FORMER WINDY CITY THE VOICE OF ’S , , COLLEGE BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 FOOTBALL PLAYER BRAD July 23, 2014 THORSON PAGE 22 vol 29, no. 43 COMES OUT TIMESwww.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Obama’s order bans anti-LGBT bias

President Obama signs By LISA KEEN, the executive KEEN NEWS SERVICE order July 21. Photo by WASHINGTON, D.C—In a brief ceremony in the Patsy Lynch East Room of the White House, with a scat- tering of “Amens” from the 300 or so LGBT activists gathered, President Obama, on July 21, signed an executive order prohibiting con- tractors who do business with the federal gov- joanne marie ernment from discriminating based on sexual bristol dies orientation and , and adding to existing protection (which includes sexual ori- page 7 entation) for federal employees a prohibition of based on gender identity. Importantly, the new executive order nei- ther expands nor removes a relatively narrow exemption put in place by President George W. Bush that exempts “a religious corporation, as- sociation, educational institution, or society, Turn to page 4 RENAISSANCE MEN

jeweler rony tennenbaum makes big strides pagE 9

page 8

page 14 John D’Emilio—a writer, activist, historian and professor—has wct reviews actually retired from the latter post as he has left the University hillary of Illinois at Chicago. WCT looks at his eventful life. Photo by Actor, playwright and Obama Administration member Paul Oakley Gretchen Rachel Blickensderfer Stovall discusses everything from his background to his newest clinton’s book, production, The Qualms. Photo courtesy of Steppenwolf hard choices pagE 20 2 July 23, 2014

Diane Jacob Tracy Alan Trish Camille Jeff Gretchen Rachel John Johnathon Anderson-Minshall Anderson-Minshall Baim Bell Bendix Beredjick Berry Blickensderfer Bracken Briggs

Kirk Derrick Williamson LGBT Media Clifton Summit

Zach Chuck Wichter Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014 Colbert Chicago, Palmer House Hilton 17 E. Monroe St.

Sarah Cheryl Toce The opening day of the Corley National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association Annual Conference Aug. 21-24 in Chicago

8:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Noon - 1:30 p.m. 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Zeke Michael Stokes Plenary Session: Lunch Plenary: Breakout Sessions Crawford Journalists The Future of a. Black, LGBT, and and Transgender Coverage Journalism Funding: Read All Over: in LGBT Media Foundation Funding with the African-American Journalists PANELISTS: , Gretchen Ford Foundation, McCormick in LGBT Media Rachel Blickensderfer, Jacob Anderson- Foundation, Knight Foundation PANELISTS: Alan Bell, Andrew Davis, Art Minshall, PANELISTS: Mark Hallet from McCormick, Lenox Magee Andrew Sims MODERATOR: Fiona Dawson Barbara Raab from Ford; John Bracken MODERATOR: Kirk Williamson Davis from Knight Foundation 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. MODERATOR: Cheryl Corley from NPR b. Young Journalists, Breakout Sessions: 1:45 p.m. - 3 p.m. J-School, and the a. Out On the Air: Breakout Sessions: LGBT Media LGBT Journalists Working in PANELISTS: Camille Beredjick, Derrick Cathy Every Audio Platform From a. Taking Back HIV Clifton, Kaitlyn Jakola Fiona Renna Dawson Podcasts to Web-Based and Reporting in LGBT Media MODERATOR: Zach Wichter Traditional Radio PANELISTS: Todd Heywood, Jeff Berry, Johnathon Briggs PANELISTS: Fausto Fernos, Scott Duff, c. How We Count: MODERATOR: Diane Anderson-Minshall Art Sims, Anna DeShawn Data Reporting and LGBT Issues MODERATOR: Cathy Renna WORKSHOP LEADER: Howard Goldberg, b. LGBT Issues, Athletes New York Bureau Chief Barbara b. The Future of and Journalists in Sports Anna Raab DeShawn Lesbian Media Reporting PANELISTS: Sarah Toce, Trish Bendix, PANELISTS: Christina Kahrl, Kate Fagan, Summit Co-Chairs: Tracy Baim Michelle Garcia and Ross Forman Tracy Baim MODERATOR: Diane Anderson-Minshall MODERATOR: Chuck Colbert Publisher, Windy City Times Diane Anderson-Minshall c. Online and Connected: Editor-at-large of The Advocate, Noah Bloggers, Digital Natives, Social Editor-in-chief of HIV Plus Scott Michelson Duff Media, Mobile Reporting and the EVENT SPONSORED BY Future of Journalism PANELISTS: Noah Michelson, Zeke Stokes, Michael Crawford

Parker Marie See http://nlgja.org/2014 for registration details Kate Molloy Fagan

Lenox Christina Kaitlyn Todd Mark Howard Michelle Ross Fausto Magee Kahrl Jakola Heywood Hallett Goldberg Garcia Forman Fernós WINDY CITY TIMES July 23, 2014 3 this week in WINDY CITY TIMES Saturday, August 16, 2014 NEWS ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Obama’s executive order 4 Scottish Play Scott 11 Event for impoverished Cubans 6 Paul Oakley Stovall 14 Obit: Joanne Marie Bristol 7 Knight: And So It Goes 16 John D’Emilio retires 8 Magicians prepare for local show 16 Rony Tennenbaum’s jewelry 9 Dish: Taxim 18 VIEWS: Lynch, Morse 10 Review of ’s book 20 Billy Masters 21 OUTLINES Classifieds 18 Calendar 20 Former football player comes out 22

Images on cover (left, from top): Photo of Brad Thorson courtesy of Thorson; photo of Joanne Marie Bristol; press photo of Rony Tennenbaum; photo of Hillary Clinton copyright Ruven Afanador/Corbis Online

LESBIAN, CAGO’S GAY, VOICE OF CHI 1985 THE OMMUNITY SINCE BI AND TRANS C 23, 2014 July , no. 43 WINDY CITYvol 29

ForMer Ge ediaGroup.com Colle yCityM all ge 22 nd Footb pa TIMESwww.Wi brad Player on thors out CoMes bama’s order bans o A KEEN, By LIS RVICE EWS SE in the Gbt biasKEEN N emony cer a brief a scat- D.C—In , with GTON, e House LGBT WASHIN e Whit o r s o oom of th the 300 July anti-l East R ” f rom ama, on of “Amens dent Ob con- tering ed, Presi hibiting ather rder pro gov- ns ivists g tive o federal act execu ith the al sident Obama sig gned an iness w on sexu Pre e 21, si do bus ased o xecutiv ors who ing b g t the e tract DOWNLOADy, and addin THIS! it July 21. from discriminater ident ori- order ernment end ludes sexual y on and g ibition Photo b orientati n (which inc a proh ch protectio . sy Lyn existing al employees identity Pat for feder ender - ation) ased on g order nei ent n b tive w scriminatio w e xecu y narro of di ly, t he ne relativel portant oves a George Im nor rem esident ands by P r rpora- ther exp n p lace ous co n put i “a religi or xemptio itution, e hat exempts nal inst Bush t e W. ation, educatio 4 e Mari , a ssoci ge joann tion turn to pa bristol dies page 8 Go to www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com renaissanCe Men to download complete issues of Windy City Times and Nightspots.

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page 14

page 9 y ul Oakle ber Pa st on mem is newe ministrati to h Obama Ad his background wolf right and rom ppen s , playw verything f rtesy of Ste —ha Actor sses e oto cou professor iscu ms. Ph ian and niversity Stovall d ual , histor t the U ction, The Q activist has lef oto by produ Then click on any ad and be taken directly to the advertiser’s Web site! r, e ite ost as h l life. Ph ilio—a wr latter p ventfu hn D’Em m the Jo tired fro T looks at his e ly re go. WC actual Chica erfer llinois at kensd Ws of I hel Blic WCt revie Gretchen Rac y hillar ton’s book, Clin es ChoiC hard 0 page 2 online exclusives at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com LAUGHTER PARTY Comedian Tony Tripoli (left) cracks wise about Joan Rivers and being fit. Press photo

5pm Hilton Chicago’s Grand Ballroom 8pm Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

PERFORMANCES BY Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, River North Dance Chicago, Clinical Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater GLAAD TO BE HERE counselor Meiling Jin talks and Visceral Dance Chicago New GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis Matthew about growing up was in Chicago at a reception in her Dempsey talks in China and being WORLD PREMIERES BY Randy Duncan, and honor. about body involved in LGBT Harrison McEldowney & Jeremy Plummer issues and gay journalism. men—including Photo courtesy of Studio BENEFICIARIES AIDS Foundation of Chicago, himself. Meiling The Dancers’ Fund, Making A Daily Effort i em what i em Screen shot Recent WCT 30 Under 30 honoree and Agape Missions Inc. Em Vanderlinden talks about gender FORK IN THE ROAD GALA TICKETS $250-$600 expression and social justice. PERFORMANCE ONLY TICKETS $25-$75

www.DanceforLifeChicago.org | 312-922-5812 THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT /DanceForLifeChicago @danceforlifeChi Find out the latest about Deborah Cox, Anderson Cooper and Patti LuPone.

plus Thousands of people attended the Pitchfork Music Festival this past DAILY BREAKING NEWS weekend. Photo by Jerry Nunn

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AL FRESCO Dance Chicago Street Hubbard Murdock, Andrew | DANCER Sandro

DINING AT CREW AL FRESCO WINDY CITY GAY IDOL 2014 Soak in the summer sun (what there is of it) at Crew, which is gearing up for its 10 th anniversary. Page 8

TRISH KEPOROS PHOTOGRAPHY

Find Nightspots on www.WindyCityQueercast.com 4 July 23, 2014 WINDY CITY TIMES ORDER from cover exemption” in his pending executive order Groups react to signing for federal contractors. In a July 15 letter, 69 groups—including more than two dozen with respect to the employment of individu- religious organizations—urged against such als of a particular religion to perform work an exemption. The latter noted that religious of historic order connected with the carrying on by such cor- entities already have an exemption, provided poration, association, educational institu- by an executive order from President George By Matt Simonette tion, or society of its activities.” W. Bush. Although the pro-LGBT groups asked “President Obama is showing strong lead- Obama to remove the Bush religious exemp- President Obama, after being greeted by loud ership taking this historic action to advance tion, the new executive order does not. cheers and a standing ovation, signed a two- equality in our country,” said openly gay U.S. Noting that there are now more states with fold executive order July 21 prohibiting dis- Sen. Tammy Baldwin, in a statement publi- marriage equality than there are prohibiting crimination on the basis of cized July 18 after details of the executive discrimination based on sexual orientation, or gender identity among federal employees order were released. “By signing this execu- Obama diverted from his prepared remarks and contractors. tive order banning workplace discrimination to urge the audience to take a moment to “Thanks to your passion and advocacy and against employees of federal contractors and reflect upon all the progress on LGBT issues the irrefutable rightness of your cause, our the federal government, we will ensure mil- the administration has made in the past five government—the government of the people lions of American workers will be protected years. by the people and for the people—will be- from discrimination simply because of who The heralded come just a little bit fairer,” Obama said to the they are or who they love.” Baldwin was on Obama’s executive order a “profoundly con- crowd, which included many LGBT-rights activ- the front row for today’s event. sequential” document that “dramatically un- ists. But the order, because it does not cre- derscores President Obama’s own LGBT lega- Obama was joined onstage, according to ate an LGBT-specific religious exemption, cy of achievement unmatched in history….” BuzzFeed, by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe; also hands a major victory to LGBT political It is estimated that federal contractors Deputy Secretary of Labor Chris Lu; Office of and legal activists. In recent months, they employ 14 million people. Federal Contract Compliance Programs Direc- have united in a pushback against efforts President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Ex- tor Pat Shiu; Rev. Delman Coates, senior pas- by religious conservatives to carve out new ecutive Order 11246 in 1965 that prohibits tor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church, in Clinton, exceptions to existing non-discrimination federal contractors and subcontractors from Maryland; Rabbi David Saperstein, director of laws in order to discriminate against LGBT discriminating in employment on the basis the Religious Action Center for the Union for people, especially same-sex couples seeking of race, color, religion, sex or national ori- Reform Judaism; and advocates Kylar Broadus, to marry. gin. Four years later, President Richard Nixon Michael Carney, Anne Vonhof and Faith Chel- The focus on religious exemptions had also Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President issued Executive Order 11478 to bar dis- tenham. grown following the June 30 U.S. Supreme Chad Griffin. Photo from HRC crimination against federal employees based In a July 21 statement, White House officials Court’s ruling, in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, said, “At a critical time for our nation’s econo- that closely held for-profit companies could on a bipartisan tradition, dating back over 70 disability and age. my, we need all of our workers to be focused on claim a religious exemption from a mandate years, of barring discrimination without excep- Although President signed Ex- making the most of their talent, skill, and inge- of the Affordable Care Act to provide health tion when taxpayer dollars are involved. While ecutive Order 13087, adding sexual orienta- nuity, rather than worrying about losing their insurance coverage for contraceptive ser- there remains much work still to do to achieve tion to Nixon’s non-discrimination order pro- job due to discrimination. The economy func- vices. Some LGBT legal activists called the the goal of full civil rights protections for LGBT tecting federal employees, he did not sign tions best when workers are matched to the decision “radical” and “dangerous,” saying people, we must take time to celebrate the an order regarding employees of federal con- jobs with the best fit, maximizing their produc- it could open the door for companies and landmarks along the way, and this is a huge tractors. Obama’s order adds gender identity tivity, increasing wages and helping the bot- other entities to seek religious exemptions win.” to Nixon’s order, and both sexual orientation tom line for businesses. Discrimination is not for LGBT-related matters. Tico Almeida, founder and president of the and gender identity to Johnson’s order. just wrong, it also can keep qualified workers On July 1, a group of 14 religious leaders LGBT organization Freedom to Work, said in a ©Copyright 2014 by Keen News Service. from maximizing their potential to contribute urged Obama to include a “robust religious to the strengthening of our economy. For de- statement that “President Obama’s signature All rights reserved. cades, companies have found that benefits and sends a strong message: update your work- inclusive, flexible, and supportive workplace place policies to protect LGBT employees or policies make it easier and more cost effective forfeit your highly lucrative taxpayer-funded contracts. This is a watershed moment in our that have been announced.” to recruit, retain, and motivate employees. The Six airliner fatalities Among the dead were Joep Lange, an HIV same logic applies to extending these basic country’s march toward equality.” Last year, Freedom to Work filed a lawsuit confirmed as researcher from the Netherlands and a for- protections and policies to LGBT workers. mer IAS president. An advocate for improv- “Today’s action is consistent with the Presi- against ExxonMobil, maintaining that the oil giant still discriminates against gay job appli- AIDS researchers ing access to HIV interventions in Africa, dent’s commitment to advancing equality for By Matt Simonette Lange was referred to as “the father of AIDS the LGBT community, as well as his commit- cants. “The clock now starts ticking for ExxonMo- research in developing countries” by a col- ment to expanding opportunity for American Six passengers aboard Malaysian Airlines league, Jennifer Watt, in Deutsche Welle. workers and strengthening American business. bil,” said Almeida. “The Obama order will go into effect in early 2015, so we’re beginning a Flight MH17, which crashed in Ukraine July Other fatalities included Glenn Raymond And it is consistent with actions being taken 17, were confirmed as researchers headed Thomas, a spokesman for the World Health by employers, including many federal contrac- six-month countdown for ExxonMobil to update its policies to fully protect LGBT employees or for the 20th International AIDS Conference, the Organization; Pim de Kuijer of Stop AIDS tors, across the country to support workplace which began July 20 in Melbourne, Australia. Now!; Martine de Schutter of AIDS Fonds and equality, because they recognize it improves the corporation will risk losing hundreds of mil- lions of dollars in taxpayer-funded contracts.” Two hundred ninety-eight individuals lost Stop AIDS Now!; Jacqueline van Tongeren of productivity, reduces turnover and supports their lives in the crash, which has triggered AMC Department of Global Health; and Lucie their bottom line.” In a statement, Andre Banks, executive di- rector and co-founder of the equality organiza- political turmoil between Russia and several van Mens of the Health Company. A July 21 statement from Human Rights nations, including the United States, accord- On July 20, on the evening prior to the Campaign (HRC) outlined the far-reaching im- tion All Out, said, “In a single, bold action, President Obama has thrown open the doors ing to USA Today. start of the conference, attendees paid trib- plications of the ban: “President Obama will Australian media originally reported—and ute to their colleagues. set strong new standards for federal contrac- of opportunity for millions of lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees. The executive orders international media picked up on—a larger Michael Kirby, former judge of the High tors, which employ 20 percent of the American number of fatalities among individuals plan- Court of Australia, delivering the confer- workforce. In so doing, the Obama adminis- set a powerful statement for similar policies at home and abroad. Today, the President has ning to be at the conference, with some out- ence’s Jonathan Mann Memorial Lecture, said tration has guaranteed that 14 million more lets saying that 108 AIDS researchers, medi- that those who’d been lost in the crash would American workers will be protected from dis- stood up for the powerful and proven idea that employment protections are good business and cal workers and activists were killed. have wanted their work to continue: “This is crimination on the basis of sexual orientation “On board Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, not a time for silence. They would expect us or gender identity. good policy—without loopholes and compro- mises that create opportunities to discriminate there were apparently nearly 100 researchers to pick up our shattered spirits. They would HRC President Chad Griffin added, “With this and advocates traveling to an international demand that we renew and redouble our ef- action, President Obama has cemented his against a person because of who they are or whom they love.” conference in Australia dedicated to combat- forts.” Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott legacy as a transformative leader. Consistently, ing AIDS/HIV,” said President Obama July 18 delivered a speech via video as well. this administration has taken unprecedented in remarks expressing the nation’s regrets “I think it was a touching opening cere- and historic executive actions to advance LGBT USDA makes over the crash. “These were men and women mony,” Craig McClure, UNICEF’s top HIV/AIDS equality in this country and around the world. who had dedicated their own lives to saving advocate, said in the Guardian. “I think for “The focus now shifts to the House of Rep- pro-LGBT changes the lives of others and they were taken from most of us, we’re still in a state of shock.” resentatives, where the Employment Non-Dis- The National Center for Lesbian Rights praised us in a senseless act of violence.” In a July 17 statement, Human Rights crimination Act must be brought to a vote by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for But after confirming the identities of the Campaign (HRC) officials said, “HRC wishes the House leadership. A bipartisan coalition of releasing a final rule that extends non-discrim- dead July 19, International AIDS Society to extend our condolences to the friends and Americans is standing behind LGBT equality, ination protections to transgender and gender (IAS) officials said that the original numbers families of everyone aboard Malaysian Air- a bipartisan coalition of our elected leaders non-conforming participants in many USDA were inaccurate. lines Flight MH17. We are deeply saddened should be doing the same.” services and programs, according to a press re- “The number that we have confirmed to learn about the deaths of the many HIV/ American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Execu- lease. through our contacts with authorities in AIDS advocates believed to be on the plane. tive Director Anthony D. Romero called issuing The rule amends the existing USDA non-dis- Australia, in Malaysia, and Dutch authorities HRC joins the international community in the order “one of the most important actions crimination rule, 7 C.F.R. 15(d), to add “gender as well, is six people,” said IAS president mourning the loss of all those who lost their ever taken by a president to eradicate LGBT identity” as a prohibited basis for discrimina- Françoise Barré-Sinoussi in the Guardian. “It lives today, including such dedicated health discrimination from America’s workplaces. By tion in programs or activities conducted by may be a little bit more, but not the numbers professionals. They will be sorely missed.” signing this order, President Obama is building USDA. 1.577 pt

WINDY CITY TIMES July 23, 2014 5

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Brian, age 45, 6 July 23, 2014 WINDY CITY TIMES with drugs as simple as Aspirin having to be Once a year, Pena and Johnston also make purchased on the black market. She described the humanitarian journey with a group of 10- ‘Havana in Chicago’ long waits to see low-paid doctors in “hospi- 18 people. “These trips are totally legal with tals where there was often no running water,” the Cuban and U.S. governments,” Johnston she said. “The toilets did not flush, and the said. “Most of our group is from the gay and raises money for risk of infections—by the hospital’s own ad- lesbian community. We go for about a week, mission—was extremely high.” work in the hospitals and deliver meals to se- In February 2014, the Miami Herald reported niors who have no food. All the people who impoverished Cubans that Cuban ruler Raul Castro’s government had have gone with me have asked when they can dramatically cut social spending, leading to a go back.” poverty rate of 26 percent, a massive shortage This is the second year that Sidetrack’s By Gretchen Rachel Blickensderfer The sights, sounds and smells of a Havana of homes and the islands’ elderly citizens re- Havana in Chicago has been in operation as street had been transferred to North Halsted all ceiving an average pension of $10 per month. a fundraiser for First Hand Aid. Last year, it The music of Cuba echoed onto the street in to raise money and awareness about the plight The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based organiza- brought in $25,000. With silent-auction dona- front of Sidetrack July 19. A pea-green 1951 of children and families living less than 100 tion First Hand Aid works to provide financial tions from businesses across the city, and visi- Chevrolet Bel Air parked there sported the Cu- miles from the southern coast of Florida. assistance to Cuban families, supplies pediatric tors in Panama hats lining the bar, Johnston ban flag and a sign that promised visitors to While some once lauded the Cuban health- hospitals with goods ranging such as needles said he had high hopes for the evening. “We the bar authentic dishes from the island pro- care system as a model for the Americas and it and desperately needed bandages, antibiotics are offering Americans the opportunity to make vided by Paladar restaurant, refreshing mojitos became a popular destination for health tour- and cancer drugs. It even assists with over- a giant difference is other people’s lives,” he and the Afro-Cuban rhythms of the renowned ism, the reality for the island’s people is quite the-counter medications, gloves, soap and said. “And they are a wonderful people. Every Latin Inspiration band until long into the eve- different. toothpaste and supplements general hospi- Cuban has family in the United States. Despite ning. In 2012, Al Jazeera reporter Lucia Newman tals in rural areas such as Guines which are ill what their government has told them, there is noted terrible shortages in medicine in Cuba— equipped to deal with diseases such as a 2013 not one ounce of antipathy towards Americans. cholera outbreak that threatened the entire The most wonderful thing about Cuba is that community. First Hand Aid delivers food to Cu- it’s filled with Cubans.” ba’s seniors whose children and grandchildren For more information about First Hand Aid, have long since fled the island. They have been visit http://firsthandaid.org. left in squalor, unable to put food on the table or leave their own home without help. The work has been a passion of co-founder and Executive Director of First Hand Aid Marc Hall of Fame Bohland for more than 14 years. “I worked in a hospital with Dr. Eddie Marcial,” Bohland re- accepting called. “He had escaped from Cuba in an inner nominations tube. I asked if I could help him and so I went The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of down to Cuba and lived with his family and Fame is accepting nominations for its 2014 worked in their village. One year begot another class. and we built an organization together. Once The deadline has been extended to Aug. you get involved with Cuba, you can’t stop.” 8. Bohland’s organization is close to the heart Interested persons can visit GLHallOf- of Sidetrack owners Pepe Pena and Art John- Fame.org, click on the “Nominate” tab, ston, who became involved with First Hand Aid download the application, have the nomi- four years ago. Pena left Cuba as a teenager in nee sign the form and mail as instructed. 1962 having witnessed the repercussions of the Another option is to visit http://glhallof- Art Johnston (left) and Pepe Pena. Photo by Gretchen Rachel Blickensderfer Cuban revolution and the failed Bay of Pigs in- fame.org/forms/nominate_2014.pdf. vasion. “It was really insane,” Pena told Windy The ceremony will take place Wed., Nov. City Times. “People were pointing the finger at 12, at the , 1601 others who were then sent to the firing squad. N. Clark St., 5:30-8:30 p.m. There was no system. People were rounded up and put into stadiums to make sure that no one would rise up and help the invasion.” Chicago Trans* CHICAGO WINTER = DEPRESSING First Hand Aid maintains that Cuba has since been “frozen in time. Families struggle to make Pride July 27 CHICAGO SUMMER = EXCITING! ends meet and put food on the table,” it says On July 27, a gathering will take place on its website. “To the Cuban people, it can at Chicago’s Ardmore Hollywood Beach to seem like the world has moved on without demonstrate trans* visibility. Are you them.” A group of independent Chicago com- “There is no question that—even before [Fi- munity members announced a beach-side del] Castro—Cuba had excellent health care,” pride event for the transgender commu- “summer body” Johnston said. “But the reality today is that nity. Trans Pride will celebrate the broad health care is limited by the U.S. embargo. spectrum of transgender identity with a ready? Any modern drug that originates in the United potluck picnic. States cannot go to Cuba. Then you have many As beaches are traditionally not trans*- of the doctors there leaving the profession be- affirming or body-positive spaces, the cause the pay is so low.” gathering will stake claim in public space Mention “We also reach out to the gay community in and join together to be present, visible, WINDy CITy TIMES Cuba,” Bohland added. “Although government and proud. At noon, the group and allies oppression of gay people has changed consid- will gather with flags and other visible and get erably, there’s still a long way to go. Art and transgender pride items. Guests are en- $500 off Pepe have given the gay leaders down there couraged to bring and share coolers, re- some contact with the outside world.” freshments, sunblock and food. liposuction People don’t have to simply take Pena and Chicago Trans* Pride is an independent through August. Johnston’s word as proof of the dire conditions and public gathering to celebrate the in Cuba. Bohland takes groups of people over beauty, diversity and resilience of the to the island to see for themselves. They have trans* community in Chicago. been composed of church organizations, doc- See https://www.facebook.com/ tors, lawyers and even baseball teams. events/539170032861277/. Discover what others know ...

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com/a/windycitymediagroup.com/ Chicago lesbian activist Youth homeless forms/d/1H970zVqbCOCbp4njxnS-vlx8giO- ZuMxIT-Ouzbzxlrs/viewform. summit releases The complete 2014 LGBTQ Homeless Youth Joanne Marie Bristol dies task force survey Summit report is available at http://chica- gosummit.lgbthomelessness.com/wp-con- Joanne Marie Bristol, 59, passed away peace- As a followup to the Windy City Times’ tent/uploads/2014/06/YOUTHSUMMITRE- fully on July 19 at her home in the Logan 2014 LGBTQ Homeless Youth Summit, or- PORTSMALL.pdf . Square neighborhood of Chicago. “She chose to ganizers released an online survey to have People can also email interest to editor@ go at sunrise with a songbird in her heart,” her people indicate their interest in being part windycitymediagroup.com. friend Kathy Munzer said. of short-term task forces on a wide range of Bristol suffered from a rare, devastating issues, including issues around job training, neurological disease called progressive supra food, storage, laundry, housing, DCFS, legal CLC observing Civil nuclear palsy. and public policy issues. Bristol was as an occupational therapist by There are two choices for each subject Rights Act on July 31 trade, working mainly with babies and children area: “Support role only” and “Active orga- The Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil at Easter Seals, Children’s Memorial Hospital nizing interest.” Support role might mean if Rights Under Law (Chicago Lawyers’ Commit- and finally, Northwestern Hospital. She loved an individual wants to get an invite to an tee, or CLC) will host its 45th Annual Meet- her partner Mary Morse deeply and they shared activist opportunity, write a support letter ing and Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on a love of dancing, hiking, birding, cross coun- or show up at a benefit/event. But active or- Thursday, July 31, at the Palmer House Hil- try skiing and the outdoors in general. “Joanne ganizing means getting into the nitty gritty ton, 17 E. Monroe St. was a loving, kind and thoughtful friend. She on the subject. Tickets are $150 per person, and $1,500 for inspired, by living every minute, tenaciously The survey is at https://docs.google. a table of 10; visit www.clccrul.org. and with gusto,” said Munzer. Born Jan. 16, 1955 to the late Ralph and Maryetta Bristol; beloved partner of the late Joanne Marie Bristol. Mary Elizabeth Morse; cherished sister of Harry (Mary) Bristol and Margery Williams; dear aunt to Emily, Tim and Jon; treasured friend to many; and loving dog owner to Smokey. Bristol received the Bruce Scott Award from Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church in Oak Park June 22. The award was given to Bristol and her partner, Morse, who died in 2006. The award is named for the late Bruce Scott, one of the who fought against the Cold War witch hunts of gays and in the federal government. His battle is docu- mented in the book The Lavender Scare. Bristol accepted the award from Pastor Reverend Dr. Marti Scott and Outreach Pastor Rev. Stephanie Escher. The service will take place on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 3 p.m. at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, 405 S. Euclid Avenue, Oak Park. The May 14, 2014, issue of Windy City Times ran a cover story interview with Bristol about her life, and the life she shared with Morse. See www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/How- a-loving-lesbian-couple-made-Logan-Square- Honey/47411.html.

3160 Piano Bar & Cabaret to close By Matt Simonette

The business known as 3160 Piano Bar & Cabaret, 3160 N. Clark St., will close its doors July 29. “It was time,” said now-previous owner Jim Flint, who also owns the Baton Show Lounge, 436 N. Clark St. “I’m getting older and just did not have as much time to run it anymore.” Flint said that 3160’s manager, Dan Neniskis, would also be leaving. 3160 was opened under its current name in 2006, and was previously known as Annex 3 before Flint decided on a new concept. It regu- larly features live entertainment and raucous audience participation. “I just wish the new guys the best of luck with the place,” Flint added. “I hope they en- joy running it as much as I have the past 26 years.” The space is slated to open as a gay spot known as Shakers on Clark; see http://www. Now Showing At: shakersonclark.com/. These Locations Only

Woodfield Mall Water Tower Place Center Court 5th Floor Lower Level Center @windycity 847-619-2900 312-944-4300 times1 Jewelry enlarged to show detail. 8 July 23, 2014 WINDY CITY TIMES a singular talent for history that was consis- In 1975, alongside lesbians who were of- tently illustrated in his grades. His eyes were fended at the group’s sexist mentality, D’Emilio John D’Emilio: opening to a world beyond the borders of the left the Gay Academic Union. He and Katz in- Hudson River and one much larger and more stead became a part of a “gay man’s Marxist complex than his little family in the Bronx. study group” called “The Gay Socialist Action Renowned professor, As a college student at Columbia in the Project” —a time that transformed D’Emilio’s 1960s, D’Emilio discovered his roots and so understanding of the world. He read books studied 19th- and 20th-century Italian his- such as British gay historian and activist Jef- tory. As he learned about the many battles that frey Week’s “” along with Harry historian retires formed the tapestry of that nation—from the Braverman’s groundbreaking examination of first insurrections in Italian unification to the the workplace “Labor and Monopoly Capital”. By Gretchen Rachel Blickensderfer struggle against fascism—D’Emilio’s Catholic They formed the foundations of D’Emilio’s upbringing and his own sexuality were coming study on “Capitalism and the Gay Identity,” a In his essay “A Defense of Poetry,” Percy Bys- into similar conflict. 10-page essay with the thesis that gay men and she Shelley wrote that history was composed Halfway through his freshman year at Colum- lesbians have not always existed but are the of “the episodes of that cyclic poem written bia and during internal debates with the phi- product of history. “I often joke that I could by time upon the memories of men. The past, losophers who wrote during the Enlightenment have stopped right there,” D’Emilio said with a like an inspired rhapsodist, fills the theatre of period of human history, D’Emilio stopped be- laugh. “Because it’s been read more than any- everlasting generations with their harmony.” lieving in God. “Giving up the church was—for thing else I’ve written and it’s assigned in a lot John D’Emilio loves history—a story of me in those years—a necessary precondition to of courses. A lot of people try to ignore it, a lot change passed from one to another and replete be able to come to terms with my being gay,” of people are upset by it. But, for some, it’s a with critical lessons, fledgling ideologies and he recalled. “It created the space to embrace transformative moment. the nucleus of identity. He not only lived epi- and accept the fact that this was who I was.” Being immersed in gay and lesbian history sodes of the cyclic poem of the LGBTQ commu- D’Emilio was graduating college at the same was rewarding and D’Emilio’s lectures were nity and its multi-faceted, impassioned social time four students were killed by the Ohio Na- well-attended but they weren’t paying the movements, he became the inspired rhapsodist tional Guard at Kent State University. He was a bills. At the same time, he was learning about who taught it to a new generation. conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and community organization through a couple of D’Emilio recently retired from a 15-year posi- recalled that he felt like the world was com- friends and mentors—even becoming the as- tion as a professor of history and women’s and ing apart and taking him along for the ride. sistant director of a successful statewide cam- at the University of Illinois at He was offered a job in the periodical division paign that defeated a ballot initiative for more Chicago (UIC). A May 15 dinner held at RoSals of the Long Island University library—a posi- prisons. “It was completely exciting,” D’Emilio Italian Kitchen near the UIC campus made the tion that opened up the doors to a new kind of said. “But I couldn’t figure out how to make moment all too real for him. “My feelings right history recognizing that many of the moments a living as a writer. So I gave in and tried to now are complex,” he told Windy City Times. celebrated as America’s march towards progress get an academic job. But no one who had ever “I’ve often thought of being an academic as were actually designed to strengthen capital- written about gay and lesbian history had been my day job. As my career has progressed and ism and an associated inequality. “The guy I hired for an academic job.” John D’Emilio. Photo by Gretchen Rachel my stature in academic life has grown, the day worked for was a sympathetic radical,” D’Emilio By the end of the 1970s, D’Emilio felt that Blickensderfer job has taken over. I need to get back to a said. “I had never studied American history gay activism had declined. All of that changed combination of intellectual work with activism, in college and suddenly I’m reading all these in June of 1981, when the CDC began describ- advocacy and community organizing because psychological pigeonholing of radical interpretations of it and I’m thinking ing cases of a rare lung infection. “Suddenly that’s where I came from.” as deviant behavior. D’Emilio grew up in New ‘America will never change unless people know it was everywhere,” D’Emilio remembered. “By D’Emilio was born in 1948—the same year York City’s Bronx neighborhood attending St. this history.’” 1983 in New York City, you couldn’t be in a Harry Hay was planting the first seeds of what John Francis Regis— a Jesuit high school lo- At the time, D’Emilio had no appetite for aca- group of three gay men and not have a con- was to become an organized gay community cated close to the Metropolitan Museum. It was demia. Instead, his first forays into activism versation about AIDS. I could see how it was and Alfred Kinsey published his essay “Sexual an experience he recalls as the most amazing of revolved around protesting the Vietnam War. beginning to cause a revival of activism. We Behavior in the Human Male” that challenged his young life. He had innumerable friends and He marched on Washington, protested draft remember Stonewall as this moment of birth, boards and provided draft counseling. but—more than anything—AIDS built a large However—as part of a community that in- public movement that became more visibly cluded celebrated historian and playwright diverse. It was around AIDS that L,G,B and T Jonathon Ned Katz—D’Emilio was constantly started to coalesce.” thinking about the palpable differences new Meanwhile, D’Emilio left New York to take a perspectives on history could make. “So much job teaching U.S. history at the University of of the rhetoric of the movement North Carolina in Greensboro. It was a position in those days was that we were invisible, iso- that included a history of sexuality course and lated and unable to speak out,” he said. “I one he received via a few degrees of separation mean if that’s the case, what kind of history from Jim Oleson—a man he had met in 1980 was there ever going to be?” and who would become his lifelong partner. Meetings with a small gay movement in New D’Emilio recalled that a right-wing journalist York along with Katz’s mentorship convinced welcomed the couple to the city by writing a D’Emilio that there was a need for intellectual piece about the “fag doctor from New York who work and literature alongside an acknowledge- has been hired to teach in North Carolina.” ment and understanding of gay history. Despite living in this entirely different world, As a 26-year-old graduate student in 1973, D’Emilio remained involved in activism. In D’Emilio became part of a loose-knit group 1987, he joined the National Gay and Lesbian Enjoy a Long, called the Gay Academic Union that planned Taskforce eventually becoming Board Co-Chair conferences—and exponentially grew in an- of an organization that was oriented around nual attendance. “It provided a support setting community organization. Happy Life Together for thinking the unthinkable, which was to Eight years later, he moved to Washington, write my dissertation on a gay topic,” D’Emilio D.C., in order to help build a Policy Institute Dreaming about your new life together is easy. Preparing financially for recalled. That work focused on the gay move- for the taskforce. your ideal life, however, is often more complex. I have the experience ment in the United States before the Stone- During his tenure at UIC, D’Emilio witnessed and knowledge to help you accomplish your goals, through each wall riots and would form the basis of his first a change in gay visibility grow at a geometric book “Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities: The rate with the increased number of faculty mem- stage of your life. Call today for a complimentary consultation. Making of a Homosexual Minority in the United bers who were both out and active in the com- States, 1940-1970.” munity, the growth of the Gender and Sexuality There’s Wealth in Our Approach.™ It was also the catalyst for D’Emilio’s “com- Center and the success of Lavender graduation ing-out evening” to his family. ceremonies. “When I first started, most of my “I was at that point that I knew I had to students were heterosexual,” he said. “The gay James E. Elvord, AWM tell my parents,” he said. “I’m sitting there students either didn’t come out or did so tenta- First Vice President - Financial Advisor with my mom while she’s preparing dinner and tively as the semester went on. Now, everybody she looks at me and she says ‘are you a gay knows somebody who is gay. Family members 500 West Madison Street, Suite 2500 person?’ and I said ‘yes’ and she immediately have come out.” Chicago, IL 60661 ended the conversation and went back to chop- After enjoying his retirement for a short (312) 559-1738 • (800) 683-3246 ping vegetables. Over dinner, my dad puts his while, D’Emilio intends to make a start—by [email protected] knife and fork down and asks ‘are you a gay revolutionizing sex education in the United person?’ and I said ‘yes’. Well, we were off and States. He’s already ordered a substantial num- running with a very long back and forth con- ber of books on the history and politics of the versation.” Memories of that conversation and subject. He is also continually adding informa- the question “are you a gay person” have led tion to an LGBT history website: www.outhis- D’Emilio to recommend people do not come out tory.org. © 2013 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. to someone until they are also ready to counsel Read the entire article online at www. them. WindyCityMediaGroup.com. WINDY CITY TIMES July 23, 2014 9 have expected,” have been contacting him “As we’re developing these new traditions and as well, such as representatives from Detroit, these new etiquettes, which are evolving, I’m High-profile expansion for Memphis, Mississippi and elsewhere. finding that there are more and more questions “There seems to be a much bigger openness that couple want to know, want answered. to accept [same-sex marriage],” he said. “I Questions include “Who proposes?” and “Do Rony Tennenbaum Jewelry don’t know if that’s from a commercial stand- both have to wear diamond rings, do rings By Ross Forman point, because there’s a niche opportunity here have to match, and more.” that they are seeking, or that there really are One trend that’s been hot this spring and One of the largest, family-owned jewelry chains some barriers and walls that are coming down; summer, he said, is that couples getting en- in the country, Rogers & Hollands, has made I think that has a lot to do with it as well. gaged with secret proposals. “They are wonder- a “tremendous” move to reach the LGBT com- “Store owners are really finding that the ful, charming stories. I find more and more of munity, said renowned, openly gay jewelery niche is something relevant, something impor- that is happening,” he said. designer Rony Tennenbaum. tant. They are now wanting to carry products Tennenbaum, who has 25 years of experience in their stores that actually attract an LGBT in jewelry design and manufacturing, has been audience. I think it’s very interesting, very im- active in same-sex engagement and wedding portant. I think it’s good to see that there are rings since 2008. Rony Tennenbaum jewelry. PR photo still supportive people out there; people who “I always have a lot on my plate, new col- are willing to support the LGBT community.” lections that I’m working on, new ideas and Tennenbaum noted that there definitely is a concepts that are very interesting that will Rogers & Hollands announced it is adding growth and increase in the number of same-sex be coming out in 2015, expanding the niche, a new wedding jewelry collection created to couples going to retail outlets, searching for and more,” he said. “The opportunities are tre- celebrate marriage and equality—through the their wedding and engagement rings. And Ten- mendous out there for untapped markets, and addition of Rony Tennenbaum’s Jewelry collec- nenbaum also is going into the gay communi- that’s a very important factor.” tion—to its bridal cases in both its Woodfield ties more often—to answer questions. “That’s Mall location in Schaumburg, and in downtown a key new [aspect] to what I’m doing,” he said. Chicago’s Water Tower Place stores. The jewelry chain operates numerous stores in the Chicago- land area and throughout the Midwest. NLGJA Student Journalism Project, the Wom- “The fact Rogers & Hollands embraces the NLGJA national en’s Networking Dinner, NLGJA’s Excellence in LGBT community [sends] a huge message to Journalism Awards, and numerous other learn- other retailers, to other establishments, es- confab, summit ing and networking opportunities. pecially larger establishments, that LGBT can NBA Brooklyn Nets player Jason Collins will feel safe and supported in their stores,” Ten- in Chicago be among the headliners at this year’s conven- nenbaum said in a phone interview. “There’s The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists As- tion, sharing his experiences in dealing with no question, having the backing of a chain like sociation (NLGJA) will hold its national con- the news media after coming out after the end Rogers & Hollands is huge.” vention and 10th LGBT Media Summit at the of the 2012-2013 season. Among this year’s And it’s just the tip of the iceberg for same- Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St., on Aug. notable speakers will be Chris Gajilan, National sex couples, especially in Illinois, who are 21-24. Emmy and Gracie Allen Individual Achievement ready to tie the knot. The four-day assembly will begin with the Award-winning producer of Oprah. “Rogers & Hollands making a stand is very LGBT Media Summit on Aug. 21 and three boot There are two new additions to the conven- powerful, very important. It’s a very big step,” camps, followed by two full days of program- tion this year; a slate of boot camps focused on he said. ming with more than 30 workshops designed marketing, communications and business skills Tennenbaum said more retailers nationally to address the needs of journalists and those and the Michael Triplett Speaker Series on the have been reaching out to him as more and in the communication industry. intersection between religion and the LGBT more states pass same-sex marriage. He noted The convention also will include Connect: the community. Both are available to the public. Rony Tennenbaum. Press photo that retailers in locations “that I would not Visit www.nlgja.org. Time to Spring into a NEW FIAT!

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FIAT 500L $4,000 OFF or Lease for $179/mo All New FIATs Includes 3 Years Paid Maintenance PROUD MEMBER *Visit FIATchicago.com for more information on APR / Lease Offers or See Dealer for Details. 10 July 23, 2014 WINDY CITY TIMES VIEWPOINTS WINDY CITY TIMES VOL. 29, No. 43, July 23, 2014 LEE The combined forces of Windy City Times, founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, LYNCH founded May 1987. Nancy Garden (left) and partner Sandra PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR Scott. Tracy Baim

ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis THE AMAZON TRAIL BUSINESS MANAGER Ripley Caine DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright Nancy Garden: ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson SENIOR REPORTER Matt Simonette Senior Account Executives Terri Klinsky, Lesbian hero Kirk Williamson, Amy Matheny, Chris Cheuvront, Gretchen Blickensderfer People all over the world were heartbroken to PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT Scott Duff hear of Nancy Garden’s death in June. NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, David Byrne, Tony The Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) Peregrin, Lisa Keen, Yasmin Nair was only weeks from presenting her an award THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan for her beloved 1982 novel Annie On My Mind. CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight Jr. had the opportunity to work with Nancy’s GCLS Thousands upon thousands of kids worldwide Newbery Medal: “Free to a Good Mind: Left BOOKS WRITER Yasmin Nair acceptance speech, inserting her handwritten SPORTS WRITER Ross Forman found understanding of themselves or others banned book Annie On My Mind in an airport edits. There is no way to express how moved I luggage cart.“ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS by reading the classic young adult romance be- Mary Shen Barnidge, Steve Warren, Lawrence was to be trusted with the task, to handle her tween two teenage girls. Annie made a differ- —”Annie on my Mind was the second LGBTQ Ferber, Mel Ferrand, Jerry Nunn, Jonathan words. What an incredible honor, experience ence in adult lives too. I fell in love with the book I read & hid under my mattress.” Abarbanel and sad pleasure. COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Jorjet book in my forties; what a comfort it would —Author Karin Kallmaker: “It’s World Book There were no Nancy Garden books when I Day! I recommend a banned book—read some- Harper, Meghan Streit, Charlsie Dewey, Carrie have been to read it at age 15! Maxwell, Billy Masters, Sarah Toce, Dana Rudolph, was 16, but “Annie” has been around for other Nancy grew up in New England and New York. thing dangerous! Annie on My Mind by Nancy Sally Parsons, Melissa Wasserman, Joe Franco, Nick lesbians for 30 plus years. I wondered what She worked in publishing and wrote 10 books Garden comes to mind. Lots of really narrow- Patricca, Liz Baudler, Rex Wockner, Marie J. Kuda, readers might say about the book today and Kate Sosin before Annie, 35 in all. Her lifelong partner, minded people have tried for decades to make thought I’d let them speak for themselves here. sure you can’t read it. Screw ‘em! Read it!” SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Mel Ferrand, Hal Baim, Sandra Scott, survives her. Nancy has been Emmanuel Garcia, Tim Carroll, Ed Negron, Susan Their Twitter comments over the past few years honored with numerous awards. According to —”I so loved selling Annie on My Mind when Mattes attest to the amazing longevity and power of her website, the Kansas City school system I worked at a bookstore.” CIRCULATION Nancy Garden’s enchanting and enlighten sto- banned Annie On My Mind in 1993, and it has —”Nancy Garden’s Annie On My Mind is One CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright rytelling. DISTRIBUTION: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Renee, been burned in demonstrations. Courageous of the Most Important #LGBT Teen Novels Ever —”This is so dumb but i found a copy of An- Written.” Sue and Victor students brought a First Amendment lawsuit WEB HOSTING: LoveYourWebsite.com (lead nie On My Mind at the library in seventh grade in 1995 and won two years later. Not to be —”I read tht buk wn I ws 12- It gave a realty programmer: Martie Marro) and was horrifascinated by the cover & stole deterred, Nancy began yet another career and to something I was feeln.” it.” became an avid speaker on First Amendment —Author Leslea Newman: “Paying homage to —”I see why this book has been so frequent- Copyright 2014 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media rights. Nancy Garden by re-reading Annie On My Mind. Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back ly challenged & I adore it all the more!” issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). Members of GCLS were slightly comforted that It’s so good! No wonder it’s a classic.” —”Did you discover Annie On My Mind as a Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, she knew ahead of time about her award and —”Went to check-out Annie on my Mind in and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and teen at the public library, like me? Were you no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. her work continues to be celebrated, and by celebration of a long lived life. All 3 copies scared to check it out, but did anyway?” were out and I’m 7th hold. Love it!” All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy lesbians. In her speech of thanks, she wrote City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned —”the reaction of Liza’s friends, of her fam- about the impact on her of Radclyffe Hall’s —Writer Robin Talley: “Annie on My Mind, for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing ily, or her teachers, of her school to the char- the groundbreaking YA lesbian romance novel and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, 1928 novel The Well of Loneliness. She said, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own acter being gay ... Garden made it so real, and “[The Well] ends with an impassioned plea for published in 1982 that made it possible for me and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City I couldn’t help but cry at how unjust it was. to write the books I do.” Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of justice and understanding. That plea made me a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy Because even though this is a piece of fiction, vow, at 16 or so, to write a book one day for —”annie on my mind é tão (towe) City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the it has actually happened to so many people. sexual orientation of such person or organization. While and about my people that told the truth about amorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr” It was awful, but Garden captured that cruelty we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make who we are—and ended happily.” —Last, a reader tweeted, “Annie on My Mind this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept and misjudgment perfectly.” responsibility for advertising claims. That was my early story, too; I found the same saved a part of my soul.” —Author Katherine Applegate, winner of the Thank you, Nancy Garden. (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 ambition and inspiration from Hall’s book. I e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com the LGBTQ community. identities and experiences cannot be cleanly podcast: WindyCityQueercast.com Asking if, when or how the Hobby Lobby de- divided up and separately addressed. For bisex- NICOLE WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, cision will impact the LGBTQ community im- ual cis women with cis male partners, bisexual 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, Illinois 60640 ERIN plies that contraceptive access is not a rights and reproductive rights are closely in- U.S.A MORSE issue. However, this is simply not borne out by tertwined. When Jennifer C. Pizer, writing for (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) the facts. The Guttmacher Institute estimates , asserts that the court’s ruling Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. that 99 percent of people with uteruses in the represents a blow to women’s rights but does Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. United States use birth control at some point not yet affect the rights of LGBTQ people, this OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE in their lives; queer people are undoubtedly framing essentially supposes that there is no www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Hobby Lobby represented in that population. overlap between the groups of “women” and www.WindyCityQueercast.com For some LGBTQ people, hormonal contracep- “LGBTQ people,” as well as assuming that all already tives serve additional purposes besides birth people who are affected by the Hobby Lobby “Windy City Media Group generated enormous interest among their readers control. When Sandra Fluke gained national decision are women (“What the Supreme in this year’s LGBT Consumer Index affects attention in 2012 for her fight against George- Court’s Hobby Lobby Decision Means for LGBT Survey. Out of approximately 100 town University’s religiously-based denial of People,” July 8). print and online media partners who Since the Supreme Court announced its deci- contraceptive coverage, she told the story of This specific conversation will soon be ir- participated in the survey, Windy sion in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, I’ve encoun- a lesbian student who needed oral contracep- relevant. Some religious groups are already tered many conversations in person and in City was the best performing regional tives to control ovarian cysts. When this les- seeking exemptions from anti-discrimination media in the U.S. Only survey partners print about the decision’s impact on our com- bian woman was no longer able to afford to pay laws based on the Hobby Lobby decision, and munity. with a nationwide footprint were for contraceptives out-of-pocket, she ended up George Fox University has been granted a reli- able to generate a greater number of However, too many people are asking the requiring surgery that compromised her fertil- gious exemption from Title IX that allows them wrong question. Editorials ask “if” or “how” the responses.” ­­—David Marshall, Research ity. There are many reasons, including prevent- to exclude a trans student from campus hous- Director, Community Marketing, Inc. Hobby Lobby decision “might” impact LGBTQ ing pregnancy, that LGBTQ people with uter- ing. Yet, too often LGBTQ rights and reproduc- people, ignoring the members of our commu- uses need affordable access to contraceptives. tive rights are discussed as if they are entirely nity who have been affected by the decision It is simply not possible to talk about LG- separate issues. As long as there are LGBTQ from the moment it was handed down. For LG- BTQ rights and reproductive rights as separate people with uteruses and ovaries, contracep- BTQ people with uteruses, access to contracep- spheres. As Kimberlé Crenshaw pointed out in tive access and reproductive rights are LGBTQ tives is often a medical necessity. We need to developing the concept of intersectionality, rights. acknowledge that even the allegedly “narrow” specifically in opposition to white feminists’ Nicole Erin Morse is a Ph.D. student at the ruling that the Supreme Court announced June demands that sexism should be understood as and a clinic escort 30 permits discrimination against members of an issue separate from racism, an individual’s with Illinois Choice Action Team. WINDY CITY TIMES July 23, 2014 11 GOINGS-ON WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

Photo from Patrick Livingston

WHAT A CARD Illusionist Patrick Livingston will be part of “An Evening of Magic.” See page 14. THEATER DISH MOVIES ‘Weep’ appeal. It’s Greek to me. Be like Mike. Page 12 Page 18 Page 16 Photo from Men Should Weep Press photo from Photo of Michael Douglas in And So It by Michael Brosilow dishes at Taxim Goes by Clay Enos

SCOTTISH PLAY SCOTT “It was a living breathing changing thing. And at times that was exhilarating but by the time we were hitting previews in New York, I think we were all craving some things to lock Jessie Mueller makes in—which thankfully, they did. And I’m really proud of the end result. As far as Carole being reluctant to see it, that always made sense to good on Broadway me. I saw that as an essential part of her—be- lieving in the work but not wanting to be the BY SCOTT C. MORGAN laborator, Gerry Goffin, before she ultimately ‘front man.’” becomes a sensation as a pop performer herself “Just seeing what’s she’s doing in Beauti- There’s no doubt that when Jessie Mueller won with the best-selling album Tapestry. ful, it’s different from her,” said Roger Mueller the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musi- Mueller granted the Windy City Times an in- about his daughter’s performance in Beautiful, cal for the title role of the Broadway jukebox terview, but only via email so she could help adding that he was speaking as a fellow actor show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, her rest her voice for doing eight shows a week rather than an admiring parent. “The way she entire Evanston family of talented actors was of Beautiful. First of all, we had to ask about puts the voice is very different than her normal overflowing with pride and admiration. The her Tony Awards experience at Radio City Music sweet spot of voice. The way she’s crafted it, same could also be said for local theater fans Hall on June 8. I’m still not sure how she’s created that sound. “That night was crazy because most of the It’s just enough of Carole King to give you the who had seen Mueller triumph in leading lady Carole King (left) and Jessie Mueller at the performers and nominees were running back impression, but she’s still able to sing with her roles throughout the Chicago area in shows like Tony Awards. Photo by Shevett Studios Meet Me in St. Louis at Drury Lane Theatre, She and forth between sitting in their seats and voice coming through.” Loves Me at Writers Theatre, and All Shook Up getting prepped and un-prepped to perform,” Jessie Mueller scoffed at the question of and Guys and Dolls at the Marriott Theatre be- Mueller responded. “Some of my favorite mem- it happening and fully experienced it but at whether she was able to work on any other fore she headed east to New York to triumph on ories are from the dressing rooms backstage— times it feels like that was another person.” projects concurrently with her run of Beauti- and off Broadway. everyone going back and forth from their red Now Carole King herself very publicly dis- ful on Broadway, nor did she specify on how Mueller’s debut on Broadway was in an unfor- carpet looks to their costumes and watching tanced herself initially from the creation of long she is contracted with the show. Muel- tunate 2011 flop: a revised revival of On a Clear their friends and colleagues on the broadcast Beautiful, leaving many of the artistic matters ler also said that she misses Chicago often Day You Can See Forever starring Harry Con- on monitors backstage.” to her daughter, Sherry Groffin Kondor. Mueller and is bummed out that she won’t be able to nick Jr. Yet Mueller managed to walk away from Mueller said she has gone back to watch reflected on the creation of Beautiful by say- see Brigadoon at the Goodman—not only be- the production with stellar reviews and her some of the Tony Award TV clips, and that she’s ing “this was the most intense and ultimately cause her father is in it, but because she’s also first Tony nomination. Since then, Mueller has happy about how Beautiful came off during its collaborative process I’ve ever been on with a previously worked before with director Rachel found continual work in New York and drawn performance and how being able to watch her- show.” Rockwell and Liza Lerner of the Alan Jay Lerner plenty of critical raves as Cinderella in a Central self perform a duet with Carole King “was a “It really was built from the ground up. estate. Mueller also added that she would love Park revival of Into the Woods, as Carrie in a trip.” Our book writer, Doug McGrath, did a brilliant to return to Chicago if the project was right, televised New York Philharmonic production of “My folks were there, with my boyfriend, up job interviewing the four songwriters—Barry, like a pre-Broadway tryout or perhaps a limited Carousel, as Helena Landless in the Broadway front. But my sister and best friend were also Cynthia, Gerry and Carole. And it was through run like one of the Rodgers and Hammerstein revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood and as there, just farther back,” said Mueller, happy those interviews that he created the events of musicals lined up at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. a replacement Billie Bendix in the Broadway at the fact that the agent to her father, Roger the play,” Mueller stated. “What was wonderful “New York can be a very stressful and high musical Nice Work if You Can Get It, opposite Mueller, specifically wrote a clause into his was the combination of that with a group of octane kind of place, but it has been very good Matthew Broderick. contract allowing him to skip actors who had done their ‘homework’ and were to me,” Mueller said. “I’ve been extremely But it was starring as Carole King in Beauti- a day of Brigadoon rehearsals and attend the extremely committed to bringing these REAL blessed in the opportunities I’ve had and the ful that has truly catapulted Mueller to Broad- Tony Awards if his daughter was nominated for people to authentic life onstage. Everyone was amazing people I’ve met.” way-star status. Featuring songs by King and Beautiful. “When I mentioned Abby’s name (my committed to making it great. We had rewrites Beautiful: The Carole King Musical continues her colleagues Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, sister) she screamed! It was awesome. I could every day. Song choices changed, were rear- on Broadway in New York in an open run at the Beautiful follows the songwriting career of hear it all the way on the stage. I think my ranged, scrapped, brought back. Stephen Sondheim Theatre. For more informa- King through marriage and divorce to her col- family and I are still a bit in shock. I remember tion, visit www.beautifulonbroadway.com. 12 July 23, 2014 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW sense to understand and despair and cry—as the title requires—but even so Stewart offers Men Should Weep no forgiveness. Playwright: Ena Lamont Stewart Discovering this little-known play and play- At: Griffin Theatre Company wright (both previously unknown to me even at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. though I studied with a Glasgow-bred play- Tickets: 1-866-811-4111; wright who must have known Stewart person- www.griffintheatre.com; $35 ally) is typical of the always-surprising and Runs through: Aug. 10 rewarding dramaturgy of Griffin Theatre Compa- ny. We’ve come to expect high production stan- BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL dards from Griffin, too, and Men Should Weep does not disappoint. Director Robin Witt—a Written in 1947, Men Should Weep is set a de- reliable and sensitive interpreter who values cade earlier in a Glasgow, Scotland, slum tene- understatement—has assembled a fine, large ment. Its author was a smart literary cookie company dominated by layered and nuanced almost certainly familiar with the dramas of performances from Lori Myers and Scot West as Dublin slum life written 25 years earlier by Maggie and John Morrison, a couple perhaps Sean O’Casey, especially Juno and the Paycock. no more than 40 years old who nonetheless are Both feature families with too many children, careworn and old. There are 13 others in the perpetually unemployed husband/fathers, old- cast none of whom disappoint, with particu- er sons and daughters who get into trouble, larly pointed work (as it needs to be) from Ellie gossipy neighbors and wife/mothers who are as Reed as daughter Jenny, Curtis Jackson as son profound in their endurance as they are hard- Alec and Amanda Power as his wife, Isa. Kath- pressed by their family circumstances. erine Banks is pointed but sympathetic as Lily, The important difference, however, is that Maggie’s sister and refuge. John Morrison, the central male in Men Should Costume designer Kate Murphy has a sharp Weep, is neither alcoholic nor a shiftless and period eye for both drab and stylish outfits, selfish blowhard as is his O’Casey counterpart, rich in texture and detail if not always bright “Captain” Boyle. Morrison is steady, sober, with color (but in 1936 or 1937, Alec would devoted, capable of generosity and tender- be wearing a “vest” or undershirt). Courtney ness, and well-aware of the terrible conditions The Beverly Hillbillies: The Musical. Photo by Michael Brosilow O’Neill’s detailed scenic design grounds the wrought by too large a family and too little play in the necessary gritty reality of a cramped work. It’s not enough. In the final twist, his tenement apartment. fetchingly played by Summer Smart. Great as THEATER REVIEW Presbyterian morality (although he and his If not entirely original in idea or situation, the song may be, it’s misleading because Elly family are not obviously religious) separates Men Should Weep is deeply truthful and heart- May soon recedes into the background as other The Beverly Hillbillies: him from his wife and oldest daughter just as felt, its pain leavened by warmth and comedy. less-significant characters start taking prec- Capt. Boyle’s hypocritical morality drives his It’s performed at Griffin with poignancy and The Musical edent over what we assumed would be her sig- Playwrights: David Rogers and Amanda wife and daughter from the house. As rendered passion. nificant journey through the show. Rogers; Songwriter: Gregg Opelka by playwright Stewart, Morrison has the good Despite the sketchily drawn characteriza- At: Theatre at the Center, tions and clumsy plot mechanics, The Beverly 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana Hillbillies at least receives a grand production Tickets: 219-836-3255 or at Theatre at the Center. Set designer Ann N. www.theatreatthecenter.com; $40-$44 Davis’ mansion set is handsomely ornate, while Runs through: Aug. 10 director David Perkovich deserves credit for as- The Qualms. sembling a talented cast that includes Kelly BY SCOTT C. MORGAN Photo by Anne Clark as Granny and Jim Harms as Jed. Michael Unless it receives a major structural overhaul, Many theater aficionados bemoan how so many Brosilow don’t expect to see The Beverly Hillbillies, The new musicals are adaptations of films with Musical headed for Broadway any time soon. household names. So you can guess how nega- Go only if you’re a die-hard fan of the original tively they might react to the news that the TV series and if you want to see characters like 1960s TV sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies has just Granny or Jed sing. been turned into a stage musical. I must admit that I didn’t have high hopes THEATER REVIEW marks in defiance of the most fundamental going into The Beverly Hillbillies, The Musi- rules of hospitality. cal in its world premiere production at Theatre CRITICS’ PICKS The Qualms The result of this artificial symposium is re- Playwright: Bruce Norris at the Center in Munster, Ind. Alas, the show lentless R-rated repartee serving no lasting At: Steppenwolf Theatre, didn’t exceed my already lowered expectations, Checking Boxes, About Face Youth The- purpose beyond providing infantile playgo- 1650 N. Halsted St. despite the very high caliber of the cast in- atre Ensemble at Austin Town Hall, then ers a giggle when somebody says “vagina.” Tickets: 312-335-1650; volved. Willye White Park, through Aug. 1. Play- This doesn’t mean there aren’t some intrigu- www.steppenwolf.org; $20-$86 If you’ve missed The Beverly Hillbillies in its wright and poet Shannon Matesky teams ing backstories hidden beneath the potty- Runs through: Aug. 31 perpetual state of TV syndication, then you’ll with the About Face Youth Theatre Ensem- mouth veneer: we want to hear more from need to know that it’s all about the extended ble for a thoughtful and multifaceted look the widowed Deb, whose late husband en- BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE Clampett family who become instant million- at immigration and the dangers faced by dowed her with a circle of intimate friends aires off of their oil-rich land in the Ozarks. workers who come out as undocumented. (in every sense of the word) to comfort her At a well-planned sex party—or just about Each week, the Clampetts’ backwater antics SCM in her bereavement. How did war-veteran any kind of party, for that matter—there is would be played for laughs when contrasted Dead Man’s Cell Phone, The Enthusiasts Roger come to find people tolerant of his an understanding that you don’t have to en- with the modern conveniences and morays of at Athenaeum Theatre, through July 27. carpe-diem lifestyle? What delivered sweet- gage in sex, but are free to enjoy the occa- their new home in Beverly Hills, California. Sarah Ruhl’s nebulous 2007 speculation tempered Teri from an abusive adolescence sion in whatever manner you wish. At poor- The biggest problems with this musical Bev- on wireless culture is billed as a “comedy” to the stable environment of supportive ly-planned sex parties, by contrast, group erly Hillbillies have to do with its shoddy script in this playfully romantic production by peers? pressure frequently makes for divisive con- and score structure. The late playwright David a theater company making its auspicious Too often, however, Norris’ narrative breaks frontations between those seeking mindless Rogers and his daughter, Amanda Rogers, are debut. MSB down to a series of debates triggered by a sensory indulgence and those bent on ana- responsible for the musical’s book, which fea- The Late Henry Moss, Artistic Home, self-righteous agitator childishly rejecting lytic discussion as a preface to the evening’s tures far too many minor characters and sub- through Aug. 3. Sam Shepard’s late-vin- the courtesy shown him by his hosts (who activities. Bruce Norris’ sex party, however, plots for comfort. It’s as though the Rogers tage play is rendered surprisingly coherent inexplicably volunteer information that real- features an insecure husband who ignores tried to cram in at least four Beverly Hillbillies by the Artistic Home’s skillfully crafted life acquaintances would have shared years the options exercised by gracious guests in episodes into one show, leaving most of the psychological dynamics in its intimate earlier) in order to propel the plot to the such circumstances to instead proclaim at characters underdeveloped and thinly drawn. storefront space. (Try to get the seat next requisite 90 minutes mandated by modern length his stubbornly dogmatic disapproval The haphazard script also hampers the score to the girl in the bathtub.) MSB theater marketing. To be sure, conflict— of the entire event. by Jeff Award winner Gregg Opelka. Although A Musical Tribute to the Andrews whether based in politics, religion or choice Norris has confessed only to watching a Opelka provides a number of catchy songs, Sisters, Theo Ubique through Aug. 31; of bed-buddies—is a quick-and-easy way documentary on polyamorous communities their placement throughout the show often Sisters of Swing, Fox Valley Repertory, to generate actorly fizz, but neither Pamela by way of research, so perhaps he can be frustratingly holds up the action—particularly through July 27. The first Patty, LaVerne McKinnon’s capable ensemble of Chicago’s forgiven his own uneasiness with the marital in the Act II pursuit of two blackmailers on the and Maxine show is pure musical revue favorite players or Todd Rosenthal’s slickly practices reflecting the characters’ individual run played by Bernie Yvon and Colette Todd. while the second offers biography, too. replicated playpen can compensate for the experiences and philosophy. Besides, a play- Other times, the songs give a wrong-headed Both supply all the group’s toe-tapping clumsiness of its content. wright’s gotta keep his personnel swapping impression about the musical’s tone and direc- hits. JA Norris, in his playbill note, claims his play’s chat somehow—even if it means invoking tion. —By Abarbanel, Barnidge goal was to “make it impossible to go home the threadbare writing-workshop device of For example, Opleka opens the show with and Morgan afterward and have sex,” but what we are introducing the ultimate party-pooper and an “I want” song that spells out a personal more likely to do after the show is to look giving him free rein to make offensive re- dilemma for the cute-as-a-button Elly May, for a more mature revel. WINDY CITY TIMES July 23, 2014 13 THEATER REVIEW Othello Playwright: William Shakespeare At: Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: 773-283-7071; www.thegifttheatre.org; $20-$35 Runs through: Aug. 24 BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE SPOTLIGHT Shakespeare never tells us how ethnically di- verse the Venetian army was before an African soldier named Othello distinguished himself honorably in the war with Turkey for possession of Cyprus, but the recognition granted this val- iant warrior would probably have stirred rancor among his subordinates regardless of his com- plexion or his marriage to a senator’s daughter. The resentment is especially malignant in his immediate subordinate, Iago, already chafing under the indignities of a disabling injury and an indifferent wife. Next in line for promotion, he is nevertheless passed over for advance- ment, his rank instead going to the less field- savvy Cassio. Incensed by this perceived injus- tice, Iago swears revenge on his rival and his Show your support for Pride Films and commander. Plays’ upcoming Women’s Words Week by His plan, for those unfamiliar with the story, attending the fundraising revue LezFest: A involves convincing the newlywed Othello that Kareem Bandealy (left) as the title character and Michael Patrick Thornton as Iago in Othello. One Night Fling. Produced by Libby Lane his adoring bride, Desdemona, is conducting Photo by Claire Demos and Chrystle Morman, the show features an adulterous affair with the likewise innocent performances by Christy Hasselson (2006 Cassio. Aided by the foppish Roderigo, Iago fitted with headlights, military sidearms and rumpled uniform, G.I. drawl and high-and-tight winner of Windy City Gay Idol), storyteller orchestrates a series of circumstances support- concealed weapons to render him physically, haircut. Lauren Sivak, slam poet and playwright ing his sly insinuations designed to rouse the as well as psychologically, threatening. Rather With two such formidable presences, the Shannon Matesky, vocalist Liz Pazik, co- gullible husband’s suspicions. Emelia, aka Mrs. than ignoring this significant visual image, di- performances of the mostly young cast cannot median Shanna Brown and more. LezFest: Iago, is also inadvertently pressed into service, rector Jonathan Berry embraces its integration help but pale by comparison (including that of A One Night Fling is at 7 p.m. Monday, July as is Cassio’s paramour and even the hapless into the stage picture (at one point, a furi- storefront-circuit regular Brittany Burch, who 28, at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. Gen- new officer, himself. These become collateral ous Othello pins Iago from behind, tipping his needs to develop a few post-ingenue chops). eral admission tickets are $10 and $30 for damage after they cease to be useful, dis- chair back on two wheels to further restrict The greater mystery, though, is how a show VIP seating and program recognition. Tick- patched by a remorseless murderer whose con- his opportunity for escape). In the title role, with minimal scene changes occupying a stage ets available via Brown Paper Tickets at finement to a wheelchair in no way obstructs Kareem Bandealy—an actor of Pakistani de- barely bigger than a bathmat emerges with a www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling the implementation of his deadly stratagems. scent—suggests Othello’s efforts to overcome running time of nearly three hours. All that 800-838-3006. Visit www.pridefilmsand- Yes, you heard that right. For this Gift The- his insecure social status through the care he aside, where else will you find yourself looking plays.com for more information. Photo of atre production, Iago is played by Michael takes with his appearance and his classically into the very eyes of a sociopathic killer as he Hasselson courtesy of Pride Films and Plays Patrick Thornton, whose chair has been out- trained speech, as contrasted with Thornton’s blithely plots his victims’ ruin?

2014 Sept 4 - Sept Sept7 4 - Sept 7

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“Dancing On Duval” Block Party • Pool Parties! • Water Sports Live Model Art Show • Island Ladies Home Tour • Beach Party! womenfest.com gaykeywestfl.com KEY 305-294-4603 WEST 14 July 23, 2014 WINDY CITY TIMES NUNN ON ONE: THEATER Paul Oakley Stovall has no ‘Qualms’ about Steppenwolf production

can mean having a few problems or something that makes someone uncomfortable. When I saw Greg Stuhr act as Chris in what I consider to be the lead role, then I understood it is about his list of qualms about people, people of color, possibly gay people—not just preju- dices, but he’s prickly. WCT: Talk about your character, Ken. POS: He is, according to the playwright, not gay. I just thought this idea of masculinity and femininity was interesting. The director, Pam MacKinnon, didn’t tell me to play it one way or the other because those words can trap you. She just told me to be comfortable in my Paul Oakley Stovall. Photo from Steppenwolf skin because the actions that you take tell the by Jerry Nunn story. WCT: Refresh our readers about your time hung in the public squares still in Iraq because Some people have said he comes off stereo- on Shortbus. they are not really pretty. So the show gets into Steppenwolf Theatre Company has a brand-new typically gay at the beginning but, at the end, POS: I had a role called Magnus. What hap- that. We have been workshopping this thing show titled The Qualms, and one actor in the he’s pushing the guy through the table. He’s pened was I knew John Cameron Mitchell from for five years. It has gone all different direc- cast is playing for our team. Paul Oakley Stovall quite protective of his loved one. He’s the only just the downtown circle. I auditioned for tions. We are trying to tell the story of two best has built quite an impressive resume over the one in the house that has the nerve to tell the Shortbus. He auditioned people in couples. I friends; we share this Batman and Robin story. years. guy to get out. Everyone else wants to placate just didn’t make the cut in the top couples. He In the end, it comes down to not forgetting He was last seen in Steppenwolf’s Words on him. Do we take the outside of someone and still wanted me to read his drafts to tell him your best friend as a possible love interest. I Fire. He earned a Jeff nomination for Play On! say, “He’s feminine and not strong?” what I thought of the script because he liked should leave it there. His Off-Broadway credits include Dessa Rose I am very interested in the gay community my sense of humor. I went back to Chicago and WCT: How do people keep up with this and Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. National about what is strong, what is masculine, what he would come visit me to meet my friends. He project? tours have included RENT and Once on This Is- is being a man and what does that mean? I like wanted to meet people in gay communities all POS: If they have money, they can email me! land. Some film credits are The Company and to play with this idea that Ken sits however he over the country. On his own dime he did re- [Laughs] There is a Facebook page CLEAR: A Shortbus. wants. He protects like the true alpha. He’s the search about communities. When it came down New Musical Experience. For the past six years he has served as an true alpha on that stage. to the script, I wasn’t in the main thing but he WCT: For Qualms, we have a run into Au- Obama administration advance associate, and WCT: Did they want the role to be played asked me what I wanted to play. He wrote the gust. is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association. by a gay man? part for me. POS: All summer to see me in my Speedo! It The Qualms is the eighth play by Bruce Nor- POS: I’m going to be judicious and say they WCT: You have had a sexual background of was a good motivation to get back into shape. ris that Steppenwolf has produced. The play is gave it to the best person for the role. [Laughs] work. Six months ago I could not have done it. How set at a beachside home where a gathering of WCT: Fair enough. You obviously have a lot POS: [Sings] “I’ve only just begun.” did I do? friends turns into a polyamorous smackdown. of fun with that character. WCT: You were on television’s Chicago POS: Are you hitting on me? [Laughs] Instead of sexual escapades, things turn into POS: Sometimes too much fun! Fire? Swing over to the Steppenwolf, 1650 N. an unhealthful debate about sex, racism and WCT: The show tackles a lot of subjects. POS: I was on it for an episode last season. Halsted St., before Aug. 31 to catch The status. POS: It is hard to even remember not to eat My character is still alive. I was just talking to Qualms. For tickets, visit www.steppenwolf. Stovall plays Ken, a character who has an the extra piece of food because you have a line a guy I did the scene with, and we were hoping org or call 312-335-1650. open relationship with Deb, leading to lots coming up. That’s how detailed everything is. my character would come back. of laughter. After opening night, Windy City It seems like we are in an environment where WCT: You were nominated for a GLAAD Me- Times went backstage to get the dish from a we are high and drinking, all very chill, but dia Award? Next Theatre man with no qualms about wearing a Speedo. that show is so meticulous. POS: Yes; Immediate Family was also nomi- Windy City Times: Hi, Paul. Start off with a WCT: So it is very choreographed? nated for a Jeff Award and a Steinberg Award, facing eviction little about your background. POS: Oh, yeah. What you are talking about also. It had Phylicia Rashad as a director at Facing more than $76,000 in back rent, Paul Oakley Stovall: I am from Chicago. I with all of the subjects, if the person who is the Goodman Theatre and will be at About Face the Next Theatre Company in Evanston, Il- studied at The DePaul Theatre School. I’m just starting the new subject doesn’t really come Theatre. linois, will be forced to leave its current Chicago through and through. I’ve lived other on top of all of those overlaps the whole play WCT: How do you do it all? home at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center places since I graduated such as New York for sucks in because you are being shy with saying POS: I haven’t even told you about working following the conclusion of the 2014-15 eight years. I did regional theater so you can your overlap line. We had to figure out through with Mrs. Obama yet. season, according to The Chicago Tribune. say you live somewhere for three months at a trial and error who has to cut through and keep WCT: Tell me. Next Theatre, an Equity company that time if you get a nice long run. I’ve done pretty the motor going so the audience will happily POS: It is fantastic. helped give life to the Off-Broadway musi- much every regional theater; now I am back stay with each changing topic. WCT: Did that relationship start here in cal Adding Machine, has been in residence in Chicago for a few years. I’ve been back a WCT: The good thing is people can see it Chicago? at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center for more more than once. couple of weeks now. POS: No, it started in New York. I was work- than 30 years. POS: Right, so they can pick out different ing retail there and a friend came by, offered WCT: I read you started writing when you City council members are expected to things and track a different person. That’s a me to be a job and it blossomed into an actual were very young. decline the renewal of Next Theatre’s good trick. I am going to try that in my next position. Next thing you know I left New York. I POS: I started writing poetry then joined lease following the 2014-15 season and play. even gave up acting for awhile for a paycheck. About Face Theatre as a company member. We will also take action to begin collection had a winter festival of new works and they WCT: It made me want to see it from a dif- The whole world opened up to me. I watched on back rent. Rob Andalman, chairman of knew I had done musicals so they had me sing ferent angle. the Obamas handle a level of superstardom and Next Theatre’s board of directors, cited the songs between the scenes of the other es- POS: Yes, even your position in the room. You racism they face with such dignity. economy and Chicago’s brutal winter as teemed writers that were going to present new saw it just now? WCT: Future projects? factors in the theater’s financial state. works. I just told a lie and said that I write. WCT: Fresh from seeing it. The actor that POS: I have an incredible musical I am work- I had abut 16 hours to go home and write a plays Roger, David Pasquesi, reminds me of ing on called CLEAR. It is not a sexual musical play. I came back and presented a scene from Adrien Brody. We were on the same episode but there is a very sexual element that I dove ‘Sharmila’ it, because that’s all I had. It went over very of Starz’s Boss a few years ago and I thought into. It is about race and identity within the well. It became Immediate Family and was at it was Brody himself. gay community, dating within your own race through Aug. 9 the Goodman. I just stayed with it. POS: He’s brilliant. He’s a Second City guy. He with the gay community can be a racist en- Catharsis Productions’ Me, My Mom & WCT: What a crazy story. absolutely sticks to the text and doesn’t improv vironment. We don’t pay attention to Uganda Sharmila—a one-woman show by Fawzia POS: Challenge yourself is the lesson, not to like that. There’s a confidence of someone that and Cameroon where you can be decapitated if Mirza—will run at Theater Wit, 1229 W. lie... knows funny. His timing is so good. you are thought to be gay, it doesn’t even have Belmont Ave., on July 24-Aug. 9 at 7:30 WCT: Fake it until you make it! WCT: His little expressions are priceless. to be proven. p.m. POS: I’m still faking it today. POS: He tries things onstage to try to make Every white gay person in WeHo [West Hol- A brief talk-back will follow every per- WCT: Where does the name The Qualms you laugh. When you try to do something to lywood, California] was pouring vodka in the formance. refer to? get him back, don’t ever do that to someone gutters because of what happened in Russian See “Me, My Mom & Sharmila at Theatre POS: Once I read the play I wasn’t sure about that is a professional of Second City. Don’t try but this stuff was going on for 20 years. We Wit” on Facebook, contact Cara Thaxton at the title because the word just means possibly to get them onstage. He’s always ready with a don’t care because they are not blonde and [email protected]. having a few reservations about something. It crack under his breath! blue-eyed so we ignore that 15-year-olds get WINDY CITY TIMES July 23, 2014 15

“Mr. Norris’s knack for writing smart, crisply funny dialogue has been well established…these debates are lively, funny and racy” — “Plenty of amusement ensues from the bawdy dialogue… The Qualms really is funny” — Variety

“Every comic beat lands just right” — Time Out Chicago

THE QuAlms By ensemBle memBer Bruce Norris DirecteD By Pam mackiNNoN

Audiences Are hot for The Qualms!

“More Bruce Norris plays! He’s a “THE best play of “Hilarious… genius...makes you laugh, makes the season…we were a Big Bowl of Yes” you cry, makes you think” laughing uncontrollably”

A wild and funny world premiere worth talking about. Tickets start at just $20. steppenwolf.org | 312-335-1650

2013/14 Grand Benefactors 2013/14 Benefactors

Stpnwlf_Windy_Qu_10x135_4CFP_7-25.indd 1 7/17/14 1:19 PM 16 July 23, 2014 WINDY CITY TIMES engagement on Sunday, July 27, and Wed., July It’s not the usual closeted gay thing one ex- 30. The movie centers on the wedding weekend pects and makes for a very compelling movie. of a very photogenic couple (the groom is a www.siskelfilmcenter.com heavyset dead ringer for Michael Fassbender) Now available: The Best of Knight at the KNIGHT attended by family and close friends. The fes- Movies: 2004-2014—a compilation book of AT tivities are interrupted by the arrival of a mys- more than 150 of my film reviews from a queer THE terious male stranger who wants the bride to perspective for Windy City Times—is now avail- MOVIES know exactly what kind of man she’s marrying. able. www.knightatthemovies.com ‘An Evening of Magic’

By Richard Knight Jr. to benefit AFC By Phillip-John Puzzo

And So It Goes; From the front window of Patrick Livingston’s apartment, visitors can glimpse the ornate film notes façade of the Uptown Theatre, which stands eight stories tall and closed its doors to reg- There is precious little in ’s latest ular audiences in 1981. The theater is the film—a golden-years romantic comedy titled largest movie palace in the United States, And So It Goes—that bears any resemblance Michael Douglas in And So It Goes. Image by boasting more interior space then Radio City to real life. The set-up is that all-too-familiar Clay Enos/Clarius Entertainment Music Hall in New York City, and many fa- story of opposites (eventually) attracting that mous magicians like Howard Thurston and has long been a staple of Hollywood; a pur- ment.) Harry Blackstone performed on the Uptown posely fake world where the two opposites— Keaton, this generation’s Katharine Hep- Theatre’s stage through the Vaudevillian cir- she, a would-be cabaret singer dressed to the burn—who sings lush, romantic standards cuit in the 1920s and 30s. nines, can make $1,500 a week; and he, a like “The Shadow of Your Smile” in her lovely, “Often enough, I find myself staring at the wealthy cranky pants mourning his late wife timorous voice—so perfectly embodies the el- theater and thinking about magicians selling who can get her the only-in-the-movies job in derly, slightly dotty oddball. The honest emo- out all 4,300 seats every night of the week,” the first place—will eventually find common tional intensity these two bring to their parts; said Livingston, sipping a cup of coffee, “and ground in true Pillow Talk-Doris Day-Rock Hud- Reiner’s sure direction with actors (always his the thought inspires me to continue master- son tradition and improbably fall in love. strongest suit); and a sufficient number of zip- ing the art of magic.” Illusionist Benjamin Barnes. The fuddy-duddy story—from a script by py, sitcomish laughs throughout make And So Livingston is an award-winning magician Mark Andrus (As Good As It Gets, Divine Se- It Goes a nice summer alternative to the usual who is organizing a theatrical magic perfor- their tricks. “Robert and Ben are breathing a crets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Georgia Rules)— fare of planets exploding, superheroes battling mance called “An Evening of Magic” at the lot of life into the culture of magic through is forgivable because Diane Keaton and Michael forces of evil or teens being slashed by venge- , 3656 N. Halsted St., on this show and they are also excellent per- Douglas are playing the singer and the fuss- ful spirits. Saturday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m. Eight unique formers,” said Livingston. budget. The star power and palpable chemistry illusionists will perform at the event, with all New additions to “An Evening of Magic” of the two is very winning (they could play this Film notes: proceeds benefiting the AIDS Foundation of not seen on the show posters hanging all stuff in their sleep), and the expert supporting —Cinemark Theatres, in partnership with Chicago (AFC). over Chicago include entertainer David Kovac turns by Frances Sternhagen and Rob Reiner 20th Century Fox, is presenting My Favorite At 12, Livingston picked up a magic book and husband-and-wife team Danny Orleans (who also directs)—acting pros with crack tim- Musicals, a marathon screening of three be- and taught himself one of the most basic and Jan Rose. Livingston is very excited both ing in the supporting parts—slowly overcomes loved songfests: 2001’s Moulin Rouge, 1969’s tricks: put three pennies in someone’s palm, high-profile magicians have the chance to the disjointed script that seems to be made up Hello Dolly and 1955’s Oklahoma. close that person’s hand, say “Abracadabra” astound audience members and raise money of random pieces that don’t really fit together. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor co-star as and open the hand to find four pennies. for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Douglas is Oren Little, a cynical high-end re- the ill-fated songbirds in Mouline Rouge, di- He became instantly hooked on the rush of Kovac will emcee the event; he is recog- altor who has moved from the luxurious man- rector Baz Luhrman’s frenetic musical pastiche. shifting people’s perceptions of the world, nized as a modern vaudevillian, reinterpret- sion he shared with his late wife (and is now Barbra Streisand, though too young to play the if only for a moment, and hasn’t stopped ing the style and sensibility of vaudeville trying to sell) into a cozy apartment building leading role in Gene Kelly’s Hello Dolly, nev- teaching himself tricks since. Through his in a modern setting, and is known for his he owns by Keaton’s Leah, who is also widowed ertheless manages to enliven this lavish but teen years, Livingston, 33, didn’t know why tricks and jokes. Danny Orleans auditioned and who hopes to turn her singing hobby into otherwise rather leaden adaptation of the long he was called to do magic, but he eventu- and hired Jan Rose when he took the oppor- a career. Oren lords over the other inhabitants running Broadway smash. And Gordon McRae, ally discovered that his great-uncle was tunity to create a theater show in downtown of the building—an African -American couple Shirley Jones, Charlotte Greenwood, Gloria Gra- a famous vaudevillian magician named Al Chicago. Only a short time later, in 1983, expecting a baby at any moment and a rather hame, Rod Steiger, Eddie Albert and Gene Nel- Caroselli. “I guess magic runs in the fam- they exchanged nuptials and, according to nondescript pair distinguished by their noisy son are perfectly cast in Fred Zinnemann’s glo- ily,” said Livingston. “My uncle was friends Livingston, founded a distinctive act blend- kids. As the others gather in the courtyard each rious big screen adaptation of the Rodger’s and with Harry Houdini; if they were still alive, I ing Orleans’ magical expertise with Rose’s night to socialize and take in the picturesque Hammerstein cowboys vs. farmers stage hit. hope they’d come to some of my shows and skilled mindreading capabilities. sunset, Oren is the perpetual fifth wheel in this All the movies have been digitally remas- enjoy it.” Livingston draws inspiration from a num- cozy group, sneering at their complaints and tered and Oklahoma has been painstakingly For the past two years, Livingston’s teach- ber of accomplished magicians, particularly practically clapping his hands with glee after restored for this rare theatrical presentation. er and mentor has been Eugene Burger, who Burger, but “first and foremost, I admire delivering another nasty rejoinder. The movies screen together on Saturday, July is dean of students at the world-renowned Howard Thurston,” Livingston revealed. “Do people really let you get away with … 26, and Tuesday, July 29, beginning at 1 p.m. McBride School of Magic in Las Vegas, and “Houdini gets all the credit for being the you?” Leah asks him early on, but Oren is un- at the Century 12 Evanston, 1715 Maple Ave., is another performer at “An Evening of greatest magician in the world, but Thurston perturbed—that is until his wayward son, who Evanston. I’ll be on hand to introduce the Magic.” According to Livingston, “Eugene interests me because he was a businessman is headed for a stint in prison after a drug bust, Tuesday, July 29, screening of Oklahoma at 7 approaches magic from a psychological and and understood how to produce a magic abruptly drops off his daughter on his door- p.m. http://www.cinemark.com/theatre-detail. philosophical standpoint; he knows more show.” step (along with a stray dog). Oren—who has aspx?node_id=1658 about the philosophy of magic than any Livingston’s undergraduate degrees include earlier blissfully shot the dog pooping on his —Another classic musical: The Music Box other living person. The fact that he lives in an intriguing duo of advertising and theater, manicured lawn with a paintball gun—is hor- Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., is screening Chicago and I have access to him is wonder- and he earned his MBA in marketing from rified at the thought of being responsible for a Vincente Minnelli’s 1944 Technicolor master- ful.” Burger teaches beginner, intermediate Duke University, working as the brand man- granddaughter he’s never seen. He browbeats piece Meet Me in St. Louis as part of its 11;30 and the most advanced illusionists, and he ager of a major beverage company following Leah into helping him care for the little darling a.m. weekend matinee series on Saturday, July has worked with some of the most famous his move to Chicago. Now, he is combining (who is played by World War Z’s Sterling Jerins) 26, and Sunday, July 27. The musical focuses magicians in the world, such as Jeff McBride, his experience in show business and adver- while he tries to make other arrangements for on a year in the lives of the well-to-do Smith Penn and Teller, and Michael Carbonaro from tisement to not only produce “An Evening of her. From that moment we know that Oren’s family at the turn of the 20th century (gor- TruTV’s The Carbonaro Effect. Magic,” but also launch his own professional misanthropic ways will soon go the way of the geously recreated on the MGM backlot) as their Other performers featured in “An Evening magic company next month. Edsel and the wind-up phonograph. world is thrown upside down when the father of Magic” include Trent James, who is a “One day, I hope to perform on the Uptown Going in, the audience also knows that Oren announces the family is moving to New York. prize-winning teen magician and one of the Theatre’s stage,” Livingston said. “Every- will find the true meaning of life, bond with Judy Garland—achingly tender and beautiful finalists representing the United States at thing would come full-circle and I’d know I the little darling and find renewed love with and in sensational voice as the second oldest FISM’s World Championship of Magic in Ri- helped steer Chicago’s magic community and Leah by the fade-out. It’s only the latter that daughter—is in love with the handsome boy mini, Italy, next year. Also, local perform- the entire culture of magic in a new, modern is really in doubt (and this plot point I will next door (Tom Drake). http://www.musicbox- ers Robert Charles and Ben Barnes will be and positive direction.” not reveal) but, again, this familiarity is made theatre.com/features/meet-me-in-st.-louis featured; they are co-hosts of the monthly Purchase tickets for “An Evening of bearable because Douglas so relishes his role —Czech director Jan Hrebejk’s Honey- variety show called Magic Chicago at Stage Magic” at http://magical.brownpapertick- as the miserable Scrooge. (“I have sold houses moon—which played at the Gene Siskel Film 773, which gives magicians from all over the ets.com/; follow Livingston on Twitter @ older than you—and in a lot worse condition” Center, 164 N. State St., as the closing-night world a great theatrical setting to perform MagicPatrick. Oren says to Leah, insisting that it’s a compli- film of its European fest—is having a return WINDY CITY TIMES July 23, 2014 17

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The baklava is much crisper sopita, leeks and feta baked in phyllo dough cuisine traditionalists won’t be able to pass a former food critic and discerning Los Ange- and tastes like cinnamon-flavored biscotti. that puts spanakopita to shame. The layers of up the lamb chops. The three succulent chops The boughatsa is also worth the 12 minutes les foodie, requested that we dine at Taxim. phyllo are expertly combined to form a pastry are smeared with plenty of fresh mint and have Not only did this man live for a bit in Athens, it takes the kitchen to prepare it. The tartness with the pillowy consistency of a croissant. soaked up ample flavor from the wood grill. One but whatever city he finds himself in, he knows of the cakey lemon custard is cut with sweet Lots of fresh dill adds a bright note to the rich of the more unique dishes is the fish gyro. Sea how to find great meals with the precision of a powdered sugar and buttery phyllo. But, far appetizer. Also memorable is the wood-grilled bream, a white fish similar in taste to sea bass, Tomahawk missile. So, I knew before I arrived and away, the best dessert is the loukoumades. octopus. The fish is plump and tender and has is mixed into a sort of seafood salad, wrapped at the Bucktown restaurant that I was in for The fried dumplings are slightly crisp on the plenty of smoky flavor from the grill. There’s in a thin layer of phyllo and deep-fried. Except some delicious Greek food. outside and warm and doughy inside. They are also a silky eggplant spread is similar to baba for the fact that is vaguely sandwich-shaped, is Taxim serves upscale preparations of authen- drizzled with just enough sweet wildflower ghanoush, but has a more complex flavor pro- doesn’t bear much resemblance to a traditional tic cuisine from lesser-known regions of Greece. honey and nestled in a pool of flowery rose file. It’s worth ordering simply to procure a gyro. But, the flavor and texture are both in- Greektown regulars won’t find a lot of familiar cream. batch of the warm and fresh pita bread that teresting, and while I won’t order it again and food on the menu. There are no flaming cheese Taxim is located at 1558 N. Milwaukee accompanies it. Don’t forget to get some cool, again, it’s worth trying once. or stuffed grape leaves. Likewise, there’s none Ave.; call 773-252-1558 or visit www.taxi- creamy tzatziki for dipping pretty much every- More familiar tasting is the oven-roasted of the kitschy decor you’ll find around Halsted mchicago.com. thing. chicken. It’s a tender chicken, with the juiciest and Van Buren. Taxim’s dining room is swathed Do you need some more Sugar & Spice in Taxim’s finely curated wine list features high- parts being the dark meat. It’s seasoned simply in luxe Byzantine-inspired decor like colorful your life? 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Edison, Slightly Spitfire. $5 at the door Sunday, July 27 8:00pm Hamburger Mary’s, 5400 N. Clark Wicker Park Fest 11th consecutive year St. to the heart of the neighborhood. Three stages of continuous live music and big CALENDAR Friday, July 25 name acts like Reverend Horton Heat, Stale Magnolias In a world where affluent Owls, RJD2, JEFF The Brotherhood, Woods, southern ladies in a small southern town ODESZA, Lydia Loveless. Through July 29 Brought to you by the in the deep south congregate in a run- 8:30am - 2:30am Subterranean and other combined efforts of down tailor-come-southern-beauty parlor, locations http://www.wickerparkbuck- six women will share friendship, love and town.com/fest/the-fest/music laughter-proof foundation, romance, trag- on July 24 (the following night). You Trans Pride Chicago Beach Party Indepen- Wed., July 23 edy and betrayal. $15 at the door. $10 at dent and public gathering to celebrate Miss Gay Illinois America Pageant Theme: must participate and win in our first ever Brownpaperticket.com 8:00pm The Call gothic costume contest. Sign-up begins at the beauty, diversity, and resilience of Intergalactic. Closed state pageant. Ap- (Chicago) 1547 W Bryn Mawr the trans* community in Chicago and ply online. Winner $3,025.00 in cash and 11 pm with a stage showcase to follow Bible Bingo & Late Nite Catechism Bible BAND ON THE RUN and professional NIN-loving judges to as- dedicated to the memory of Selma Diaz, prizes, runners up also win cash and priz- Bingo is a comedy about the Catholic cul- a transgender woman who was found es. 12:00pm Ramada Ballroom 6900 N. sist. NIN-inspired stage performance with ture of fundraising and bingo, featuring Sunday, July 27 rare NIN videos and remixes. 10:00pm - near Montrose Harbor in 2011. Bring Illinois Fairview Heights, IL 62208 314- the character, Mrs. Mary Margaret O’Brien, coolers, chairs, beach wear. Any trans 484-5580 http://www.missgayamerica. 4:00am Berlin Nightclub 954 W Belmont a former nun who now heads a fictitious Lakeside Freedom Band Ave http://www.berlinchicago.com pride flags or other visibility welcome com/preliminaries/Illinois.htm Tickets: archdiocese fundraising department. Now will bid farewell to director but not required. 12:00pm - 5:00pm http://www.missgayamerica.com/contac- in its 21st year in Chicago. 8:00pm Roy- Christy Zurcher with a Montrose Avenue Beach 4400 N. Lake- tus.htm Thursday, July 24 al George Theatre 1641 N Halsted St 312- Artist Workshop Event for networking, concert at NEIU. shore Dr., https://www.facebook.com/ Trans Youth Resources and Advocacy 988-9000 http://www.latenitecatechism. events/539170032861277/ Youth Drop-In Center Every Wednesday, sharing art, speaking about various art info. Tickets: http:// Photo courtesy of OPALGA topics and genres while having fun. Lakeside Freedom Band, Alumni Concert safe, confidential place for transgender Affinity Trailblazers (Formerly known as in the Park Concert on the lawn, picnic- people between the ages of 14 to 24. Meet 10:00am - 5:00pm, 815 W. 63rd St., Chi- the Senior Group) Community and infor- cago IL 60621; https://www.facebook. style, as Lakeside Pride Freedom Band cel- other youth who also identify as transgen- mation for and among seniors to identify ebrates a 30-year legacy of music, visibili- der, or are questioning their gender iden- com/events/237403159792396/ challenges of being in the 60+ age group; Catharsis Productions Presents: Me, My ty, and Pride. This will also be the farewell tity. Free food, snacks and refreshments, to advocate for individuals in this age concert for Freedom Band Director Christy music, peer support, adult supervision, re- Mom, and Sharmila at Theater Wit Dy- group; and to provide support for those in the 3rd floor gallery through Aug 19. Zurcher, 3:00pm Northeastern Illinois ferrals and education. 5:00pm - 7:00pm namic writer-performer Fawzia Mirza whose partners have health issues. Last 12:00pm Center on Halsted 3656 N Hal- University, lawn near Student Union, 5500 Broadway Youth Center 615 W Wellington chronicles her struggle to connect with Saturday of the month. Please bring a sted http://www.centeronhalsted.org N. St. Louis Ave., http://www.lakeside- Ave http://www.genderadvocates.org/ her mother as she grapples with an dish and/or beverage to share. Info: Phyl- Fitness training Chicago Gay Hockey As- pride.org Tyra/TYRADropIn.html emerging identity as a South Asian Queer lis Johnson at seniorgroup@affinity95. sociation off-ice workout training classes 21st Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic actress and activist. Viewed through the org. 9:00pm - 2:00am , http://www. every Saturday each week. Free to mem- Monday, July 28 Award Renowned Chicago poet Gwendolyn lens of a shared love for glamorous Bol- affinity95.org bers. $5 for non-members 1:00pm Ur- LezFest: A One Night Fling Fundraiser for Brooks and the Guild Literary Complex lywood film star Sharmila Tagore, this Divine Decadence Cabaret Series Comic ban Athlete, 4437 N. Ravenswood Ave., the Women’s Words program, Pride Films $500 poetry award 21 years ago for Illi- solo performance is about family, iden- Tony Tripoli, Amy and Freddy Take on Chicago http://chicagogayhockey.org/ and Plays is delighted to present a cel- nois poets for a written work read aloud. tity and the space in between. Check Annie Lennox, Windy City Gay Idol Trish calendar/ ebration in words, songs, music and the- Celebrate the robust poetry community of for times. Theater Wit 1229 W Bel- Keporos. $35 general, $45 VIP. First show Fed Up Fest Three-day, all-ages, DIY music ater. $10 or $30 VIP 7:00pm Mary’s written and spoken word and commemo- mont Ave. https://www.facebook.com/ 7pm. 9:00pm Circuit Nightclub 3641 N and workshop festival celebrating queer/ Attic 5400 N. Clark St., http://pride- rate Brooks’ legacy in cultivating emerg- events/1504396059778750/ Tickets: Halsted St Tickets: https://buytix.net transgender voices in punk communities. filmsandplays.com/th_event/lezfest Tick- ing voices. 7:00pm - 9:00pm Chopin https://www.theaterwit.org/tickets/pro- Cosmix’s 19th Anniversary Party Celebrate Benefits Project Fierce Chicago, reducing ets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ Theatre 1543 W Division St http://www. ductions/189/performances#top Berlin’s longest-running event, dedicated LGBTQ youth homelessness in Chicago. event/715922 guildcomplex.org The About Face Youth Theatre: Checking to electronica/indie/alternative. Win tick- Readings and workshops at 1pm, dinner at Fabitat: Freak Show A very special birth- Boxes Original play devised by the About ets to Lollapalooza beginning at 11. DJ 4, bands at 5pm. 5:00pm Co-Prosperity Tuesday, July 29 day edition for our resident drag host Lucy Face Youth Theatre, exploring the often Greg Haus. $3 Bacardi Bombs, $6 Stoli Sphere, 3219-21 S. Morgan St., http:// 3160: Thanks for the Memories After 28 Stoole, VaVa Voom, and FABITAT producer overlooked intersection between immigra- vodka. 10:00pm - 4:00am , http:// projectfiercechicago.org years of serving the community as Annex Chris Kemp. Shake it down to Double tion and the LGBTQIA experience. Talented www.berlinchicago.com An Evening of Magic to Support AIDS 3 and 3160, they say thank you for al- Door’s Door No. 3 for a carnival and side- young artists share experiences of coming Foundation of Chicago Magic show to lowing them to become your family. Wish show-inspired birthday bash that will be out, growing up and pursuing the Ameri- Saturday, July 26 support AIDS Foundation of Chicago. A goodbye to Boystown’s piano and cabaret sure get your freak on! Special guest DJ can Dream. In association with the Chi- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, full evening engagement and the first lounge. 6:00pm - 12:00am 3160 Chi- Vourteque, along side residents DJ Adam cago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks Chicago-area GLBT Chapter Specifically professional magic show to be staged in cago’s Piano & Cabaret 3160 N. Clark El and Ldy Prblms. Drag and sideshow per- initiative, through Aug. 1. 7:00pm Parks founded to meet the needs of the Chica- Boystown. This magic show is the perfect http://www.chicago3160.com formances from Curlene Ribbon and the across the City http://www.aboutfacethe- go-area GLBT community with mood dis- way to kick off your night in Boystown queens of The Saffire House, with special atre.com orders or other significant psychological with a theatric show full of comedy, inex- Wed., July 30 guest performers Shotglass Sally and Ma- Menage-A-Hah New sex-positive variety conditions, as well as their friends, part- plicable magic, and mystery that will send Documentary: Just Gender screening Film dame Envy. 9:00pm - 2:00am show, where those with non-conformist ners, and family members. Free. No RSVP you home deeply enchanted. 7:30pm - explores the world of transgender people. 20 Years Down the Spiral: NIN Ticket Give- sexual identities can share their stories needed. 11:00am - 12:30pm Center on 9:00pm United States http://magical. Note: A certain number of tickets must be away and Gothic Costume Contest It’s in a safe and supportive space. Line-up Halsted 3656 N Halsted http://www. brownpapertickets.com/ Tickets: http:// purchased in advance for the film screen- the 20-year anniversary of Trent Reznor’s features stand-up comedians Kelsie Huff, dbsa-glbt-chicago.com/ magical.brownpapertickets.com/ ing to go forward. 7:30pm Landmark “The Downward Spiral” and to celebrate Irene Tu, storytellers Shannon Cason, An- Art exhibit The works of Gene Skala in gela Vela, and burlesque dancers ThomASS Century Centre Cinema 2828 N. Clark St. we have a ticket give away for their show the 2nd floor gallery and Roman Liufa Tickets: https://gathr.us/screening/8358 BOOK REVIEW sues such as women’s rights, human trafficking with a gay man. He followed the book with the and LGBT issues. works Closet Case, and Kept Boy. Hard Choices And Benghazi? Well, like most of Hard Choic- The Robert Rodi Essentials Kickstarter page by Hillary Rodham Clinton es, there’s very little here that you haven’t al- URL is http://tinyurl.com/o36klnh. $35; Simon & Hard Choices. Cover ready heard before. It’s the same old line with a Schuster; 635 pages photo by copyright few inconsequential behind-the-scenes obser- by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Ruven Afanador/ vations mixed in—which is not to say that this Sam accepts Corbis Online book is unreadable. Although it’s understand- Arthur Ashe You may have already made up your mind. ably filled with literary globe-hopping and a Political ads have barely started appearing panoply of names that will scramble the brains Award at ESPYs on TV, but you already have an inkling of your of all but the most dedicated political-watcher, At the recent ESPY Awards, openly gay NFL future choice. Sure, there are a few important and though it’s widely rumored to have been player Michael Sam received the Arthur Ashe questions you’d like answered from the candi- ghostwritten, there’s enough Clinton in it to be Courage Award. date who gets your vote; for the most part, Clinton begins her book with her run for the a delightful—albeit a very long—read. Following ESPN’s broadcast of a video about though, you’ve decided. presidency in 2008, her rivalry and “ultimate So should you read it? Sam’s life, he kissed boyfriend Vito Cammisano, Was it difficult to pick? Or, as in the new partnership and friendship” with President I think so, especially if you’ve already signed and walked onto the stage at the Nokia Theater book by Hillary Clinton, will your decision in Obama, and her refusal to attack Sarah Palin a determined “Hillary for President” online to accept the award from actor/former wrestler 2016 be one of those “Hard Choices?” during the campaign. About her decision to ac- pledge. Just be aware that Hard Choices isn’t Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, The Huffington Let’s be frank: You already know who Hill- cept the secretary of state appointment, she bad, it isn’t great and it probably isn’t going to Post noted. ary Clinton is. I’m safe in assuming that, since says, “When your President asks you to serve, change your mind. In a speech many described as emotional, she’s been politically around for decades, I can you should say yes.” It undoubtedly helped Want more? Then look for A Woman in Charge, Sam said, “At times, I’ve felt like I’ve been liv- dispense with the usual biography—and that’s that she received advice from past secretaries, by Carl Bernstein; or HRC, by Jonathan Allen ing in a massive storm, without knowing when okay because, although Hard Choices is obvi- including Henry Kissinger and Condi Rice. and Amie Parnes. the storm will end. But I’m here tonight to tell ously deeply steeped in politics from the last Clinton remembers the difficulties with North you that the lessons I learned about love, re- three decades or so, Clinton includes smatter- Korea and Kim Jong-Il’s misogyny; the loss Rodi turns to spect, being true to yourself will never leave ings of her personal life as well as those of her of diplomat Richard Holbrooke in the midst me. husband and daughter in her book. of discussions with Afghanistan; what re- Kickstarter “It’s amazing to think that by doing what we ally happened the day bin Laden was killed; Along those lines, I imagine it would be dif- can, we can all touch, change and even save the delicate nature of negotiations between ficult, if not impossible, for Clinton to avoid for updated novel lives.” centuries-long enemies in the Middle East; and Novelist Robert Rodi is bringing back his comparing her years as first lady with what she The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is named in the “powder keg” that comes with any planned 1990s gay novels with the help of a Kickstarter did as secretary of state—so you’ll find plenty honor of the first African-American player on talks. And because, in “the 21st century, we’ve campaign—and he’s adding in a new book (Es- of that. Many people she met as FLOTUS, for the U.S. Davis Cup team and the only Black also had to pay attention to the emerging sentially Postmillenial) showing where all the instance, were still in office years later, and man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, global challenges that affect everyone in our characters are today. Clinton writes warmly of friendships with An- the U.S. Open and the Australian Open tennis interdependent world,” Clinton writes about In 1992, Rodi published Fag Hag, a dark gela Merkel, Nelson Mandela, Dianne Feinstein tournaments. Ashe died of AIDS-related pneu- and others that carried through time. global warming, jobs, economic issues and is- comedy about a woman romantically obsessed monia in 1993. WINDY CITY TIMES July 23, 2014 21

BILLY MASTERS • Our Stories •

Boston and New York. But when that musical LGBTQ Storytelling at Sidetrack is Gypsy and when the star is Leslie Uggams, people took notice. In the press material, the Join us Tuesday, Aug. 5th for the Connecticut Repertory Theatre says that this is Inaugural Edition the first time the iconic role has been played by an African-American woman, which I am sure is not true. But it is the first time that an African-American of Uggams’ stature has taken on the role. Of course, Uggams is no stranger to color-blind casting—she’s already played the leads in Hello, Dolly!, Anything Goes, Cabaret and even Master Class. (She is preparing Mame for later this year.) This type of casting can work to varying de- grees depending on the material and the ac- tors. Here, it’s fairly successful. Rose’s dad is Black, one of the daughters is Black and one Billy weighs in on the new Proud Whopper is white-ish. The chorus boys are mostly Cau- that’s being sold in San Francisco. casian (except for one African-American). Ug- gams is in fine voice and certainly a strong ac- MainBAr doors: 6pm • Stories: 7pm “I know a lot of secrets about Andy. I guess tress, which allows her to play any role. What No Cover the one that would most surprise people is he’s somewhat works against her is her age. While a top. Believe me, there’s nothing wrong with she certainly doesn’t look 71, she often carries that. But I’m just saying I think that would herself as someone of advanced age. There’s Including first hand stories from: surprise people. And I don’t know this from a slight stoop to her carriage and a hunch personal experience, but from conversations I to her walking that occasionally reminds you Jim Bennett • Tracy Baim • Patrick Gill have had. I mean, it surprised me when I heard that this woman could not be the mother of about it.”—Anderson Cooper reveals the pre- these children. She could be their grandmother Kareem Khubchandani • Kim Hunt ferred sexual position of his pal, Andy Cohen. or their nanny. Throw in her liberal use of the Curated by David Fink I wasn’t very surprised—it’s not as if anyone word “baby” and Mama Rose occasionally be- said Anderson was a top. came Mammy Rose. But even then, the show www.OUTspokenChicago.com It’s always hard to decide which story to worked. Uggams has star power and charisma tackle first. But this week, it’s clear—the Proud that makes you root for her. She didn’t neces- Whopper. Burger King sold this product (which sarily deliver the monster that Arthur Laurents came in a rainbow-colored wrapper) in select wrote. Her Rose is a survivor. Although the pro- markets in June to celebrate Month. duction has closed, it does live on with some ® We’re told that all money raised went to fund significant video footage on BillyMasters.com. the Burger King McLamore Foundation to pro- After the success of last year’s Sound of Mu- vide scholarships to LGBT high school seniors. sic Live!, NBC announced it would be followed 3349 N. Halsted, Chicago • SidetrackChicago.com Needless to say, this whole thing generated a up by another family-friendly live musical tele- fair amount of negative comments. The Ameri- cast. This year, the musical of choice is Peter can Family Association claims that the product Pan. Up until now, the casting has been a well- was promoting homosexual conduct, which of guarded secret. Last week, NBC Chairman Bob course is ludicrous. As someone who is a Big Greenblatt announced that the role of Captain Mac devotee, I wasn’t even swayed to buy a Hook would be played by Christopher Walken: Whopper (although I’d like one of the wrap- “He’s one of the most unique actors but he’s pers). If they couldn’t convince me to eat a just really a song and dance man at heart. It’ll Hot ’n horny hookups. LAPTOP sandwich, I’m pretty sure they’re not gonna be be the first tap-dancing Captain Hook you’ve OR able to convince anyone to switch their sexual ever seen.” When asked who will play Peter, preference. Greenblatt offered no name—except that, as MOBILE In one of the biggest victories in the fight for has been tradition, the role would be played by marriage equality, a circuit court judge in Mon- a woman. I suppose this means I am no longer roe County, Florida, ruled that the same-sex sworn to secrecy and can reveal that this was marriage ban that passed by a popular vote in NOT the network’s original intention. They had WE’RE 2008 violated the U.S. Constitution—specifi- wanted to break with tradition, and have Peter cally the 14th Amendment’s promise of equal Pan Live! led by a man. I can tell you exclu- VERSATILE protection under the law. Ironically, Judge Luis sively that the role was offered to Daniel Rad- Garcia was appointed by former Florida Gov. cliffe. Although he was interested in the part, Jeb Bush. The ruling stemmed from two men he ultimately declined. in Key West who sued the Monroe Country Clerk We have a follow-up to last week’s “Ask Billy” of Courts after being denied a marriage license. question. This one comes from Victor in Sara- Although the ruling applies only to Monroe sota: “You said that Ian Thorpe got paid for his County, similar lawsuit have already been filed coming-out interview. I’m just curious how much in other Florida counties. he made.” Certainly one of the biggest stories of the The interesting part of this deal is not so past week was the death of Elaine Stritch. A much the monetary number, but the fact that fixture on the Broadway stage for decades, Thorpe and Sir Michael Parkinson (who did the interview) have the same manager—a match Join Stritch finally made the transition to main- for FREE stream consciousness with her incisive por- made in heaven, I’m sure. As a result, Ian got trayal of Alec Baldwin’s acerbic mother on 30 $400,000 for the interview AND his work as Get 5 Days Rock—for which she won her third Emmy. (She commentator for the Commonwealth Games. Unlimited previously won as a guest star on Law & Order Sir Michael got a lump sum of $100,000, from access and for her special Elaine Stritch at Liberty.) which he also had to pay production costs. Last year, the documentary Elaine Stritch: When people are getting paid to say they’re Shoot Me gave an uncensored look at her life. gay, it’s time for me to rethink my entire career What one saw was the highs and lows of her and end yet another column. If I knew com- existence, and the superhuman strength that ing out was so lucrative, I would have waited kept her going. As harrowing as some moments until there was a bidding war. Of course, that were, she always somehow endured. The idea would require me being able to keep a secret, that Stritch would one day not be with us was something I rarely do on www.BillyMasters. not something many of us considered. To die at com—the site that tells all. If you’d like me to 89 years old is no tragedy; in fact, for Elaine reveal anyone else’s secrets, drop a note to me Stritch, it was an amazing accomplishment. at [email protected] and I promise to get Rest in peace, Stritchy. back to you before someone forces me to take It takes a lot for a production of a musical a Whopper! So, until next time, remember, one at a Connecticut college to get press in both man’s filth is another man’s bible. 22 July 23, 2014 WINDY CITY TIMES turity where, I built up ready to handle any negative backlash, which fortunately there’s been absolutely zero of, which makes me feel like I Former Division I could have done this sooner. But we all come to our own [coming-out] Brad Thorson. at our own time. football player Photo from Thorson “I feel bad for expecting this, but, I expected not to hear from a lot of [former football] teammates, which was a poor presumption on my part, but, if anyone has come out in higher numbers, it is my former comes out as gay [football] teammates. Guys from Wisconsin who I haven’t talked to in three or four years have been calling me and reminding me of times we By Ross Forman spent together on and off the field, and that they still consider me a great teammate and a brother.” Brad Thorson and Danny Kaye were football teammates at the Univer- Teammates from Kansas also have contacted Thorson, many telling sity of Wisconsin, both playing on the Badgers’ offensive line during him “how I may have inspired them, and that they were so happy that the 2006 and 2007 seasons. They spent countless hours together, on they the ability to play next to me,” he said. and off the field. of backgrounds—and we accept them because they are our teammates. I’m happy that there are bastions, for lack of a better word, who are “Those [teammate] messages are really powerful, and say a lot about Thorson also befriended Kaye’s family during after-game get-togeth- [the sports’] culture that is viewed as being not that tolerant and ers. changing the perception for the fans, for the front-office, for everyone. They are helping teammates who grew up in an area that wasn’t as progressive,” he said. Thorson, now 26 and living in San Francisco, revealed in early July Thorson was drawn to rugby by its physical nature, and his sister also that he is gay. progressive, so they understand that there isn’t a stereotype for gay anymore. [Being gay] really has nothing to do with a person’s personal- played the sport. Kaye reached out to Thorson in support of his former teammate. So He didn’t share his football past with his Fog teammates at first. too did Kaye’s wife, his dad and mother-in-law. ity or the way they behave. “It’s encouraging that the athletes have moved beyond the fears [of But those Fog teammates now know, and “they’ve really grown into “It so was powerful that all of them felt strongly enough to reach a family for me,” Thorson said. out,” Thorson said. having a gay teammates.] I never could have imagined the support I’ve received from my teammates; it’s been unbelievable.” They’ve learned of the former football player who was on the field in Kaye is one of countless longtime friends and teammates of the for- 2010 when Kansas upset then-15th-ranked Georgia Tech, 28-25, and mer football player who have contacted Thorson in the days after he Thorson, who grew up in Milwaukee, has lived in Kansas City and Denver before landing in San Francisco as a manager of publisher rela- also when the Jayhawks that season defeated Colorado, 52-45. came—just to show their support. It’s a long list of teammates who “This [coming-out] experience has taught me the relationships that Thorson admitted, “I feel I wasn’t grateful enough when I played with tions for an ad tech startup, where he has worked since the spring. He is single—and the latest high-profile sports star to come out to I built and the friendships that I made are the greatest part about them, seeing what character they have now.” football for me,” Thorson said. Thorson’s coming-out hasn’t changed their view of the teammate nothing by favorable reactions, which he wasn’t expecting. who wore uniform No. 76. So why come out now, several years after hanging up the pads? Thorson was at Wisconsin for the 2006 and 2007 season, a red-shirt First, he has switched to rugby and playing for a gay team, the San freshman in ‘06. He then transferred to the University of Kansas for the Francisco Fog, and will be participating in the prestigious Bingham next three seasons. Cup, a predominantly-gay rugby tournament, set for Aug. 24-31 in Serving our Thorson never considered coming out while active, mostly because, Sydney, Australia. “I didn’t really understand who I was. I knew I was different, but I “I had gotten comfortable with the people I had told in my life and community. didn’t really know in what capacity, and I found other things to fill kept hearing, ‘Why aren’t you sharing your story?’ and, ‘What took you my time.” so long [to come out]?’” Thorson said. “All of those questions revolved www.josephdellamonica.com Since writing July 4 on his blog two simple, yet difficult-to-write around me saying, ‘It took me a long time to find people who I could words—I’m gay—Thorson has had nothing but support. relate to, and not until I found people who I could relate to, and see “I said [‘I’m gay’] plenty of times before [writing in on my blog], but that I wasn’t different that I felt confident I could say that I was a Della Monica & Associates gay athlete. when you put something in writing, it’s pretty permanent—and it was A private wealth advisory practice of a powerful statement for me to write and be comfortable with,” Thor- “The Fog had a large part to play in my coming-out; it was really instrumental in me seeing that both gay and straight athletes playing Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. son said. “It gets easier and easier each time I say it, and I’ve really 3013 N. Ashland Ave, Suite 1 drawn confidence in that statement. together without a problem. Playing with the Fog, I saw that some- “That probably was the most frightening line that I wrote because one’s sexual orientation does not matter on the field; what matter is, Chicago, IL 60657 it’s the declarative statement. Ultimately, putting it as plain as day was can you play.” 773.880.5900 the best way to let people know. I had a ton of nervous energy before Thorson also saw other athletes who have, or are, going through [posting] it, but I knew I truly could be myself once it was out there.” similar situations. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are “It gets easier the more people that, as you look around, and say, made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Thorson added: “I’m really happy to see where the [overall general Member FINRA and SIPC he or she is just like me—and I don’t need to worry about what other sports] locker room is at. I think players know that they’ve played with © 2014 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved gay teammates before. We’ve played with teammates who have all sorts people think,” he said. “Plus, I’ve got to the point with my own ma-

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