David Boyer Marks His Time Serving the Community

vol 31, no. 33 May 11, 2016 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com David Boyer. Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond 40 YEARS David Boyer marks his time serving the community by Gretchen Rachel Hammond in the city will be fortunate enough to find David Boyer as much at work behind the bar as he is at home there. “Hey bartender: Pour ’em hot tonight. ’Til the party and the He might have a drink with them and, even as he takes music and the truth collide. Bring it ’til his memory fades absolute joy engrossed in the story that brought them to away.” the bar, he will share a few of his own—each dripping with Such was the 2014 wish of country music band Lady Ante- history and related with candor and equally sharp jokes. They bellum in the band’s song “Bartender.” are a testament as to how change can occur and the kind of Memories are saturated into the hardwood walls of Chicago’s people it takes to forge it. ‘DRAG’ DOLL North Side bar Touche, founded in 1977. They cannot fade any Both Boyer and Touche have been rooted in the Chicago Chicago’s Kim Chi makes RuPaul’s Drag Race finals. more than the man who holds so many of them in a flesh-and- LGBTQ and leather communities through four decades of Screenshot from Logo TV blood trust. unity and organization, turmoil, activism, loss and hard-won 24 For on most nights, those who enter the oldest leather bar Turn to page 12

MARIAME KABA RIVA LEHRER CYNDI LAUPER Prison abolitionist talks activism. Artist unveils “The Risk Pictures.” Icon goes down a country road. Photo by Ronit Bezalel Photo by Chapman Baehler 10 20 22

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com 2 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES WINDY CITY TIMES INDEX

NEWS FDA’s anti-smoking campaign; column 4 download Parents file federal lawsuit 6 this issue LGBTA prom at Lake View High School 7 and browse the archives at UNA-USA summit; housing program criticized 8 Adrienne Goldman dies 9 www.WindyCitytimes.com Prison abolitionist Mariame Kaba 10 LGBT-rights activist David Boyer 12 1 Views: Monroe; Rudolph 14 ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Dancin’ Feats: Adamczyk returns 15 LOOKING? Out theater actor Peter Kim 18 vol 31, no. 33 May 11, 2016 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Artist Riva Lehrer david boyer. 20 Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond Cyndi Lauper goes country 22 Web series looks at gay men of color 23 40 YEARS Kim Chi makes ‘Drag Race’ final 24 David Boyer marks his time serving the community by Gretchen rachel hammond in the city will be fortunate enough to find David Boyer as much at work behind the bar as he is at home there. NIGHTSPOTS 25 “Hey bartender: Pour ’em hot tonight. ’Til the party and the He might have a drink with them and, even as he takes music and the truth collide. Bring it ’til his memory fades absolute joy engrossed in the story that brought them to away.” the bar, he will share a few of his own—each dripping with Such was the 2014 wish of country music band Lady Ante- history and related with candor and equally sharp jokes. They bellum in the band’s song “Bartender.” are a testament as to how change can occur and the kind of Memories are saturated into the hardwood walls of Chicago’s people it takes to forge it. ‘DRAG’ DOLL North Side bar Touche, founded in 1977. They cannot fade any Both Boyer and Touche have been rooted in the Chicago chicago’s Kim chi makes ruPaul’s drag race finals. more than the man who holds so many of them in a flesh-and- LGBTQ and leather communities through four decades of unity Screenshot from Logo TV blood trust. and organization, turmoil, activism, loss and hard-won vic- ARE WE STILL OUTLINES 20 For on most nights, those who enter the oldest leather bar Turn to page 12 Classifieds 28 Calendar Q 30 MARIAME KABA RIVA LEHRER CYNDI LAUPER Prison abolitionist talks activism. artist unveils “the risk Pictures.” Icon goes down a country road. Photo by Ronit Bezalel Photo by Chapman Baehler 10 24 22

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com

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GOOD AS GOULD(ING)? WCT reviews Ellie Goulding’s (left) show at Allstate Arena. Photo by Jerry Nunn THE HISTORY OF HOOKING UP thrill factor

THURSDAY MAY 19 5:30 P.M. RECEPTION • 6:30 P.M. PROGRAM

Join Brian Mutanski as he moderates PURCHASE TICKETS The Chicago Force was in a thrilling game a talk with Jeremy Birnholtz, and against the DC Divas. General Admission | $20 Michelle Birkett about the social Photo of Cassey Brick (L) and Kim Marks by Ross Members & Students | $15 Forman and historical development of hooking up. From face-to-face meetings in bars, Ticket includes light club scenes and bandana culture to appetizers and refreshments. early online chat rooms, dating websites, KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ BAND AID and mobile apps, this conversation The Chicago Food Truck Festival is a explores how interactions in these sure sign of summer. environments have progressed and

how the LGBTQ community navigates Major support for Out at CHM comes intimacy, self-identity, and self- from the Exelon Corporation, Robert Kohl and Clark Pellett, with additional support ‘BODY’ issues presentation in cyberspace. from Lakeshore Beverage. WCT examines the book A Body, Undone: Living on After Great Pain.

#OUTatCHM | chicagohistory.org/outatchm THAT’S SHOW BIZ Find out the latest about Jennifer Hudson, Lee Daniels and the movie Out of Iraq.

Clark Street at North Avenue | 312.642.4600 | chicagohistory.org

plus The band Las Cafeterias is breaking down The Chicago History Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chicago Park District on behalf of the people of Chicago. DAILY BREAKING NEWS barriers. PR photo WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 3

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by Angel Abcede On RuPaul’s Kim Chi: No fats, no fems, no Asians On a recent episode of this season’s I have some empirical evidence. We RuPaul’s Drag Race, Korean contestant did an online survey recently of mem- Kim Chi did a political commercial pro- bers of our Asians and Friends group. moting herself and throwing shade at It’s a social group for gay Asians and her opponent. men who are interested in Asian cul- At one point, she appeals to her con- tures. (Visit www.afchicago.org.) stituents: “Shady queens say, ‘No fats, Granted, the numbers responding were no fems and no Asians.’ As all of the small—90 total with 26 being of Asian above, I feel your pain.” descent—but the results are still tell- Dr. Scout (left), with Cecelia Hardacker. ing. Two thirds of the Asians who come Photo by Matt Simonette to our gatherings want a “safe, social environment.” “ ... but the point Flip the coin and to me, it’s at least saying there’s a hostile environment FDA launches LGBT is that expressing out there, something we need to take shelter from. But did we ask the right body shaming questions? anti-smoking campaign What if we asked, “Have you ever and sexual racism been told, ‘I don’t do Asians?’” By Matt Simonette the time, it feels like a great way to fit in. Or better yet, “Do you prefer sex with People would be in social settings and every- is degrading and Caucasian men?” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on one would leave and go smoke together.” One of the “Other, please explain” re- May 3, launched an extensive health campaign This Free Life will make use of social media, psychologically sponses to our survey came back as “I calling attention to smoking amongst young the FDA website and print advertising. The want to date a Caucasian.” adults—defined in this case as persons ages campaign will utilize local event outreach in harmful.” To that end, how many of us Asians, 18-24—in the LGBT community. a dozen cities, among them Chicago. Key mes- disguised by the anonymity of some of Rhode Island-based activist Dr. Scout, a for- sages include negative health consequences these digital hook-up sites, say we’re mer Chicagoan, called the program the “big- and addiction risks of tobacco use; chemicals white or worse, say we don’t do Asians? gest LGBT health initiative in history. I’ve been found in cigarette smoke; and negative effects Right afterwards, RuPaul said the OK. I may be wrong, but for now, let’s working in LGBT health for years and I can’t on LGBT lives. issues ring true. The very queens who just say I’m at least tepid if not down- remember one this big.” “I really hope that this is the start of a good publicly call for equal rights go on right lukewarm. What do we need to The $35-million campaign, This Free Life, conversation,” said Dr. Scout. Grindr and spew “body shaming and do? calls attention to role that tobacco use plays in A second announcement a few days later, on racism.” I’ve said having groups like Asians the social life of LGBT young adults. According May 5, said that the FDA had extended its regu- Certainly hypocritical, but let’s con- and Friends is a step. It might not be to the FDA, smoking rates are about 50-percent latory authority over tobacco products such as sider the situation. Apps and sites like the complete answer, but I think as higher in the LGBT community than among e-cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco. Ac- Grindr are essentially digital bathhous- gay, Asian men, we need to ask our- straights, and LGBTs spend on average about cording to FDA data, LGBT young adults use es. Guys are thinking below the waist, selves not only why do white men not $7.9 billion on tobacco products. those secondary products at a disproportion- with a primal fire drawing them to pre- find us attractive, but why we don’t Dr. Scout said many LGBTs use smoking as ately higher rate than straight young adults as cisely what they need to feed that hun- even find ourselves attractive or pre- a coping mechanism against the stresses that well. ger. (Did I just write porn?) ferred over white men? result from discrimination. But he also called Information about the campaign can be They’re not on a hetero website. When I look at Kim Chi, I’m reminded smoking “a socially-transmitted disease—at found at http://1.usa.gov/1W6FKfn. Above all else these men want men. about when I wrote and produced a But not just men, they want sexy men, one-man show called, Semen Tree. It lence Against Women Act. The lawsuit came men who rock them to the taint. Isn’t was about a tree that smelled like se- Dueling lawsuits hours before a deadline the Justice Depart- it OK, in that environment, to express men in Hawaii where I grew up. Any- ment set for McCrory to say that he would what they desire at their very core? way, my director asked me, who the filed over N.C. law overturn the law. The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney Everyone knows what is sexy, at least main character (me) was talking to? Earlier on May 9, the American Civil Lib- General Loretta Lynch filed a lawsuit May 9 to mainstream, U.S. gays. Masculine, fit Who was he trying to persuade? erties Union, ACLU of North Carolina, and against North Carolina authorities—hours and Asian, well, let’s just put us in the I thought about it and I think my Lambda Legal—who are challenging HB 2 in after North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory filed a not-so-masculine bucket for a second. personal answer is the same as Kim federal court on behalf of six LGBT North Car- lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Jus- Now, I’m the last one to buy jelly Chi’s. What we’re really asking is: Why olinians and members of the ACLU of North tice, asking a federal court to rule that the when I want peanut butter. Taco when don’t white men like me? Carolina—released a joint statement regard- state’s so-called “bathroom law” is not dis- I want steak. Pussy when I want dog. If that’s the core of our internal pain, ing McCrory’s lawsuit. criminatory. (That’s a nod to my country Filipino the source of all our angst and inner They said, “While transgender people in At a press conference, Lynch said, “This and Korean brothers.) So why would turmoil, then that’s jacked up. North Carolina remain in the perilous posi- action is about a great deal more than just I begrudge “shady queens” from body Think about it. If you ask that inner tion of being forced to avoid public rest- bathrooms. This is about the dignity and re- shaming or being racist on Grindr? child who’s balled up and rocking in the rooms or risk violation of state law, Governor spect we accord our fellow citizens, and the Well, simply put, it hurts. corner of your mind, “My sweet baby, McCrory has doubled down on discrimination laws that we, as a people and as a country, If we believe being gay is biology, why are you in such pain?” against them. The federal government made have enacted to protect them—indeed, to then we have to agree too that many of She will look you in the eye and clear that HB 2’s mandate of discrimination protect all of us. It’s about the founding ide- us come out of the womb fat, feminine scream, “Because you beat me!” against transgender people violates federal als that have led this country—haltingly but or Asian—or like Kim Chi, all three. So when I say to my gay, Asian broth- civil rights laws but McCrory and other politi- inexorably—in the direction of fairness, in- (Can I get an Amen?) On the other ers that we need to bond, I’m not ask- cal leaders in the state have decided to risk clusion, and equality for all Americans. hand, we may also be genetically en- ing us to sleep with each other. We’re federal funding to maintain that discrimina- “This is not a time to act out of fear. This gineered to desire fit, masculine and way too damaged for that. tion. is a time to summon our national virtues of not Asian men, but the point is that I’m asking that we embrace our- “The U.S. Department of Justice has made inclusivity, diversity, compassion, and open- expressing body shaming and sexual selves. clear that Governor McCrory’s HB2 is a dis- mindedness. What we must not do—what we racism is degrading and psychologically criminatory and dangerous piece of legisla- must never do—is turn on our neighbors, harmful. tion that violates federal civil rights laws,” our family members, our fellow Americans, said Human Rights Campaign President Chad for something they cannot control, and deny Griffin about the more recent suit. “Rather what makes them human.” Asians & Friends Chicago API Month fundraiser will be held Sunday, May 22 at than working with state lawmakers to fix The U.S. Justice Department recently ruled Sidetrack. See www.afchicago.org . the mess he’s created, Governor McCrory is that the North Carolina law HB 2, which lim- angel Abcede is a journalist, webisode producer and president of Asians & instead choosing to waste even more time its protections to LGBT people, violates fed- Friends Chicago. Email [email protected]. and millions more of taxpayer dollars trying eral civil-rights laws such as Title VII of the to defend his indefensible attack on trans- U.S. Civil Rights Act, Title IX and the Vio- gender people.” WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 5 6 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES gender students, staff and volunteers. Other Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central High suburban and Downstate districts have grap- Schools, meanwhile, have or will have single- Parents file federal pled with the issue as well, as more students person restrooms available. come out as transgender. But having single-sex facilities or nurse’s of- In Aurora, on May 2, a group of pastors and fices available is not necessarily convenient for community members gathered outside an East a transgender student. suit against gov’t, Aurora School District 131 board meeting to Alex McCray, a transgender male high school pray, partially on the basis of a rumor that senior in Downstate Williamsville, in late April the board was considering a restroom policy signed an agreement with his school that al- school district for transgender students, according to Chicago lowed him to use the bathroom of his choice. Tribune. He had been consigned to an inconvenient responsibility and forces their children to share By Matt Simonette The Chicago Tribune also reported that many bathroom far from his classes, and started his restrooms and locker rooms with members of districts try to address the issue on case-by- own personal boycott. the opposite sex? Even worse, what if the A federal lawsuit was filed against the govern- case basis without a blanket policy. “There were several times that I passed a lot school did so after entering into an involuntary ment and a suburban school district May 4 over Lyons Township High School has a few of bathrooms that I could have used, just to settlement with the U.S. Department of Educa- that district’s rules allowing a transgender stu- gender-neutral restrooms available, for exam- get to that one,” McCray told NPR. tion, who had threatened the district if it did dent to use the locker room facilities of the ple, and lets transgender students use facili- Chicago Tribune’s coverage is at http://trib. not allow co-mingling of the sexes in private gender with which she identified. ties they’re most comfortable with. York High in/1O9KAW8 and http://trib.in/1q3QxIO. NPR’s facilities. That is exactly what is happening in Alliance Defending Freedom and the Thomas School in Elmhurst reported a similar policy. coverage is at http://bit.ly/1q87PV7. More Society filed suit on behalf of 51 area Township District 211.” families against the United States Department Tedesco maintained that Title IX definitions of Education, United States Department of Jus- of sex only include “male and female,” adding, tice and Township District 211, claiming that “It does not include gender identity, and does the district violated students’ privacy by allow- not include the right to strip students of their CPS revises trans- ing a transgender student to use locker room right to privacy while showering, changing or facilities of the sex with which she identified. using the restroom.” He further called rules related school policies The lawsuit further claims that such rules such as those in place at Township District 211 constitute an “illegal expansion” of federal an “ill-advised social experiment.” By Matt Simonette “When an issue would arise, they would get Title IX regulations, which were used to force Jocelyn Floyd, associate counsel for the in touch with the Alliance, and we’d be the the district into compliance when it originally Thomas More Society, added, “In the 19th Cen- Chicago Public Schools, on May 3, issued re- ones sending the guidelines to them.” did not allow the student to change where she tury, as women began to enter the traditional vised guidelines pertaining to its transgen- Additionally, the 2014 policies address- was most comfortable. male sphere of the workplace, gaining access der students, staff and volunteers, tackling ing facilities use were vague, so transgender The suit comes as school districts, cities to private, secure and separate bathrooms was head-on questions surrounding restroom and students might have expected that they’d perhaps the single most important step forward locker room use that have been vexing school be able to use restrooms or locker rooms of in women’s rights.” districts across the country in recent months. the gender with which they identified, while She added that the district and government The guidelines—which revise policies that principals might have expected that they authorities had chosen to “eradicate” that CPS issued in 2014—explicitly state that could make the final decision. “There was a freedom for female students. “This is a danger- students will be able to use the lavatory and lot of ‘case-by-case’ language that was un- ous precedent, and a massive step backwards changing facilities designated for the gen- clear in the previous policy,” added Daniel- for women.” der with which they identify, among other McCarter. Vicki Wilson, a Township District 211 par- policies. Additionally, transgender students He nevertheless called the 2014 guidelines ent, said, “I am stepping in to stand up for my wishing for more privacy may make arrange- significant just by virtue of CPS being will- children, and all of our children. ... No school ments with school officials for a designated ing to address the issue back then. Daniel- should impose a policy like this against the will space they can use. McCarter further praised the district’s policies of so many parents.” “The guidelines released today will help around student privacy and ease of chang- Ed Yohnka, director of communications and ensure every student and adult in the CPS ing student information, adding that the public policy at ACLU of Illinois, which defend- family can participate in an environment of new guidelines were virtually unprecedented ed the student in 2015, called the May 4 suit complete tolerance and respect,” said CPS in also setting policies for fair treatment of “a publicity stunt” in a statement. Chief Education Officer Dr. Janice K. Jack- transgender staff and volunteers. “Today’s lawsuit is a sad development by son in a statement. “CPS, like much of the “It’s really important and significant that groups opposed to fair and humane treat- country, has become far more aware of the a district of this magnitude is taking steps ment of all students, including those who are needs and experiences of the transgender in support of its transgender employees,” he transgender,” said Yohnka. “Over the past few community, and it’s crucial for CPS guidelines said. weeks, a federal appellate court and the Chi- to reflect our commitment to promoting safe cago Public Schools have definitively embraced and inclusive schools. These guidelines build New Chicago House the idea that affirming the gender identity of on our commitment to fostering healthy and all students, including by permitting students supportive learning opportunities across the CEO announced who are transgender access the appropriate re- District so that each of our students can Following an extensive national search, the stroom and locker-room facilities, is not only reach their full potential.” Chicago House Board of Trustees approved legally required but also educationally benefi- Among those organizations with whom CPS Scott Ammarell as the next CEO of the agen- cial for all students. consulted were Illinois Caucus for Adolescent cy. “The Alliance Defending Freedom and the Health, Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, Mikva Ammarell most recently served as the chief Thomas More Society ignore this reality, as well Challenge, Lambda Legal and Lurie Children’s legal officer and general counsel of the Chi- as the reality that an overwhelming percentage Gender and Sex Development Program. cago Housing Authority. In addition, he has of students accept their transgender peers—in- “This is a great step toward a truly equal volunteered or served on boards, including cluding in their bathrooms and locker rooms. It and inclusive public school system for trans- that of Chicago House’s partner agency, Test is only a small percentage of adults who insist gender students in Chicago,” said Christo- Positive Aware Network. on perpetuating these non-controversies by pher Clark, counsel and LGBTQ Youth and Ammarell will begin in his role in mid-May, perpetuating ugly distortions about a vulner- Schools program strategist for Lambda Legal providing several weeks of overlap with The able group of young people.” in a statement. “Chicago is the third largest Reverend Stan Sloan, the current CEO. Christopher Clark—counsel and young adults, school district in the country so today’s ac- Judy Perloff remains in her role as chief Lambda Legal’s Christopher Clark. teens and children program strategist at Lamb- tions are significant. At a time when we are program officer and Kiki Dorn is chief finan- Photo from Lambda Legal da Legal—said in a statement, “There are no seeing attacks on the most vulnerable mem- cial officer; Stan Waclaw remains chief ad- examples of a cisgender person, let alone a stu- bers of our community, Chicago is instead ministrative and human resources officer. and states—both across the region and across dent, being attacked or harassed by a transgen- taking steps to protect and affirm transgen- the country—grapple with the issue of facil- der person in a locker room or restroom. This der people. … We pledge to continue work- ity use by transgender individuals. Throughout lawsuit, seeks to create a problem where there ing with CPS to make Chicago schools the EqualityCon 2016 2015, the district engaged in tumultuous ne- is none and is discriminatory fear-mongering, standard for inclusiveness, respect and equal opportunity for transgender students.” on May 13-14 gotiations with the federal government, and pure and simple. Child welfare professionals EqualityCon 2016—formerly known as the nearly lost its federal funding over the mat- have said time and time again that discrimi- Owen Daniel-McCarter, policy & advocacy director for Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, LGBT Equality Institute—will convene in Chi- ter. Many parents were not happy when the is- natory policies are harmful to transgender and cago May 13-14 to focus on issues important sue was seemingly settled in December 2015. gender nonconforming students. And school said that his organization was brought into discussions in March, and that internal dis- to LGBT Illinoisans. The plaintiffs are framing the lawsuit both as districts across the country that have adopted Speakers and panel discussions will ad- a matter of privacy and an overreach of Title inclusive and supportive policies have found cussions in CPS started in February. The Al- liance, along with the other organizations, dress topics such as racial justice, transgen- IX laws. that they lead to greater understanding and der equity, passing laws at the federal level, In a press conference at the Dirksen U.S. respect among their students. We are hopeful addressed what parts of the 2014 policies were working and which were not, based on protecting rights at the state level, safety Courthouse, Alliance Defending Freedom’s Se- that the Court will protect the safety and well- in schools, finding affirmation in faith com- nior Counsel Jeremy Tedesco said, “When par- being of all students by quickly and decisively information they’d received in the course of their advocacy work. munities, guidance on financial security, and ents send their children to school, they trust rejecting this misguided lawsuit.” wellness and healthcare. that their school will protect their sons’ and The lawsuit came just a day after Chicago “The primary problem was that many building principals did not yet know that the Registration for the conference is available daughters’ privacy, safety and dignity. But Public Schools earned praise from LGBT-rights at http://bit.ly/EqualityCon2016. what happens when a school abandons that advocates for updating its policies for trans- guidelines existed,” Daniel-McCarter said. WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 7 LGBTQ prom takes place in Lake View by Vernon Hester As the night went on and the dance floor filled, the students danced to a varied but On May 6, the fifth annual Chicago Public queer-flavored soundtrack that included songs Schools LGBTQ Students and Allies Prom took by Queen, Lady Gaga, Prince, Styx and Sam place at Lake View High School. The event, Smith. which CPS (Chicago Public Schools) largely The event, which was co-founded and coor- sponsors, included students from suburban and dinated by Noa Padowitz and A.J. Wieselman, private schools as well as allies and chaper- takes place at a different school every year, ones. with 25 schools in Chicago and outlying areas The students, some of whom attended in participating. Among the schools with a pres- drag, were treated to a full-course dinner and a ence at this edition were Corliss High School, night of participation and entertainment with Foreman High School, Phoenix Military Acade-

Above: A.J. Wieselman (left) and Noa Padowitz. Below: Precious Davis (in green) and students. Photos by Vernon Hester. See more photos online at www.windycitytimes.com.

Friends at the prom. Photo by Vernon Hester

Precious Davis as emcee and performances by my School and Alcott High School. The partici- Khloe of the Kit Kat Lounge. Davis, the assis- pating organizations at the tabling session be- tant director of diversity recruitment at Colum- fore the dance included Howard Brown Health, bia College, who previously served as youth Planned Parenthood, Illinois Safe Schools Al- outreach coordinator at Center on Halsted, liance, ChicagoWearsCondoms.com and Center encouraged the crowd to “always be yourself” on Halsted. before leading a massive and spirited stepping session.

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刀唀一倀刀伀唀䐀圀䤀吀䠀唀匀匀椀最渀愀琀甀爀攀䔀瘀攀渀琀猀㨀䄀吀吀㈀䔀䄀⸀伀刀䜀 8 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES LGBTQ equality, Activists criticize youth homelessness part housing pilot program By Matt Simonette plus wraparound services.” of UNA-USA summit Sixty-three persons completed the assess- Activists and residents—some of them per- ments. Housing First models provide persons By Gretchen Rachel Hammond race and gender.” sons experiencing homeless—were skeptical experiencing homelessness with a home To that end, Hunt and Johnson addressed about a new city plan that would move up to without obligation on the premise that their Those who attended the May 5 conference pre- youth homelessness by providing the devas- 75 individuals living under Lake Shore Drive being stably housed will make it easier to sented by the Chicago chapter of the United tating numbers of LGBTQ kids impacted by the viaducts in Uptown into housing. The plan maintain order in other aspects of their lives. Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) at loss of family and the security of a roof over was subject of a May 2 meeting at Weiss Hos- According to the assessments, those individ- the Chicago loop campus of the event’s part- their heads. pital. uals under the viaduct had been without a ner, The John Marshall Law School, received “These youth are not running away from The Chronic Homeless Pilot Project is based home for an average of four years. one of the most thorough educations on some home; they are being thrown out,” Johnson on a similar project that assessed the needs Butler said that the veteran’s initiative of the major human-rights problems facing the said. “They don’t feel safe in their communi- of veterans, the End Veteran’s Homelessness was the first time the city joined together city, region, nation and world that could be ties. It really gets back to the need for educa- Initiative, according to Department of Family with the federal government, agencies serv- crammed into a single day. tion around gender diverse and LGBTQ issues.” ing veterans, and veterans themselves, and According to the UNA-USA, the event was “Systems overall are failing many LGBTQ tried to “bring all the people together into designed to “provide a prime forum for local youth,” Hunt added. “They are experiencing the conversation and learn from each other. residents to discuss the importance of human issues in schools related to disproportion- … We were eager to take those efforts and rights locally and around the globe, as well as ate discipline that often leads to them being apply them to another group.” the role of the United Nations in protecting expelled or suspended. We know that, when She explained that the program was pieced and promoting those rights.” young people are on the streets, they are more together from funds from existing programs Civil-rights attorney Joey Mogul and John likely to encounter police. We are seeing stud- and did not utilize new federal funds, hence Marshall Law School Professor of Restorative ies that show that as many as 80 percent of the small scope of the project. She also said Justice Michael Seng opened the morning with LGBTQ youth who are experiencing homeless- that some “private funders,” whom she de- a session entitled “Peace, Justice and Strong ness have touched the child welfare system at clined to name, were involved. Institutions.” some point. Butler further maintained that the new They were followed by Environmental Protec- Both Hunt’s and Johnson’s organizations are project was not an effort to criminalize per- tion Agency (EPA) Great Lakes National Pro- working to resolve the issue through housing sons experiencing homeless. “Being home- gram Director Chris Korleski and UNICEF Com- initiatives. The research involved has led to less is not against the law, and our goal for munity Fellow Whitney Cross, who addressed some disturbing findings. this pilot is neither to criminalize or harass clean water and sanitation. “There are only 375 beds dedicated to home- the homeless,” Butler said. “For us, success is helping them move towards stability. It does not mean we will never again see homeless people living in this community.” But that idea was greeted with skepticism. Ryne Poelker of North Side Action for Jus- tice noted that city officials were highlight- ing inspiration from a report by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, which he said both urges authorities not to criminalize the homeless but paradoxically suggests that heightened security would be needed in areas homeless individuals frequent. Butler said that, while the task force had consulted the report, they were not us- Andy Thayer and Laura Schwartz. ing it as a template, and they in fact were Photo by Matt Simonette unable to implement several good ideas from the report that they would have liked to. and Support Services Commissioner Lisa Mor- Despite Butler’s assurances that the initia- rison Butler, who moderated the discussion. tive would be carried out in tandem with Chi- Alds. James Cappleman and Harry Osterman cago police, one audience member pointed attended the meeting. out that no CPD officials were present for the But before the meeting began, a coalition meeting. of activists—composed of members of North Many persons experiencing homelessness Side Action for Justice, No TIFF for the Rich, at the meeting pointed out that, even if all Uptown Tent City Organizers and Gay Lib- goes according to plans, those individuals eration Network, among others—expressed need help and resources now. Some said they Peter Johnson and Kim Hunt. serious misgivings about the scope and the are subject to abuse from passersby, some of Photo by Gretchen Rachel Hammond timing of the project in a press conference. whom throw things at them or deliver verbal Andy Thayer of Gay Liberation Network harassment. One woman, Jackie Partington, The day concluded with United States Attor- questioned why a pilot project serving only said that many community members had ney Diane MacArthur providing a detailed look less youth in Chicago,” Johnson said. “That’s 75 individuals was necessary, when thou- helped by bringing them food, but those do- at the horrific proliferation of human traffick- a huge inequity. To combat homelessness is sands of people experience homelessness in nations were less frequent. ing. not just a question of providing a roof over Chicago every day. Partington also explained that many of the The afternoon session featured Pride Action their heads but realizing that an education, “We don’t need a pilot program,” Thayer residents need easier access to restroom fa- Tank Executive Director Kim Hunt and Center job readiness and behavioral health are really said. “In this case, it’s a token program.” cilities; many utilize the restrooms in Weiss on Halsted Director of Public Relations Peter essential to making sure we lift youth out of He added that the new project was likely Hospital, but often they are consigned to the Johnson, who expertly tag-teamed an overview these circumstances. part of an effort to get lakefront parks cleared facilities in the Emergency Department. One on issues related to LGBTQIA equality. Hunt related some of the results of the out in time for the summer festival season audience member suggested that the hospi- “Where our community is going post mar- groundbreaking 2014 Chicago Homeless Youth and said that the program “is a sick joke on tal or city pay to make port-a-potties avail- riage equality is a question a lot of us get Summit and the many outcomes which have al- the people of the city of Chicago, especially able. Osterman said that he would suggest quite often,” Johnson said. “One thing I always ready expanded into workable and successful the people living under the viaducts.” having the park’s restrooms opened for the stress is that the LGBTQ community is not just projects because of it. Laura Schwartz, who is one such resident, summer season earlier in the year. a community but rather a community of com- “At Pride Action Tank we just had a Tiny said that the city has not been forthcoming Butler said that officials and stakeholders munities. Oftentimes the issues that impact us Homes summit with the idea to take some of about the details of the pilot. “What are the had to undertake a number of tasks in order are the issues that impact other communities the 18,000 vacant parcels [of land] in Chicago plans for the people who have already filed to get these individuals housed by the July whether they be based on race, socioeconomic and put these small structures on them with their papers?” Schwartz asked. deadline, among them determining if resi- status, gender or sexual orientation.” a community center where young people can The assessments of individuals experienc- dents qualify for specific programs and reach- “A lot of times, media wise we look at the receive services,” she said. “We’ve also looked ing homelessness were carried out in early ing out to potential landlords. She acknowl- LGBTQ community as being mostly white, gay at apartment adoption and a project with the April, and Butler said that the project has edged why many in the audience held doubts men,” Hunt added. “The truth of the matter is Department of Children and Family Services to 90 days after those assessments end to get about the project’s ultimate effectiveness. that people of color and women are actually recruit more LGBTQ competent foster parents. those individuals into housing, meaning they “We understand that trust has to be more likely to identify as LGBTQ. With that, We need a range of options and all ideas are on have to be placed by early July. The model, earned,” Butler said. comes a host of racial and gender issues that the table when it comes to this issue.” according to Cappleman, was “Housing First, impact society as a whole. There’s a lot of pov- For more information on the UNA-USA, erty in the LGBTQ community and that crosses visit UNAUSA.org. WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 9 denied access to work or housing or the free- “Adrienne was a woman who was devoted to dom to be who we are.” trying to make the world a better place, some- Activist Adrienne Irwin Drobny was a friend of Goodman who thing she picked up from her mother—she had was also a work colleague of her mother. He a strong sense of right and wrong,” Drobny said that Goodman’s commitment to social jus- noted. “Even when she was in ill health, Adri- Goodman passes away tice was inherited from her family. enne could get her dander up about injustice.” By Matt Simonette a “wicked pervert” could supposedly use the Adrienne J. Goodman, who was inducted as a Man charged after restroom alongside them. friend of the community into the Chicago Gay “Repent, repent, repent,” Merichko said in and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 1994 (it is now Target disturbance the video. “It’s pretty much gotten to the By Matt Simonette called the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame), passed point if you believe in manhood, you’re an away April 25 from natural causes. She was 67 offence. You’re better off dead to them.” A Bourbonnais, Illinois, Target Store and its and a Lake View resident. Target is one of many corporate entities neighboringbusinesses were placed on lock- A Chicago native, Goodman was active in that have taken public stands against “bath- down for two hours, on May 2, after a man Democratic politics and chaired the 1975 cam- room rights bills,” ostensibly aimed at trans- created a disturbance over the retail chains’ paign of campaign of Grant L. Ford, who was gender individuals, that have proliferated in restroom policies for its transgendercus- openly gay, to be 44th Ward alderman. She was several states. tomers, NBC 5 reported. also elected state central democratic commit- “Most relevant for the conversations cur- Initial reports said that an “active shooter” teewoman for the 9th District in 1986. rently underway, we welcome transgender situation had broken out at the store, locat- Both former state Sen. Carol Ronen and ac- team members and guests to use the rest- ed about 52 miles southwest of Chicago, but tivist Rick Garcia said that they were shown room or fitting room facility that corresponds those proved to be unfounded. the ropes by Goodman in the early days of their with their gender identity,” the company said Michael Merichko was charged with disor- political work. in an April 19 statement. derly conduct after creating a disturbance “Adrienne was one of the pioneers for equal Adrienne J. Goodman. NBC 5’s story is http://bit.ly/1WE5nT0. rights, both within the LGBT community and inside the store, according to Bradley police. Photo from Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of According to allegations, he was complain- the Jewish community,” said Ronen, who met Fame website Goodman in the early 1990s and is now the ing about Target’s policy, which it announced Republicans win Central Committeewoman for the 9th District. last week, welcoming customers to use the “I first met her when I was running for the Rules Committee. restroom of the gender with which they iden- ballot lottery The top spot on the ballot in the Nov. 8 House of Representatives. She was the commit- “She was one of the first and strongest sup- tify. presidential election in Cook County will go teewoman for the 9th District then, and taught porters of the LGBT movement locally,” Gar- Police could not yet determine why the to Republican Party candidates, the result of me a lot about Democratic party policy.” cia said. “She helped set a foundational base incident was reported as an active shooter a ballot position lottery that Cook County Garcia added, “We were neighbors. She lived alongside people like Kit Duffy and Charlotte situation; no shots were reported, nor was Clerk David Orr held. across the street from me. I was new in town Newfeld.” a gun found at the scene. Police confirmed As a result, Republican candidates will be and she took me around to meet everybody. In Former 48th Ward Ald. Mary Ann Smith said that Merichko made no gun threats. But his first on the ballot in suburban Cook County the ‘80s and ‘90s, she was a community fix- Goodman “was one of those who steadily behavior was enough to disturb the store’s as well as on all Chicago ballots. Democratic ture.” worked for the ‘good’ without seeking results customers and staff. candidates will occupy the second spot. He worked with Goodman extensively during for herself. We invented as we went along, try- Merichko posted a video on Facebook the Four years ago, Democrats won the ballot the push for the Chicago Human Rights Ordi- ing to win elections to empower communities week of April 25 where he discussed his ob- lottery. nance protecting LGBTs; at the time, Goodman rather than just make symbolic statements. jections to the policy, stating that he wor- was on the staff of the Chicago City Council That was a change for many groups who were ried for his wife and daughter’s safety, since

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com

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Broadway | Chicago, IL 60657 980 N. Michigan Ave #900 | Chicago, IL 60611 773.404.1144 [email protected] BradLippitz.com 10 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES who would go on to become a leading figure in the #ByeAnita campaign and a co-founder of Talking with prison Assata’s Daughters, first met Kaba during one such collective. Windy City Times asked Kaba what might have attracted so many queer people to her abolitionist Mariame Kaba work. She pointed out that such work had already been happening, with groups like Queer By Yasmin Nair to the Left, Women and Girls Collective, and Gender JUST. All these critiqued the expansion To anyone who knows her, prison abolitionist of the PIC in different ways, even if not under Mariame Kaba is a force of nature. On any given the rubric of prison abolition. But, she added, day, she might be in court in the morning, sup- “Queerness is also a way in which you are mar- porting a teenager facing incarceration, then ginalized and have to reshape your identity,” leading a community discussion on the history and the work around prison abolition calls of Black radical organizing, and then giving a forth people who understand the damage the presentation on young women and the juvenile PIC does to individuals and groups. justice system in the evening. There’s also a historical connection, in terms Kaba is also a prominent social media pres- of direct action, something that queers en- ence, mostly on Twitter where her sly, snarky gaged in relentlessly during the height of the and often pointed critiques of social policy AIDS crisis. Kaba pointed out that, “Direct ac- around incarceration have earned her a mas- tion is more accepted in this generation; block- sive following. All this has happened with very ades and banner drops make sense to them.” few pictures of her: She loathes being photo- Those who have worked with Kaba attest graphed, and does not part easily with photos to her ability to not just organize but create of herself. extensive and effective networks of support. One night, as I prepared to drop exhausted Hannah Baptiste, a member of Assata’s Daugh- into my own bed, I tweeted her, asking how ters recalled meeting Kaba four years ago, after she did it all. “Insomnia” was the answer. moving here from Washingon D.C: “I had the Mariame Kaba moved to Chicago from her be- impression that organizing in radical commu- loved native city of New York in 1995. After 21 nities was about creating Community with a years, and having become a fixture in the city’s capital C, that everyone had to be friends with social justice and prison abolition movements, each other to make anything happen. But here Kaba is now moving back to New York, leaving in Chicago, with Mariame at the helm, organiz- behind large cadres of activists actively mourn- ing was based in being accountable to each ing her departure. Even casual conversations other in terms of the lenses of the issues, rath- with her friends and co-organisers indicate a er than friendship. It was important to see a real, palpable sense of loss. black woman who was undoubtedly leading so It is easy to lionize Kaba, whose energy and much of the organizing force but not through a dedication to the cause of prison abolition has cult of personality, which often looks like vying mobilized and sustained several organizations for attention.” like Project NIA, which she founded, and Chi- As for why so many queers were attracted cago Freedom School, which she was instru- Mariame Kaba (who prefers not to have her face photographed). to the work, Baptiste said that “Mariame laid mental in forming. She has also been involved Photo courtesy of Kaba this amazing groundwork that allowed folks with groups like Young Women’s Empowerment to come into their own, with queer or radical Project, and several of the activists in Black the national level. Today, phrases like “prison she looked for similar opportunities, and found politics, in a way that helps other folks deepen Lives Matter, Black Youth Project, and As- industrial complex” (PIC) and “incarceration” work at Friends of Battered Women and Chil- and broaden their analysis. Organizing around sata’s Daughters, all key players in the recent are used by mainstream presidential candidates dren (now renamed Between Friends). prison abolition and queer organizing work are overthrow of Anita Alavarez, originally began like Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Even “I initially thought I wanted to end gender- rooted in the same creative impetus to radi- working with her when they were teenagers. Republican candidates have begun to call for based violence,” she said, and continued, “I cally reimagine a different way of doing things. Her reach and influence is long-standing and reform of the incarceration system. felt interpersonal violence was what I wanted It’s a world with queer radical sensibilities, and extends to many seemingly disparate parts of But reform is not what Kaba or her fellow to work against.” But as she continued her Mariame made space for everyone, wherever the city. She has also frequently served as ad- activists are after. What they want is full-scale work, it dawned on her that the domestic they’re at.” visor to groups like Gender JUST (with which I abolition, the end of the prison system and violence sector was “mostly in the business Ann Russo, associate professor in women and am involved), helping them to find resources the establishment of practices that take com- of managing. The point was not to eradicate gender studies at DePaul concurred on the mat- and become and stay sustainable. Her list of munity needs into account. In practical terms: but manage the problem. There was no cause ter of Kaba’s ability to bring a range of people accomplishments and awards is long. Where the conventional system might throw analysis.” into organizing. The two first met in 2004, in But to simply focus on Kaba as an individual everyone into prison, usually for long peri- As an example, she pointed to her experi- the context of domestic violence and sexual as- is to miss the larger and very queer context in ods or even forever, systems like Transforma- ence in New York City: “I was the coordinator sault organizing, around the time both were which her work has come about and, in very tive and Restorative Justice (TJ and RJ) call of an emergency shelters in Brooklyn. Even the becoming disillusioned about the nature of specific ways, made possible. for both perpetrators and victims to receive rules put in place—about the time they could that work. When Kaba first came here, the term “prison support as they work towards establishing a come in for their curfew, for instance—were all “Ever since I’ve known her, Mariame’s always abolition” was barely heard or even understood different set of priorities to achieve “justice,” about taking away their ability to be agents of been there doing that work with organizations as a point of discussion on either the local or including forms of personal restitution. their own lives, even as we were giving people TJ and RJ are only beginning to gain atten- safety for the short term. But we were turning like Broadway Youth Center and Young Women’s tion and while there is a lot of calling for re- our wheels, we were very individualistic,” with- Action Team, and has always been actively en- form, abolition itself might still be a long way out looking more closely at systemic problems. gaged in supporting and collaborating with away. But in the years since 1995, Chicago has Kaba’s increasing discomfort and eventual re- youth around these issues. So it’s not surpris- become the national epicenter of a movement sistance to such a system meant that she felt ing that she has helped create a large cadre of resistance to the PIC and police brutality. more alienated and was, as she put it with a of people who are now doing so much radical The Laquan McDonald shooting was only one laugh, eventually “exiled out of the traditional work: she’s deep rooted in their organizations. of many flashpoints in a contentious election domestic violence/sexual assault” field. In terms of queer folks she is always someone between then incumbent cook county state’s The year 2000 saw the founding of INCITE!, who didn’t care what people thought, and was attorney Anita Alvarez and challenger Kim an anti-PIC group out of California. INCITE!’s always challenging homophobia and transpho- Foxx. In the month leading up to the election, second conference was in Chicago, in 2002, bia.” Alvarez was clearly slated to win. But a coali- and here Kaba became a key organizer, along- Given her key role in Chicago organizing, tion of queer and mostly Black activists from side colleagues and local activists like Kristin what happens when Kaba finally moves away groups like Assata’s Daughters, Black Youth Millikan and Prudence Browne. The event in- in mid-May? Russo says that the work will con- Project, and Black Lives Matter coordinated cluded critiques of the PIC and the domestic tinue precisely because her model has been a stunning effort across the city. They dis- violence industry. to demonstrate how to organize for maximum tributed hundreds of flyers with the hashtag In Chicago, Kaba continued working on these impact: “She doesn’t take over what she asks #ByeAnita everywhere, and achieved banner issues with an expanding group of activists like you to do, she just expects you to do it. She’s drops to drive home the point. Versions of the Shira Hassan, Lewis Wallace, Sabrina Hampton, always challenging the idea that ‘no one is do- banner included one with the words, “Blood on and Megan Selby. Black and Pink, an abolition- ing it.’ Instead, she just asks, how do we do the ballot.” ist group which works directly with LGBTQ pris- this; it’s about the creation of resources and a The current push to end the PIC among most- oners, founded a chapter in the city. focus on strategies.” ly queer radicals did not come out of the blue. Kaba was also constantly organizing teach- Baptiste is similarly optimistic: “I think that Speaking with Windy City Times about her ing collectives, where people would gather to the place that Chicago is in right now, is one activist work, Kaba spoke about her early expe- read and understand the history of Black radi- with very strong robust networks, because Mar- riences in the domestic violence sector. In New cal organizing, the kind of work done mostly iame has been in chicago for 20-30 years and York, she had been volunteering for rape crisis by Black women and which remains relatively she has set those networks in motion. We will Mariame Kaba with signs. centers and domestic violence organizations unacknowledged (many of the resources can be be just fine, if a little sadder.” Photo courtesy of Kaba like Sanctuary for Families. Once in Chicago, found on her blog Prison Culture). Page May, WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 11 AIDS Foundation of Chicago and member, Black Youth Project 100; and Hector Torres, director Black feminist CDPH unveils Health of Behavioral Health, Center on Halsted. Ald. Tom Tunney briefly spoke before the panel be- symposium gan, and called Healthy Chicago 2.0 “a com- Chicago 2.0 details prehensive approach to healthy individuals and May 20-21 By Matt Simonette disparities across the city, which was officially healthy public policies.” The Black Feminist Futures Symposium announced in late March. Morita said that, since the initial Healthy will take place Friday-Saturday, May 20-21 The Chicago Department of Public Health, on The meeting was held at Center on Halsted, Chicago initiative launched in 2011, Chicago- at the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art May 4, held the first of its meetings to connect 3656 N. Halsted St., and featured CDPH Com- ans are relatively healthier. For example, she at Northwestern University, 40 Arts Circle service providers and community members with missioner Julie Morita; Jen Brown, director, added, teenage birth rates are down, less than Dr., Evanston. its Healthy Chicago 2.0 initiative for 2016- Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Commu- one in ten youths are smoking, and more peo- University of Southern California pro- 2020, a date-driven plan that identifies health nities; Maxx Boykin, community organizer for ple are insured. fessor Kara Keeling, Rutgers University But for this new stage of the plan, “We dug professor Nicole Fleetwood, University of deeper into the data and found persistent Chicago professor Cathy Cohen and George health disparities,” Morita noted. Mason University assistant professor Zaki- Healthy Chicago 2.0 identifies 30 goals and yyah Jackson will participate in an open- 82 objectives, as well as 230 strategies to con- ing roundtable at 5-7 p.m. on May 20, with front them. Morita said that it acknowledges an opening reception at 7-8 p.m. how various factors can overlap and intersect The following day, there will be various to have profound impact on the health of panels, with speakers such as Northwest- Chicagoans. She explained, for example, that ern University postdoctoral fellow Kai M. where one lives in the city can significantly Green, University of Illinois at Chicago pro- affect their health, since it determines their fessor Roderick Ferguson, Yale University proximity to providers, the affordability of professor Jafari Allen and Yale University their housing and how good schools are. assistant professor Vanessa Agard-Jones, “Our ZIP code makes more of a difference among others. than our genetic codes,” Morita said. Visit http://sites.northwestern.edu/ Some audience members were critical of Chi- blackfeministfutures2016/. cago’s diminishing mental-health resources; one member asked Morita if she was satisfied with the availability of those services. Morita ‘Queer Prom’ emphasized the need to work with with out- May 20 in Pilsen side agencies and organizations since the bet- “Queer Prom 2016” will take place Satur- ter part of its funding comes from external day, May 20, 6:30-11 p.m., at the National sources. Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. “We don’t envision ourselves as the entire There will be food and entertainment, solution,” she said. with the latter including a performance by CDPH also announced that it would be dis- Sindy Vicious. tributing up to six community seed grants, Admission is $10 for students/youth, and ranging between $10,000-$20,000, to local $20 for youth allies. (Tickets are sold at non-profit organizations working on addressing the door.) See “Queer Prom Chicago” on Dr. Julie Morita. disparities at the community level. Facebook. Photo by Carrie Maxwell

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2001-2016 Morten Group Sponsors list still in formation 12 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES was pursuing a degree at Ohio State University. hand,” Boyer said. “So we were telling people, BOYER from cover He went to gay bars in Columbus, always with a ‘You must stand out there and let it be known victories through the power of the bar event nervous eye on both the times in which he was that we don’t like what she has to say.’ That and fundraiser. living and the proximity of his family. night, it was my night to work and there was Then there were the armies a bar could amass “In 1975, homosexuality was never talked an empty bar. Everyone was at the Medinah.” to fight against epidemics such as those of the about,” he said. “You had to know where bars The bartender was never more essential when, hatred fueled by Anita Bryant or the annihila- were and, even if you did, you never used the in 1981, the first cases of Pneumocystis Carinii tion unleashed by HIV/AIDS. front door. You would go down an alley and Pneumonia (PCP) were reported. One year later, Boyer’s life and the institution of Touche look for a door with a little red light over it.” the disease was termed Gay-Related Immune have been braided so tightly over the years The police were usually never far behind. Deficiency (GRID). By the fall of 1982, another that when, on April 15, Boyer was honored for “I would stand at a bar and the cops would name had been assigned by the Centers for Dis- “40 Years Behind Bars” and received the 2016 come in, drag people out and arrest them,” he ease Control and Prevention (CDC): AIDS. Jon-Henri Damski Award (named for the Chi- said. “Then their names would appear in the “In Chicago it hit right within the leather cago journalist and community activist and in paper the next day; ‘this bar was raided and community,” Boyer said. “We were all very ac- honor of those who have furthered his legacy these perverts were there and this is who they tive sexually and people started suddenly get- of service to the community), the ceremony are, this is where they live and this is where ting sick. At the time, I would spend every took place inside the bar. they work.’ I lived with that fear.” Friday and Saturday night behind the bar at According to Windy City Times writer Kirk Although he had begun higher education [Touche’s] old location on Lincoln Avenue. I Williamson, Touche was “transformed into a with no idea what he wanted out of it, the fun David Boyer at the Windy City Rodeo. was working with my buddy Sudsy [Glynn Sud- complex, with each section paying homage to he got as a peer-counselor helping the school’s Photo courtesy of Boyer berry]. He got sick and, all of a sudden, he was certain locations from his career. It featured a incoming international students acclimatize to gone. His passing was really hard.” When a clamp that once tightly compressed dance floor a la Bistro days, as well as elements their new lives gave Boyer an immediate sense Boyer cleared his throat and pointed toward flesh is suddenly removed, there is a moment from Gold Coast, Cheeks and more.” of direction. the back of the bar. There the colors that be- of elation that immediately washes over the As she has done on so many occasions, Dam- “I talked with the State Department and longed to different groups of the leather com- searing pain. ski’s friend and Open Hand Chicago co-founder asked them, ‘What are you guys looking for’? munity which are no longer functioning are Despite the euphoria in the midst of those Lori F. Cannon presented the award to Boyer He said they wanted experts in the Middle East, reverently displayed. free to give their legitimate feelings sover- (Open Hand is now Vital Bridges, and is part so I jumped into that. I spent that first summer “There were so many in the scene,” he said. eignty, Boyer recalled a sense of mutual care of Heartland Health Outreach). In a Facebook just learning Arabic, then I went into studying “Second City, Pride, Trade Winds, Chicago Mob that reached the kind of zenith he said is not post following the event, she described both the region’s history, culture and religion. I was and so on. They each had 20 or 30 members. in existence today. Boyer and Damski as “icons.” in my final year of school when I got outed. One by one, they started dropping dead. At Community was being forged and there was It was an honor appreciated although Boyer The State Department said, ‘We can’t use you first, people pointed fingers at us and said, ‘It’s no finer illustration of that than in the work is no fan of titles. He has no patience for those now. You’re a security risk. You’re a homosexual because of all you creepy guys doing all those of The Tavern Guild, founded shortly after his who demand to be called “Sir” as a matter of and homosexuals can be blackmailed’.” kinky, perverted things.’ Even those guys who arrival in Chicago. assumed etiquette rather than earned respect. That and the reaction of his family was lived with it here were shunned. “It wasn’t tavern owners, it was employees He can see through such feigned convention enough to make Boyer pull up stakes and leave “There was a guy, Michael, who would come of the bars,” he said. “There are people who just as he instantly recognizes and dismisses prior to graduation. to the bar and then he got sick. When he felt had worked this business their entire lives. The those who want access to Touche’s back room With no idea where he was going, Boyer jour- healthy enough, he would come to the bar and Tavern Guild was a statement that this was a in order to gawk like an excitable tourist at neyed as far as Albuquerque, N.M., where he have a drink. People were upset that we al- profession to be proud of. We also recognized the power exchanges which occur there in an ended up homeless and starving. Friends en- lowed him in the bar to begin with and that that we were in the unique position of leading artistry of torment and euphoric release rather ticed Boyer to come to Illinois. A brief job in we didn’t give him a special plastic cup so we our community. We communicated with each than be respectful witnesses or participants in the faculty center kitchen of the University of couldn’t spread it around. I was angry with other. If there was a raid at a bar, or a bath- them. Illinois Urbana-Champaign eventually led to a them. It was a terrible way to die. I watched house, we got the word out. There were some So no titles. position at the Evanston campus of Northwest- too many people go through it.” other organizations out there, so a coalition Besides, “Sir” makes Boyer feel old. Just Da- ern University. HIV/AIDS also wiped out most of The Tavern was formed to bring the community together vid is fine; an unassuming and immediately ap- In April 1976, Boyer settled in the Edgewater Guild’s members. Boyer noted that it was the and we would discuss things that were going proachable man with a love of country music neighborhood. One of his colleagues told him women in the community who stepped up to on. I was selected as a representative of The and whatever your personal story may be. that a local pizzeria, Dion and Company, was help even as the bars tried to pick up and rally Tavern Guild.” When Windy City Times reached out to him looking for a bartender at its newly opened around each other. Some of those coalition meetings were, to for a feature interview about his life and work, Clark and Diversey location. “Chicago House got started as a place where Boyer’s recollection, “raucous.” One of the pri- Boyer replied that he would rather the newspa- “That was a learning experience because people could live until they died,” Boyer said. mary issues he had to address in those early per promote “the smaller events that go on in Clark and Diversey was a very notorious cor- “The bars worked hard to raise the money that years was racism. the community week after week.” ner,” Boyer said. “If you were in the mood, you made Chicago House happen. It didn’t come “There were bars that felt if you had too many He acknowledged that, sure, there was a par- could shop and buy about anything you want- about because of a government grant or any- Black clientele, the whites wouldn’t come,” he ty in his honor. But of greater import to him ed. You could sit there at the [restaurant’s] ta- thing.” said. “Some bars wouldn’t ID white people but was that “it was also a fundraiser for our Ride bles and watch drag queens giving people blow But for every step bars took to cuff its ef- would make people of color produce five forms for AIDS bike team”—they raised more than jobs. But that’s the way Chicago was when I fects, HIV/AIDS cut another 10 of their patrons of ID. We were the bartenders. Not the own- $1,300 that night. came here. I think our community was coming down. ers. So we couldn’t dictate the policies of our After he finally agreed, Boyer sat down just into its own then. There was a concentration of In 1984, Boyer had a partner, Steve. “We had places but we could make suggestions. We es- before noon at Touche as he was engaged in bars, bathhouses, bookstores on Clark Street. parties in our home and 40 or 50 guys would tablished at Touche, and then when I managed his routine of preparing the establishment to A lot of that was controlled by the mob. You come,” Boyer recalled. “Within a year, all but at Carol’s in the ’70s, a uniform policy of only open. The bar around him was dark and uncom- didn’t run a gay bar without some kind of pro- two of those guys were still alive. Everybody we one piece of ID.” monly silent except for the continually ring- tection.” knew was gone. I had to cope with it because The Tavern Guild also engaged in the kind of ing phone—the caller insistent that she had There was a reason it was needed. we’d go to a funeral and then we’d come back work that would forever alter the Chicago LGBT reached a hair salon. “When you said you wanted to work in a gay to the bar and I’d have to turn this all around. landscape. As he hung up for the second time and sat bar, the first question was, ‘Are you okay to be You know, stop crying, get out the Jägermeis- “A lot of us were politically involved,” Boyer back on one of the stools shaking his head, arrested?’” He recalled. “‘Because it will hap- ter and celebrate.” said. “Just by being there we were able to lead. Boyer’s character filled the entire room. pen to you. They’re going to come in here and They were together for 18 years before Steve Things like Gay Horizons and the medical ser- “Manager of Touche” was the only title he either arrest you or harass you or your custom- succumbed to the disease. As he remembered vices at the Howard Brown cost money. So we wanted for the article. He politely declined the ers.’ That was the world then.” that day, Boyer shifted slightly in his seat, his would do fundraisers for them.” activist wreath. But Boyer was already tempered to that kind head dropped momentarily and his deep voice Those fundraisers often involved a bar em- “I’m not an activist in the sense that every- of fear. There was no one from whom he needed softened for a moment. “Watching him go ployee standing at the entrance collecting a body else thinks I’m an activist,” he said. “In to hide and he was done running from judg- through that was hard,” he said. “You cry but dollar from each patron. 1976, I’d gone through a lot of changes in my ment. you can’t just sit there and keep crying.” “Sometimes we would organize so every bar life. I’d been outed. I left home, school and “I was 22 years old and I didn’t give a fuck HIV/AIDS took many people from Boyer— did the fundraiser on the same night,” Boyer everything else and eventually ended up in Chi- who knew I was queer or not,” he said. “I was people whom he is looking forward to seeing said. “No matter where you went on a Saturday cago.” not going to make an excuse for who I was. But again, although not in any great hurry. night, someone would ask you for a dollar. But That home belonged to a large family from a that was liberation. We were going to put it in But their loss is tempered a little by the job we also made people aware of places like How- small town, at the time, 10 miles of farmland people’s faces just to declare our freedom. It benefits unique to being a bartender. At each ard Brown. You’d talk to some kid who came from downtown Columbus, Ohio. was this wild abandonment because we didn’t legendary venue where Boyer served up drinks into town, just like I did, and you’d recommend “When I left, my mom was in tears on the have to worry about who we were. We didn’t or organized events, such as Carol’s Speakeasy, places for them to go. To this day, one of the phone,” he recalled. “She was a Catholic and have to duck into bars in alleys. It didn’t mat- Trianon, Buddy’s and Opal Station, he collected things that we can do behind the bar is get the she wanted to take me to the family doctor. I ter. I was like, ‘Go ahead. Put my name in the on those benefits. word out.” said, ‘Mom, there’s nothing wrong with me. I’m Tribune. I could give a fuck. Because if anyone “In this job, I keep making new friends,” he Bartenders were so effective at pouring in- not sick’.” reads it and has a problem then it’s their prob- said. “There are people who came to my 40- formation and motivating people to leave their Her reply was something Boyer acted out, lem.’” year party who never heard of the places I woes in the remnants of their drinks, and in- breaking up each word with melodramatic Boyer remembered the Pride Parade of worked.” stead go and do something about them, that sobbing. “‘Well, go ahead and have yourself 1976—his first and one which took place down Boyer has watched four decades of change Chicago bars were one of the principle forces changed into a woman!’ she told me. And I a single lane of North Halsted Street. “Traffic is displayed from his place behind the bar and behind the 5,000 people who showed up to was like, ‘You have no clue what we are talking going by us, we were getting pelted with rocks in the faces of his regular customers whose protest anti-gay agitator Anita Bryant at the about here’. That was the crap I was dealing and eggs and the police did nothing to help memories will never fade or those who shared Medinah Temple in June 1977. with.” us,” he said. “Even if there was a red light, we “We knew she was coming for weeks before- Turn to page 27 His mom’s phone call occurred while Boyer had to keep going.” WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 13 LGBT issues spotlighted at financial/legal planning event By Carrie Maxwell He noted that all of those options involve additional costs, except in the case where the Don Martin (MetLife financial services represen- state pays a couple to adopt an older child to tative) and Michelle Sinkovits, Esq. (partner at get them out of the system. Greenberg & Sinkovits, LLC) co-presented the When a same-sex couple goes through a di- “Planning With Pride: Marriage Equality Didn’t vorce proceeding, the courts only look at the Fix Everything” event on May 3. At one point, time in which the couple was legally married, not they commented that 63 percent of LGBT people the years prior to that marriage and that puts say they feel underserved in both the financial these couples at a financial disadvantage since and legal realms. marriage equality is relatively new for most of Martin and Sinkovits decided to hold this event the country, said Sinkovits. She explained that to help bridge that gap and provide the LGBT one of the ways this can be remedied is by draw- community with the information they need to ing up a prenuptial agreement but that involves navigate these realms. additional costs. The event focused what people need to know In terms of legal and financial agreements, to navigate family planning as a member of the Martin stressed the importance of having them LGBT community as well as how they can best in place and signed off by an attorney. legally and financially protect their family. They Sinkovits noted that although there is nation- also touched on the specific financial and legal wide marriage equality, same-sex couples should issues facing the transgender community. still have their powers of attorney documents Sinkovits noted that her firm does family law with them when they are traveling. and estate planning, while Martin said he works Martin explained that while same-sex couples specifically with the LGBT community. have specific additional financial costs; trans- Martin explained that there are very few mem- gender people have their own financial concerns bers of the LGBT community working in the fi- including paying for hormones, therapist visits nancial services industry and that can pose a and in some cases gender confirmation surgery problem for those within that community who as well as the legal costs to get their documents are seeking those services. changed. Martin noted that transgender people Sinkovits said that although Illinois made also face additional insurance costs due to the some changes to their parentage and marriage mental nervous rider that is placed on their in- and dissolution of marriage laws in 2016, not all surance for the rest of their lives. of these changes are good. She explained that The LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois same-sex couples have to create contracts and/ hosted the event while MetLife and Greenberg & or go through the adoption process to legally Sinkovits, LLC sponsored it. become parents if they aren’t the birth mother. This was the first in a series of financial and Martin spoke about the various ways same-sex legal events Martin and Sinkovits will be holding couples can become parents, including adoption, for the LGBT community. The next one is slated Michelle Sinkovits and Don Martin at the event. surrogacy and in vitro fertilization treatments. to take place in September. Photo by Carrie Maxwell

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(7/15) 14 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES viewpoints wealth. “We are calling on the legislature to pass An WINDY This sort of inaction by lawmakers makes it Act Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimina- increasingly unsafe and difficult for our trans- tion and add gender identity to existing state gender denizens to engage in the simple ac- public accommodations law thereby extending CITY tivity of simply going out to grab something protections to our fellow transgender and gen- Rev. Irene to eat, that cisgendered people can take for der non-confirming citizens.” MONROE granted, without the angst, anguish and fear Freedom Massachusetts—the bipartisan cam- of navigating their bathroom restrictions. paign working to ensure all Bay Staters equal TIMES Across the country, however, this sort of protection under the law—spearheaded state- VOL. 31, No. 33, May 11, 2016 Massachusetts has no amped-up fear-mongering of the “predatory wide action with Weekend of Faith for Trans- The combined forces of Windy City Times, heterosexual male pervert” or “peeping Tom” gender Non-Discrimination. JeanMarie Gossard, founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, trans-accommodation has halted or canned movement forward in get- field director of Freedom Massachusetts, shared founded May 1987. bill, either ting needed transgender public-accommoda- her experience with me. tions bills passed. And obstructionists’ claims “In Church yesterday, the pastor preaching PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR Mississippi and North Carolina can now be add- against the bill, purporting to have nothing started his service by saying, ‘Come if you are Tracy Baim ed to the list of states codifying transgender against transgender people, state their posi- gay, come if you are straight, come if you are tions are to protect women and children from cis-gender, come if you are transgender, come. ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky discrimination. MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis To date, only 17 states across the country countless deviant men who would pretend to You are welcome here,’“ Gossard wrote. ASSOCIATE EDITOR Matt Simonette have passed non-discrimination bills protect- be transgender. “Our faith leaders are our moral leaders. They BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine ing transgender citizens in public spaces. To date, however, there is no evidence to cor- have guided our understandings of right and DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright roborate the fear. As a matter-of-fact, Chief wrong since time immemorial. They know how ART DIRECTOR/NIGHTSPOTS EDITOR Kirk Williamson Shockingly, Massachusetts isn’t one of them. SENIOR REPORTER Gretchen Rachel Hammond With Massachusetts lauded as one of the most William G. Brooks III of the Massachusetts to put faith into action. And they did that this Senior Account Executives Terri Klinsky, Kirk pro-LGBTQ states in the country, my lawmakers Chiefs of Police Association said “There is no weekend. We hope their support can set a clear Williamson, Amy Matheny, Chris Cheuvront, Gretchen have disappointed me with their political foot- reason to believe that individuals—whether example for the legislature: all are equal in Rachel Hammond, Scott Duff transgender or otherwise—will use these pro- God’s love.” NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 dragging and stalling on our “bathroom bill.” SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Tony Peregrin, Lisa Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and At- tections as cover to enter into the restroom or These “Religious Freedom Restoration Acts” Keen, Yasmin Nair torney General Maura Healey fully support the locker room of the opposite sex and engage in springing up across the country are a backlash THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan bill. Gov. Charlie Baker, however, has declined criminal misconduct. We are aware of no such to the growing acceptance of same-sex mar- CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight Jr. incidents that have occurred in Massachusetts riage and the growing fear of when the Su- SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman to take a stance on it. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS Baker’s inaction has caused him a national communities that have already have such pro- preme Court legalize it nationwide. They are a Mary Shen Barnidge, Lawrence Ferber, Mel Ferrand, embarrassment—which is a pox on us Bay tections in place.” perversion of the Constitution and our history Jerry Nunn, Jonathan Abarbanel Staters, too. Faith leaders across the state have now of religious freedom. COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Jorjet Harper, stepped in, asking Baker and elected officials Recently I, too, participated in Massachu- Charlsie Dewey, Carrie Maxwell, Billy Masters, Sarah Just recently, the National Gay & Lesbian Toce, Dana Rudolph, Melissa Wasserman, Joe Franco, Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) rescinded their to move swiftly on the passage of SB 735/HB setts Faith Leaders for Freedom campaign. As Nick Patricca, Liz Baudler, Rex Wockner, Marie J. plans to honor Baker when the group learned of 1577. an African-American, I see transgender Ameri- Kuda, Angelique Smith, Meghan Streit his refusal to take a stand on the transgender The same week Baker’s “Best-of-the-Best cans being denied access to public lavatories SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Mel Ferrand, Hal Baim, Tim “award was rescinded by NGLCC Massachusetts eerily reminiscent of the country’s last century Carroll, Ed Negron public-accommodations legislation currently WEBSITE LISTINGS VOLUNTEER Gene Naden before the State House, and of his intention to Faith Leaders for Freedom, a diverse group of Jim Crow era denying us access to lunch coun- attend a Las Vegas conference that would have clergy from across the Bay State, invited con- ters, water fountains, and restrooms in restau- rants, libraries, gas stations, theaters, to name CIRCULATION anti-LGBTQ speakers, and a Texas minister who gregations to participate in a Weekend of Faith CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright has said God sent Adolf Hitler for the Jews. for Transgender Non-Discrimination on April a few. And, as a lesbian, I know that polic- DISTRIBUTION: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Sue and Baker was set to be honored by NGLCC along- 9-10. Activities included prayer and action to ing my transgender brothers and sisters using Victor support the passage of SB 735/HB 1577 from public bathrooms gravely impact gender non- WEB HOSTING: LoveYourWebsite.com (lead side Rep. Joe Kennedy III at a gala dinner in programmer: Martie Marro) Washington, D.C., until Kennedy flat out stated mentioning the bill during prayerful intentions, conforming people, too. he would not attend the event because of his to hosting a letter writing party during coffee Democracy can only begin when those at the Copyright 2016 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media hour, to inviting a speaker during service. margin can experience what others take for Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back strong support for transgender rights and the issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). governor’s refusal to move swiftly and affirma- In a public pledge that received hundreds of granted. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, signatures from faith leaders standing up for and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and tively on the bill that would protect transgen- no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. der individuals as full citizens of the Common- SB 735/HB 1577, it stated the following: All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing same—and many of us have personal experi- identify enough two-dad households with kids and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own ence to match. This study breaks new ground, under 18 to be able to include them.) and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City however, as the first to use nationally repre- Not only did children with two moms have Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy sentative data to compare only children whose similar health and emotional outcomes to City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the parents have never been divorced or separated. those of different-sex parents, but they did so sexual orientation of such person or organization. While Dana we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make That’s important because the few previous “despite higher levels of parenting stress for this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept RUDOLPH studies that concluded children of same-sex same-sex parents.” responsibility for advertising claims. parents face worse outcomes looked primarily That’s pretty remarkable. The authors offer (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 MOMBIAN at children who began with different-sex par- a few suggestions as to how these children e-mail: [email protected] or ents, one or more of whom came out as gay cope so well despite the household stress. [email protected]

Do we still need to or lesbian or had a same-sex relationship, of- The U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com ten leading to separation or divorce—which Study, begun by Dr. Nanette Gartrell (one of podcast: WindyCityQueercast.com study the worth of in and of itself can have a negative impact the new study’s authors) in 1986, found that same-sex parents? on children. The best-known example of this although 41 percent of the adolescent children WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, flawed methodology is a 2012 study by sociolo- of lesbian mothers experienced stigmatization 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL, 60640 U.S.A (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) A new study on children with two moms is the gist Mark Regnerus of the University of Texas. because of their mothers’ sexual orientation, first to use an apples-to-apples comparison and Regnerus’ study was widely discredited, but those who “had close, positive relationships Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. a nationally representative sample to conclude nevertheless cited in amicus briefs to the U.S. with their mothers demonstrated more resil- Supreme Court by marriage equality opponents. ience.” Other studies have shown that lesbian OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE that same-sex parents are as good as different- www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com sex ones. That’s all well and good, but with On the flip side, previous studies that found mothers often “feel more pressure to justify the www.WindyCityQueercast.com national marriage equality and no more states the children of same-sex parents were doing quality of their parenting” than straight moth- banning same-sex couples from adopting, is just as well as any others used convenience ers, and therefore turn to support systems such “Windy City Media Group generated enormous interest among their readers in this year’s LGBT this type of research still important? And is it samples of volunteer participants, rather than as parenting groups and counseling services, fully representative samples across the popu- which may help them nurture their children’s Consumer Index Survey. Out of approximately 100 conclusive enough that we no longer need reprint and online media partners who participated search on same-sex parents and our children? lation. Their methods were sound, but one healthy development. in the survey, Windy City was the best performing The study, published in the April 2016 issue might question how broadly their conclusions On one level, the latest study might seem un- regional media in the U.S. Only survey partners with a nationwide footprint were able to generate of the peer-reviewed Journal of Developmen- applied. necessary. The evidence in favor of similar out- In order to put doubts to rest, the new study’s comes for children of same- and different-sex a greater number of responses.” —David Marshall, tal & Behavioral Pediatrics by researchers af- Research Director, Community Marketing, Inc. filiated with UCLA’s Williams Institute, found authors used data from the Centers for Disease parents was overwhelming even without it—as that children with female same-sex parents and Control and Prevention’s National Survey of evidenced by its use in marriage equality cases those with different-sex parents demonstrated Children’s Health (NSCH) from 2011–2012, a right up to the U.S. Supreme Court. The last FOUNDING MEMBER no differences in general health, emotional dif- nationally representative population-based state to ban same-sex couples from adopting ficulties, coping behavior, or learning behavior. survey. They compared 95 households with con- (Mississippi) recently rescinded the ban. And That’s probably not surprising to most read- tinuously coupled same-sex (female) parents to Nathaniel Frank, who has compiled decades of ers. The vast majority of previous research on 95 that had continuously coupled different-sex parents. (Unfortunately, they were not able to same-sex parented families has concluded the Turn to page 28

FOUNDING MEMBER

FOUNDING MEMBER WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 15 WINDY CITY TIMES DIVERSIONS THEATER • FILM • ENTERTAINMENT • SPORTS

‘Woolf’—there it is 17 26 26 WCT reviews Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: A Parody. Photo by Michael Brosilow TWO. Tea in A-ville at Mary’s Attic.

DANCIN’ FEATS Matthew Adamczyk (right) with Raul Casasola and Christine Rocas in the Joffrey’s Cinderella. Adamczyk takes road Photo by Cheryl Mann back to the stage in Ashton’s ‘Cinderella’ By Lauren Warnecke frey first commissioned the ballet. “When we did it the first time, I did extensive research. As the Joffrey Ballet brings its 60th anniver- It’s important to understand how a woman sary season to a close, veteran dancer Matthew would take these roles. I would watch old Joan Adamczyk’s season is just getting started. Ad- Crawford and Bette Davis films. …That’s where amczyk, who joined the Joffrey Ballet in 2003 I developed my character from. You need to under Gerald Arpino, returns to the stage after have this grandiose personality onstage, and a year away to play the role of Father in Sir the subtlest choices can make or break the Frederick Ashton’s “Cinderella,” running May character,” said Adamczyk. 11-22 at the Auditorium Theatre. Although Adamczyk’s injuries are not career- Adamczyk, a former Windy City Times 30 Un- ending, and he expects to return to dancing der 30 honoree, ruptured a tendon in his knee at full capacity this fall for Christopher Wheel- dancers, however, are able to draw from the he expressed a desire at that time to promote at the end of a ballet class while on tour with don’s new Nutcracker, time off has increasingly rich oral histories passed down from the com- his painting while still dancing, in order to the company in Berkley, California, last season. placed him in an advisory role enhanced by his pany’s founders to veteran dancers like Adam- have a strong foundation on which he could “We had to try and figure out some sort of hos- affinity for researching characters and his hav- czyk, bridging the gaps between Joffrey’s past fall back when performing is no longer an op- pital on a Saturday in California,” said Adamc- ing spent more than a decade at Joffrey. In and present. tion. “I decided to take my own advice,” he zyk in an interview with Windy City Times. His that decade, the company has changed leader- During his time off, Adamczyk found he had said, and dove head first into creating a num- patellar tendon, which supports and stabilizes ship and redefined the aesthetic originally es- a lot of idle time. “I’m not going to lie. It’s ber of paintings and reaching out to galleries the knee, had to be surgically reconstructed, tablished by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino. very difficult to take a year off of dancing and and potential buyers. and Adamczyk said he was fortunate to be con- Adamczyk views himself as an ambassador to then get back into it. … I needed something Using color acrylics and a distinct Pop Art nected to Stephen Gryzlo, the team orthopae- the company’s history, and particularly to Ger- to distract me. I need something to do to oc- style, Adamczyk’s paintings cover a broad range dist to the Chicago Cubs who has expressed ald Arpino’s sharp aesthetic. “Ballet needs to cupy my time.” During a 2014 interview with of subject matter, although many are infused interest in working with dancers. adapt,” he said. “We can’t be doing what they Windy City Times, Adamczyk spoke about his with LGBT sexuality. A number of organizations During the recovery process it was discovered did in 1872. What Ashley [Wheater, Joffrey’s increasing commitment to painting as his cre- and festivals have taken notice of his work: that a similar injury to the other knee was a artistic director] is doing is great!” Younger ative outlet outside of dancing. Coincidentally, Center on Halsted opens a six-week gallery distinct possibility, so Adamczyk opted to have showing July 22, and Adamczyk will participate both knees repaired to avoid becoming laid up in his first juried event, the Lakeview East Art Fair, Sept. 10-11. in the future. Although rumored to be play- Matthew Adamczyk. ing the role of Drosselmeyer in December, an Now that he’s returned to dancing, finding Photo by balance between these two worlds is a chal- unexpected delay on the second surgery kept Cheryl Mann him out of the studio even longer, preventing lenge that he’s still working to figure out, but Adamczyk from performing the final presenta- Adamczyk is adamant that he wants to dance tions of the now-retired Robert Joffrey’s The and paint at the highest possible level, for as Nutcracker. The delay also contributed to a long as he can. shift in casting for the company’s upcoming The Joffrey Ballet will present Sir Fred- Cinderella, for which Adamczyk was originally erick Ashton’s Cinderella May 11-22 at the slated to play the role of Stepsister. He began Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, dancing about a month ago with some slow 50 E. Congress Pkwy. Tickets are $32-$170, one-on-one ballet classes with ballet master available for purchase at The Joffrey Ballet’s Gerard Charles, and just two weeks ago started official Box Office located in the lobby of taking class with the company. Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph St.; at Audi- “I will have some limitations. I just have to torium Theatre of Roosevelt University Box really focus on how I use my body even more. Office; all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers; by Honestly, I feel so much better, and have more telephone at 800-982-2787; or at Ticket- control than before the surgery,” Adamczyk master.com. said, feeling appreciative of the body aware- adamcyzk’s gallery opening at the Center ness that comes from such an extensive recov- on Halsted takes place July 22, 7-9 p.m. in ery process. Though not quite ready to tackle the third floor gallery, 3656 N. Halsted St. a physical role in full skirts and high heels, The Lakeview East Art Fair takes place Sept. Adamczyk will instead play the quirky and fun 10-11 on Broadway between Belmont and Father. He continues to understudy the Stepsis- Hawthorne avenues. See centeronhalsted. ters, and has been advising younger dancers on org and lakevieweastfestivalofthearts.com, the kitschy role he danced in 2010 when Jof- respectively. 16 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES OPERA REVIEW The King and I Paolo Montalban and Kate Baldwin Book and Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II; in The King and I. Music: Richard Rodgers Photo by Todd Rosenberg At: Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Dr. Tickets: 312-827-5600 or LyricOpera.org; $29-$199 Runs through: May 22

BY SCOTT C. MORGAN

If the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s presentation of The King and I had bowed at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, it’s likely that critics and audiences would fall over themselves to offer endless superlatives. But since it’s being staged at the cavernous Civic Opera House, this 2014 production of The King and I imported from the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris comes off like it’s lacking in some visual grandeur and vocal splendor. Of course, director Lee Blakeley’s King and I production debuted before the current Broad- way revival of the same musical at Lincoln Center. Those who have seen that lavish Tony Award-winning staging might unfavorably find Paris set designer Jean-Marc Puissant’s el- egantly austere gold and silver-brushed panels denced on the original 1951 Broadway cast Graves. A booming contralto would have been raga as Crown Prince Chulalongkorn. and screens depicting 19th-century Siam (now recording. Yet one wishes Montalban was more great for Lady Thiang’s convincing number The Lyric’s King and I also greatly benefits Thailand) to be too restrained. vocally authoritative. Montalban doesn’t quite “Something Wonderful.” Rona Figueroa is fine from designer Sue Blane’s elaborate costumes There’s also the question of The King and I escape the long shadow of the original King of in the role, but more vocal heft would have and choreographer Peggy Hickey’s fun work casting at the Lyric, which is unquestionably Yul Brynner, whose shout-singing take on the been welcome. with the Act II “Small House of Uncle Thomas” solid in its musical-theater bona fides. Tony song monologue “A Puzzlement” still remains Stronger voices come with the secondary ballet. It’s also a pleasure to have the Lyric nominee Kate Baldwin, as the school mistress emblematic. tragic Burmese lovers Tuptim (Ali Ewoldt) and Opera Orchestra led by conductor David Chase Anna Leonowens, enjoyably spars with Paolo One might have also wished for more weighty Lun Tha (Sam Simahk). They both shine in to bring out the full aural colors of Rodgers’ Montalban’s handsome King of Siam through- legit voices in the supporting cast, especially the duets “We Kiss in a Shadow” and “I Have east-meet-west Broadway score. out the show, and their Act II polka “Shall We since the Lyric’s previous productions of musi- Dreamed.” What the Lyric offers with The King and I Dance” sizzles with sexual tension. cals by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar And there’s no denying the high cuteness is perfectly respectable and often very pleas- Baldwin, in particular, sings rings around Hammerstein II featured such opera stars like quotient that comes with the King’s many royal ing. But it’s understandable if you find yourself Gertrude Lawrence, the first Anna, as evi- Christine Brewer, Elizabeth Futral and Denyce children, as led by the confident Matthew Uzar- wishing for so much more.

THEATER REVIEW you must, but please don’t ask me to detail the hung. themes—injustice and immigration—make problems with Bloody Haymarket. Suffice it to History has shown that just about everything Bloody Haymarket as timely as today in light of Bloody say that I cannot, in all good faith, recommend surrounding the bombing, let alone the kan- current presidential politics. this show to knowledgeable Chicago theater- garoo court trial, was phony. The conservative But even so, there have been many, many Haymarket goers. oligarchs of that day—with names such as plays written about the Haymarket events and Playwrights: Eric J. Coleman And yet I can admire the motives of this ef- Pullman, Armour, Palmer, Swift and Field—and the Haymarket Martyrs, and most of them are At: Irish American Heritage fort. May 4 was the 130th anniversary of the the political leaders they controlled certainly better than this one. If you are not a profes- Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. Haymarket Riot and bombing, which occurred were anti-labor, but they were even more anti- sional playwright—and the authors are not Tickets: BrownPaperTickets.com; $20 near Randolph and Halsted streets in the West immigrant, and many labor organizers (not to professional playwrights—why reinvent the Runs through: May 28 (Saturdays only) Loop. This iconic event in this country’s labor mention agitators, provocateurs and anarchists wheel? With its cast of 21—some of whom very movement history produced several martyrs allied to labor) were immigrants in that era obviously are not actors—with its numerous BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL to the bloody struggle for the eight-hour day, when the Melting Pot was rampant. long scene changes as well as its plodding yet unions and a minimum wage; martyrs whose The co-authors of Bloody Haymarket wish rambling structure, Bloody Haymarket is noth- When intermission was declared, I saw that graves in Chicago’s vast Waldheim Cemetery to celebrate and honor the martyrs and their ing so much as a community-theater history Act I had run about 70 minutes, a reasonable still are visited (along with that of “Red Emma” movement, and to remind us of how easily pageant, no matter how well-intentioned. length for a play. But it had felt like forever, so Goldman, who is buried with them). The mar- justice can be distorted, co-opted and denied. ponderous was the production.

tyrs did not die in the bombing of the labor Their slow-moving history pageant does this. c Knowing that Act II was not likely to be fast- rally taking place that day. They were leaders of It also clearly illuminates the anti-immigration er or better, and aware of my Chicago history the movement railroaded into convictions for views of conservatives in an era when Chica- so I knew what was coming, and having been murder—accused of being the bombers—and go still was a Republican city. Both of these CRITICS’ awake since 4:15 a.m., I left. Condemn me if PICKS THEATER REVIEW story and personality of author/central figure night. Jessica Anne never plans to shoot her- 180 Degree Rule, Babes With Blades The- Jessica Anne. self; rather, it’s her mother who demands that atre Company at City Lit Theater, through May Mike Mother Mike Mother is Jessica Anne’s tale of her Jessica Anne hold a gun to Mom’s head. Obvi- 21. The Babes keep the glamour noir flowing in Playwright: Jessica Anne relationship with her mother, and a particu- ously she didn’t pull the trigger, or she hit the this romantic tale of lesbian love and murder in At: Neo-Futurists, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. larly harrowing tale it is, too, if even half of wall if she did, but Jessica is coy about that, Weimar Berlin and Hays-Code Hollywood. MSB Tickets: 773-275-5255; it is true. But Ms. Anne enjoys leaving her as she is about whether or not her mother Mary Page Marlowe, Steppenwolf Theatre, Neofuturists.org; $20 audience in doubt, let alone Mike Hamilton, died of cancer, even after Jessica narrates a extended through June 5. Playwright Tracy Runs through: June 4 the Mike of the title who is her close pal of horrific quasi-gothic end-of-life story. Letts prods audiences to puzzle through the some years—and even he doesn’t know. He’s That story is a dandy, as is the gun-to-head pieces of an “ordinary” woman’s life in this BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL the show’s sounding board and person-to-do- riff and several others, but they all smack of world-premiere drama stocked with a large cast things-with rather than a character (although solo material that would be more at home at of wonderful actors. SCM Mike Mother is the second two-person perfor- I’ll grant him a personality but not a charac- Fillet of Solo vs. the Neo-Futurarium. Direc- Mosque Alert, Silk Road Rising, through mance piece in a row I’ve seen at the Neo- ter). He doesn’t really rate being half the title tor Josh Matthews works ably with Anne and May 15. This world premiere set in Naperville Futurists, who seem to be devoting much of except that something was needed to balance Hamilton to develop visual and theatrical in- touches on Islamophobia, Islamic homopho- its mainstage season to autobiographical au- out “Mother,” especially given Jessica Anne’s terest. With a bathtub full of water, rubber bia, assimilationist Islam and, indirectly, atti- teurist works. grand literary conceit of using Marsha Nor- balls (representing puppies) dropping from tudes expressed by presidential candidates. It’s The value of your experience at such perfor- man’s 1983 play, ‘Night, Mother, to parallel the ceiling, puppet scenes from ‘Night, Moth- timely, important and well-done. Author Jamil mances probably will depend on the degree to her own story. And there’s the chief rub of er and an audience-participation segment, Khoury may put too much on the plate, but which you are engaged by the auteur’s per- this work: not enough people know the play, the energy never wanes in this 85-minute who can blame him? JA sonal story, and the theatricality with which or they don’t know it in enough detail to piece. But it all seems forced to me, and is Sender, A Red Orchid, through May 29. In the story is told. I liked the last such piece place value on its parallels to Mike Mother. not the best showcase for the literary quality Ike Holter’s latest pivotal-moment drama looks a lot, Pop Waits, featuring partners/clowns Actually, I think the parallels are weak. It’s and passion of Jessica Anne’s story. at a hipster Peter Pan who returns to find his Malic White and Molly Brennan. This one I a two-character play in which a young adult lost boys (and girls) all grown up and not miss- didn’t like so much—not because it’s bad but daughter informs her mother that she (the ing him a bit. MSB because I found myself less engaged in the daughter) plans to shoot herself later that —By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 17

Everyone’s talking about the many faces of

Jennifer Engstrom (Blanche DuBois) and Michael Perez (Stanley Kowalski) in Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: A Parody. Photo by Michael Brosilow THEATER REVIEW that too many cooks spoil the soup, since it’s listed as being co-created by Tim Ryder and Death of a Streetcar Tim Sniffen (though the latter is the main writer). Two directors are also credited with Stuart Named Virginia Carden and Writers Theatre artistic director Mi- Woolf: A Parody chael Halberstam both putting their hands into “Intensely Created by: Tim Ryder and Tim Sniffen; this irreverent comic concoction. Written by: Tim Sniffen Things knowingly kick off with Sean Fortu- thoughtful… At: Writers Theatre Gillian nato as a narrating Stage Manager right out Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe of Our Town, pointing out how his character is the work has Tickets: 847-242-6000 or a time-saving playwriting trick. He then intro- WritersTheatre.org; $35-$80 duces the characters drawn from the mashed-up depth and Runs through: July 31 title as they all strangely converge on a grand New Orleans home that has been bequeathed an elegant BY SCOTT C. MORGAN to Stanley Kowalski (a strapping and perpetu- ally sweaty Michael Perez) of Streetcar fame. potency” –Variety Writers Theatre already inaugurated its new Jennifer Engstrom layers on the Southern multimillion-dollar two-theater complex in damsel charm as Streetcar’s Blanche DuBois Glencoe with Tom Stoppard’s heady time-shift- (who recently escaped from an asylum), while ing drama Arcadia. Now comes the silly stuff Marc Grapey’s shoulders droop as the over- to open the venue’s more flexible Gillian The- worked and underappreciated Willy Loman atre black-box space with the world premiere of Death of a Salesman. The always-sparring of Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: George and Martha of Who’s Afraid of Virginia A Parody. Woolf? also arrive, and John Hoogenakker and Let’s just say right up front that the show Karen Janes Woditsch, respectively, hilariously is a laugh riot of fun—particularly for veteran embody them. “Deeply moving… theatergoers who have spent countless hours Together, this motley crew demolishes the intoxicatingly sitting through classic works by 20th-century plays’ dramatic structures and lovingly shat- ter the symbolism whenever possible. But thrilling. ” U.S. playwright titans like Tennessee Williams, (out of four) Arthur Miller, Edward Albee and Thornton Wild- what makes so much of the humor so juicy is that each of these performers could also con- er. There’s even some local name-dropping, –Chicago Tribune with David Mamet and the European import of vincingly play their original characters in the Samuel Beckett to chortle at, too. towering dramas that inspired this theatrically But theater neophytes shouldn’t feel left out, inspired parody. since so many of the lampooned texts were Far from trashing the parodied originals, core curriculum in high school. Or some have Death of a Streetcar… allows for cleansing By ensemble member Tracy Letts become ingrained in pop culture through previ- laughs that also make you appreciate the Directed by artistic director ous parodies. The Simpsons presenting a musi- ground-breaking dramatic literature of these Anna D. Shapiro cal version of A Streetcar Named Desire called amazing playwrights. And after all this time, Oh, Streetcar! comes to mind. such smart-aleck antics are certainly most wel- steppenwolf. org | 312-335-1650 come and appreciated. Death of a Streetcar… counters the notion Through May 29 “A captivating portrait of an “Artfully crafted… SPOTLIGHT ordinary life” luminous e –TimeOut Chicago Catch up with nine different play- performances”–Daily Herald wrights offering short plays exploring love, feminism, LGBTQ communities, activism and a missing vibrator in the fourth annual Indie Boots Theatre Festival 2016: The Ava Plays. The Lead Production Support Corporate Production Sponsors plays range in style from angst-filled realism to sci-fi fantasy. The Indie Boots Theatre Festival 2016: The Ava Plays plays at 7:30 p.m. Monday-Wed., May 16-18, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Bel- mont Ave. Tickets are $10-$15; call 773-327-5252 or visit IndieBoots.org. Major Support for Steppenwolf’s New Play Development Initiative Caption: Cat Davidson, Erin K. The Davee Foundation | Zell Family Foundation O’Brein and Danielle Rennalls re- Major Foundation Support hearse in John Weagly’s play Ava National Endowment for the Arts | Edgerton Foundation Takes Up Aviation. Photo courtesy of The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation Indie Boots 18 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER Peter Kim. Photo by Getting sketchy Todd Rosenberg with Peter Kim BY SCOTT C. MORGAN ically acclaimed 40th revue, titled A Red Line Runs Through It. Hollywood filmmakers may still be roiling from This new Chicago revue, which debuted in accusations about the lack of diversity in light late April, stands out for featuring four women of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy that hov- in the six-member ensemble. In past years, ered over the 2016 Academy Awards. But the many revues struggled to feature just two comedy makers of The Second City can boast women, while they later evenly divided things about its long-standing outreach initiatives to between three men and three women. attract and promote diversity within its ranks, And among the revue’s four women, African- and it’s reflected in The Second City e.t.c.’s crit- American actresses Lisa Beasley and Asasia La- CULTURECULTURE CLUBCLUB

shay Bullock get to shine alongside castmates were so abundant. Katie Klein and Julie Marchiano. Kim worked his way up through The Second There’s also diversity among the male cast City by being part of the company’s outreach members with openly gay Korean-American and diversity programs. And since Kim was also performer Peter Kim appearing alongside Scott putting on so many of his own shows around Morehead. The two even perform a sketch in Chicago, he was invited to audition and then the revue where Kim plays a drag queen school- cast first in a Second City touring company, ing his straight friend, played by Morehead, on and now for the new Second City e.t.c. revue. what it takes to create a successful drag per- “It truly was a quintessential magical Second sona. City experience. I praise the cast for sure, but Now, openly gay cast members appearing in it really was all the director, Matt Hovde,” said Second City revues are nothing new. One of the Kim about his experience in helping to develop most famous is Brian Gallivan, who would go A Red Line Runs Through It. “[Hovde] was al- onto become a viral sensation starting in 2010 ways five steps ahead of us and he knows how by creating and starring in the Sassy Gay Friend to make an ensemble build together and he online video sketches through The Second City knows how to showcase all of us and how to Network. champion all of our voices.” But it is Kim’s Asian-American heritage Although Kim isn’t sure if he’ll move back to stands out in the world of comedy. Sure, many the East Coast at some point to be closer to can immediately point to the success of ac- his family, he’s thoroughly enjoying his time in tress/comedian/activist Margaret Cho and Chicago and at The Second City. He also hopes standup comedians like former MADtv cast his appearance in A Red Line Runs Through It member Bobby Lee as well as former Sullivan will inspire others like him to maybe consider and Son sitcom star Steve Byrne. The acclaimed careers in comedy. Eddie Huang-inspired ABC sitcom Fresh Off the “There’s a certain thing where if you see Boat is also doing its part to showcase Asian- yourself represented in the media or anywhere Americans in comedy. else, you are given the right to dream. I never But these examples are outliers, since many really had that,” Kim said about remedying Asian-American performers and writers have to his relatively late comedy start. “I never even contend with unimaginative casting directors thought that entertaining would be a thing. and recalcitrant studio executives. They also It wasn’t a job. It was something that white have to deal with their own relatives, since people did.” pursuing careers in the performing arts is often A Red Line Runs Through It continues in an frowned upon by Asian-American families. open run at The Second City e.t.c., at Piper’s A native of New York (Flushing, Queens to Alley, 230 W. North Ave. Performances are at be exact), Kim had a rather circuitous route to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 8 and 11 p.m. Fridays and pursing a comedy career. It started in his late Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are 20s while he was working in data analytics in $23-$48. Call 312-664-4032 or visit www. Silicon Valley with a few tech companies. secondcity.com. “I was working and making money and doing the dutiful first-generation son duties,” Kim said. “And I was truly depressed and also Comedy festival coming out there and I was just trying to make

WRI friends, and it all just came to this boiling applications open point where something had to change.” Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., an- Although Kim described his coming out and nounced that applications are open to decision to perform in comedy as a “double hit participate in the 4th Annual Chicago Nerd to his mom, for sure,” he said ultimately his Comedy Festival, Aug. 11-14. family came to support him. To further foster this mission, Nerd- “Most parents, if not all, want their children Fest will host free monthly performances to be happy,” said Kim about conversations through August. To apply, now through with his parents. “So I think that knew that June 1, or to participate in the free month- this wasn’t just a fling or me being confused in ly events, visit http://stage773.com/CNCF- college. I was a grown-ass man and I knew that Shows. this was going to make me happy, so at the end The 2016 Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival of the day they came around and now they’re board includes Cody Melcher, John Craig, very supportive.” and Chloe Gingold. While Kim pursed many performance oppor- Tickets may be purchased at www. tunities in the Bay Area (including co-founding stage773.com or 773-327-5252. Individual a troupe called EndGames Improv), he found tickets are $13 for each show; all-festival Chicago to an ideal fit to further his comedy passes are $100 ($80 early-bird special NOW PLAYING training starting in 2012. He has stuck around until July 15); and day passes are $40 on WRITERSTHEATRE.ORG | 847-242-6000 because the comedy performance opportunities Thursday, $50 on Friday and $60 on Satur- PICTURED: MICHAEL PEREZ, KAREN JANES WODITSCH, JENNIFER ENGSTROM, JOHN HOOGENAKKER AND MARC GRAPEY. PHOTO BY SAVERIO TRUGLIA. in improv, standup and theater around Chicago day. WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 19 and Meg Streit. Chad Bermingham and Kinley ‘Hamilton’ receives Preston are co-chairing the event. GoFundMe account Tickets are at www.glaad.org/events/glaad- record 16 Tony nods hatter-brunch-and-tea-dance. Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” leads the race for the 70th annual set up for Chaves Tony Awards with a record 16 nominations, in- Bridgforth among cluding Best Musical. A GoFundMe account has been set up for care. The nominations were announced May 3. Frank Chaves, the famed dancer, choreogra- Friends of Chaves—Sandi Cooksey, Gail Kalver, Doris Duke awardees Shuffle Along received 10 nominations, while Out lesbian Sharon Bridgforth is among six pher and former artistic director of River North Carol Fox, Howard Girovich, Scott Hughes, Jim the musical She Loves Me followed with eight. theater artists who will receive $275,000 each Dance Chicago. Gosse and John Pratt, and Cathryn Schmaltz— In the Best Musical Category, Hamilton will as recipients of the fifth annual Doris Duke Art- Chaves suffers from syringomyelia, a degen- have put together a GoFundMe campaign for compete against Bright Star, School of Rock, ist Awards, American Theatre noted. erative spinal-cord condition that has no cure. Frank and partner Mark Reeves. Shuffle Along and Waitress. Twenty-one awardees in total were named While surgery has shown some signs of success The campaign is at https://www.gofundme. The previous record for most nods was 15, in the fields of dance, jazz and theater. The in his upper body, his legs have declined even com/frankchaves. shared by Mel Brooks‘ 2001 hit The Producers— other theater honorees are Janie Geiser, Taylor further and he will now need in-home health which snagged 12 prizes—and 2009’s Billy El- Mac, Lynn Nottage, Thaddeus Phillips and Will liot, The Musical. Power. Despite Hamilton’s dominance and the wait Bridgforth is a San Francisco–based play- to see if it will break The Producers’ record, wright, producer, founder and curator of the several other categories will bear watching. For Theatrical Jazz Institute. Her work includes example, regarding Best Performance by an Ac- River See, and she is currently working on dat tress in a Leading Role in a Play, the nominees Black Mermaid Man Lady. are Jessica Lange (Long Day’s Journey Into See AmericanTheatre.org/2016/05/04/doris- Night), Michelle Williams (Blackbird), Laurie duke-artist-awards-announced-for-2016/. Metcalf (Misery), Sophia Akenedo (The Cruci- ble) and Lupita Nyong’o (Eclipsed). The Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, will be broadcast live on CBS June 12 from the Beacon Theatre. GLAAD Hatter Brunch on May 15 The GLAAD Hatter Brunch and Tea Dance will take place Sunday, May 15, at Pasteur, 5525 N. Broadway. The brunch will be 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; the $80 admission includes the food buffet, bot- tomless mimosas, Ketel One Bloody Marys, coffee and tea. The tea dance, 2-5 p.m., will be $20. A brunch-and-tea bundle is $95. Frank Chaves (left) and Mark Reeves. The grand marshal will be Emerson Olive Kol- Screen shot from GoFundMe website page lins—the 1-year-old daughter of Shira Kollins Sharon Bridgforth.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s hit Broadway musical • FINAL TWO WEEKS

CHICAGO ON THE AISLE

ONLY THROUGH MAY 22 “Lush and elegant... lavish and beautiful... the grandest scale possible.” DEAN RICHARDS, WGN-TV

“This King and I triumphs.” BROADWAY WORLD

SAVE 20% on Monday-Friday performances with OFFER IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. NOT VALID ON MAIN FLOOR PRIME OR promo code BOX SEATING, ON PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TICKETS, OR COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. PLEASE SEE LYRICOPERA.ORG/PROMO FOR FULL DETAILS. KINGWINDY Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I. Music by RICHARD RODGERS. Book and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II. Based on “Anna and the King of Siam” by MARGARET LANDON. Original Orchestrations by ROBERT RUSSELL BENNETT. Original Dance Arrangements by TRUDE RITTMANN. Original Choreography by JEROME ROBBINS. The King and I production created by the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, on June 13, 2014. General Director: Jeanluc Choplin. Photo: Todd Rosenberg

The King and i pRoduction SponSoRS

the negaunee two anonyMouS RobeRt S. and SuSan e. Foundation donoRS MoRRiSon LYRICOPERA.ORG | 312.827.5600 20 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES kinds of stigma, primarily racial identity, but Riva Lehrer. also sexuality, are getting their very very over- Photo by Ronit Bezalel due and necessary attention. This is critical, but still disability is 99.9-percent left off of the conversation. “There’s a 40-year precedent for assuming work about disability is only therapeutic: it has no cultural, societal or conceptual bearing. There is no demographic that doesn’t contain disabled people. And yet, we are still largely invisible in that kind of discourse, or the rep- resentations are often just not helpful. In the art world, if you were asking someone to pay upward of $10,000 for a piece, if they think the issue you’re working with is of critical importance and you’re saying something necessary about it, they’re going to feel like they’re participating in a crucial cultural dialogue. If they think your work is therapeutic and not particularly germane, they’re going to be a lot more resistant to putting you in a collection.” Stigma has always been Lehrer’s focus as an ART artist. She started out working in the realm of lesbian sexuality, but her focus shifted to what she found the more difficult identity. “For me, frankly, being a lesbian has been Riva Lehrer and the a lot easier than being a crip,” said Lehrer. “When I came out it was in the ‘70s, there was movement, a national movement. So I walked evolution of ‘Risk’ into something that had context. There was nothing for disability. Plus, I had been stig- matized around being a crip from the time I was the smallest child. If you were a lesbian by Liz Baudler Lehrer stressed that subjects were alone in her as possible, intentionally,” she said. there was fashion, music ... no context other house and space, and thus she was becoming As much as Lehrer works at a high level in than hospitals for being disabled. And being Riva Lehrer’s career in portraiture has been vulnerable as well. “The risk had to be as much both disciples, she wishes that the art world a lesbian was about pleasure—about desire long, and over time her discomfort with it equalized as I could make it,” she explained. recognized the value of the conversation she’s and pleasure. There was nothing positive to grew. She also had to accept the possibility of her trying to start. move towards at all, in terms of identifying as “It was really clear to me from the begin- subjects ruining the work. “I specifically didn’t “In disability culture I am a tiny gorilla. In a disabled person. There certainly were posi- ning that the people I was working with shared want a skill level, I kind of wanted to wrestle the art world, it’s really not the same,” Lehrer tive things waiting for me being a lesbian. And a really formative experience in my own life, with something that would be as off the rails said. “We’re in a period where work about other also, frankly, if I wanted to pass, if I didn’t feel which is that we’d almost all been stared at like being an obvious lesbian on any given day, and screamed at and insulted and abused on I could mostly pass. I’ve never been able to a regular, life-long basis from the word go,” pass as anything other than a crip.” Lehrer recalled. “ As someone who had never Lehrer hopes to resume the Risk series in the been comfortable being looked at, I kind of near future: all of them were drawings, and she knew instinctively that asking someone to let felt she needed to get back to painting. How- me look at them was going to be uncomfort- ever, there’s one special subject that Lehrer able for them.” wants to focus on soon. “My partner really re- Lehrer excels in multiple fields. Her art has ally wants me to do her portrait, so I”m going been exhibited at the United Nations and the to be a good girlfriend,” she said. National Portrait Gallery, and she’s presented Riva Lehrer’s solo show “The Risk Pictures” on disability culture at the Society for Dis- opens Friday, May 20, at Printworks Gallery, ability Studies. The two disciplines were not 311 W. Superior St. The reception is at 5:30- always married, but when Lehrer started do- 7 p.m., and is free; no RSVP is required. See ing portraits of other people, particularly other http://www.rivalehrerart.com/#!shows/ux- disabled people, she found herself questioning ups for more information. the process. “What I”m interested in is how someone’s body influences their production,” Lehrer explained. “So from the very beginning, the people I was picking were all people who were making work that was interesting to me. I was asking people for their stories around what their work was about, or biography, or most often, those two things together, and I was also doing something else, which was continually asking people for permission. The main thing I wanted to do was to not replicate the pain of the aggressive gaze, and what that had done to everyone that I knew.” Still, it wasn’t enough. Over time, her doubts grew into a desire to involve her subjects in the work’s creation. “Even though I was asking people this permission for what we were doing, all of the final decisions were always mine, all the marks of mine. I’ve certainly had people be ambivalent about a portrait after it’s been done,” Lehrer said. “I don’t always know how they really feel.” “The Risk Pictures”—an exhibition on display Friday, May 20, at PrintWorks Gallery— represents a culmination of Lehrer’s concerns and subsequent radical disruption of the portraiture process. Lehrer would invite her subjects over for sessions, and at some point leave them alone with their in-progress depiction and art supplies to do what they would with “Hillary Chute” (left) and “Finn Enke” (right), part of Riva Lehrer’s upcoming exhibit. the portrait. The risk was not merely artistic: Photo courtesy of Lehrer

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 21 LGBT authors at OPENS TONIGHT Printers Row Lit Fest

The Printers Row Lit Fest, now entering its satirical @MayorEmanuel Twitter account) and Cinderella 32nd year, is the Midwest’s largest literary author Kameron Hurley (The Geek Feminist event. Hundreds of authors and booksellers ap- Revolution). Anders is the author of the best- pear over the two-day street festival on Satur- selling novel All the Birds in the Sky and edi- day-Sunday, June 11-12. tor-in-chief of io9.com. She has won a Lambda The festival takes place on Dearborn Street, Literary Award and a Hugo Award. from Balbo Avenue to Congress Parkway, with —Garrard Conley will be a featured speaker additional programming at the Harold Wash- on the Life stories panel at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, ington Library Center and Jones College Prep June 12, in the Shedd Room at the Blake Hotel. High School. The festival is free and open to The moderator is Tony Romano and co-panelists the public, as is the majority of programming. include children’s author and 2016 Sendak Fel- low Elisha Cooper and memoirist Zoe Zolbrod. Conley is the author of a memoir, Boy Erased, Dreams. and he has been a Bread Loaf Writers’ Confer- ence scholar and an Elizabeth Kostova Founda- tion fellow. He teaches English literature at the Transformation. American College of Sofia and promotes LGBTQ equality in Sofia, Bulgaria. Headlining novelists include Goosebumps Ana Castillo. creator R.L. Stine, who recently won the Chica- Magic. Photo by go Tribune Young Adult Literary Prize; Pulitzer Drew Stevens Prize-winner Marilynne Robinson; and New York Times best-selling author Terry McMillan. Love. Graphic-novel fans, historians and movie buffs will come together to see Tony- and Os- car-nominated actor Ethan Hawke. He will appear with illustrator Greg Ruth to discuss their recent graphic novel, INDEH: A Story of the Apache Wars. While best known for his roles The following LGBT authors are featured at in Dead Poets Society, Boyhood and Training Printers Row Lit Fest 2016: Day, Hawke has also penned several novels and —Ana Castillo will be featured in conver- screenplays. sation with Chicago Tribune columnist and Foodies will have the opportunity to view reporter Dahleen Glanton at 10 a.m. Satur- cooking demos by several renowned and celeb- day, June 11, at the Grace Place auditorium. rity chefs on the Good Eating stage, including Castillo is one of the most powerful voices in Ruth Reichl, Rick Bayless and Meathead Gold- contemporary Latina/o literature. Her newest wyn. book, Black Dove, is a memoir. News junkies will enjoy presentations from —Charlie Jane Anders will be a featured several journalists and nonfiction authors, in- speaker on the Fantastic Visions panel at 12:30 cluding Sebastian Junger, Steve Inskeep and p.m. Sunday, June 12, at the Center Stage. Kim Barker. Co-panelists include Daniel Sinker (head of See http://printersrowlitfest.org/partici- Mozilla’s Knight-Mozilla OpenNews Project, pant/1731.html. Punk Planet founder and the man behind the

Chris O’Dowd, The Property Brothers, Sabaa Comedian Tig Notaro Tahir, Veronica Roth and Meg Cabot with many others to be announced in the coming weeks. at BookCon in An original consumer extension of BookExpo Chicago May 14 America, North America’s largest gathering of Stand-up comedian Tig Notaro is taking the book industry professionals from around the stage May 14 in Chicago at BookCon, the an- globe, BookCon is the ultimate fan event where nual celebration of books, to discuss her up- storytelling and pop culture collide. coming memoir I’m Just a Person. Tickets for BookCon are available at TheBook- During an “in conversation” panel, Notaro Con.com/Tickets/. Additional details about CELEBRATING will take fans on a journey through the darkest BookCon Exhibitors, guests and sponsors will year of her life—the year she was diagnosed be revealed soon. 60 with cancer. Notaro will discuss how she chan- YEARS neled her grief and vulnerability into her work, leading her to break comedic ground with a Alice Walker Grammy-nominated stand-up set. Notaro writes, produces and stars in the cancels event; semiautobiographical series One Mississippi for Amazon Studios, where she can also be seen in Sandburg Awards MAY 11–22 her recurring role on the critically acclaimed Due to personal reasons, author Alice series Transparent. In 2015, her HBO stand-up Walker has cancelled a May 25 appearance special premiered along with Tig, the Netflix at the Harold Washington Library Center. original documentary about her life. Notaro Walker was being honored with the Carl TICKETS START AT $32 remains a favorite on Conan and This Ameri- Sandburg Literary Award. can Life, tours internationally and enjoys bird- This fall, Sandburg Awards will be pre- JOFFREY.ORG/CINDERELLA watching with her partner at their home in Los sented to best-selling authors Erik Larson Angeles. (Devil in the White City, In the Garden of 800.982.2787 According to BookCon organizers, her mem- the Beasts, Dead Wake) for non-fiction and oir I’m Just a Person delivers a “darkly funny, Scott Turow (Presumed Innocent, The Bur- wryly observed and emotionally raw account of den of Proof, Identical) for fiction. The two authors will be celebrated at the Carl Sand- Notaro’s year of death, cancer and epiphany. CINDERELLA CINDERELLA PERFORMS AT: In the span of four months in 2012, Notaro burg Literary Awards Dinner on Wed., Oct. PRESENTING PRODUCTION SPONSOR SPONSOR was hospitalized for a debilitating intestinal 26, at The Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. disease called C.Diff; her mother unexpectedly Also, The 21st Century Award, presented Margot and Josef Sandy and Roger died; she went through a breakup and was di- to a Chicago-based emerging author, will Lakonishok Deromedi agnosed with bilateral breast cancer.” be presented to short story writer Ami- 50 East Congress Parkway, Chicago Notaro is just the latest addition to Book- na Gautier (At Risk, The Loss of All Lost Things). Con’s line-up of best-selling authors and Hol- Joffrey Dancers: Christine Rocas and Temur Suluashvili | Photo by: Herbert Migdoll lywood heavyweights including Samantha Bee, Visit CPLFoundation.org. 22 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES You’ll be ruined!” And you believe it! feet to hurt anymore. You know, I just want Cyndi Lauper. WCT: At what point in your career did you a nice pair of wide combat boots and I’d be Photo by Chapman Baehler feel creatively liberated? happy. But I don’t know. I’ll probably find CL: I guess, in 1991. I wanted to work with somebody who can actually make me shoes Muff Winwood [English songwriter and record that don’t hurt so I can dance! I don’t want to producer known for his work with Dire Straits] dance barefoot anymore because I think I beat and he believed in me as an arranger and as a my feet up that way, too. producer. You know, I should’ve moved to Eng- WCT: How about some comfy slippers? land but I didn’t. I loved New York. I was born CL: Slippers aren’t strong enough. We do there and I would’ve missed my family and my rock. When you slam your foot down, you gotta friends, so I didn’t go. But it was a lot easier have some weight to it. You can’t just have a in England; the English people were different. little slipper on. And he wanted me to do this thing for him. WCT: Why is it important to you to still It was around that time that I realized, “If perform in North Carolina despite the state’s you’re gonna be doing this, maybe you should new discriminatory legislation known as the start practicing the rhythm of your own beat “bathroom bill?” and sing your story, not try and do a story CL: North Carolina is a very important place with other people’s stories,” which is OK be- to go because once people are disenfranchised cause that’s what singers do, but at that point the way they have been, it’s very important to I wanted to do that and then I wanted to work bring light to a place where people have none, with [Detour producer] Seymour Stein. I want- educate people on what the real concerns are ed to go and do a blues record. I wanted to do and get people involved in their own destiny. the blues since 2004, and then when I finally WCT: It’s hard for me to even string these got to do it in 2010, you know, I felt blessed words together, but because you were on because I was able to do something I really Celebrity Apprentice: What if Donald Trump wanted to do as a singer. And then I wanted becomes president? to do this country record, and I hoped that I CL: Ugh. Everybody keeps asking me the could sing as best as I could sing. I wanted to same question. I don’t know. I really don’t do a good job. know. I wouldn’t feel that good about it. I WCT: You’ve called your new label, Sire don’t think people should campaign to stop Records, your “dream label.” And actually, Trump. I think people should vote, for one, and Madonna’s self-titled debut was released on vote for the person they feel is most respon- the same label in 1983. Do you think you sible and can really understand the way the MUSIC and Madonna might have done a duet if government works right now and make it move you’d been on the same label back in the forward instead of stopping it every frickin’ two day? Was there ever talk of that happening? minutes and costing people who pay taxes a lot CL: Oh—not by business people. You know, I of money. It’s a little disconcerting—the whole Cyndi Lauper: always felt for me, I would’ve loved to do What frickin’ thing—and it’s gone on for too long. Ever Happened to Baby Jane? with her... ’cause WCT: You’ve won just about every major I think that’s very funny! [Laughs hysterically] award—so, then, what does getting a star on WCT: Which part would you play? the Hollywood Walk of Fame mean to you? A new type of CL: Come on! Who do you think I’d play? I’d CL: It’s funny because I had been approached play Baby Jane—I’d be torturin’ her. Because a few times over the years and this time felt she’s always viewed as the bad girl, you know! right. It was surreal—and to get a star on the They’d make her the good girl and I’d be the same day as my good friend Harvey [Fierstein] Dixie chick bad one. Or [we could do Joan Crawford’s 1954 felt awesome. western-drama] Johnny Guitar—she’d be the WCT: It’s been seven years since Bring Ya righteous one. [Laughs] But whatever. Who to the Brink, your last full album of origi- knows? nal non-musical material. Do you write? Are For me, all I wanna do is a good job. I wanna there plans to release original material un- be a great singer. I wanna learn. I wanna al- der your own name? Cyndi Lauper on fame, who love early country music! They love Patsy ways learn. I study music constantly. I try and CL: Well, I’m probably gonna write another going country and her dream Cline, they love Loretta Lynn. I loved Loretta listen to what’s happening. I try and listen to Broadway show. to be in ‘What Ever Lynn when I was little and when I heard her what’s happened, to what I might’ve missed. WCT: Oh, you are?! sing “The Pill” (a cheeky take on birth control) I think music is… I love it and I think it lifts CL: Yes. I think if I wrote [for a solo project], Happened to Baby Jane?’ it was like, “Holy cow!” people up. I think I finally did a record that I’d probably write under a pseudonym and sing with Madonna But I just know that when I went to Nashville makes people happy, ya know? Maybe I learned under a pseudonym because it’d just be a lot everyone was very kind and they were sweet to that from Kinky Boots. easier to have it be received better. By Chris Azzopardi me, and it feels like a small town and it doesn’t WCT: Pop, rock, country, blues. Is there WCT: Why do you say that? seem like everybody is like that—it just seems anything you can’t sing? CL: Oh, you know, I like good music. [Laughs] It’s not just about having fun anymore. like they don’t talk about it a lot. I talk about CL: Really, this is the roots of rock—that’s There’s a really great sound coming out of Cali- For Cyndi Lauper, music runs deeper than it because we did a lot of research about the what I sang, you know what I’m sayin’, hun? fornia—the Southern Bay area has a whole her ‘80s-era eccentricities may have seemed to kids running away, the homeless LGBT kids (in It’s all the roots. The blues was the roots of kind of surf, kind of rock sound. Little bit of suggest. A collection of classics from the Great 2011, Lauper opened a homeless shelter in NYC what we sing and so is this. There was a time what we did on “Funnel of Love,” but there’s American Songbook, deep Memphis-based for LGBT youth). when country and R&B were very linked. The a whole resurgence and group of people doing blues, the feel-good Broadway romp Kinky We found that if the parents just said, “You’re songs would go from R&B to country, country that kind of surf bass-y sound but rock. Boots, which won her a Tony in 2013 for best my kid and I love you and you gotta give me a to R&B. A perfect example of that would be the WCT: Why can’t you put your name on it? score—Lauper changes musical guises like she minute to get my head around this gay thing,” Wilma Burgess hit “Misty Blue”—that was a hit CL: I don’t know. Because I don’t want to be changes dye jobs. because where the heck are parents gonna go? in 1966 and then in 1975 for Dorothy Moore. judged. I’d rather do new music with a paper The 62-year-old singer takes another sharp You can’t go to the preacher man because he’s But they were pop songs. bag over my head and be the unknown singer. turn on Detour, her latest reincarnation, this gonna condemn you and your kid to hell. You’re When I was little, Patsy Cline was on the [Laughs] time as a full-on Southern belle. The spunky not gonna go to the school and out your kid. radio. She was not country radio—she wasn’t WCT: But you’ve been in the spotlight for pop priestess trades in her pink for plaid and You can’t go to the neighbors. So, where do you segregated to country radio, and neither was almost your entire life. Aren’t you used to saddles up with a slew of Nashville mainstays, go? You have to have an outreach program for Loretta Lynn and neither was Johnny Cash. critics? including Willie Nelson, Vince Gill and Emmy- the parents and the kids, but you have to have Those guys were on the pop stations. And we CL: No, I know, but there are things that I lou Harris, to sing signature mid-20th-century the information to help parents because, you had three AM stations, and everybody was on can do as Cyndi Lauper and things that I can’t. country ditties. know, I think most parents just love their kids, ’em in New York. You know, some of the stuff, Just ’cause I can’t doesn’t mean I won’t. I just To talk about her twangy transformation, and when they’re teenagers, you’re gonna fight especially “Funnel of Love,” it was a rockabilly won’t do it in a conventional way. Lauper called just as she was leaving Los An- about everything—I know, I have a teenager. song and Wanda Jackson was one of the earlier WCT: You never have, though! That’s why geles, where she recently received her much- You fight. Hell, that’s the dynamic. rockers, and when I was in Blue Angel (Lauper’s you’re so adored. deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I didn’t think about that when I did this. I pre-solo career rockabilly band)—oh, she was CL: Well, thanks. I mean, with this record, Lauper was her usual chatty and chirpy self did this for the love of music. I did this because prominent on my playlist because she was an I was very fortunate to have some really in- as she dished on longing to be the “unknown I saw a segment on CBS’s The Early Show about early rocker and there weren’t a lot of women credible people on it. I don’t even know—it singer,” shoe struggles and forever wanting all the great Nashville session players. One rockers that you listened to, but you always just happened. It snowballed and the producer, to take on Joan Crawford and Bette Davis’ in- group was called the Nashville Cats, and they listened to her. You listened to the amazing Tony Brown, knew somebody and I knew Emmy- famous revenge relic What Ever Happened to played with everyone back in the ’60s and ’70s, Brenda Lee, but Wanda Jackson was just a little lou Harris and wanted Emmylou Harris to come Baby Jane? How, exactly? By starring in a ver- and I was a little jealous because I felt like I dirtier. and sing. It’s a kind of small town, so I had sion of it alongside Madonna, of course. missed out. I saw the Muscle Shoals documen- WCT: Do you have your cowgirl boots met with [songwriter/producer] Buddy Cannon Windy City Times: I love the irony of you— tary and I kind of wished sometimes—I felt picked out for the tour? who was working with Alison Krauss and Willie mega-LGBT activist—taking on a genre like I was born in the wrong time. I was so busy CL: I’m having trouble with shoes—a lot of Nelson and all of a sudden it started to come that’s not historically known to embrace the being famous that I missed out on all these trouble. I think some of the shoes I wear are together just like that. LGBT community. wonderful things. I just wanted to go back. In ugly but they don’t hurt. I just don’t want my Cyndi Lauper: There are a lot of LGBT people the beginning everything is, “You can’t do this! Turn to page 28 WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 23 meaning to echo. “I want our voice to be heard, deal with discrimination and skin color is a to echo rather. I feel like sometimes society double whammy. I want the world to see into groups the gay community as one when in es- many of the social issues that tries to hinder Web series features sence we are all different type of individuals.” our growth.” Battle stated. Securing funding Often shut out of mainstream outlets for from the very community that he seeks to not having a “universal appeal,” marginal- represent, like those before him, allows his in- gay men of color ized voices are finding a home in Web-based tended audience to be part of the process. Pre- platforms. OpenTV—a Web platform started by vious crowd-funding films and series like Justin Northwestern Assistant Professor Aymar Jean Simien’s Dear White People and Rae’s Awkward Christian—works with queer, transwomen and Black Girl (currently in production with HBO) in Chicago ciswomen as well as people of color to create prove that there not only is an audience for and distribute artistic content. “TV distribu- queer/Black voices, but it is one with a large by M Shelly Conner pleted term of the first Black president; and of tors—cable operators and networks—have not spending capacity as well. course, the availability of PrEP, the HIV preven- supported minority artists or their communi- Battle said he hopes that REVERb becomes Patrick Battle intends to place Chicago gay tive treatment. ties,” Christian said. “We want to fill the void. a household name. “I want it to inspire some- men of color at the forefront with REVERb, his REVERb also has other distinctions: 1) Set in By focusing on and empowering artists but de- one,” he said. “I want someone to say because Web series that follows three gay men of color Chicago (still one of the most racially segregat- veloping work for diverse communities, OpenTV of you I didn’t give up. So just to be able to as they navigate dating and life in the Second ed U.S. cities), REVERb can pull from recent in- functions as an incubator alerting networks, display my past experiences with the world and City. The series aims to highlight issues that cidents of racial tension; and 2) the Web series curators, agents and other independent artists possibly reach many younger gays that don’t disproportionately affect Black gay men, such can present more diverse Black narratives set of talent they may be overlooking.” necessary have anyone to look up to would be Most Web series are crowd-funded—and great. Who knows, the decisions I made could REVERb is no exception. It’s currently at the possibly help someone else make a better deci- beginning of an Indiegogo campaign goal of sion.” The cast of REVERb. $12,000. The benefit of crowdfunding is that REVERb’s campaign is at https://igg.me/ Photo from REVERb it allows creators and writers to maintain the at/reverbforever/x/13869006. authenticity of their work, which can be an is- M Shelly Conner is a Chicago-based writer, sue. Although showrunners like Shonda Rhimes humorist and scholar. Her writing has ap- and newcomer Web series creator Issa Rae peared in AfterEllen.com, The Feminist Wire, (Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl) are xoJane, Black Girl Dangerous, Skin to Skin slowly proving that people of color and LGBTQ Magazine, and The Frisky. She is currently characters have considerable followings, there exploring publishing options for her debut is still the misconception that minorities lack novel “everyman “(excerpt in 2016 Obsidian universal appeal. After a decade-long struggle, Journal). Don Cheadle could not secure major funding for Conner is executive director of Quare the much anticipated Miles Davis biopic, Miles Square Collective, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non- Ahead, until he added a white fictitious char- profit for queer artists of color. Follow her acter played by Ewan McGregor. Cheadle stated, blog about travel, culture and food through according to IndieWire.com, “Having a white a queer womanist of color lens at dapperv- actor in this film turned out to actually be a ista.tumblr.com. Instagram Dapper Vista; financial imperative.” Twitter @DapperVista “It’s already hard enough being gay but to

An action-packed, music-filled, theatrical event! Follow the rise and fall of Shakespeare's kings, and the uncommon courage of common men. OF as HIV and PREP treatment, sex-related issues outside of the traditional Hollywood gayverse. and drug use as they intersect with love, heart- “I feel like it’s been a void since [Noah’s Arc] break and brotherhood. ended, and I’m here to fill it,” Battle stated FOREIGNAR FIRE REVERb follows in the footsteps of Patrick- about his series. “I will most definitely touch Ian Polk’s cult series Noah’s Arc, which aired base on racism and discrimination issues in TUGEDWARD III HENRY V W HENRY VI PART I on LOGO from 2005-2006 and touches on simi- Chicago’s LGBTQ community. I want the world lar themes. Yet, much has occurred in the ten to see into many of the social issues that tries years since Noah’s Arc aired including: the re- to hinder our growth.” REVERb—Battle’s de- peal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; the nearly com- but project—is an abbreviation of reverberate,

written by

WILLIAM Freddie Stevenson, photo by Jeff Sciortino SHAKESPEARE adapted and directed by BARBARA GAINES LIMITED ENGAGEMENT BEGINS TOMORROW

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SHAKESPEARE 400 Doris Conant CHICAGO PRODUCTION SPONSOR in memory of LEAD SPONSORS Howard Conant

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com 24 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES WCT: How is your T-shirt line coming Kim Chi along? Photo courtesy of Logo KC: Recently, I released a shirt that says, “Yas Fats Yas Fems Yas Asians.” On the show I talk about the body-shaming that goes on in the drag community. The proceeds from this T-shirt will go to three different charities for different causes. They can buy my merchandise at www.kimchithedragqueen.com. I will selling it at my appearances as well. WCT: Let’s play Spill the Tea now that the Race is wrapped. Did you have a favorite challenge? KC: Believe it or not, it was the Bitch Perfect challenge. Some of it wasn’t shown on TV, but I was given great direction and learned so much about myself from that challenge. WCT: Do you like how you were portrayed on the show? KC: Yeah. Going into the show, I was worried that I would be portrayed as shy and have no personality. I feel like my humor was portrayed accurately. WCT: Did you have a best friend on “Race?” KC: Naomi Smalls was definitely my best friend from the show. She has moved to Chi- cago now and is just a few blocks away from me. I also talk to Bob the Drag Queen on a daily basis. WCT: So you are all supportive of each NUNN ON ONE: TELEVISION other as the top three? KC: Definitely. We all love each other so much. They are literally my best friends that Chicago’s Kim Chi I never knew I was going to have. It worked out perfectly. WCT: Was there anyone that you felt left too early from season eight? makes top three KC: Acid Betty’s elimination came as a shock to me because all of her looks were just legendary. I was always excited to see the looks he of ‘Drag Race’ would pull out for the next runway. I couldn’t believe it when she was eliminated. WCT: After filming the show, were you able to hang out with any of the judges? by Jerry Nunn KC: There’s no such thing! KC: I worked with Carson Kressley on Bravo’s WCT: You mentioned weight loss on the Watch What Happens Live! and Ross [Mathews] Korean-American contestant Kim Chi has deci- show. How did you lose weight? at the L.A. premiere was super-sweet. mated the competition of RuPaul’s Drag Race KC: Surprisingly, my trick was eating healthy WCT: Chicago is rooting for you to win. on the eighth season of the hit television show and exercising. Where will you be when the finale airs? from the Logo Channel. I eat a lot of Chipotle. If you stay away KC: We film the finale in L.A. For the corona- Beginning her drag career in 2012, this queen from certain things, then it is actually a really tion, when it airs we will all be in New York. has come a long way from Neverland parties in healthy meal. Catch the finals Monday, May 16, at 8 p.m. Chicago to now being globally recognized. WCT: How has the traveling been so far? Some iconic Kim Chi looks from the stage of CT on Logo. Meet the whole gang at Roscoe’s, As one of two Chicago players this season, KC: Traveling has been fun. It has been a RuPaul’s Drag Race. 3356 N. Halsted St., on Thursday, June 16, Chi has proven to be a formidable opponent blessing. I heard from people on the previous Screen shots with details at Roscoes.com. on “Race.” Sang-Young Shin (Chi’s real name) seasons that it would be hard and to brace my- slayed challenge after challenge, winning the self. I worked Chicago Pride, I can handle this. first one right out of the starting gate, while It’s nothing! not only giving good face but opening up WCT: Has the feedback been good since Chicago Filmmakers Trans documentary about his private life. Body image, coming out the show aired? fundraiser May 14 at Facets May 20-26 as a drag queen and being a virgin were just KC: It has been great. Just last night I got Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St., will The transgender documentary From This some of the hot topics that Chi mentioned on to work with Pat McGrath, who is probably the hold a firehouse capital campaign fundrais- Day Forward will run at Facets Cinematheque, the show. most influential makeup artist at this time. It er—complete with a sneak-peek video—on 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., May 20-26. Now embracing the final top three—along has been one of my dreams to even meet her. Saturday, May 14. During filmmaker Sharon Shattuck’s pre- with Bob the Drag Queen and Naomi Smalls— To be able to work for her was a dream come The social hour starts at 7 p.m., with the teen years, her father came out as a trans- all eyes are on the prize. “May the best woman true. screening starting at 8 p.m. gender woman and changed her name to Tri- win!” WCT: Any updates about telling your mom The 2016 program includes Chicago film- sha. The movie looks at how the marriage of Windy City Times: Hi, Kim. Was it hard that you perform in drag? makers and Dyke Delicious favorites Coquie Sharon’s mother, Marcia, and Trisha survived keeping the secret all this time of how well KC: No. I will tell her when the time is right. Hughes; Fawzie Mirza, Lisa Donato and Allie the transition. you did on RuPaul’s Drag Race? It is just not the right time yet. Fohrman; Jenny Hagel and Erik Gernand; Ann See Facets.org/cinematheque/films/ Kim Chi: Honestly, no. People would ask if I Marie Carrothers and Amber Dever; and Ser- may2016/from-this-day-forward.php. made the top three and I would say,”I can’t say ena Illuminati. because I don’t want to be sued for millions Local singer Terell Admission is $10; visit http:// of dollars.” chicagofilmmakers.tix.com/Event. When people asked, “Do you win this sea- marries partner aspx?EventCode=852974 or https://www. ‘First Girl I Loved’ son?” I said, “RuPaul wins this season, so how Out local performer Marcus Terell—the facebook.com/events/785899301546022/. lead singer of Marcus Terell and the Ser- at Music Box May 26 about that?” The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport enades, and a singer with Stitely Entertain- WCT: Where did you learn makeup, in the Ave., will run the lesbian-themed movie First ment—has married partner Carlos Pico. first place? Girl I Loved on Thursday, May 26, at 6 p.m. On Facebook on May 5, Pico posted, “So ‘Hockney’ at KC: I was friends with Pearl, who was in last The plot is as follows: Anne, 17, falls in yesterday I GOT MARRIED to the love of season, before we did drag. One Halloween, love with Sasha, the most popular girl at her my life Martin Pico !!!!!!!!! What was SUP- Siskel in late May Pearl asked me to try drag with her. We went At the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State L.A. public high school. But when Anne tells POSED TO BE a small and private “court- to the costume store and she showed me the St., on May 20-26, the film Hockney will run. her best friend Clifton—who has always har- house wedding” turned out to be one of very basics. Since then, everything has been The 108-minute documentary “tracks Hock- bored a secret crush—he does his best to get the biggest and most beautiful days OF self taught. ney’s life and art through their many stag- in the way. MY LIFE! To ALL of my family and friends WCT: Have you studied anyone besides es, from Yorkshire lad to Swinging London The film co-stars Cameron Esposito, a les- abroad we will have more celebrations full Pearl? scene-maker to pioneer gay artist to chroni- bian comedian who resided in Chicago before of invites, receptions, and an extensive KC: Not really. It is more like trying different cler of L.A.’s swimming-pool culture to tech- moving to L.A. gift registry lol. Thank you for your LOVE colors and mixes until I finally find the product nologically innovative wielder of Polaroids Visit MusicBoxTheatre.com/features/first- & SUPPORT!” that compliments my skin tone well. and iPads,” according to the Siskel’s website. girl-i-loved. They married at the Registro Civil de Ti- WCT: It is tricky to not make it too cos- See SiskelFilmCenter.org/Hockney. tume-y? gre in Tigre, Argentina. WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 25 nightspots weekly nightlife section in

/nightspots @nightspotschicago @nightspotschicago

without Prince. Wait, is that a good thing? —The sexual enigma. Like Bowie before him, DANCING Prince was happy to play with queer sexuality at the expense of his heterosexuality just for the ABOUT sake of equality. Now it seems there’s a star every week (usually women though) teasing their ARCHITECTURE sexuality, sometimes for press, sometimes for real, but always for good in the end. Now if we By marc ‘moose’ moder could only get more men like Nick Jonas flirting with our community, I’d be happy to be flirted with. —The independent warrior. Before bands like Radiohead, TLC and Wilco went rogue by skip- ping the major label system, Prince was selling Purple his side projects via 1-800-NEW FUNK and then, after his Warner Brothers release, via his record club or his website. He even once presented a influence free CD with purchase of a magazine (Twenty10). First, let me state that this space is, was and He was always playing with new ways to get his always will be a Prince-heavy zone, so pardon music directly to fans, not just for the bigger me for writing on such a rich topic two issues in margin and masters rights, but because he be- a row. Second, after losing David Bowie within came so bored so fast with completed songs. the same short calendar year, the following topic —The multi-instrumentalist. Little Stevie has been covered before. That said, I can’t think Wonder amazed fans at age 12 with his ability of two bigger influences on the blurring of art/ to jam on keys and harmonica, but Prince took fashion/music/sex/God than those two giants. it further, playing almost every instrument on So it must be asked: Who wouldn’t be here in almost every album he released. Sure, he had our “Pop Life” if not for the presence of Prince? many bands over the years, but 90% of the studio instruments heard are him, with some help —The sensual balladeer. Teddy Pendergrass, from horn players, vocalists and strings. Even Barry White and Isaac Hayes all crooned before, at 16, when he started, everything was Prince but none of them worked in straight up SEX and right down to production. Now thousands of respect like Prince. With a few verbal strokes, he bedrooms recorders like Moby and Miguel spend made you feel safe, special, aroused and dirty. weeks recording and producing their own mate- Real dirty. Acts like D’Angelo, R Kelly and Janet rial on their own terms. Even Bowie spent much Jackson would all play with these factors, espe- of his last weeks tinkering with new material cially in the ‘90s when a ballad could still get he planned to release posthumously. If not for airplay. Prince’s own studio, drive, ambition and talent, —The fashion plate. While he wasn’t always we’d not have thousands of vault recordings to in vogue and his outfits bordered on tacky in last us through our natural lives as well. later years, he did stick to a consistent style, Let’s hope these discussions and the subse- designing his own looks with his own fashion quent listenings inspire great new artists to rise house. Seemingly hundreds of acts have gone on forth and inspire us; however, none will compare to work their personal looks into fashion lines, 2 Prince. but none have committed 100% to these looks DJ Moose spins Irresistible Bitch: for 40 years. Think about it, we’d have no Mark Prince+TheLadies this Saturday at 11 pm at Anthony for Kohl’s or Adam Levine for Sears The Jackhammer Complex, 6406 N. Clark St.

RPDR finale viewing party at Sidetrack Find out which of the final three queens of season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race will be crowned “America’s next drag superstar,” Mon., May 16. In the lead up to the finale, Sidetrack will be displaying the work of local artist Chad Sell, featuring the queens of the show, past and present. Sell exhibits and sells his work online and at conventions, such as C2E2 and RuPaul’s Drag Con. For more on Sell’s work, see www.chadsellcom- Artist Chad Sell’s depiction of Naomi Smalls. ics.com 26 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES nightspots the big TO-DO OUR WEEKLY PICKS TO PLAN YOUR NIGHTLIFE CALENDAR

Fabitat: Prince Party - A Celebration of Life

Wed., May 11, 9 pm Double Door’s Door No. 3, 1551 N. Damen Ave. MARY’S ATTIC DJ Adam LeBlanc takes U on a full journey through Prince’s work. Performances All ashore that’s going ashore! Tea in A-ville takes on a nautical theme, Sunday, May 1. by Joan Waters, Curlene Ribbon and Photos by Kyle Henderson host Lucy Stoole. Chance to win passes to Spring Awakening and Mamby on the Beach for strong Prince LQQKS. not live up to the rest of the meal, unfortunately. The half-baked blondie (with raspberry sorbet, or- anges and salted caramel) didn’t quite work—but Riot Bear Productions: TWO has some intriguing alternatives, including Friday the 13th Freakout the DISH a goat cheese-and-ricotta cheesecake as well as Weekly Dining Guide in puppy chow. WINDY CITY TIMES Regarding drinks, you must try Gleaming the Cube, consisting of Langley’s, sparkling wine, fresh lemon juice, green-tea simple—and a hibiscus tea SAVOR and Radler ice cube. As the cube melts, it transforms the taste of the drink. TWO; Fri., May 13, 10 pm Hamburger Mary’s on ‘Undercover Boss’ Touche, Mary’s on ‘Boss’ There will be a viewing party to mark Hamburger Mary’s being on the CBS show Undercover Boss. 6412 N. Clark St. DJ Germ (Modern Day Rippers, Sexy BY ANDREW DAVIS The event will take place Sunday, May 15, at Baby Records) spins from pre-punk to 8 p.m. at 5402 N. Clark St. Ashley and Brandon post hardcore, garage rock, heavy metal Bib Gourmand recipient TWO (1132 W. Chicago Wright, the co-owners of Hamburger Mary’s, will be and more. Ave.; 113two.com) has at least two things going featured on the episode. for it. See “Hamburger Mary’s on ‘Undercover Boss’ One is its extremely telegenic staff, almost giv- TWO. Viewing Party” on Facebook. ing the impression that one has to be a model in Photo by Lisa Taylor order to be hired. Our server, Oscar, was as friendly Irresistible Bitch: as he was handsome, and the few others (male and For example, there’s a dish with asparagus, home- The Ladies + The Prince female—including Oscar’s brother) who were there made brioche, maitake, poached duck egg and wild wore smiles on their lovely visages. Then, there’s onion vinaigrette: It was wonderful. Then there’s General Manager Yamandu Perez, a Chilean-turned- ricotta cavatelli, which comes with English peas, Uruguayan who exerted a certain smugness (say- homemade sausage, red-pepper harissa and honey- ing at one point that he probably gets away with roasted almonds. saying things because he smiles so much) who was However, there are also more traditional items charming, nonetheless. that impress, like gulf prawns with chili vinai- Then, there’s the food (with Perez saying that grette; and the double cheeseburger, served with Sat., May 14, 11 pm everything—including cheeses and sausages—is mile-high fries in a formation that seemed to re- Jackhammer, made in house). There are some combinations that semble a game of Jenga. 6406 N. Clark St. may seem like they wouldn’t work, but they do. My dining partner and I agreed that dinner did Two of Chicago’s biggest Prince fanatics, DJ Moose (fan since 1980) and The Vixen, who’s hosted and performed at Prince functions throughout Chicago her whole career, celebrate the ladies of Prince’s entourage, including Vanity, Sheila E., Sheena Easton, The Bangles, Beyonce and more. Manimals: Jockstraps Fur a Cause

Sun., May 15, 6-9 pm Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted St. The Crochet Empire jockstrap fashion show to benefit Chicago House and TPAN. Featuring a pride of animal print jockstraps and performances by Anghell SIDETRACK and Matteo Lane. Hosted by Dixie Lynn Cartwright. $20. Summer’s coming and Sidetrack is ready. Photos by Jed Dulanas WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 27 Billy Masters

“My presence was used for my celebrity, not my talent. I’m not surprised.”—Jennifer Hud- son talks about the snub for a Tony Award, but seems to be implying that she was cast in The Color Purple solely because her name recogni- Colton Haynes made news recently. tion would get people to buy tickets. And that’s Facebook photo a bad thing? During my years as an avid theatergoer, I’ve Take the transgender issue out of the equation pored over countless Playbills. And one trend and just consider her a female sports legend. A I’ve noticed is how personal people are getting 66-year-old female sports legend. Then ask your- in their official bios. This was highlighted at a self this question—are readers of SI clamoring recent play I attended where many of the char- to see nude photos of Martina Navratilova? acters were gay. While the bulk of the bios were The most effective way for celebrities to deal pretty bland, one of the hottest guys ended his with rumors is to ignore them. Then there’s Ar- by thanking his wife and children for their end- senio Hall. Shortly after Prince’s death, Sinead less support. Here’s what that means—”Back off, O’Connor posted this on Facebook: “Two words queens—I’m straight!” While I don’t begrudge for the DEA investigating where Prince got his him asserting his heterosexuality, I don’t need it drugs over the decades ... Arsenio Hall (AKA shoved down my throat ... so to speak. Prince’s and Eddie Murphy’s bitch).” The post There are some stories that do not arouse my was deleted, but Hall is not having it. He has sympathies. These typically involve people who I sued for damages of $5 million and calls Sinead perceive as having a myriad of benefits but want “an attention-seeker.” If you ask me, the one us to feel sorry for them. It’s clearly a failing of drawing attention to this story is Arsenio. mine, and I’m telling you this up front before Sinead responded, “I’m more amused than I’ve launching into the tale of woe that is Colton ever dreamed a person could be and look forward Haynes. Last week, the hot young actor/model very much to how hilarious it will be watching officially came out. Colton grew up in Kansas, him try to prove me wrong. ... I do not like drugs first gained notoriety as a model and then as killing musicians. And I do not like Arsenio Hall. an actor on two successful TV shows: Teen Wolf He can suck my dick. That is, if he isn’t too busy and Arrow. sucking someone else’s dick.” Yowza! All the while, he amassed a throng of followers Channing Tatum made a special announce- on social media, attracted no doubt by his fre- ment: “Magic Mike Live!” will hit the Hard Rock quent selfies in various forms of undress. Specu- Hotel & Casino in Sin City next March. “We want lation about his sexual orientation was rampant, to change what male entertainment has been for but he never confirmed it—and he also didn’t years,” said Tatum. While he’s being cagey about deny it. But there were two clearly divergent the details, he said, “It’s definitely things you’ve images of Haynes—the person who had lawyers never seen before, I can promise you that.” Ta- threaten websites for posting photos from his tum is co-directing the show, but he’s not plan- “There’s an atmosphere that the backroom is explicit, homoerotic XY spread, and the person ning on being onstage—at least not initially, BOYER from page 12 trying to create,” Boyer said. “There are men who posted about his openly gay brother who saying, “If I’m even in shape enough to actu- who bring these girls in and they come up to ally do the show again, I will absolutely step momentary stories during a few of hours of any has a child with his hubby. me and say, ‘Can we go back there and see what on stage, just because it’s fun. I’m sure there given night. Last January, gay stories about Colton picked these guys do?’ And I’ll be like, ‘If you want up steam after one of his fans posted the fol- will be lots of crazy cameos.” He then introduced There has been a significant difference in the your girlfriend to see two guys sucking dick, lowing on his Tumblr page: “When I found out us to the guys in the troupe, who are quite hot leather community—one all but wiped out by take her home with your trick!’ The folks back Colton Haynes had a secret gay past, I got so indeed. As Tatum said, “If you build it, they’ll HIV/AIDS, but that has since flourished into there are not here to put on a show. If people excited even though I know it makes absolutely come.” You may, too, when seeing the video on the kind of record attendance numbers seen at can respect that, then they are welcome.” no difference in my life.” Haynes responded, BillyMasters.com. events like the Cleveland Leather Annual Week- “Was it a secret?” After that, he didn’t say much. That leads us perfectly into this week’s “Ask end (CLAW) or International Mr. Leather (IML) But, to Boyer, most of the individuals who But Colton now admits that he voluntarily com- Billy” question. Chase in Baltimore asks, “What in Chicago Memorial Day weekend. stand in front of his bar and ask for a drink mitted himself to a hospital. “I’ve had terminal do you know about A&F model Alex Libby? He’s “When I came into leather it was a tight little are family and he’s not ready to leave them anxiety my entire life. Physically ill, fainting. I’m done some shoots where he’s teased his penis, group,” Boyer said. “People had no concept or relinquish events like Leather Eye which he 27 years old and I have an ulcer. I had to step but never shows it.” of what leather was all about. I fit in with started in order to introduce a new person to back.” We are not talking about someone new to In an attempt to change their image, Aber- them, not just because of the sexual activity the leather scene by outfitting them and tak- Hollywood—he’s lived in LA since 2006! Now, a crombie & Fitch has hired 23-year-old British but where they were coming from personally. ing them to IML. He also routinely helps Lori decade later, he’s given an interview to Enter- model Alex Libby to be the new face (and body) I don’t know as many bars that do as much Cannon by raising $200, which, he noted with tainment Weekly—a curious choice for a com- of the brand. Libby is what some online are call- fundraising and support as much as leather admiration, she can turn into three times that ing-out story. In it, talks about how he’s been ing “homeless chic.” If that’s what the home- bars. I went to the very first CLAW weekend. much in food bargains for her clients. plagued with anxiety about people finding out less look like, I’m moving into a box on the side It was one bar that housed a party. When the “I don’t feel like an old guy yet,” Boyer said. of the road. And, oh yes, he most certainly has his “secret,” and how the pressure was so great bar closed, we went to the bathhouse a few “Besides, I like what I do. Sitting over the bar shown his penis. Just before getting the A&F that he asked to be written off of Arrow. (The doors away and carried on all night long. Now talking. That’s what my world has been. I’ve show’s creator, openly gay Greg Berlanti, is one gig, he did a series of shots that show every inch it takes up one or two hotels and you don’t got to meet some incredible people; big stars, of his mentors.) My hunch is most people will of his fitch. And it’s definitely worth seeing ... know everyone there. You can’t make the con- average Joes, young people trying to figure laud Colton as some sort of gay hero—primarily on BillyMasters.com. nection.” out what they’re going to do with their lives. I because he’s hot and they want to sleep with When Sinead has bigger balls than Arsenio, In its own way, Touche has also grown far be- don’t have kids, so I’m watching [clients] grow him, not that there’s anything wrong with that. we’ve definitely come to the end of yet another yond the perceived restraints of its beginnings. up and I’m very proud of them.” Then there’s that other “hero,” Caitlyn Jen- column. Since we ran long (A&F models will do “I could have gone through college and been ner. Reportedly, she will be appearing nude on that), let me quickly remind you to check out “When I started at Touche maybe 75 guys were in the bar on a Friday night and you got a therapist. I can do it just as easily over a the cover of an upcoming issue of Sports Il- www.BillyMasters.com, the site that’s working to beer,” he added with a contented shrug. “At lustrated. What is it about those Kardashians? end homelessness one model at a time. If you to know each other,” Boyer said. “You got to have sex with most of them and it was like the same time, I can affect what’s going on They’re constantly photographed naked at the have a question, send it along to Billy@Billy- in the community. I can support things. When Masters.com, and I promise to get back to you you really knew who everybody was. Nowadays, drop of a hat—so whatever you do, DON’T drop I came here I didn’t know anybody. I had an a hat! When it comes to Caitlyn’s spread, I have before Colton gets cast in “Magic Mike Live!” So, I have people who come in and I don’t know apartment with a table and a chair. To this day one simple question that I intend without mal- until next time, remember: One man’s filth is an- them. I try to get to know them all but some I work Christmas Eve because this is my fam- ice—does anybody really wanna see all of that? other man’s bible. want to get their drink, stand in a corner and cruise.” ily. There’s always more to learn. There’s always Some of the other changes at Touche have someone new to meet. I haven’t done it all yet. been out of necessity. There’s more to come.” “In the second room, we enforced a strict For information on Touche, see ToucheChi- dress code of ‘put on your leather or you don’t cago.com. go in’,” Boyer said. “I can’t afford to do that International Mr. Leather is Memorial anymore. People are doing their cruising on Weekend in Chicago. See IMRL.com. the Internet. 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Dr. Rudziewiez concert years ago and he had liked a song that webs.com is a licensed dentist and certified Botox specialist. I did called “Water’s Edge.” I went to go see Lakeview location and home visits available. For him with the Time Jumpers, and when I went consultation or more information call 872-999-0110. to do Detour I felt like if we had him lay down (5/25/16) the track with a couple of the Time Jumpers it would really make sense and feel right because they understood real cowboy swing. of these bills are not acting on rational facts, ents, however, especially the less-studied GBTQ Tony contacted him and he said he would MOMBIAN from page 14 but on deeply held beliefs. I’m not sure throw- parts of the spectrum. At this point, though, come in and he did. It just fell together. And research on gay and lesbian parents for Colum- ing more research at them would change their I hope we can turn away from a defensive if you went to see him with the Time Jumpers, bia University’s What We Know Project, wrote minds. At the same time, academic studies that stance—research to prove our worth vis à vis you wouldn’t believe it because he’s really that at Slate in 2014, “What’s equally maddening show we’re good parents may still help sway non-LGBTQ parents. We should now expand the good. I just thought to myself, “Oh my god, about the focus on how gay parents do is that on-the-fence politicians or judges in custody research that helps us and those who support these musicians are great—pinch yourself now, none of it should matter.” Many things disad- cases, say, so they remain unfortunately nec- us (healthcare providers, teachers, etc.) under- because you’re actually really doing this.” vantage kids, he says, including divorce and essary. stand more about our particular strengths and Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndi- poverty, but no wants to ban parenthood by This latest study is thus an important cap- challenges and the ways we form and nurture cate, the international LGBT wire service. He divorcés or poor people. stone to the research done to date, ending any our families. That kind of research remains once made Jane Fonda cry. Reach him via his Make no mistake, though. Our families are lingering doubts about the parenting capabili- vital, and will help our children continue to website at www.chris-azzopardi.com and on still being threatened. The so-called “religious ties of same-sex couples. (Even though it only flourish and grow. Twitter (@chrisazzopardi). freedom” bills being passed or considered in looked at two-mom couples, I can’t imagine Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher Cyndi Lauper will be performing at The several states would allow adoption and fos- anyone getting far with the argument that of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD Me- Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., on Mon- ter care agencies, even those receiving public two-dad couples are substantially different.) dia Award-winning blog and resource direc- day, May 16, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40-$95 funds, to discriminate against LGBTQ people. We still need more research on LGBTQ par- tory for LGBTQ parents. each; see TheChicagoTheatre.com. The people who would discriminate because

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tors, and personal issues such as dating, Sunday, May 15 and HIV+ director/producer Christopher COMMUNITY relationships and work. Every Saturday. GLAAD Hatter Brunch & Tea Dance Pazdernik. Tickets $20. 8:00pm Up- 11:00am - 12:30pm Center on Halsted Brunch from Pasteur Restaurant as well town Underground, 4707 N. Broadway, 3656 N Halsted St., http://dbsa-glbt- as specialty Ketel One cocktails, tea, Chicago 773-867-1946 Tickets: http:// CALENDAR chicago.com dancing, a raffle (trip giveaways!) and uptownunderground.net/ Urban Pooch Training & Fitness Center hat parade. Brunch at 11:30, tea dance - Free Special Open Gym Celebrating Tuesday, May 17 Wed., May 11 at 2:00. A significant portion of ticket new expanded Daycare at Urban Pooch sales and other funds raised at the event Women’s Book Group Stone Mattress by Spring Wine Tasting 100+ wines from Training & Fitness Center to pooches of supports GLAAD. 11:30am - 5:00pm Margaret Atwood. 7:30pm Women & around the world. Benefits Equal- all sizes - with delicious nosh and cof- Pasteur Restaurant, 5525 N. Broadway Children First Bookstore 5233 N Clark ity Illinois’ work in Springfeild. VIP fee. Plus, meet the trainers. FREE, If you St., Chicago, IL http://www.glaad.org/ St Chicago http://www.womenandchil- ticket includes $10 off voucher for want to bring your dog, we must have Tickets: http://www.glaad.org/events/ drenfirst.com/womens purchased wines and an extra hour of copies of your vaccinations and a clear glaad-hatter-brunch-and-tea-dance tasting. 5:30pm - 8:30pm Sidetrack fecal in the last 6 months. 8:30am - PFLAG DuPage Chapter Third Sunday of Wed., May 18 3349 N Halsted St Chicago Tickets: 11:00am 5400 N. Damen Ave., Chicago each month, parents and friends of les- Author Reading and Signing: The Hon- https://equalityfederation.salsalabs. 773-961-8880 http://lgbtcc.us3.list- bians and gays share information and eymoon Dinithia Smith. This novel com/o/35010/p/salsa/event/common/ manage1.com/track/click?u=e5ffe5c0be support on the issues and latest infor- recounts George Eliot’s honeymoon in public/?event_KEY=3669 a08aa070b88c900&id=3ddb6435f0&e=e mation on sexual orientation and gen- Venice in June 1880 following her mar- Thursday, May 12 664f2527d der identity 2:00pm St. Paul Lutheran riage to a handsome young man twenty Stand-up comedian Tig Notaro Discuss- Church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton years her junior. 7:30pm Women & Author Reading: The Excellent Lom- TIG OF WAR ing her upcoming memoir I’m Just a http://www.pflagdupage.org Children First Bookstore 5233 N Clark bards Jane Hamilton 7:00pm Women Person. Part of Bookcon, the annual Queer Readers Book Group The Flame St Chicago http://www.womenandchil- & Children First Bookstore 5233 N Clark Saturday, May 14 celebration of books. Time:TBA Mc- Throwers by Rachel Kushner. 2:00pm drenfirst.com/book/9781590517789 St Chicago http://www.womenandchil- Comedian Tig Notaro will Cormick Place http://www.thebookcon. Women & Children First Bookstore 5233 drenfirst.com/book/9781455564224 take part in BookCon. com/Tickets N Clark St Chicago http://www.wom- Thursday, May 19 LGBT Hall of Fame Celebrity Bowl An- Friday, May 13 Photo by Kevin Winter enandchildrenfirst.com/queerreaders Out, Proud, and Muslim: Center on nual benefit is sponsored by the Friends Teen Book and Movie Group For ages 13- Halsted Chats with Fawzia Mirza and EqualityCon 2016 (formerly LGBT of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, a 18; Discuss LGBTQ books, movies, ‘zines Zaynab Shahar Are there people who Equality Institute) A two-day confer- nonprofit that raises funds for the Hall and also do crafts and other activities. follow Islam and also identify as LG- ence of LGBT champions, progressive of Fame itself, the first LGBT Hall of 2:00pm - 4:00pm Gerber Hart Library BTQ? Of course! We chat with Fawzia advocates, allies, policy experts, po- Fame launched by a city in the world. and Archives 6500 N Clark St Chicago Mirza (Actor, Writer, and Producer) and litical leaders and community groups ficking in an illustrated comics series. Participate by bowling and raising 773-450-3395 http://www.facebook. Zaynab Shahar (Theologian and Co- hosted by Equality Illinois. Through Sat- 7:30pm Women & Children First Book- pledges from friends, or by donating to com/GerberHart founder, Third Coast Queer Muslims) urday, 5:00 pm. 3:30pm University of store 5233 N Clark St Chicago http:// a bowler or the event itself. Registra- Andersonville Wine Walk This fundraiser about the unique experience of living Illinois at Chicago, Student Center East, www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/ tion at 10 am followed by bowling at for the Andersonville Chamber of Com- openly as a queer Muslim in an uncer- 750 S. Halsted http://www.equalityil- book/9781621067399 11 am and wrap-up at noon. For infor- merce transforms, for just one night, tain America. $5 suggested donation. linois.org/equalitycon-2016-agenda Sean Wiggins & Gang Originals, Covers mation contact inquiry@glhalloffame. Andersonville’s offices and retail shops Inability to pay should not act as a de- Queer Genre Fiction Discussion of Black and major fun. Chandler will be join- org 10:30pm Waveland Bowl 3700 N (including Women and Children First). terrent to attending. 6:30pm - 8:00pm Blade Blues by J. A. Pitts. 7:00pm ing us on drums! 10:00pm - 11:30pm Western Chicago 773-459-8337 http:// 3:00pm - 6:00pm Clark street, An- Center on Halsted 3656 N Halsted Gerber Hart Library and Archives 6500 N Fritz’ Pour House, 1511 Plainfield Rd, www.glhalloffame.org/ dersonville, Chicago. Tickets: http:// Chicago https://www.facebook.com/ Clark St Chicago https://www.facebook. Joliet, IL https://www.facebook.com/ Chi-Town Squares Annual Meeting & Pot- winewalk.brownpapertickets.com/ events/713496148792169/ Tickets: com/events/1106377176052034/ events/480966048762586/ luck Dinner Dance. 6:00pm - 10:00pm http://www.centeronhalsted.org/new- Book Launch Party - Threadbare: Ebenezer Lutheran Church 1650 W Monday, May 16 events-details.cfm?ID=12095 Clothes, Sex and Trafficking Anne Saturday, May 14 Foster Chicago http://www.chitown- Chris’ Birthday Belt Fest Annual benefit Elizabeth Moore. Threadbare draws Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance squares.org concert for Howard Brown Health. Fea- connections between the international (LGBTQ) Support meeting to talk about turing 30 musical theater actresses from garment trade and human and sex traf- illnesses, symptoms, treatment, doc- across Chicago and Jeff Award-nominee Street named after local dance legend Joel Hall by Vernon Hester and culture of a people. In his case, he maintained that his dance company is steeped in On May 6, history was made when Joel Hall Way “Chicago style,” and when they perform inter- was unveiled at a joyful ceremony at the internationally they bring an entirely unique flavor section of Clark Street and Thorndale Avenue. to the stage. Hall’s focus right now is to take Choreographer, educator, public figure and icon the company to a more grounded financial level Hall is the first and only living out gay African- so that he can pay his dancers living wages. American to have a street named after him in Hall, who is a native of Chicago’s Cabrini Chicago. Green, has not only overseen the development The ceremony got under way with a brief un- of his organization as director but has created veiling and reception/program attended by and choreographed more than 70 ballets us- current students, LGBTQ activists, politicians, ing a style that embraces jazz, classical and former students and the media. The reception modern dance idioms. In the four decades since Joel Hall (holding the street sign), surrounded by dancers. also included two dance performances by The founding his company, Hall has received innu- Photo by Vern Hester Joel Hall Dancers. merable awards and honors, including a guest Among those who spoke at the event were professorship at Northwestern University, The of Fame and has been honored with Lifetime the dancer in everyone’s soul.” As a welcom- Ald. Harry Osterman, LGBTQ activist/Open Katherine Dunham Award, two awards of merit Achievement awards from the African American ing community based not-for-profit organiza- Hand co-founder Lori Cannon and Joel Hall from the Black Theater Alliance and The King/ Arts Alliance, the Jazz Dance World Congress tion which embraces diversity and inclusion, Dance Company (JHDC) board member Debbie Chavez/Parks Visiting Scholar Award from West- and The Chicago Dance and Music Alliance. the further mission of the company is to make Chanel. ern Michigan University. Hall has also been in- The dance company, founded in 1974, has dance education accessible and affordable to Cannon made the point that so many great ducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall established itself with the mission to “awaken all people regardless of age, financial circum- artists did not survive the AIDS crisis and if stances, or experience level. The JHDC current- they and their contributions were acknowl- ly operates several dance programs at several edged, they came posthumously. Cannon said, Staceyann Chin’s personal journey to motherhood as a single Chicago Public School facilities as well as in “I like to say ‘thank you’ when people are woman, lesbian and activist who does not the Chicago Park District. alive.” Cannon was instrumental in getting the ‘Motherstruck!’ have health insurance or a serious, stable The company also features three dance per- ball rolling for the street renaming by reaching financial set-up. formance arts organizations which include out to Osterman two years ago. in June The performance schedule for “Mother- apart from The Joel Hall Dancers, The Joel Hall Hall—who spent the afternoon in a state of “MotherStruck!”—written and performed struck!” is Wednesdays-Sundays at 7:30 p.m., Dancers II (a training program) and the Joel pleasant shock with all of the recognition fo- by Staceyann Chin, co-produced in New York and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Hall Dancers Youth Company (composed of in- cused on him—thanked his longtime partner, by Rosie O’Donnell, Robert Dragotta and Cul- Flex passes to the Solo Celebration! se- dividuals 12 to 17). Craig L. Davis, as well as many friends, past and ture Project, and originally directed by Cyn- ries, which offers admissions to five plays at The Joel Hall Dance Center is open seven days present, while acknowledging his commitment thia Nixon—begins Greenhouse Theater Cen- a discounted rate, are now on sale. Single a week and is located at 5965 N. Clark St. For to the African-American and LGBTQ communi- ter’s “Solo Celebration” at the Greenhouse, tickets, which are $32-48, will go on sale at upcoming events and classes, visit JoelHall. ties. He also pointed out that the area of pro- 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., on Saturday, June 11. a future date. Flex passes and tickets can be org. fessional dance was not “just entertainment,” The off-Broadway hit explores Chin’s deeply purchased at 773-404-7336 or Greenhous- More photos are at WindyCityMediaGroup. but, as an art form, communicated the legacy eTheater.org. com.

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com WINDY CITY TIMES May 11, 2016 31

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32 May 11, 2016 WINDY CITY TIMES Kick Off Prie Monh in Chicgo OF THE

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Pics by Ed Negron/WCT Pics by Ed JUNE 1, 2016 5:0 P.M. TO 8 P.M. The GODFREY Rooftop 127 W. Huron at LaSalle, Chicago Enjo sponsore cockils, csh br n ligh re.

OUT OF THE OFFICE ws conceive 15 ers go b comm ni s ppor er BENEFITTING n Chicgo p blicis , Anrew Hes, s w o kick off Prie Mon h n a project of AIDS Foundation of Chicago benefi locl LGBT chri ies. To e Don’t MISS more hn $50,000 hs been rise the PARTY! b his pr benefi ing mn Because last year’s event LGBT nonprofi orgniz ions sold out, you can now order advance tickets onlne. The Gofre n I|O hve been n MEDIA SPONSORS excep ionl pr ner for his even , Visit www.lgbtcc.com and look for OUT of Office or go directly to where in 2015, he pr enjoe over lgbtcc.com/pride-kick-off-june-1/ 600 pr goers! Be s re o ell o r friens o join o for wh ’s cer in o be no her gre evening of LIBATION SPONSORS connec ions, comm ni n cock ils.