A 'Narrow' Loss
CAKE CASE RULING A ‘NARROW’ LOSS
VOL 33, NO. 38 JUNE 6, 2018 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com
JOAN OF Mona Noriega, John Peller, Ed Yohnka, Anthony Galloway and Elissa PAGE 6 ART Jeffers at the Chicago Masterpiece protest June 4 at Federal Plaza. Joan Armatrading Photo by Tracy Baim on new music, LGBT fans. Photo by Joel Anderson 24 Experts interpret ‘Masterpiece’
DAVID Supreme Court decision LOVEJOY Non-binary actor on standing up for others. Photo by Nicole Weisner 22 TRIP OF A
HOWARD Lesbian artists’ WAX transformative LIFETIME People reminisce about late trip to Morocco suburban resident. Photo courtesy of Robert Pooley 5
PROM- ENADE National Museum of Mexican Art hosts queer prom. Photo by Vern Hester Artists Sam Kirk (right) and Jenny Q. PAGE 10 15 Photos courtesy of Kirk
@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com T:10” 2 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES
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WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 3
NEWS When A Great Deal Matters, Shop Rob Paddor’s... Connie Kurtz dies 4 Howard Wax’s friends reminisce about him 5 Evanst on Subaru in Skokie Ramifications of anti-LGBT SCOTUS decision 6 Chicago rally protests SCOTUS ruling 7 INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW ERA; gay prez of judges group 8 E Local high school has trans protections 9 Lesbian artist reflects on Moroccan trip 10 2019 SUBARU ASCENT Mural whitewashed; Equality Rally upcoming 13 Equality Illinois brunch 14 Queer prom 15 Viewpoints: Rudolph 16 INDEX Arriving this month ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Theater feature: Queer comedy with Curry 17 DOWNLOAD THIS ISSUE AND BROWSE THE ARCHIVES AT www.WindyCityTimes.com
CAKE CASE RULING A ‘NARROW’ LOSS Theater reviews 18
VOL 33, NO. 38 JUNE 6, 2018 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com ‘Monsieur” feature; star’s op-ed 22
JOAN OF Mona Noriega, John Peller, Ed Yohnka, Anthony Galloway and Elissa PAGE 6 ART Jeffers at the Chicago Masterpiece protest June 4 at Federal Plaza. Joan Armatrading Photo by Tracy Baim on new music, Music: Joan Armatrading 24 Subaru Love LGBT fans. Photo by Joel Anderson 24 Experts interpret ‘Masterpiece’ Supreme Court decision TV review: ‘Pose’ 26 DAVID is now bigger • OR ASSENGER LOVEJOY 7 8-P Non-binary actor on standing up for others. Photo by Nicole Weisner NIGHTSPOTS 27 22 TRIP OF A than ever
HOWARD Lesbian artists’ WAX transformative LIFETIME Classifieds; calendar 29 People reminisce about late trip to Morocco suburban resident. Photo courtesy of Robert Pooley 5
PROM- ENADE National Museum • , lbs OWING of Mexican Art 5 000 T Above: WCT reviews Bull in a China Shop. hosts queer prom. Photo by Vern Hester Artists Sam Kirk (right) and Jenny Q. PAGE 10 15 Photos courtesy of Kirk
@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com Photo of Kelli Simpkins and Emjoy Gavino by Anna Gelman NEW 2018 SUBARU NEW 2018 SUBARU NEW 2018 SUBARU online exclusives at CROSSTREK 2.0i FORESTER 2.5i OUTBACK 2.5i www.WindyCityTimes.com
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Automatic, All Weather, Black, P5863A ...... $12,995 A+ WCT reviews the production RATED plus Neverwhere. Photo by Suzanne Plunkett 33480 4OAK7TON-- 8SKO6KIE9• E-VA5NST7ON0SUB0ARU.COM DAILY BREAKING NEWS Finance/Lease on approved credit score. Subject to vehicle insurance and availability. Add tax, title licence and $175.94 doc fee. *Lease, 10k miles per year, 15 cents after. Lessee responsible for excess wear and early termination of lease. Option to purchase; Forester $15,959, Crosstrek $15,262, Outback $18,829. Ends June 16, 2018. 4 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES Connie Kurtz, from ‘Ruthie & Connie’ GUEST COLUMN movie, dies BY DELIA KROPP Lesbian pioneer Connie (Constance) Kurtz died Brooklyn, New York. (Still) a Cis World After All peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, They were religiously married in a Jewish wed- A tragic, drug-addicted hooker (Dallas Buyers would? on the evening of May 27 after a long illness. ding on May 20, 2000. Legal marriage happened Club). A slasher-transvestite (Dressed to Kill) Compared to the brutality out in the real She was 81. July 26, 2011, two days after marriage for same- and a slasher-transvestite dressing as his dead world, the arts probably seem pretty easy to Born July 19, 1936 in Brooklyn, she moved sex couples became legal in New York state. Rabbi mother (Psycho). A transwoman who tragically change. Just bleeding-heart bastions of empa- with her husband and two children to Israel in Sharon Kleinbaum, senior rabbi of Congregation perishes during pioneering gender-affirmation thy, inclusion, and equality, right? Well, let me 1970, and lived there for four years. When she Beit Simchat Torah, officiated both ceremonies. surgery (The Danish Girl), a trans man brutally share some typical responses when I speak up returned to the United States, she reconnected The couple retired to Palm Beach County, murdered by transphobes (Boys Don’t Cry), and about missteps in transgender representation with longtime friend Ruth Berman, who had lived Florida, where they have continued to fight for even a madperson performing their own bizarre on Chicago’s stages. in her apartment building (Contello Towers) in human rights in Democratic, LGBT, feminist, and sex-change by culling skins from female murder Gravesend, Brooklyn. They fell in love, divorced #BlackLivesMatter politics. In recognition of victims (Silence of the Lambs). “Don’t you dare censor my Art!” their respective husbands and became a couple. their activism, The Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Extraordinary exceptions? No. Sadly, these Live theater today is a notoriously hands- are the norm in Hollywood, and elsewhere too. off endeavor. If a director wants to stage King In those rare instances where a trans character Lear with Kabuki puppets wearing tutus, then survives the final act, it’s usually to live in in- he shall do so, and don’t spare the tulle. The famy, destitution or disgrace. conviction is that artistic meddling from out- Now imagine you are, like me, a transgender side the rehearsal hall, be they board members, human. Nearly every cis person processes you audience members, or social justice warriors, with a brain already crammed with these lurid is bound to be bad. It has roots in the First transgender movie tropes. Inevitably, some be- Amendment, but even deeper ones in the have as if you’re a actual threat. The bank tell- mainstream (white, cisgender, often hetero) er poises to press her alarm; that gang member convictions that the 1950s and Joe McCarthy on the Brown Line threatens to carve you up are just around the corner. Today’s mainstream (both happened to me). Why? Because your often forgets that stories about any disenfran- real-life face is just one among their familiar chised group also peddle in matters of non- fictional gallery of fictional freaks, outsiders, fictional life and death. If you shape public and psychopaths. So, some respond less to perception, you directly impact the privileges, who you actually are than their own unfounded laws, and even physical survival of marginal- fears. ized people. So in certain cases, I will gladly Still, the question I often get is: Why does see your “Hands off my Sacred Art” and raise it matter in a movie or stage work who plays a you the lives of trans persons, persons of color certain trans role, who directs the production, and other disenfranchised Americans persons Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz (right). or who writes the script? My answer is: Because threatened by acts of hate. Photo by Toni Armstrong Jr. transgender lives depend on getting it right. “But we artists LOVE you, we feel your And because cis people have a terrible track pain ... and also you need our skills/access/ Everyone knew them as “Ruthie and Connie.” Americans Act was introduced into Congress in record of exploitation, sensationalism and in- privilege to get the message out there.” In 1988, Connie was a bookkeeper and her November 2017. accurate trans narratives. To be sure, theater folk are trained to ex- partner Ruthie was a guidance counselor and Connie was passionately devoted to the causes Receiving the Leppen Leadrship Award from pertly insert themselves squarely into any physical education teacher at Sheepshead Bay of women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and the envi- About Face Theatre for my service to the trans- character’s tattered shoes, and walk their woe- High School in Brooklyn. In 1988, along with two ronment. She is remembered with great fondness gender community was a surprise because I’m ful walk. The “We Can Be Anyone” tradition of other couples, Ruthie and Connie sued the New and admiration for her humor, her energy, and not an advocate or activist in the any tradi- Meryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman runs deep. Their York City Board of Education for domestic-partner her dedication to pursuing justice and her art. tional sense, but an actor and director. Just cry is We are Artists! We are Everyman! benefits, eventually winning these historic rights Since 1996, Connie also focused on being an art- a storyteller doing what I know best: taking Well, you know the problem with that? Ac- for all New York City employees in 1994. The cou- ist, which emerged as a profoundly deep passion stage. Making lots of noise and being very vis- tors and writers do exactly what they say: they ple gained national acclaim when they appeared/ of hers. She expressed herself with vividly colored ible on behalf of my transgender tribe. put THEMSELVES into minority characters. I’m came out on the Phil Donahue Show and Geraldo paintings, collages and quilts—all of which she When a raft of problematic stage shows sorry, but no coffee chats with your (one) trans to talk about the case. sold and exhibited. premiered in 2016, from little storefronts to friend, no Howlround articles nor hours of Ru- Among other activist achievements, the couple Connie is survived by her wife, her love, her behemoths like The Goodman, it alarmed me Paul’s Drag Race can change the intrinsic fact started branches of Parents, Friends and Fam- spouse, her co-conspirator Ruth Berman; her sis- how trans representation and authenticity were of your cisgender-ness. You ARE. NOT. TRANS. ily of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in Florida and ter Sally Silverman; her daughter Eileen Ben Or being muscled aside by otherwise sympathetic Which is critical because ... New York, and in 2000, they began serving as and son Moishe Kurtz; 14 grandchildren; and 27 theatre artists. I had worked as a cisgender ac- An artists’ strongest concerns, insights, and co-chairs of the New York State NOW Lesbian great-grandchildren, as well as Ruthie’s children tor for 30 years and been part of that commu- convictions inevitably concern themselves. Life Rights Task Force. They received the SAGE Pioneer and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by nity. If I wouldn’t stand up and cry foul, who Award, and founded The Answer is Loving Coun- her parents Elias and Rose Levy. She was buried Turn to page 14 seling Center (they are both certified counselors) May 30 at Star of David Cemetery of The Palm and worked there for more than 20 years. Beaches (West Palm Beach, Florida). Before gender transitioning, Delia Kropp trained in England and Chicago, and acted with a The story of their love and of their activism In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in variety of Chicago companies including The Goodman, Red Twist, Griffin, Lifeline, and Pegasus is captured in the award-winning documentary Connie’s name to CBST: Congregation Beth Sim- Players. She won Best Supporting Actor for her work as Alan in “Equus” at Michigan’s renowned Ruthie & Connie: Every Room in the House. The chat Torah; Compass LGBT Center in Lake Worth, Boarshead Theatre. She has also directed a number of productions for Chicago storefront and Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz Papers are held in FL; OLOC: Old Lesbians Organizing for Change; educational institutions. Delia’s female acting career begins with “Raggedy And” at Pride the Sophia Smith Collection of Women’s History and/or BLAST: Bi, Lesbian and Straight Together Films and Plays in 2016. at Smith College and in the Lesbian Archives in Women of the Palm Beaches. WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 5 just as much a social group as it was a sports one. Friends recall connections “He liked to grow organizations and networks of people,” said Miller. Susan Boone, who is married to Edwards, ex- with Howard Wax plained why she stayed on “the opposite side any BY MATT SIMONETTE a common theme: his knack for connecting peo- circle” Wax was in when he ventured out on the ple with one another. Close friend Mark Maroney dance floor. Attorney and River Forest resident Howard Wax, said, “Whenever I met an individual or couple “He was also full of fun … He was prone to who passed away in May, was remembered by I thought would make a good connection with let loose unrestrainedly,” Boone said. “He could close friend Lee Griesbach, among others, as Howard and Rob, almost invariably it turned out do the Russian squat dance with flair. At Jewish someone who “collected friends” in the best they already knew one another, often through events where people danced the hora, I observed sense of the phrase. connections Howard had previously made.” on multiple occasions that individuals in his vi- “He was a networker,” added Griesbach’s part- Edwards added that Wax was “a friendly face cinity, and he himself, often lifted completely off ner, David Miller. and warm presence” at Or Chadash, noting that the ground—they looked like characters in a Cha- Wax took his own life on May 12. He is survived “numbers of people have told me that Howard gall painting, flying.” by his husband, Robert Pooley, and two children, was among the first to greet them and make them Maroney also noted Wax’s devotion to his fam- Sarah and Marcus Wax. feel at home when they showed up for the first ily, recalling, “Home life was important to How- A native of Livingston, New Jersey, but a long- time. He was in fact the first person to invite me ard. He may have been the ‘stay-at-home’ dad, but he also helped make sure his family ventured Howard Wax. time Chicago-area resident, Wax had roles in a to attend a service at Or Chadash, where I later Photo courtesy of Robert Pooley number of community organizations, and was for served as rabbi for 10 years.” out and experienced the world together, and with many years co-president of the mainly-LGBT syna- “There was always two degrees of separation,” a wide circle of friends and extended family. gogue Congregation Or Chadash. After he and his said Griesbach. “You’d meet someone and some- “I’ll always remember the pride and admiration troducing them to their life-partners. “Howard family moved to River Forest, Wax was also an how there’d be a connection to Howard, no mat- I felt years ago, seeing the photo of Howard and liked to match up couples and would hold dinner active member at Oak Park Temple. ter who you spoke to or who you knew. He not Rob—two gay dads—with their two small chil- parties, ostensibly ‘just to hold a dinner party,’ Rabbi Larry Edwards recalled that Wax was only collected friends, but he connected them. dren, as part of a cover story in Chicago Parent that were really to set people up,” he said. “very involved in his community—the children’s He knew everyone’s name and remembered every- magazine.” Griesbach added, “It was pretty amazing how school, the synagogue, the tennis club. One one. It was amazing how he could do that.” Besides being a stay-at-home father, Wax broad his reach was in touching people’s lives.” of many words that come to mind about him is Wax was an avid runner and took part in mara- worked part-time at the Brown Elephant in Oak In addition to Pooley and his children, Wax is ‘generous.’ Howard devoted time and resources, thons and other races, and indeed met Pooley Park and did legal work for the Pro Bono Network. survived by his sisters Rabbi Pamela (Chaim Bron- both financial and intellectual, to the community when both were members of Frontrunners/Front- “He was representing people who had come to stein) Wax and Sheila (Willy) Chang. Funeral ser- —the Jewish community, the LGBTQ community, walkers Chicago. According to Griesbach, Wax was this country, in a lot of cases, to escape some vices were held May 30 at Oak Park Temple. Wax’s pro-bono legal work and beyond.” also an avid movie buff, loved musical theater, type of abuse,” said Griesbach. family has requested donations in his memory Wax’s friends’ remembrances nearly all included and was active in his tennis club, which was Miller mentioned that, when he was at Wax’s for either the Oak Park Temple Chevra Kaddisha shiva, a number of people credited Wax with in- (burial society) or the Pro Bono Network. 6 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES hostility” to Phillips’ view that the Bible opposes The Masterpiece decision, marriage for same-sex couples. Preparing for the next battle In a telephone press conference after the deci- and its ramifications sion was released, David Mullins who, along with BY LISA KEEN put considerable emphasis on his interpretation spouse Charlie Craig, filed the original complaint KEEN NEWS SERVICE of how the Colorado Civil Rights Commission han- against baker Phillips, said he was “disappoint- dled the complaint against Phillips. He said the ed” with the ruling but that he hopes “people can In a what one legal activist characterized as Commission demonstrated “clear and impermis- understand that this is not a wide-ranging ruling “dangerous encouragement to those who would sible hostility toward the sincere religious beliefs and it doesn’t mean the [state law prohibiting deny civil rights to LGBT people,” the U.S. Su- that motivated his objection.” His evidence was discrimination based on sexual orientation] was preme Court voted seven to two on June 4 in two-fold: that the Commission did not take ad- invalidated in any way.” favor of a Colorado baker who refused to sell wed- verse action against bakers who had refused to Mullins and Craig were living in Colorado but ding cakes to same-sex couples the same as he create cakes with anti-LGBT messages, and that a married in Massachusetts in 2012, when the U.S. sells to male-female couples. member or members of the Commission made re- Supreme Court had not yet struck down state bans against marriage for same-sex couples. Af- The much-anticipated decision in Masterpiece marks he construed to be hostile toward Phillips’ Ed Yohnka of the ACLU of Illinois at a Chicago ter Phillips refused to sell them a cake for their Cakeshop v. Colorado elicited an unusually broad expressed religious beliefs. protest against the Masterpiece ruling. reception, they posted a message on Facebook array of reactions from LGBT legal activists and But LGBT legal activists, for the most part, Photo by Tracy Baim observers. were inclined to focus their reaction Monday to about the incident and then learned that state While Lambda Legal Chief Executive Officer Ra- the majority decision’s inclusion of language sig- law prohibits discrimination based on sexual ori- vative justices (Chief Justice John Roberts and chel Tiven said the ruling offers “dangerous en- naling an acceptance that civil rights laws should entation. That’s when they filed a complaint with Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch), two of couragement to those who would deny civil rights and must protect LGBT people from discrimina- the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. its more liberal members –Justices Stephen Brey- to LGBT people and people living with HIV, ” the tion. A state administrative judge, the Colorado Civil er and Elena Kagan—voted with the majority. ACLU said the majority opinion “reaffirmed the “Our society has come to the recognition that Rights Commission, and the Colorado Court of Ap- (Clarence Thomas did not sign onto the majority core principle that businesses open to the public gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated peals all ruled for the couple and against Phillips. decision but filed his own opinion, concurring in must be open to all.” as social outcasts or as inferior in dignity and The Commission did not order Phillips to design the judgment.) Shannon Minter, legal director for the National worth,” wrote Kennedy. “For that reason the laws cakes for same-sex weddings, but rather ordered Center for Lesbian Rights, said the decision was and the Constitution can, and in some instances that he stop “refusing to sell [to same-sex cou- A split among the progressives “narrow” and “does not break any new constitu- must, protect them in the exercise of their civil ples] wedding cakes or any product [the baker] Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the dissent tional ground or create any new religious or free rights.” would sell to heterosexual couples.” for herself and Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Ginsburg speech exceptions to anti-discrimination laws.” While “the religious and philosophical objec- Colorado and 20 other states have laws prohib- found fault with the majority’s reliance on the re- Law professor Tobias Barrington Wolff said “the tions to gay marriage are protected views and in iting sexual orientation discrimination in public marks of Commission members and the different majority’s reasoning has many implications,” some instances protected forms of expression,” accommodations and other areas, such as em- outcome in complaints involving other bakers. including the likelihood that “litigants will try wrote Kennedy, “....it is a general rule that such ployment and housing. She noted that the gay couple who approached to apply the Court’s analysis to other forms of objections do not allow business owners and oth- Rea Carey of the National LGBTQ Task Force said Masterpiece Cakeshop did not seek any particu- discrimination or unfavorable treatment by state er actors in the economy and in society to deny that, while she is “concerned that the Court’s ac- lar message “or anything else distinguishing” on authorities (based on race, sex, national origin), protected persons equal access to goods and tion will lead to future cases that may weaken their cake. and lower courts may entertain those arguments.” services under a neutral and generally applicable the rights of LGBTQ people,” she takes “solace in “When a couple contacts a bakery for a wed- The Alliance Defending Freedom, which brought public accommodations law.” the fact that in Justice Kennedy’s ruling he re- ding cake, the product they are seeking is a cake the Masterpiece Cakeshop appeal, was unequivo- “…[A]ny decision in favor of the baker would minded everyone that religious objections alone celebrating their wedding—not a cake celebrat- cal: “This is a big win—not just for Jack, but for have to be sufficiently constrained,” said Kenne- do not grant a right to deny services to others.” ing heterosexual weddings or same-sex wed- every American who values freedom.” dy, “lest all purveyors of goods and services who Law professor Tobias Barrington Wolff said the dings—and that is the service Craig and Mullins object to gay marriages for moral and religious majority’s reasoning has “many implications,” were denied,” said Ginsburg. The baker in the The decision reasons in effect be allowed to put up signs say- including the likelihood that “litigants will try Masterpiece case, she said, “declined to make a In writing for the majority, Justice Anthony ing ‘no goods or services will be sold if they will to apply the Court’s analysis to other forms of cake he found offensive where the offensiveness Kennedy accepted Colorado baker Jack Phillips’ be used for gay marriages,’ something that would discrimination or unfavorable treatment by state of the product was determined solely by the iden- claim that selling a wedding cake requires the use impose a serious stigma on gay persons.” authorities (based on race, sex, national origin), tity of the customer requesting it.” of his “artistic skills to make an expressive state- That means “the baker won the battle but lost and lower courts may entertain those arguments.” Ginsburg also said she could “see no reason ment, a wedding endorsement in his own voice the war,” said James Essex, director of the LGBT “The landscape has shifted on religious dis- why the comments of one or two Commissioners and of his own creation.” Kennedy also noted project of the ACLU, which represented the Colo- crimination claims,” said Wolff, “...in some ways should be taken to overcome Phillips’ refusal to that, in 2012, when Phillips refused to sell a cake rado couple who brought the complaint against that might help to advance the rights of minority sell a wedding cake” to the gay couple. to the gay couple, Colorado law banned recogni- the baker. faith practitioners or non-believers, and in other During last December’s oral argument, Kennedy tion of marriage between same-sex couples. “This was not the result we were looking for,” ways that might result in religious justifications expressed consternation with a remark made by a “At the time of the events in question, this said Essex, but the baker “did not get a constitu- for discrimination occupying a particularly fa- member of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission Court had not issued its decisions either in Unit- tional license to discriminate.” vored status in the day-to-day business of state during its deliberation –a remark that Kennedy ed States v. Windsor [striking down the federal While Essex said there were no plans to re-visit and local regulation.” construed to be intolerant of religious beliefs. Defense of Marriage Act] or Obergefell [striking this case with the Colorado Commission, he said Lambda Legal’s Tiven expressed a similar worry. The Commission member is quoted to have said: state bans on marriage for same-sex couples]. any same-sex couple who now seeks to buy a cake “This is a deeply disappointing day in American “Freedom of religion and religion has been used Since the State itself did not allow those mar- from the baker might reasonably file a complaint jurisprudence,” said Tiven, but added that her or- to justify all kinds of discrimination throughout riages to be performed in Colorado, there is some with the Commission if the baker refuses them ganization “will fiercely resist the coming effort history, whether it be slavery, whether it be the force to the argument that the baker was not un- service and hope for a good outcome. that will seek to turn this ruling into a broad Holocaust…we can list hundreds of situations reasonable in deeming it lawful to decline to take Others agreed. license to discriminate.” where freedom of religion has been used to jus- an action that he understood to be an expression “Although ruling for the baker, the [Supreme] © 2018 Keen News Service. All rights re- tify discrimination. And, to me, it is one of the of support for their validity when that expression Court recognized the importance of protecting served. most despicable piece of rhetoric that people can was contrary to his sincerely held religious be- the dignity of LGBT people, said Williams Insti- More information about two Title VII cases use –to use their religion to hurt others.” liefs, at least insofar as his refusal was limited to tute Executive Director Jocelyn Samuels, “and that the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing can Justices Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer, two refusing to create and express a message in sup- affirmed states’ general authority to bar sexual be found at http://www.windycitymediagroup. who are usually on the side of equal treatment for port of gay marriage, even one planned to take orientation discrimination by businesses that com/lgbt/Two-new-Title-VII-cases-now-be- LGBT people, said they concurred with the ma- place in another State.” serve the public.” fore-Supreme-Court/63068.html. jority that the Commission exhibited “religious As he did during oral argument, Kennedy also In addition to Kennedy and the court’s conser- WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 7 are going to discriminate or whether or not we Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois Attorney General are going to be fair, equitable and open for all. I Lisa Madigan, as well as all businesses across the Illinois groups respond think we should be open for all.” state, to publicly support Illinois Human Rights Yohnka said the LGBTQ community “has fought Act in the wake of this Supreme Court decision. hard and won protections against discrimination” AFC CEO and President John Peller said every- to Masterpiece Cake and “we are not going back from all of that.” one must remain vigilant because anti-LGBTQ Lambda Legal-Midwest Legal Assistant Elissa people may use this decision to discriminate in Jeffers explained that this ruling does not change other areas, including against people with HIV. SCOTUS decision the law and that Illinois’ LGBTQ non-discrimina- Chicago Commission on Human Relations Com- BY CARRIE MAXWELL case. The overriding message from these organiza- ACLU of Illinois, Lambda Legal-Midwest Regional tions was that LGBTQ protections remain in effect Office, Equality Illinois (EI), AIDS Foundation in Chicago and Illinois despite this ruling. of Chicago (AFC), Indivisible Chicago, Women’s “We are here today as a community in response March Illinois and the Transformative Justice Law to the Supreme Court’s decision this morning,” Project held a rally June 4 at Federal Plaza follow- said ACLU of Illinois Director of Communications ing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 7-2 narrow ruling in and Public Policy Ed Yohnka. “This case was al- favor of the Christian bakers in the Masterpiece ways about more than just cake. It is about who Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission we are as a people. It is about whether or not we
bia a symbolic victory in their efforts to ignore Left: Anthony Galloway. Right: Mona Noriega. Statement from the equal protections afforded to LGBTQ Ameri- Photos by Tracy Baim Chicago’s LGBT Caucus on cans under the U.S. Constitution and deny ac- tion law is one of the strongest in the country. missioner Mona Noriega asked the crowd if they Supreme Court ruling cess to services in the marketplace under the Jeffers noted that Lambda Legal will continue to were mad and said her office will enforce the laws “Today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Master- guise of ‘religious freedom.’ fight anti-discrimination cases nationwide in the protecting LGBTQ people everywhere in the city. piece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights “We invite any and all Americans to visit any coming months and years. She explained that if anyone is discriminated Commission) is one that the members of LGBTQ of our LBGTQ-owned bakeries in Chicago, espe- EI Director of Civic Engagement Anthony Gal- against based on their sexual orientation, gender caucus in the Chicago City Council find deep- cially those who practice religious bigotry. You loway said “we are heartened by today’s Supreme identity or any of the other protected classes she ly troubling. While it stops short of officially might learn a thing or two.” Court decision.” He noted that the opponents of wants to hear from them. sanctioning discrimination against the LGBTQ The five Aldermen who make up the LGBT equality will not stop their efforts to hasten and/ Following the rally, Noriega handed out an community, we fear the court has handed those Caucus are: James Cappleman, Deb Mell, Ray- or roll back protections for LGBTQ people. Gal- explainer on Chicago’s Human Rights and Fair who seek to spread intolerance and homopho- mond Lopez, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Tom Tun- loway explained that although LGBTQ discrimina- Housing ordinances regarding LGBTQ people and ney. NB:10”tion still exists there is no turning back from the discrimination protections in employment, public progress that has already been made. He urged accommodations, housing, credit and bonding.
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pointment, he served as general counsel of State judges group the Illinois Human Rights Commission and has taught and written about the law of workplace has first gay sexual harassment, employment discrimination, president fair housing and disability access. He is a former The Honorable James E. Snyder has been in- president of the Alliance of Illinois LGBT Judges. stalled as president of the Illinois Judges Asso- Also, Snyder has been an active in judicial ciation during the annual meeting on June 1 at education, teaching peer education classes in the Chicago-Kent College of Law, in Chicago. advanced discovery, consumer fraud and civil The Honorable Mary Jane Theis of the Illinois procedure. He has served on the Supreme Court Supreme Court administered the oath of office. Committees for Judicial Performance Evaluation, “Judge Snyder embodies commitment to social Judicial Education and chaired the Illinois Ad- justice and service to all communities” Theis said vanced Judicial Academy. He presides over a com- in a statement. mercial litigation docket in the Circuit Court of The association, which represents 1,500 ac- Cook County. tive and retired Illinois state court judges, was “Judge Snyder is a legend in legal community, founded in 1972 to provide services, support and known for his steadfast leadership, commitment education to its member judges and raise public to principal, compassion and his great sense understanding of the Illinois judicial system. of humor,” said Hon. Mary S. Trew, president of Judge Jim Snyder being sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis. Snyder was appointed to the bench by the Il- the Alliance of Illinois LGBT Judges, in the same linois Supreme Court in 2007. Prior to that ap- statement. Photo courtesy of Snyder
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Oak Park-River Forest H.S. This Week’s Featured Properties
With unadulterated ornate original passes trans protections detailing throughout, this grand vintage residence seems like it’s suited for the BY MATT SIMONETTE discussion among the staff about having more boulevards of Vienna or Paris. Garage specific and concrete policies and procedures on parking included. Community members and school board officials the books for our transgender and gender non- lauded the passage of a rule codifying protec- conforming students. We also heard a lot of feed- 3400 North Lake Shore Drive #1B tions and instructions for transgender students back from the community, that it was something $799,000 at Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) High School in the community desired.” Oak Park. Having rules “written down in our policies and The policy that the OPRF Board of Education procedures was really important,” Cassell said. passed May 24 is added to the school’s existing Board of Education President Jackie Moore not- Rock-star architectural transformation! prohibition against discrimination on the basis ed, “The desire of our board was to ensure that A modern space with seamless outdoor/ of gender. Newly added wording states, “Stu- [the policies] were realized and that it was clear indoor living which maximizes light, dents shall be treated and supported in a manner from the policy how the procedures could go for- utility and design. consistent with their gender identity. This shall ward in a way that there was no ambiguity about include but not be limited to; students having what the goals are. Boards change, but policies 820 West Wolfram #F access to gendered facilities, including restrooms can be put in place that allow procedures to be $795,000
Supporters cheer passage of a pro- This spectacular light-filled penthouse loft trans policy at the in Lincoln Park Street offers soaring 14’ school. ceiling heights, and downtown views from Photo by Kelly huge oversized windows. A highly upgraded kitchen opens to aa fabulous living/dining Benkert room with fireplace, 3 outdoor spaces including private roof terrace. and locker rooms that correspond to their gender effective. Our goal was to put something in place 1445 West Belden #4L identity.” that would not be viewed as ambiguous.” $715,000 The policy will be reflected in new administra- While there was some initial concern about the tive procedures at the school. The passage was new policy from some quarters, discussion and Enjoy jaw-dropping views of the harbor, cause for celebration for Jane Ditelberg, who has debate remained civil. lake, and park from a series of huge a transgender son attending OPRF. “Our community is progressive in terms of open- triple-hung windows spanning 45’ in this “The high school had a lot of ad hoc things ness to people of different ilks, whether that’s front-facing residence on a high floor in in place,” explained Ditelberg. “They’re very sym- socio-economic [status], gender identity, race, this premier Beaux Arts vintage building pathetic. I don’t want anyone to think that the all those things,” said Moore. “We had a very ef- with 2 parking spaces included. school here was not helpful, because they were. fective community organizing approach from our It’s just that a kid, with what they were experi- community that was really insistent on clarifying 3400 North Lake Shore Drive #6A encing, was navigating it on their own. The stu- our procedures and wanting that to be something $615,000 dents and their parents had to go ask for what we honed in on. … We started to hear the hesita- they needed. There wasn’t anything laid out, and tion that some community members had, but it Warm and inviting 4-bedroom/3-bath if you didn’t know there was an option, you didn’t was never contentious, and never anything that pre-war co-op tastefully updated and ask for it.” would rise to the occasion of fear or hatred, just beautifully-maintained by its architect- Ditelberg’s son, for example, preferred to questioning and wanting to understand [whether owner, retaining the original integrity of change for gym class in a unisex bathroom, and we are] thinking of all our students.” its design with large and gracious rooms. did not have a convenient place to store his Many of the concerns were headed off, Moore street clothes while he was in class; he did not added, because, “The committee had done their 3750 North Lake Shore Drive #7F realize until months later he had the other op- homework and were thoughtful in bringing in $565,000 tions. families and students, and, at the end of the day, “He spent a whole semester last year not know- were able to respond to those concerns with, ing what to do,” Ditelberg recalled. “This year he ‘We’re looking out for the best interests of all of had a different gym teacher, who said, ‘Why don’t our students.’” Brad Lippitz Group Officials from Illinois Safe Schools Alliance and we just get get you a gym locker right next to the —— bathroom and you can put your stuff in there?’ Lurie Children’s Hospital also took part on the It was not a big accommodation. The school was committee reviewing the policy. bradlippitz.com making it for other people, but if you didn’t know Community member Kelly Benkert, who was [email protected] who to ask, you didn’t know what you could get.” among local residents advocating for the policy 773.404.1144 An ad hoc committee spent several months change, said, “We were really trying to think reviewing the discrimination policy and formu- about partnership with the school, and we still lating how to tackle issues transgender students have work to do. We’ve had this success in Dis- For over 20 years, Brad has been a proud might face at OPRF. Among those on the com- trict 200, but there are the two elementary dis- member and supporter of the community; mittee was Board of Education Secretary Jennifer tricts in Oak Park and River Forest, who we’ll be no real estate broker in the city sells or Cassell, who said that equity and inclusion were working with next to try to get their policies and “pillars of the strategic plan” for the school. procedures in alignment with those that passed gives back as much to the community. CompassReallicensed Estatea is realestate broker principalwitha office York, in New NY and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunityerrors, laws. All material presented omissions, herein is intended for informational and purposes changes only, is compiled from withoutsources deemed reliable notice. is but subject to All measurements and square footage are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. She added, “During the process when we were in D200.” revamping our strategic plan, there was a lot of 10 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES ESSAY appreciation. We volunteered to teach workshops every place presented us with the most exquisite for youth in an underprivileged area called Sidi preparation of food I’d ever seen. Moumen. I created two murals with youth for The elegant dinners included five- to six-course OPEN LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF: their Cultural Center, and Jen taught dance work- meals with Moroccan salad, pastilla, cornish shops. hens, fish and khobz, but they were no match to We wandered the mazes of the Medina in Mar- the couscous that was made for us in the homes You’ll be fine—Let go rakech. Every step was a joyful reflex as motor- of two women. cycles piled with two or three people zoomed by, In the neighborhoods where we worked lived BY SAM KIRK be in a position where my art would take me to a donkeys pulled carts with goods through narrow the impoverished, most in need residents. Unsur- place that meant I had to return to the closet. streets, and pedestrians hustled on to their next prisingly, they gave more food and nourishment In November of 2017, I received a text that I cried on the plane en route to Morocco. As I destination. I felt my imagination blossom, as my than we could consume. Countless trays of Moroc- would fulfill a couple of my dreams. Curator sat in my seat, leaving Montreal to Casablanca, eyes soaked in all of the vibrancy, patterns and can Mint Tea with homemade corn bread, cookies, Neysa Page-Lieberman asked “Would I like to go the fact that I would not be able to touch, talk details I’d hope to remember for future creations seloo and Halwa chebakia were delivered to us to Morocco to paint a mural?” For a moment it about, or recognize my partner for who she was filled my brain. daily. Some women carried trays of hot tea with didn’t feel real. For years I’ve flipped through to me in public for a month, broke my heart. We ate in the homes of the poor and rich, pub- several glasses for blocks to treat us to a small magazines and the internet fascinated with art- A flood of memories overwhelmed me. All of the lic housing apartments, beautiful restaurants break in our days. The smiles that crossed their ists that traveled the world to paint multi-story hate crimes I’ve survived, two being life-threat- and glamorous riads, with politicians, everyday faces as they handed us a glass, as our spoons murals in countries I’d never been. It was some- ening, sat with me the most, as I was preparing people and local artists. We experienced every filled with couscous, as we gobbled up their cre- thing I often hoped to do. to enter a place where who I am is illegal. Grow- level of hospitality Casablanca had to offer, and ations in gratitude were easily a highlight in this
Above three photos: Sam Kirk (in black I started my public art career about eight years ing up queer in the states was challenging, but sunglasses) and Jenny Q at work. Left: Kirk ago, while running a full-time art business which for the past 15 years it’s been legal to be me. consisted of gallery exhibits, corporate commis- I felt as though I were under a microscope poses in front of a stop sign. sions, merchandise development, the works. This and I hadn’t even entered the country yet. I Photos courtesy of Kirk came after 10 years in advertising, and a desire felt the painful urges of resistance building up to create more work that made an impact on the for the many times I would want to reach out adventure. We could feel the love in their cooking world. and hold her hand but couldn’t … . After taking and what more is there to ask for beyond that? I hadn’t planned any of this (art life). In high deep breaths I tried to focus on my mission and There were many encounters which evoked school I was trying to deal with being queer. Fig- eventually felt the spirit of happiness fill my soul. thoughts like, “I could have never imagined art uring out what I would be doing with my life I thought, “It’s just another obstacle we’ll get would bring me here.” In the beginning, the or- was an after thought. If I were told then that through AND being the first woman to do this—is ganization (Chicago Casablanca Sister Cities In- in 20 years I’d be painting a five-story mural on even more vital to stay focused, AND I’m going ternational) that invited us arranged for several the coast of Africa, that I would accomplish this to Africa to paint a mural—on the coast of the meetings and presented my work to the mayor grand opportunity with my partner/girlfriend, continent that for years has been the first place of Casablanca, Wali of Casablanca, U.S. Consul- and be the first women to do this in Casablanca, out of my mouth when asked, “If you could go ate General and her staff. There was so much Morocco, I probably would have laughed in dis- anywhere in the world, where would you go?” to celebrate, 35 years of programming between belief. I hadn’t experienced such an unbalanced range Chicago and Casablanca, and when I looked at Art has always been a form of communication of emotions in a while. It was almost like pre- who I was surrounded by, who brought me here for me. As a teenager I used it to understand paring for my first kiss with a girl ... “I wasn’t from Chicago, it was a team of incredibly strong myself, to reveal my identity, to express things I supposed to be doing it,” but the anticipation of women. had no idea how to say with words to my family that action felt amazing! All of my work leading up to this point started and friends. Now, 20 years later art is the cen- Jen (my partner) has studied Northern African to replay in my mind. Acknowledging women, cel- ter of my life and is still a major communication and Mideast cultures for more than a decade. A ebrating women, being the woman that does the tool for everything I want to share. It is a way professional dancer, she has shared stories of her things I’m “not supposed” to do, and here we of celebrating my identity and culture; a way to travels through Morocco many times throughout were, women changing the game again. create more visibility for underrepresented com- our relationship, which always piqued my curi- In the final week of our trip we completed munities. Everything I needed more of when I osity. So, I guess this was destined to be. My “Sister Cities,” a five-story mural in the El Hank was younger, I had been creating it all along. tears dried up and I shifted my mind to this life- community of Casablanca that celebrates women When I received the call from Neysa, I wanted changing adventure presented to me. and encourages unity and friendship for years to to shout from the top of my lungs, “Yes! I did it! Over the course of the month, we did all of the come. During this time, we dealt with the usual I beat the odds! I proved, hard work pays off!” I things we usually do, but in Africa! We explored external challenges encountered as female mural- wanted to cry, I did cry. Not once did I expect to the local culture and did exchanges to show our Turn to page 12 WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 11
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7421 N. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626 773.764.9851 | langhousechicago.com 12 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES KIRK from page 10 ists, but that couldn’t shake us. We were 40 feet in the air on a scissor lift that leaked gas and had other issues—with the most incredible view of the Atlantic! We were determined. On multiple occasions despite what nonsense was happening on the ground, we turned around and said “Can you believe this?” We whispered, “I love you honey” and exchanged glances of adora- tion away from windows and places where no one could see or hear us. During this time, I realized another level of love from my partner. Jen chose to cover her head for the month. She often does this in the U.S. as well, but not daily. My appearance when traveling and even in the states is often noticed. The tat- toos, hair, androgyny all give pause for thought. While changing some of the answers to many questions and hiding our identities was one task I could manage, I didn’t know how to be anyone else or how to alter my physical self. Jen knew this and decided she would cover her head to help distract from my appearance, also Left: Sam Kirk at work. Right: Kirk (left) with Jenny Q in Morocco. to not reveal her short hair, but mostly to be an Photos courtesy of Kirk example for all, that every type of woman can do this work. About the artists: Jenny Q. is a cartoonist and performer (un- Chancleta. For information visit www.quirklyn. This journey was an amazing opportunity to ex- Sam Kirk creates artwork to celebrate peo- der the moniker Jenny RaQs). She is a proud com, @quirklyn plore a world very different from my own, to be ple and to inspire pride and recognition for Afro-Latina who also moonlights as a Birth Thank you to the women from Chicago who outside myself and learn from people. No matter underrepresented communities. Her work ex- Doula. Born in Brooklyn, New York she has lead us to this amazing adventure: Lisa Rob- what we had to do to hide who we were, Jen and plores culture, identity, and the politics that lived across the globe throughout her life. Jen- erts, Julie Stagliano, Neysa Page Lieberman, I embarked on this journey together for the vis- have formed society for generations. Born and ny has studied Raqs Sharqi for approximately Cindy Mitchell , Andrea Zopp, Marilyn Diamond ibility of women/women in the arts. raised on the South Side of Chicago, working- 12 years partially at the Egyptian Academy of and Paula Kahn While I was asked to design this mural, she class communities continue to be Kirk’s key Oriental Dance in New York City before leaving This project was organized by Chicago Sis- completed it with me and together we are the ingredient of inspiration. Partially autobio- a career in politics where she opened the first ter Cities International and World Business first women to complete a mural in Casablanca’s graphical, her vibrant color palette and intri- breastfeeding room at the NYC Mayor’s Office. Chicago, Curated by Neysa Page-Lieberman as CasaMouja Annual Street Art Festival. I thank the cate line-work highlights cultural communities Since her first venture into the dances of the part of an art exchange to celebrate 35 years women that brought us here to make this hap- via multi-toned figures and familiar buildings Maghreb she has performed as a soloist at sev- of collaboration. pen. It further cements the steps I’ve taken in and elements. She has exhibited in galleries eral national/ international venues including To learn more about the Chicago Casablan- my life and I hope more women see this and are and museums throughout the U.S., worked the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Newark Sym- ca Sister Cities International Art Exchange encouraged to go beyond what is expected of us, with many private and commercial clients and phony Music Hall, Rakkasah, Lincoln Center please visit: http://www.chicagosistercities. and to support other women in fulfilling their made custom artworks for nonprofit organiza- Local and many others. Currently, she is plant- com/news/chicago-casablanca-kickoff-mural- dreams. tions in Chicago and New York. For information ing roots in her new hometown of Chicago and exchange/ . visit www.iamsamkirk.com, @iamsamkirk. resides with her partner and their pup Frida
Activism meet-ups, personal book recommendations, weekly events, Kids Storytime, and more! There are so many reasons to support Chicago’s only feminist bookstore. WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 13 Equality rally June 10 at Midsommarfest The second annual Chicago Equality Rally will take place Sunday, June 10, 12-1 p.m. on the Pride Stage at the Andersonville Midsommarfest, 5400 N. Clark St. The schedule is as follows: 12 p.m.: Welcome 12:05-12:10 p.m.: Senn High School Orchestra 12:10-12:40 p.m.: Speakers 12:40-12:45 p.m.: Senn High School Orchestra 12:45-1 p.m.: Pierce Elementary School Bolly- wood dancers and closing remarks Speakers are slated to include lesbian Chicago mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot, LGBTQ-rights State Rep. Greg Harris. activist Rick Garcia, openly gay state Rep. Greg Photo by Kat Fitzgerald Harris and Chicago Ald. Harry Osterman. According to a press release, “The Chicago status. While we may each believe this abstractly Equality Rally at Midsommarfest aims to unify or understand the need for change theoretically, people with a mission to make change towards this rally serves to put human experience at the “Es Tiempo de Recordar” mural before City workers equal treatment, protection, and access for all forefront of the issue of inequality. We see sto- whitewashing. people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, rytelling as humanizing and believe in the power accidentally Photo by John Vergara and Sandra Antongiorgi sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigrant of the personal.” whitewash mural BY MATT SIMONETTE
A Chicago artist, city officials and community members are looking for solutions after, in early May, city workers whitewashed a mural in the Her- mosa neighborhood that local residents adored. PRIDE MONTH EVENT The city has said that the mural, entitled “Es Tiempo de Recordar,” was indeed whitewashed by mistake after it had been defaced with graffiti. Artist Sandra Antongiori—who painted the mural along with artists Rolf Mueller and Marcus The Right Side of History? Akinlana in 1992 and restored it in 2010—said that she’d initially heard about the whitewashing LGBTQ+ RIGHTS WORLDWIDE and thought little of it, assuming the neighbor- hood had tired of the piece. “I was fine until I read the comments” on social media, said Antongiori, who added that she be- came “shocked and outraged” over the incident. At this point, she said, there has been discus- sion of possibly repainting the mural elsewhere, since the viaduct under which it was located is in need of repair, among other options. Antongiori added that Alds. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward) and Robert Maldonado (26th) have voiced their support. “It seems like they’re interested in finding a solution,” Antongiori said. “The aldermen felt it was a big mistake by the city.”
SAGE meeting June 8 The national board of directors of SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) will hold a get-together Friday, June 8, in the SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2:00 - 3:30 PM penthouse of the Wyndham Grand Hotel, 71 E. Wacker Dr., 6-8 p.m. Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center | 9603 Woods Dr., Skokie Among others, guests will meet SAGE Ex- ecutive Director Michael Adams and the Free with Museum admission. RSVP required: ilholocaustmuseum.org/events members of the board. SAGE has three board members from Chicago: former Roosevelt PANELISTS: Lora Branch, Art Johnston, Matt Nosanchuck, Channyn Lynne Parker University President Chuck Middleton, Ph.D., Phil Lumpkin and Roy Wesley. Visit SAGEUSA.org/CHI for tickets and more Community Partners: Equality Illinois, Windy City Times, Center on Halsted, information. The Legacy Project, Chicago Alliance of Museums with Pride 14 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES Equality Illinois brunch ushers in Pride Month BY MATT SIMONETTE
Victory Fund CEO and former Houston Mayor An- nise Parker, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner were among those in atten- dance June 3 as the LGBT advocacy Equality Illi- nois kicked off June with its annual Pride Brunch at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St. Numerous community members, elected and appointed officials and political candidates were on hand for the event. Among those in atten- dance were Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker and his running mate, lieutenant governor candidate Juliana Stratton; Chicago mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot; Illinois Trea- surer Mike Frerichs; Illinois state representative candidate Lamont Robinson; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Commissioner Debra Shore; Chicago Ald. James Cappleman; Berwyn Ald. Scott Lennon; Berwyn school board member Julia McAleer-Forte; Berwyn Township Trustee Joseph Johnston; Cook County Board candidate Lori Lightfoot (left) and Annise Parker at the Kevin Morrison; Aurora School Board Member Alex Equality Illinois brunch. Arroyo; aldermanic candidate Andre Vazquez; Photo by Matt Simonette MWRD board candidate Marcelina Garcia; and Chi- cago Commission on Human Rights Commissioner of a major U.S. city, called for pushes to bring out Mona Noriega. younger voters. She also called on more aware- Rauner was introduced by his wife Diana, and ness surrounding issues affecting the transgender noted that he had signed all bills that had come community, something that Victory Fund directly before him advancing LGBT equality; he also impacts in its support of transgender candidates mentioned that his first act as a justice of the across the nation. peace after becoming governor was officiating at “Too many Americans do not understand what the same-sex wedding of one of his staff. it means to be transgender in America, and that “These issues are not partisan issues,” Rauner needs to change,” she said. said. “They are people issues.” Equality Illinois CEO Brian Johnson also spoke As he has done at numerous LGBT events during at the event, and Hillary Wirtz of Breakthru Bev- his time in office, Emanuel framed LGBT rights in erages presented the organization with a check the larger context of the city’s overall diversity for $55,000. Among the honorees in the program and welcomeness, promising, “We’re not giving were attorney Nicole Bashor, who has long served an inch on the gains we’ve made. This city will on the board of Equality Illinois PAC, and HIV/ remain a ‘Trump-free’ zone.” AIDS advocate and service provider Saul Avina Jr. Parker, who was the first openly lesbian mayor More photos are at WindyCityMediaGroup.com.
GUEST COLUMN from page 4 cast, too. Yet this play had been judged exemplary by several gay theater artists until I staged a read- is rendered through the grimy lense of our own ex- ing, and detailed its many trans-gressions. Folks periences and perspective. This is just human na- are still discovering that we’re not all interchang- ture. Undeniably, today’s artists sometime achieve able LGBT misfits. their rainbow-and-unicorn dream world where So I continually challenge our entertainment pure artistic imagination (and that hard-earned industry because these insitutions resist change, MFA) magically supercede the all limits of their and trans people are still largely figments of cis- experience. Where trans stories are concerned, gender imagination. And I believe that artists’ re- no such Superpowers are in evidence. Cis artists sponse has to be No. No more marginalization. No don’t even score passing grades when depicting more noble deaths but tales where we flourish. No our transitions, our self-perception, our love-lifes, more heart-of-gold whores but transgender busi- and especially not our typical roles in society. ness owners, mothers, and steel workers. Our very “But I’m gay, I know your pain.” survival depends on this. Oh dear Lord, no. You’re gay and you know YOUR Like all human beings, we merit narratives pain. But, because trans is hip and cool, we be- which exemplify our right to exist with dignity, come ciphers for your stories. I had the displea- and to move freely among our fellow man. Only sure to direct such a play, that tried to translate then shall I gladly confine my noise and fury to its writer’s memories of mid-century gay youth the stage. into a modern transgender story. The ways he got *Note: The author here uses “transgender” to us wrong staggered not only me but my cisgender denote all gender-nonconforming persons typi- cally grouped under that umbrella term. WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 15 National Museum of Mexican Art hosts Annual queer prom BY VERNON HESTER
On June 1, The National Museum of Mexican Art presented its 13th annual gay prom. The event, in Pilsen, attracted students from all over Chicago and featured drag performers, a buffet dinner, a DJ, an on-site photographer and a tabling section. Youth mentor and community leader Emmanuel Garcia said, “Queer prom kicks off Pride Month, and what better way than celebrating LGBTQ young people from all over the city? We’re 13 this year and it’s so important to have this space for young people, especially with so many of them leading activist movements for change.” Event coordinator Eric Amaya said that, with the event, he “wanted to accomplish community. I love queer prom because it’s a place to come together, and I think of it as a love letter to the youth.” Entertainment was provided by DJ M Dok and a crew of drag perform- ers, including Venus, Cindy Neri, Cherry Delicious and Iris LaVelle. Community sponsors included Broadway Youth Center, Chicago Pub- lic Library, Illinois Safe School Alliance and Illinois Institute of Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Well Being of Northwestern Univer- sity. Sponsors for the event included Calor Heath Services, The Impulse Group, and The Hektoen Health and Research Institute. Other sponsors for the event included Dyke March, Anne H. and Robert Lurie Hospital, Esperanza Healthcare and Marimacha Monarca Press. 16 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES viewpoints
life in the army; adults will need to explain what a draft letter was. Still, readers will feel almost as happy as Gilbert Dana when he finally makes his way to San Francisco, RUDOLPH learns to sew, and creates costumes for famous sing- ers, banners for (unspecified) marches and rallies, MOMBIAN and “regalia for Mama José and her Imperial Court.” Even the Reader Note, however, doesn’t tell us what Two new picture the Imperial Court (an LGBTQ charitable organiza- VOL. 33, No. 38, June 6, 2018 The combined forces of Windy City Times, tion known for its fancy balls) is. founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, books tell story of A more serious omission comes when Gilbert’s founded May 1987. friend Harvey asks him for a new logo to replace a the rainbow flag symbol that “continued to blemish” their city and PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR “in Gilbert’s community, was a constant reminder Pride season is here, and so are two new picture Tracy Baim of evil.” The text doesn’t say what the symbol was, books that tell the story of the rainbow flag and the however; some readers may think it was a logo of the ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky individuals who inspired and created it. MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis city. (The reader note explains that it was the pink Rob Sanders’ Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and ASSOCIATE EDITOR Matt Simonette triangle.) BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine the Rainbow Flag (Random House) begins with Milk Additionally, nowhere in the story does Pitman use DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright dreaming of equality as a young man and carrying Kirk Williamson the word “gay,” “queer,” or “LGBTQ,” although she ART DIRECTOR those dreams forward as he becomes an elected of- SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Terri Klinsky, does in the Reader Note. There is still much value in ficial. When he organizes a march “to protest in- Kirk Williamson, Amy Matheny, Scott Duff, Kathy the broad message of acceptance and inclusion— Breit, Andrew Kain Miller, Theresa Santos Volpe, equality and unfair laws,” he seeks something that but part of me feels this is like writing about Martin Kevin Siakowski people may carry to give them a sense of hope and NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242- ties. This inspiring, positive story is a great intro- Luther King, Jr. without specifying that he fought community. He reaches out to artist Gilbert Baker, 6863 duction to two LGBTQ heroes and to the spirit of the for Black people and racial equality. SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Tony Peregrin, who envisions a rainbow flag and enlists volunteers LGBTQ community. Still, many young readers, especially LGBTQ chil- Lisa Keen, Yasmin Nair to create it. THEATER COORDINATOR Catey Sullivan Gayle Pitman’s Sewing the Rainbow (Magination dren, will likely identify with Gilbert’s struggle to be Sanders deals as gently as possible with Milk’s SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman Press) looks at the same era through the life of Gil- himself. When Gilbert’s flags first fly over San Fran- death, noting that he and San Francisco mayor ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS bert Baker. Pitman has already written several chil- cisco, we can’t help cheering with the diverse crowd Mary Shen Barnidge, Lawrence Ferber, Jerry George Moscone were assassinated by a man who did dren’s books on LGBTQ history and culture, including that celebrates them. And Pitman’s final message, Nunn, Jonathan Abarbanel, Scott C. Morgan, not think, feel, or love like Harvey. He then explains Lauren Emily Whalen, Karen Topham, Brian Kirst Stonewall Book Award-winning This Day In June, that when one sees a rainbow flag, “you’ll know that that people continued to create the flags as a sym- COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, about a Pride parade; When You Look Out the Win- it’s okay to be your colorful, sparkly, glittery self,” Jorjet Harper, Charlsie Dewey, Carrie Maxwell, bol of hope, pride, and equality. A brief afterward dow, about LGBTQ-rights pioneers Phyllis Lyon and will inspire many, especially queer children with a Billy Masters, Sarah Toce, Dana Rudolph, and timeline give further details for those who want Melissa Wasserman, Joe Franco, Nick Patricca, Del Martin; and A Church for All, about an LGBTQ- more feminine gender expression. Illustrations by them. Liz Baudler, Rex Wockner, Angelique Smith inclusive church. Her latest work shows us not only a Holly Clifton-Brown are bright and whimsical, and SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Hal My one quibble is that Sanders merely says, “Har- key moment in queer history, but also the journey of the glittery rainbow cover adds to the book’s attrac- Baim, Tim Carroll, Ed Negron vey dreamed that everyone—even gay people— a boy to becoming his true self. A few gaps in expla- tion. CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright would have equality,” without saying what being DISTRIBUTION Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Sue nation, however, will require grown-ups to reference Sanders’ tale is of heroes writ large, making public gay means. Parents and teachers who don’t already and Victor the Reader Note at the end. change with bold strokes. Pitman’s story intertwines WEB HOSTING LoveYourWebsite.com (lead have that language will need to find it elsewhere. Sewing the Rainbow starts in Gilbert’s dull Kansas both personal and public transformations. Both ap- programmer: Martie Marro) (And “including gay people” might have been better hometown, where he “was full of color and sparkle proaches will add to children’s understanding of Copyright 2018 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media than “even.”) and glitter.” He would watch his grandmother sew in these iconic figures and the time in which they Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back The only other picture book about Milk, Kari Kra- issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). her clothing store, while he drew pictures of gowns lived—and our ongoing debt to them. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, kow’s 2001 The Harvey Milk Story, goes into more and costumes. Then one day, “his father took away and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and Let us hope they are followed by picture books (by no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. detail about Milk’s life and work, making it best for his art supplies and tore up his drawings.” Pitman these authors or others) about Mama José (José Sar- All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy the older end of the picture-book crowd. Sanders’ City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned provides no reason for this, though, which may puz- ria) and other people of color and of different gen- for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing simpler version—more a snapshot than a full biog- zle young readers. and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, ders who have also been fundamental to the LGBTQ cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own raphy—and the inclusion of the colorful flag tale Although Gilbert hoped to go someplace “filled rights movement. and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City will appeal to slightly younger readers. So will the Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of with color” when he turned 18, he instead received Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy bright illustrations by Steven Salerno, showing the a letter that “knocked every last bit of sparkle out City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the Mombian (Mombian.com), a GLAAD Media Award- sexual orientation of such person or organization. While flag waving over crowds and being held by people of of him.” Pitman doesn’t tell us what the letter said, winning blog and resource directory for LGBTQ we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make various gender identities, races, and physical abili- this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept however. On the next page, we simply read about his parents. responsibility for advertising claims. (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
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Send columns or letters to [email protected]. Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. OUT! Chicago’s LGBTQ Visitor’s Guide Online Letters may be edited for brevity or clarity. www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 17 WINDY CITY TIMES DIVERSIONS THEATER • FILM • ENTERTAINMENT • SPORTS
18 28 28 Wigging out WCT reviews The Revolutionists. Francesca’s Bryn Mawr. Sidetrack summer. Photo of Stephanie Sullivan and Laura Sturm by Anna Gelman
THEATER Haughton said that Napier “gave us the power structure works. She also noted “Because I have to speak up on sketches that we didn’t have good been doing it so long, I had fallen into bad hab- feelings about. Or if we flagged something that its in terms of repeating some of the character was problematic we could say ‘Hey, let’s tweak types I do. It’s helped me break those habits.” Queer comedy with this.’” For Elrod, one of the great things about creat- For Elrod, the goals of the Pride show and the ing work with a diverse cast in the Curry program Curry showcase are different. “Let’s Make It Per- is the shorthand that exists among the ensemble. fectly Queer is a salute to all the past queer per- “If we were in a room that wasn’t as diverse, there a side of Curry formers in the [Second City] space. The showcase might a need to be explain someone’s pitch. This BY KERRY REID performers from traditionally underrepresented highlights our ability as Second City performers. room is so eager to carry someone’s ideas to the communities. Last year, Riley Mondragon was The archive is showing we can reproduce and end. That’s the thing that has been unique. We’ve In the months leading up to the election of Don- the first transgender fellow and she joins two of mimic and put on a show that was created by all got this ability to just go with it and everyone ald Trump, several performers at Second City left the current Curry Fellows—Maya Haughton and someone else. The original showcase shows we is going there together.” in the wake of receiving increasingly homopho- George Elrod—as part of the cast for Let’s Make can write and generate material from our own That’s something to celebrate for Pride Month bic, sexist and racist comments from audiences It Perfectly Queer. POV.” and beyond. (and in at least one instance, directed to a fel- Interestingly enough, the Pride show marks the Several graduates of the Curry fellowship, in- Bob Curry Fellowship Showcase runs at 8 low audience member). Former cast member Peter first time that Second City has offered a Pride- cluding Rashawn Nadine Scott and Tien Tran, p.m. on Wed., June 6, at Second City’s e.t.c. Kim (a gay Asian man) recounted his experiences specific revue. Elrod, who also works at iO, cre- have ended up in mainstage revues. But for Theater, 230 W. North Ave., second floor of in an essay for Chicago Magazine in October ated their first Pride-centric showcase last year Haughton—who didn’t study at the Second City Piper’s Alley. Tickets are $15. For more infor- 2016, describing the level of verbal abuse as “a and is doing it again this year with the 12-hour Conservatory or iO, but has been active in comedy mation go to secondcity.com or call 312/337- stage-four cancer spreading through the entire marathon iO Pride Fest on June 10. Said Elrod “I for more than 20 years—the fellowship strength- 3992. cavity of our nation.” don’t know if people want to be outer, louder and ened her understanding of how improv and scene But since then, Second City has taken some prouder given the political situation, or if they’re concrete steps to foster the voices of diverse and just finding a better support system around this marginalized performers. Those voices are front time.” and center in two shows opening in conjunc- Asked if the well-publicized problems with big- tion with Pride Month. In Let’s Make It Perfectly oted audience comments at Second City played a Queer: A Salute to Pride, directed by Annoyance role in making the show, Haughton said “It hasn’t founder and longtime director Mick Napier, a cast been specifically mentioned to my knowledge. that is entirely LGBTQIA performs classic Second It’s definitely been in the backs of the minds of City sketches about queer life, along with some people creating the show. Mick is so in your face original black-outs and songs connecting the ar- that he really wants us to say ‘fuck you, we’re chival pieces. It runs through June 24. And on here.’ He’s all about making it ‘Look at us. We are June 6, the company offers The Bob Curry Fellow- here to show you that we are powerful and strong ship Showcase, directed by Second City co-artis- and we don’t care what you think.’” tic director Matt Hovde, featuring a diverse cast Going back into the archives also means that performing archival material, original sketches the performers confronted the mindsets of earlier and improv sets. eras. For example, Elrod noted that, “A lot of the The Bob Curry Fellowship, named for the first stuff I’m working with in the show deals with African American to perform as an improviser on characters who may not bring up their queerness, the Second City mainstage in 1966, has been up but it is a two-person same-sex or queer relation- and running since 2013 as part of the theater’s ship. Watching the videos and seeing audience Diversity and Inclusion Program. The highly com- members oooh and aaah and laugh at things that petitive fellowship (only 16 are accepted an- wouldn’t be laughed about today or that queer nually out of over 200 applicants) provides ten audiences wouldn’t really care about is the most weeks of intensive mentorship and training to interesting thing to me.” 18 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW star of stage and screen. (when actresses were locked into contracts that Sherr wrote and directed the production, as resembled indentured servitude) to All About Eve Bette Davis Ain’t well as coordinating impressive lighting and and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Sherr sound clips and sourcing gorgeous, vibrant eve- covers it all, using that fateful Oscar night as for Sissies ning gowns and peignoirs worthy of a cinematic bookends. Also, Sherr pulls no punches: As tal- Playwright: Jessica Sherr icon. The one-act begins and ends on the evening ented and stunning as Davis was, she was also At: Athenaeum Theatre, of the 1939 Academy Awards, which Davis has prickly, demanding and forever dissatisfied with 2936 N. Southport Ave. stormed out of with the knowledge (thanks to La La Land, escaping to her beloved East Coast Tickets: $26-36; AthenaeumTheatre.org; a leak from the Los Angeles Times) that Vivien whenever she could. 773-935-6875 Leigh has beaten her for Best Actress. Davis chats Although Davis and her mother remained in- Runs through: June 17 on the telephone with her mother, Ruthie, close credibly close until Ruthie’s death, the actress friend Olivia de Havilland (who won’t stop cry- was far from a good mother to her own daughter, BY LAUREN EMILY WHALEN ing) and co-star Humphrey Bogart while running B.D., resulting in a lifelong estrangement. But lines for the next morning’s shoot and taking the as Sherr deftly demonstrates—with a brilliant Jessica Sherr is a one-woman revolution. audience through her life and career, one sassy mastery of Bette’s voice, style and mannerisms— Her original show Bette Davis Ain’t for Sissies monologue at a time. Once a small-town girl do- there’s a lot to like and admire about an actress began as an acting-class exercise in Sherr’s home ing summer stock in Lowell, Massachusetts, Da- who didn’t fit the Hollywood mold (she was petite base of New York City. After acclaimed runs off- vis gradually ascends to Broadway thanks to the and gravelly among a cadre of long-legged beau- Broadway, in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe encouragement of Ruthie, her smart and driven ties), and perpetually resisted playing the pretty Festival, Sherr brought Bette to the Athenaeum single mother in a time when such families were girl, in favor of darker, grittier roles. in June 2017 and was commissioned by the the- incredibly rare. Davis desires nothing more than a In Bette Davis Ain’t for Sissies, Sherr has cre- ater to further develop the solo performance. One life on stage, but when a Hollywood talent scout ated something funny, tragic and completely un- year later, Sherr makes a triumphant return to invites her to meet a big-time producer, every- forgettable. Don’t miss this tribute to Old Holly- Chicago with an expanded 90-minute love letter thing changes. Jessica Sherr in Bette Davis Ain’t for Sissies. wood—warts and all—during its short but sweet to the tough, complex and truly unforgettable From Bette’s early days in the studio system PR photo Chicago run.
THEATER REVIEW edy!” Olympe’s assurance that their part in launching A narrative operating on this many levels re- We don’t know it yet, but Lauren Gunderson a new age of liberty, equality and fraternity—but quires a conductor more than it does a director, The Revolutionists has just apprised us of the agenda for her latest sadly lacking in sorority—is not lost to the his- but Bryan Wakefield embraces the challenge of Playwright: Lauren Gunderson play—a smart, eloquent, multiple-metatheatrical tory that will be written by the victors. its verbal choreography, as does the exemplary At: Organic Theater Company at romp that gallops apace without ever leaving us Both comedy and tragedy rely on incongruity cast assembled for this Organic Theater Compa- the Greenhouse, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in the dust of boring facts. for their tension, and since Gunderson proclaims ny production. Taylor Raye’s bemused Marianne Tickets: $25; OrganicTheater.org; Our setting is Paris in 1793—a city in turmoil her play to be both, her text supplies enough and Sara Copeland’s peppery Charlotte anchor a 773-404-7336 following the overthrow of the monarchy and the deconstructive dissonance for a dozen Tom Stop- dialogue propelled by Laura Sturm’s revisionable Runs through: July 8 rise of a citizenry flushed with desire for revenge. pards and two dozen Aaron Posners: powdered Marie and Stephanie Sullivan’s cautious Olympe, Our hostess is Olympe de Gouges, real-life femi- wigs and pannier skirts are juxtaposed with de- whose own execution would render forever unde- BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE nist playwright determined to preserve in litera- bates–conducted in modern sociospeak replete cided the question of whether women would have ture the tale of her turbulent times, but with no with identity-linked buzzwords—over the wis- made for better post-revolution government. The first thing we hear is a female quartet croon- loss of commercial appeal. Potential protagonists dom of incorporating musical scores, romantic ing a song extolling the value of “stories.” The include Charlotte Corday (real-life assassin of subplots or puppets into the as-yet-unfinished second is the ominous crunch of a guillotine radical journalist Jean-Paul Marat), Marianne docudrama. Amid the anachronistic giggles, how- blade. The third is a cheerful young woman Angelle (couleur-libre spy for real-life Haitian ever, lurks the grim realization of what happens c dressed in fashions of the French Directoire, de- rebels) and Marie Antoinette (real-life former to freedom when the long-promised power falls claring, “Well, that’s not the way to start a com- empress of France). They have come seeking to the zealots. CRITICS’PICKS THEATER REVIEW it made one “marriageable” or not. (“If a man short shrift, which feels odd for a play about Damascus, Strawdog Theatre Company, through is interested in headless women, send him to empowering the voices of female students. June 23. A terrorist bomber and an airport shut- Bull in a China Shop France,” Woolley says.) They were also suffrag- However, Mary Beth Fisher works her delicious tle-driver on a night drive from Minneapolis to Playwright: Bryna Turner ists, peace activists—and lovers for 55 years. deadpan style as Dean Welsh, tasked with tell- Chicago makes for an edge-of-your-seat thriller At: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Their letters provided the inspiration for Turner ing Simpkins’ Woolley that her revolutionary in this word premiere from Bennett Fisher. MSB Tickets: 773-975-8150; (a Mount Holyoke alum, where Marks pioneered stances are costing the college donors. A New Attitude: Tribute to Patti LaBelle, AboutFaceTheatre.com; $20-$38 the first playwriting classes). But there’s noth- Moments resonate with our own time of resis- Black Ensemble Theater, through June 17. Runs through: July 1 ing dusty and epistolary in this story. tance. After Marks, Pearl and fellow professor Geechie, geechie, ya-ya tata! Even the audience Rather, it unfolds in Keira Fromm’s stag- Felicity (Adithi Chandrashekar) get arrested for was doing pre-curtain vocal warm-ups at the BY KERRY REID ing as a series of short scenes encompassing trying to vote, Simpkins’ Woolley reads them the show needing two soloists to portray this multi- the years of Woolley’s controversial tenure at riot act. “It’s not a sexy revolution,” she says. talented fab-fashion superstar. MSB Looking for a nice demure story of a “Boston Holyoke, where the relationship between her “There is compromise. There is hedging.” Hillary The Laramie Project, Raven Theatre, through marriage?” Well, you won’t find it in Bryna and Marks raised eyebrows as they raised hell. Clinton couldn’t have said it more directly. July 8. It’s been nearly 20 years since Matthew Turner’s Bull in a China Shop, now in a local As played by Kelli Simpkins and Emjoy Gavino, On a long trip to China that tests the strength Shepard’s murder in Laramie, Wyoming. Moises premiere with About Face Theatre. It’s a funny, Woolley and Marks struggle to find equal foot- of their love, Woolley writes to Marks back home Kaufman’s docudrama about the killing remains profane and sometimes quite insightful portrait ing between themselves even as they advocate at Holyoke about seeing swans—who mate for urgent as ever. Aston Rep’s cast has the power to of two women who broke ground for all women equality for all women. Marks, a former student life—floating on a river. She marvels “how el- make it soar and shatter. CES while risking personal heartbreak of their own. of Woolley’s, also finds herself the object of ob- egant they look above the surface of the water Wild Women of Wongo, through July 14. Dave The women are Mary Woolley and Jeannette session for Pearl (Aurora Adachi-Winter), part of while down below they must be churning re- Ogrin’s B-movie-inspired romp through the gal- Marks. The latter was president of Mount Holy- a “secret society” of budding lesbians who look lentlessly to go against such a strong current axies features astronauts lost in space, dancing, oke College and the former a writer and teacher. to Woolley and Marks as role models. while maintaining their poise.” Bull in a China games, prizes and a score by a former sound/mix Both fought for women’s rights, particularly a Sometimes the structure works against de- Shop shows us the churn and the love that car- engineer for the likes of Run DMC and Public En- woman’s right to an education equal to that veloping the conflicts. An argument will begin ried two remarkable women through the tides of emy. CES provided for men, without regard for whether in one scene and then be dropped as we move their own tumultuous times. —By Barnidge and Sullivan forward in time. Pearl’s storyline ultimately gets WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 19
David Lovejoy and Bill Gordon in Monsieur D’eon Is a Woman. Photo by Chris Popio
THEATER REVIEW court or her time living in squalor with a devoted female companion, it is always done with a sense Monsieur D’eon of humor and respect. In fact, Brownell only goes astray with the prurient humor that he assigns Is a Woman to other members of the ensemble, particularly Playwright: Mark Brownell with an overtly lewd King Louis XV. Despite the At: Trap Door Theatre at Trap Door rambunctious nature of the piece, the juvenility Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland Ave. of these actions consistently falls flat here. Tickets: $20-$25; TrapdoorTheatre.com This misstep, thankfully, does not spoil the Runs through: June 30 show as a whole. The devoted energy that di- FEATURING rector Nicole Weisner and her athletic ensemble BY BRIAN KIRST bring to the proceedings always keeps the audi- ence intrigued and their mission to give D’eon a Chevailere D’eon has to be one of history’s most full and loving tribute is always in evidence. No- fascinating figures. tably, flexible costuming by Rachel M. Sypniewski A soldier and a spy for King Louis XV of France imbues things with a touch of everything from DC THE B-52S, in the 18th century, she charmed and intrigued Comics to the Industrial Revolution as well. Russia’s Elizabeth I and England’s King George The cast, many of whom enact multiple roles, III. Although distinguished by acts of bravery, is also to be commended for its commitment to controversy eventually surrounded her. Living multileveled playing. In particular, the majestic as a man for 49 years, rumors persisted about Ann Sonneville nearly steals the show with her her gender. Bets were even placed through the brightly regal, nearly poisonous take on Elizabeth JUSSIE London Stock Exchange to determine her true I. Strangely, as the character is the primary focus; gender—a contest in which D’eon was one of the David Lovejoy is almost too subdued as D’eon. invitees. Her courage and strength, despite these Perhaps working too conceptually, the perfor- indignities, has ensured her place as an early, mance—until its final moments—almost leaves celebrated figure for transgender and women’s the audience with too much of an emotional dis- , rights. SMOLLETT tance to the character. Thankfully, the story is so In Monsieur D’eon Is a Woman, being given a compelling and worthy of exploration that this colorful push by Trap Door Theatre, playwright does little to mar the show’s impact. Mark Brownell takes the compelling narrative of In fact, this production could ultimately rank as D’eon’s life and creates a friendly romp, full of one of Trap Door’s most compelling tales. Always energetic twists and turns. D’eon, who lived out exploring the strange, unparalleled beauty of the DAYA, her last 33 years as a woman, died in poverty, world, this piece is truly a celebration of D’eon earning a living by performing acts of swordplay and the respect that she demanded for the fluid- in a sideshow act. But whether Brownell is detail- ity of existence. ing her glory years as a celebrated citizen of the JOJO eSPOTLIGHT …AND MANY, MANY MORE!
We’re ceding this week’s Spotlight to director Hutch Pimentel, whose points about First Floor Theater’s compelling sci-fi thrillerRefrigerator bear repeating: “When we lost Will Davis and American Theater Company earlier this season, there was an uproar over the lack of support Lucas Baisch’s dystopian drama. Get there. It Produced by /mkepride for radical queer work. If you care about sup- Milwaukee Pride Inc. runs through June 6 at the Den Theatre, 1331 porting radical queer work in Chicago then I N. Milwaukee Ave.; $10-$20; FirstFloorTheater. hope you’ll put your money where your mouth com. is and come see this show. If you can’t afford Caption: Photo of Nathaniel Andrew it, please send me a message and I will figure (left) and Kevin Stangler by Evan Hanover it out.” Pimentel is right on all counts about
MKEPRIDE2018_PRINT_AD_HEADLINERS_4.875x10.indd 1 5/25/18 1:37 PM 20 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES combine Mysterious Island and (mostly) 20,000 By making Christine John’s mother instead of THEATER REVIEW Leagues to create a complete character arc for his fiancée (as in the original), Farber drives Nemo (intense, thoughtful Kareem Bandealy), re- home the themes of resentment and ownership. 20,000 Leagues vealed in Mysterious Island to be of South Asian Christine raised Julie after her mother blew her Under the Seas (sic) royal heritage. The major alteration is to recast brains out in the kitchen. Williams’ Christine Playwright: David Kersnar & Althos Low Pierre Aronnax as female Prof. Morgan Aronnax aches to find connection with her own ancestors, At: Lookingglass Theatre at Water Tower (Kasey Foster), and ditto her assistant, Conseil buried on land just beneath the kitchen floor, Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. (Lanise Antoine Shelley). In the mold of tomb- while John feels trapped on a farm where he was Tickets: 312-337-0665; raider Lara Croft, they are fighting scientists re- brutalized by others, white and Black. John and LookingglassTheatre.org; $45-$80 quired to use knives and fists. The sex change Julie are two semi-orphaned children trying to Run through: Aug. 19 is handled adroitly in the new/altered text but soothe their sense of emotional abandonment doesn’t impact the plot or final outcome at all, through the sexual variety. BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL so the sole motive is the opportunity to make It’s tricky territory, but Farber’s roadmap creas- contemporary statements about mistaken percep- es along the lines of narratives familiar to our Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas tions (limitations) of women in male-dominant own racist history of using “miscegenation” as an (plural), first published in 1869-70, featured me- cultures. It may not be a distraction but it pro- excuse for lynching black men. At the same time, ticulous scientific research for its time and a rip- vides limited value. though Chrisler’s Julie is undeniably manipula- snorting story with secretive Capt. Nemo as the This adaptation squarely is about Nemo, who is tive and mercurial, her performance shows us the antagonist. So vivid was Nemo—the name (with far more conflicted, outraged and complex than aching wounds of an isolated young woman who Latin/Greek roots) didn’t exist until Verne em- in other portrayals. Ideas of justice, responsibil- fears falling into the hellscape of her mother’s ployed it—that he quickly eclipsed the intended ity and morality are raised frequently, along with history. “If you are sensitive out here on this dry social roles one may be required to play. Ace Ca- land—you don’t make it,” she tells John. hero and narrator of the tale, French marine bi- Thomas J. Cox in 20,000 Leagues Under the nadian harpooner Ned Lane (Walter Briggs)—a Farber’s play also invokes the ancestral spirits ologist Prof. Pierre Aronnax. Seas. captive of Nemo’s along with Aronnax and Con- through T. Ayo Alston’s “ukhokho” (the Zulu word When Nemo next appeared in Verne’s 1874 fol- Photo by Liz Lauren low-up, Mysterious Island, he was the central fig- seil—is a rascal and rule-breaker, so it’s inter- for “ancestor”). Alston appears at key moments, ure narrating his detailed backstory which was al- esting to weigh his opposition to rule-breaker rior or interior details so one shouldn’t anticipate singing original songs that add a spectral tex- most entirely missing in 20,000 Leagues. Across Nemo. Is Nemo an archetypal supervillain who the literalness of the still-popular 1954 Disney ture to the gritty sexual and verbal battles be- nearly two dozen screen adaptations (the first a wishes to punish the world, or an avatar of a new film. Likewise, the attack of the giant squid tween John and Julie. They are both fighting for 1916 silent film), the obviously indelible Nemo world order? You decide. (squids in the original) is a game-changer in the a foothold on the land beneath them and looking has been played by Lionel Barrymore, James Ma- Lookingglass’ 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas film but not in this production (nor the novel), for a means of escape. The tragedy is that their son, Herbert Lom, Michael Caine, Omar Sharif, offers a varied and appealing physical production although the puppet technology in both is about country’s history won’t allow for either without a Patrick Stewart, Ben Cross and Jose Ferrer, among involving wonderful puppets of ships and sea equal! bloody cost. others. creatures, agile physical work by the company, Chrisler and Gilbert go for broke here, but Bul- For this vigorous new production, adapters Da- some circus skills, exotic costuming, astute light- THEATER REVIEW lard’s staging allows fleeting moments of tender- vid Kersnar (also the director) and Althos Low ing and multi-layer scenic design. Nemo’s ship, ness, with Farber’s script weaving in broken po- The Nautilus, is not conveyed with specific exte- Mies Julie etic interludes about the dusty land around them. Playwright: Yael Farber (adapted from Black snakelike roots encircle Kurtis Boetcher’s August Strindberg’s “Miss Julie”) set, suggesting just how difficult it is to break At: Victory Gardens Theater, through the entangled bloody history of racism 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. and colonialism. Tickets: 773-871-3000; VictoryGardens.org; $15-$60 Runs through: June 24
BY KERRY REID
Athol Fugard’s portraits of apartheid-era South Africa served as the moral lens for his nation. Post-apartheid works such as 1996’s Valley Song offered a hopeful look at healing the country’s wounds. No such balm finds its way into South African playwright Yael Farber’s Mies Julie, which pre- miered to acclaim in the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Chicago premiere at Victory Gar- dens, directed with blast-furnace intensity by Dexter Bullard, builds upon—and then bludgeons through—the skeletal structure that August Strindberg’s 1888 naturalist classic of class and gender struggle provides. It’s Freedom Day in 2012—the national day of celebration for the end of apartheid 18 years earlier. As in the original, Mies Julie (Heather Chrisler), the daughter of an Afrikaner widower landowner with a brutal reputation, is dancing with the farm workers as the play begins. She’s also tracking dirt all over the clean-but-cracked tile floor that Christine (Celeste Williams) has scrubbed by hand. John (Jalen Gilbert), Chris- Heather Chrisler and Jalen Gilbert in Mies tine’s son, polishes the master’s boots and Julie. dreams of escape. Photo by Liz Lauren WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 21 THEATER REVIEW romantic frustration. When Fredrik’s old flame Desiree (Kelli Harrington), a renowned stage ac- Door Kinetic to run A Little tor, appears and gladly obliges to a tryst, their indiscretion leads to social chaos. Word gets June 11-15 Night Music out to Desiree’s other lover, count Carl-Magnus The Door Kinetic Arts Festival (DKAF) has con- Authors: Stephen Sondheim & Hugh Wheeler (Christopher Davis), his unhappy wife Charlotte firmed its lineup up films, including Oscar win- At: Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lin- (Stephanie Stockstill) and back to a devastated ners and nominees, Wisconsin-made films and the coln Ave. Anne. Desiree’s mother Madame Armfeldt (Mar- Rainn Wilson one-man show Thom Pain, which Tickets: 773-404-7336 or guerite Mariama) and teen daughter Fredrika will kick off its third annual fest June 11-15 at GreenhouseTheater.org; $25-35 (Isabelle Roberts) sign on for a leisurely gather- Bjorklunden, the northern campus of Wisconsin’s Runs through: July 8 ing at their sprawling estate, intended to clear Lawrence University. the air between Fredrik and Desiree, but when Wilson will host the screening of Thom Pain, BY SEAN MARGARET WAGNER everyone else gets wind of it, the whole house of a film version of the Pulitzer-winning play he cards threatens to flutter into oblivion. performed at the Geffen Theatre in Los Angeles, Musicals are the brazen flirt at the party who For the casual degradation they receive in the on Monday, June 11 at 7 p.m. and lead a post- charms the room with memorized banter and a libretto, the women of A Little Night Music do screening talkback. killer look, buttressed with layers of shapewear. the heavy lifting and transporting of audience DKAF will also hold a cocktail competition Or, they are the keynote speaker, insisting to spirits. Kelli Harrington, though younger than Tuesday, June 5, at the Wickman House in Elli- a flock of junior executives that they too can you’d expect, is magnetic as Desiree. Rachel Guth son Bay to select the official cocktail of the 2018 achieve wealth and success with a little elbow brings more layers to ground a typically flighty festival. grease. Anne, and I’ve never understood Charlotte so DKAF previously announced that Wilson, fa- Musicals want you to forget the hard work and well as I have from Stephanie Stockstill’s aching mous for his portrayal of Dwight Schrute in the precision that it takes to craft a production like yet hilarious performance. As Madame Armfeldt, U.S. version of The Office, will be in residence Boho Theatre’s A Little Night Music. However, Marguerite Mariama keeps things very quiet and developing a screenplay based on the life of Stet- with this intimate staging, director Linda Fortu- understated, which has the power to make you son Kennedy and his mission to bring down the nado and music director Tom Vendafreddo invite lean in closer. Ku Klux Klan. That screenplay will receive a read- audiences to take a magnifying glass to observe What tipped the scales for me was the very ef- ing Wed., June 13, at 8:30 p.m. the cracks in their evening’s plaster. Marguerite Mariama in A Little Night Music. fective, inclusive and somewhat sexually fluid See DoorKinetic.com. So much credit is due to the workhorse cast, Photo by Liz Lauren chorus featuring Nicole Besa, Rachel Klippel, Em- amazing chamber quartet and artistic team who ily Goldberg, Lazaro Estrada and Ross Matsuda. clearly put their whole hearts into a lively night flubs and dropped lines in an instant. And I’d be lax if I didn’t mention Teressa LaGam- of humor, intrigue, and sadness. We may clearly It’s 1900, and Fredrik (Peter Robel), his young, ba as Petra, who can deliver a rousing pep talk to see the buttress at times, but this ensemble is no still-virginal new wife Anne (Rachel Guth) and any crotch, regardless of gender. Their bursts of stranger to musical theater’s other secret weap- moody adult son Henrik (Jordan Dell Harris) are joy power through the dull moments that could on: a good song can make your audience forget all stuck under one roof, in a state of perpetual use sharpening.
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featuring the CHICAGO A LEGENDARY EQUALITY $10 HOSTED AT ANDERSONVILLE DINING EXPERIENCE gate donation MIDSOMMARFEST RALLY supports the andersonville chamber & sunday, june 10 at 12PM | balmoral pride stage local non-profits 100 East Ontario Street, Chicago 60611 | 312.787.5000 | LawrysOnline.com andersonville.org/midsommarfest 22 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER and physically. Lovejoy endured a beating on rights or “have gay friends.” the El en route to a May performance, pummeled It wasn’t until it was clear that my attacker was bloody at the hands of transphobic cisgender actually trying to kill me that someone pulled his Trap Door transcends men. Ze talks about the experience in this issue hands from my throat as another told me to move of Windy City Times. away. I crawled to the other side of the train. No “No matter how hard we try, people will con- one asked if I was okay. No one helped me up. No tinue to assume things about other people’s gen- one got off the train at the next stop to get away with binary-breaking der,” ze said. “Plays like this are important in from my attacker, because they knew that they part because they make the audience confront weren’t in danger. those assumptions.” I have never been so alone in my life. French patriot “I am very proud of my gender and myself,” Just two days before the attack, I had writ- Lovejoy said. “But I still closet myself sometimes ten on Facebook about having the bravery to BY CATEY SULLIVAN because I don’t feel safe. look people back in the eyes when they stared at “Regrettable as it is, other people can make me. I called my femme clothes battle armor and Had ze lived in 18th-century France, David Love- you question yourself. We can’t help but care I stepped out of my apartment door with cour- joy might well have been one of the unsung su- what other people think and how we are seen in age and pride. Now, my battle armor is broken. I perheroes of history. As it is, the gender-fluid the world,” ze said. step outside and feel the terror creep in. For the actor (Pronouns: Ze, hir, hirs, hirself) is playing “Being seen is everything,” ze said. “I will nev- past week I’ve decided to present as male. I once one at Wicker Park’s Trap Door Theatre. In Mark er forget telling my best friend and she said, ‘I swore that I would never closet myself again, but Brownell’s comedy Monsieur D’eon is a Woman, see you and you’re beautiful,’ and I broke down in here I am back in the closet. Lovejoy steps into the heeled shoes of a gender tears. And we were both much more comfortable When I am onstage though, I am not in the rebel in the court of Louis XIV. because we both knew who I was.” closet. I am proud, I am defiant, and I am strong. Centuries before the world had language for D’eon lived to be an octogenarian—a remark- The cast of Monsieur D’eon Is a Woman is unafraid those whose very existence proves that the bina- able life span for someone in the 18th century. to look people in the eyes and tell this trans nar- ry is rubbish, D’eon forged a life as a woman who “It was a long life, and a remarkable one. And rative with strength and pride. These actors give (in the clothes of a man) became a high-ranking a difficult one,” Lovejoy said. “It wasn’t easy, but me the love and support to tell a proud, tragic French diplomat and a decorated war hero. it was beautiful.” and beautiful story of D’eon’s trans experience. Assigned ‘“male” at birth, D’eon knew from Monsieur D’eon is a Woman continues This stage is the safest place I feel I can truly be childhood that she was a woman. And not just through June 30 at Trap Door Theater, 1655 W. myself right now, and I know this is the case with any woman: With no tolerance for dresses or Cortland St. Tickets are $20 and $25, two-for- many trans performers. homemaking or other historically female pursuits, one on Thursdays. Go to trapdoortheatre.com We deserve space on a train. We deserve space D’eon donned breeches and set out to fight for or call 773-384-0494. in the world. We have created space on the stage her country. It wasn’t until the final years of her for ourselves, but that space is still small. I might life that officials stripped D’eon of her ranking THEATER VIEWPOINT even say tiny. Historically, many trans folks have and forced her into petticoats and corsets. needed to closet themselves to take cis roles be- “The cast refers to her as a superhero of his- Don’t just stand there cause trans roles are rare and hard to come by. I tory,” said director Nicole Wiesner. A superhero In the wake of an attack, urge artists to act on your allyship. Don’t force whose battles are waged still: “We’ve been having David Lovejoy. us to closet ourselves just so we can work in our this discussion about trans people in the military Publicity photo by Nicole Weisner non-binary actor urges allies to act profession. for hundreds of years,” Wiesner said. “There have It is hard to go out the door and have the world always been people who didn’t fit the binary and Ze arrived in Chicago about six years ago, as a BY DAVID LOVEJOY see us for who we truly are. With a theatrical wanted to serve their country. It was going on in theater student at the University of Chicago. platform, the world comes to us and sees who Louis’s time, and it’s going on now.” Lovejoy remains fluent in French. But it’s not I was on the crowded Red Line train on my way to we truly are. Our stories need to be told and At 23, Lovejoy is as fluent in French as ze is just language that ze shares with D’eon. The sol- the third performance of Trap Door Theatre’s Mon- our voices need to be heard. Nicole Wiesner and adept at rocking a ballgown. Hir gender defies der’s struggles aren’t so far removed from Love- sieur D’eon is a Woman when the man punched Trap Door Theatre have given me the remarkable narrow classification. “I’m not a transwoman. I’m joy’s own. Take, for example, the fixation D’eon’s me in the jaw. It was fully unprovoked, without opportunity to share my voice and tell D’eon’s non-binary. And with that comes the experience peers had with what was in her breaches. warning. He continued to punch me, grabbed my story—and I will be forever grateful. I thank ev- of people not understanding who or what I am. “Everyone wants to know what’s underneath throat and threw me to the ground while grunt- eryone who has and will attend the theater to In that, I relate to Monsieur D’eon,” ze said. D’eon’s pants. That’s still something that happens ing slurs at me. The others on the train stepped experience D’eon’s journey. “The part of her I also really identify with is today—people reduce everything in to ‘well, you aside so as not to get in the way. To everyone who claims to be an ally, I now that she had no interest in conforming to the were born a man, right?’ Wrong,” ze said. I am non-binary; I am not a man, I am not a speak directly to you: Be a real ally. Please don’t stereotypes of what a woman was supposed to Lovejoy started hir outward journey with nail woman. I do not wish to pass as a man or to pass stand there like those people on the El did. be or do,” Lovejoy added. “She wanted to ... be a polish. as a woman; I just want to look like me. The man Please. I beg you, just as I begged those people soldier and a patriot, and to be taken seriously,” “My first step of was when a friend painted my who punched me didn’t want someone like me on the train—until I tasted blood in my throat. ze said. nails. Something in me clicked. I felt more beau- standing next to him. He decided that the small I’m sure you may fear for your safety when In Brownell’s history-based comedy, D’eon is tiful, more like myself. So I started doing nail wedge of space I fit into on the rush hour train you consider getting involved in situations like guided throughout life by a kindred spirit: Joan designs. People stared sometimes. They’d notice much larger than I deserved. this one, but we fear for much more than our of Arc (played by Ty Easley, who is trans). St. when I was paying for something, for instance. In that moment—and regrettably in many mo- safety, we fear for our very lives. Being an ally is Joan isn’t the only larger-than-life historical fig- “But after a while, I started feeling pride in- ments since—I too was made to feel that I didn’t more than posting a picture of yourself at a pride ure to pass through D’eon’s life. Benjamin Frank- stead of fear,” Lovejoy continued. “And with that deserve that small wedge of space. But it wasn’t parade or tweeting your support for gay rights. lin, Empress Elizabeth of Russia and Jean Jacques pride, I started wearing make-up and skirts and the attacker who made me believe this, it was Frankly, I don’t care about a picture of you wear- Rousseau also show up in the play (the last with dresses. The first time I stepped out in a dress, every single person on the rush-hour train who ing a rainbow boa. Don’t flaunt your allyship— concerns that Louis’s glittery court was becoming I was terrified. Then, I started seeing my clothes stood there, watched it happen, and did nothing. act on your allyship. altogether too effeminate). as battle armor. People would stare and I’d stare I looked up and screamed for help to a pack See us. Wiesner’s 11-person ensemble plays roughly 80 right back,” ze said. of young and fit men. They watched me like they Hear us. roles among them, with Lovejoy at the gleaming “The first time I introduced myself with my were watching a YouTube video. All they did was Stand with us. center. pronouns, I thought I was going to vomit,” ze step aside so my attacker could throw me to the Fight with us. Lovejoy grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, added. “But after it poured out of my mouth, I ground. None of them shouted, called 911 or got Actor David Lovejoy continues through June where ze spent seven years studying at Beverly’s felt amazing and beautiful. And seen.” him off of me, although I’m sure they all have 30 in Trap Door Theatre’s Monsieur D’eon is a Waring School, a bilingual institution where les- Still, the malevolent ignorance of others’ as- posted pictures of themselves at the pride pa- Woman. For more info, see story in this issue sons were taught in French as well as English. sumptions can be harrowing, both emotionally rade, tweeted about their support for LGBTQ+ or go to TrapDoorTheatre.com. WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 23 Pivot Arts Festival CULTURECULTURE CLUBCLUB through June 10 The sixth annual Pivot Arts PAC Pride Fest Festival—a celebration of con- PAC PRIDE FEST temporary performances and Pink Orchids multi-disciplinary works pre- By Patrick Cash. Directed by Brennan T. Jones sented throughout Chicago’s June 6 - July 7 Uptown and Edgewater neigh- The Green Bay Tree borhoods—will take place By Mordaunt Shairp. Directed by Amy Sarno June 11 - July 8 through June 10. This year, the festival fea- Fucking Men tures the Chicago premiere of By Joe DiPietro. Directed by David Zak July 1 - August 25 Rude Mechs, a theater collec- tive from Austin, Texas, that Hurricane Damage By Kevin Brofsky. Directed by Paul J Cook has performed at major venues August 1 - August 26 across the country. See PivotArts.org. Holding The Man By Tommy Murphy. Directed by Michael Graham August 5 - August 26 GayCo’s 4139 N. Broadway St. Chicago, IL 60625 | 866.8111.4111 ‘Party’ June 22-23 GayCo Productions will run its “A play for the ages!” Pride Comedy Party (or PCP, for short) Friday-Saturday, June 22- The New York Times 23, at The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted St., at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, and can be purchased at the door or in advance by visiting https:// gaycopride.eventbrite.com. At- tendees must be at least 21 years old.
BEGINS MAY 9TH 847-242-6000 | WRITERSTHEATRE.ORG
Also, the 2018 Pride Awards will be presented, to 1st Milwaukee Pride to Annual Ride with Pride Cormac Kehoe (Individual); Ald. Cavalier Johnson of the Milwaukee Common Council feature Danica Roem (Ally); the Queer Zine Archive Project (Organization); Milwaukee Pride kicks off the 31st Annual PrideFest transgender prom queen Nikko Nelson (Valor); and His- Milwaukee opening ceremonies at the Dance Pavilion on tory of Gay Milwaukee’s Facebook administrator, Jamie Friday, June 8, at 3 p.m. Taylor (Legacy). Journalist and politician Danica Roem will be the PrideFest Milwaukee will welcome the B-52s, Jussie keynote speaker. When elected to the Virginia House of Smollett and Daya to the Miller Lite Main stage this June Delegates in 2017, Roem became the first openly trans- 8-10 on the Summerfest Grounds. gender individual to be elected and serve in any U.S. PrideFest Milwaukee 2018 will be held at Henry W. Ma- legislature. ier Festival Park. To increase community access to PrideFest Milwaukee, Visit Pridefest. the Milwaukee Pride Board of Directors is offering free com. admission with a $1 donation per person to the Pride- Fest Plus One Campaign. This year’s campaign supports Diverse & Resilient, which impacts thousands of local LGBTQ lives every year with critical health care pro- Danica Roem. grams. This offer will only be valid on Friday, June 8, Photo from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Facebook account 24 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES celebrate their relationship decades later. That is WCT: How do you connect with an audience some great stuff. when playing live? Some people name their children after my JA: I don’t know. I talk to them. Joan Armatrading. songs. I have met a lot of “Willows” and “Rosies.” WCT: Do you tell stories? Publicity photo by Joel Anderson WCT: How did you go about making the al- JA: No. I am not a storyteller like that. I don’t bum Not Too Far Away? have good stories, but people seem to like it. JA: When I started writing I would write what- WCT: After all of your awards, what one ever came into my head. I would write a blues meant the most? song, followed by a jazz song, followed by a pop JA: That would be my BA honors degree that I song. I would write the words first, then music got after taking all the exams and passing them. or both together, whatever happens happened. I am very proud of that. I have always played everything myself on my WCT: Is there something you would say to demos. In 2003, I decided to play everything my- your LGBT fans who have followed your career self on the album, apart from drums. over these years? I decided to do a trilogy of blues, rock and jazz. JA: Well, thank you for following my career all Into the Blues had me playing blues, This Charm- of these years. My songs are for everybody. I have ing Life was rock and Starlight was jazz. been asked do I mind that my LGBT fans take my This album I decided to write all of the words songs to heart or be offended by that. I would be first before any of the music. The order of the offended if they didn’t take them to heart. album is exactly how I wrote it. The first song My songs are for people. We are all going is the first one I wrote and the last one is last through very similar things, whether it is heart- NUNN ON ONE: MUSIC song I wrote. break, falling in love, falling out of love, getting WCT: This album seems personal. Is it? married, or getting divorced. The planet is going JA: I don’t generally write about myself all the through very similar things, no matter the gen- time. This is a lot of albums to be writing about der, or sexual orientation is. Everyone wants to Joan Armatrading: Joan. That is too weird. Nobody needs that! have this thing to express what they are going There are lots of things happening in the through. songs. I would be some kind of messed up person What I try to do is write what people are feel- Icon spreads ‘Love if they were all about me. ing and have the emotion expressed, so thank So, in general, I am writing about things I am you, guys! looking at, people I see, people I know, people I Armatrading plays City Winery, 1200 W. don’t know, something I have read, something on Randolph St., on June 9-10 and 12-14. Visit and Affection’ television, or something at a restaurant, among CityWinery.com and JoanArmatrading.com for other things. details. I want people to relate to what I am writing. The things I write are from something real and I can make it more real. I am trying not to say “he” and “she.” I wrote BY JERRY NUNN WCT: Is the trick balancing the older mate- something called “The Weakness in Me.” The same rial with the new music? amount of men as women would come to me and British singer Joan Armatrading has a career JA: Yes and that is what I have always done say that was what they were going through. This spanning almost 50 years. She has released 19 throughout my career. I wouldn’t want to tour if happened with other songs as well. When you put studio albums along with live albums and com- all I did was old songs. a gender on it then it excludes the other gender. pilations. I am very lucky and my audience knows that That’s a shame. Over the years she has received many acco- I always play new songs. People must remem- WCT: I bet many artists don’t think about lades, including Grammy nominations and an ber that an old song at some point was a brand cutting off listeners by stating genders. Steve “Silk” Hurley. Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary new song. They had never heard it before. The JA: Yes, and lots of men go through what wom- Publicity photo Song Collection. She took home honorary degrees first time they heard it was the first time. You en go through and the other way around. It is from the Liverpool John Moores University, the must always give new things an opportunity to nice to describe it for everyone. ‘Queen!’ to feature University of Birmingham and the University of become a favorite. You can’t only want to hear WCT: The gender topic has grown since when Northampton, among others. She was even made the old stuff, because that was brand new when you first started in the business. Steve “Silk” Hurley a member of the Order of the British Empire you heard it. JA: Yes, it has. I wrote a song called “Rosie” and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement WCT: Do you always have to play “Love and about a transvestite [Editor’s note: her word]; and CeCe Peniston Award at the Acoustic Festival of Britain. After Affection?” these days it would be about a transgender per- Red Bull Music will present “Queen!” on all of that, she tackled her first marathon in New JA: I love playing it and have played it every son. Friday, June 22, at 9 p.m. at Metro, 3730 York at age 58. single concert that I have done since it was writ- WCT: Did you know someone like Rosie? N. Clark St. Armatrading is extremely private about her life ten. That song got me attention from all over JA: I didn’t know them, but I saw them on the DJ Steve “Silk” Hurley is the headliner; but it was reported that she entered into a civil the world. I would be a complete idiot if I didn’t street. I was taken to 42nd Street and there were special guests are slated to include dance- partnership with girlfriend Maggie Butler back in want to play it. a lot of Rosie’s on that street. That is where I got music star CeCe Penison (“Finally”), house- 2011. I don’t understand when people don’t want to the song from. music artist Dajae (“Brighter Days”), Joe She brings her new album Not Too Far Away play a song that made them known. WCT: What is the new song “No More Pain” Smooth, Shaun J. Wright and Hey Rae Char- to town for five nights of performances before WCT: Has a fan said something to you over about? donnay. eventually playing the United Kingdom. the years that means a lot personally? JA: It is about being in a bad situation and The event will celebrate Queen!, one of the Windy City Times: Hi, Joan. Where in the JA: Just someone saying they love my music being determined to come out of that situation. most thriving inclusive weekly parties in the world are you? means a lot. I started my career in 1972 and it is It is taking charge of one’s life now because they city known as the birthplace of house music. Joan Armatrading: I am in New York. I am in 2018 now. Without people coming to my shows have been through so much upset. Among those scheduled to also appear are the middle of a tour. and buying the albums, there would be no long WCT: Would you ever want a documentary drag personalities Lucy Stoole, Dida Ritz, WCT: How do you decide on a set list after career. I am not having this long career in a vac- about you made? JoJo Baby, Monica Beverly Hillz and many being so long in the music business? uum. I am not doing this on my own! JA: Maybe one day, but it depends on how it’s more. JA: It is very difficult to come up with a set Fans are very important. For example one fan done. I don’t have a salacious life, so it might be See https://www.redbull.com/us-en/mu- list, actually. There are lots of songs and it is just told me they met their partner through my mu- quite boring. sic/events/red-bull-music-presents-queen. hard. [Laughs] sic, got married, and now come to my show to WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 25 LGBT CRUISES & TOUR EVENTS AL
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One heartbreaking scene has An- gel, portrayed by Indya Moore, trying desperately The new FX series Pose is set in the ‘80s, and to work at an upscale clothing store—only to be tells the story of slices of life in the Big Apple. rejected to return to a life of hustling. Times may In each episode the characters (a slew of LGBTQ have not changed drastically but bringing aware- individuals, in a television set-up that is way ness to this discrimination is a step in the right overdue) face challenges that grow deeper with direction. Murphy has done his part by employing each episode. and spotlighting a diverse cast that deserves to The drag-ball scene is depicted, with the House be there for this important journey. of Abundance ruling the roost until part of the Broadway’s Billy Porter plays character Pray group leaves to form the House of Evangelista. Tell, who emcees the drag competitions and glues Meanwhile, a young man named Stan Bowes the group together as a fairy godfather. Give this meets a transgender prostitute named Angel who Tony Award winner another trophy and make it an threatens to throw his wife and job with the Emmy this time! Trump empire into a tailspin. The struggle is real Are mainstream television audiences ready for as the largest LGBTQ recurring cast on television a show such as this? Only time will tell, but ex- takes audiences on a difficult journey in eight ep- pect some controversy with the world we live in isodes, with each lasting approximately an hour. today. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals The Pose posse earns perfect scores across the are the show’s co-creators. It takes an LGBTQ board for trying with this trailblazing endeavor, Billy Porter in Pose. army to create this piece of work, with many darling. Photo by Pari Dukovic/FX consultants, writers and producers wisely in- cluded. Never forget it’s Murphy’s puppet show, though, as he’s a producer and directs the first The Homestretch and My Mama Said Yo Mama’s which will take place June 15 and 22-24 in two episodes. (Transgender advocate/author/ Black Lesbian A Dyke); W.O.M.B. Poetry on Thursday, June 21, Andersonville—has announced its 2018 15th- actress Janet Mock is among those directing 7-9 p.m.; and a panel discussion Tuesday, July anniversary entertainment. other episodes.) In his last original FX series, he Archives Exhibit June 3, 6-8 p.m. The closing exhibit reception will be The headliners are DJ and lesbian icon Kate brings along his muse, Evan Peters, for the ride July 13, 6-8 p.m. Moennig (TV shows The L Word and Ray Dono- and shows this is no Glee, but instead more of 14-July 13 van), KITTENS, Brooke Candy, Chicago rapper an American Horror Story tale, with AIDS as the Jade The Ivy, Bridget Lyons, Whitney Mixter, real killer. at Affinity Rose Garcia and local female rockers Catfight. This landmark drama is making history and is 10F0LD Productions is presenting the Black Back Lot Bash on Dance Loud, DJ All the Way Kay and DJ Zel will also described as a musical, although in the first Lesbian Archives Exhibit June 14-July 13 at June 15, 22-24 also entertain. four episodes no one sings. Music is used smartly Affinity Community Services, 2850 S. Wabash, Taking place every Pride in Chicago, Back Lot Visit BackLotBashChicago.com. over the course of the series, from the beginning #108. The exhibit is being put together by Kru, an Bash—which a press release called “the Mid- with Mary Jane Girls’ “In My House” at the ball west’s most-attended women’s festival,” and to Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” used for archivist, DJ and CEO of 10F0LD Productions. emotional impact. It is a smorgasbord of songs “The importance of exploring and preserving Mirza part of that were sometimes on the fringe of the music our history is more crucial than ever,” said Kru. “During this exhibit we explore Chicago’s ‘Red Line’ series world—just like this community, with society in Local Pakistani, Muslim, queer actress-activ- general. Black Lesbian history while discussing how we can collectively go about making our archival ist Fawzia Mirza will be a writer on the CBS show There is a lot of dancing thanks to newcomer Red Line. Ryan Jamaal Swain who plays his character Da- efforts more concrete. We embark on unify- ing and bridging the generational gap for the Ava Duvernay and Greg Berlanti are the ex- mon full of innocence and wonder as he discovers ecutive producers of this Chicago-set series that the gay world and ballet scene. present-future,” Kru said. Affinity Community Services, Windy City Times and the Gerber/Hart looks at the lives of three families. Erica Weiss Pose is a TV show inspired by the movie Paris and Caitlin Montanye Parrish are co-creators. Is Burning, with Flashdance and Fame mixed in Library are providing the archival materials. Opening night (Thursday, June 14) will fea- Deadline noted that Noah Wyle (ER; The Li- for good measure. It reminds us once again that brarians) has been tapped as the lead of the Madonna did not invent voguing and how the ture Yvonne Welbon of Sisters in the Life: A His- tory of African-American Lesbian Media Making. racially charged hourlong drama. Red Line ex- Cinderella story at the ball still works to this day. plores what happens after a white cop in Chi- The series evolves with each episode and cov- The free and all-inclusive event will take place 6-8:30 p.m.; visit Eventbrite.com to RSVP. For cago (Noel Fisher) mistakenly shoots and kills ers a variety of heavy topicss, including sex, re- a Black doctor; Wyle will play a high school lationships, death, homelessness and racism. It more information, emial 10F0Ld411@gmail. com. teacher who was the victim’s husband. does veer towards preaching at times and has The Deadline article is at https://deadline. a few corny lines such as “You will never find Other events include a short-film screening Monday, June 18, 6-8 p.m., with talks featuring com/2018/03/noah-wyle-cast-cbs-pilot-red- a place to belong if you keep running away.” Kate Moennig. line-ava-duvernay-greg-berlanti-1202312484/. But you have to marvel at the number of televi- Kasey White and Couqie Hughes (screenings of Photo from Twitter sion firsts that are accomplished—this talented troupe goes where no one has gone before time and time again. The possibilities are endless if FX picks up more seasons. WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 27 BILLY MastersMasters
“There was a beautiful model next to me in bed and so I did some Method acting. I got a little bit excited. The exhibitionist was acting up because there was 40 people running cameras. I used to always ask, ‘How do actors do it?’ But now I know how they do it.”—Ricky Martin talks about shooting a sex scene in The Assassination of Gi- anni Versace. Kathy Griffin is being honored in conjunction with Los Angeles Pride. On Tuesday, June 5, she was to be one of the recipients of the Rainbow Key Awards, which the City of West Hollywood gives out to honor people who have made out- standing contributions to the gay and lesbian community. I hasten to add that Stormy Daniels Ricky Martin talks about his acting technique. is not one of the recipients. Photo by Nino Munoz Speaking of sexy photos, underwear giant An- drew Christian just made history by hiring its first trans man as a model.Jesse Diamond start- ed testosterone treatment only four years ago. However, he’s identified as male since he was three. With this gig, he’s achieved a landmark goal, saying, “When I started working out about five years ago, my dream was basically to become Marky Mark. I wanted to be an underwear model, a buff guy, and I’ve been buying Andrew Chris- tians for years. So it was definitely like a dream come true for me.” Check him out on our website. Our “Ask Billy” question comes from Tyler in San Diego: “Is Jared on RuPaul’s Drag Race the same guy who did that sex scene with Nick Jonas on Kingdom? Sure looks like him.” Good catch. Two years ago, I brought you Jo- nas’ Kingdom three-way which included a model named Jared North. Turns out that is the same Jared who is part of the Pit Crew on Drag Race. In real life, he’s a model and a dancer and, appar- ently, an actor. In addition to what he showed on Nick Jonas’ acting partner gets in the ‘Pit.” Kingdom, we can show you a whole lot more— like, literally, every inch of him, on BillyMasters. com. And, trust me, this one is well worth check- ing out. When I’m delivering the keys to the kingdom, it’s time for me to end yet another column. One thing I didn’t mention was how important I feel Trans model Jesse the reboot of Roseanne is. While many people Diamond breaks new condemned it sight unseen due to the star’s ground in his Andrew views, it deftly showed a politically divided fam- Christians. ily who still managed to care for each other; a Instagram photo conservative matriarch with liberal values; and a family struggling with various sexual identities. If ever we needed a show like that, it is now. What you probably need right now is to check out BillyMasters.com—the site that delivers the goods, in and out of undies. Feel free to send your questions and comments to Billy@BillyMas- ters.com and I promise to get back to you before we uncover the truth behind Mark Steines’ abrupt termination from hosting Home & Family. (There’s a story there—I just know it.) While I’m wait- ing for Debbie Matenopoulos to return my calls, remember: One man’s filth is another man’s bible. 28 June 6, 2018 WINDY CITY TIMES Illinois to produce a 12-ounce bag of single- stagioni (prosciutto, artichoke, mushroom, olive origin Papua New Guinea Sigiri Estate beans, and egg). However, my dining companion and I with 50 percent of proceeds benefiting the opted for the farmer sandwich (an enticing olio organization. (Bags are available in the cafe and of grilled chicken, maple-glazed pepper bacon, the DISH online for $15 each.) provolone, sunny-side up egg, arugula and lemon Weekly Dining Guide in And if those items don’t make Passion House aioli on ciabatta) and the pasta dish rigatoni con enough of an enticement, there’s a DJ on Scarola (with the right combination of Italian WINDY CITY TIMES Saturdays at 10 a.m.-1 p.m. I don’t know if the sausage, roasted cherry tomatoes, oregano, white DJ takes requests, but there’s only one way to beans, escarole, garlic and pine nuts, in a light SAVOR know... herb broth). Be sure to conclude things with one of the Passion House Francesca’s Bryn Mawr desserts, whether it’s the justifiably-named In Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, Sloppy Sundae or the delectably dense torta lava, Coffee Roasters; Francesca’s Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; which comes with mint-chocolate gelato. Francesca’s lunch http://www.miafrancesca.com/locations/profile/ francescas-bryn-mawr-edgewater) has been BY ANDREW DAVIS Passion House sweets. a staple for years, living up to the Francesca’s Photo by Andrew Davis chain’s reputation of doling out tasty Italian fare. In a city where there seem to be thousands Francesca’s is a bit more, um, lived-in than brew items and (thankfully, for me, since I don’t of coffeehouses, Passion House Coffee some of the other of the chain’s spots, giving drink coffee) tea. Roasters (2631 N. Kedzie Ave.; http://www. it a vintage feel. It also gives the spot a more However, Passion House also has tasty items passionhousecoffee.com/) seems to be making accessible vibe. to satisfy hunger pains. Savory bites include its own mark. Now, Francesca’s Bryn Mawr is offering a new vegetable and meat quiches, buttered croissant Located right across the street from the Logan lunch menu with more options, including lunch and a salmon-and-cream cheese scone. Items on Square Blue Line stop, Passion House (which has combos with soup, salad and half-portions. Items the sweet side include the apricot rose scone (a been around for about a year) is small, yet open are not groundbreaking, but are well-done. You must-have) as well as the pear-anise crumb case (and features a patio setting when the weather really can’t go wrong with the calamari fritti or Calamari fritti at Francesca’s. (with just a hint of the licorice-tasting anise), cooperates). the bruschette alla Romana (garlic toast with Photo by Matt Simonette pistachio brioche, banana walnut financier and— The baristas certainly know what they’re doing, tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella). my fave—the chocolate-chip toffee cookie. as they serve espressos and espresso beverages, Pizza selections include the Napoletana (with Note: Restaurant profiles/events are based on Also, for Windy City Times readers, there’s specialty drinks (e.g., matcha, wildflower spice arugula, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, invitations arranged from restaurants and/or another incentive to go there: Passion House has latte and bittersweet mocha), cold- and batch- provolone and shaved parmesan) and the quattro firms. teamed with LGBT-rights organization Equality
Instead of aggressively hawking beer, Amber Ma- rie, one of the group’s transgender women, was Trans women and drag queens content to watch the show. She was impressed at the dexterity of the drag queens twerking and mingle at Campit Resort cavorting about the clubhouse. However, at over 6’2” and worried about standing out, she couldn’t BY MIKE KUBY members can attend two meetings a month in see the point of wearing five inch heels. Holland, at Out on the Lakeshore, a non-profit At the conclusion of the pageant, reigning Ms. Krista Anderson, PhD, never imagined she would LGBTQ community center, and at Grace Episcopal Campit 2017 Karina Passion reliquished her crown attend a drag show much less work one, but she Church. Besides transgender people, group mem- to Lucy Fyrre-Fatalé from Detroit. Passion expects enjoyed the Ms. Campit Pageant on May 19 and bers include allies and “a lot of parents,” accord- to abandon Michigan and her gig at Rumors in earned pin money for Gender SAFE (Supporting ing to Wildene, a group member in his 70s, who Grand Rapids for Chicago soon. Fyrre-Fatalé won All For Equality) by collecting donations in ex- says she never felt comfortable with her birth the contest in part for the answer she gave to change for free beer. gender but didn’t understand it and only came to Lucy Fyrre-Fatalé and Krista Anderson, PhD. in the Q&A portion of the contest to a question Dr. Anderson provides professional support as terms with her trans identity late in life, after a Photo by Mike Kuby regarding the California congressional candidate a clinical psychologist and facilitator for Gender divorce and lot of personal pain. “Younger people who videotaped herself harassing a transgender SAFE in Holland, Michigan, and one of her chil- see what’s happening,” she said. confessed that the introverted Gender SAFE team woman in a restroom. Fyrre-Fatalé told the camp- dren is a transgender teenager. The support group To help give visibility to the group and encour- was not ideal donation solicitors. Still, she said, ers, who had paid $15 for the dinner and show, was formed almost three years ago, spinning off age donations, an open bar was stocked with the campers were generous and the group made “Everyone needs acceptance. What I like about of PFLAG Holland/Lakeshore to focus specifically beer and sparkling wine by Campit owners Mi- enough to produce handouts for Holland Pride, this place is that everyone can feel safe.” on trans and gender nonconformity issues. Group chael O’Connor and Sally Howard. Dr. Anderson June 23, to publicize their support meetings.
SIDETRACK
Come through, summer! Photos by Jed Dulanas WINDY CITY TIMES June 6, 2018 29 Saturday, June 9 Harris and Chicago Ald. Harry Osterman. veteran, Director of Trans Relations and Andersonville Midsommarfest Annual Clark Street between Foster and Catalpa. Community Engagement and author of COMMUNITY street festival with music, dancing, http://andersonville.org The Complete Guide to Transgender in kids’ entertainment, food, vendors from Holocaust Museum Pride Event: The the Workplace. Hosted by the American around the region, dance troupes, DJs, Right Side of History? LGBTQ Rights Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER). Ques- CALENDAR and bands. $10 donation. 11:00am - Worldwide History, early battles, de- tions to [email protected] 12:00pm 10:00pm Clark Street between Foster feats, victories in the struggle for equal- Daley Center Plaza 50 W Washington St and Catalpa http://www.brownpaper- ity, how defend human rights. Equality Chicago 773-752-0058 http://www. Wed., June 6 tickets.com Illinois co-founder Art Johnston; attor- averchicago.org 17th Annual OUT of the Office Pride Net- 44th annual Wells Street Art Festival ney Matt Nosanchuck, who helped craft Trans Ice Cream Social On Center on VIP reception opens at 5 working Party Nearly 200 juried artists, traditional and President Obama’s LGBT-rights agenda; Halsted’s beautiful rooftop deck, cel- pm, party 6 pm 5:00pm - 8:00pm God- eco-friendly art and “Remix”’ recycled transgender activist Channyn Lynne ebrate Pride Month, meet new friends, frey Roof Top I/O, 127 W. Huron, Chicago art area. Performance by 16 Candles, Parker, manager of youth drop-in at listen to the sweet sounds of DJ X-tasy https://www.eventbrite.com/e/out-of- Big Suit, Wedding Banned. Kids art cor- Broadway Youth Center. Lora Branch, and enjoy complimentary Jeni’s Splen- the-office-2018-tickets-45363835453 ner, acrobatics, Happiness Club musical Gilead Sciences, will moderate. Reserva- did Ice Cream. Free. No RSVP Required Five eloquently interwoven Pink Orchids troupe among Old Town restaurants. Two tions required. 2:00pm - 3:30pm Il- 5:30pm - 7:30pm Center on Halsted and often funny monologues on living days. 12:00pm - 7:30pm Wells Street linois Holocaust Museum & Education 3656 N Halsted Chicago http://www. with HIV. Through July 7 7:30pm The ‘OFFICE’ SPACE between North Avenue and Division Center 9603 Woods Dr. Skokie, IL 60077 centeronhalsted.org/newevents-details. Buena, Pride Arts Center 4147 N. Broad- 773.868.3010 http://www.WellsStree- http://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org cfm?ID=15419 way 866-811-4111 http://www.pride- Wed., June 6 tArtFest.us Lesbian comedian Fortune Feimster Out A Brief Visual History of Queer Linguis- filmsandplays.com The annual event “OUT Joan Armatrading 46 The Tour. Three comic has played Last Comic Standing, tics walking tour Kevin Whiteneir of the of the Office” will Grammy nominations, has performed for Chelsea Lately, numerous Comedy Central Library’s LGBT Pride Committee will lead Thursday, June 7 and late night show appearances. First a walking tour of their heritage exhibit. take place at the I/O Nelson Mandela, is one of the first female Taste of Diversity Chefs, alumni and stu- artists to be honored by Queen Eliza- show 6pm 8:30pm Zanies Rosemont Questions to kwhiteneir@chipublib. dents of the Center on Halsted’s Silver Godfrey rooftop. beth II, first female U.K. artist to have http://rosemont.zanies.com/ org 5:30pm Harold Washington Public Fork culinary arts and job readiness Archival photo of Kinley debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Blues Library 400 S State Chicago 312-747- program present tasting samples from a Preston at event chart. June 9,10,12,13 &14 Time:TBA Monday, June 11 4300 http://www.chipublib.org diverse cultural landscape. Passed hors City Winery Chicago 1200 W Randolph Pride Open Mic hosted by Sappho’s Sa- d’oeuvres, food stations, and wine pair- St Chicago http://www.citywinery.com lon For folks of all gender identities, plus Thursday, June 14 ings. $40 ticket includes wine, beer, Friday, June 8 Artemis Singers’ More Than Music Pride featured performers. Food, art, commu- LGBTQIA Roundtable “Diversity, Inclusion soda. Tickets at link 5:30pm - 9:00pm PrideFest Milwaukee opening ceremony choral concert and community dance nity while celebrating gender, sexuality, & Belonging: Advocating For LGBTQIA Center on Halsted 3656 N Halsted Chi- for 3-day weekend Danica Roem, jour- Includes poet e nina jay, author of Body and feminism. Open Mic sign up beings Equality in the Workplace” coordinated cago http://www.centeronhalsted.org/ nalist and politician, speak. Jussie Smol- of Rooms, and DJ OCD in a soaring goth- at 7 pm.Show 7:30. Pay what you can by the Illinois Diversity Council and the newevents-details.cfm?ID=15418 lett of “Empire,” B-52s, and Daya appear ic acoustically beautiful space. 7:00pm at door. 7:00pm Women & Children LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois. Looking Out // Looking In Performance on the Miller Lite Main stage June 8-10. First Unitarian Church of Chicago 5650 First Bookstore 5233 N Clark St Chicago 8:00am - 12:00pm Chicago Gay and and Talk Back with About Face Theater Free with $1 donation per person to the S. Woodlawn Ave. Chicago http://mor- http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 3179 N True stories of the performers, connect- PrideFest Plus One Campaign. Full sched- ethanmusic.brownpapertickets.com/. Clark Chicago http://www.IllinoisDiver- ing race, class, sexuality, age, gender, ule at link. 2:30pm - 12am. Summerfest Tuesday, June 12 sityCouncil.org and self-esteem. Speaks specifically to Grounds, Henry W. Maier Festival Park Sunday, June 10 Pride Film Festival: Summer Shorts Sexy Out at CHM: Queer Expression in Pub- queer/trans identities, allyship. Suitable http://pridefest.com Andersonville Midsommarfest and Chi- and fun upbeat films for summer. Last lic Spaces Panel discussionon evolution for adults and teens 6:00pm - 7:00pm Andersonville Midsommarfest Annual cago Equality Rally Annual street fes- of the monthly short film fests until No- and documentation of LGBTQ sexual- Harold Washington Public Library 400 street festival with music, dancing, tival with music, dancing, kids’ enter- vember. Various prices 7:30pm Pride ity over the decades, how public spaces S State Chicago http://chipublib.bib- kids’ entertainment, food, vendors from tainment, food, vendors from around the Arts Center, 4147 N. Broadway 866-811- have provided opportunities for intimacy liocommons.com/events/search/fq=pr around the region, dance troupes, DJs, region, dance troupes, DJs, and bands. 4111 Tickets: http://www.pridefilm- while documentation forms powerful ogram:(52ec52e0cb8b1e0000000031)/ and bands. $10 donation. 5:00pm - $10 donation. 11:00am - 10:00pm. sandplays.com messages about politics, sexuality and event/5ae9d08cab78273800c9593d 10:00pm Clark Street between Foster Equality Rally (at noon) to include lesbi- love. $20 6:30pm Center on Halsted American Veterans for Equal Rights Chi- and Catalpa http://www.brownpaper- an Chicago mayoral candidate Lori Light- Wed., June 13 3656 N Halsted Chicago http://www. cago Chapter monthly meeting 7:00pm tickets.com foot, longtime LGBTQ-rights activist City of Chicago Salute to LGBTQ Veter- chicagohistory.org Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted Chi- Rick Garcia, openly gay state Rep. 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The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) landed at Center on Halsted to celebrate the world of alternative comic art June 2-3. With an army of exhibitors, artists, fans, debut authors and illustra- tors as well as curiosity-seekers, CAKE, now in its sixth year, offered Left to right: Jasjyot Singh Hans; Tony Breed (left in photo, with Ethan Hutchinson); Nicole Hollander meeting a fan. something for everyone. All photos by Vernon Hester Among the celebrated artists who presented at the event were queer artist Tony Breed (author and illustrator of the titles Finn and Charlie are Hitched and Muddlers Beat), Audrey Niffenegger (The Time Trav- eler’s Wife), Nicole Hollander (Sylvia), FIona Smyth (The Never Weres), Emil Ferris (My Favorite Thing Is Monsters) and Bianca Xunise (The Nib, The Washington Post, Bitch Magazine). Among the many comic art pieces and comic books on display was a healthy amount of work by queer artists including Archie Bongiovanni, Betsey Swardlick and Jasjyot Singh Hans. CAKE was hardly just about comic books, as it also played host to panel discussions like “Gender in Comics” (which featured artists who have overtly addressed gender non-gender conforming narratives in their work, including Penina Gal, Gabe Howell, Chloe Perkis and Carta Moir, with poet H. Melt moderating) and a one-on-one interview with celebrated artist Bianco Xunise and culture journalist Britt Julious. There were also workshops such as “Drawing the Inside Out: Art, Lis- tening, and Autobiography” and “Positive Obsession: Subjects That Inspire Creation.” Sponsors of the event included Print Ninja, The Museum of Con- temporary Art, The Annoyance Theater and Bar, Center on Halsted, Lillstreet Art Center, The Busy Beaver Button Company, Quimby’s Book- store, and Blick Art Materials.
Bianca Xunise and Britt Julious in discussion. CONNEXIONS Family Law Donald B. Boyd, Jr. Mulryan
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