29 CONNEXIONS MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS

“A greatEhrlich dental experience... Dental“ “ I haveGeneral never felt & more Cosmetic at ease in a doctor’sDentistry offi ce...” 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

Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago Call 773-935-0300 312-855-0875 | 221 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL • Licensedwww.ehrlichdental.com Sedation Dentistry [email protected] • CheckJoshua H. Ehrlich Out, DMD Our PC, General Reviews & Cosmetic Dentistry Online 24/7 Emergency Phone : 847-309-7777 3118 N. Sheffi eld Ave. Suite 1N, Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois 60657 EDUCATION BA: University of Chicago, DMD: Tufts University, GPR: Rush University • State & Federal Courts • Weapon & Gun Charges

• Felonies & Misdemeanors Joshua H. Ehrlich, DMD • Internet & White-Collar Crime • Drunk Driving 3118 N. Sheffield Ave. • All Drug Charges • Orders of Protection Chicago, IL • Expungements (773) 935-0300 Speak to an experienced www.EhrlichDental.com attorney within minutes who Serving Lakeview & Beyond!

Ray J. Koenig III and Clark Hill PLC

• Divorce • Child Custody • Probate • Adoption • Trusts • Cohabitation Agreements • Guardianship • Domestic Violence • Estate Planning • Spousal and • Elder Law Kimberly J. Child Support Janice L. Boback Anderson Clark Hill is an entrepreneurial, full service law firm that provides serving: Artists business legal services, government & public affairs, and personal legal services to our clients throughout the country. With offices Professionals in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Proudly serving same-sex couples! Washington, D.C. and West Virginia, Clark Hill has more than 300 Business owners attorneys and professionals. 115 S. LaSalle St., 26th Floor 312.985.5938 [email protected] 312-715-0870 www.illinoislawforyou.com clarkhill.com www.abd-cpas.com • (847) 257-7330

The Law Office of Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss, P.C. Dr. Edward J. Fajardo Licensed Clinical Psychologist When experience counts... In service to the community for over 35 years. 4633 N. Western Ave., Suite 206 • Business Organization Chicago, IL 60625 • Wills, Trusts & Probate (312) 623-0502 • Real Estate Closings [email protected] • Premarital Agreements Look for Dr. Edward Fajardo on Facebook

33 N. Dearborn St., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60602 Specializing in Gay-Affirmative Psychotherapy 312-263-8800 [email protected] i l o

i 25% OFF

l Custom Framing o

CUSTOM FRAMING Framing Chicago’s art since 1991. 1478 W. Berwyn - 773.784.3962 1435 W. Rosemont Ave, #1W , Chicago, IL, 60660 30 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES

Marquette Park, celebrating the legacy k.d. lang Out singer and songwriter with ENCHANTMENT Leigh Stein in conver- COMMUNITY of the Chicago Freedom Movement, ac- Neko Case and Laura Veirs 7:30pm The sation with Alison Bowen. 7:30pm knowledging the ongoing efforts of or- Chicago Theatre (Chicago) 175 N State Women & Children First Bookstore 5233 ganizers far and wide to strive towards St Chicago Tickets: http://www.box- N Clark St Chicago (773) 769-9299 CALENDAR a more just and equitable city. Nine officetickets.com/Events/Country-and- http://www.womenandchildrenfirst. blocks. $10 registration fee is requested Folk-Tickets/Neko-Case/2041939?&gcli com/event/author-reading-leigh-stein- Thursday, Aug. 4 to cover march expenses. Sign up on- d=CPW698jghc4CFQEEaQodaW0Ijw land-enchantment line. 9:00am 63rd and Kedzie Ave., TransMale Indulgence TransMale Chicago Lezincolor has a new name: Womyn’s Chicago http://www.mlkmemorialchi- Monday, Aug. 8 and Jackhammer team up to bring you Retreat An intentional land space for cago.org/the-project/the-1000-mile- Center on Halsted Ballroom Nights Each TransMale Indulgence: A night for Gay women who love women gathering to march/ Monday evening on the third floor. Free Transmen and Men interested in them celebrate diversity and culture in regard Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance classes first Monday of each month goes second Wednesday of each month. DJ, to race, age, physical ability and sexual (LGBTQ) Support meeting to talk about into one particular style and subsequent free pizza at 10pm. Transmale porn. The orientation. Thursday - Sunday tenting illnesses, symptoms, treatment, doc- weeks go into execution. No registration Hole will be open at 11pm for transmale on beautiful flat & forest land. Limited tors, and personal issues such as dating, required. Students with no experience cruising. 8:00pm - 12:00pm Jackham- indoor lodging available. Workshops, relationships and work. Every Saturday. may join at any time but best early in mer 6406 N Clark St Chicago http:// firePit, drumming, White Dance Party, 11:00am - 12:30pm Center on Halsted month. 7:00pm Center on Halsted www.transmalechicago.com entertainment, music, games, food. 3656 N Halsted Chicago http://dbsa- 3656 N Halsted Chicago http://www. Area attractions, tours, canoeing and glbt-chicago.com centeronhalsted.org Friday, Aug. 12 hiking, accessible. Cement and grounds Textual Empowerment: Lesbian Publish- Toni Shelton dance celebration event Off Center, Live Music at Center on Hal- accommodate wheel chairs, with toilets lang distance ing in the 1970s and 1980s The 1970s Queen of House Music hosts event fea- sted New live monthly music series at & showers. Through Aug. 7. 12:00pm and 1980s was a period of initial devel- turing an all-female DJ lineup includ- Center on Halsted. Live sets from LGBTQ Hilltop Retreat Center, Spring Green WI. Sunday, Aug. 7 opment and growth of lesbian publish- ing Lora Branch and Celeste Alexan- community musicians in a laid-back set- Tickets: http://www.lezincolor.com/ k.d. lang (above) will ing with networks and collectives that der. 8:00pm Daley Center Plaza 50 ting. Inaugural night welcomes Scott South Loop Farmers Market Sustainable- taught running printing presses and W Washington St Chicago https://www. Free (Homolatte), Joe Stevens, and foods marketplace featuring a partner- perform with Neko Case and publishing practices, helping women facebook.com/RealToniShelton R.D.A. as Osiris. Advanced registration ship with McCormick Place. Thursday Laura Veirs at The Chicago take full control of the printing and is recommended to secure a space Cash through Sept. 29. 4:00pm - 8:00pm Theatre. distribution processes. Exhibit running Tuesday, Aug. 9 Bar Available $10 suggested donation On the grounds of the National Historic PR photo through September 2016. Thursdays 6 Sappho’s Salon A monthly performance benefitting our Homeless Youth Initia- Landmark Second Presbyterian Church, to 9 pm, Fridays 1 to 7 pm, Saturdays salon featuring expressions of queer- tive 7:00pm - 9:00pm Center on Hal- 1936 S. Michigan Ave. http://www. Noon to 6 pm. 12:00pm - 6:00pm Ger- ness, gender and feminism. 7:00pm - sted 3656 N Halsted Chicago https:// southloopfarmersmarket.com www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/ ber Hart Library and Archives 6500 N 9:00pm Women & Children First Book- community.centeronhalsted.org/OffCen- American Veterans for Equal Rights event/book-launch-party-heartbreaker- Clark St Chicago http://www.gerber- store 5233 N Clark St Chicago (773) ter (AVER) LGBT military veterans meet on maryse-meijer-conversation-wth-lind- hart.org 769-9299 http://www.womenandchil- Queer Genre Fiction Book Group Lord the second floor first Thursday of each say-hunter drenfirst.com/ John and the Brotherhood of the Blade month. 7:00pm Center on Halsted Sunday, Aug. 7 by Diana Gabaldon. Set during the Sev- 3656 N Halsted Chicago 773-472-6469 Friday, Aug. 5 aChurch4Me Sunday Worship Service A Wed., Aug. 10 en Years War, Lord John Grey pursues a http://www.averchicago.org Harbor 57: Free Food and Support for place to find peace, comfort and always Gwen Stefani: “This Is What the Truth deadly family secret and a clandestine New Town Writers’ Workshop Partici- Homeless Youth Youth ages 13-25, needed prayer. 11:00am AChurch4Me Feels Like” Tour Live Nation is proud love affair against an eighteenth-centu- pants are asked to bring copies of their including children of young parents. MCC, 7366 N Clark St, Chicago http:// to announce Gwen Stefani with special ry background of politics, treason, and work so other writers and listeners may All identities are welcome. 4:30pm - www.achurch4me.org guest EVE. $29.95 to $149.95 7:00pm battle. 7:00pm - 9:00pm Gerber Hart follow along. 7:00pm - 9:00pm Gerber 7:30pm St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Asians & Friends Dim Sum Each first Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Library and Archives 6500 N Clark St Hart Library and Archives 6500 N Clark 5700 Midway Park, Chicago (Austin) Sunday of the month 12:30pm Furama Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park Tickets: Chicago https://www.facebook.com/ St Chicago 773-378-8111 4936 N. Broadway Chicago http://www. http://www.eventticketscenter.com/ events/1742410936048246/ Book Launch Party: HEARTBREAKER by afchicago.org Saturday, Aug. 6 Event.aspx?EventID=108744&ppcsrc=A Maryse Meijer In conversation with Dolly Parton $115 to $150. Lawn $38 to The 1,000 Mile March: The Journey to MP&gclid=CI7GyIrjmMwCFZY1aQodfc8M Lindsay Hunter. 7:30pm Women & $43. 7:30pm Ravinia Festival 418 Justice Continues Re-creating a por- yg Children First Bookstore 5233 N Clark Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 tion of King’s historic 1966 march into Author Reading: Leigh Stein, LAND OF St Chicago (773) 769-9299 http:// Tickets: http://ravinia.org

Es is Results. OLIN IS PROUD TO REPRESENT THE LGBT COMMUNITY AS Es is Experience. THEIR PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE WITH EXPERT KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET Es is Your Real Estate Guru. Call for a Esmeralda (Es) Román Family Owned & Operated Since 1965 FREE COMPARATIVE Cell/Text: 630.747.7338 | [email protected] 24-Hour Emergency Service MARKET ANALYSIS We Service ALL Makes & Models of your home or neighborhood. • Residential • Service Es • Commercial • Installation Olin Eargle • Industrial • Sales ABR, CNE, GRI Realtor® / Broker Accredited Buyer’s Representative Find us on Facebook at Certified Negotiations Expert www.facebook.com/AAService 847-729-7889 www.AAServiceCo.com c: 312-771-1328 550 Anthony Trail, Northbrook, IL [email protected] www.olinsellschicago.com

Robert T. Badesch Family Law Mulryan Tina Abramovitch Cory Blalock•Nicole McKinnon Donald B. Boyd, Jr. William McSurley•Karen VanderMeer • Pre-Marital Agreements • LGBTQ Family Law • Divorce • Mediation LGBT Issues • Divorce/Wills/Trusts • Real Estate Closings & York Adoption • Paternity • Division of Property Custody Violation • Child Support • Custody • Children’s rights Attorneys At Law Child support and enforcement Free Initial Consultation • Maintenance • Domestic violence 708-848-1005 Post divorce enforcement and modification 113 South Marion St., Ste. 100, Oak Park, Ill., 60302 4001 N. Wolcott Grandparents and extended family rights Evening & Weekend Pre-nuptial and post nuptial agreements Appointments Available Chicago, IL 60613 Major Credit Cards Accepted (773) 248-8887 www.BoydDivorce.com WINDY CITY TIMES Aug. 3, 2016 31

NEW BODY, NEW YOU

Visit our website: www.davidshifrinmd.com

Mention WINDY CITY TIMES and get $500 off. Offer good through August 31, 2016

SPECIAL SUMMER DISCOUNT!

Discover what others know ...

Award-Winning Plastic Surgery Member DR. DAVID SHIFRIN Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon CHICAGO • 312-502-6200 680 N. Lake Shore Dr. www.davidshifrinmd.com 32 Aug. 3, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES

CCT6915-1 LGBT_ManifestoPrint_Flyer_WindyCityTimes.indd 1 7/20/16 10:35 AM