REACHING THE SUMMIT WCT profiles longtime activist/ vol 33, no. 14 Dec. 20, 2017 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com businesswoman Marge Summit PAGE 14

Marge Summit posing on a rock in her younger years. Courtesy of Summit OWEN DANIEL-MCCARTER Leaving Safe Schools Alliance. Photo courtesy of 6 DANCE

EDMUND WHITE WCT reviews book about esteemed writer. MASTER 23 Ashley Wheater marks a decade at Joffrey’s helm

ROXANA PIXLEY PAGE 19 Trans Latina owns Ashley Wheater in The Dream. successful local restaurant. 26 Photo by Herbert Migdoll) Photo by Roberto Sanabria

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com 2 Dec. 20, 2017

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312.502.6200 • 680 N. Lake Shore Dr., #1425 • www.davidshifrinmd.com WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 3 NEWS Top 10 LGBT political stories of 2017 4 Changes at Illinois Safe Schools Alliance 6 Chicago Board of Health’s Juan Calderon 8 LGBTQ Care Fair focuses on seniors 10 Families of Color honor LGBTQ youth 12 In the Life 13 Profile of businesswoman Marge Summit 14 Viewpoints: Monroe; letter 18 ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Dancin’ Feats: Ashley Wheater marks decade at helm 19 INDEX

download this issue and browse the archives at www.WindyCityTimes.com

Theater reviews 20 REACHING THE SUMMIT The year in movies 22 WCT profiles Book reviews: Edmund White, Tarantella 23 longtime activist/ vol 33, no. 14 Dec. 20, 2017 Bent Nights: The year in music 24 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com businesswoman Marge Summit Music: The Script’s Glen Power 25 PAGE 14

Marge Summit posing on a rock in her younger years. Courtesy of Summit OWEN DANIEL-MCCARTER Trans Latina heads local restaurant 26 Leaving Illinois Safe Schools Alliance. Photo courtesy of Mary Morten 6 NIGHTSPOTS 28 DANCE Classifieds; calendar 30 EDMUND WHITE WCT reviews book about esteemed writer. MASTER 23 Ashley Wheater marks a decade at Joffrey’s helm Above: The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes (holiday edition). ROXANA PIXLEY PAGE 19 Trans Latina owns Ashley Wheater in The Dream. successful local restaurant. 26 Photo by Herbert Migdoll) Photo by Roberto Sanabria

@windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios

online exclusives at www.WindyCityTimes.com

‘fall’-inclusive Steve Grand (on the right in left photo) talks about his newest project his acting debut in the web series Falling for Angels. Image courtesy of Here Media

THE JINGLE LIFE

last minute Five Worth Finding has one last list of holiday ideas, from To’ak Chocolate to the Onyx Youth Magnet Mask.

THAT’S SHOW BIZ Find out the latest about Lenny Kravitz, Ruby Rose and Kristin Chenoweth. Kesha (above), Demi Lovato and Liam Payne were among the luminaries plus at this year’s 103.5 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball. DAILY BREAKING NEWS Photo by Jerry Nunn 4 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES likely come before the Supreme Court to test the tially disappeared after his inauguration. The issue in the future. only positive things he had to say about LGBT Top 10 LGBT news 6. Gay ambassador nominee is still pending. people in his first year were statements purport- In one of the few pieces of good news involving ing to explain why he sought a ban on Muslims Trump and the LGBT community this year, Trump coming into this country (he said it would pro- nominated an openly gay political operative, Ric tect LGBT people from such attacks as the one on stories of 2017 Grenell, as ambassador to Germany. But at year’s an Orlando nightclub in 2016). end, the full Senate had yet to vote on Grenell’s Many LGBT people felt more like they needed By Lisa Keen nomination, and reports indicated Democrats protection from Donald Trump. He chose heads of Keen News Service were behind the stall. departments with notorious anti-LGBT histories 5. Trump issues transgender executive order. In who rolled back many of the pro-LGBT policies This was the year the 1960s tried to make a July, Trump announced on Twitter that the De- established under President Obama, he appoint- comeback. partment of Defense should ban transgender peo- ed federal judges who disagreed with landmark There was the resurgence in white nationalist ple in the military. A month later, he issued an pro-equality Supreme Court decisions, he initi- activity, widespread , and re- official memorandum, directing the DOD to do so. ated and directed a ban on transgender people newed concern about the use of nuclear weapons. But the ACLU and LGBT legal groups jumped into in the military, he repeatedly praised Russian The new president, Donald Trump, fanned peril- action, filing lawsuits and requesting injunctions President Vladmir Putin, whose anti-LGBT poli- ous fires. He also tried to make friends with Rus- to stop the order from taking effect. By year’s cies have escalated in recent years, and he used sian President Vladimir Putin while an unfolding end, at least three federal judges issued prelimi- the most high profile bully pulpit in the world to investigation was showing the Trump campaign nary injunctions to stop the Trump order from give solace and encouragement to extreme right- had met with Russian officials as Russian opera- taking effect until the courts can decide whether wing protests that included anti-LGBT chants and tives hacked into and leaked damaging informa- the ban is unconstitutional, but the Department signs. tion from the campaign of Trump’s 2016 oppo- of Justice is seeking stays of those injunctions. 1. Alabama voters chose Democrat for Senate nent, Hillary Clinton. 4. Trump administration gutted many policies seat. A special election in Alabama in December There was fierce resistance to the white nation- for LGBT people. Under Trump, the Department became a bellwether. In a surprise development, alist uprising. Crowds of counterprotesters met of Education, with the Department of Justice, the heavily and historically Republican state them on the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, withdrew an advice letter to schools that had chose a progressive Democrat over a ultra-con- and other towns around the country. And large suggested transgender students were protected servative Republican to fill the U.S. Senate seat numbers of women (and some men) came forward by Title IX. The Department of Health and Human vacated by Jeff Sessions’ departure to the attor- to point a finger at men in powerful places who U.S. Sen.-elect Doug Jones (D-Alabama). Services announced it would no longer interpret ney general’s seat. This was not a simply parti- had sexually assaulted or harassed them. Pro- Photo from Jones’ campaign website the Affordable Care Act to prohibit discrimina- san or ideological race. Moore’s claim to being LGBT legal groups doubled down to fight efforts tion based on and it removed a staunch Christian with reliably conservative, by right-wing groups to find loopholes in the law to them. The decision in that case—and future questions from at least two federal surveys that family-oriented values was shredded by persis- that could open the floodgates to discrimination prospects for Kennedy’s record on LGBT record— would have identified data specific to LGBT peo- tent widespread allegations that, in his thirties, against LGBT people. And the pro-LGBT groups will be revealed sometime next year. ple. Housing and Urban Development canceled a he had sexual contact with two females under sought new ways to use existing laws to provide 9. Jeff Sessions became U.S. attorney general. survey to determine the prevalence of homeless- the in Alabama (16) and five who protection from such discrimination. As Alabama’s U.S. senator, Jeff Sessions estab- ness among LGBT people, and removed from its were between 16 and 18. LGBT people had plenty By year’s end, the “cultural war,” which in the lished a reputation of hostility toward LGBT peo- website a link that instructed emergency shel- of reason to oppose Moore’s ascension to the U.S. United States has frequently included a promi- ple. So when Trump named him to head the De- ters on sensitivity to transgender people seeking Senate long before those revelations drew nation- nent conflict over equal rights for LGBT people, partment of Justice, the LGBT community braced help. The Census Bureau removed any mention of al attention to the state. Going back more than had reintensified and seemed to reach a standoff. for trouble. In short order, Sessions withdrew the LGBT people among potential questions for the a decade, Roy Moore was quick and comfortable Many political observers looked to a U.S. Sen- Obama administration’s efforts to defeat an anti- all-important upcoming surveys. with expressing his opposition to LGBT people. ate race in Alabama—one to fill the seat vacated LGBT law in North Carolina, opposed in court the 3. There was a resurgence in activities by white After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state when Senator Jeff Sessions became U.S. attorney application of Title VII’s prohibition against sex nationalists. One of the loudest chants by white bans on sexual relations between same-sex part- general—to break the tie. The Democrat won, and discrimination in employment to protect LGBT supremacists staging a violent protest in Char- ners, then Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice that vote in Alabama seemed to many people to employes, issued a memo stating that the ad- lottesville, Virginia, in August was “Fuck you, Moore said he thought such relations should be signal a change in voters throughout the country. ministration’s policy would not recognize sexual Faggots.” The driver of the car who plowed into illegal. When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down It gave hope to many LGBT leaders that control of orientation discrimination under Title VII, and a group of counter-protesters was associated bans on for same-sex couples, Moore re- Congress might also change in 2018. issued a second memo suggesting that individu- with a right-wing group that called LGBT people fused to comply. And during his contentious cam- Here is a closer look at 10 stories that made als and businesses could exercise their religious “sexual deviants.” Trump offered words of sup- paign this year for a U.S. Senate seat, he claimed 2017 such a tumultuous year for LGBT people: beliefs without limitations while doing business port for the right-wing protesters who chanted his campaign troubles were LGBT people trying 10. The U.S. Supreme Court wobbled. After with government. and carried signs with messages that were hos- to ruin his campaign and “change our culture.” Congress refused to consider then-President 8. Trump gutted executive order on contractors. tile to African-Americans, immigrants, and LGBT Moore, in the U.S. Senate, would have been a Obama’s nominee to replace the late Justice An- Trump issued an executive order in March that re- people. “Not all of those people were neo-Nazis, reliable vote against LGBT people in any context. tonin Scalia, the LGBT community braced itself voked one by President Obama that had required believe me,” said Trump. “Not all of those peo- And Moore had the endorsement of Trump, who for a Scalia-like replacement from newly inaugu- companies winning contracts from the federal ple were white supremacists by any stretch.” He won 62 percent of the Alabama vote in 2016, rated Trump and the Republican-dominated Sen- government to demonstrate they are in compli- blamed counter protesters for the violence. And despite his own problem with widespread allega- ate. And Trump’s nominee, Neil Gorsuch, filled ance with 14 federal laws, including those that soon, there seemed to be an uptick in incidents tions of . that bill. But what LGBT legal activists did not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orienta- of hate against LGBT people, women, Muslims, But on Dec. 12, by a narrow margin, voters anticipate was that one the champions of equal tion, gender stereotyping, and gender identity. Jews, African-Americans, and Latin Americans— in Alabama elected progressive Democrat Doug rights for LGBT people on the court, Justice An- Lambda Legal said Trump’s executive order would many in very public places, like major league Jones, who pledged to “fight hate and discrimi- thony Kennedy, would begin to falter. First, he make it “extremely difficult” to force federal con- ballparks and public schools. A Southern Poverty nation in all forms.” Some commentaries say voted with a majority in Trinity Lutheran v. Comer tractors to comply with non-discrimination laws. Law Center study found that 37 percent of 1,094 the vote indicates voters are beginning to turn to say that church schools should receive state 7. Courts roller-coastered on fight over Title hate crimes recorded during the first 34 days af- against Republicans and Trump. They predict next grants the same as non-church schools. Lambda VII. Two federal appeals courts ruled this year ter Trump’s election “directly referenced either November’s Congressional races could change the Legal said the ruling amounted to state support that Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act should President-elect Trump, his campaign slogans, or partisan majority in the Senate, maybe even the for discrimination based on . be interpreted to prohibit discrimination based his infamous remarks about .” House, from Republican to Democrat. It’s the Then, six months later, during oral arguments on sexual orientation. But in December, the U.S. 2. Donald Trump was sworn in as president. kind of change that could be as dramatically good for Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado, Kennedy ap- Supreme Court refused an appeal brought by an Presidential candidate Trump made a few sup- for the rights of LGBT people as this past year has peared to favor the idea that a business could employee in Georgia trying to establish the right portive comments about the LGBT community been bad. simply claim a vague religious belief hostile to to protection under that law. LGBT activists say during his campaign, but those remarks essen- ©2017 Keen News Service. All rights reserved LGBT people to gain a right to refuse service the fight is not yet over and that other cases will WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 5 6 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Reached via email, Daniel-McCarter said his heads McAlpine Consulting for Growth, LLC, and reasons for leaving the Alliance were personal, is a co-founder of the Alliance—will be facili- After grant cuts, but echoed Morten’s pride over tripling the tating the strategic exploration process. Morten amount of individual donor support and increas- anticipates the Alliance first finding the partner ing new grant funding. He also said he was par- organization before settling on a permanent ex- director to leave ticularly proud of the organization’s first-ever ecutive director, but is thankful that both McAl- Safe Schools Symposium this past fall. “As some- pine and Grambauer are deeply familiar with the one who believes that bringing people together cause. Safe Schools Alliance to build trust is critical to the strength of our “I think it’s really important for people to know movements, I am a big fan of the conference/ that the work continues, that the Alliance has not program work, which is so needed, particularly By Liz Baudler skillshare/teach-in model—and our Symposium and will not stop doing any of the very important now,” she said. did just that,” he wrote. work for young people in schools,” Morten said. Daniel-McCarter had been the Alliance’s policy At the beginning of December, Illinois Safe The Alliance’s interim director will be Mac “And we’ll certainly continue with our policy and director before taking over as executive director Schools Alliance announced two significant piec- Grambauer, who Morten described as a consultant advocacy works. That has become a hallmark of in July 2016. At that time, he became the first es of news: Following cuts in a State of Illinois with a long history of working with the organi- the organization, and that’s going to continue.” openly transgender leader of a major LGBT non- grant, the Alliance is looking to form a strategic zation. Morten said that Laura McAlpine—who partnership with another organization, and Ex- profit in Illinois. Morten said that he excelled at ecutive Director Owen Daniel-McCarter is leaving both of his positions. the organization. “We love Owen, and we love the work that he’s However, according to PBS Newshour, U.S. Alliance Board Vice Chair Mary Morten said that done for the Alliance, and so this is a very bit- Words banned at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention di- the organization has already made short-term tersweet sort of transition,” she said. “We’ve had rector Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald tweeted on Dec. 17 plans to address the funding cuts, with individual just tremendous success with some of our advo- various agencies said there are “no banned words” while stress- donations replacing some of the funding. cacy work over the past couple of years and that The Trump administration reportedly in- ing the agency’s commitment to data-driven “We have a lot of people that have come to has been directly as a result of some of Owen’s formed multiple divisions within the Depart- science. At one point, she posted, “I want to understand and support the work of the Alliance, work.” ment of Health and Human Services (HHS) assure you there are no banned words at CDC. so we’ve really grown our individual donor work, Morten credited Daniel-McCarter with building that they should avoid using certain words and We will continue to talk about all our important which is not something a lot of small organiza- strong relationships with the ACLU and Lambda phrases in official documents related to next public health programs.” tions can say. We’re very proud of that,” Morten Legal. In particular, she highlighted Daniel-Mc- year’s budget, The Washington Post reported. But in subsequent reporting, The New York explained. Carter’s work with the District 211 case, where a Officials at the Centers for Disease Control, Times cited “a few” CDC officials who suggested the country’s top public health agency, were the move was not meant as an outright ban. banned from using seven words or phrases— Instead, it was a technique to help secure Re- including “fetus” and “transgender”—in any publican approval of the 2019 budget by elimi- official documents being prepared for the 2018 nating certain words and phrases. budget, according to The Washington Post. The Post article is at https://www.washing- The forbidden word list includes “vulnera- tonpost.com. The PBS article is at https:// ble,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cdc-director- “fetus,” “evidence-based” and “science-based.” says-there-are-no-banned-words-at-the-agen- An official who participated in a briefing cy. said that a second HHS agency received similar instructions in order to avoid using “entitle- ment,” “diversity” and “vulnerable.” At the Report focuses State Department, meanwhile, certain docu- ments now refer to as “sexual on the lives of risk avoidance.” In a press release, National LGBTQ Task Force LGBTQ students Executive Director Rea Carey said her organiza- A special journal of the American Educational tion “will show this President he cannot ignore Research Association has an article that shows the transgender community, women, or scien- that people do not always accurately know the tific progress. lives of LGBTQ students, The Washington Post “The health, science, and justice communi- reported. ties are organizing together to demonstrate For example, “Introducing a Methodological that federal funding for health and science Research Collection on Pressing Issues for LG- matters. How the CDC runs is vital to our BTQ Students” reveals that many topics remain well-being. This is not just about freedom of that need further research, such as the growing speech: it’s about our existence. visibility of trans and gender-creative youth or “The LGBTQ community is encouraged to the potential rollback of protections for LGBTQ #resist now. Tell@CDCgov, you can’t ban my youth. Also, grouping “LGBQ” and “T” into a existence. I’m #transgender and proud. #CDC- single average estimate can juxtapose sexual Owen Daniel-McCarter. censorship.” identity with gender identity. Additionally, de- Photo by Matt Simonette Shin Inouye, director of communications and scribing “average” experiences ignores nuances in how sexuality and gender identity intersect As for the search for a partner organization, trans student was prohibited from using the lock- media relations of The Leadership Conference with other characteristics, such as race or dis- Morten said those discussions are just beginning, er room corresponding with her gender identity. on Civil and Human Rights, said in a separate ability. although, according to her, organizations that do “He is just a really outstanding coalition build- press release, “President Trump and his admin- The journal’s issue covers many topics, in- “extraordinary program work” would likely be a er,” Morten said. “He plays nicely with others, istration have launched the latest salvo in their cluding gay-straight alliances, intersectionality good fit. “There are the overhead costs that we’re and I think that’s why he saw the results that we all-out war on truth and science. This latest and youths who experience homelessness. trying to rein in, so that we can focus on the did in the advocacy work.” tactic could be taken from a George Orwell novel, or taken by an oppressive authoritarian The Post item is at https://www.washing- regime. Banning the use of words like trans- tonpost.com; the report (written by Joseph @windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup gender, science-based, and diversity will only R. Cimpian and Carolyn D. Herrington) is at harm the public health as the CDC carries out http://www.aera.net/Publications/Journals/ its important mission.” Educational-Researcher/Educational-Research- @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com er-469. WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 7

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LANG HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST ON SHERIDAN | 7421 N SHERIDAN RD | CHICAGO, IL 60626 | 773.764.9851 | langhousechicago.com 8 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Juan Calderon talks health board, career, activist work By Carrie Maxwell tural Center (PRCC), and he will continue to be a great advocate for not only this community, Among his many accomplishments, community but for all Chicago residents in need of quality leader Juan Calderón was recently named by healthcare.” Mayor Rahm Emanuel to the newly vacated seat Calderón is PRCC’s COO; he directs all the cen- on the Chicago Board of Health. The city council ter’s programs, including ones serving the LGBTQ approved his appointment this past September. community. He leads the management team that “This appointment means a great deal to me,” oversees PRCC’s health, culture, art, housing and said Calderón. “I am the first openly Puerto Ri- education components. can/Latinx gay man to serve on the Chicago Prior to his role as COO, Calderón was PRCC’s Board of Health ... To fully leverage this posi- Vida/SIDA director focused on providing HIV/ tion, I want to be a voice that helps intersect the AIDS education and preventative services in community and its development to public health, Humboldt Park. including encouraging Chicagoans to lead overall “In order to do the role justice, I needed to healthier lives. As a gay man, it is important to become an unwavering advocate for the resources me to promote changes and improvements in the needed to provide these services,” said Calderón. overall health of the LGBTQ community. “I became acquainted with elected officials, city “We need to live healthier lives and eradicate and state department heads and other communi- the obstacles that block us from receiving life- ty organizers, and cried out for the equitable dis- saving resources and education. I want to be the tribution of resources. I was not going to allow voice for the Latinx community and other people our communities of color to receive trickle down of color as well as LGBTQ people, including fight- resources; we demanded to receive them directly. ing poverty and giving people the resources they I led efforts that called for government agencies need to create a healthier community.” and elected officials to recognize our agency. To “As an activist and community leader, Juan has respect our unique vantage point to know what dedicated his career to leveraging community our communities required and how best to deliver and government support to address disparities in the life-saving resources we all deserve. Another education and access to resources for some of goal was to ensure sustainability—providing the Chicago’s most vulnerable residents,” said Eman- community and city a vibrant and expanding base uel. “His breadth of experience and commitment where there has been a lack of resources from to this city makes him highly qualified for this public and private sector foundations.” Juan Calderón. role on the Chicago Board of Health.” Calderón has a unique perspective due to his Photo by Ricardo Santiago “With his extensive experience, Juan will be an combined Puerto Rican/Mexican heritage. His fa- excellent addition to the Board and we welcome ther is from Puerto Rico and migrated to Chicago dialect, religious practices, etc.,” said Calderón. Among his many accomplishments, Calderón or- this appointment,” said Chicago Board of Health as a young adult while his mother is Mexican and “Nonetheless, I grew up in the Puerto Rican Hum- ganized and led a Chicago and New York delega- President Dr. Carolyn C. Lopez. “Juan’s dedication emigrated to the states as a young woman. boldt Park neighborhood, and eventually became tion to Cuba this past May where he partnered to the Latino community of Chicago has been “I was raised in my mother’s home, which was involved with the community including exploring with Cuban National Center for Sex Education proven through his work at the Puerto Rican Cul- deeply rooted in Mexican culture—food, music, what it means to be Puerto Rican. Now I feel an (CENESEX) Director Mariela Castro (Cuban Presi- intense connection to that heritage.” dent Raul Castro’s daughter). CENESEX’s mission Calderón describes his childhood as culturally is the eradication of transphobia and homophobic rigorous and rooted in Mexican traditions that in Cuba. Center’s Torres his mother instilled in him. He attended Yates “We introduced public health information fo- Elementary School, Steinmetz as an honor roll cusing on transgender people and other members receives Allstate student and later graduated from Dr. Pedro Albizu of the LGBTQ community from Cuba, Puerto Rico scholarship Campos High School—part of the Alternative and other Puerto Rican diaspora locations,” said Hector Torres, chief program officer at Center Schools Network. Calderón went to the City Col- Calderón. on Halsted, will join 30 other nonprofit lead- leges of Chicago for two years and transferred to Calderón has been recognized by La Voz del ers from across the country to participate in Northeastern Illinois University where he earned Paseo Boricua’s “Top 10 Under 30,” this publica- the Allstate Foundation Greater Good Nonprofit his B.A. in Sociology. Currently, he is enrolled in tion’s “30 under 30” annual list of movers and Leadership program. the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Public shakers in the LGBTQ community, DIFFA Chicago Now in its fourth year, the Greater Good pro- Health Master of Public Health program and ex- and the IVI-IPO Gay & Lesbian Caucus. gram is designed to help nonprofit profession- pects to receive his master’s degree sometime in When Calderón is not working he likes to plan als develop their leadership skills. More than 2018. culturally relevant programming for the PRCC, 400 finalists applied for this program that pairs In addition to his new role at the Chicago Board traveling to Puerto Rico, Cuba and the diasporic nonprofit leaders with renowned academic of Health, Calderón is the chair of Trans Chicago Puerto Rican community advancing pan latino practitioners. advocacy organization that promotes safe and public health initiatives. He enjoys attending This Greater Good cohort will meet in-per- welcoming communities for Latinx and Black cultural events in and around Chicago and more son twice more through May 2018. The entire trans people and a board member of the National recently, working out at the gym. Additionally, he roster of the 2017-2018 Greater Good class is Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. Calde- has served as a volunteer for Rep. Luis Gutierrez, at https://www.allstatefoundation.org/pdf/ Dr. Hector Torres. rón is also an education advocate including his state Rep. Cynthia Soto, state Sen. Omar Aquino, greater-good-class-of-2018.pdf. Photo courtesy of Torres role as a Yates Local School Council board mem- state Sen. Iris Martinez and Alderman Roberto ber. Maldonado’s political campaigns. WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 9

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. What Is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite). Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include: • Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or Tired of planning your life around diarrhea? call 1-800-FDA-1088. Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant? • Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant Enough is Enough • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi. • This drug should only be used during if clearly needed A Nursing Mother? Mytesi (crofelemer): • It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to What is Mytesi? find out if Mytesi is right for you Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART). With Other Medicines? If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal Important Safety Information supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi. Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi? parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist. your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256. more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%). Rx Only For Copay Savings Card and Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com. in South America.

NP-390-23 RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE 10 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Affinity, Care Plan hold second annual LGBTQ Care Fair By Carrie Maxwell Transitional Care of Arlington Heights Clinical Liaison Libby Reinecke spoke about the post- LGBTQ older adults were the focus of Affinity acute care services they provide including the Community Services (Affinity) and The Care Plan, fact that all staff members are required to com- LLC’s second annual LGBTQ Care Fair Dec. 16 at plete LGBTQ and cultural competency training. Affinity’s headquarters. She also outlined the differences between Medi- The event featured resources and education care (federally run) and Medicaid (state run) and centered around Medicare and Medicaid coverage, how to enroll in each program and noted Transi- advanced directives, care planning and aging as tional Care takes both of those insurance plans in an LGBTQ person. addition to private insurance. Affinity Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gor- Representatives from vendors Joyful Bliss (they don spoke about the history of the organization also offered mini-massages for attendees), Nep- and why it was founded 22 years ago. She noted tune Society, New York Life Insurance, Howard the primary reason for Affinity’s creation was Brown Health, Center on Halsted/Center on Ad- to elevate Black LBTQ women’s voices at a time dison, The Village Chicago and Dawson Reloca- when other LGBTQ organizations were not giving tion Services also spoke about the services they Speakers Libby Reinecke, Terri Worman, Imani Rupert-Gordon and Jacqueline Boyd. them a platform and to bring a queer presence provide. to the South Side. Rupert-Gordon explained that Photo by Carrie Maxwell Affinity recently began working on older adults concerns because the membership is aging and this is what they wanted. She called on attendees ‘Getting to Zero’ Judge subjects Women’s March to visit the community partner tables, previewed Affinity’s annual Burning Bowl on Jan. 13 and town halls Dennis Hastert announces affiliation noted that SAGE sponsored the lunch from Sub- Women’s March Chicago’s Jan. 20, 2018 way. in January to restrictions “March to the Polls” announced its affiliation Ahead of the presentations, Affinity Trailblazer Over the next year, the Getting to Zero project In Chicago, U.S. District Judge Thomas M. with March On, a national organization of wom- Phyllis Johnson (co-peer leader alongside Toi Wil- will be engaging communities across Illinois to Durkin ruled that disgraced former U.S. House ens’ marches and progressive organizations. liams) spoke about the group’s two monthly ac- gather ideas and write a plan to eliminate the Speaker Dennis Hastert is barred from contact According to a press release, “The move is in- tivities—Movie Mondays on the third Monday of HIV epidemic in the state. with minors unless another adult is around who tended to amplify the group’s local actions in the month at 2 p.m. and an evening potluck on The goal is to have zero new HIV infections knows Hastert paid money to conceal that he’d its focus on motivating women and their allies the second Wednesday of the month where they and zero people living with HIV who are not sexually abused teenage boys, The Washington to get to the polls for the 2018 election. Simi- engage in fellowship and discuss an agreed upon connected to health care and medication by the Post reported. lar actions are being planned by other women’s topic—as well as other events held throughout year 2027. The Illinois Republican is also banned from march organizers around the world, furthering the year. To that end, town halls will take place possessing and using sex-chat the alignment and power of the movement.” The Care Plan owner Jacqueline Boyd said she throughout the state in January. They are as lines, and allow authorities to search his home March On will launch some strategic initiatives hoped attendees would come away from the follows: and belongings—even without a warrant. In ad- in the next year that Chicago organizers believe event with tools to live longer, live well and pro- —Region 2: Thursday, Jan. 18: Normal Public dition, he must get approval before using any will be useful in organizing around common tect themselves both physically and financially. Library, 206 W. College Ave., Normal, 6-8 p.m. computer or any device with internet access. goals as women prepare to cast their ballots in She noted LGBTQ elders are underserved and —Region 7: Tuesday, Jan. 23: Waukegan Pub- In 2015, Hastert, 75, admitted to issuing 2018. For more information and to participate, overlooked by healthcare systems and said one of lic Library, 128 N. County St., Waukegan, 5-7:30 hush money and lying about it to the FBI. This volunteer or donate, visit WeAreMarchOn.org. Affinity’s missions is to turn that around. p.m. past July, he left a federal prison in Minnesota AARP Illinois Associate State Director of Ad- —Region 3: Thursday, Jan. 25: Simmons Can- after serving 13 months of a 15-month sen- vocacy and Outreach Terri Worman spoke about cer Institute at SIU School of Medicine, 315 W. tence. Back 2 School aiding advanced directives including the resources Carpenter St., Springfield, 12-2 p.m. In related news, depositions for Hastert and available to the public. She said many of these —Region 6: Friday, Jan. 26: Champaign-Ur- one of his alleged victims are expected to take underserved things can be found on the AARP and American bana Public Health District, 201 W. Kenyon Rd., place within the next couple of months, the Champaign, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Northwest Herald noted. Anonymous accuser students Bar Association websites. Back 2 School Illinois (B2SI)—a Chicago- —Region 1: Saturday, Jan. 27: Moline Public James Doe claims that Hastert promised to pay Worman explained that a digital power of at- based nonprofit that provides tens of thousands Library, 3210 41st St., Moline, 12-2 p.m. him $3.5 million to keep quiet about Hastert’s torney focuses on everything one does online in- of kids from low-income families with free —Region 5: Tuesday, Jan. 30: Carbondale sexual assault of Doe when he was a freshman cluding social media and financial accounts. She school supplies to help them succeed in the Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, at Yorkville High School—but has said that noted that each person needs to have a desig- classroom—has announced its first-ever holi- 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hastert only paid him $1.7 million. nated person or people who have access to these day campaign. —Region 4: Wed., Jan. 31: Doubletree Hotel, The Post article is at https://www.washing- accounts so they can be dealt with after a person B2SI is running the campaign through Sun- 1000 Eastport Plaza Dr., Collinsville, 2-4 p.m. tonpost.com; the Herald article is at NWHerald. dies. Worman said Illinois passes a law that gives day, Dec. 31. Transportation and childcare assistance are com. a personal representative or trustee the authori- To participate in the campaign, donors visitB- available upon request; contact Sara Semelka at zation to access and manage a deceased person’s 2SI.org/Holiday and click on the “Donate” but- [email protected] To learn more about digital life. ton in the upper right-hand corner. Next, they Getting to Zero, visit AIDSChicago.org/gtz. Among the other topics Worman focused on can make a tax-deductible donation (and have were the five steps of estate planning for LGBT the option of making the donation “in honor of” couples, health directives, living wills, power of or “in memory of’ a friend or family member). attorney and organ/whole-body donation. WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 11

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of the research and the desire to pursue both a sustained remission or a functional cure. Berry said that any cure that is pursued has to be scalable. Green and Johnson (who both lead the CURE HIV Project) spoke about the importance of community engagement in cure research. Green gave an overview of the study objectives while Johnson explained some of the barriers to par- ticipation including issues around disclosure, concern for their children if something should happen to them and the fact that they already feel good with their current medications and do not want to stop taking them to be a part of the project. The event also featured a live interactive painting installation by Onyx and a performance courtesy of Darling Squire. Full Kit Gear to From left: FOC banquet committee members Tobias Spears, Blondie Kardashian, Joel Jackson, Gregory Cartier and Lance Keene. (Not pictured: Michelle Kash, Prince Miata and Denim Carter) remain after sale of Photo by Carrie Maxwell Man’s Country With the announced closure of Man’s Country and the pending sale of the two buildings at Families of Chicago 5015-5023 N. Clark St., there have been rumors regarding the future of Full Kit Gear. Full Kit Gear released a statement that said it has a celebrates LGBTQ very long lease and anticipates being at 5021- Darling Squire performing at Planting Hope. 23 N. Clark St. for many years to come. Having Full Kit Gear come to Chicago and be- Photo by Carrie Maxwell youths of color come part of the local community was very im- portant to . Ron Ehemann, Chuck By Carrie Maxwell young LGBTQ community of Chicago,” said event Planting Hope event Renslow’s long-time partner, current owner of organizer and University of Chicago Hospital De- the buildings, and Trustee of the Renslow Fam- “Dance fusion” was the theme of Families of Chi- partment of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Edu- highlights HIV ily Trust stated: “From the time Chuck and I cago’s (FOC) second annual holiday banquet cel- cation and Training Manager Joel Jackson. decided to sell the buildings, it was very impor- ebrating Chicago’s young Black and Brown LGBTQ FOC Kash Family Founder and community leader cure research tant to us that FK stay put to serve the commu- By CARRIE MAXWELL communities Dec. 10 at University of Chicago’s Jo Jo Kash recognized members of each family nity we so love. We negotiated to make sure of Ida Noyes Hall. during the legends, statements and stars show- that in the sale of the buildings, and the new The AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Ann & Robert Among the banquet committee members were case ahead of brief remarks by The Village Youth owners have committed to that as well. Full H. Lurie Children’s Hospital (Lurie Children’s) family leaders, The Village (University of Chi- Program Coordinator Denim Carter, University of Kit Gear will remain here, as part of the com- and Northwestern University hosted the Plant- cago) staff and University of Chicago staff and Chicago Biological Sciences Division Director of munity, and as part of Chuck’s legacy for many ing Hope: Chicago Unites in Research to End students. Diversity Initiatives Tobias Spears and Jackson, years to come.” HIV (CURE HIV) event Dec. 5 at Reunion Chi- FOC is affiliated with the University of Chicago who led a moment of silence. For further information from Full Kit Gear or cago. Medicine and consists of over 10 Houses and Following the dinner, FOC bestowed the orga- Ron Ehemann and the Renslow Family, email CURE HIV is a community-academic partner- Families from across the city’s south and west nization’s first community leadership awards to [email protected]. ship funded by Gilead Sciences, Inc. that works side neighborhoods. These families, like the well- Kardashian Family Founder Halle B. Kardashian, to further cure research from a holistic perspec- known house and ball communities, include indi- Moncler Family Founder Meghan Moncler and Ra- tive. viduals from across the queer spectrum. jah Family Founder Kentrell Rajah for their unique Leather Archives Test Positive Aware Network’s Positively The family scene is a kinship and cultural for- and substantial contributions to the family scene. Aware Editor Jeff Berry unveiled the magazine’s mation entity that fosters resilience and persis- This included, but was not limited to, their visi- has new director second-ever special issue focusing on HIV cure The Leather Archives & Museum, 6418 N. tence for queer youth and young adults who may bility within the scene itself and community work research. Greenview Ave., has announced that Gary Was- have encountered difficulty at home, school and/ outside the scene. These awards will be presented Berry also appeared in conversation along- din will assume the role of executive director or finding employment. All families consist of an at forthcoming annual banquets. side Northwestern University Feinberg School on Jan. 2, 2018. Wasdin will succeed Rick Stor- Overall Mother or an Overall Father who is tasked The Miata Family won FOC’s first annual Best of Medicine Professor Dr. Richard Thomas er, who was with the organization for 15 years. with providing family members with life skills, Dressed Family award. Performers included Bionca D’Aquila, Lurie Children’s and Northwestern Wasdin was one of three finalists for the housing and employment assistance as well as Black from the Carter Family and Sha Sha Golden University Feinberg School of Medicine Re- position. (Christina Court had been named emotional support to their entire families. from the Golden Family. search Assistant Professor Amy K. Johnson and interim executive director after Storer’s depar- “FOC’s mission is to provide support, guidance DJ Matty spun the music; Porkchop in Hyde Northwestern University Feinberg School of ture.) The other candidates were current LA&M and development for members of FOC as they Park provided the food for the evening’s festivi- Medicine Research Assistant Professor George Director of Operations Jeff Storer and volunteer navigate and persevere through the obstacles of ties. Greene. and curator Alissa Swindell, according to Great- life that come along with being a member of the Ahead of the conversation, Reunion Chicago LakesDen.net. Creative Director Elijah McKinnon spoke about The archives/museum is dedicated to the @windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup the many diverse events they have held in the compilation, preservation and maintenance of space since it opened. leather, kink and fetish lifestyles. D’Aquila explained that the goal now is to For more about the archives, visit https:// @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com work toward an HIV cure. He noted the history leatherarchives.org. WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 13 Zach Barnard has been painting for as long as piece at Danny’s Tavern in Bucktown. “I just love he can remember. “I just love how it completely the building and thought, ‘How cool would it be takes me away from the real world,” he said. “I to take the painting off of the canvas, and make can completely phase out and not really even pay it feel like you’re walking into it yourself?’” he attention to what I’m doing, which is so healthy said. Barnard completely transformed a room of for my mental state.” He grew up an only child, the tavern into a romantic art lover’s dream. The using painting as a way to entertain himself in walls were almost entirely covered in his large- his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. scale painting and Barnard even added extra At the prompting of his high school art teacher, touches like a hand-painted gramophone and Barnard decided to apply to study art at Columbia entryway. “It was really awesome to come and College of Chicago, where he is now entering his have people sitting in it having a great time and senior year. It was the right decision, he said, not even know they were inside an art piece,” he because the city has become a huge source of said. inspiration for him. “Moving to Chicago was the Barnard said he’d love to do more installation in the LIFE best thing ever because I’m always finding new work in the future, but for now canvas and oil places to paint,” Barnard said. “I especially love paint is his medium of choice. Interested persons Zach Barnard [the city] at night. It’s so beautiful.” can check out his work on display at The Leigh TEXT By NINA MATTI Not only has Chicago served as a muse for the Gallery, 3306 N. Halsted St., or peruse his online PHOTOS from Barnard young oil painter, but it also has become his gallery at ZachBarnardArt.com. canvas. In March, Barnard debuted an installation • Age shower, wandering 25 aimlessly through Whole Foods and • Orientation admiring all of the Gay overpriced groceries • Job titles • Recent movies Student, server, watched painter The entire Lord of • Relationship status the Rings series “Single and ready • Fun Fact to mingle” He’s obsessed with • Hobbies pugs, especially his Seeing concerts, own, Lois. singing in the

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odhcil.org PIZZA • SANDWICHES • PASTA • FULL BAR • TAKE OUT • DELIVERY • LATE NIGHT 14 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Chicago Icon: The Marge Summit Story by Owen Keehnen mother would also always send me to the store part one of a two-part feature to get her newspaper and since I couldn’t speak Polish, I’d just look at the rack of newspapers and Marge Summit is a Chicago icon. The former bar say, ‘Give me that one.’ owner, community organizer, and longtime activ- The first time I saw someone killed was right ist has been a very visible member of Chicago’s there at Barry and St. Louis. There was a grocery LGBT community for more than 65 years. store catty corner to our building and a Tip Top Marge began hitting the bars in the 1950s Bread Truck was coming down the street and this and managed several of them before opening girl came out of the store and the truck hit her. her own. She was the longtime owner of His All I saw was celery and a loaf of bread flying in ’n’ Hers, a favorite community bar that, among the air. other locations, was right under the Chicago L WCT: So that was the first time you saw tracks on Addison. His ’n’ Hers catered to both someone killed? men and women, had an extremely popular open MS: Well, the only, and I’m glad for that. mic night, and served some of the best burgers in WCT: So back to your grandparents. town. MS: I remember one time coming home from Among Summit’s numerous accomplishments, school and my aunt and uncle lived above us. I she was an organizer of the Gay $ campaign baby sat for their kids. Anyway, I got a star and a which showed the strength of LGBT dollars, pro- flag on my report card, which meant I got a nickel duced the anti-gay violence film Crimes of Hate, from my aunt, so I ran upstairs to get my money. and appeared in the award-winning documentary When my uncle opened the door, I fell backwards Before Stonewall. Five years ago, Marge met and down two flights of steps and busted open my married the love of her life, Janan Lindley. head. I still have a dent in my head from that. I Talking with Marge is always a pleasure, and she remember my grandma running with toweling and sure has some terrific stories to tell. The follow- ice and saying, ‘Don’t worry Margie, don’t worry, ing interview is just a glimpse into this incredible it will all be healed by the time you get married.’ woman’s life. Thank you Marge, for all you have Gram said the same thing for every scrape and done and continue to do for the community. bruise. Windy City Times: So, where did it all begin? Eventually we moved from Barry to Kimball. I MS: I was born Sept. 3, 1935 on the North remember when we were there my grandfather Side of Chicago in an attic. My mother went into giving me a quarter and saying, ‘Here you go, Summit at a 1970s bar party. the attic and was not going to tie off the cord. go to Riverview [Riverview Amusement Park on archives Luckily, for me, my grandmother, who lived right Belmont west of Western, 1904-1967].’ In those around the corner, came and saw what was go- days, you could spend the whole day there for a before they could save him. I really loved that shift. I paid $35 for that car and even painted it ing on and started screaming at my mother. If it quarter. Rides were a penny or a half cent. Riv- guy. He died the day before my birthday, so for myself with a brush. Anyway, I went and picked wasn’t for my grandmother I wouldn’t be here. erview was a kid’s paradise. I loved that place. me, birthdays were not a thing to celebrate any- her up in my car and we went to the show and WCT: And your father? The Bobs, Silver Streak, Flying Turns. Not so crazy more. then I took her home. By then it started hailing MS: My father was a whoremonger. I never met about the freak show. Loved Aladdin’s Castle [the WCT: When did you first realize you were a something awful and she said, ‘You can’t go home him, never saw a picture of him. He left my moth- funhouse at Riverview]. lesbian? in this weather.’ I told her I had to let someone er when I was in the belly. My grandfather was strict. He demanded re- MS: I always knew I was different. I didn’t know know I wasn’t coming home and she said, ‘Okay, WCT: What area on the North Side? spect and I remember him making homemade what it was or what that meant. I think I re- call from inside and then you can come upstairs MS: Milwaukee and Central area, a Polish neigh- Polish sausages. He liked to fix things. He hated alized that when I didn’t want to wear dresses, and sleep with me.’ And that was it. borhood. We lived on Barry. I lived there with my jazz, thought it was noise, but he loved his probably around 10 or 11. My mother married my WCT: How old were you then? my grandparents. My mother dropped us off there polkas. He fell down the stairs one day and when stepfather when I was 12, and we went to live MS: A freshman in high school, so 14 or 15. after she divorced my father. My brother and I they took him to the hospital they found cancer with him on the South Side. When I had to make WCT: And off to the races. lived with them until we were 12 years old. and the only way to stop the cancer was ampu- my confirmation, he was thrilled because he was MS: Yes! I used to be in the band and used to WCT: Tell me about your grandparents. tate his leg, but the cancer spread. They gave going to see me in a dress, but I told him, ‘Not play for graduations. I was always a flirt. I had MS: My grandmother was loving and caring, him six months to live and he ended up living for long.’ When my brother wasn’t around I’d put straight girls come to my house just wanting to a better parent than my mother. I have great another two-and-a-half years. In the meantime on his clothes and walk around like I was a big kiss and I said, ‘No problem.’ memories of the wonderful food my grandmother my mother and step father came and said they shot. This was the 1940s. Life was just better if WCT: What instrument did you play? made for us. Every meal was homemade. We never would take us now so we moved in with them. you looked like a guy. MS: Trumpet. had anything processed or store-bought—her WCT: How did that go? WCT: So with not being fond of wearing WCT: So your kissing muscles got practice. pierogies and breads were to die for. Her pies. MS: I loved my stepfather. He was the coolest. dresses, when did you realize that liking wom- MS: Oh yes. During graduation we’d be in the She knew I loved blueberry and apple pies and Taught me so much. How to lay tile and how to fix en was part of being a lesbian. pit playing and the school was huge because it whenever I came back to visit her later in life she things. I helped him build a darkroom. He took MS: When I was in high school. I went to Chi- used to be a naval academy. Anyway, I’d be in the always had that ready for me. As I said, we lived one of the bedrooms and converted it into a dark- cago Vocational. I hung out in the school store pit playing and some of the girls I knew would be on Barry Avenue. My brother and I shared a hide- room. He taught me how to develop negatives with all the kids who were bad and smoked. carrying bouquets of roses and when they walked away-bed in the living room. There was the living and print pictures. He was an amazing man. He WCT: The fun crowd. by me, they would stop and give me a rose. All room, my grandparents’ room, and a big kitchen. died when he was 44. He had a blood clot in his MS: Oh yeah. Those were my people. We talked the guys were asking me, ‘Why are you getting That was it and we survived. chest and went to work his 3-11 shift at the steel dirty and had fun. I met this girl and we were flowers from all the girls.’ I just told them it was I remember going to the store there during the mill. That night we got a call that they were rush- talking and she said, Why don’t we go to a show because I was special. war. We had food tickets. You could lose your ing him in an ambulance to the hospital. Medical together someday. So I said okay. I was driv- WCT: When did you leave home? money, but not your food vouchers. My grand- care was different in those days. So, he was gone ing already and had a 1935 Pontiac with a stick MS: After my stepfather died, my mother went WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 15 berserk. We had to call my brother home from the counting department sorting the operator tickets came over one day and said she found this bar in then though that I didn’t go there much. I had to service because we needed the help. My mother and then giving those to the billing department. Calumet City so I said, ‘Let’s go.’ This was called go to bars where everyone was accepted. said she needed to talk to me, she said my dad Then they opened an office in Harvey, Illinois for The Music Box and it was a girl’s bar. Right next WCT: Where are some other places you’d go (stepfather) said there was something different those who lived on the South Side. So I went door was Mister B’s and that was more a boy’s bar. in the 1950s? about me and my mother couldn’t quite put her from sorting bills to typing them up. I was the Music Box was 2 [a.m.] bar and Mister B’s was 4, MS: I’d go downtown with my gay friends and finger on it. At 16, when my mother found out, fastest typist there and with the phone company so I would close the girl’s bar and then go to the they would take me into The Millionaire’s Club she opened the door and said, ‘You can’t stay here you were always evaluated by production. I knew boy’s bar. That was where I met all the guys. One because they were members. And we’d go to anymore.’ She said she couldn’t stand that sort my section average and was sure to only turn in of the guys that hung out there was a window Cafe Margarita and the Gaslight, which had a of a lifestyle and I said, ‘OK, bye.’ That was right an amount that was over that so if I came in the dresser at Goldblatt’s downtown and and he had a gay speakeasy on the third floor. I swiped a cup after my stepfather died. next day hungover or something, I could turn in place in Cedar Lake, Indiana. So sometimes we’d from there. When you walked into the Gaslight I was giving my brother a ride to work at the the extras. Eventually I started working on the close the bar and then go and party some more at Club they had a library room and then a piano bar steel mill and said, ‘Rich, I’m moving.’ He asked mainframe computers there, and that interested his place. Then the Music Box closed. I’m not sure and then upstairs you knocked on a door and a me why and I told him because mom doesn’t like me. I always loved learning new things. why they lost their license. Afterwards, a gay guy guy opened the peephole and you said, ‘Lou Sent my lifestyle. Then he said, ‘Well stay away from WCT: What was the first gay bar you went to? and a straight guy opened a bar called Our Place Me.’ Then he’d let you in. It was a speakeasy. I

Left: Summit in her dyke t-shirt, and with daughter Tanya, at right, Pride picnic, circa 1979. Courtesy of GayLife newspaper

Right: Marge Summit (right) and comic Pudgy in a 1980s Gay Chicago Magazine photo.

my girls.’ I said, ‘Rich, you only go out with ugly MS: On 99th and Southwest Highway. It was in Hammond. I loved it because it was a mixed couldn’t go alone because I was a woman and girls.’ And he did too. When I talk about being at- called Lill’s. That was before I found Calumet City. bar with both men and women. I have pictures of technically you couldn’t go with another girl. So, tracted to beautiful women, I don’t meant physi- At Lill’s you had to go in a side door and she put all the great gay guys I met there who I called I had the cover of three or four gay guys. One of cal beauty, that’s a dime a dozen. I mean beauty us off as her ball team. We couldn’t dance, just my girlfriends. I gave them names like Sophie and the guys, Donna May, and I would get up and do in the way women carry themselves and behave. drink. I was 15 then, I think. Drinking age was a Donna May. That mix of gay guys and women was the cha cha and we were good. But people never That’s beauty to me. different story back then. When I went to my first always the most natural to me. I hung out at Our realized that I was the one leading. WCT: How did you support yourself? bar in the neighborhood I was 14 and asked for a Place for a long, long time. WCT: Are many of these guys you hung MS: I was working part time for the phone com- screwdriver and the bartender gave it to me. No WCT: And this is in the 1950s? around with in those years still around? pany in Hyde Park. Then, just before I graduated questions asked. That wasn’t an issue like today. MS: Yes. Then a friend’s sister opened a bar MS: Some. None of them died of AIDS, but one from high school, they said they were opening WCT: Tell me about Calumet City at the time. called The Patch on Wentworth Avenue. That was an office downtown. There I worked in the ac- MS: A friend who I went to high school with all lesbians. I had so many gay guy friends by Turn to page 16

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This project was supported by Grant #2016-UW-AX-0019 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, US Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the Always look your best! view of the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women. 16 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES SUMMIT from page 15 decade for us gay people. Old Man Daley [Mayor MS: Oh, a lot of them. I found Volleyball, which of liquor in their homes. So, Ralla asked me to Richard J. Daley] did not like us at all so he raid- was a women’s bar right next to the Century Mall. manage it. She asked me to come in to the bar ed our bars all the time. I also went to Louie Gage’s bar out on Mannheim after my day job. So I came in at 11 and worked did die of cancer. They are all over the country WCT: So even if they were syndicate bars, Road. That was a great bar. They had a piano until 5 in the morning. I took the money, counted now. Some of them I have found and we keep in they weren’t under police protection? singer there by the name of Georgia Brown and it, and gave her a list of what needed to be or- touch. MS: If they liked you, the bar people would let she was terrific. dered. I also found out who was stealing and got WCT: I know you’ve said before that you get you know about things. For example, there was a WCT: When did the raids stop? rid of them. Togetherness was a fun place. along better with gay men than with lesbians. bar on Lincoln called Chez Ron, another women’s MS: The raids were off and on. Old man Daley WCT: Togetherness was in the early 1970s, Why? bar. If the guys who ran it liked you, they’d say, stopped the raids for a while when his son Mi- right? Tell me about some of the drag perform- MS: I guess I got along better with them be- ‘Don’t come here next weekend, we think we’re chael was caught in a gay raid on Astor Street. ers who were there. cause the women mostly didn’t get my or the MS: Roby Landers was there. Leslie Rejeanne, guy’s humor. I love the dishing humor that they Jan Howard, Tina King. Tina King was the first The float for Summit’s MS bar in the early 1970s. had and soon I was doing it. Back then a lot of woman I knew that went to New York and had a Courtesy of Summit gay women didn’t like the guys, so I only went sex change. out with women who could get along with them. WCT: Do you remember what numbers they WCT: Any other bars you recall? did at Togetherness? MS: There was also a bar on Lincoln Avenue MS: Leslie did the Diana Ross numbers. Jan called the M&M Lounge that was run by a gay Howard did the sexy stuff. Jan was legally blind. guy who had a cocker spaniel that was always So when I went up to tip her I took the candle there. He used to order pizzas for the crowd. from the table and held it over my head for her to There was another place called Club Evergreen in see. As for the other two, really can’t remember Cabrini Green in the early 1960s. Very friendly to the numbers. gays, but we could not slow dance together. Fast WCT: How long did you work at Together- dancing was OK, but not slow. I liked that place ness? because they had a live band. Seemed like people MS: Two years maybe. of color never minded us being in their bars. In WCT: What did you do after managing To- the early 1960s I got a tux for Halloween and getherness? took my date and a few others to Roberts Show MS: Then I was at P.Q.’s which was a disco on Lounge [6222 S. Parkway Blvd.] to see the Jewel Clark and Erie [661 N. Clark]. Big disco, very Box Revue. I met Stormy, the only real gal in the early, before The Bistro. I liked that bar because Jewel Box show, to come and sit with us. She was it was men and women and gay and straight. great and we all had a wonderful evening. No one That place was always packed. Always. I heard batted an eye at us. Another place I went to was the Bistro was opening down the street [420 N. C’est la Vie, that was an early gay bar. Not a Black Dearborn] and I told the owner, ‘This place is bar though. going to get a raid.’ That place you had to pay a We actually had a lot of house parties during the going to take away your business’ and he said, WCT: Ever get caught in a raid? $2 cover to get in which was a decent amount of era when the raids were so bad. ‘No we’ll be OK.’ And once the Bistro opened, you MS: I almost did. I was at the Midget Inn on cash in the 1950s. WCT: You were also interviewed in the Emmy could go through P.Q.’s with a pool cue sideways Montrose and Kedzie. The first floor of that place WCT: So gay bars had a cover? winning 1984 documentary Before Stonewall and not hit anyone. So I went there after all this was a straight bar and then you went through the MS: Lot of them did and then they’d serve rot ... happened and the owner said I’d been right and bar and up the stairs and there was a big room gut liquor in the call brand bottles. MS: Yes, they were filming in Chicago, and one asked me if I wanted to take over P.Q.’s. I said, for gay women with a jukebox and a bar. When WCT: So did the syndicate bars have other of the producers asked me if I wanted to be in it. ‘OK,’ but I wanted it to be a girl’s bar. So, I used it got raided, the cops had to come through the demands. I’ve heard rules about jukebox and Of course I did, so they came by and filmed it. my initials and that became MS. bar and up the stairs, so there was time to get liquor distributors and linen companies. WCT: When they talked with you, what did WCT: I never realized that, always thought out. We kicked out the screens to the windows MS: Yes, you had to take their jukebox service you want to get across about the pre gay-lib- MS was a nod to feminism. and jumped from the second floor and started and sometimes their beer brand demands. eration era? MS: No, but it was right when Ms. Magazine was running. That was in the 1950s. That was a bad WCT: What other places did you frequent? MS: I wanted them to know how bad it was to becoming big too. So we closed P.Q.’s down and be gay and that our lives were always lived in the cleaned it up and reopened as a girl’s disco. The fear of being murdered or raped or beaten up. It bar was huge. The front bar was good-sized and was not an easy time to be gay, but we endured had a pool table and pinball and a bar. Then rest- Activism meet-ups, and came out of it OK, I think. rooms were down the hall. Then the hall opened personal book recommendations, WCT: What was the first bar you worked at? up into this big room. That’s where the disco was. MS: Togetherness. Ralla Klepak’s bar on Hub- There was a huge horseshoe bar and a DJ booth weekly events, Kids Storytime, and more! bard off of Clark Street [61 W. Hubbard]. and the patron seating area was on platforms WCT: What did you do there? that went around the dance floor. The setup was There are so many reasons to support MS: I was a bartender and then I managed it wonderful. for her. I was working full time downtown. That’s WCT: Nice. Chicago’s only feminist bookstore. when I was doing mainframe computer stuff. So MS: I ran MS for three years and this bar was I was working downtown and I went to Togeth- mixed Black and white and I liked that. I had a erness. I loved the bar. Togetherness was about nice ball team, but it was half Black and that was everybody being together and I loved that. To- back in the time when things were different. So getherness was a cool drag bar. The Baton hadn’t when we played ball, everything was out for our come into its own yet. The Baton was on the team and safe for the other. I remember this one corner of Hubbard and Clark and then moved into game, my girls were getting mad and I said, ‘No, where it is now [436 N. Clark St.] when The [Sug- if that’s how they have to win, let them.’ When we ar] Shack closed. got back to the bar I had food laid out for them Anyway, one day I was talking to Ralla and and I had trophies made up for them. They were said, ‘You know you’re getting ripped off.’ These all champions in my book. bartenders are having a field day because you’re Mine was really the only integrated bar for gay not around. I happened to go to a party at one women at the time. When the late-night crowd of their apartments and they had half gallons of from other bars showed up I said, ‘If they bother liquor. Not many people have a lot of half gallons you let me know, don’t touch them. That’s just WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 17 what they want. Let me know.’ Those other crowds slammed the gavel and said, ‘Adoption granted.’ always tried to antagonize my Black girls. One That was music to my ears. I went into the side night they started in so bad that I told the DJ room to get Tanya. Then the case worker came in to turn the lights on and lower the music. Then Summit and adopted and said she was not finished with me. She would I got on the microphone and said, ‘Let’s get one daughter Tanya, mid- get me and take that child away. My lawyer told thing straight, we’re all gay and we’re all going 1970s. Tanya is now her if she didn’t leave us alone he would be back to get along. If you start in with my girls again, happily married and in court to take action to sue her and CFS. So that I’ve got a garden hose in the back and so help me living in Virginia. She was how I got my wonderful daughter, Tanya. I will turn it on you.’ Then someone started giv- and her husband of 20 WCT: What year was this? ing me some lip and a friend and I picked her up years have two children, MS: Tanya was born in 1973 and the adoption and carried her to the sidewalk and I said, ‘There, went through in 1974/’75. ages 19 and 17. now you’re barred.’ I grew up seeing prejudice all WCT: Speaking of that, you are also an im- Gay Chicago archives around me. I wasn’t going to take that shit in my portant part of starting a local parents sup- bar. That whole thing just always struck me as so port group, around the time PFLAG (Parents ignorant. and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) started in WCT: Tell me about your MS float in the Pride New York in 1972. Parade. kids. She said I should become a foster parent. She chickened out, but they still sent Susan and MS: I had a friend, Guy Warner, who use to come MS: We had won Girl’s Bar of the Year that year. I said I can’t, I’m a lesbian. She told me they Tanya, the baby, to live with the advocate. Then to the bar and he worked with Mattachine Mid- A friend of mine had her lover in town and this didn’t have to know that. So I did. I got Susan, one day Susan called and asked if she and Tanya west. This was in the mid 1970s. He talked to me woman was an exotic dancer and I painted her who was pregnant with Tanya, first. Then I fos- could come home. They had nothing to eat and about counseling parents of gay children. I said gold. I learned how to mix the body paint with tered another child who didn’t do well in a home no milk or food for the baby. The advocate was OK, as long as I could bring two other people olive oil and how not to paint the palms of their with men in it, so now I had two and a half kids. busy with a new boyfriend. I said of course. When along, an entertainer and a nurse who worked in hands and the bottoms of their feet. You can kill Next came an emergency case, a rehabbing drug they got to my house I called CFS and told them a hospital. That’s how it began. When that group someone if you do it wrong. Anyway, she was addict who just had a child. Now I had a full I had the two children back and if they wanted started to get bigger, they started [a more formal a statue riding on our float like the award we house. I didn’t need the checks since the bar was to, they could take me to court. They dropped the group]. I loved the fact that I could change a few won for Best Girl’s Bar. Well, when she was rid- doing very well. They all had great clothes and case. parent’s minds and help them learn to love and ing on the float we’d hit a bump and her tits 10-speed bikes and water beds to sleep on. With adopting Tanya, I got a great lawyer. The accept their gay kids. would bounce and everyone would say, ‘Oh my One day I came home from work and went case worker was harassing me. She would come to WCT: Why did you bring the entertainer and God, she’s real. She’s alive. We thought she was a straight to bed. When I woke up, it was to a very the house unannounced to see us. She had a spy the nurse? statue.’ quiet house. I asked my friend’s daughter where that came into the bar. When I finally found out MS: I wanted them to see gay people were from WCT: When you had MS was when you adopt- all the kids were and she said children and fam- about that, I took her to court. The case worker all walks of life, like some priests and nuns were ed your daughter, Tanya, right? ily services took them away. Seems the one who didn’t show, so we had to subpoena her. She came gay. You really can’t tell until we tell you we are MS: Yes. When I had MS, a gay woman who didn’t like male dominance told her advocate the next day and had one line about my not be- gay. came to the bar was a case worker and through that I had molested her. Short story—I told CFS ing a good parent. The rest was all accusing me next week, the final part of our interview my conversations with her she realized I liked that I wanted her to go on the stand to say that. of being gay. The judge got so mad at her, he with Marge Summit.

body of rooms in our mouths body of rooms journal 3 pulse/ate body of some ladies bird lover body of dr. dre this fucking poem hot/n/knots she talks rooms i need to talk about color b(l)ind rooms the poetry and spoken word of journal 1 found/unfound pretty on purpose no place

CHAPTERS: e. nina jay reluctant ally? scent in the air ode to queen lili’uokalani let’s eat staged death journal 2 nurture killing nature body of rooms based on her book Featuring e. nina jay • Writer e. nina jay • Director Tracy Baim • Editor Steve Maxey • “body of rooms” Cinematographer Steve Maxey • Sound Engineer Jeff Tudor • Makeup and Hair Kiana Smith • the poetry and spoken word of Executive Producers e. nina jay and Tracy Baim • Co-Producers Anne Leighton and • Associate Producers Toni Armstrong Jr. and Jeff Tudor DVD Cover design Kirk Williamson • Photographer Hal Baim • Artwork e. nina jay Copyright e. nina jay 2017 A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this film go to Affinity Community Services, Chicago. DVD: 98 minutes Based on the book Body of Rooms by e. nina jay

Partners: Windy City Times, Affinity Community Services, Maxey MediaWorks, NoiseFloor, Resolution Studios e. nina jay is a Black, Lesbian, Womon Writer who uses poetry as a tool of survival & to break silences around all forms of violence against gurls & womyn, with particular focus on the intersections of race, sexuality & poverty. As a survivor of & rape, e nina jay believes womyn & gurls can create powerful community to fight against the violence and constant degradation that weaves the poetry and itself into every facet of our lives, by breaking silences and unraveling shame. e. nina jay spoken word of e. nina jay based on her book “body of rooms”

Copyright e. nina jay 2017 DVD: 98 minutes $20 18 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES viewpoints

denied access to public lavatories is eerily reminis- next to a military jet with the question “Which one cent of the country’s last-century Jim Crow era de- do you want our military to be spending your tax nying African-Americans access to lunch counters, dollars on—transgender surgeries or equipment?” Rev. Irene water fountains, libraries, gas stations, theaters and On Dec. 11, a federal judge denied request of the MONROE restrooms, to name a few. Trump administration to delay enlistment deadline In Jim Crow America, restrooms were a hot-but- for transgender Americans into the military. They ton issue, as today, and a battleground for equal can enlist as early as Jan. 1, 2018. The New Jim Crow treatment. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed I am immensely thankful, as a married lesbian, discrimination based on national origin, race, gen- that I reside in Massachusetts, especially if Trump VOL. 33, No. 14, Dec. 20, 2017 targets LGBTQ der and religion. The law mandated desegregation tries to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the historic The combined forces of Windy City Times, founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, Americans, too of all public accommodations, including bathrooms. U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex founded May 1987. The Obama administration expanded the Civil Rights marriage in all states. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argu- Act of 1964 to protect LGBTQ Americans. However, However, that may not be the case for many LGBTQ PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR ments for the case Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado in February, Trump’s administration revoked federal married couples outside of my state. For example, Tracy Baim Civil Rights Commission. The case—which has many guidelines permitting transgender students from us- in a Trumped-up Supreme Court there is talk among ing “gender-appropriate facilities” that aligned with Christian evangelicals of walking Obergefell v. Hodg- ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky of us LGBTQ Americans on pins and needles—will MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis litigate a baker’s rights to refuse to make a wedding their gender identity. es back without disrupting other precedents on mar- ASSOCIATE EDITOR Matt Simonette cake for a same-sex couple, Dave Mullins and Charlie This past June, Trump paid tribute to the 49 LGBTQ riage,” Rebecca Buckwaler-Poza wrote in the article BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine Craig, on the grounds of religious freedom enshrined victims of last year’s Pulse Nightclub massacre—but “The End of Gay Rights” in the June issue of Pacific DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright failed to issue a proclamation for Pride Month. Standard Magazine. ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson in the First Amendment. Senior Account Executives Terri Klinsky, If the case is decided in favor of the baker, Jack And, in July, LGBTQ Americans received a one- “The Supreme Court can significantly undermine Kirk Williamson, Amy Matheny, Scott Duff, David Phillips, it will be a colossal blow to civil-rights two punch from the Trump administration. The first LGBT rights even without reversing a single case,” Strzepek, Kathy Breit, Andrew Kain Miller punch was President Trump’s ban on transgender ser- Buckwaler-Poza wrote. “Right now, the federal pro- NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242- gains and state nondiscrimination laws, legalizing 6863 the denial of services to LGBTQ Americans based on vice members, eerily reminiscent of when the mili- hibition against sex discrimination doesn’t bar dis- SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Tony Peregrin, business owners’ religious beliefs. President Trump’s tary did not want to integrate its ranks racially. In crimination on the basis of sexual orientation or Lisa Keen, Yasmin Nair his inimitable style of communicating to the Ameri- gender identity; the Equal Protection Clause affords THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan solicitor general, Noel Francisco, suggested these SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman businesses should hang anti-LGBTQ placards like can public, the order came in the form of a tweet. no specific protections for LGBT people, as it does ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS “No Gays Allowed,” warning us to stay away. When Ironically, Trump’s tweet came on the 69th anniver- for members of groups defined by race or nationality. Mary Shen Barnidge, Lawrence Ferber, Jerry Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked sary of President Harry Truman’s executive order de- The Court can strip the rights to intimacy and mar- Nunn, Jonathan Abarbanel segregating the U.S. military in 1948. riage of their meaning, carving away gradually and COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Jorjet to clarify the president’s position on the matter at a Harper, Charlsie Dewey, Carrie Maxwell, Billy White House Press Conference, she responded: “The The second punch occurred on the same day of masking the magnitude of changes by phrasing them Masters, Sarah Toce, Dana Rudolph, Melissa president certainly supports religious liberty. ... I Trump’s ban. The Justice Department filed court pa- in arcane legal terms.” Wasserman, Joe Franco, Nick Patricca, Liz pers citing Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, A movement for some time now has been afoot in Baudler, Rex Wockner, Angelique Smith believe that would include that.” SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Hal As a Black lesbian living in this Trump administra- which bars discrimination in the workplace but it state legislatures across the country to disenfran- Baim, Tim Carroll, Ed Negron tion, I now feel like I am moving into a new Jim does NOT bar discrimination based on sexual orien- chise LGBTQ Americans. These bills are called Re- WEBSITE LISTINGS VOLUNTEER Gene Naden Crow era re-establishing discriminatory laws tar- tation or gender identity. ligious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRAs), and are CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright While Trump’s ban caught the Pentagon and Capi- a backlash to the growing acceptance of same-sex DISTRIBUTION Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Sue geting LGBTQ Americans. I grew up knowing about and Victor racist placards that read “Colored Water Fountain,” tol Hill off guard, the announcement was enthusi- marriage and the growing fear of when the Supreme WEB HOSTING LoveYourWebsite.com (lead “Waiting Room For Colored Only,” “We Serve Whites astically applauded by numerous anti-LGBTQ hate Court legalize it nationwide. Since lawmakers used programmer: Martie Marro) groups across the country who have long advocated them to codify LGBTQ discrimination to justify deny- Only” and “No N-word Allowed, to name a few. Copyright 2017 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media Since Trump has taken office, there has been an for it, promulgating the fear that healthcare ser- ing us services on state and local levels, and Trump Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). erosion of LGBTQ rights under the guise of religious vices to our transgender troops would gravely hurt is in lockstep with these discriminatory practices, Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, defense spending. In an ad by the Family Research Jim Crow is already here. and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and liberty. For example, transgender Americans being no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. Council, for example, Chelsea Manning was pictured All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City letters Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the Net loss invisible,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of TheAdvocate.com urging others to follow suit and sexual orientation of such person or organization. While we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make GLAAD. “The internet is a lifeline for LGBTQ people shedding light on net neutrality’s impact on LGBTQ this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept to build community support networks and access Americans. responsibility for advertising claims. GLAAD is responding to the Trump administration’s (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 Federal Communications Commission’s vote to over- LGBTQ resources on history, suicide prevention, and The fight for net neutrality does not stop at the e-mail: [email protected] or turn the 2015 net neutrality rules, allowing broad- health—allowing broadband providers to regulate FCC, it is time for Congress to step up and listen to [email protected] access is a direct and unconscionable attack on free- advocates who are leading the fight to preserve this band providers the ability to control your experience www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com online by giving them the power to change what you dom of expression.” lifeline. GLAAD will be collecting testimonials from podcast: WindyCityQueercast.com GLAAD previously assembled leaders from LGBTQ the LGBTQ community about how the open Internet can see on the internet, the speed at which you see WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, it, and the quality of your connection. digital media to weigh in on net neutrality on the has affected their lives. Head over to GLAAD’s Twit- 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL, 60640 U.S.A “Stripping away net neutrality is the latest at- internet-wide day of action to save net neutrality. ter to read their stories thought out the day. (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) GLAAD also filed a comment with the FCC in sup- tempt by the Trump Administration to silence voices Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. of already marginalized communities and render us port of net neutrality and published a guest post on GLAAD OUT! Chicago’s LGBTQ Visitor’s Guide Online www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

Send columns or letters to [email protected]. Letters may be edited for brevity or clarity. WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 19 WINDY CITY TIMES DIVERSIONS THEATER • FILM • ENTERTAINMENT • SPORTS

20 28 28 A ‘Beautiful’ mind Sarah Bockel portrays the title singer in Beautiful, The Carole King Story. Nick’s Pizza & Pub. Sidetrack’s holiday party. Photo by Matthew Murphy

“Robert Joffrey was a classicist at his core,” DANCIN’ FEATS Wheater explained, “but he was the biggest fan of dance. And he realized that the company didn’t need to fit a certain criteria to be valid. So, Jof- Ashley Wheater frey acquired a ‘different’ kind of dancer and gave opportunities to people really in the left field. … He was experimenting. I would like to think that over the last 10 years we have recaptured marks a decade the spirit of Robert Joffrey in that way. In terms of being bold, of doing new work, challenging ourselves and the art form because we want the at Joffrey’s helm art form to thrive and survive. Therefore, we have to keep moving forward.” Of course, “thriving” and “surviving” mean dif- By Joanna Furnans form meet the wear and tear of the aging body. ferent things to different people in our current This often facilitates a more gradual decision to cultural and political climate. One can imagine A tarot card reading in the ‘80s predicted that stop dancing. Unfortunately, circumstances were the difficulties of engaging new ballet audiences Ashley Wheater would become the artistic direc- different for Wheater. when the art form has a historical reputation of tor of the . “I had no choice but to retire,” Wheater re- exclusivity, elitism and hegemony. These con- Well, maybe it didn’t specifically mention the called. “The end result was that I had ruptured cerns are not lost on Wheater. “We have to keep Joffrey Ballet and the reading was not for Wheat- the discs in my neck so I had a lot of pressure making our art form really accessible to our audi- er himself; it was for his sister. But it did clearly on my spinal chord and numbness in my upper ences,” he said. “And to engage them in stories indicate that her brother would one day be an body, particularly in my arms. Also, some of the that are reflective of our time. We want to be artistic director and that he would make a lasting vertebrae were cracked. So the choice we made relevant.” impact on his field. was to remove some of those discs. The doctors Thanks to Wheater and his team of adminis- Sometimes even unknown dreams come true. said, ‘This is kind of it’.” trators, the Joffrey is well-poised to develop fu- This year marks the 10th anniversary of Wheater But the rest of Wheater’s career was just be- ture ballets that will tell new stories and enliven at the helm of the Joffrey Ballet. ginning. With the immeasurable support of Helgi Ashley Wheater at a Joffrey rehearsal. the old. If their reimagined Nutcracker, choreo- Wheater holds a career as a ballet dancer Tomasson, artistic director of the San Francisco Photo by Temur Suluashvili graphed by Tony-winning Christopher Wheeldon, that began at the Royal Ballet School in Eng- Ballet, Wheater was encouraged to take on a new is any indication of the direction to come, fans land and carried on through the London Festival role with the company as ballet master. “Helgi cause he was quite happy in his role at SF Ballet. are in for a bold next decade of reinvigorated bal- Ballet, the Australian Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet was there for me every step of the way,” Wheater But after teaching a master class at the Joffrey let. (under the direction of Gerald Arpino) and the told Windy City Times. “He said, ‘You have so that summer, he realized that he maintained a “I think that by the end of my time, whenever San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet). Over the course much more to offer. We want you to teach, we deep connection to the company, the city of that is, I would hope that the Joffrey is passed of more than 20 years, he worked with some of want you to coach, we want you to be here.’ It Chicago and the legacy of Robert Joffrey. It was on in the best shape it has ever been in” Wheater the most renowned dancers and choreographers was really good to be in the studio again even clear to both Wheater and the Joffrey organiza- said. “I don’t think anybody does anything on in the world, including Rudolf Nureyev, Frederick though it was in a very different capacity. And, tion that he was the right fit for the job. their own. And I am incredibly grateful to ev- Ashton, William Forsythe, Paul Taylor, Mark Morris honestly, I haven’t looked back.” The organization has grown steadily in the last eryone at the Joffrey ballet and our supporters.” and John Cranko. Wheater eventually became Tomasson’s assis- 10 years with the establishment of the Joffrey “But,” he added, “I really owe everything to my It was during his time with the SF Ballet that tant and learned the ins and outs of running a Academy of Dance founded in 2008 along with husband, Brian Johnson. For 20 years … he is the Wheater suffered an acute injury while attempt- successful company. The ballet world took notice community engagement programs that ensure greatest source of my life.” ing to execute a choreographer’s new movement of this new potential leader and, in 2007, when young people have access and exposure to bal- Performances of The Nutcracker take place idea in rehearsal. These sorts of immediate, the Joffrey search committee began looking for let. The company also continues to work with a through Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Auditorium life-altering injuries are rather rare in the dance a successor for Arpino, Wheater’s name was at diverse group of both established and up-and- Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress world. More often than not, dancers accumulate the top of the list. Although incredibly honored, coming choreographers keeping in line with its Pkwy. For tickets, visit Joffrey.org/nutcracker injuries over time as the extreme demands of the he originally declined the invitation to apply be- founder’s original vision. or call 312-386-8905. 20 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW with his excoriation by London critics aghast at his “domestic” acting style, and ending with him Red Velvet Dion donning beard, wig, and whiteface to play Lear in Playwright: Lolita Chakrabarti Johnstone Europe, occupies a universe encompassing a di- At: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in Red versity of opinions on issues affecting not merely at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. Velvet. show business, but its social context as well— Tickets: $48-$88 Photo by the controversy over England’s boycott of goods Runs through: Jan. 21 Liz Lauren produced by slave labor in the United States, for example, and the economic hardships on both BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE sides engendered thereby. This doesn’t mean that the debate eclipses its There’s no disputing that William Shakespeare instigator. Virtually every scene proposes Aldridge was an Englishman writing in the 17th cen- squaring off in verbal combat against an adver- tury, albeit often employing natives of foreign sary—confrontation emphasized by the addition locales—Italy, Cyprus, Egypt—in his scenarios, form to prose vernacular often distorted by emo- holders determined a show’s appearance, and the of seats in Chicago Shakespeare’s courtyard the- so that nowadays, it’s not uncommon for their tion (with fight directors standing by, should the prospect of a—gasp!—Yankee replacing Edmund ater to convert it into an arena, on whose perim- portrayers to approximate the ethnicity of these aforementioned emotion grow too physical). Kean in a Shakespeare play was nearly as shock- eter onlookers retreat to await the outcome of personae. Lolita Chakrabarti’s historical drama takes ing as the novelty of the usurper’s race matching the argument. This arrangement also mandates a Indeed, for several decades, audiences arriving us back to an age before any of these familiar that of the Moorish protagonist he was to depict. circular Grand Drape whose crimson depths, our at a performance of Othello have come to an- practices we take for granted—specifically, Lon- The account of how Ira Aldridge broke the color hero reminds us, constitute “a crushed map of ticipate an actor of African descent in the title don’s fashionable Theatre Royale in 1833. This bar and the personal sacrifice exacted by this who was here, folded in”—perhaps waiting for role, along with players roaming the stage as in was when enormous playhouses forced actors to distinction would, in itself, supply sufficient ma- their labors, centuries hence, to be granted full real life, or reconfiguring classical verse to con- maintain full-front poses in order to achieve au- terial for a quotidian “famous first” lecture, but merit by playwrights like Chakrabarti. dibility, when a troupe’s leading players/share- under Gary Griffin’s direction, the saga beginning

THEATER REVIEW fort to ensure a good time for everybody. spoof of the Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” incorporating from Cher’s “Believe” to the Book of Mormon’s The plot revolves around George Gayly, who re- middle-school euphemisms for female genitalia, “I Believe” to the Monkees “I’m a Believer” and It’s a Fabulous Life sides contentedly in Boystown with his partner, concluding with a full-frontal I-See-London flash many, many more. Playwright: Julie Hill Harry Snatch. This holiday season, though, their of white spandex. (This selection is promptly fol- The opening-night performance was somewhat At: The Chicago Red Line at Stage 773, cozy domesticity is threatened by massive debts lowed by a scrappy cover of Beyonce’s “Girls Run hampered by shaky amplification and occasional 1225 W. Belmont Ave. resulting from the city’s red-light ordinances and the World” to forestall feminist ire.) Gay-male wobbling harmonies, and the two-hour running Tickets: $20 the kickbacks engendered thereby falling into the cultural references include a parody involving time (“Go buy alcohol” an angel exhorts us at in- Runs through: Dec. 22 hands of the rapacious Fancy Cotch-Rotter. One “Mary Poppers” offering advice on sexual en- termission) could use some trimming. If an eve- night, following a melancholy pub-crawl, George hancement devices, with choreography—despite ning that includes “Waving Through a Window” BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE prays for deliverance from his despair. Heavenly being mostly executed in silhouette behind a (from Dear Evan Hansen), “It’s Raining Men” and benefactors, hearing his plea, dispatch his two screen—temporarily pushing the Red Liners’ PG- Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” sounds like your The playbills hadn’t left Santa’s shop on opening guardian angels, Clarence and Terence, to restore 13 burlesque sensibility into R-rated territory. cup of eggnog, however, then this gloriously night, but that’s just another part of the hey- his faith in the future. The program also encompasses clever mashups goofy neighborhood revel may be exactly what kids-let’s-put-on-a-show charm of this holiday All this is merely a clothesline upon which to of sacred and secular ditties (Come All Ye Faith- is needed to rest you merry amid the pressures of revue by the troupe calling itself The Chicago Red hang a jukebox musical with a score ranging from ful” with One Republic’s “Love Runs Out”) and this busy season. Line, whose fluid aesthetic owes as much to Glee sweet solo renditions of country ballads like the medleys united by theme or lyrical keyword—for

as to Forbidden Broadway in its enthusiastic ef- Zac Brown Band’s “Colder Weather” to a raunchy example, a collection of “Believe” songs segueing c CRITICS’PICKS part, it’s because King and her early writing and creatively confined. THEATER REVIEW partner, Jerry Goffin, wrote excellent songs with With their break-up, King quite literally found The Nutcracker, Joffrey Ballet @ The Audito- smart lyrics (mostly Goffin’s) and clever tunes her own voice as a performer and also broke free rium, through Dec. 30. The music is passionately Beautiful, The (King’s) with a hook and sometimes unexpected of her own creative limits. The moment when the same, but Christopher Wheeldon’s reconcep- modulations. Book writer Douglas McGrath has wise Jewish mama Klein (the real family name) tion is a social revolution and visual spectacular. Carole King Musical This dazzling Nutcracker celebrates Chicago and Playwright: Douglas McGrath (book); woven a story—King’s biography—in which the tells Carole that she doesn’t need a man for vali- songs fit more tightly and appropriately than in dation is the moment the audience shouts and the Auditorium itself. JA Jerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann A Dickens Carol, Oak Park Festival Theater at and Cynthia Weil (words & music) most any other jukebox musical. As pleasingly claps its approval. Yeah, it’s a woman’s story, familiar as they are, the songs seem to have so I guess it does belong on the same street as Madison Street Theatre, through Dec. 24. The At: Cadillac Palace, 151 W. Randolph St. better you know the original, the more fun you’ll Tickets: 800-775-2000; been written for the specific characters and sit- Wicked. uations. Beautiful also celebrates rock’s pre-Mo- It can’t be coincidence that the show once have with Ned Crowley’s parallel-universe specu- BroadwayInChicago.com; $30-$115 lations on the inspiration for Dickens’ greatest Runs through: Jan. 28 town era when white producers and songwriters again stars someone with Chicago street cred. worked closely with early Black crossover art- (We breed grit as well as talent here.) Bockel hit. MSB Elf: The Musical, Paramount Theatre, Aurora, BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL ists, many of whom are portrayed in musical doesn’t make Beautiful quite as exciting as cameos. The show knowingly creates nostalgia the first time around, with Chicago-bred Ab- through Jan. 7. There’s no shaking the corporate for that seemingly-more-innocent period in pop bey Mueller (from a well-known clan of actors) manufactured feel of his 2010 Broadway stage The Oriental Theatre is packing in the teenie adaptation of the 2003 Will Ferrell film. Yet this and tweenie females for Wicked, but it’s their culture. in the lead, but it’s not because Bockel lacks King (Sarah Bockel) started early and fast: voice or ability; it’s the absence of surprise in musical only reflects the times, so enjoy all of the grandmothers who are whoopin’ and hollerin’ amped-up stage spectacle as a child-like oversize two blocks away at the Cadillac Palace with the she was in college and a published songwriter the show’s straight-forward narrative. First-time at 16, pregnant and married by 18. Goffin, her viewers won’t have that issue. Bockels support- elf tries to spread holiday cheer to jaded New return of Beautiful, The Carole King Musical, a Yorkers. SCM biography of the artist who has spent an as- golden writing partner, also was her husband ing team is solid and charming down the line: for 10 years although he strayed and had sub- hunky Brewer as Goffin, Sarah Goeke and Jacob The Minutes, Steppenwolf Theatre, through tonishing 60 years in pop music. The audience Jan. 7. A new Tracy Letts play arrives with an base for Beautiful clearly has followed King for stance abuse issues. Beautiful presents King as Heimer as best buds (and competing song-writ- a trend-setting song stylist with very middle- ers) Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, James Clow all-star cast to remind us that behind small-town a lifetime, quite literally. citizens’ pride in their “heritage” often lie his- King’s music is far from new, but it remains class, frequently naive ideas about marriage and as producer Don Kirshner and Suzanne Grodner family—unable to see how Goffin felt personally as mama Genie Klein. torical facts less noble than the legends they remarkably fresh, appealing and insouciant. In spawn. MSB —By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 21 DOUBLE REVIEW Rudolph the Red-

Hosed Reindeer NutcrackerThe Playwright: At: Hell in a Handbag Productions at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. Tickets: $25-$30; VIP tickets available; HandbagProductions.org Runs through: Dec. 30 The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, Graham Thomas Heacock, Tommy Bullington and Kristopher Bottrall in Rudolph.... Holiday Edition Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios “Magical” Playwright: David Cerda At: Hell in a Handbag Productions in Rudolph now takes on unflattering traits of at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. the current White House resident. He’s flanked “Astonishing” Tickets: $25; VIP tickets available; by Iwanka (Cerda), a foreign trophy wife with HandbagProductions.org questionable decorating tastes, and an appalling Runs through: Jan. 10 Kellyanne Conway-inspired press secretary Connie “Stunning” Blitzen (Terry McCarthy, carrying off a red-white- BY SCOTT C. MORGAN and-blue inaugural ensemble by ingenious cos- — Chicago Sun-Times tume designer Kate Setzer-Kamphausen far better Not content to produce just one show for the than the original). holiday season, Hell in a Handbag Productions As a spoof of the celebrated stop-motion has unleashed three this December. Rankin/Bass animated TV specials, Rudolph car- Bette: Xmas at the Continental Baths has al- ries an obligatory, if oddly-focused, message ready come and gone after two performances at about saluting non-conformity both inside and Steppenwolf Theatre’s 1700 space. But two re- outside the LGBTQ community. Yet the silly and maining Handbag holiday shows are still running outré performances from an oversize and com- and snuggly tucked into Mary’s Attic in Anderson- mitted cast is what makes Rudolph such seasonal ville. fun. Rudolph The Red-Hosed Reindeer is back for Far more contained and to-the-point is the its 20th anniversary, while this past summer’s TV Holiday Edition of The Golden Girls. Now one of sitcom spoof hit, The Golden Girls -- The Lost Epi- its three “lost” episodes hinges on a continuing sodes, has been resuscitated for a special Holiday belief in Santa by Rose (the ever-invaluable and Edition. As with most Handbag shows, both are hilarious Handbag regular Ed Jones). filled to the brim with camp comedy, delicious As before, much of the joy of Handbag’s Golden drag and a bounty of beefcake (the flesh flashed Girls spoof is seeing the beloved sitcom char- by Chazie Bly as a jazzercise instructor in Golden acters spouting out more risqué material that Girls and Colin Funk as a butch gay elf in Rudolph would never have made it on network TV. Adrian are very welcome). Hadlock is a joy as the feisty Sophia, while new- Author/actor David Cerda appears in both comer Grant Drager layers on the Southern charm shows, playing the Golden Girls’ acerbic Dorothy as Blanche. Also deserving of praise are Robert and a number of roles in Rudolph. Though Cerda’s Williams and Michael Miller in a number of sup- sometimes shaky performances suggest that he porting roles. may be stretching himself too thin, he’s cleverly Both shows assuredly deliver the naughty done his part to update each property both po- laughs you’d expect of Handbag Productions. And litically and seasonally. with two holiday shows to pick from, you’re spoilt Hence the corrupted Santa (Michael Hampton) for campy comedy choice. eSPOTLIGHT

Women have largely embodied the title role NOW–DECEMBER 30 | TICKETS START AT $35 of Peter Pan onstage since the Edwardian era. | Music Theater Works in Evanston continues that JOFFREY.ORG/NUTCRACKER 312.386.8905 tradition by staging a revival of the most popu- Groups of 10+ call 312.386.8937 lar Broadway musical version of Peter Pan from 1954 (which originally starred Mary Martin). Music Theater Works’ Peter Pan plays nine per- 5360 or visit MusicTheaterWorks.com. formances between Saturday, Dec. 23, through Caption: Captain Hook (Larry Adams) 2017–2018 SEASON SPONSORS PERFORMS AT: Monday, Jan. 1, at Northwestern University’s does battle with Peter Pan (Aubrey Adams) Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. for Music Theater Works in Evanston. Pho- Tickets are $34-$96, with a half-price discount to by Rich Foreman 50 East Congress Parkway, Chicago for youth ages 25 and younger; call 847-920- Victoria Jaiani and Miguel Angel Blanco | Photo by Cheryl Mann 22 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Dunkirk overtook Saving Private Ryan to be- Nahuel Perez Biscayart in BPM. come the highest-grossing World War II film to Photo by Celine Nieszawer date. As far as LGBT cinema, there were several praised offerings, such as Princess Cyd, Beach Rats, Call Me By Your Name and BPM. Thanks to Moonlight in 2016, Hollywood is finally taking notice of the LGBT market and what the gay dol- lar can do. Here are a few memorable hits or misses that were released in the past 12 months:

Worst Movies of 2017 5. Fifty Shades Darker 4. Chips 3. Transformers: The Last Knight 2. The Mummy 1. The Emoji Movie

Best Movies of 2017 5. Get Out 4. The Big Sick 3. The Shape of Water MOVIES 2. Baby Driver 1. Lady Bird

Honorable mentions for creativity include Three Box office 2017: Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; The Florida Project; and Dunkirk. Seeing these quality films on the big screen are simply a must over home Comics, beasts, viewing. Be sure to check them out before award season kicks off Sunday, Jan. 7, with the 74th emojis and more Golden Globe Awards. Chicago film office by Jerry Nunn The challenges of marketing and when exactly the Going to the movie house can be an expensive right time is to release a film continue to this trip after tickets, parking and concessions. Audi- names filmmakers The year 2017 will be remembered as a year with day. Labor Day weekend was abysmal and had not ences are now wisely watching sites like Rotten a multitude of superhero flicks, an overkill of bi- hit that low of a number since 1998. The highest- Tomatoes before spending their hard earned cash. in residence opics and too many unsuccessful sequels. grossing film in 2017 was Beauty and the Beast It was a very unpredictable year. For example, The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Independent movies rose to the top and sum- (released earlier in the year), and it is the 10th one minute Stephen King’s It is a smash—and and Special Events (DCASE) is pleased to an- mer did not scorch at the box office this time. highest grossing film of all time. then his Dark Tower is suddenly tumbling down. nounce the producing team of Bea Cordelia Movie versions of TV shows were disappointing as and Daniel Kyri as the 2018 Filmmakers in Baywatch was buried in the sand and Chips drove Residence. off the road. Tom Cruise tanked with The Mummy, The residency is part of the Independent then entertained in American Made. Film Initiative (IFI), a first-of-its-kind pro- Raunchy female comedies ruled and became a gram from the Chicago Film Office designed trend with Girls Trip, A Bad Moms Christmas and to support, promote and provide career- Rough Night. The horror genre released movies building opportunities for local film industry throughout the year, not just to scare in October. professionals and media makers. Look at Get Out, Raw, 47 Meters Down and It As part of the year-long residency, Corde- Comes at Night, each different in its own unique lia (a 2017 Windy City Times 30 Under 30 way. honoree) and Kyri will be producing The T, a Wonder Woman heroically broke the record for web-series dramedy that explores LGBTQ rela- highest box office for a female directed film this tionships and the universally relatable milieu past summer. Also, she joined the Justice League of awkward hook-ups, nervous dates and the to make one of the most expensive movies ever; painful pursuit of lasting love. The six-epi- however, continuing the streak of unpredictabil- sode online series will be released next June. ity, that film struggled to just break even. Other Cordelia (a 2017 Windy City Times 30 Under comic books brought in the cash, though, such as 30 honoree) is an award-winning writer, film- Logan, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Thor: maker, performance artist, producer, educa- Ragnarok. Spider-Man: Homecoming took home tor and activist whose work aims to elevate more loot worldwide than any of his other amaz- and reimagine the narratives of transgender ing friends. people. Kyri is a Jeff Award-nominated ac- Despicable Me stepped on the previous champi- tor, singer, writer and curator. He is featured on Shrek to become the highest-grossing animat- in Stephen Cone’s award-winning film Henry ed franchise of all time this year. Coco cleaned Gamble’s Birthday Party, now streaming on up with ticket sales, although The Emoji Movie Netflix, and has starred in productions at Lookingglass, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shake- Dan Stevens and Emma Watson in Beauty and the Beast. (which was critically panned) earned a sad face in that department. speare and Goodman theaters. Photo courtesy of Disney WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 23 Through these talks, White explains the method- to get severed and its dark blood streaks a drive- at finding love and connection with another man ology of his formidable talent, his take on writ- way, and when Anthony vomits all over himself are beautifully doomed by his reluctance to share ing and the writer’s role in society, his sources of on the drive to Florida—and the melancholy of a fully of himself, his nature which is both ten- inspiration and creative motivation, his habit of failed gay connection. All of Anthony’s attempts tative and passionate. His college with writing everything by hand and then reading it the artsy Cliff (which ends when Anthony prevari- back aloud, etc. cates about coming out to his family) and his do- However, the underlying strength of these piec- mestic stalemate with the unfaithful Steven are es is in the telling of a larger story, the evolution some of the most emotionally resonant in this of the LGBT community. As portals on LGBT his- quiet unspooling of a man’s life. tory, the interviews capture 21 different moments Characters other than Anthony tend to be a in our journey as filtered through one of our liter- dash too simple. His sister and his grandmother ary giants. In that light, these pieces reflect the are unabashedly patient explainers of his insuf- endurance of the community as it emerged politi- ferable family, and the repeated assertions that cally and socially, fought and struggled through his father ultimately loved him ring a bit false the devastation of AIDS, and how it persevered when confronted with the total history of this with an unwillingness to regress or return to the man’s behavior, even if it is through his middle closet. All the main themes of our collective de- son’s biased eyes. This is a man who made his velopment are explored - coming out, reinven- eldest son run away at the age of 16, didn’t seem tion, chosen family, sexual liberation, loss, activ- to care much that he had done so, and made no ism, assimilation and more. Equally fascinating attempt to contact him in the ensuing decades. is to see White’s maturing perspective in regards Any reader with an abusive parent will com- to gay consciousness and the concept of an LGBT pletely understand why Anthony—who watched community. his older brother disappear at the age of 10, and Conversations with Edmund White will appeal continued to suffer his father’s treatment until he to aficionados of and is an ex- left for college—wouldn’t want to make amends. tremely inspiring tool for writers of all levels. The Still, Tarantella will stick with its audience for BOOK REVIEW interviews come from myriad sources and each its strength of portraying the internal struggle, stands on its own but, collectively, these pieces for making Anthony sympathetic yet trying, and Conversations with compose a mosaic through which the reader can for admitting that relationships often go awry in glimpse the life of a true artist and man of letters less than spectacular but incredibly hurtful ways, Edmund White as well as the journey of the community that he with repair often being incomplete and impos- Edited by Will Brantley deeply loves. sible. and Nancy McGuire Roche $25; University Press of Mississippi; 208 pages BOOK REVIEW Review by OWEN KEEHNEN Tarantella Edmund White was one of the first important By Scot T. O’Hara writers to emerge at the dawn of the gay libera- $18.95; OhBoy Books; 310 pages tion movement, bursting onto the literary scene Review by LIZ BAUDLER Go behind the scenes of London’s West End. in 1973 with the publication of his first novel, Forgetting Elena. Anthony’s life is falling apart. In 1833, the greatest Shakespearean actor of the time collapses— White has been at the forefront of gay litera- He escaped Florida and his half-Irish, half- but the real drama begins when his replacement steps in. ture ever since. His work helped bring critical at- Italian, mostly unaffirming family for a life as Discover the provocative true story of Ira Aldridge, tention to gay books, bridging the gap between a newspaper editor in Chicago—except that his gay and mainstream literature. White was a mem- hustler, HIV-positive boyfriend Steven doesn’t re- the first black man to play Othello on the London stage. ber of the seminal gay writing group, the Violet ally seem to appreciate him, if he ever did. Quill. His numerous novels include A Boy’s Own Tarantella begins with a phone call from An- Story, The Beautiful Room Is Empty, The Farewell thony’s younger sister, Rosalia, letting him know Symphony, Fanny, Hotel de Dream, Caracole, The that the hated patriarch has just had a massive Married Man, Jack Holmes and His Friend, and heart attack. Anthony flies down to visit, and Our Young Man. emotions—regret and anger chief among them— White has written short-story collections, ensue. memoirs, released journals, done travel writing, Tarantella is a portrait of Anthony trying to fi-

collected his essays (The Burning Library) and nally confront the deep-seated resentments that Dion Johnstone, Photo by Jeff Sciortino penned biographies of Jean Genet, Marcel Proust have sapped his confidence over the years, to and Arthur Rimbaud. He also wrote two defining patch the flaws that make him weak. The title non-fiction works of the post-Stonewall/pre-AIDS comes from a Italian dance that becomes a literal era, The Joy of Gay Sex (with Charles Silverstein), parable his Italian grandmother imparts to him and States of Desire, a snapshot of gay sexual life at his sister’s wedding, when they do the dance WRITTEN BY DIRECTED BY across America. White’s numerous honors include together. It gets its name from the frenzied gyra- the National Book Critics Circle Award and the tions a dancer makes after being bitten by a ta- LOLITA CHAKRABARTI GARY GRIFFIN Lambda Literary Foundation’s Pioneer Award. rantula, the movement made to wishfully neutral- The 21 interviews that compose Conversations ize the poison in the bloodstream. The months with Edmund White span 34 years (1982-2016). after the fateful phone call chronicle Anthony’s LIMITED ENGAGEMENT In these pieces, White proves to be a spirited embarking upon the tarantella of relationships THROUGH JANUARY 21 interviewee, emerging as frank, thoughtful, wise never fully resolved, though nearly half the book and always interesting. The chats reflect White’s is flashbacks to Anthony’s boyhood. predilections, his body of work at various stages Writer Scot T. O’Hara is at his best with vis- 312.595.5600 · WWW.CHICAGOSHAKES.COM of the game, his major achievements, and other ceral drama—when a rattlesnake’s head (possibly pivotal moments of his long and varied career. venomous animals form a thematic motif) fails PRODUCTION SPONSOR Gayle and Glenn R. Tilles 24 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Boy morphed into Blacker Face and queer friendly Field Strawberry Jacuzzi reformed as Bash Bang. Perfume Genius with Serpent With Feet @Lin- And now for the music, events, and other de- coln Hall lights that made 2017 special for me: George Clinton and Parliement/Funkadelic@ —Favorite Guilty Pleasure of 2017: A History Thalia Hall BENT NIGHTS: of Drag by Dorian Electra (video) featuring Lucy (tie) Ne Hi and Meat Wave both @ The Empty LOCAL/NATIONAL MUSIC Stoole, Imp Queen, The Vixen and London Jade Bottle —Book of the Year: Over the Top and Back by Mutts/ Archie Powell and The Exports/Hem- Tom Jones (Blue Rider Press). Laugh if you want mingbirds @ Lincoln Hall to, but this exuberant, action-packed and enor- Midnight Oil @ The Vic The musical mously entertaining memoir by the small-town Vic Mensa/DJ Oreo@ Thalia Hall hip-wiggling boy who whipped the world into Ezra Furman/Weaves@ Lincoln Hall a wet panty flinging frenzy was clearly the best ONO/Moor Mother Goddess @ The Hideout year in review read of the year. Green Day @ Wrigley Field Runner-up: Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s (tie) Escort and Vail/Real Dom/Pure Magical Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout by Laura Jane Love all @ The Empty Bottle Grace (Hachette Books) Glad Rags/ESSO! Afrojam Funkbeat @ Schubas —Best Venue to See a Show: —Festival of the Year (tie) (tie) The Hideout and The Empty Bottle 1. The 2017 Hideout Block Party. Tim and Katie —Best Posh Place: Thalia Hall Tuten managed to create a two-day warm, home- —Best Concerts of 2017: grown anti-festival with the feel of old friends Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers @ Wrigley Turn to page 30

Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day. Photo by Vern Hester

by vern hester The refurbished Queen, fronted by out vocalist Adam Lambert, turned out to be the show every- It’s indisputable that 2017 will go down as the one and their mother wanted to see while Lady pinnacle of skullfuckery in the 21st century. Gaga returned with a vengeance while selling out The shadow of the presidential administration Wrigley Field and smashing that glass ceiling. To has managed to pervert everything in its path add to that, Sam Smith was back with his sec- while accomplishing nothing positive. Women’s ond album (as, predictably ,copies flew off the rights, healthcare, immigration, the military, civil shelves) while queer favorite Adele mounted a rights, education, the environment, tax reform massively successful tour that found her perform- and education: you name it and the “The Donald” ing in front of millions in every continent on the has pissed on it. Add in the right wing’s freshly planet. emboldened talent for deceit, bullying, media Granted, not everything was peachy this year, manipulation, scandal and lying and you have a as Tom Petty, Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington public that seems punch drunk, trying to fight (of Linkin Park), icon , Jim Nabors back against all the attacks. and ex-teen idol David Cassidy passed away. The upside of all this discontent is that the Months before Anthony Rapp blew the whistle rage it inspires fuels the arts to new levels of on Kevin Spacey, up-and-coming queer duo PWR creativity and bigger entertainments. In 2017 we BTM found their fortunes swirl down the shit- watched a multiracial, musically diverse retelling ter after disgruntled fans launched a Facebook of history called Hamilton grab Tony Awards by campaign accusing them of sexual impropriety at the truckload and smash theatrical box office re- their shows. And, of course, Market Days regular cords. At this year’s Oscar ceremony, host Jimmy Aaron Carter came out as bisexual, to no one’s Fallon spent hours bitch-slapping the president astonishment. while a low-budget all-Black movie about thug Locally, there was much to celebrate, as Lav- life and queer identity titled Moonlight snatched ender Country finally hit town and played The Travis Travis Travis of ONO. the prize for Best Picture from the glitzy favorite, Hideout for a sold out show. Homocore celebrat- Photo by Vern Hester La-La Land. In popular music, well, that tsunami ed its 25th anniversary while Glitter Creeps, the of outrage has yet to manifest itself—but at monthly queer showcase at The Empty Bottle, sailed into its third year and The Black and Brown least we got those bigger entertainments. music workshop, “Using Your Voice for Change,” Festival restarted itself. If anything, 2017 saw rapid shifts in the sta- at ETHS, Jan. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. DeMore has Queer icons Limp Wrist released Facades, their tus quo. Locally, the two-year-old Open Air Fes- performed on stage with , , first album in a decade while front man Martin tival snatched the thunder from older mainstays concert Jan. 13 Richie Havens, Judy Collins and Laura Nyro, Sorrondeguy seemed to be everywhere: partici- like Lollapalooza and Riot Fest, which suffered Local lesbian feminist chorus Artemis Singers among others. pating in panel discussions at Fed Up Fest and from exceptionally dull and redundant line-ups. will present “Rise Up”—a call-to-action concert The “Rise Up” concert program features Homocore’s anniversary and headlining the Black Massive shows found a home at Soldier and Wrig- of progressive music with guest artist Melanie songs that identify inequities in society and and Brown Festival with his other band Los Cru- ley Field hosting the likes of Metallica, Tom Pet- DeMore and students from Evanston Township offer solutions. dos. Local talent in Chicago’s DIY scene continued ty, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, U2, Coldplay and High School (ETHS)—at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. Concert and/or workshop tickets are $15- to make ripples as Meat Wave, Absolutely Not, Green Day. 13, 2018, at ETHS, 1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston. $40; visit https://www.riseup2018.brownpap- Bad Bad Meow, Mutts, Melk Belly, Myke Deville, Two of the biggest tours of the year were DeMore—an Oakland, California, vocal activ- ertickets.com. buoyed by their queer appeal and managed to The Kick Back and Ne-Hi released well received ist and choral conductor—will also lead a vocal turn themselves into major events without hype. albums while the much loved queer fronted Atta WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 25 ger than that. guitar, keys and vocals. We are still the same WCT: I saw you perform here back in 2012. band, but a bit more geared to what is happen- The Script (with So does the band stay on the tour bus while ing on the charts. It is the first song we had Glen Power in on tour? that people dance to. Before our songs were a bit the center). GP: Yes, but we stay in hotels on our days off. more introspective. Now we see people bobbing PR photo WCT: Some stars, such as Lady Gaga, fly in their heads to the song. for their concerts. WCT: Is “Divided States of America” about GP: We are not the Gagas. We are on the bus. politics? We call it “The Pirate Ship!” GP: It is more about allowing people to have WCT: Do you like the touring part? an opinion and not argue about it. When we were GP: I like meeting fans after the shows. That in the studio we couldn’t help but be influenced is what it’s all about, the connection. The travel- by the news. There was so much uproar over the ing is a lot. We didn’t even know that it was our election. We are massive fans of America. After upcoming anniversary. That is how busy we are. the election everyone was fighting in the country When we go onstage, it is the best thing ever. that we love so much. It is more of an observa- That negates all of the traveling and tiredness. It tion of Irish people looking in. does something to your body and soul that makes It less political and more about unity. The lyrics you want to keep doing it. say, “If we don’t all stand together we will fall.” NUNN ON ONE: MUSIC WCT: Like a drug? WCT: What is the stance of The Script on gay GP: In a way, but a good one. It makes you rights? feel good, plus you are making other people feel GP: My opinion is that love is love—end of sto- Flipping ‘The Script’ good. It is not about me. I am just a part of it. If ry. People should have the right as a human being you forget about yourself and think about them, to choose what they wear, who they love, where then you have a great time. they live, what they eat, and what their dreams with the band’s WCT: Where is the name “The Script” from? are. No human being has the right to tell another GP: We started the band in LA. When we would human being that they can’t do that. call each other, we would say, “What’s going on? Love is action. That is what love is. Glen Power What’s the script?” So we just decided to name Marriage should be an open thing to every- the band that. one and it will happen. It is just when, not if, by Jerry Nunn best name ever! WCT: Were you a fan of U2’s drummer? because the right thing will happen. It is just Glen Power: Thank you. In America, people are GP: I got to speak to Larry Mullen Jr. in the time for everyone to accept it. Ireland is a small Straight out of Dublin comes a rock band with very impressed with my name. It’s real. past. Adam Clayton is a friend of mine and I was country. If we can do it then the rest of world pop sensibilities. WCT: Where are you from originally? having problems with my shoulder two years ago. can too, mate! Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheeran and Glen GP: I am from Dublin, actually not too far from Adam gave me Larry’s number to talk about it. He We were just in Australia. I couldn’t believe Power formed The Script and were eventually where Danny grew up. The thing is we didn’t invited me to his house in France to have a doc- Sydney was still debating it. [Editor’s note: Aus- signed to a major label. In Los Angeles, they meet until I went to Los Angeles. When we got to tor look at it. I couldn’t because I was on tour! tralia has recently approved same-sex marriage.] worked as producers, writing songs for Britney talking we realized we were both from Ballinteer I remember seeing the video for “Where the We were quite shocked when we were there that Spears, TLC and Boys II Men. Over the years, the When I visited his dad one time, it turned out Streets Have No Name” with them playing on a this was still going on. band has released several albums, including their his dad had played music with my dad! They had rooftop in LA and I wanted to do that. Love is such a precious thing and so hard to fifth and most recent, Freedom Child. played at events together and knew each other WCT: Was the goal with Freedom Child to be find in this world. It makes everything better. Hit radio song “Rain” led the band back to Chi- really well. more commercial? Happiness is not happiness unless it is shared. If cago and drummer Glen Power sat down back- WCT: How long has The Script been together? GP: It was either sink-or-swim time on the you can love someone, and really love them, what stage to talk about the magic behind the music. GP: Ten years in 2018. In truth it is ten years charts. A band needs to evolve so we just took a is wrong with that? Windy City Times: First off, you have the since the first album, but we were together lon- step that way. The song “Rain” has drums, bass See TheScriptMusic.com.

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Share an unforgettable experience today! steppenwolf.org/holiday | 312-335-1650 26 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Trans Latina opens successful Humboldt Park restaurant BY ROBERTO SANABRIA tioned is her command of English, saying she wished she spoke and understood the language Roxana Pixley first came to Chicago in 1989. better. When asked whether she encountered What began as a vacation turned into a love af- anything unexpected while starting her new res- fair with the city and with her new boyfriend. She taurant, she admitted that she did not expect closed her profitable beauty salon in Reynosa, so many requests for vegetarian dishes. She ex- Mexico, and leveraged her business savvy to du- plained that she was in the process of amend- plicate that success on the north side of Chicago. ing her menu so that vegetarians could join their In a few years, she owned a bakery, a restaurant, friends at El Faro. a supermarket and another beauty salon. Pixley works six days a week, traveling between As for her newest business—El Faro Seafood, her Ravenswood beauty salon and her Humboldt at 2701 W. Division St.—Pixley explained that Park restaurant. On Mondays she stays home, lis- she chose this location in the heart of the Puerto tens to instrumental music and Latin jazz, and Rican community of Humboldt Park because her plays and cuddles with her eight Chihuahuas. In salon clientele in Ravenswood was largely Puerto between cuddles, she organizes what needs to be Rican, Cuban and Dominican. “I love Puerto Rico, done for her businesses, such as ordering beauty and I love this area,” she said. supplies and food, going over the bills and taking Roxana began her gender transition in Mexico care of the payroll. and completed it while living in Chicago. Speak- Pixley described herself as someone who is not ing of herself as a trans woman, Pixley said, “In very political; she does not get involved much in Chicago, there have not been obstacles when it politics, but said she now follows the news, and comes to business. Nothing of this sort has cut that she supports those who do become involved. into my achievements.” She added that she owes She said, “Every day I watch what is going on her success to “hard work, respect for her em- with this president. Things are going to change. ployees, and good administration.” I have hope that they are going to change. They The only business-related problem Pixley men- have to change for the next generation.” Roxana Pixley. Photo by Roberto Sanabria

Out musician Marsha Malamet on Windy City Times is collecting reader input for the upcoming Jason Gould CD LOS ANGELES—Grammy-nominated, multi- 2018 election primary in Illinois. platinum songwriter and openly lesbian musi- cian Marsha Malamet is featured on the new Jason Gould CD, Dangerous Man. This data includes reader priorities on the races, the issues, Malamet—a composer, songwriter, singer and a straw poll on the governor’s race. and coach—met Gould at a lecture, where he asked her to coach him on songwriting. From there, the relationship transformed into them The survey link is here, and deadline is Jan. 15, co-writing several songs together, including one survey per person: “Morning Prayer” for his self-released EP Jason Gould. https://tinyurl.com/WCTReaderSurvey In 2012, Malamet co-wrote (with Liz Vidal and Stephen Oberhoff) the special end-credit song “Amazing” (with Gould as vocalist), which If you are a candidate for any office in Illinois, we also invite was from the soundtrack to Scrooge and Marley, you to complete one of our two candidate surveys. a gay Christmas Carol film that Chicago’s Sam I Am Films produced. For all candidates except judicial, deadline Jan. 10: Dangerous Man features four songs co-writ- ten by Malamet. There is the title cut (Gould/ https://tinyurl.com/WCT2018Survey Alan Roy Scott/Malamet), plus “Morning Prayer: The Tribal Version” (Gould/Liz Vidal/ Malamet), “All’s Forgiven” (Gould/Alan Roy For all judicial candidates, deadline Jan. 10: Scott/Allan Rich/Malamet) and “One Day” https://tinyurl.com/WCTJudicialSurvey (Gould/Malamet). Quincy Jones/Qwest Records produced the Marsha Malamet. CD, which is available on iTunes. PR photo WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 27 of Windy City Times. Steve Maxey, of Maxey Me- experiences, usually deal with chronic health is- A #MeToo moment diaWorks, was cinematographer and editor. The Magic Cabaret sues. sound engineer was Jeff Tudor, with Kiana Smith Tickets are $20-$25; visit BlueOverYou.com. as e. nina jay doing makeup and hair. For more information, closing Dec. 27 email [email protected] or see https://www. After a decade-long run, The Magic Cabaret is releases DVD facebook.com/bodyofrooms. ending. Charles Busch at CHICAGO—The work of Chicago-based African David Parr and Joe Diamond are wrapping up American lesbian poet and spoken word artist the run with two more performances at Green- Pride Arts in January e. nina jay is featured in the new film Body of house Theater Center on Dec. 20 and 27. Tony Award nominee, Drama Desk Lifetime Rooms, based on her book of the same name. Tickets are $25; visit MagicCabaret.com or call Achievement honoree and two-time MAC Award This is a powerful, dramatic exhibition of an 773-404-7336. winner, Charles Busch, who performed two sold- artist, a camera and the raw words and emotions out shows at Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, of a Black woman navigating the U.S. during a in January 2017, will return on Jan. 21-22 with time of #metoo, systemic violence, sexism, ho- HIV+ playwright “Charles Busch: My Kinda ‘60s.” mophobic and racism. Weaving tales of his Manhattan childhood and jay uses poetry as a tool of survival and to pens ‘Blue Over You’ adolescence raised by his indomitable Aunt Lil- break silences around all forms of violence HIV-positive Chicago playwright Daniel Noonan lian through the lens of the tumultuous decade against girls and women, with particular focus and director Sarah Whitney have joined forces to of the 1960s, Busch will be singing a great song- on the intersections of race, sexuality and pov- co-found Spot On Company, which is launching book from Broadway to pop, featuring the work erty. As a survivor of incest and rape, jay believes with the world premiere of Blue Over You (A Mys- of among others Burt Bacharach, Jimmy Webb, women and girls can create powerful community terious One-Man Love Story with Musical Bits), the Beatles, Henry Mancini, Bob Dylan, Stephen to fight against the violence and constant degra- starring theater veteran Michael Joseph Mitchell. Sondheim, and Kander and Ebb. dation that weaves itself into every facet of our Blue Over You will run Jan. 5-28 at Northmin- He will be appearing with longtime musical lives, by breaking silences and unraveling shame. ster Presbyterian Church, 2515 Central Park Ave., director/ arranger Tom Judson in an evening of The DVD is 98 minutes and available for $20 + Evanston. music and storytelling. $4 shipping through Paypal: https://www.paypal. Noonan was born with severe hemophilia and Admission is $40-$75 each; visit http://bit.ly/ me/eninajay. A portion of the sales of the DVDs is HIV-positive from a blood transfusion when he charlesbuschatPAC or call 800-737-0984. will go to Affinity Community Services. was 13. His characters, written from his personal A sneak peek of the film, and sales of the first DVDs will be held Thursday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. at Affinity Community Services, during the monthly @windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup W.O.M.B. Poetry event, 2850 S. Wabash Ave., #108 (around the back of the building, free park- ing). e. nina jay. @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com The film was directed by Tracy Baim, publisher Photo by Hal Baim HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM YOUR PETS AND WINDY CITY TIMES Ellie & Quinn

Bowie & Topo

Fergie

Sparky & Toby Lupin Lola Simba Margot Harley Be

Star

Quinn

Lola Maci 28 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES sausage, mushrooms, onions and green peppers). However, it’s the little touches—like putting the vegetables on top of the cheese instead of the other way around—that sets the pizza apart. the DISH There are plenty of other delectable items as Weekly Dining Guide in well. The beer nuggets (meant to be paired with the drink) are deliciously doughy, and there are WINDY CITY TIMES other appetizers/entrees like bacon cheddar fries, fried mushrooms, Italian beef sandwiches (really SAVOR incredible), calzones, Nick’s Eggcellent Burger and other tasty (if not necessarily healthful) Nick’s Pizza & Pub offerings. And you should seriously consider the BY ANDREW DAVIS double-decker pizza (two layers of thin-crust pizza, meat and vegetables knotted together at If you want to know how cozy the newest the crust). Nick’s Pizza & Pub (2434 W. Montrose Ave.; Sarillo (also the author of A Slice of the Pie: NicksPizzaPub.com/chicago-pizza-pub/) is, look How to Build a Big Little Business) also talked no further than the crunchy floors. about his employees and treating them like Yes, you read that correctly—and the floor’s Photos from Nick’s Pizza & Pub. Left: Founder Nick Sarillo. Right: The double-decker pizza. family. My favorite tenet that he mentioned was that employees should basically act and talk as crunchiness is due to the hundreds of peanut Photos by Andrew Davis shells that patrons are encouraged to toss on the if their grandmothers are present. (I commented floor while eating the bowls of the legumes that pizza in ranch dressing. anything to do with the dressing; it had to that people should treat social media the same are on the tables. While some would be aghast at In all my years on this planet, this is something do with the quality of the pizza. As far as way.) seeing this, some people (particularly kids) are I had never done—and it’s something I couldn’t I’m concerned, if the pizza is already quite So, be prepared for Nick’s Pizza. You will leave all over this tradition. imagine doing. However, it wasn’t exactly life- good (and I’m not knocking the onion rings), the Lincoln Square spot with a full stomach and a However, this isn’t the only tradition the place changing (although combining Nick’s homemade it doesn’t need the enhancement—and the (more) educated mind—or at least the former if honors. As founder Nick Sarillo told another ranch with the spot’s onion rings is another pies at Nick’s are very delicious, indeed. One you’re familiar with the restaurant’s traditions. journalist and myself (and which the other writer matter). example is the Nick’s Special, which is actually Note: Restaurant profiles/events are based already knew), there is a tradition of dipping And I don’t think the lack of wonder had not that special, ingredient-wise (mozzarella, on invitations arranged from restaurants and/ or firms.

CUSTOMER HOLIDAY PARTY @ SIDETRACK VOGUE FOR TOTS 11 @ BERLIN

Ho-ho-ho for this annual benefit for Vital Bridges. Slaying (for) the children for over a decade! Thursday, December 14. Photos by Jerry Nunn Photos by Kater Jayne Photography (http://katerjayne.com) WINDY CITY TIMES Dec. 20, 2017 29 Billy MastersMasters

“We singles live empty lives of quiet desperation and will die alone. Now Rubio is demanding that we also fund happy families with children who fill their days with joy.”—Ann Coulter attacks Marco Rubio for his proposed child tax-credit increase. Do we know if Ann Coulter is actually capable of having children? I mean, she does seem to have an Adam’s apple. Russia has banned the Warwick Rowers “Thank you, Omarosa for your service! I wish calendar, Billy says—but it’s part of his gift you continued success.” With words far more guide. eloquent than “You’re fired,”Trump once again Image from the Warwick Rowers website bid the Apprentice contestant farewell. But, oh, Omarosa did not go gentle into that good night. shady was happening behind the scenes. After Nope, allegedly she attempted to storm the resi- all, it ain’t easy to convince some of the most dential wing of the White House to confront Mr. gorgeous guys in the world to pose naked on T in person. Needless to say, she didn’t reach her livestock—I learned that the hard way! goal—something you’d think she’d be used to by The model in question, Jason Boyce, claims now. that during a 2014 photo shoot, he was “sub- Last week, RuPaul’s alum and jected to a series of practices by Mr. Weber that his boyfriend were thrown out of a Lyft after the were unlike any he had experienced previously.” driver saw them kissing—and this was in New It is alleged that Weber removed Boyce’s under- York City! The couple complained to Lyft, and the wear and forced Boyce to touch his own genitals. driver was fired. The company stated, “We have The lawsuit states that “Mr. Weber put his fin- zero tolerance for any type of discrimination on gers in Mr. Boyce’s mouth. Shocked, Mr. Boyce our platform, and are committed to maintaining opened his eyes. Mr. Weber told him to keep his an inclusive and welcoming community. ... The eyes closed, and kept his fingers in Mr. Boyce’s driver has been deactivated from the Lyft plat- mouth. ‘If you just had confidence, you’d go re- form.” ally far,’ Mr. Weber whispered. ‘How far do you For those of you who continue to think coming want to make it? How ambitious are you?’ Mr. out of the closet is career suicide, let us consider Boyce did not respond.” the fortunes of young Charlie Carver, formerly Speaking of foreign objects in one’s mouth, of Desperate Housewives and Teen Wolf. He has the internet is all abuzz with a video showing a starred in a handful of high-profile projects, and “four-way Brazilian gay kiss.” During Carnatal in has just been cast in the upcoming Broadway Natal in Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil, a group of production of The Boys in the Band. He’ll be four male revelers found themselves in a group playing Cowboy, the birthday present for Zachary kiss. Actually, it’s three guys and one straggler. Quinto. (The two previously cavorted together in But then they splintered off into more traditional I Am Michael.) What I find interesting is that pairings. So? Am I the only one who has partici- Charlie has an equally luscious twin brother, Max, pated in with several South Americans? who is certainly talented. And yet, nobody hears This leads perfectly into “Billy’s Holiday Gift- about him getting any work. Giving Suggestions.” One of my dear friends is led to an international incident. The Warwick I am thrilled to report that The Go-Go’s will Dan Guerrero, who has toured the country with Rowers have been banned by Russia since the be represented on The Great White Way when the his solo Gaytino, where he reconciled his roots government has found their calendar to be “gay musical Head Over Heels hits Broadway. Based on and gay life. He is the son of legendary singer propaganda.” Sir Philip Sidney’s Arcadia, the show was a hit Lalo Guerrero, known “the Father of Lastly, a little extra stocking stuffer: Sexy Pi- when it played the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Music.” In 1956, Lalo recorded “Pancho Claus,” etro Boselli (known as the world’s hottest math in 2015. Announcement of the Broadway run was a song about Santa Claus’ cousin south of the teacher) recently released some sensational accompanied by a video featuring four of the five border. Dan has turned the song into a children’s scantily clad seasonal shots, which you can check classic Go-Go’s. You’d expect that would include book, with illustrations by our very own Bob out on BillyMasters.com. the four current members and exclude ousted Mackie! It’s a terrific book, and a great addition When we’ve once again ventured into “gay bassist, Kathy Valentine, but you’d be wrong. to your multicultural celebrations. propaganda” territory, it’s definitely time to end Valentine (who co-wrote the song “Head Over Someone else who has been known to enjoy a yet another column. And since this is coming out Heels”) is prominently featured in the video, foreign tongue is Jason Gould. Barbra’s little boy in mid-Hanukkah, pre-Kwanzaa and the eve of while the backbone of the band, drummer Gina has just released a full-length album that will Christmas, I want to send you my best wishes Schock, is curiously absent. surely make you tingle all over. While I wouldn’t for a happy and healthy holiday season. If your A male model is accusing photographer Bruce consider Gould a “Dangerous Man,” that is indeed festivities are in need of a little bit of Billy, head Weber of sexual assault. I wasn’t completely the name of the title track. Check it out. over to www.BillyMasters.com, the site that’ll surprised because I always assumed something One of our previous Gift-Giving Suggestions has stuff more than just your stocking. If you’re in need of a bit more personal attention, dash off an email to [email protected] and I promise @windycitytimes1 /windycitymediagroup to get back to you before Weber convinces Pietro to mount a llama. (Yes, I said llama.) So, until next time, remember: One man’s filth is another @windycitytimes www.windycitymediagroup.com man’s bible. 30 Dec. 20, 2017 WINDY CITY TIMES Friday, Dec. 22 Sunday, Dec. 24 Friday, Dec. 29 Disruptive Perspectives ongoing Sober Horizons Group of Alcoholics Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy COMMUNITY through Dec. 22 Photographers’ works Anonymous All persons with a desire Night Written by Vicki Quade, co-creator document LGBT identities including work to stop drinking are welcome. 9:30am of Late Nite Catechism, Christmas Bingo CALENDAR by Jess T. Dugan and Lorenzo Triburgo. Center on Halsted 3656 N Halsted Chi- is the second installment in Quade’s bin- 10:00am - 5:00pm Museum of Contem- cago http://www.chicagoaa.org/about- go series with new material and a special porary Photography Columbia College caso twist on the story of the Annunciation. Thursday, Dec. 21 600 S Michigan Avenue Chicago http:// Through Dec. 31, 2017. $30 8:00pm Thrive: Weekly group for HIV-positive www.mocp.org/ Monday, Dec. 25 Royal George Theatre 1641 N Halsted YMSM Open process group facilitated Beautiful, the Carole King Musical The Holiday Meal at Center on Halsted Doors St Chicago 312-988-9000 http://www. by a licensed counselor open to all HIV- story of Carole King’s journey to write open at 11:00AM. Dinner is at 12:00PM. nuns4fun.com positive young men who have sex with the soundtrack of a generation. 7:30pm Event is free but RSVP is required by men, 18-29. A safe space to process Cadillac Palace Theatre 151 W Randolph phone or email. Contact Britta Larson, Sunday, Dec. 31 one’s HIV status, emotional and men- Chicago Tickets: http://www.broad- director of senior services. Space is Steamworks: The Musical One night only. tal health, relationships, identity, and wayinchicago.com/show/beautiful-the- limited. [email protected]. Ring in the new year with the hilarious personal growth. Also fun activities and carole-king-musical-2017/ 12:00pm - 2:00pm Center on Halsted story of a wide-eyed young man who cultural outings once a quarter. 6:00pm 3656 N Halsted Chicago 773-472-5469 moves to the Windy City seeking love... Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) ‘STEAM’ BUILDING Saturday, Dec. 23 Ext 445 http://www.centeronhalsted. and stumbles into the legendary Boys- 5537 N Broadway St Chicago http:// Sunday, Dec. 31 Frontrunners, Frontwalkers Chicago org/newevents-details.cfm?ID=14626 town bathhouse. 8:00pm Annoyance www.tpan.com/events/thrive-edition Frontrunners, Frontwalkers Chicago Chi- Theatre 851 W Belmont Chicago 773- W.O.M.B. Open Mic and e. nina jay DVD Steamworks: The Musical cago’s LGBT running and walking club. Wed., Dec. 27 697-9693 http://www.theannoyance. sneak peek e. nina jay Body of Rooms is returning for Meet at the totem pole 9:00am Ad- Golden Girls, the Lost Episodes, holi- com DVD sneak peek, part of a might of poet- one night only at dison and Lakeshore Dr. http://www. day edition Campy parody of one of ry which takes place the third Thursday the Annoyance Theatre. frfwchicago.org TV’s most beloved sitcoms with Doro- Thursday, Jan. 4 of each month, hosted by Lucy and e. The Nutcracker, The Joffrey Ballet Photo by Jon Wes thy, Rose, Blanche, Sophia will feature American Veterans for Equal Rights Chi- nina jay. Parking available behind build- Newly reimagined holiday classic by the best of the original run - plus a new cago Chapter of American Veterans for ing. 7:00pm - 10:00pm Affinity Com- Tony Award®-winning choreographer holiday-themed episode. Will run in con- Equal Rights, the national organization munity Services 2850 S. Wabash Ave. trophies... He’s Catholic, he’s gay - what Christopher Wheeldon through Dec. 30. junction with the return of Red-Hosed of LGBT veterans formerly known as #108 Chicago http://www.affinity95. could go wrong? Through Dec. 30, 2017. 7:00pm Auditorium Theatre of Roos- Reindeer. $25. or VIP $35. 7:30pm Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of org $25 7:30pm The Buena, Pride Arts evelt University 50 E Congress Pkwy Mary’s Attic 5400 N Clark Chicago 800- America (GLBVA). 7:00pm Center on Altered Boy Good little Catholic boy says Center 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago 800- Chicago 838-3006 Tickets: http://www.hand- Halsted 3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago his prayers, makes good grades, per- 737-0984 Tickets: http://www.pride- bagproductions.org http://www.averchicago.org/ forms in school plays, wins participation filmsandplays.com

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