lEISHA HAILEY INTERVIEW ABOUT UH HUH HER WINDY CITY THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, page 25 BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 Oct. 12, 2011 TIMES vol 27, no. 1 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

THE FIRST ISSUE OF OUR 27th Dawn Clark Netsch: YEAR! Gay ally looks back

BY BLAIR MISHLEAU old campaign materials. Among them was one of her back in 1952. What was the campus environment like newsletters from her time in the state legislature. The back then? Dawn Clark Netsch has been a fierce advocate for the piece—dating back to the early ‘80s, when she was a Dawn Clark Netsch: It was male. Law was basically not LGBT population before it included powerful fundraising state lawmaker—mentions her endorsement by the for women at that time. I was actually the only woman dollars, significant election votes or even safety. Netsch Greater Chicago Gay and Lesbian Democrats. Her ac- in my part of the graduating class in June ’52. I still have pushed for a non-discrimination law a full 20 years be- knowledgment of the group’s support was among the first the picture; I love it. fore it passed, and has been ahead of the trend on most such instances for an LGBT political group. Netsch didn’t As we used to fondly say, there were only two faces other issues. think anything of it—they were supporting her, after all. that stood out: Harold Washington and mine. He was the The former Illinois senator and comptroller celebrated Through the interview, Netsch discusses her strong only Black, I was the only female. her 85th birthday Sept. 16. Windy City Times sat down past as a politician and ally; her continued recognition I didn’t take any guff from anyone, obviously. Once with her in her longtime Northwestern University office. in the gay community by young and old alike; and what’s the guys got used to me, they thought I was strange, at (She is a professor at the university’s law school.) next. Turn to page 12 As the interview started, Netsch was sifting through Windy City Times: You graduated from Northwestern AIDS music video project page 15 Seeing stars in Chicago

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PRIDE PARADE CHANGES pagE 8

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CHICAGO WOMEN’S RUGBY CLUB Left: Women & Children First Bookstore co-owners Linda Bubon (left) and Ann Christophersen welcome actor/author Jane Lynch to the store for a jam-packed book- MARKS 35 YRS. signing Oct. 9; see page 24 for an interview with Jane Lynch. Right: New Chicago transplant Rosie O’Donnell talks with Windy City Times about her show, Chicago and page 34 showtunes; see page 22. Left photo by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com); right photo courtesy of the Oprah Winfrey Network 2 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES Designer Stone kitchen and bath outlet

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Photos on cover (left, from top): Leisha Hailey of Uh Huh Her in a PR photo; Marshall Titus photo by Erica Demarest; Image from 2010 Pride Parade by Kristin Kowalski; photo from Chicago Women’s Rugby Football Club match by John Nester

BIAN, GO’S GAY, LES HICA NCE 1985 THE VOICE OF C MUNITY SI BI AND TRANS COM 2011 ct. 12, O no. 1 LEISHA vol 27, ILEY WINDY CITY HA IEW INtERv out AB H HER uH Hu m ediaGroup.co pagE 25 TIMESindyCitym www.W

e nment lik enviro campus Dawn Clark Netsch: was the t hat 1952. W basically no ack in was man er b ? male. Law nly wo k then : It was ly the o was one of h bac Netsch ctual still have ng the m ure. The n Clark I was a e ’52. I . Amo legislat Daw hat time. Jun aterials as a en at t ing class in ign m e in t he state e w duat d campa er tim when sh the for wom of the gra y two faces ol from h arly ‘80s, t by part . re onl e tters he e orsemen - in my love it here we e was th TAKE A QUEER newsle g back to t er e nd H er ac , t mine. H Gay allyatin looksns h ocrats. the pictbackure; I ondly say on and ntio em rst d to f gt e piece—d ker—me sbian D g the fi e use Washin for th l awma n As w d e. y. Once cate state o Gay and Le port was amo didn’t d out: Harol ly femal viousl BY BLAIR MISHLEAU rce advo ising Chicag ’s sup Netsch that stoo the on ne,DOWNLOAD ob , at THIS! fie ra up . ge a ul fund Greater gro al group er all. , I was rom anyo n has been owerf ment of the c , aft y guff f I was stra etsch cluded p Netsch owledg LGBT politi orting her only Black ake an thought ge 12 n Clark N re it in en safety. kn es for an supp strong n’t t me, they to pa Daw n befo es or ev rs be- instanc hey were s her I did to turn on vot yea such of it—t h dis cusse tion used LGBT populatio ti aw a full 20 most hing Ne tsc d recogni the guys got ificant elec l end on hink anyt terview, ontinue SIC llars, sign iscrimination f the tr t e in her c and what’s DS mu do n-d ad o rough th and ally; d alike; AI ECt r a no been ahe Th itician and ol PRoj pushed fo and has d s a pol young IDEo ssed, ller celebrate past a unity by estern v fore it pa omptro down ay comm rthw 14 tor and c sat in the g d from No pagE issues. is sena ity Times fice. aduate other er Illino Windy C y of . : You gr pt. 16. Universit next y Times The form day Se western ndy Cit th birth e North school.) Wi her 85 longtim y’s law ough in her universit ting thr h her at the was sif wit ofessor started, Netsch (She is a prnterview As the i Go to www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

Seeing stars in Chicagopage 22 PRIDE PARADE S CHANGE

pagE 8 to download complete issues of Windy City Times and Nightspots.

page 24

o CHICAG S omEN’ W ok- uB ked bo GBY CL -pac d Ru S. icago an the store for a jamow, Ch mARKS 35 YR to ut her sh r Jane Lynch abo actor/autho ndy City Timesr k Then click on any ad and be taken directly to the advertiser’s Web site! o pagE 34 elcome ks with Wi ey Netw phersen w nnell tal Winfr Christo ie O’Do Oprah d Ann os ) an ansplant R courtesy of the on (left hicago tr to Linda Bub : New C m); right pho owners . Right aphy.co tore co- Lynch Photogr Books ith Jane mages ren First erview w sticI & Child or an int tzgerald (My Women 4 f at Fi Left: ; see page 2 hoto by K Oct. 9 . Left p signing e 22 s; see pag showtune LOOK AT CHICAGO online exclusives at Dom Orejudos, a Chicago artist and musician who was also known as Etienne, painted this mural in 1973 for Chuck Renslow’s Gold Coast Bar, the first gay leather bar in Chicago and one www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com of the first in the country, which opened in 1958. AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL See photos of keynote speaker America Discover the city through the lens of gender, sexuality and nonconformity Ferrera (star of Ugly Betty) and attendees at the Chicago Foundation for Women’s annual at Out in Chicago — a groundbreaking exhibition that explores 150 years luncheon of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Chicagoans and their Photo by Kat Fitzgerald quests for self-identity, family, community and political action.

OPEN THROUGH MARCH 26, 2012

GENERAL ADMISSION $14 FREE FOR MEMBERS

OUT at Macy’s took place, and Read about the models were Katherine Lee QREAM OF THE CROP certainly on Bates, another See photos from the Qream with a Q display. Gay History Month launch that spotlighted music producer/ Profile. Project Runway judge Pharrell Williams. Photo by Emmanuel Garcia

long tall ally THE SWEET IS ON See images from New York City’s Ali Clark Street at North Avenue 312.642.4600 www.chicagohistory.org Fortey gala that featured actress Ally Sheedy.

PRESENTING SPONSORS: THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT This week’s entertainment round-up includes items on Betty White, Lee Daniels and Boy George.

See photos from the Field Museum’s LEAD CORPORATE SPONSOR: plus “Chocolate Around the World” exhibit.

DAILY BREAKING NEWS Photo by Ed Negron

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AFC’s AIDS Hamybear hams it Run & Walk. up at Mary’s Attic’s page 12 Mary-oke. page 20 Find Nightspots on www.WindyCityQueercast.com 4 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES cies often have little effect.” ONLINE AT Another key finding was that the discrimina- tion was based partly on “the personality traits WINDYCITYMEDIAGROUP.COM Study shows that employers seek” and stereotypical beliefs NATIONAL NEWS about gay men. When job postings used traditional “mascu- line” traits like “aggressive or assertive, deci- hiring bias sive, or ambitious” to describe an ideal candi- date, heterosexual applicants received almost three times as many callbacks as gay ones. When such traits were not part of the job post- against gay men ing, heterosexual applicants received only about —Calif. college the 2nd one-and-a-half times as many callbacks. to offer LGBT major “The discrimination documented in this study is partly rooted in specific stereotypes and —Gov. Jerry Brown by Dana Rudolph cannot be completely reduced to a general an- (left) signs Gender Keen News Service tipathy against gay employees,” said Tilcsik. It Nondiscrimination Act demonstrates the “potentially powerful effect” Openly gay men face “significant” hiring dis- of stereotypes on hiring decisions. —Other man in Indiana crimination in several parts of the country, but The Williams Institute’s Badgett said Tilcsik’s gay-sex scandal there are wide differences from state to state. several findings are consistent with previous re- poses for porn site That’s the finding of a new, large-scale study—a search in showing “clear evidence of discrimina- study that also found that employers in areas tion.” where antidiscrimination laws prohibit discrimi- Tilcsik’s study, she said, is also “good evi- Tilcsik’s is the first large-scale study to use nation based on sexual orientation are less likely dence” that employers “are taking sexual ori- the objective paired résumé approach to explore to discriminate. Additionally, the study found entation into account at an early stage of the discrimination against any part of the LGBT that employers are more likely to discriminate [hiring] process.” spectrum in the United States. Smaller and/ when job descriptions emphasize “stereotypi- However, Tilcsik noted that much more re- or more subjective studies have indicated that cally male heterosexual traits.” search remains to be done on other parts of such discrimination exists for lesbians, bisexuals The findings come from “Pride and Prejudice: the LGBT spectrum, other stages of hiring and and transgender people as well. Employment Discrimination against Openly Gay employment, and “specific factors that might 2011 by Keen News Service. All rights re- Men in the United States,” published in the Sep- reduce the likelihood of discrimination” such as served. tember 2011 issue of the American Journal of anti-discrimination laws, public attitudes, and Sociology. organizational policies. András Tilcsik, a researcher at Harvard Univer- sity, conducted the study. He sent 1,769 pairs of fictitious résumés in response to online job M. V. Lee Badgett. Photo by Bob Roehr postings by private employers. The job adver- tisements were for recent college graduates and covered five occupations (administrative assis- said the most important aspect of Tilcsik’s study tant, analyst, customer service representative, is that “it rules out differences in the gay and manager and sales rep) across seven states (Cal- heterosexual applicants’ skills and experience by ifornia, Florida, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Penn- design, so the fact that gay applicants are much sylvania and Texas). less likely to be invited for an interview is hard The résumés in each pair were of similar qual- to explain by anything other than discrimina- ity, differing only enough to “avoid raising sus- tion.” picion” that they were fictitious. However, the overall finding by Tilcsik was sig- One résumé in each pair stated that the can- nificantly different from his findings in various didate was treasurer of a college gay and lesbian states. organization. He was given a leadership role, In New York, Pennsylvania and California, the rather than simple membership in the group, gap between callbacks for gay and heterosexual because the role required financial and manage- “applicants” was insignificant. rial skills, and justified mention on a résumé. It On the contrary, in Texas, résumés of hetero- would thus be clear the candidate was gay—but sexual men received more than three times as Paula Ettelbrick. Photos by Rex Wockner employers would not see him as “lacking busi- many callbacks as those of gay men. Heterosex- ness savvy” for including information about “ir- ual men would need to apply for only eight jobs relevant” activities. from time to time, I always took her advice to get an interview, versus 27 for gay men. The other résumé stated that the applicant around approach and politics very seriously. In Ohio, résumés of heterosexual men received Human-rights was treasurer of a college progressive and so- “Paula was more about goals than she was over two-and-a-half times as many callbacks, cialist organization. Tilcsik explained that be- about personalities—she forgave and forgot and in Florida, almost twice as many. activist Paula cause many people perceive LGBT organizations and got busy with the work at hand.” The number of job postings in Nevada during to have a liberal slant, if both résumés implied GMHC issued a release stating, “Beautiful, the study period was too small to draw definite Ettelbrick dies liberal organizations, any difference in the re- Paula Ettelbrick, an attorney and human- articulate, smart and hard-hitting, Paula was conclusions there, according to the report. sponses would not be because of an employer’s rights activist who served the LGBT community a force to be reckoned with. We will miss her When employers were in cities, counties, or political bias. in various organizations, died Oct. 7, accord- fierceness, eloquence and graciousness. We states without laws prohibiting employment Overall, 11.5 percent of heterosexual “appli- ing to Advocate.com. send our tender thoughts to all the members discrimination based on sexual orientation, gay cants” received a callback for an interview, ver- She reportedly died of cancer-related causes. of her family, chosen and biological, as well men received fewer than half the number of call- sus 7.2 percent of gay men, meaning heterosex- During her almost three-decade career, as all those who have been touched by Paula’s backs of heterosexual men. In areas with such ual men received over one-and-a-half times as Ettelbrick worked for organizations such as the life and work.” antidiscrimination laws, the gap was smaller but many callbacks. Heterosexual applicants would International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Stonewall Community Foundation released still significant—gay men received three-quar- have to apply for fewer than nine jobs to get an Commission (IGLHRC), the National Center for a statement detailing her life and contribu- ters as many callbacks. interview, whereas gay men would have to apply Lesbian Rights, the National Gay and Lesbian tions to the organization. Interim Executive California, Nevada and New York have state- to almost 14. Task Force, the Empire State Pride Agenda, and Director Richard Burns said, “There are count- wide protections against employment discrimi- “Until now,” said Tilcsik, “the extent and pat- the Stonewall Community Foundation. less LGBTQ citizens around the world whose nation based on sexual orientation. Florida, terns of this kind of discrimination have not Current IGLHRC Executive Director Cary Alan lives are better today because of Paula. Paula Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas do not, although been systematically documented on a large Johnson issued a statement that read, in part, was a passionate and powerful advocate for they have some cities and counties with such scale, across geographic areas.” “Paula was IGLHRC’s third executive director all LGBTQ New Yorkers and a true friend. At protections. Previous studies looked at less objective, self- and took our organization to whole new places Stonewall, we’re grateful for all she did for the Tilcsik cautioned that it is hard to determine reported instances of hiring discrimination, were in terms of our capacity and depth. foundation and we’ll miss her greatly.” whether the lower levels of discrimination were limited to a small sample, or were conducted “Paula was so many things to so many Human Rights Campaign President Joe Sol- because of the antidiscrimination laws them- outside the United States. Also, some focused people—­her family, the movement, the New monese said, “Paula was a pioneering lawyer selves or because people in areas likely to adopt on wage differences, which skeptics could at- York City and global queer communities. and dedicated leader in our movement. We such laws had more positive opinions about gay tribute to differences in productivity rather than “First and foremost I can say that I found mourn the loss of a tremendous force in the people to begin with. discrimination. her to be so genuinely deeply unfalteringly LGBT community and honor her unrivaled com- Tilcsik did not look at whether specific em- M. V. Lee Badgett, director of the Center for committed to our liberation as LGBT people. mitment to the full equality of all people. Our ployers had corporate anti-discrimination poli- Public Policy & Administration, University of “She also had a deep respect for all progres- thoughts and prayers are with her family and cies. He explained in an interview that getting Massachusetts Amherst and research director sive movements and causes. friends.” accurate information on such policies can be of the Williams Institute of UCLA, who has au- “Paula was one of the most sophisticated difficult, especially for small companies. And, he thored several previous studies of employment strategists I’ve ever met. Though we disagreed said, “previous research suggests that such poli- discrimination against lesbians and gay men, WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 5 nominees “know the difference between advo- cacy and jurisprudence” and will “not engage GOP labels gay in any kind of political activism while on the bench.” He asked how Fitzgerald’s prior advo- cacy would affect him on the bench. “Sir, I don’t believe that it would have any nominee an ‘activist’ influence on my service as a federal judge,” said Fitzgerald. “…I would not bring any personal By Lisa Keen Fitzgerald is a partner in Corbin, Fitzgerald & or political views to bear on any of the cases Keen News Service Athey, which bills itself as a “boutique litigation that I determined as a United States district firm” specializing in white-collar crime and civil judge.” He also said he is aware of the necessity A fourth openly gay nominee—one who has cases in his native Los Angeles. to recuse himself not only when he personally been fairly heavily involved in both gay and The biographical information he sent to the believed there might be a conflict of interest but non-gay legal and political issues and who committee lists his membership in four gay-re- also when a “reasonable onlooker” might think spent “hundreds of hours” doing pro bono work lated organizations: the Lesbian and Gay Lawyers so. that led to the elimination of a gay ban on FBI Association of Los Angeles (no years of member- He indicates that he did not serve in the agents—has gone before the U.S. Senate Ju- ship are identified), the Harvard-Radcliffe Gay military “because men born between March 29, diciary Committee. The nominee’s gay-related and Lesbian Caucus (from 2006 to present), the 1957, and December 31, 1959, were not required history prompted the only Republican in atten- Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center Leadership to register.” dance on his confirmation hearing to label the Task Force (from 2007-2008), and the Stonewall He earned an A.B. magna cum laude from Har- nominee an “activist.” Democratic Club (“late-1990s”). The biographi- vard University in 1981 and graduated from the President Obama nominated Michael W. cal information also indicates Fitzgerald par- Berkeley School of Law in 1985. He clerked for Fitzgerald in July to sit on the U.S. District ticipated in the campaign to defeat California’s 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Irving Court for Central California. The office of U.S. same-sex marriage ban, Proposition 8. Kaufman and worked three years in the criminal Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who recommended He also notes that he spoke at a press confer- division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los An- him for the position, sent out a press release: “If ence about a settlement in the case of Buttino geles. confirmed by the Senate, Fitzgerald would make v. FBI, in which (in 1993) the Federal Bureau The Senate Judiciary Committee’s ranking history by becoming the first openly gay federal of Investigation agreed to stop banning openly members, including the ranking member Charles judge confirmed to serve in California.” gay people from serving as FBI agents. Grassley, R-Iowa, were not present; nor was Fitzgerald, 52, was one of five nominees con- Fitzgerald’s summary of the Buttino case, in ranking majority member Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.. sidered during the hearing Tuesday. Boxer intro- response to the requisite Senate questionnaire, Michael W. Fitzgerald. Photo courtesy of U.S. Lee noted 85 percent of Obama’s judicial nomi- duced him to the committee, noting that he had noted that Frank Buttino was an agent with the Sen. Barbara Boxer’s office nees have been approved and that “compara- served as a federal prosecutor on the Organized FBI who was “outed” by an anonymous source tively generous treatment” treatment of nomi- Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force with the to Buttino’s supervisor. The supervisor stripped viewing homosexuality as a ‘negative factor’ in nees by the Republican side. U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, “where Buttino of his security clearance and, therefore, regard to security clearance,” agreed to hire an Durbin quickly noted that Senate Majority prosecuted international drug rings and money his ability to serve as an agent. openly gay agent, and restored Buttino’s pen- Leader Harry Reid had needed to call for a forced laundering— including what was at that time “At my request,” wrote Fitzgerald, one of his sion. vote (cloture) to try and put the nominations of the second largest cocaine seizure in California earlier law firms “Heller Ehrman decided to rep- Acting committee chairman Dick Durbin, D- 25 of those nominees on the floor. history.” resent Mr. Buttino at trial on a pro bono basis. Ill., asked Fitzgerald about the Buttino case. Senators on the committee have a week to The American Bar Association, noted Boxer, I obtained class certification and then repre- Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, described Fitzgerald as submit additional questions to the nominees in had given Fitzgerald a rating of “well qualified” sented Mr. Buttino and the class [of all gay and a “activist” but then quickly added that he does writing. The committee could vote on Fitzger- on a unanimous vote. lesbian FBI employees] at trial.” After several not “subscribe to the view that having been an ald’s nomination within a few weeks. Durbin noted that Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D- days of trial, noted Fitzgerald, the FBI agreed activist in one area or another disqualifies any- ©2011 Keen News Service. All rights re- Calif., had also submitted a “blue slip” in favor to settle the case out of court. In doing so, one from ascending to the bench .…” But Lee served. of Fitzgerald’s appointment. the FBI, he said, “renounced its prior policy of said it was the committee’s duty to make sure

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saic.edu | [email protected] 800.232.7242 | 312.629.6100 Aƒƒ„ ††‡, Cˆ‰Š ‹Œ HŒ„Ž‘ ’“Œ”‰•‘Ž ’‘“– ƒ‘ƒ— ˆŒ„Ž‰ƒ‹ ƒ• Ž„’’Œ“—‰”‘ Ž‘“”‰Š‘Ž —Œ Œ”‘“ ˜,™šš HIV œœ‘Š—‘• –‘ƒ, žŒ–‘ƒ, ƒ• Šˆ‰†•“‘ƒ. Tˆ‘“‘ — —ˆ‘ ¢‘‹‰ƒƒ‰ƒ‹. H‘“‘ „ƒ—‰† —ˆ‘ Š„“‘. 6 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES GAY HISTORY MONTH PROFILE musket loading. According to the New York Pub- lic Library (“The Papers of Von Steuben”), the following is a list of his achievements and time- line. Friedrich —February 1778: Arrives at Valley Forge to serve under Washington, having informed Con- gress of his desire for paid service after an initial volunteer trial period, with which request Wash- von Steuben: ington concurs. —March 1778: Begins tenure as inspector general, drilling troops according to established European military precepts Father of the —1778-79: Writes “Regulations for the Or- der and Discipline of the Troops of the United States,” which becomes a fundamental guide for the Continental Army and remains in active U.S. military use through the War of 1812, being published in over 70 editions —1780-81: Senior military officer in charge of tative in Paris, Benjamin Franklin, to see what By mark segal troop and supply mobilization in Virginia he could come up with. Franklin, a renowned EXCLUSIVELY IN CHICAGO —1781: Replaced by Marquis de Lafayette as inventor, was treated as a celebrity in the French FOR WINDY CITY TIMES commander in Virginia court. This would be pivotal in achieving his two National Gay History Project —1781-83: Continues to serve as Washing- major objectives in France: winning financial ton’s inspector general, and is active in improv- There are few historians today who would doubt support for the revolution and finding military ing discipline and streamlining administration that Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was leaders who could bring a semblance of order to in the army gay. the Revolutionary Army. —Spring 1783: Assists in formulating plans To appreciate the contributions von Steuben Franklin learned of a “brilliant” Prussian for the postwar American military (1730-94) made to the American Revolution, military genius, Lt. Gen. Baron Frederich von Washington rewarded von Steuben with a consider this: Before his arrival in Valley Forge Steuben. von Steuben had a string of successes house at Valley Forge (still in existence and in 1778, the Revolutionary Army had lost several (some self-embellished) with the Prussian army. open for visits) which he shared with his aide- battles to Great Britain and, without him, the There was one problem—he’d been asked to de-camps Capt. William North and Gen. Benja- United States of America might still be the Brit- depart because of his “affections for members Friedrich von Steuben. Image by Ralph Earl min Walker. Walker lived with him through the ish colonies. of his own sex.” This became urgent in 1777 remainder of his life, and von Steuben, who Before Valley Forge, the Revolutionary Army when he literally escaped imprisonment in what neither married nor denied any of the allega- was a loosely organized, ragtag band of men is now Germany and traveled to Paris. In Paris, Franklin had a choice here, and he decided von tions of homosexuality, left his estate to North with little military training. The military fum- Franklin was interviewing candidates to assist Steuben’s expertise was more important to the and Walker. His last will and testament, which bled through the beginning of the war for in- Washington back in the colonies when he dis- colonies than his sexuality. includes the line “extraordinarily intense emo- dependence lacking training and organization. covered von Steuben. At the same time, another colonial represen- tional relationship,” has been described as a Gen. George Washington and the Continental During the interview process, Franklin discov- tative was in France with the explicit job of love letter to Walker. Congress knew that without help from addition- ered von Steuben’s reputation for having “affec- recruiting experienced military personnel from The nation that von Steuben help found has al seasoned military experts, the colonies would tions” with males and the issue became pressing Europe to train the Continental Army. He was memorialized him with numerous statues, in- clearly lose. Since Washington himself was the as members of the French clergy demanded the Silas Deane, a former representative to the first cluding those at Lafayette Square near the White best the colonies had, they looked to Europe French court, as in other countries, take action Continental Congress and friend of Franklin. House and at Valley Forge and Utica, N.Y. (where for someone who could train the troops. To that against this sodomite. They had decided to make Deane is best known for recruiting the Marquis he is buried) and German Americans celebrate end, Washington wrote the colonies’ represen- their effort a crusade and run him out of France. de Lafayette. He also had a side job as a spy for the colonies. Besides being intelligent them- his birthday each year on Sept. 17, hosting selves, Franklin and Deane knew how to spot parades in New York City, Philadelphia and Chi- intelligence. It would have been impossible for cago. either to not know about the reputation of von If George Washington was the father of the Steuben. nation, then von Steuben, a gay man, was the Franklin, working with Deane, decided von father of the United States military. Steuben’s “affections” were less important than Mark Segal is founder and publisher of what he, Washington and the colonies needed to Philadelphia Gay News, the country’s oldest win the war with England. Deane learned of von LGBT newsweekly. Sometimes called the dean Steuben’s indiscretions—and that the French of the gay press, Segal is an award-winning clergy was investigating—from a letter to the columnist and is fascinated by history. Prince of Hechingen, his former employer, which Also, read about the profile of Katherine read in part: Lee Bates—who wrote “America the Beauti- “It has come to me from different sources that ful”—online at http://www.WindyCityMedia- M. de Steuben is accused of having taken famil- Group.com. iarities with young boys which the laws forbid and punish severely. I have even been informed that that is the reason why M. de Steuben was Presbyterians ordain obliged to leave Hechingen and that the clergy first gay minister of your country intend to prosecute him by law On Oct. 8 in Madison, Wis., the Presbyte- as soon as he may establish himself anywhere.” rian Church ordained Scott Anderson as its Deane, along with Franklin, acted quickly be- first openly gay minister, according to On fore the clergy could deport or imprison von Top Magazine. Steuben and plotted to send him to the colo- Anderson’s ordination happened after nies to serve with Washington. von Steuben was the Presbyterian Church (USA), numbering given an advance for passage to America and 2 million members, began welcoming non- began as a volunteer, without pay. celibate gay clergy this past summer. Once he’d arrived in Valley Forge, Washington In 1990, Anderson was the head pastor was concerned about von Steuben’s inability to of Bethany Presbyterian in Sacramento, speak English so he appointed two of his officers Calif., when two parishioners outed him; who spoke French to work as his translators. One soon after, he left the church. Anderson re- of those officers was Alexander Hamilton and mained active in the church; 10 years ago, CHICAGO’S PREMIER TENNIS CLUB IS the other his close friend John Laurens. Within he was put on a task force charged with NOW CHICAGO’S PREMIER FITNESS CLUB. months, von Steuben gained Washington’s con- guiding the church while the issue of gay fidence and began to transform the colonial clergy intensified. See for yourself. Visit us today. army. The Oct. 8 ceremony “was very healing Washington and Franklin’s trust in von Steu- for me and for many people there,” Ander- ben was rewarded. He whipped the ragtag army son told Reuters. “It was very celebratory. of the colonies into a professional fighting force, Presbyterians don’t cheer very often, but able to take on the most powerful superpower there was some cheering.” of the time, England. Some of his accomplish- Anderson and partner Ian MacAllister ments include instituting a “model company” have been together 20 years. for training, establishing sanitary standards and organization for the camp and training soldiers in drills and tactics such as bayonet fighting and WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 7

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Merlo library may close Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s budget cut- backs may hit the Chicago Public Library (CPL) system—and may result in the closure of a Boystown fixture. If the new budget cutbacks, scheduled to be Float in this year’s pride parade. Photo by Steve Starr announced Oct. 12, are severe enough, they could affect the John Merlo Public Library, 644 W. Belmont. BY KATE SOSIN derman Tom Tunney, said that his office saw CPL Director of Marketing Ruth Lednicer told “numerous public safety concerns” after last Windy City Times that because the city is in Responding to a steep jump in attendance and year’s parade. the middle of the budget process, nothing has chaos at last year’s Pride Parade, parade officials “Certainly, we didn’t want to go the route of been finalized. She added that service hours announced several changes intended to curtail the South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade and up may be cut or, in the most serious case, librar- public drinking and disburse crowds over a larger and cancel it,” Bever said. ies may have to close. section of the neighborhood. Several called for changes to the event and Anton Tanumihardja (right) and Brian “It is my understanding that they’re looking The changes add five blocks to the route, in- suggested alternative routes. Officials an- Andersen. Photo reprinted with permission at not closing, but perhaps losing staff or days corporate the use of two additional “L” stations, nounced such changes on Oct. 5. from Lavi Soloway of service,” she told Windy City Times. “But decrease the number of entries by 50 and move The new route kicks off at Montrose and until everything’s formally announced, that’s the step off time to 10 a.m., two hours earlier Broadway, heading south on Broadway and then ICE refuses to stop not the final word.” than past years. turning onto Halsted. It will turn east on Bel- The John Merlo branch is known for its ex- The changes are the most significant to the mont and then go south on Broadway, finishing deportation despite tensive collection of LGBT materials, including parade in many years, said Rich Pfeiffer, chief east at Diversey and Cannon Drive. DHS policy pamphlets that date back decades. organizer of the event. The changes eliminate the sharp curve in the The Immigration and Customs Enforcement —Andrew Davis “You weigh the pros and cons… and the bot- route at Halsted and Broadway, where two lanes (ICE) office in Philadelphia has refused to stop tom line was safety,” said Pfeiffer. “We just did of parade traffic and crowds sometimes made the deportation that would separate Anton not want a repeat of last year.” the corner impassable by police and sandwiched Tanumihardja, an Indonesian citizen, from his Ortman named to A near doubling of attendance at the parade in crowds into a single city block. Bever said that American husband, Brian Andersen, according June presented greater challenges for parade of- the “V” created by the curve trapped residents LAGBAC board to a press release from the Gay & Lesbian Alli- The Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chi- ficials. At the 2011 Parade, crowds were so large who lived at the corner for hours and blocked ance Against Defamation (GLAAD). cago (LAGBAC) has appointed Randall Ortman and out of control that many paradegoers said emergency vehicles from accessing the parade This development is still happening despite to its board of directors, according to a press they feared for their safety. Last year’s parade route. new guidelines from the Obama administration release. saw a turnout of approximately 800,000 people, In addition, the new route adds five blocks, that aim to set aside all low-priority deporta- Ortman is an associate at the international compared with an estimated 450,000 in 2010. making the parade accessible by two more Red tion cases and keep all families together—in- law firm McDermott Will & Emery LLP. He grad- “We were shocked [by the turnout],” Pfeiffer Line “L” stops at Wilson and at Sheridan. cluding gay and lesbian couples. uated from Northwestern University School said. The added “L” stops are expected to relieve Specifically, ICE rejected a request for “de- of Law in 2011 and will become a member of Max Bever, a spokesperson for 44th Ward Al- congestion at the Belmont “L” station, where ferred action,” which allows individuals meet- the Illinois bar next month. Ortman recently crowds became so thick after the pa- ing specific criteria to stay in the country joined McDermott’s Chicago office as a mem- rade in 2011 the station had to be indefinitely, although they are technically ber of the Health Industry Advisory Practice shut down temporarily. deportable. At a meeting Oct. 7 with a Phila- Group. “It’s going to be way more manage- delphia deportation officer, Tanumihardja was Visit GlobalPharmacyDirect.net able this way,” Pfeiffer said, adding told that unless there was some intervention for your prescription drug needs that come Spring, event organizers in his case that reversed this decision, he Parlour Save up to 80% or more on all meds will be widely publicizing the chang- would face deportation by January. es and recommending parade-goers The couple’s attorney, Lavi Soloway, said, bartender dies • Secure, Quick, Convenient ordering process online. Eric Kraus, a bartender who worked at the consider watching the parade from “We are shocked and disappointed that ICE has • All drugs dispensed are FDA approved. Andersonville nightspot Parlour, died Oct. 8 of less crowded locations. failed to implement the guidelines set forth • Save up to 80% or more on all HIV/AIDS drugs. cancer. He was 39. Attendees will also be waking up by this administration. ... The administration • Medications ship directly to your door in 10 days. Kraus also tended bar at Madrigal’s when it earlier for the parade, which steps must take immediate action to ensure that the was in that same neighborhood. Place your order with us today and start off at 10:00 a.m. instead of noon. new deportation policy is being implemented A memorial service will be held Thursday, saving now on your medication needs. “By staging this earlier, hopefully fairly and consistently by ICE deportation of- Oct. 13, 6-8 p.m. Questions? Call or email you’ll have less alcohol consump- ficers in local offices, or this policy announce- 1-866-744-3835 or tion,” Pfeiffer said, “Unless you’re a ment is meaningless.” [email protected] hardcore drinker, you’ve not going to Leading the effort in low-cost Rx drugs ensuring be drinking at 10 a.m.” the highest quality and safety standards. Several brawls erupted throughout WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 9 Peoria drops The charities have said they would appeal Needs-based the ruling before the 4th District Appellate foster-care Court. assessment launches battle Adler hosting Oct. 19 BY KATE SOSIN BY STEVEN CHAITMAN community as compared to only one aspect. forum on racism, He then described the two-fold purpose of the The Catholic Diocese of Peoria announced Oct. 6 that it has backed out the legal battle with colorism, coming out A needs-based assessment that will determine fund: To provide capacity-building services for The Institute on Social Exclusion at the the state over foster care contracts. how to raise and spend a million dollars in the our community organizations and build bridges Adler School will host “Intersecting Identities: The diocese announced its decision in a Chicago LGBT community over the next three to the non-LGBT community. Comparing and Contrasting the Gay Experi- press release, published on the Catholic Post years launched Oct. 7 at the Center on Halsted. “One of the things [the steering commit- ence” Wed., Oct. 19, at the Adler School of website. Equality Illinois confirmed the news The LGBT Community Fund, an initiative of The tee] observed was our organizations—at this Professional Psychology, 17 N. Dearborn St., and urged the other three charities to follow Chicago Community Trust, has partnered with point—aren’t as well recognized by non-LGBT 4-6 p.m. suit. the consultant firm Morten Group to conduct communities both from the standpoint of know- Panelists will include Kevin Osten, director Catholic Charities of Peoria, Belleville, the assessment, which will consist of survey- ing what we’re doing as well as donating dol- of Adler’s LGBT mental health program; Coya Springfield and Joliet sued the state for the ing more than 1,500 LGBT individuals—mostly lars,” Alexander said. “We’ve done a great job Paz of Amigas Latinas; Ahmad Refky, a student right to keep the $30 million contracts. The throughout Cook County—followed by various within our community of raising dollars; the at Adler; Grady Garner, a faculty member at state declined to offer the charities contracts stakeholder interviews and focus groups. next opportunity is to go out into the greater The Chicago School; and Kim Hunt, executive this year because the charities refused to The LGBT Community Fund began in 2010, community and raise dollars.” director of Affinity Community Services. Chas- place children with single parents and same- when The Chicago Community Trust (CCT) is- Morten Group expects to make community pre- tity Lord, regional vice president of The Posse sex couples, despite new civil union law. sued it a $500,000 matching challenge grant. A sentations based on the assessment findings in Foundation, will moderate. A circuit court judge ruled in August that the steering committee will oversee fundraising and January. To access the online survey, visit the RSVP by Oct. 14 to [email protected]. ultimately determine how to disperse the funds CCT website www.cct.org or Morten Group web- charities did not have a property right to the to Chicago’s LGBT nonprofit organizations and site www.mortengroup.com. contracts. programs. The judge declined to stay his ruling despite Representatives of about two-dozen LGBT an appeal from the charities last month. nonprofits—deemed community partners of the assessment—were present at the kick-off press breakfast. Potentially all of them stand to gain from the fund. Morten Group President Mary Morten and Project Manager Keshia Farmer-Smith explained KENDALL

CHICAGO’SCOLLEGE NUMBER

ONEHOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT & CULINARY ARTS Keshia Farmer-Smith. Photo by Steven Chaitman Leading hotels rank Kendall College as having the number one Chicago program for preparing students for hospitality management careers. And the two-phase process of The LGBT Community Chicago MICHELIN Guide Restaurants rate Kendall number one in the city Needs Assessment: The first phase will consist for preparing students for careers in culinary arts. (ORC International-2011 Survey) of a short online survey offered in English and • • Spanish. Respondents will be asked to iden- OPEN HOUSE Saturday, October 15 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. tify the community’s “most critical needs” and See for yourself and learn about our programs in Business, Culinary Arts, Education “strongest resources.” Hard-copy surveys will and Hospitality Management. also be available with community drop boxes • Adult Learner Sessions: Manage work and life demands while earning your degree that will be distributed throughout Chicago. through combined online and weekend programs. The second phase will take the data acquired • Live Demonstrations: See our culinary students in action, as well as presentations in the first to formulate questions for interviews by hospitality management and business students. with approximately 50 LGBT community stake- • Tours + Tips: Take a guided tour of campus, and get answers about Financial Aid, holders in addition to 15 focus groups that will Academic Advising, Career Services, Housing and more! involve discussions with community members of diverse ages and backgrounds in Chicago, Evan- Refreshments served throughout the event. RSVP today! ston, Oak Park and Berwyn. “We want to cast a wide net and we want to DiscoverKendallCollege.com cast to people that don’t necessarily belong 800.639.7753 to organizations and go to places that may be LGBT,” Morten said. For additional details, including ORC International’s Research Report, please visit Kendall.edu/about/kendall-ranked-first. Jim Alexander, co-chair of The LGBT Commu- Find information on costs, occupation types, completion rates and median loan debt for these programs at kendall.edu/programdata. 900 N. North Branch nity Fund Steering Committee, said that this is Chicago, IL 60642 the first needs assessment of the entire LGBT 10 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES de Faria, a Brazilian citizen. Gochnauer said that the president determines a law to be unconsti- he lives in fear that his partner of five years, tutional,” Sawyer said. who he cannot legally sponsor as his husband, Quigley, Schakowsky and Gutierrez expressed Local and nat’l will lose his job and be forced to move back to their eagerness to see the end of DOMA. The Brazil. three vowed to fight for the end of law. Also present were Trish and Kate Varnum, the “When it comes to matters of equality, it is famous Iowa couple who successfully sued for always the right time to do the right thing,” politicians attend same-sex marriage in their state. Despite their Quigley said. “We are a nation of laws, but our win in 2009, the Trish Varnum said that DOMA laws are based on our hearts.” prevents them from fully enjoying their legally- Gutierrez said that he felt the legislature DOMA hearing recognized relationship. needed to catch up to public in support for “We had to file three tax returns,” she said. same-sex marriage. “The American people are BY KATE SOSIN We’re just asking for the same rights as other “Preparing tax returns are not free, unless you’re ahead of us,” he said. couples who happen to be heterosexual.” an accountant.” Schakowsky thanked the panelists for shar- Politicians, activists and same-sex marriage Angelica Lopez said that she and her partner, Legal experts also weighed in on DOMA. ing their stories, which she said gave her new supporters filled the seats of the City Council Claudia Mercado, cannot travel without docu- Gail H. Morse of Jenner and Block said the law insight into challenges facing LGBT people who chambers Oct. 7 for a panel discussion on the mentation that two and their daughter are a placed unnecessary tax burdens on same-sex want to get married, among them was the issue impacts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) family. partners. People who support their partners fi- same-sex parents face in traveling. “[Needing to on same-sex couples. “We just want our children to know they will nancially are required to pay gift taxes on that carry documents] never would have occurred to More than 75 people attended the morning be protected no matter what,” Lopez said. support, she said. me,” she said. event, which featured commentary from U.S. Janean Watkins also said that DOMA has had a Camilla Taylor, marriage project director for Major LGBT leaders attended the event includ- Reps. Mike Quigley, Luis V. Gutierrez and Jan toll on her family. Lambda Legal, said that she believes DOMA ing state Rep. Greg Harris, 44th Ward Alderman Schakowsky as well as testimony from LGBT cou- “In so many ways, we are made to feel that burdens LGBT couples in three ways—it allows Tom Tunney, City of Chicago Commissioner on ples. we don’t exist,” said Watkins, sitting next to her states to ignore marriages in other states, it Human Relations Mona Noriega and Metropoli- James Cappleman, 46th Ward alderman, was partner Lakeesha Harris. supports discrimination in a variety of ways tan Water Reclamation District Commissioner among those who spoke on the negative impact Harris and Watkins were the first in Chicago to federally and it creates stigma against same-sex Debra Shore. DOMA has had on his life. receive a civil union license when they became partners. Lambda Legal hosted the forum, along with Cappleman and his partner, Richard Thale, available on June 1 this summer. The couple has Heather Sawyer, Democratic counsel for the Quigley’s office. have been together for 20 years. six children together, but they say that lack of House Judiciary Committee, fielded questions Quigley encouraged attendees to submit their Thale volunteers full-time while Cappleman marriage recognition allows people to assume about the legality of President Obama’s decision own testimonies, which he said will be entered earns the couple’s income. Cappleman said that they are not family. to stop defending DOMA. Sawyer said the move into public record. Those wishing to submit their Thale will not be eligible to receive his social School officials question the couple on which to stop defending a law was not common but stories about DOMA can do so through Quigley’s security benefits because the two are not feder- of them is the “the real mother” of their chil- was within the president’s rights. website at http://quigley.house.gov. ally recognized as spouses. dren, Watkins said. “We feel disempowered, hu- “It is rare… but absolutely appropriate when “Through the years, I have become a part of miliated and depressed.” Richard’s family and he is a part of mine,” Cap- Grant Gochnauer talked about the affect DOMA Franzen stressed the importance of drafting pleman said. “We’re not asking for special rights. has had on his relationship with Gabriel Fontes Anderson memorial official legal documents for all health, family service Oct. 16 and inheritance matters. A memorial service to celebrate her life and “Even though [Illinois] state law might af- mourn the death of lesbian activist Susan An- ford you rights for adoption,” he said, “we still derson will be held at Unity Temple, 875 Lake highly recommend that our clients go ahead St., Oak Park, on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 1 p.m. A and formalize an adoption legally. … [If] cli- reception will follow in Unity House. ents move to other states, other states may or Anderson, 62, died suddenly of natural may not recognize Illinois’ recognition of that causes Oct. 2. adoption.” A resident of Berwyn, Anderson was a criti- According to data from Equality Illinois and cal leader in LGBT efforts in both Berwyn and the Chicago Tribune, Illinois issued 1,618 civ- Oak Park. She was former co-chair of the Oak il-union licenses in June 2011. Moreover, 83 of Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPAL- Illinois’ 102 counties reported issuing at least GA) and an active member of Berwyn United one civil-union license during that time. Neighborhood Gay and Lesbian Organization The McGaw YMCA co-sponsored the forum. (BUNGALO). Quarles & Brady partner and McGaw YMCA She was a research scientist with the Uni- Board of Directors Chair Kirk Hoopingarner versity of Illinois-Chicago, and that work in- hosted. cluded political research. Her interest in poli- tics was wide-ranging—from local to state and Park Ridge gets From left: U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Mike Quigley and Luis Gutierrez at the DOMA hearing. national. Photo by Kate Sosin Anderson ran unsuccessfully for 6th Ward al- rid of drag ban derman in Berwyn in 2009. According to Ted By Kate Sosin Korbos of BUNGALO, Anderson was active in Independent Voters of Berwyn (IVB) and was After 83 years, residents of U.S. Secretary of part of their slate in the elections. Anderson State Hillary Clinton’s hometown can legally was also a former president of the All Berwyn dress in drag. Committee and was the moderator for several Northwest suburb Park Ridge removed its wood blinds designer screen shades candidates’ forums hosted by the All Berwyn cross-dressing ban from the books on Oct. 3, honeycomb shades window shadings Committee during the 2000s. an antique law left sitting in the city ordi- nance since 1928. “It’s just one of those archaic things that Call Greg Law firm hosts never got changed,” said City Clerk Betty civil-union forum Henneman. BY ERICA DEMAREST The cross-dressing ban is one a handful of SAVE $50* antiquated and unenforced conduct laws the On any order over $499 The law firm Schiff Hardin LLP hosted “Civil Park Ridge City Council tossed out in re-writ- SAVE $100* ing the city ordinance. Another included a law On any order over $999 Unions in Illinois: Love, Life, Death, Taxes and Philanthropy” Oct. 6. The early morning event against swearing in public. SAVE $200* walked lawyers through the nuances of Illi- The ban appears to be a relic of a time when On any order over $1,999 nois’s civil-union law. LGBT people were policed and arrested for SAVE $300* Schiff Hardin partner Kim Kamin and counsel “cross-dressing.” The Park Ridge law was likely On any order over $2,999 one of the last few of its kind left. With this ad - O er ends 11/12/11 William Franzen detailed the history of civil unions in the United States leading up to June The city council removed Chicago’s cross- 2011, when Illinois’ own law went into effect. dressing law in 1978 after years of court dis- The state’s civil-union statute affords cou- pute. ples most of the same basic state rights as Henneman said that her office had fielded several calls after word got out that the law Call for Exceptional a marriage, Kamin and Franzen said. However, had been swept from the books. Most called, FREE In-Home Appointment civil unions do not grant access to federal rights such as bankruptcy protection, social she said, because they thought the profanity security, immigration protection and survivor and cross-dressing laws were amusing. 800.245.7790 spousal benefits. www.DraperyConnection.com Ext. 10 Ask for Greg Greg’s Web Page WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 11 Benefit show for LGBTs join Occupy Santiago Oct. 15 On Saturday, Oct. 15, Ties & Tassels, along with a group of team-mates and friends, is host- Chicago protests ing a show to remember and celebrate the life of the late lesbian activist Christina Santiago and BY KATE SOSIN onstration, although no single LGBT contingent raise some funds to assist the Brennon/Santiago or organization marched together. Fund. In the city’s largest demonstration since Occupy A handful of members of LGBTQ direct-action The event will take place at Lizard Lounge, Chicago began protesting Wall Street bankers organization Gender JUST appeared at the pro- 3058 W. Irving Park Rd., at 8 p.m. There is a $5 three weeks ago, thousands marched through test in Robin Hood costumes. Their group kay- donation. downtown streets and converged at the Art In- aked to the demonstration along the Chicago Some of the scheduled performers are spoken- stitute to protest an expo of prominent bankers. River. word artist/singer Nikki Patin; a belly dancer; Many of those present were LGBT activists and Queer activists who attended the march said and rockers Amy & the Mud Butlers, among oth- teachers. they felt the concerns of protesters were univer- ers. There will also be a raffle with prizes such as Protesters started at five different conver- sal. one-hour massages; a baseball signed by former gence points and flooded the streets, meeting “Regardless of race, gender or sexual orienta- Chicago Cubs Mark Grace, Sammy Sosa and Ryne at Michigan and Monroe where they were sur- tion, a lot of people are being impacted,” said Sandberg, among others; and gift cards for Crew rounded by a wall of police. Jorge Valdivia, who identifies as gay. “We’re and Hamburger Mary’s. Raffle tickets are two for “We are the 99 percent,” they shouted, as well marching side by side we people, and we don’t $5. as “banks get bailed out, we get sold out.” know where they’re coming from or how they People can also send donations by making The march, which had been planned for identify.” checks payable to the “Brennon & Santiago As- months in anticipation of a bankers meeting at One queer teacher who wished only to be iden- sistance Fund” and mail them to: Chase Bank, the Futures and Options expo, coincided with tified as Phillipe said he was protesting because Attn: Scott, 310 N. Randall Rd., Lake in the weeks of protest in Chicago that spread from the he spends $150 weekly on school supplies for Hills, Ill., 60156. Christina Santiago. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald “Occupy Wall Street” movement in New York. his students because his school cannot provide The march was orchestrated by local unions materials. and activist groups that included Lakeview Ac- “It’s very frustrating,” he said. “I’m hoping to tion Coalition and Chicago Coalition for the see continual movement beyond here and that in because of his illness, but Guilamo repri- Homeless. people don’t fall back into their daily schedule.” Man suing CPS manded him for tardiness anyway. Marching bands blasted out upbeat tunes The protest ended without major incident be- The complaint goes on to allege that Smith while protesters sang and danced in the streets. low the modern wing of the Art Institute. There, over HIV, race was denied necessary educational equipment Hundreds of spectators crowded onto curbs to those attending the expo watched protesters like an overhead projector and was forced to snap photos of the march. Above, one El conduc- from above. discrimination work a room that was “unbearably hot.” It fur- tor stopped her train over the protest and raised Photos from the Oct. 10 march by Kate Sosin; by KATE SOSIN ther states that Guilamo sent Smith “critical a fist in solidarity. pics from previous demonstrations by Ed Negron and offensive e-mails” and told students that Dozens of LGBT activists were active in dem- A Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teacher has Smith was an incompetent teacher. filed suit against the city’s Board of Education CPS did not return an immediate request to over alleged discrimination on the basis of HIV comment. status and race. Cooper said that he did not know how his Jumeck Smith, who teaches fifth grade at client was certain that the unfavorable treat- Von Humboldt Elementary School, alleges that ment was related to his race or HIV-positive the school’s principal, Alexandra Sophie Guila- status, only that the harassment “came to a mo, singled him out because he is Black and head” this year. HIV-positive. “What he believes is that other people who According to the complaint filed in U.S. Dis- are not HIV-positive can use that machine,” trict Court, Smith was allegedly “treated less Cooper said. “People in 2011 don’t go around favorably than other similarly situated teach- using racial epithets or saying you can’t use ers who are not African American.” that time machine because of your HIV sta- Smith’s attorney, Chris Cooper, said that tus.” Guilamo forced Smith to use a time punch Cooper said the alleged harassment took machine far away from his classroom when place over six years. one was available closer, despite the fact that The suit is directed at Guilamo and the Board HIV makes it difficult for him to get around. of Education. It seeks damages for five differ- According to Cooper, Smith was granted five ent counts, together totaling $1,725,000. extra minutes to get to the machine to punch The Oct. 10 Occupy Chicago march. Photo by Kate Sosin 12 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES NETSCH from cover first. Not just because I was female, but they all thought I had a funny accent, a phony British accent. I don’t know where they got that. I was not at all timid about speaking up in class, which women still are to some extent. I lecture them if I hear about any of the women being timid about participating. After a while, we all sort of got used to one another and, as they used to charmingly say, Netsch is just one of the boys. So, we all got along fine. At least, I think we did. WCT: At what point in your life did you be- come an advocate for the LGBT population? Netsch: Well certainly by the time I had start- ed to run for office, but it had to be a few years before that. I guess it was probably a combination of things. Number one, I think both Walter, my Left: Former Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Paul Vallas, Netsch, and openly gay state Rep. Larry McKeon at a Human Rights Campaign husband, and I had friends that were gay. Some- Chicago gala in 2001. McKeon died in 2008 after a stroke. He lived for many years with HIV. Photo by Tracy Baim. Right: Dawn Clark Netsch at the times openly so, other times not, but it was sort 1989 IMPACT gay political action committee gala with openly gay Dr. Ron Sable, who ran twice unsuccessfully for 44th Ward alderman. He died in of known—and they were friends. 1993 of AIDS complications. Photo by Lisa Howe-Ebright Combined with that, I was always a very pas- sionate civil libertarian, and the idea of dis- in that community and it’s very touching for me and I feel a little frustrated because I don’t Never, ever compromise your basic integrity. criminating against someone or writing them that I’m still very warmly received and I think have quite the full-steam-ahead energy level I WCT: Now, on a lighter note, is it true that off because, in this case, sexual orientation, was a lot of it does have to do with the fact that guess I’ve always had. And yet there are so many you’ve never learned how to drive? My best just anathema to me. I would simply not have somehow they know that I’ve been there for a things still to be done. You’re a little more con- friend still hasn’t learned how to drive and considered that proper. long time. scious of that, I think. she’s convinced that she’ll be able to live her A lot of it really was having friends. They were What’s particularly nice is just how far things WCT: As an elder, you have a lot of experi- whole life without a license. our friends, it was not a big deal in that sense. have changed. I’m sure you don’t really appreci- ence. For younger activists who are just put- Netsch: That’s correct. I must admit, some- I had reason to speak of it openly when I be- ate that. I’m still alive, and when I started in ting their feelers out, who might be entering times my husband would—I hope lovingly—call gan to run for office. The question didn’t come politics this was basically a toxic issue. politics or studying law, do you have any ad- me a parasite, because I was always looking for up quite so much, I mean, we were still fighting With all the ugliness and recriminations and vice? someone to get me to a place or give me a ride the Equal Rights Amendment at that time. But it all the other stuff that’s going on in politics Netsch: A couple things. Number one: You home. I’ve got a couple of friends who are al- would sometimes come up. right now, to realize that there is a community have to decide for yourself where you want your most always on the spot for that. WCT: What led you to a political career? there which really does stand by someone that life to go. You shouldn’t be pushed in a direc- But I have managed. It helps if you live in the Netsch: I can remember when I was in high they think stood by them, that is a very good tion that you’re not comfortable with, no mat- city, and it does help if you have friends who school, when asked, “what do you want to do feeling. ter who’s doing the pushing, whether it’s family are willing to give you rides. There are times when you grow up,” I started with wanting to be WCT: You’ve talked a lot about how far we’ve or friends or whatever. You want to enjoy what when it’s a problem, but you can survive! I hate a member of the United States Senate, and after come. Even in my life, it has been beautiful. you’re doing with your life. automobiles! a while I went on to president of the United I never thought I would see Illinois have civil States. Literally. And I wasn’t just being silly; unions. that was sort of the ultimate of what I wanted Netsch: I don’t think most of us did! Cappleman running who endorsed the alderman in a letter to con- to do. WCT: How much further do you think we stituents. I find it more interesting, I find it important, have to go towards equality? for committeeman “With extensive community input, he has it’s a way to have impact on issues and, indirect- Netsch: We will reach a point where I think BY KATE SOSIN created a 46th ward master plan which will ly, then on people. It’s just a much more inter- marriage is not prohibited anywhere. That’s not help guide development in a way that benefits esting way to make a living in a sense, with all going to happen quite in my lifetime. I think James Cappleman, alderman of the 46th Ward all members of the community,” Sharpe wrote. of its frustrations, which are huge and enormous we’ll add a few more states in my life, but it’s and a longtime openly gay activist, is throw- “As Democratic Committeeman, James will and continuous. going to take a while. But this is going back to ing his hat into the race for Democratic Com- represent our community well on Democratic WCT: You mentioned this a little bit, but the fact that this has moved unbelievably fast, mitteeman in his ward. Party matters.” how does it feel to be an icon to an entire given how deeply held these feelings were. “I have had a lot of different careers, and Sharpe has held the position for eight years. population? That must be the neatest thing. I think it’s all going in that direction, there’s ironically they have all been similar,” Capple- He said he is stepping down “to transition to Netsch: I sort of don’t go around say, “Oh, I’m no question about that. One of those things, of man said. new leadership,” he wrote. an icon!” I am aware of the fact that I am very course, is generational. There’s no question that Cappleman, who has been a teacher, social Cappleman said he wants to carry Sharpe’s warmly received in that community. I see it not people in your age group [mid-20s], for a lot of worker and activist, won a tight race for alder- momentum forward and also work at heal- only in the gay-pride parade, but also at Equality them, they don’t care. There’s the huge element man last year. Since, he has been working on ing divisions within his party. “I want to see Illinois’ pass-through when we all march across of that that has helped to change minds. a new master plan for the ward that includes democrats working together better,” he said. the stage and at a variety of other things. I don’t think it’s going to go backward. There’s new initiatives intended to combat neighbor- “I want us to be a party that focuses on unit- So I’m not unaware of that. It feels good, of no question about that. hood crime, among other goals. ing people.” course, and what really to me is most interest- WCT: How does turning 85 feel? The alderman said that if elected to the Most significantly, Cappleman said his sights ing about it is that I’ve been out of office for Netsch: Old. Actually, I was in pretty good position, he will hold more public events for are on the 2012 presidential race. The alder- fifteen or sixteen years now. We didn’t even get shape until the last year. Before that I don’t Democrats in his ward. man is a supporter of President Obama and the non-discrimination act passed when I was think I felt or acted 85, I don’t think. Cappleman’s run has earned the blessing of said that he feels that reform is dependent on there! Well, you realize there’s not much time left. current 46th Ward Committeeman Tom Sharpe, keeping Democrats in office. But there’s something that just carries through It’s terribly important to get more things done,

Father Tierney is desperate to Chicago’s Dedicated and ALEO Comprehensive LGBT Program keep his secret. VAT CHICAGO LAKESHORE HOSPITAL Valeo at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital provides comprehensive psychiatric He is HIV-positive. and addiction-related treatment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. “This well-paced narrative maintains a consistent The program offers a safe, affirming sense of urgency, where each critical decision has therapeutic environment for members potentially disastrous consequences.” of the LGBTQ community. The Valeo staff is comprised of well-trained, — Kirkus Indie – A review service from Kirkus experienced gay and gay-sensitive Reviews, Oct. 2011 behavioral health professionals from a wide variety of disciplines. A new novel by John Shekleton Now widely available for purchase. 4840 N. MARINE DRIVE CHICAGO, IL 60640 More about the book: 1-800-888-0560 www.johnshekletonauthor.com www.chicagolakeshorehospital.com WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 13 a GAYin the Beef ‘n Brandy Actor Restaurant and Bar LIFE Danny Rhodes Text and PHOTOS BY Ross Forman CHOW DOWN TOWN Ribs • Seafood • Salads • Stir Fry • And More Breakfast Lunch Dinner Cocktails Wi-Fi

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Danny Rhodes still remembers the advice that a teacher once gave the then-budding actor: “If you’re not getting the roles that you want, write [the production] yourself.” He’s done just that—and it’s paid off tenfold, he said. Rhodes has been acting professionally for 12 years and also has been spending time on the production Have your side of the camera as of late, further expanding his resume and credentials. His writing style is dark and gritty, he said. He premiums often writes a production with a role in mind for himself to act, but he doesn’t always take it. increased Rhodes, a member of the Screen Actors Guild, has numerous film, television and stage credits. recently? He’s appeared on film in One Small Hitch, House of Purgatory and Stranger Than Fiction. His TV credits include Bad Sides and Detroit 1-8-7. In addition, his stage roles include Romeo & Juliet at the Chicago Shake- See me: speare Theatre and Patsy’s Bridal Shower at Theatre Eclectic. Charles T. Rhodes, “I’m interested in acting in a Agent comedy, but more interested in writing and producing a horror 2472 N. Clark [film],” he said. State Farm773.281.0890 Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Rhodes’ first acting role was as (not in NJ) State Farm Indemnity Company (NJ) The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz at Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois age 11 or 12. However, he’s wanted to act since he was 5. Friday, Oct. 14 the stats That’s when his aunt and grand- 7:30 p.m. mother took him, with his brother Sarah Schulman Name and sister, to see Indiana Jones and The Temple of The Mere Future Danny Rhodes Doom, and then for ice cream after the show. They explained to Rhodes that Harrison Ford and the rest Age of the cast was just that, actors. Saturday, Oct. 15- 32 “That’s when I said acting was what I wanted to Sunday, Oct. 16 do the rest of my life, and there has never been a Women’s Voices Weekend: Resides in time when I’ve wanted to do anything else,” Rhodes Achy Obejas, Elmhurst said. “The [traditional] 9-to-5 work environment just Nami Mun, never appealed to me. I love the work I now do.” Dorothy Allison Relationship status Rhodes has improvisation skills, along with com- and Esther Hershenhorn Single edy and vocal accents. He also has grown up in the industry, and is being considered for “dad” roles. College Rhodes was in Dallas in early October, then will be Columbia, class of 2002 in Los Angeles in January, filming the principal role 5233 N. Clark in a comedic feature-length film tentatively titled (773) 769-9299 Hobbies The Wonder Kids. Writing, independent films, In November, he will be directing and acting in a bicycle riding, tennis and short horror film, titled He Ain’t Heavy, that he also cooking wrote. By next spring, Rhodes also will be writing and What’s cooking producing One Not Taken, a horror film that marks [email protected] the first he’s written and directed. www.womenandchildrenfirst.com Is a server at The Capital Parking Available Grille in Lombard Wheelchair Accessible 14 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES

A special series in partnership with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago Panel addresses high rates of HIV in African-Americans By Erica Demarest

In an effort to address increasingly high STD and HIV/AIDS rates among African-American communities, dozens of local activists and pub- lic health employees met Oct. 5 a the Chicago Urban League for a “Stop Transmitting Silence” community discussion. “People talk about ‘The new face of HIV’ as if all of a sudden it started to be a high prevalence among people of color in the last few years,” said Rush Medical Center’s Dr. Kimberly Smith. Dr. Kimberly Smith, MD (Rush University “The reality is we’ve been the majority for a re- Medical Center). All photos by Erica Demarest ally long time.” Smith was one of six panelists tapped to speak at the event. Others included: Chris Brown, as- sistant commissioner of public health for Chi- Panelists and organizers at ‘Stop Transmitting Silence.’ cago’s STI/HIV/AIDS division; Illinois state Rep. Camille Lilly, a Democrat from Chicago’s 78th “The real tragedy is that we’re on the precipice education to do so. The abstinence-only clause District; the Reverend Michelle D. Hughes of the of such incredible hope,” said AIDS Foundation would be removed, and school districts would be Congregational Church of Park Manor; Tamela of Chicago President David Ernesto Munar, who given a choice. Milan of the Access Community Health Network; provided opening remarks. “This year was a wa- “Why would it not be common sense to edu- and Kendra Jones, a junior at Curie High School. tershed year for research. We now have empirical cate our children in grades 6 through 12, when It’s estimated that there are more than 25,000 evidence that … good adherence to [antiretro- we’re talking about medically accurate informa- people living with HIV in Chicago, Brown said. viral therapy] medications can render a person tion, where we are designing it where it’s age While African Americans constitute about a with HIV virtually un-infectious.” appropriate, where we are emphasizing absti- third of the city’s population, they account for Strict adherence reduces chances of transmit- nence as a way of avoiding and preventing unin- 56 percent of HIV-positive residents. Addition- ting by 96 percent, Munar said. That’s a rate of tended pregnancies and STDs?” Lilly said. “Why ally, about 4 percent of those living with HIV are reduction greater than correct, consistent con- wouldn’t we begin this information early?” youth aged 13-24. dom use. “The real tragedy is that we actually Lilly said she’s received a lot of backlash in According to Brown, Chicago saw a 19 percent have the tools now,” he said. the House from members who don’t think chil- decrease in new HIV diagnoses between 2005 One of the biggest barriers to accessing medi- dren should learn about sex. Khadine Bennett, and 2009. However, during that same period, cation is testing. Brown estimates that about 20 an ACLU of Illinois staff attorney who helped David Ernesto Munar, president/CEO of the there was an 85 percent increase among youth percent of the people living with HIV in Chicago draft the bill, argued sex education is about ho- AIDS Foundation of Chicago. aged 13-24. Of these, 75 percent were male; 80 don’t know they’re positive. That translates to listic health. percent were Black; and 60 percent were men roughly 5,000 people. “Sex ed talks about healthy relationships,” who have sex with men. Fear of stigma is a major deterrent to medi- Bennett said. “How do you create boundaries? “The health disparities in these new cases are cal testing and care. “The misinformation is out How do you learn about your body? How do you really outrageous,” Brown said. “African-Ameri- there that you have to be promiscuous or doing love yourself? How do you talk to your parents can youth and LGBT youth are being seriously something that’s out of the box,” Smith said. about sex? How do you identify who in your affected.” “You don’t have to have a lot of partners. You community you can go to with questions? It’s When it comes to other sexually transmitted don’t have to use drugs. You don’t have to do not just about sex … . We’re teaching life lesson diseases, the city isn’t doing much better. Com- anything out of the ordinary. You just have to skills.” pared to other urban areas, Chicago ranks No. come across the wrong person and not use pro- During a Q&A session, some audience mem- 1 for cases of gonorrhea, No. 2 for chlamydia tection.” bers charged the bill didn’t go far enough, argu- cases, No. 3 for syphilis, and in the top 5 for HIV Comprehensive sex education could abate ing sex education should be mandatory. cases, Brown said. that stigma, said Rep. Lilly, an Illinois House “We updated the school code in the minimal Panelists uniformly identified four key factors co-sponsor of the Accurate Sexual Health Educa- way that would allow this to be passed with that could help abate these rates: comprehen- tion Bill, or H.B. 3027. The bill, which was pre- the idea this is a first step and not the ideal,” sive sex education, increased STD and HIV test- sented at Wednesday night’s event, would allow Bennett said. “If we were in California, this bill ing, reduced stigma and adherence to medica- individual school boards to update their sexual would look radically different. California has the tion. education programs as they see fit. Cadillac version of sex-ed, and we’re trying to The current Illinois School Code on Sex Educa- get a Pinto. It’s better than what we have right The Reverend Michelle D. Hughes (The Con- tion does not require sex ed, but urges schools now.” gregational Church of Park Manor, UCC). that do teach it to opt for an abstinence-only Panelists urged audience members to encour- program. The codes mandates courses “shall age their state representatives to vote for the teach honor and respect for monogamous het- bill as a necessary first step in abating high STD erosexual marriage.” and HIV/AIDS rates. A recent study by the Cook County of Public “I think we have to get past all this moral crap, Health shows this approach isn’t working. A and really focus on the reality: Kids are having survey asked 1,718 students in 20 public high sex, and they’re experimenting,” Smith said, schools in suburban Cook County a variety of arguing that testing and education are critical. questions about sexual health and practices. “We can stem the tide of future infections by About 37 percent of the teens who answered identifying who’s infected now and making sure have had sex. Of these, 61 percent were Black, they’re on therapy. If you’re on therapy, not only 49 percent were Latino, and 24 percent were are you living a long life, but you don’t have to white. worry about passing it on to your partner.” Furthermore, only 62 percent of the teens who “Stop Transmitting Silence” was co-sponsored had had sex in the past three months reported by the ACLU, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Black using condoms the last time they had sex. And Women for Reproductive Justice, Chicago Black 19 percent said they used alcohol before their Gay Men’s Caucus, Chicago Abortion Fund, Chi- last encounter. cago Urban League, Illinois Caucus for Adoles- H.B. 3027 wouldn’t require comprehensive cent Health, and the Illinois Maternal and Child sex education in every Illinois school. It would Health Coalition. Chris Brown (Chicago Department of Public merely allow schools that want to teach sex Health). WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 15

LEFT TWO PHOTOS: ‘I Will’ screen captures. Photos by John Gress

RIGHT: John Gress filming ‘I Will.’ Photo by Marshall Titus ‘I Will’ uses video to educate about HIV By Erica Demarest positive. The video then follows the man as he deals with the news, and reveals his status to Since debuting in September, 2011, Marshall his roommate, a close friend and a potential Titus and John Gress’ groundbreaking “I Will” date. The man’s friends are supportive, and the music video has racked up more than 9,000 You- date, whose status is never revealed, still goes Tube hits, sparked a dialogue about HIV accep- out with the man, telling him, “It’s okay.” tance and ruffled more than a few feathers. “I Will” premiered Sept. 15 at Jackhammer to And it all started with a cup of coffee at Cari- a crowd of about 200 people. While some blog- bou. gers have posted negative, racially charged com- Gress, a Chicago-based photographer who ments (the video’s main characters are Black), volunteers at the Test Positive Aware Network the response has been overwhelmingly positive, (TPAN), had recently been tasked with creating Titus said. At the premiere, a man who had been public service announcements for the not-for- HIV-positive for decades approached Titus and profit’s “A Day in the Life with HIV” campaign. Gress, and thanked them for their work. The photography project encouraged HIV- “I think for 30 years there’s been this message positive individuals across the country to take of wrap it up and be afraid,” Gress said. “There’s snapshots of themselves on Sept. 21, 2011, and never been a message that says ‘You don’t have post the photos online. The goal was to create to be afraid of people who are HIV-positive.’ I a rich, emotional and vibrant portrait of what it think for too long we’ve separated our commu- means to have HIV in America. nity to the positive and the negative.” After shooting hours of testimonials, Gress re- Gress said breaking down the walls between Marshall Titus on the set of ‘I Will.’ Photo by John Gress alized he’d need music to tie the diverse stories positive and negative can help stem the dis- together, and called on good friend and R&B ease. “We really just hope that through the vid- singer Titus. The pair hunkered down in a Cari- eo people will be less fearful of people who are bou Coffee and began rifling through tracks. HIV-positive,” he said, “and they’ll also be less Some tracks were too quick, others too slow. fearful of getting tested, which is the important Nothing really clicked—until they came across part of stopping the epidemic.” “I Will,” a decade-old track Titus had recorded Titus believes the video will also have broader not long after losing his mother. implications. “Everybody goes through changes/ Isn’t that “It’s important for younger people to see a what life’s all about?/ Some things you have to video like this and to see images that aren’t so learn the hard way/ But why must it hurt so stereotypical—especially in the African Ameri- much,” Titus sings over a mellow but up-tempo can community, where’s it still very homopho- track. “I want to trust/ Don’t want to stop be- bic,” Titus said. “Most people, when they think lieving/ In the human heart and my happiness/ of gay, they think of some flaming queen … . Morning comes, another breath, I wake up/ An- The palate is very wide. This video represents other chance to start again/ And this time, I will another shade, another dimension, another as- be strong/ I will be brave.” pect of what gay looks like, of what HIV looks It was a perfect match. like.” “It really was as if the song was written for Not long after “I Will” was released, Titus had this moment and this particular issue,” Titus a conversation with a younger cousin in Atlanta. said. “It’s about finding the courage within The cousin understood the video’s message when yourself to deal with life … . ‘I Will’ is, to me, it came to HIV, but was uncomfortable with the John Gress filming ‘I Will.’ Photo by Marshall Titus an affirmation and a declaration to survive and gay lead characters. thrive.” “I knew that by seeing this video it confront- Back in his studio, Gress couldn’t get “I Will” ed his whole sensibility as to what he thought out of his head. “I got hooked on the song,” he of the world, and his place in it, and how he said. “About two days later, I’d listened to it viewed gay people,” Titus said. “This is pushing 100 times … I just had this picture come in my people’s buttons.” mind—a story—which was all the interviews we And that excites Titus. “The responsibility of did for ‘A Day with HIV in America’ and the lyrics artists is to shape or redirect people’s views,” of this song.” he said. “Historically, artists have changed the Gress mapped out his vision for a music video world. It might not be that apparent, but we and brought it to Titus, who was instantly en- have a hand in it.” thralled. The duo refined a script, hired local Gress couldn’t agree more. “In 17 years of be- actors, and got to work shooting and editing. ing a photographer, I’ve made a product,” he Thirty days later, they had a video. said. “Finally I feel like I’ve made a statement.” “It all just came together,” Gress said. “It To watch “I Will,” visit: http://www. wasn’t one of those things that wasn’t planned youtube.com/watch?v=dLY28BXSgm4 or chosen. It was just something that we had to For more on John Gress: http://www. do.” johngress.com/ At the beginning of the 5-minute clip, a young For more on Marshall Titus: http://www. Black man wakes up after a one-night stand. He marshalltitusonline.com/ seems upset with the situation and makes his “I Will” is available for download on iTunes. way to an HIV clinic, where a test reveals he’s John Gress and Marshall Titus. Photo by Erica Demarest 16 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES

Harley McMillen: An early champion in fight against HIV By Patrick Duvall More recently, McMillen moved to a small town “The gay community would come with all their in Wisconsin to battle with Stage 4 non-Hodg- questions, and we would present the facts of “People back then were scared. You could see it kin’s lymphoma. A tornado destroyed the town, what we [knew],” McMillen recounts. “Unfor- in their questions and their eyes,” said Harley and he used his skills as a community organizer tunately, most of the questions they asked we McMillen, former executive director of Howard to help rebuild, even winning a national forestry [didn’t] know [the answers to], like, ‘Well, what Brown Health Center (then known as Howard award for his work. can I not do?’ or ‘Is all sex okay and not anal Brown Memorial Clinic) of the beginning of the His cancer has gone into remission, and Mc- sex?’ You know, it was very difficult, because AIDS crisis. “I don’t think people are scared Millen now helps in local politics. In November, you went away feeling very badly because you now.” he will celebrate his 69th birthday. Every day he couldn’t give what you wanted to.” During the early fear-stricken days of the takes his lunch at a meal site for senior citizens, As more people got sick and more lost their AIDS epidemic, Harley McMillen stood out as and lives a quiet, peaceful life. While affable lives, an almost palpable anxiety permeated the a voice of reason. His strong Midwestern val- when describing the company he finds there, gay community. “In the beginning there was ues and commitment to community service led his voice becomes soft and deeply contempla- great fear,” McMillen says. “They didn’t know Harley McMillen today. Photo by Patrick him to become a focal point for the coordinated tive when he reflects on his time at the clinic. about themselves, they didn’t know about their Duvall response to AIDS in Chicago, which included “[People] are dying at the ages of 80 and 90 friends, they didn’t want to think about it. It holding discussion forums on the disease, start- [here], like you normally should be, you know? was like, you know, out of sight, out of mind. It was not until federal money was granted to ing an AIDS hotline, founding the AIDS Action They have no idea what it’s like to have dealt There was a great fear, which was masquerad- Howard Brown that the city of Chicago began Project to provide direct outreach and social with hundreds and hundreds of deaths before ing as the fact that there was no problem. And to devote any real funds to fighting the disease. services, and helping to start the first Brown you were the age of 40.” nobody knew what to do.” McMillen was deter- The clinic’s main source of funding at the time Elephant thrift store to fund their efforts, all After having his accomplishments during the mined to find answers and solutions where there came from Chicago’s bar community. Nearly ev- while managing a clinic with a staff of over 400 beginning of the AIDS crisis listed, McMillen were none, and he did. ery night, McMillen was at a fundraiser at one employees and volunteers. is quiet for a moment, then responds. “When One of the first reported cases of AIDS in Chi- bar or another. “We did drag shows, [I] had pies Sarah Puccia, former Director of the AIDS Ac- I think about it, I helped save lives, and that cago was one of McMillen’s close friends, Glen tossed in my face at Big Red’s (a since-closed tion Project, commented that “[Harley] saw the gives me a degree of satisfaction.” “Sudsy” Sudsberry. bar), anything that was possible that people big picture of any one decision and how it might McMillen clearly recalls the infamous day of “[I went] to visit [Glen] at Presbyterian St. would give us money for,” said McMillen. “It was reverberate in different ways, and I think he pro- June 5, 1981 when the Medical Director of How- Luke’s and [had] to completely go into isola- never enough, but people were generous.” tion,” McMillen recounts. “I had to follow com- McMillen knew that the only hope of getting plete isolation procedures—the mask, gloves, funding was from the federal government. He the yellow outfit I had to put over myself—be- structured the clinic so that it would be attrac- cause the hospital did not know how to protect tive to grant committees, instructing his ac- me or how to keep Sudsy alive. countant to develop an indirect cost stream and “It still brings tears to my eyes when I envi- ensuring the administrative processes of Howard sion that moment, trying to comfort him and Brown were sharply defined. The federal money, show strength at the same time. He and I had however, was slow to arrive. been friends for many years, and we were in the The tent pole of Howard Brown’s efforts, be- leather community together. You know, it was yond working with the patients, was the AIDS a scene that is very vivid, distinct in my mind, Action Project: a multifaceted program that in- because there I was trying to give him all the cluded connecting the clinic’s efforts with the strength and comfort that I could, but at the medical community in Chicago, offering educa- same time needed all the strength and comfort tional resources to those afraid of contracting for myself that I knew that I couldn’t get from the disease, providing social services to people him.” with AIDS, and setting up an AIDS hotline. In 1982, McMillen hired more staff and took When the hotline opened, phones rang con- on more volunteers to help support the changes stantly from panicked people wondering whether in clientele at the clinic. Howard Brown saw a they would contract the disease from being near marked drop-off in standard STD screenings, and a homosexual, or frightened gay men asking began focusing their work on case management about symptoms they had recently noticed. for people with AIDS. “Back then, being a gay person was bad “There became two classes of patients: non- enough, but being a gay person with a deadly AIDS patients and AIDS patients,” he said. “If disease was just beyond comprehension for most you were an AIDS patient, you had a different Harley McMillen (right) at a leather fundraiser for AIDS support. From left: Terry Loughlin, Jim of the general population,” McMillen says. Piehl, Chuck Renslow and McMillen. Courtesy of McMillen pathway [at the clinic]. More testing, more counseling, more in-depth activities in their lives and things like that. We only had one or vided, really, the leadership style that allowed a ard Brown, Dr. Raymond DiPhilips, came into his two people who were really qualified to do that. lot of people to do some incredible work.” office and laid the first report on deaths down We really had to find resources to bring in, too, “Harley had the skills that were needed at the on his desk. DiPhillips said, “Something out because people would come in and want an HIV time,” said George Steffan, a physician’s assis- there is killing gay men, and we don’t know what test when they were available. They had to go tant at the clinic from 1976-1984. “He was very it is. We’ve got to do something.” This marked through a psychological profile, and then, when pointed and direct. He wasn’t afraid to make de- the beginning of a struggle that would consume the test came back, you had to meet a psycholo- cisions … and he was reasonably calm. You had McMillen’s life for the next three years. gist to see if you were equipped to handle the to have somebody that would sit down, look at McMillen had already helped Howard Brown results.” the problem, and get some analysts in to deal Memorial Clinic transition from being a small, During this period, McMillen was in frequent with [it], get people to talk together.” volunteer-based operation to a more structured contact with the city of Chicago to seek assis- Most of McMillen’s adult life has been spent medical facility with rigidly defined administra- tance and to keep them informed on the pro- helping communities in need. Fresh out of grad- tive processes. He began to prepare the clinic gression of the disease. uate school in 1971, he worked as a field rep- for its next role as the main source of education “[Chicago] didn’t have anything coordinated resentative at the State of Missouri’s Office of and diagnosis of this new deadly disease. as a health response until we started piecing Aging. He then served as Program Development Within months of that initial report, Howard it together and getting representatives of the Director of a $2.4 million Department of Health Brown led their first community meeting about groups of people that were being affected meet- and Human Services study on integrating social the epidemic at Illinois Masonic Hospital. Mc- ing with department of Health officials,” he services to meal sites for the elderly in Florida. Millen describes the experience as tense, due to said. “They were very resistant in the beginning Immediately preceding his start at the clinic in the inconclusive nature of the data they had at … the city of Chicago was always continually 1980, McMillen worked for two years with the the time. Officially there was no known cause of trying to play down the extent of the epidemic, National Congress of Parents and Teachers, help- the disease, and certainly no treatment that was and we were at the other end of the football Harley McMillen, Walter Klingler and Dean ing them extend their brand to urban environ- remotely effective while people were dying and field yelling, ‘No, no, no! It’s big, it’s big! It’s Ogren at a Renslow 1980s White Party event. ments. many more were getting sick. coming! It’s here!’” Courtesy of McMillen WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 17

McMillen hired Sarah Puccia (nee Gross) to run the AIDS Action Project. Together they built the hotline from scratch, selecting a passion- Jim Bussen: Voice of Dignity ate volunteer base, taking stock of the needs By Patrick Duvall in the community, and developing appropriate responses that would provide the most informa- “My life has been exciting beyond my wildest tion with the least amount of sensationalism. dreams,” said Jim Bussen, a former Chicago gay- Howard Brown partnered with Gay Horizons as rights activist. part of the project to provide social services to Originally from a small town in Southern Il- people with AIDS. linois, Bussen hoped to deepen his Catholic One of the pamphlets McMillen worked on was up-bringing and to live his life openly. Bussen for the partners of people with AIDS. It includ- attended seminary school in Omaha after high ed information on planning a memorial, how to school, but quickly found the limitations of the manage an estate when the government refused Midwestern city. to recognize your relationship, and how to pro- “This was the early 1970s and there really tect against infection. With a nearly complete wasn’t anywhere to go, there were only two gay lack of government response, Howard Brown was bars in all of Omaha. Omaha is a very Catholic one of the only sources of education and sup- city,” Bussen said. “What we needed was a dis- port in Chicago for those affected by the dis- cussion group. A few of us would get together ease, and McMillen created that infrastructure and just talk about the articles in The Advocate using the resources of the clinic, his business and eventually we held Omaha’s first gay dinner- contacts, and the sheer force of his personality. dance in a hotel.” In 1973 Bussen was motivat- He refused to give up. ed to leave the staunchly Catholic community In 1983, federal funding finally arrived from and the seminary by accepting a position with the National Institutes of Health in the form the U.S. Railroad retirement board as a claims LEFT: Jim Bussen at a Gay and Lesbian Town Meeting event in October 1988. Photo by Lisa of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. McMillen examiner in Chicago. Howe-Ebright. RIGHT: Bussen at a Catholic event, July 23, 1987. The event was called a Service again braced for another major change at the Bussen found Chicago’s chapter of the gay of Healing, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, but even though it was about clinic. Howard Brown was the only LGBT-focused Catholic group Dignity the very first Sunday of AIDS, the word AIDS never came up, as reported in the July 30, 1987 Outlines newspaper. This facility to receive funds, largely due to the ad- his new life in Chicago. Though the big city was was indicative of how the Catholic Church responded to the epidemic in the 1980s. Back row, ministrative processes McMillen put in place. progressive enough for the Catholic gay prayer from left: Thom Dombkowski of Chicago House; Bussen, who was president of Dignity/USA; The clinic was audited, but their financials held circle, Chicago was only slightly less conserva- Bill Seng, president of Dignity/Chicago; and Frank Kellas, owner of the Gold Coast bar. Front: strong. Participants in the study began enroll- tive than the Omaha Bussen left. Marge Summit, owner of His ‘n Hers bar; and Jim Pilarski, secretary of Dignity/USA. Outlines ing at Howard Brown, and soon, even the city “Life was barely more out than the closeted newspaper archives of Chicago began offering educational materials ’50s: bars, bookstores, baths were the gathering and funds to the AIDS hotline. places,” he said. “Dignity and MCC [the Metro- raise funds to protest Anita Bryant’s nationwide everything overnight. AIDS became a catalyst McMillen never lost sight of the hard work of politan Community Church] were the two big- anti-gay activism. Through this Bussen had the and a sadness. … We had to step up to the plate people working under him. “A lot of time and gest organizations then until the Lincoln Park opportunity to represent Dignity/Chicago on a and stand up for our rights. The losses were very effort was spent trying to help lift the spirits Lagooners started, which became huge. Back tour of churches in Wichita, Kansas, an effort dramatic but look how many changes it brought of my staff and the people that were working then only first names were used by the vast ma- to sway voters on gay rights. Bussen was also about, especially concerning gay marriage and in this area,” McMillen said. “[AIDS] was like a jority, only a brave few used full, real names. among some of the first lobbyists to journey to the idea of being able see your partner in the death sentence. Funerals were scheduled so they One can’t dismiss the sexual boom of the baths Springfield, Illinois when gay legislation was hospital etc. It forced us all out into the open. weren’t conflicting on days, you know, all kinds and the entertainment there (ala Bette Midler) first brought before the state legislature. He I look at it as the closet-door movement in the of things like logistics, just the process of hav- as the start of a real social scene, then separat- worked hard not only to represent the city of gay community. ing a funeral became a major operation.” ing from the sexual which lead to all the variety Chicago but also the views of his rural Illinois “As far as Dignity Chicago goes, we estab- Even when faced with such tremendous pres- of clubs and organizations. I joined Dignity be- hometown, even having his parents tag along. lished a committee to help raise funds for hous- sure, McMillen still remained optimistic. “Maybe cause it felt nice to meet other gay Catholics.” Over the course of his political involvement, ing needs for those early years. Out of which we [didn’t] know the answers, but I think we Dignity/Chicago began as the fourth chapter Bussen worked with the Illinois Gay and Lesbian grew Chicago House and several of Dignity’s first were doing something right … we knew what we in the nation in January 1972. The idea be- Task Force, the National Gay and Lesbian Task board members then served as Chicago House had to do, we knew what we needed to provide hind Dignity/USA is what it means to be gay Force and the American Civil Liberties Union of board presidents.” to our community, and we were going to do it, and Catholic. The Dignity/Chicago chapter was Illinois. Many years have elapsed since the initial dev- come hell or high water!” mostly inspired by an organization created in From 1985 to 1989, Bussen served as Dignity/ astation AIDS caused in Chicago, but through George Steffan speaks fondly of his time work- 1970 by Mary Houlihan, who noticed the need USA’s national president. During his two terms those years Bussen has seen a community ing with McMillen at the clinic: “There were very for spiritual guidance in the GLBT community. as national president, the organization was the evolve and a neighborhood change. “Boystown strong personalities. I think a lot of people in Dignity/Chicago succeeded in hosting not only first gay and lesbian group to purchase a full- used to be the gay ghetto,” he said. “Now if you his position could have been overrun by the the discussion group aspect of the Dignity/USA page ad in a nationally distributed magazine, go to Melrose, it’s practically a family restau- other personalities. … [Harley] was able to … mission but also the idea of an inclusive worship Newsweek (April, 1987). Bussen’s work with rant. The groups of kids you see on the sidewalks not fly off the handle or go crazy or yell and masses. Dignity/Chicago began holding meet- Dignity/USA brought about many opportunities are much more diverse than in my day, there’s scream. [He would] just calmly talk, ‘Well this is ings at St. Sebastian before finding its current for him. less segregation between gays and straights and what we have to do, this is the decision.’ I think home at the Broadway United Methodist church. “Who would have guessed to move to the big it has a lot to do with the work done by those it was a good deal, and he was good at handling Dignity/Chicago quickly became one of the first city, get a great job, a chance to travel (not organizations.” employees.” non-bar gathering places for the local GLBT only to almost every state but also to Europe!), Not only has Bussen seen changes in the GLBT In the end, it was those strong personalities community and eventually became a strong po- and from the very innocent act of going to Dig- haven of Chicago, but also throughout the coun- that led McMillen to leave Howard Brown in litical organization. nity’s mass the very first Sunday after arriving in try. Bussen feels that it’s only a matter of time 1984. A conflict over leadership of the clinic In the current age of growing religious indif- Chicago I would meet involved and challenging before Illinois will follow New York’s success in pushed McMillen out, and his position was held ference, some Chicagoans may not know what people, who themselves were engaged political- legalizing same-sex marriage. “I think it will be by a number of different people in subsequent Dignity/Chicago is or what is stands for. “Dig- ly, and I learned from them, and would become relatively soon too because of all the lobbying,” years. nity is like a split-personality, we want to be an life-long friends,” Bussen said. “Then in some he said. “It’s kind of odd to have civil unions and As executive director of Howard Brown Me- inclusive worship community but we also need way [I would] offer my services to accept the not expect marriage rights. It’s a good enough morial Clinic, McMillen’s commitment to the to take up GLBT advocacy because the Catholic challenge of being part of the national move- step but it’s only a matter of containment. The health and education of Chicago’s LGBT popula- church can afford to (and does) hire lobbyists ment. I always wanted what was right and fair. church is always going to believe something and tion never wavered, even when approached by against gay marriage, so we are trying to be And as part of that, to participate in confront- religion can’t interfere with government. Gay people at bars during his rare leisure time. “You both a supportive network for worship but also ing the Bishops face-to-face, to speak on be- marriage is inevitable.” can’t ignore it. It’s in our body, the body being stand up against the Catholic church,” said Bus- half of Catholic GLBT folk, to channel anger and Bussen is now retired and has stepped back the community.” sen. outrage, what an exhilarating, exhausting and from political volunteering and has moved from During one of the darkest times in recent LGBT Bussen became a member of Dignity/Chicago rewarding experience. And hey, not too shabby Chicago to a retirement community in Iowa. He history, when gay men and women struggled to upon joining in 1973. Bussen began his more to appear in People magazine as ‘one of nine feels content with his life’s work and believes find any source of hope, McMillen was concerned high-level activism with Dignity/Chicago in Americans the Pope won’t meet, and why!’ Now that the Catholic church is heading toward the with the more personal effects of the AIDS cri- 1976 when he chaired the organization’s gay that is a hoot!” right track concerning the gay movement. “Dig- sis. At a speech he gave after the Pride Parade in pride activities. His involvement evolved with Like so many other activists of Bussen’s gen- nity is on the cutting edge even still for Catho- 1983, McMillen offered a piece of advice, which the organization, as it became a more nationally eration, he remembers the tragic onset of the lics and gays, it’s all about being supportive of still holds true today: “No matter what happens, recognized political assembly. In 1977 Dignity/ AIDS crisis. “It was a real push to come out and what people need. I think it is up to us to find what we cannot do is lose the ability to love Chicago worked with the group A Call to Action then the real explosion of the volunteer groups our way, I think we find god in others, and the each other.” to sponsor the Orange Ball, a Chicago benefit to and the gay cultural scene,” he said. “It changed grace provided by their energy,” Bussen said. 18 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES WINDY CITY VIEWPOINTs TIMES Democrats. In a combined effort to rekindle interest in Can Perry recover from this? Also, can talk- this Twain classic and to diminish the flame and VOL. 27 No. 1, Oct. 12, 2011 REV. The combined forces of Windy City Times, show host Barbara Walters of The View? fury the use of the N-word engenders both from founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, IRENE In discussing the offensive racial moniker of society and readers alike, Mark Twain Scholar founded May 1987. MONROE Perry’s property, Walters used the N-word, spark- Alan Gribben, an English professor at Auburn ing a debate with her co-host Sherri Shepherd. University in Alabama, proposed the idea that PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR “I’m saying when you say the word, I don’t the N-word be replaced with the word “slave.” Tracy Baim like it,” said Shepherd, who said she has used In 2003, the NAACP convinced Merriam-Web- ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky it among African-American family and friends. ster lexicographers to change the definition of MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis “When white people say it, it brings up feelings the N-word in the dictionary to no longer mean BUSINESS MANAGER Meghan Streit The past is in me.” African Americans but, instead, to be defined as DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright I am troubled, however, in this recent kerfuffle a racial slur. While the battle to change the N- ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson never dead with SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS: Terri Klinsky, Amy concerning the N-word and how many of us Af- word in the U.S. lexicon was a long and arduous Matheny, Kirk Williamson, Dave Ouano, Kirk Smid rican Americans, in particular, go back and forth one, our culture’s neo-revisionist use of the N- PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT Cynthia Holmes the N-word on its politically correct use. word makes it even harder to purge the sting of NIGHTSPOTS MANAGING EDITOR Kirk Williamson Let’s do a walk down memory lane: the word from the collective psyche. NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 In a supposedly post-racial society, one would SENIOR WRITERS Kate Sosin, Bob Roehr, Rex In December 2006 we blamed Michael Rich- The notion that it is acceptable for African think that the N-word was buried and long gone Wockner, Marie J. Kuda, David Byrne, Tony Per- ards, who played the lovable and goofy charac- Americans to refer to each other using the egrin, Lisa Keen, Yasmin Nair, Erica Demarest with it troubled eras of race relations in this ter Kramer on the TV sitcom Seinfeld, for using N-word while considering it racist for others THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan country. the N-word. The racist rant was heard nationwide outside the community unquestionably sets a CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight, Jr. However, as American novelist William Faulkner BOOKS WRITER Yasmin Nair and shocked not only his fans and audience that double standard. Also, the notion that one eth- wrote in his 1951 novel Requiem for a Nun, “The ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS night at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood; nic group has property rights to the term is a Mary Shen Barnidge, Steve Warren, Lawrence past is never dead. It’s not even past.” it also shocked Americans back to an ugly era in reductio ad absurdum argument, since language Ferber, Mel Ferrand, Jerry Nunn, Alicia Wilson, As we all try to move from America’s ugly racial U.S. history. is a public enterprise. Jonathan Abarbanel past, there are still rock-solid vestiges of it. COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Jorjet In July 2008 we heard the Rev. Jesse Jackson The N-word is firmly embedded in the lexicon At the entrance of a secluded 1,072-acre prop- Harper, Lee Lynch, Tully Satre, Lisa Keen, Charlsie use the N-word in reference to Obama. Jackson of racist language that was and still is used to Dewey, Michael Knipp, Lisa Klein, Joe Erbentraut, erty in the West Texas town of Paint Creek is a using the word not only reminded us of its his- disparage African Americans. However, today Carrie Maxwell, Billy Masters, Chuck Colbert, rock painted in block letters with the word “[N- tory but also how the N-word can slip so approv- the meaning of the N-word is all in how one Micki Leventhal, Sarah Toce, Dana Rudolph, Sally word]head.” Parsons, Emmanuel Garcia ingly from the mouth of a man who was part of spells it. By dropping the “er” ending and re- For decades, Rick Perry’s hunting camp hosted SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Mel a cadre of African-American leaders burying the placing it with either an “a” or “ah” ending, the Ferrand, Hal Baim, Steve Starr, Emmanuel Garcia, fellow lawmakers, friends and supporters. N-word once and for all in mock funeral at the term morphs into one of endearment. However, Dave Ouano, Tim Carroll Already in a declining bid for the GOP presi- 98th annual NAACP’s convention in Detroit in many slaveholders pronounced the N-word with CIRCULATION dency, former front-runner Gov. Rick Perry and 2007. the “a” ending, and in the 1920s, many African CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright his father once leased a Texas hunting camp DISTRIBUTION: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Renee, In 2009 Dr. Laura Schlessinger ended her ra- Americans used the “a” ending as a pejorative known by a racist term. Sue and Victor dio show a week after she broadcast a five-min- term to denote class differences among them- WEB HOSTING: LoveYourWebsite.com (lead pro- When Perry ran for re-election in 2010 for gov- ute-long rant in which she used the N-word 11 selves. grammer: Martie Marro) ernor, no one knew of the rock. However, as one times. Too many of us keep the N-word alive. It also observer of the rock glibly told Real Clear Poli- In January of this year, the kerfuffle concern- allows Americans to become unconscious and tics, “Honestly, it wouldn’t have hurt him in a Copyright 2011 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media ing the N-word focused on Samuel Langhorne numb in the use and abuse of the power and Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back Texas primary.” issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). Clemens, known fondly to us as Mark Twain, currency this racial epithet still wields, thwart- If Perry, however, doesn’t decline into oblivion Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, in the New South Books edition of the 1885 ing the daily struggle many of us work hard at in and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and in this GOP bid, he’ll face off with President controversial classic Adventures of Huckleberry trying to ameliorate race relations. no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. Obama and will also have a lot of explaining to All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy Finn. City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned do to African-American voters—Republicans and for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own sex spouses, “there is no person who automati- going to want to be comfortable.” and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City DANA cally gets to make those decisions” for LGBT The federally funded National Resource Center Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of older adults. on LGBT Aging, which SAGE manages, offers vari- a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the RUDOLPH He also encourages people to talk with their ous tips on how to find LGBT-friendly care, in- sexual orientation of such person or organization. While parents about a will. Many people think they cluding looking for places that advertise in LGBT we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept don’t need a will if they aren’t wealthy, French publications or that friends have recommended. responsibility for advertising claims. said, but noted, “Wills aren’t predicated on Children of LGBT parents may also encounter (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 somebody who has wealth.” And for people in problems working with service providers if they e-mail: [email protected] same-sex couples, “you don’t always have the are not the legal children of one of the parents. same protections, so it’s always better to have it Single parents with non-biological/non-adop- www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Helping aging in writing.” tive children should consider naming them in radio: WindyCityQueercast.com video: QueerTVNetwork.com Children of LGBT parents should also discuss documents such as a power of attorney, health LGBT parents with their parents how the finances will be dis- care proxy, living will, and the like, French said. WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, tributed in the will and whose name they are in As for when adults should raise any of these is- 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, Illinois 60640 How do we help our parents as they age? For now, he said. He suggested talking with a law- sues with their parents, French advised, “Sooner U.S.A (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) adults with non-LGBT parents, there are plenty yer and/or a financial planner “to ensure that if rather than later.” of resources on how to help parents through the they’re partnered, the surviving partner is taken “While the initial conversation might be un- Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. various legal, financial, and emotional issues of care of, because inheritance rules oftentimes comfortable,” he said, “it’s actually much easier Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. growing old. Search the Web or your favorite on- don’t apply.” Pensions and other items that nat- to have these conversations when there isn’t a OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com line bookstore for “aging parents,” and you’ll be urally transfer to an opposite-sex spouse may crisis,” such as a heart attack or diagnosis of an swamped with results. www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com not transfer to a same-sex one, or may not do illness. That way, “you aren’t then tying these www.WindyCityQueercast.com For adults who wish to help their LGBT parents, so without a financial penalty, even if they are things directly to mortality.” www.QueerTVNetwork.com however, the resources are far fewer. And while legally married or have a civil union or domestic A better approach, he said, is having an every- many of the issues older LGBT and non-LGBT partnership. day conversation and asking, “I’m just wonder- “Windy City Media Group generated people face are the same, some are not. SAGE encourages people to complete the ing, do you have stuff in place, in the event that enormous interest among their readers Let’s not forget: LGBT parents have been above documentation even if they are legally there might be an emergency down the road?” in this year’s LGBT Consumer Index choosing to have children together for over 30 married or in a civil union or domestic partner- And while LGBT parents should have their Survey. Out of approximately 100 years. Those who had children in previous non- ship. French explained, “You never know what documentation in place as soon as they have print and online media partners who LGBT relationships may have had them even be- you might run into or if you’ll run into a service children, if not before, French said, “that’s not participated in the survey, Windy fore that. Those “children” now in their 30s or provider who isn’t aware of what the laws are.” the way it really happens” in many cases. All City was the best performing regional older have parents who, if not in their “golden He noted, however, that many people “are very adults should therefore have a conversation with media in the U.S. Only survey partners years,” are at least starting to turn silver. unprepared,” even though most of the docu- their parents “just to see if they have things in with a nationwide footprint were Scott French, program manager for the Caring ments are “very simple.” All except for a will order.” able to generate a greater number of and Preparing program of Services and Advocacy “can be done without a lawyer,” although some Additional resources to help caregivers assist responses.” ­­—David Marshall, Research Director, Community Marketing, Inc. for GLBT Elders (SAGE), said one of the most may still need notarization. LGBT elders are on the SAGE Web site (sageusa. important things adults with LGBT parents can Another big concern for the elderly is long- org), the National Resource Center on LGBT Ag- do is “to have conversations about making sure term care, which could include nursing homes, ing (lgbtagingcenter.org), and the AARP LGBT that your parents have a health-care proxy, a in-home care, or other care options with varying portal (aarp.org/ pride). The National Gay and power of attorney, a living will,” and a document levels of assistance. For those with LGBT par- Lesbian Task Force has additional information (called by various names) about what they want ents, French said, “I think the biggest concern on policy issues affecting LGBT elders (thetas- done with their bodies after death. is fear of discrimination.” kforce.org/issues/aging). “These are important for everyone, but they’re He suggested, “If at all possible, partner with Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher really important for LGBT older adults, especially your parents to try to find a place, and go with of Mombian (www.mombian.com), a blog and if they’re partnered,” he said. Unlike opposite- them on visits to places, because you both are resource directory for LGBT parents. WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 19 GOINGS-ON WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

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ZED OF THE CLASS Restaurant ZED451 provides quite the dining experience. Read a profile on page 28. THEATER MOVIES BOOKS ‘Wish’ and dry. In the ‘Limelight.’ Of a psych mind. Page 20. Page 26. Page 31.

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DANCIN’ FEATS October: Alvin Ailey, Natya Dance Theatre. Twyla, Joffrey and more Photo by Amitava Sarkar BY JERRY NUNN is flexed instead of pointed. The dialogue was very dramatic, slammed home by the 20 dancers October is full of leaping tricks and spinning (with only one male cast member). treats in the world of dance. (By the way, look Look for more premieres along with dance les- for Black Swan costumes this year up and down sons at http://www.natya.com. Locations can Halsted Street on Halloween.) be found at Lincoln Park, Naperville and Down- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will ers Grove. perform a program called “Generations” at Gov- Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre is offering ernors State University’s Center for Performing classes this fall for advanced dancers. This com- Arts on Oct. 28. pany brings together “modern, classical, and Ailey changed the world dance from his leg- African-American traditions” in new and inven- son. For information, visit http://deeplyrooted- choreographer’s take on the Cervantes classic. It endary performance in 1958 and passed away tive ways, according to a press release. productions.org. doesn’t take a deep knowledge of the man from in ’89. The troupe has performed in 48 states Their 15th-anniversary show in December, en- Fundraisers start this month with a recent La Mancha to enjoy this timeless tale—and the and 71 countries. Two dancers in this current titled “Chicago Women of Song,” closes the sea- taste of food and wine at L20 spotlighting the performances should be visually stunning. production are from the Chicago area; call 708- upcoming season for Hubbard Street Dance The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) con- 235-2222 or visit http://www.centertickets.net Chicago. tinues its new season with two can’t-miss dance for ticket information. Twyla Tharp sets a new work in motion at the productions. Speaking of local tie-ins, Lionsgate Home En- Hubbard Street with an opening night celebra- Faustin Linyekula: more more more… tertainment’s Go For It! is released on DVD this tion Thursday, Oct. 13, followed by the fall se- future, brought to you from the director and month. This hip-hop dance feature was filmed in ries on the weekend. Purchase tickets, become choreographer himself Oct. 21-23. Visualize the Chicago by writer and director Carmen Marron, a VIP member or sign up for one or more of its dark poems of political prisoner Vumilia Muhindo who related it to her past experiences in the 70 dance classes at http://www.hubbardstreet- brought to life through dancing and a five-piece city. The movie has a Flashdance-like scene that dance.com. band. It sounds dark but it should be lively, with is not to be missed. Get out of the house and learn some new steps the always-interesting space and location. Mary Poppins returns to Chicago this month with a variety of classes depending on your style. Lucky Plush Productions: The Better Half running through Nov. 6 at the Cadillac Palace, There is no excuse when free classes are offered runs Oct. 27-29, takes a Halloween break and 151 W. Randolph St. Huge unforgettable dance to try at Chicago Dance. Anything from salsa, returns Nov 3, 5 and 6. Ingrid Bergman inspires sequences such as “Step in Time” make this Dis- swing and tango along with ballroom dancing this group, which consists of two perform- ney classic a must-see for fans of choreography. are options from beginners to advanced. ers from 500 Clown plus choreographer Julia Call 800-775-2000 or visit http://www.broad- The Joffrey Ballet painted the town pink with Rhoads. This show was developed through a wayinchicago.com for details. its annual benefit last month; entitled “Couture residency at MCA this past June and should be a Natya Dance Theatre debuted a performance & Cocktails,” it was held at The Hudson. David rare treat. of “The Flowering Tree” Oct. 8 at the Harris The- Meister was the featured designer, presenting a Send your November productions to be in- ater. Hema and Krithika Rajagopalan choreo- runway show by Neiman Marcus Michigan Av- cluded next month to Andrew@WindyCityMe- enue. graphed the world premiere. The piece begins Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre. Photo by diaGroup.com or ScottishPlayScott@yahoo. Joffrey is presenting its world premiere of Don with a narrative that has humor and charm, then Michael Manley com. launches into traditional dance including ankle Quixote Oct. 12-23. Ride over to http://www. bells and dance in which the ball of the heel joffrey.org/donquixote for details on a Russian 20 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES THEATER REVIEW a close friend. THEATER REVIEW Fisher touches on the whole gamut from her Wishful Drinking rehab and mental institution stints to the scan- Burying Written and performed by: Carrie Fisher dalous romances of her parents Eddie Fisher and At: Bank of America Theatre, Debbie Reynolds to her own love life including Miss America 18 W. Monroe St. Playwright: Brian Golden relationships with legendary songwriter Paul Phone: 800-775-2000; $25-$65 At: New Leaf Theatre at the Lincoln Simon and Bryan Lourd, who gave Fisher her Runs through: Oct. 16 Park Cultural Center, daughter Billie and announced he was gay. She 2045 Lincoln Park West carries a commendable sense of humor through Phone: 773-980-6391;$15-$25 BY STEVEN CHAITMAN each and every topic and drives home the point Runs through: Oct. 29 of “How could anyone not?” It’s almost too easy to feel bad for Carrie Fisher. For all the self-mockery, however, Fisher taste- BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE She’s battled prescription drug abuse, alcohol- fully indulges her fans through a number of Star ism and bipolar disorder; her lineage has been so Wars bits. As she also shares with the audience, Brian Golden’s plays are most widely known marred by Hollywood scandal that it’s more akin when you’re stuck with an image or label, you through (albeit not exclusive to) the Theatre to a family tumbleweed. And it surely would’ve wear it proudly, even if wearing it literally means Seven collective’s anthologized showcases, been enough just to have a likeness forever and a cinnamon-bun braided hairdo. Of course as making this 80-minute solo effort a lengthy inextricably linked to Star Wars heroine and geek much as she appeases the audience with Leia proposal. Ironically, the extra narrative time goddess Princess Leia. routine, she can’t help but make fun of the acting does not prevent us being left with unan- Yet Fisher asks for no sympathy in Wishful deficiencies and naivety of her then-19-year-old swered questions. Drinking, her one-woman comedy show, now in self. With abundant sarcasm she jabs at George In 1979, we are told, Ms. Patricia Russell was its sixth year and passing through the Bank of Lucas and thanks him for the countless self-im- crowned Miss America, but rather than taking America Theatre for a two-week engagement. In age problems that come with being immortalized advantage of this honor to forge a more cos- fact, the only thing Fisher requests is some au- as a geek sex symbol. As with the rest of her act, mopolitan life, she returned to her home town dience participation, and even then she plainly it shows how age tears at celebrity, but with it of Grand Island, Nebraska, there lending her Burying Miss America. Photo by Tom states she doesn’t care what you do or think, comes a seasoned knowledge and the perspective celebrity presence to social events leaving her McGrath though chances are you might be struck enough necessary to cope. little time for attending to her progeny. The by her candid and self-deprecating display to Wishful Drinking aims to be a crowd-pleaser the family’s isolation might be plausible, but son we know only as “Boxer” fled the shad- play along. that Fisher supplements with terrific wit and a not in our age of mass communication, wide- ow of his mother’s social status with a music Wishful Drinking plays more as a calculated and great measure of insight that for all her issues spread mobility and available birth control. scholarship to Berkeley, soon after emigrating wry stand-up routine, where the success hinges reminds us this was the woman who wrote Post- Ted Evans and Marsha Harman both deliver to New York City in pursuit of a career as a jazz as much on Fisher’s ability to break down the cards from the Edge among other books. Her life carefully-wrought performances, given their trumpeter, while daughter Jean stayed behind wall between herself and the audience and turn a might have been a mess, but few of today’s tab- fuzzy-edged material, but director Jessica to care for her aged parent and raise her own huge theater into an intimate performance space loid magnets have half her wit or self-awareness. Hutchinson has instructed Harman to play out-of-wedlock infants. Now, after years of si- as it does on the material that is her roller-coast- So while her glimpse behind the celebrity cur- Jean’s neediness with an emotionally-articu- lence, the siblings confront each other at the er life. tain might be dated in terms of material, given late eloquence reducing Evans’ laconic Boxer funeral of this formidable matriarch. This public forum for her unabashed attitude the exposure of today’s high-profile Hollywood to an enigma so self-effacing as to barely The walnut-paneled room serving as New toward her tabloid-chronicled past could well figures and consequently the extra shroud of pri- register as an onstage presence. Hutchinson Leaf Theatre’s auditorium, dominated by a be a personal coping mechanism scripted and vacy and PR spin, for anyone who has lived that also displays a propensity for placing Jean white casket surrounded by floral tributes and staged for monetary gain, but she provides the experience to come out and present it in such a and Boxer on opposite sides of the room’s bare topped with a diamond tiara, could almost be audience some refreshing transparency into the way that doesn’t talk down to its audience feels central expanse—presumably to reflect Har- the setting for a genuine memorial service. The celebrity psyche. More importantly, she delivers like a real treat. Fisher might be laughing at her- man’s psychologically motivated advances and absence of guests apart from the dutiful Jean her unapologetic discourse with the sincerity of self, but we’re laughing with her. Evans’ retreats, but also forcing audiences to and the tardy Boxer makes for contemplative split their focus, inadvertently leading them pauses in their discourse, allowing us time to to take sides over the conflicting testimoni- notice the conspicuous lack of information als. These flaws notwithstanding, Golden’s regarding the fathers of the Russell clan and dialogue evidences an intriguing tale wanting Carrie their contribution to the filial malaise engen- only liberation from its academic restrictions. Fisher in dering Jean’s inertia and Boxer’s restlessness. Wishful If this were a depression-era populist drama, Drinking. Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann CRITICS’ PICKS Award-winning Cyrano, House Theatre of Chicago at Cho- actress headlines pin Theatre, through Oct. 16. The House Theatre of Chicago’s characteristically play- ‘Ann Richards’ ful spin on Matt Hawkins’ adaptation of this Emmy Award-winning stage and screen timeless parable in no way diminishes its actress Holland Taylor will play the title eloquence or romance—and did I mention role in ANN: An Affectionate Portrait of the dazzling full-cast sword fights? MSB Ann Richards. The production will run Nov. The Halloween Shows, Catalyst Cabaret 13-Dec. 4 at the Bank of America Theatre, at Stage 773, through Oct 30. This musi- 18 W. Monroe St. cal revue by an ensemble whose cliché-free The two-act play centers around the life repertoire ranges from Disney to Death Cab of Ann Richards, the second female gover- SPOTLIGHT For Cutie features a Quasimodo doing the nor of Texas. soft-shoe and the Twilight Saga gang war- Taylor’s TV credits include Two and a Half bling Les Miz and Damn Yankees, all in Chi- Men (playing the mother of Charlie Sheen’s cago’s newest ‘50s-style nightclub. MSB and Jon Cryer’s characters) and The Prac- Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses, The Hypo- tice. She has also been in such movies as crites at Chopin Theatre, through Oct. 23. Legally Blonde, Romancing the Stone and Sean Graney condenses Sophocles’ seven Baby Mama. surviving Greek tragedies in a very enter- Tickets are $20-$85. For more info, see taining updating that takes place in an http://www.BroadwayInChicago.com. antiseptic hospital setting. The Hypocrites even feed you during the first intermission. SCM Yellowman, Greentree Productions, ex- Holland tended through Oct. 16. Dael Orlander- Taylor smith’s tender, tragic tale of star-crossed in ANN. See what happens when a major snowstorm strands two cowboys, a desperate showgirl and a lovers and Black-on-Black racism soars on Photo by teacher with a troubled past in Kansas City when Raven Theatre presents the classic American beautiful language and the compelling act- Ave Bonar drama Bus Stop. JoAnn Montemurro directs this 1955 Broadway play by gay playwright William ing of Israel Greene and Deanna K. Read, Inge (which was later adapted into a famed 1956 Hollywood film starring Marilyn Monroe). Bus staged by Jonathan Wilson. JA Stop continues in previews through Oct. 15 with an official opening night at 7 p.m. Oct. 16. Performances continue through Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sun- —By Abarbanel, Barnidge days at Raven Theater, 6157 N. Clark (no show Nov. 24). Tickets are $20 during previews, $40 and Morgan on opening night and $30 for the rest of the run (discounts available for seniors, students and groups). Call 773-338-2177 or visit http://www.raventheatre.com. Photo by Dean LaPrairie WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 21 THEATER REVIEW of bravery and daring (Hildreth blows up several THEATER REVIEW square blocks to create a firebreak and protect his The Great Fire ward, Lemos takes back her children from an or- A Touch of the Poet Playwright: John Musial phanage), as well as acts of silliness, slyness and Playwright: Eugene O’Neill At: Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave. selfishness, all seamlessly performed by seven At: Artistic Home at Tickets: 312-337-0665; actors playing 14 roles ranging from comic exag- Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. www.lookingglasstheatre.org; $20-$68 geration to earnest pleadings to despair. Stepha- Phone: 773-327-5252; $28-$32 Runs through: Nov. 20 nie Diaz is particularly impressive, turning on a Runs through: Nov. 6 dime to play three characters. BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL The cast is abetted by an inventive physical BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE production, always a Lookingglass signature, in- It’s special to see The Great Fire in the Water volving kinetic scenery, music and sound effects, Class warfare is never pleasant to witness, but Tower Pumping Station, one of the few buildings puppetry, free-form gymnastics, choreography a far sorrier sight when occurring within a lone to survive that famous 1871 holocaust. Never A Touch of the Poet. Photo courtesy of and elaborate props. The fire itself is represented individual. Eugene O’Neill’s 1957 play captures mind that its burned wood roof collapsed, ending Artistic Home by large red confetti thrown around or falling like the Irish immigrant experience in America and the station’s ability to pump water to fire hy- snow and swirling, an almost-ethereal effect that the price of upward mobility through the mi- volume of words were necessary to propel ac- drants, and never mind that Oscar Wilde called it nonetheless strongly suggests the horror and un- crocosm of a single family at the dawn of our tors over the spacious stages engendered by “a castellated monstrosity” a few years later; it’s predictability of a wind-driven blaze. The many country’s promise to eradicate social barriers huge auditoriums housing audiences averag- enjoyable to see the Great Chicago Fire reignited meta-theatrical devices are skillfully presented, for all posterity. ing in larger numbers than today. The players within a true piece of its historical context. energetic and entertaining but they cannot sub- Irish-born Cornelius “Con” Melody’s father, assembled by director Kathy Scambiatterra for “Enjoyable” is the operative word for this easy- stitute for emotional engagement, which The by means of various shady practices, amassed this two hours-plus production, however, have to-like 100-minute history pageant, a revised Great Fire stimulates only in fleeting and isolated a fortune sufficient to give his son a gentle- been rigorously drilled in the diverse aspects version by writer/director John Musial of a show moments. man’s upbringing. Flushed with the romantic of their craft, endowing them with a physical first presented in 1999. The revisions include Lookingglass will close its 2011-2012 season fervor popularized by Lord Byron, the lad and vocal stamina rarely seen in young com- contemporary shout-outs to a Rahm-like mayor with a world-premiere musical about another enlisted in the United States army to spite panies today. and TIF districts, but largely it’s the same show famous Chicago disaster (which killed far more the English for the War of 1812, only to be Elizabeth Argus delivers a marathon-paced because the facts about the Great Fire haven’t people than The Fire). The show may sink or swim discharged for his rakish off-duty behavior. performance in the role of young Sara Melody, changed. Those facts are laid out early—dates, on the presence of a heroic through-line, the Our story finds him in 1828, his estate now navigating O’Neill’s protracted speeches with time, wind direction, etc.—and refreshed peri- missing ingredient in an otherwise-tasty Great reduced to a shabby inn in a derelict suburb the modulated ease of an opera diva, as does odically as several personal stories are woven Fire hot pot. of Boston, lost in an alcoholic fog permitting Frank Nall’s intense Cornelius Melody, whose in, chiefly those of powerbroker Judge Lambert him to mythologize his memories of better immersion in his character’s conflicted poetry- Tree and his family and liveryman, of corrupt al- days. Melody’s country-bred wife—their alli- quoting psyche remains undiminished right up derman James Henry Hildreth and of immigrant ance precipitated by her untimely pregnan- to the final resolution. The remainder of the widow Mrs. Lemos and her family. Most of Mu- The Great cy—doggedly devotes herself to the husband cast also reflects Artistic Home’s high stan- sial’s characters are real people, although some Fire. who alternately cherishes and abuses her, but dards of expertise in Stage 773’s intimate are composites of various people and events. Photo by his headstrong daughter sees an escape from Black Box theater, but special mention is due The factual material is manipulated (although Sean her ill-tempered Da in seducing the rich Thore- Katherine Swan’s chillingly candid portrait of not distorted) to create stronger and more ap- Williams au-wannabe boy next door. Hey, isn’t this the Sara’s potential mother-in-law as the embodi- pealing storylines and personalities which can American dream? ment of the Byronic female counterpart to the waft The Great Fire beyond mere pageant or Though far from his lengthiest drama, masculine ideal that so eludes the envious Chautauqua-like teaching play. In this attempt, O’Neill’s domestic tragedy is, nevertheless, Melody. the Great Fire is not entirely successful, lacking clearly the product of a time when a greater a central heroic figure and a clear turning point (what most folks call the climax). There are acts 22 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES NUNN ON ONE: TV ever about the money. No part of my career was ever about money. It was always about trying to do the best job in the best place that would be most congruent with my life and my values. Rosie O’Donnell: Chicago arrival on That’s definitely where I ended up, largely be- cause I do believe in what she taught us all that you can live your best life, and if you dream it, showtunes, Oprah and her new show you can live it. A large part of my career and my success is because of watching her and learning BY JERRY NUNN Rosie Radio on Sirius XM Radio. She now starts of] televisions. They re-enact Broadway mu- from her, so to be here now with her is beyond a new endeavor on OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Net- sicals; for example, the crowd throws napkins a dream come true. It’s like everybody’s dream. Rosie O’Donnell started in stand-up before work with The Rosie Show this week. when [it shows] Titanic and everyone sings For me it’s like winning the lottery. I’m excited landing roles on television movies. The Rosie Windy City Times: Hi, Rosie. We love see- all the words. to get started. I hope that I serve her and the O’Donnell Show won Emmys and launched her ing you pop up around town and I wanted RO: Oh my Lord, I am so there. They’d better network well. into the talk show circuit, where she came out to welcome you personally to Lakeview and reserve me a table. WCT: Do you feel pressure for your show to of the closet two months before the show ended Boystown. I expect you to be at Sidetrack for WCT: [Laughs] I can arrange that for you. be a big success? its run. Show Tunes Sundays. RO: Can you do requests? Do they ever do The RO: I don’t feel any pressure. I feel nothing O’Donnell then became the moderator on The Rosie O’Donnell: Honey, I didn’t even know Rink? but privilege, truthfully, and it’s going to be View, further showing her comedic side while be- about this. I’m jotting it down. Sidetrack Show WCT: For you I’m sure they would, yeah. thrilling. For her to not only ask me to be on coming embroiled in controversy. Since then she Tunes—what time? RO: Come on—Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera. Very her network but for her to also give me her stu- has been raising children, blogging and running WCT: It’s around four o’clock. It’s every Sun- few people know the words to that. I could have dio, her staff, her buildings and welcome me to day. Sidetrack is the gay bar there with [a lot a solo. her city—it’s an unbelievable city, Chicago. She WCT: They have played that one many times is totally the mayor of the city, the emotional in the past. Do you want to bring Broadway mayor, because everywhere I go, people are like, CULTURE CLUB Kids to the city and maybe team up with “Hey, Rosie, thanks for coming here. Hey, Ro, Broadway in Chicago? how you doing?” I have yet to pay for a meal RO: Yes. First of all, the entire cast of Pris- in any restaurant. At my hotel I was staying, cilla, Queen of the Desert is going to be on in “From the PHENOMENALLY SUCCESSFUL there were gifts of cupcakes and chocolate. It’s the first week. We do this whole program for the been an unbelievable welcome, and it’s all really pop composer STEPHEN SCHWARTZ" last decade where we teach inner-city kids who because of the goodwill that she’s garnered for -Chicago Tribune live below the poverty level song, dance and life over two decades here. She has set me up in a skills. These kids are going to come perform as way that few ever get to with a generosity that’s well. We’re going to have a lot of Broadway. As not often found in Hollywood. soon as we open the show which, is not really WCT: How have things changed since your an opening but I think Broadway-like, as soon original talk show? as we do the show [Oct. 10] I’m going to have RO: It’s changed completely. It’s done a 360. a little bit more time. I’m going to go check It’s not the same landscape in any capacity. out the theater here in Chicago because I under- When I started in 1996, I went to the NATPE stand it’s pretty fantastic. [National Association of Television Program Ex- WCT: Yeah, Carrie Fisher is here tonight, ecutives] conference and had to convince people A MUSICAL SCRAPBOOK just to let you know. that I was not going to do a Jerry Springer-type music & lyrics by book by RO: Yes, and she’s actually on the show as show. I had to literally sit down with station STEPHEN SCHWARTZ DAVID STERN well. I’ve seen that show, Wishful Drinking. Have owners and advertisers and tell them, no, I was you seen it? Playing September 16 - October 23 going to do Merv Griffin. The philosophy at the WCT: I saw it on cable. I haven’t seen it live time was “That will never work,” because what yet. 847.673.6300 OR NORTHLIGHT.ORG was number one in daytime in ‘96 or what was RO: It’s fantastic and her new book is pretty drawing all of the media attention was a Jenny amazing. I just finished it. It’s called Shocka- Jones guest had been murdered, and Geraldo Ri- holic. It talks a lot about her father and her last vera had his nose broken. Christmas with Michael Jackson—pretty fasci- That’s when I entered into the foray, so I was nating stuff. dubbed “the Queen of Nice.” Comparatively I WCT: I have to check it out. So you finally was, because what we were seeing was violence bought a house and are no longer staying in a on a daily basis. So with the exception of Oprah hotel… there was no other show on TV that was putting RO: I actually move in tomorrow, so I’m thrilled forth messages of positivity back in 1996. It was about that. I love being in a neighborhood that a whole different game. I can walk to the restaurants for dinner and not Also, the Internet was not yet flourishing. I have to order room service. I actually love it remember having meetings with Warner Broth- here and can imagine living here for this next ers and asking for an Internet component. They chapter of my life. said, “People don’t have computers.” They later WCT: How was it working with Oprah? bought AOL. That was a problem. But they didn’t RO: Well, Oprah is sort of magical. I’m about really understand the Internet and the way that to turn 50 in March. Half my life I’ve watched media is now consumed by the average person her on television, and I was one of those crazy at home. They want their celebrities accessible. super-fans who used to [record it on my VCR] There was no Perez Hilton then, there was no back in the old days. Later I put her on my TiVo, TMZ, there was no media Internet pop-culture and I would watch it every night. So it was a forum like there is now. huge thrill for me and a vote of confidence. There’s such fractured viewing styles in the You know, the truth is, when I was about to afternoon. Used to be you really had three op- sign with NBC, I questioned whether or not I tions: ABC, NBC or CBS. You were either going to would be able to do it and to sort of withstand watch game shows, talk shows or soap operas, the network kind of pressure and the network and that was it. But it’s changed completely mishigas that happens and happened. Right now. The kind of numbers that we got in the around that time the Jay Leno/Conan O’Brien ‘90s were 5.3s, sixes sometimes. Now people fiasco had just finished, and I was not feeling get ones on network television, never mind on very safe or secure in the network’s investment cable. in their talent. WCT: Do you have some dream guests? WCT: I remember that, but people knew you RO: Adele we are hoping to get. She just can- would be a good match for the show. celled her North American tour. She has throat RO: People started calling me right after issues. But as soon as she’s up and healthy, [Oprah] said she was going to leave her pro- she’ll be here, and that’s thrilling for me. I’d love gram. I called my agent and said, “Does she to have Melissa McCarthy on. I could not be- need someone? Because if she needs somebody lieve how funny she was on SNL. Literally, I had for her network, I’d rather do it there.” But THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO to wear a Depends undergarment watching that A world premiere adaptation of the legendary classic by Alexandre Dumas agents never really care about your emotional show. I’ve never seen anyone as funny, never desires. They care more about their financial Thursday–Sunday through October 30, 2011 mind their first time, as the host, so I’d love to bottom line. Call 773-761-4477 or visit www.lifelinetheatre.com have her on the show. So you make a lot more money on network There are so many new young talents that TV than you do on cable but, to me, it wasn’t WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 23 could do it because I don’t really tell jokes. I garage is apparently heated, which is essential, don’t really do monologues. I tell stories, and I’ve heard. My roof apparently has something my standup was more about stories. So we’re go- that will melt the ice. I feel like I’m getting ing to have a microphone and a stand. I’m going ready for the frozen tundra. But aside from that, to do about 10 minutes of stand-up. I’m going I’m good to go. I could truly imagine having my to take questions from the audience like Carol whole family move here and live here, and it’s Burnett did. We’re going to go to commercial, really beautiful, I have to say. People always say come back and have a guest probably for three people in the Midwest are nicer, but now I’ve full segments. been here. I’m like “Oh my God! They really are!” WCT: So more time with one guest. WCT: Good to hear that. See you at Side- RO: One thing I really didn’t like about my track. old show and about the trend that’s happening RO: I’ll be there, Sundays at 4! on talk shows today is the guests get, like, five The Rosie Show just debuted this past Mon- minutes, six minutes, and you can’t really get a day on OWN. Visit http://www.oprah.com/ conversation going in that amount of time. own for details and listings. So we’re going to have a real lengthy sit- down, insightful interview, not always with a celebrity who has something to promote. Like Russell Brand is my first guest. He doesn’t have a movie coming out. He has nothing to sell. He’s Rosie at Sidetrack Here’s a sure sign Rosie O’Donnell is Rosie O’Donnell. Photo from the Oprah Winfrey Network just coming to hang and talk. That’s really going to be, I think, the difference between our show in Chicago. O’Donnell was at Boystown and maybe some of the others that are on now. nightspot Sidetrack Oct. 9 to witness the I think are astounding. Emma Stone is one of going to have a gay host. Then we’re going to have a human-interest seg- showtune spectacle on Sundays. Photo by them, a brilliant young actress. I met her actu- Nowadays, it doesn’t seem so relevant. In ‘96 ment we’re going to play a game at the end of Anthony Meade ally one night at a restaurant. Ryan Gosling, I when my show started, not one interviewer even every show. think, is an amazing actor. I’m sort of fortunate asked if I was gay. Not one. This was before El- WCT: Will there be koosh Balls? in that I’ve interviewed so many people. I was len came out. This was before “Will and Grace” RO: Here’s the thing: They don’t make them on for six years. We usually had three guests per was on. It’s a whole different world than it was anymore. We called the company and they’re show. I was really fortunate to have spoken to in ‘96 when I started. It’s really inspiring to me like, “No we don’t make them.” The guy who was so many Hollywood luminaries in my career al- as well to see like Neil Patrick Harris win the from Scotland—a lovely man who gave us them ready that it’s the new ones and the young ones, Emmy Award and host the Oscars and the Tonys, free and then he actually made the Rosie Show the ones that I sort of missed that I would love to be so brilliant, and have a husband and a Koosh Ball shooter and gave all the money to to get to sit down with now. baby. It’s not a big deal in a way that I could not charity—no longer owns the company, so we’ll WCT: Any gay topics or guests? have imagined when I began my career. So will see. I would have loved to have said, “Every- RO: I don’t know, specifically. Just like any we have gay people on? Yes. Will we talk about thing is going to be different this year, every- other minority group, I don’t specifically think, things that include LBGT issues? Yes. Is it going thing” then thrown koosh balls at everybody. “Well, I’m going to have gay topics as well as to be a primary focus? No. It’s going to be just But we’ll see what we could do. I’m sure I’ll find African-American issues.” Like every other artist one part of who I am, and one part of the show. something to shoot at people because I enjoy and comedian, I talk about my life, so things WCT: What is the format? that. that pertain to my life are probably going to ap- RO: We have a live band. I’m going to come WCT: Are you nervous about the winter? pear more pertinent than to a host who maybe out and do standup with a microphone like you RO: People in the audience kind of laugh at me was not gay. It’s an entertainment show, so are do in a comedy club. They tried to get me to and go “Oh, just wait.” The only thing I’m afraid we going to have gay guests? Yeah, and we’re do one without a mic on my old show. I never of is this Snowmageddon winter thing, but my

IF YOU SEE ONE ONE OF THE MUSICAL“ A SEASON, GREATEST“ MUSICALS THIS IS THE ONE. EVER WRITTEN. — Chicago Magazine ” — New York Times ”

book by JAMES GOLDMAN music and lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM directed by GARY GRIFFIN produced originally on Broadway by Harold Prince orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh

NOW PLAYING! LIMITED ENGAGEMENT photos by Ferenc Szelepcsenyi/Christo, 2011 used under license from Shutterstock.com from used under license 2011 Szelepcsenyi/Christo, Ferenc by photos Lead Individual Support provided by Lew and Susan Manilow PRODUCTION Production elements supported by the Anstiss and Ronald Krueck Stage Design Fund SPONSORS Additional support provided by Merle Reskin and Rose L. Shure

MAJOR 2011/12 SEASON SUPPORTERS 24 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES NUNN ON ONE mys and I wasn’t star-struck by anyone because JL: I know; me too. She wrote the foreword. I was so by blinded the job I had to do! Every WCT: Your fans really get to know you better once in a while I look around and go, “This is by reading this book. amazing.” Sitting in the front row with Steve JL: Absolutely. Carell and Stephen Colbert just right behind WCT: Is your daughter Haden a Glee watch- That’s how him. It was really cool to see people I was in co- er? horts with from Chicago. Jill and Faith Soloway JL: Yes, she is. She comes to the set. She were my writers so they were backstage with me knows that she has got it special. It is also kind the whole time. It was a real Chicago feeling. of old hat to her, too. It’s funny how kids adapt. Jane Lynch Andy Richter did a little of the pre-tape. It was WCT: If same-sex marriage is legalized in great to get our Chicago people together again. Illinois, would you want to do another cer- WCT: I saw the Glee tour and you were in emony there? the video montage. Did you want to go on tour with them? sees it

was pretty joyful.

WCT: Was it hard to reveal some of the

things in the book? It seems very personal.

JL: I found power in kind of blowing your own

cover. It didn’t feel so exposed so I wasn’t afraid

of it.

WCT: How was your family after reading the

book?

JL: Good, really good! My mother read it for

the second time and she said [mimics voice], “I

like the way I came off.”

WCT: She sounds like a character.

JL: Yes, she is. She’s a doll.

WCT: I recommend actors in the Chicago

area to read the book. Is your advice to not

turn things down? BY JERRY NUNN JL: Not so much that. I think the most impor-

tant thing is for people to use their judgment. I Jane Lynch has kept us laughing with her under- did say yes to a lot of things and that worked for stated sense of humor in such cinematic hits as me. I amassed a ton of really great musical expe- Best in Show, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Role rience. There are lines to not cross; you don’t do Models. With the Fox series Glee, Lynch became things that are dangerous or against your safety a household name creating the persona of Sue and comfort. Sylvester, the coach of a cheerleading squad who has some of the best one-liners on TV. I found I was game for almost anything and She just released a new memoir, Happy Acci- that had to do with I just loved doing it. I want- dents, which chronicles her early life as a lesbi- ed to be part of the game and be invited to the an, alcoholic and actress. She spoke with Windy party. I didn’t want the parade to pass me by. I City Times right before her book signings in her want to say that if I could go back, this is the hometown this past weekend. point of the book really, I would tell myself to Windy City Times: Hi, Jane. I just finished not suffer it so much. Don’t worry so much and reading your book and enjoyed it. Did it take be easy on yourself. A lot of things took cares of a long time to write? themselves. I was exactly where I needed to be. Jane Lynch: We wrote the book in three I need to have faith in that. months. We were given four months but dith- WCT: You seem very grateful in the book for ered away a month. My wife actually wrote it your success. Jane Lynch. Photo by Starla Fortunato with me. She’s responsible for it being readable. JL: Oh, absolutely, yes. WCT: Do you still get star-struck? [Both laugh.] We did it together. It was very fast JL: Not necessarily. I was happier to be on JL: I think we are ceremonied out. We will get JL: Sure. It is so funny I just hosted the Em- and furious. We flew through three years and it the satellite. I didn’t want to be touring around married in California—that’s for sure as soon as to do a little sketch. That wouldn’t be fun. If it’s legal. they had me singing and dancing that would be WCT: You have some future projects com- another thing… ing out that we should mention. Is The Three WCT: Are you singing on this season of Stooges a movie adaptation from the old tele- Glee? vision series? JL: I don’t know yet. So far in episode six I JL: Yes, it’s from the Farrelly brothers. It is hi- have not. larious. I play Mother Superior. I cannot wait to WCT: Are the fans just everywhere you go? see this movie. I don’t have a huge part in it but JL: It is pretty phenomenal, especially with Larry David plays our head nun, Mary-Mengele. kids. They just love it. It is all about inclu- He’s hilarious. The three guys playing the stoog- sion and finding your place in the world. These es are outrageously good; [they’re played] by Glee kids have found a place where they can be Will Sasso, Sean Hayes and Chris Diamantopou- themselves and supported by other people. They los. You are going to be so impressed. They were found their people. I think that is what we are just amazing. doing in life, looking for our people and the WCT: I just saw Sean Hayes at the Erasure place where we belong. I think that speaks so concert recently. You also have a cartoon strongly to kids. There is nothing more powerful called Wreck-It Ralph, where you play Ser- than being part of a group and making a beauti- geant Calhoun. ful sound. JL: Yes; in fact, I just did a session today. It WCT: Do people think you are like your is a Disney animated film and I did some voice character Sue Sylvester? work today. I have had like four or five sessions. JL: No, they don’t, not at all. Sue is so ex- It is coming out in November of 2012. There are treme. She’s not dangerous. She’s just laughable. some great people in it. It’s not like I am Hannibal Lecter and people are WCT: Good to see that you can do other Jane Lynch at scared to death of me walking down the street! projects when not filming Glee. Will you get WCT: The part is well-written and you get to to do anything fun while you are in town? Women & Children First show that human side of her. That is when it’s JL: I am appearing at Barnes & Noble in Old Hundreds of people went to hear Jane Lynch speak about her new book, Happy Accidents, at magic. Orchard Shopping Mall, Women & Children First, Women & Children First Bookstore in Andersonville Oct. 11. Lynch, who was introduced by friend JL: You first get to see that when they showed a couple of TV things, then I fly back. I wish I Elaine Solloway, spoke for a few minutes before posing for photos with store co-owners Linda my sister and showed me being very sweet with had more time to hang out. I will be signing Bubon and Ann Christophersen. She then signed books for all of those who purchased her books her. Ryan said to me, “You just bought yourself books and talking to the folks, which will be from the store. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald (www.mysticimagesphotography.com); more online at seven more episodes of heinous behavior.” great. I can’t wait. http://www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com WCT: I am such a fan of Carol Burnett, who Happy Accidents can be purchased wherever played your mother on the show. books are sold. WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 25 MUSIC on something like that. WCT: In 2008, you were the spokesperson for, Olivia Leisha Hailey: From Cruises, a travel company which sells cruises and re- sort vacations marketed towards lesbian customers. The L Word to Are you still involved with them? LH: They are a great com- making music with pany! I’d happily do anything with them again, but I’m not currently their spokesperson. Uh Huh Her WCT: What was your role BY TERRI-LYNNE WALDRON sort of came first. as a spokesperson? WCT: Your new CD is entitled Nocturnes. LH: I did ads and I was on Actress/musician Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey, How does it vary from your debut CD, Com- the cruises a couple of times. both members of the band Uh Huh Her, made mon Reaction, in terms of progression and WCT: Do you consider headlines recently when they were ejected from sound? yourself to be an activist? a Sept. 26 Southwest Airlines flight after shar- LH: First of all, Camila, my bandmate, co-pro- LH: No, not at all. I sort of shy from that. I live my life ing a kiss. Windy City Times talked to Hailey duced it with Wendy Melvoin from Prince and Leisha Hailey (right) and Camila Grey of Uh Huh Her. PR photo about the band’s musical evolution, The L Word’s The Revolution. So she brought her flavor into and hope that I make a good impact and breast cancer awareness. it and it’s definitely more rock-driven. We have example out there, but in no (Note: Windy City Times was instructed to live drums on every song and Common Reaction way do I think of myself as an teenagers mostly, about the prevention of breast steer clear of any questions regarding the South- was more synth-based and more electronic, so activist. cancer, and ways to a healthier lifestyle so it west incident.) Nocturnes is more raw and organic. WCT: What is on the agenda for, Uh Huh Her, wont ever happen. Windy City Times: Hi Leisha, how are you? WCT: You and Camila are in a relationship. after the tour ends Nov. 6? WCT: Have you or Camila ever been touched Leisha Hailey: I’m good, thank you. Is it a delicate balance being in a relationship LH: Our first single is called “Another Case,” directly or indirectly by breast cancer? WCT: The name of your group, Uh Huh Her, and working together? and we will have a video for that as well as three LH: Both Camila’s grandmothers had breast was taken from a 2004 PJ Harvey CD. Does LH: I don’t really want to focus on that, but other songs. And we already have them finished. cancer. the name have any special meaning? everything is great. We’ve been working togeth- We’ll roll them out as the songs are ready to be WCT: You’re playing the House of Blues in LH: At the time we were a three-piece girl act er for years now. released. Chicago Oct. 19. Would it be Uh Huh Her’s and the name suited three girls. We took it from WCT: Do you want to keep the music and WCT: What is the best thing about being in first time in Chicago? PJ Harvey hoping that she would be okay with acting separate, or is there a way that you Uh Huh Her? LH: Oh no, we’ve been there many, many that. would combine the two? LH: I get to travel with some of my closest times. We love that city. WCT: And was she? LH: Like a Purple Rain? friends, make music and meet people all around WCT: Do you miss doing The L Word? LH: We never heard. [Laughs] WCT: Yes, something like that. the world. It’s an amazing honor to be in a band, LH: Of course—it was the highlight of my life. WCT: People know you from The L Word, but LH: I am a creatively open person, but it’s not especially this one. WCT: Do you think the show, where lesbian did music really come first for you? on the front of my brain right now. Uh Huh Her is playing the House of Blues characters were in the forefront, will have an LH: Well, it depends on how you look at it. I WCT: You titled this tour the Keep a Breast in Chicago Wed., Oct. 19. For more info go to impact on future TV shows? studied acting in New York, but I never pursued Tour. Is it about bringing more awareness to http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/club- LH: Sure I hope so. There are a lot of female- it professionally, so I started a band while I was breast cancer? venues/chicago. To find out more about Uh fronted shows now and I think we’re just a part in acting school and ended up getting signed LH: The Keep A Breast Foundation is a non- Huh Her visit http://www.uhhuhher.com. of something bigger. I hope we had an influence three years after I graduated. So a music career profit organization geared towards teaching Lampkin Music Group presents DON’T MISS IT NEXT WEEK! Intimate Saturday Nights at the Stage 773 Cabaret Room

October 15 Joanie Pallatto “Who Wrote This Song?” Coming soon STARS OF RENT A percentage of proceeds will go to Gay and Adam Pascal & Anthony Rapp Lesbian Hall of Fame, Season of Concern and Sat, Oct 22 at 8pm PrideFilmsandPlays.com. A concert celebrating the Broadway hit Rent & their Carlo Chapelle and Kevin Pollack Jeremy Rill Media Sponsor: individual musical careers! “At The Movies” “All My Tomorrows” October 22 October 29 All Shows at 8 p.m. 847.673.6300 NorthShoreCenter.org

Tickets are $20, available at Stage 773 at 773-327-5252 NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR or online at www.stage773.com THE PERFORMING ARTS IN SKOKIE 9501 Skokie Blvd. FREE PARKING SEASON PRINT MEDIA SPONSOR www.lampkinmusic.com There’s More at the North Shore! 26 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES but had rarely visited. It’s doubtful that even certainly offers an insider’s view of a specific, if Gatien had wanted to attend the Chicago re- particularly infamous period in nightlife history. union he would have; after being charged and Obviously I’m far, far, far from being objective, KNIGHT found guilty of income-tax fraud, he was deport- but I want the next Limelight movie to be a ed back to his native Canada in 2003, and visits prequel and focus on the mid-’80s. Cue up “You AT back to the States aren’t easily managed. Spin Me Round,” “Blue Monday” and “Our Dark- THE Now his daughter, Jen Gatien, a film producer ness,” and meet me on the dance floor while we of rather interesting offbeat indie fare (includ- wait. MOVIES ing the forthcoming LGBT-themed Jack and Di- Limelight plays exclusively at the Music Box ane) has produced a documentary directed by Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Friday, Oct. 14 Billy Corben called Limelight that details the and Friday, Oct. 21. www.musicboxtheatre.com events in the early to mid-’90s that led to Ga- tien’s demise as the onetime nightclub king of Why would anyone in his or her right mind want By Manhattan, where he had presided over not just to remake the nonsense that was the original Richard Limelight but The Tunnel, Palladium and his own 1984 quasi-musical Footloose? Oh yeah, prob- Knight, Jr. mega club, USA. ably because it made a zillion dollars, had a hot Everything that happened to Gatien and his soundtrack that burned up the charts for months empire—when he was pitted against the neo- and developed a rabid cult following. conservative, cross-dressing onetime New York It is my duty to report that the story—one Limelight; City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his administra- Kenny Wormald in Footloose. stretched to credibility in which an entire town tion—occurred after my professional associa- of teens not allowed to dance finds an out-of- tion with Gatien ended. That’s not to imply any tone but now sporting designer shades in place town rebel to lead a revolt—has been kept near- Footloose attempt on my part to distance myself from the of the one time de rigueur eye patch (worn as ly intact, albeit with a Southern twang (with the man I once worked indirectly for and have oc- the result of a teenage hockey accident in his action now in Tennessee). A newcomer hunk, A little more than 26 years ago I began working casionally been in touch with since. Rather, it’s native Canada), narrates his own history to an Kenny Wormald, replaces Kevin Bacon while as an event promoter at what was then arguably to point out that the club scene that rose to off-camera interviewer (illustrated by snippets Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell have been the hottest nightclub Chicago had ever seen: popularity after my tenure was very, very differ- of archival footage that filled me with nostal- given character roles, but the movie (which, Limelight. ent, and the period examined in the film—the gia). surprisingly, has a few hot dance sequences) is From the day I set foot inside 632 N. Dear- early to mid-’90s—is miles from my era. The bulk of the ensuing saga, according to the still one of those awful/glorious guilty pleasures born St., my professional life changed forever. My decade was the decade of big hair, big movie, looks at the Giuliani administration aim- that you either go all the way with or simply To say the team of fellow creatives who worked shoulders, outrageous fashion shows and art in- ing to close down the megaclubs. Two of Gatien’s roll your eyes at when confronted by its terrible, and thrived alongside me for the next three and stallations, cocaine, MTV and the invention of top party promoters relay this information. One cynical crassness. (Like the original, this is an a half years, unless the nightspot closed New the CD and answering machines. Cell phones and is Michael Alig, the king of the club kids who example of marketing as moviemaking.) Year’s Eve 1988, would be an understatement. the Internet were years away. As the ‘80s turned was eventually convicted of murdering another Given that, it’s surprising that the movie’s big- I am reminded of that life-changing experience into the ‘90s the age of the club kids, all-night club kid—relay this. The other promoter, Lord gest misstep is casting Dancing with the Stars on a daily basis and, last year, at a 25th-anni- raves, designer drugs, hip-hop and rap became Michael, is another convicted felon who proudly Julianne Hough (on leave from the show) as the versary reunion party, I greeted old colleagues the driving forces behind the success of the trumpets his claim of having been the first per- bad girl preacher’s daughter and then not us- and friends with the pleasure that comes with megaclubs. The party went on non-stop because son to bring Ecstasy to Manhattan. ing her. Hough, who as any DWTS watcher can all such reunions. the drugs, like Ecstasy and Special K, worked for In contrast to these smarmy individuals, a trio attest, is nothing if not a whirling dervish on Looming over the reunion but physically ab- hours—and the music and the revelers followed of prosecutors describes attempts to directly the dance floor and a vocalist with a decent set sent was Peter Gatien, Limelight’s sole owner, suit. link Gatien to the drug dealing that was going of country-flavored chops. Hough easily handles who had also psychically presided over the club The film details these changes to nightlife cul- on in his clubs. Journalist Frank Owen, a long- the stereotypical dialogue and situations but is from his base in Manhattan, the original Lime- ture (that for my money took it down several time watcher of the party scene who chronicled never given a song and barely three seconds of light, during the club’s heyday in the mid-’80s notches) after Gatien, in his signature mono- Gatien’s story in a book, is another talking head solo time on the dance floor. You keep waiting adding details to the story that gets seamier for the director to realize he’s neglecting his and more repetitive as the film progresses. Cor- hotly talented leading lady. But, no: Not only ben relies too heavily on the sleazy, ego-driven are we stuck with the wooden Kevin Bacon wan- promoters who clearly relish their time on cam- nabe who dances and dances and dances and era and could have used some fresh interview sweats up a storm in his muscle tee, but he nev- subjects to offset the taint they leave behind. er once conveys the glory in uninhibited danc- Also, the film—a none-too subtle attempt to ing. Worse, he never takes off his shirt. That’s exonerate Gatien’s reputation (which, based on not footloose—that’s foolish. the story here, has some merit)—leaves avenues Check out my archived reviews at http:// THIS WEEK’S DEALS unexplored and questions unanswered. www.windycitymediagroup.com or http:// Although it’s not quite the David-vs.-Goliath www.knightatthemovies.com. Readers can The “daily deal” site with our roots, vision and focus story that perhaps Gatien and his producer/ leave feedback at the latter website. daughter Jen might have hoped for, Limelight linked to the LGBT community www.QponChicago.com Proud QponChicago Partners:

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In marketing As featured in partnership with BoysTownBlog, NBC’s the Inc.well, Red Eye, ‘Jamie and Jessie’ actress wins award Chicago Talks, Passport Magazine, Chicagoan Jessica London-Shields (left) won the Best Actress Jury Award from the Asheville BroadwayWorld.com, Chicago Pride.com QFest in North Carolina for her lead role in the new Chicago-made lesbian romantic comedy, Jamie and Jessie are Not Together. The feature film will make its Chicago premiere at the Gene For more information or to list your business, please contact us at Siskel Film Center Oct. 28 through Nov. 3. Opening night, with cast and crew in person and an [email protected] 773-562-3311 or 773-387-2394 after-party at Downtown Lounge, will be Friday, Oct. 28 at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are available at: siskelfilmcenter.org/jamieandjessie. Photo from the movie by Justine Gendron WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 27 BOOKS Schulman: I love Women and Children First. It’s an amazing store so I’m always excited to come back. I really would love people to take Sarah Schulman on another look at The Mere Future now that it’s in paperback and build a relationship with the book. I’m a pretty good writing teacher and I’m her newest novel interesting in sharing my skills with people in the community who want to tell their stories. WCT: Is there anything else you want to say and her activism to the readers of WCT? Schulman: I am working on another project. earlier this year on a six-city tour. ... They were BY CARRIE MAXWELL The ACT UP Oral History Project, with Jim Hub- amazing and the queer people here immediately bard. It’s the precursor to the film we just fin- clicked with them. We had enormous audiences Author and lesbian activist Sarah Schulman will ished. People can access the project at http:// and by the time we got to New York City we had visit this weekend to celebrate the release of the Sarah Schulman. www.actuporalhistory.org. The site has long to turn away 320 people. The first LGBT delega- paperback edition of her speculative novel, The form interviews with 128 surviving members of tion to Palestine will travel there next year. We’ll Mere Future and share her writing insights with ACT UP New York. To date 80,000 people around also have a book coming out a year from now of that because we want to let people know aspiring writers. Schulman recently talked with the world, many from Eastern Europe and Asia, about the queer movement in Palestine. what ACT UP accomplished and how they got Windy City Times about her writing career and have downloaded those transcripts (which are WCT: Tell me about your collaboration with their message out. activist roots. free as well as portions of the video interviews). Jim Hubbard. WCT: You are a professor. What kind of Windy City Times: What made you want to It’s really become a central repository of infor- Schulman: We founded the New York Lesbian classes do you teach at City University of New be a writer? mation about AIDS activism. and Gay Experimental Film Festival—now called York, College of Staten Island? Sarah Schulman: I think it’s a calling. When I Schulman will hold a reading, discussion MIX—which will celebrate its 25th anniversary Schulman: I teach creative writing there. I am was 6 years old I wrote down that I wanted to and book signing Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at next year. Jim and I have just finished a feature also a fellow at the New York Institute of the be a writer. When I was a kid I wrote a play every Women and Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. film ... a 90-minute documentary called United Humanities at New York University Hanukkah for my brother and sister to act in. Clark St., and will host a queer fiction writ- In Anger: A History of ACT UP, which will have WCT: You are coming to Chicago to do a WCT: You write novels, non-fiction, plays ing workshop at the Gerber/Hart Library and its world premiere in Jan. or Feb. of 2012 and book-reading and hold a workshop. Tell me and movies, and you are a journalist. Is it dif- Archives, 1127 W. Granville, 1-4 p.m., on Oct. will definitely come to Chicago. I’m very proud what your expectations are. ficult to move from one genre to another? 16. Both events are free to the public. Schulman: It’s not difficult to move from one to the other. I’m usually working on a number of things at the same time. WCT: Tell me about your new book, The Mere Future. What has been the readers’ response? Schulman: It’s set in the future so ... I had to invent a futuristic language ... [that] is a mixture between advertising slogans and chan- nel surfing. ... I tried to mix that all in and be funny. ... At first it’s hard for people because it’s not like anything else they’ve read before, but then they embrace the idea, which makes them enjoy the book more. As for the book’s response, there are people who love it because it gives them insights and options into how they think about things. Then there are people who become threatened and upset since they only want repetition of what they already know. That’s the difference between art and entertainment. Entertainment is being told what you already know and art expands what you already know to include new ideas. WCT: Tell me about your activism activities over the years. Schulman: Like writing it’s been an integrated part of my entire life. I believe the most impor- tant thing a person can do with their tiny little precious life is to intervene in cases of injustice. I was in ACT UP and we were able to transform what life was like for people with AIDS and how the country looked at AIDS in a very short period of time. Right now I am very involved in sup- porting the queer movement in Palestine. WCT: You’ve won some pretty amazing awards for your work. How do you feel about these awards? Schulman: They are all really different. To get a Guggenheim is pretty incredible because that means you are being recognized in a mainstream way and to get the award for doing openly les- bian work was an incredible achievement. The Kessler is equal to that but different in that I got the award from my own community. Those FILM SCREENING | PANEL DISCUSSION | STAGED READING WITH ORIGINAL MUSIC two awards were the most important to me. WCT: Tell me about your trip to the Middle East in 2010. What is happening with the NOVEMBER 13, 2011 first U.S. LGBT delegation to Palestine that you are helping to organize? Schulman: I had been invited to give a lecture CHICAGO PREMIERE at Tel Aviv University and I was unaware that Conceived and adapted for the stage by Gregory Hinton. Based on the the Palestinians had called for a boycott of state book “Beyond Brokeback,” written by members of The Ultimate Brokeback sponsored institutions which includes universi- Forum. Music by Shawn Kirchner and directed by David Zak. Featuring: Darryl Stephens, Ryan Harrison, Liz Pazik, Mary Gearen, Bob Kessler and ties. ... I ended up going to Israel and Palestine CCPA alum Amanda Batterson (but still boycotted the Tel Aviv University lec- ture) and gave some speeches. ... I found out that there is a segment of Palestinian people who are not being heard just like progressive (800) 982-ARTS (2787) | ticketmaster.com Americans and we need to support them. TICKETS $15, $20 AND $25 After going to Palestine, I brought the leaders Auditorium Theatre Box Offi ce, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Chicago of the queer Palestinian movement to the U.S. 28 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES

the DISH WEEKLY DINING GUIDE IN

Scurato—a genuinely friendly individual— SAVOR said that the menu “is constantly changing,” as BY ANDREW DAVIS the fall offerings are now available. Among said offerings are braised lamb shank and more red wines. “It is always my interpretation of a Sicil- Ceres’ Table ian dish,” he said. As for the food there, it is definitely worth a That’s Sicilian! visit. Scurato uses sustainable and local prod- That’s not meant to ride a spaghetti sauce’s ucts—and he utilizes them to flavorful effect. motto, but it’s the feel the proprietors of Ce- The parpadelle with lamb was amazing both res’ Table, 4882 N. Clark St., hope patrons get times I went, as were items such as squash blos- once they try some of the restaurant’s incredible soms, bread pudding and peanut butter tart. dishes. However, there are now such tempting items The restaurant (which opened Nov. 17, 2009) as wild mushroom risotto, boar ragu lasagna, is Italian—down to its name, derived from the the aforementioned lamb shank, pumpkin ravi- Roman goddess of the harvest. Chef Giuseppe Charcuterie at ZED451. Press photo oli and arancine (fried risotto balls with braised Scurato said that he and his wife, Carolyn, goat, saffron and taleggio cheese). Moreover, is NOT a Brazilian steakhouse, saying, “The named the eatery. “Apparently, Ceres was born you won’t have to take out a loan to pay for difference with us is that we’re not limited to in Sicily,” he said. “Ceres is also the statute at ZED451 dinner, with the most expensive item being $27. Brazilian meats. The chefs come in and prepare the top of the [Chicago] Board of Trade, so we Other aspects that are worth appreciating here I must admit: I’ve talked by ZED451, 739 N. everything, including the sauces. .. We have a figured there is the connection of [prosperity].” are the understated decor and friendly staff. Clark St., at least a hundred times wondering whole variety of proteins, including duck, veni- Something that’s not so Italian—and I don’t While the music isn’t exactly Sicilian (ranging what being inside is like. Now that I’ve satisfied son and lamb.” Thompson added, “We are unbe- mean this in a bad way—is the view, as Ceres’ from Sade to Everything but the Girl to Culture my curiosity, I’m imploring everyone to give it lievably vegetarian-friendly and gluten-friendly. Table is across the street from the St. Boniface Club), I’m hoping there’s space somewhere for a a try. Eighty-five to 90 percent of our harvest table is Catholic Cemetery. Scurato said that diners are dance floor. First of all, appearances can be deceiving. It vegetarian- or gluten-friendly.” not bothered by the scenery, adding that the See http://www.CeresTable.com. looks smaller from the outside but the interior is Among the more tantalizing selections are the area is definitely “up and coming,” citing the huge (with a 15,000-square-foot first level that char-grilled buttermilk sirloin (unreal), Mary- renovations that have taken place. has private event rooms), filled with warm woods land crab cakes, Wagyu beef, Asian pork belly and judiciously placed stones. (I loved that I sat and the previously mentioned venison. a few feet away from flames that didn’t cause me Mixed drinks—categorized under “Liquid Mar- to sweat while I ate.) General Manager Jennifer ket”—range from the refreshing to the warm. My Thompson said that a lot of care went into the dining partner lover the spiced apple bourbon details, even with the lights coming through the while I fell in love with the sangria. wooden slats in the ceiling, as the illumination If, by some miracle, you actually have room is supposed to resemble natural sunlight. for dessert, there’s no short of indulgence. There The rooftop deck (more than 2,000 square are sweets such as banana cream pie (which feet) has received many raves—and justifiably our extremely knowledgeable server, Liz Gonza- so. On the day I went it was warm (for October lez, paired with a milk stout) and butterscotch in Chicago) and sunny, illuminating what was al- bread pudding (so good you’ll commit a sin to ready an amazing view of surrounding buildings. get more). Other desserts include S’more pie, va- As for the food, Chef Patrick Quakenbush has nilla crème brûlée and chocolate layer cake. prepared plenty of great options. Patrons can Also, just in case you can barely move to get simply take items from the huge harvest tables, to your next destination, ZED451 has a shuttle that are stocked with charcuteries, artisan to take you there. How great is that? cheeses and dishes such as grilled pineapple By the way, in case you were wondering, the with peppercorn; smoked poblano deviled eggs; name comes from “Zed,” the end of the British and tuna and shrimp poke (my fave), which in- alphabet (the owner is British); “451” refers to cludes mango, cilantro, avocado and macadamia when combustion starts, symbolizing the begin- nuts in a soy ginger vinaigrette. ning. You can figure out the meaning—I’m hav- If you want the full effect, you can have the ing another glass of sangria. harvest items AND a nonstop selection of meat ZED451 is a singular experience. and seafood that people bring until you stay See http://www.zed451.com. Porchetta at Ceres’ Table. Photo by Andrew Davis stop. 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Roscoe’s Sidewalk Cafe Swedish Bakery 3356 N. Halsted St., Chicago 5348 N. Clark St., Chicago ITALIAN Mexican SEAFOOD 773-281-3355 773-561-8919 Taverna 750 Mundial Cocina Mestiza Kingfisher roscoes.com swedishbakery.com 750 W. Cornelia Ave., Chicago 1640 W. 18th St., Chicago 5721 N. Clark St., Chicago Visit our popular outdoor cafe. European-style cookies, pastries, 773-348-5172 312-491-9908 773-506-7014 Salads, burgers, wraps, sand- breads, and tortes. We’ll create a Bright and fresh Italian small mundialcocinamestiza.com www.kingfisheronclark.com wiches, drink specials, and Sunday cake for any celebration. plates with an exciting cocktail Creative Mexican cuisine in the Fresh seafood in the heart of Brunch. menu. Surprisingly affordable. Pilsen neighborhood. Handshaken Andersonville. Award-winning margaritas and affordable wines. Chef Peter McCarthy. Reservations recommended.

To get your business listed in The Dish, contact [email protected] WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 29 Boys Don’t Cry ton Recital Hall at University of Chicago, 1010 Download the entry form in PDF format; find E. 59th St., fourth floor, at 12:15 p.m. On Sat- definitions and eligibility parameters for each urday, Oct, 15, she will play in Lutkin Recital category; a FAQ; and an explanation of how screening Hall at Northwestern University, 700 University nominees and winners are selected at http:// note Pl., Evanston (847-491-5441; http://www.pick- www.glaad.org/mediaawards/23/submissions. By Richard Knight, Jr. staiger.com). Nominees for the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Admission is free to both events. Awards will be announced in mid-January 2012. Queer writer-director Kimberly Peirce has only Trowbridge has run a school of guitar-playing Award recipients will be announced at each of made one feature since her startling, ground- in the Andersonville neighborhood for 16 years the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards events in breaking 1999 debut, Boys Don’t Cry—but even and is obtaining her doctorate in guitar perfor- New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. if she never makes another film, she will forever mance at Northwestern University. be assured a place in queer cinematic history. ‘Art of Home’ Oct. 13 The movie relates the true story of transgender GLAAD accepting The first-ever “Art of Home” gala will take male Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) living in place Thursday, Oct. 13, at Zhou B Art Center, Nebraska; his romantic relationship with Lana award nominations 1029 W. 35th St., 6-9 p.m. Tisdel (Chloe Sevigny); and his subsequent The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defama- According to a press release, “Art of Home rape and murder at the hands of his intolerant tion (GLAAD) is accepting submissions for its celebrates the unique vision of dozens of Chi- “friends” when they learned he wasn’t anatomi- Jennifer Trowbridge. Photo courtesy of Trow- 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, according to cago area artists, who have generously agreed cally male. Peirce worked on the film for years bridge a press release. to donate pieces of art for live and silent auc- (and co-wrote the script with Andy Bienen) be- The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor tions.” All proceeds will benefit the Lakeside fore it was brought to the screen, winning criti- Lesbian guitarist media for their fair, accurate and inclusive rep- Community Development Corporation. cal acclaim from critics and audiences upon its resentations of the LGBT community, and the Tickets are $150-$175 each. For more infor- release. plays Oct. 13, 15 issues that affect our lives. mation and to purchase tickets, visit http:// Jennifer Trowbridge, a lesbian who plays Bra- Boys Don’t Cry was a “first” for many reasons. Submitted materials must be received in the www.lakesidecdc.org/details/134-art-of-home. It made an instant star of Swank (who, for her zilian classical guitar, has two upcoming local Los Angeles GLAAD office by Thursday, Nov. 17, html. tremendous, heart-wrenching performance, re- performances. at 6 p.m. PT. On Thursday, Oct. 13, she will play in the Ful-

Kimberly Peirce.

ceived the first of her two Best Actress Oscars), and brought first time acclaim to many of the other actors (Sevigny was also Oscar nominated in the supporting category). The movie also launched the career of out producer Christine Vachon and, certainly, it put Peirce herself on the filmmaking map. However, aside from being an intensely moving romantic drama, gorgeously shot and assembled and enacted by its fearless cast, the importance of the subject matter—the horrible consequences that Tenna suffered as a result of attempting to be true to his own gen- der identity—is perhaps the movie’s greatest legacy. Both mainstream and LGBT communities saw vivid, heartbreaking proof of the terrible price transgender people have often had to pay. Boys Don’t Cry helped open the door national- ly with regard to this previously hidden subject. Here we are over a decade later and America is weekly watching transgender male Chaz Bono dance his heart out on Dancing with the Stars, one of the country’s most popular television programs, without a hint of controversy. Peirce’s film helped pave the way for mainstream accep- tance. The movie will have a rare theatrical screen- ing Sunday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., and Peirce will be present for a post-screening Q&A. At 3 p.m., Peirce will also attend a screening of 1972’s The Godfather and talk with Robert K. Elder, author of Movies that Changed My Life, about the im- pact director Francis Ford Coppola’s gangster classic has had on her creative life. Separate tickets are required for each screening event. www.musicboxtheatre.com 30 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE ADVERTISE HERE CUSTOM FRAMER WANTED for busy northside store. Call FOR SALE - HOMES Jay at 773-784-3962. 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Email cover letter Sensible Prices and resumé to [email protected] WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 31 BOOKS WCT: You frequently mention a psychologist level jobs and didn’t have anything to lose. The in your latest book: Dr. Charles Socarides. more moderate gays—the doctors and lawyers CS: Ah, yes. He believed that homosexuals were and what have you—could all lose their licenses Charles Silverstein on doomed to their lives of depression and suicide. on a charge of “moral turpitude” because they He even wanted to set up concentration camps were gay. As the radical gays fought for equal- for homosexuals. He was able to get on a number ity, it made the moderate gays’ lives just a little gay rights and psychology of television and radio programs since producers easier. BY Joe Franco WCT: Do you think that the removal of homo- needed to get “the other side of the argument”. Read the entire interview—including Silver- sexuality as a disease from the DSM had any He was quite outrageous but he got the airtime. stein’s thoughts on how the GAA would look Dr. Charles Silverstein is well known for his activ- far-reaching impact or was quoted as a basis Dr. Socarides’ son [Richard] was gay and everyone at same-sex marriage—online at http://www. ism in the struggle for gay rights, including his for the overturning of the Supreme Court case knew that. After his son came out he was asked if WindyCityMediaGroup.com. 1973 historic presentation before the “Nomen- Bowers v. Hardwick and other anti-sodomy it changed his opinion on homosexu- clature Committee” of the American Psychiatric court cases and laws? ality and he responded, “It doesn’t Association (APA), which led to the removal of CS: You bring up a very valid and important change my opinion one bit.” homosexuality as a mental illness from the Diag- point. There is a substantial relationship between WCT: You noted in your book nostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders the medical community and their diagnoses and that the “radical gay” group you (DSM). the legal community. When psychology declares belonged to—the Gay Activists a certain disorder or mental issue a disease, the Alliance (GAA)—had a number of legal community picks that up and makes that members with colorful antis and behavior a crime. In Britain now is the Spanner who were considered damaged and case. A group of S&M men would gather to have whom society rejected. Do you sex and videotape their encounters. Nearly all of think that, as gays become more the sadism was theatrical and not real but it was “mainstream,” the ideals of GAA still videotaped. The sadists were arrested and are overlooked? prosecuted since an individual cannot consent to CS: Things were different then. damage. Since S&M was declared a mental disor- There was a certain symbiotic rela- der, it encouraged such prosecutions like that in tionship between the radical gay Spanner. movement and more moderate gays. You see, the radical gays help low-

Charles Silverstein. Photo from Silverstein

He founded two gay and lesbian counseling centers in New York, Identity House and the Insti- tute for Human Identity. He was also the founding editor of the Journal of Homosexuality and is best known for the groundbreaking The Joy of Gay Sex (with Edmund White), and The New Joy of Gay Sex (with Felice Picano). On Oct. 13, 2011, Silverstein will be adding a new volume to his personal bib- liography—For The Ferryman: A Personal History. Recently, Windy City Times had the opportunity to interview Silverstein about his life and his work. Windy City Times: So why psychology? Dr. Charles Silverstein: Well you know, I had been an elementary school teacher prior to com- ing to psychology. I liked what I did; in fact, my Larchmont kids are holding a reunion for me. Still, teaching was not satisfying a certain intellectual part of me. I enjoyed working closely with people so psychology seemed fitting. WCT: In 1973 you convinced the Nomencla- ture Committee of the APA to remove “homo- sexuality as a mental illness from the DSM. How did that come about? CS: The psychological community had always labeled homosexuality as a perversion and a deri- vation from the so-called “norm.” These men con- sidered it an illness and, therefore, curable. It was an illness because it violated the social norms of the day. WCT: Was the medical community relying on any objective scientific evidence that homo- sexuality was actually an illness that could be cured? CS: As far as I am aware, no. Psychoanalysts believed that gay men were doomed to lives of depression and, eventually, suicide because of their shame. I argued that these men were not ashamed because they were homosexual but be- cause of what these therapists were telling them. WCT: What about these new groups that are using therapy to “cure” homosexuality? CS: This isn’t therapy at all you see. Exodus In- ternational and other groups like them use what they believe to be the power of prayer. “If you pray hard enough to Jesus you will no longer be gay. He will make you straight.” Even though the APA has thoroughly discredited such a notion, men and women are still being harmed the same way they were when homosexuality was thought of as a disease. 32 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES

Tim Gunn is below my signature. 1:30pm, Orland Square Mall, 288 Orland Square, Or- land Park, http://www.lizclaiborneinc.com Guitarist Jennifer Trowbridge performs A recital of Brazilian music including Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Douze Études and Sergio Assad’s Aquarelle, Farewell, and Cradle Brought to you by the combined efforts of Song. 8:30pm, 847-491-5441, Lutkin Re- cital Hall, Northwestern University, 700 WINDY CITY University Place, Evanston, http://www. MARY GOOD jennifertrowbridge.com TIMES Ghouls Night Out Ghouls Night Out... A Friday, Oct. 14 spooktacular night of drag, dance and mu- sic featuring the divalicious drag queens Singer Mary Chapin Wed., Oct. 12 of The Call and members of the Chicago Carpenter will perform Spirit Brigade... $10 suggested donation Obama & the Gays with Tracy Baim Tracy at Aurora’s Paramount GUNN AND GAMES at the door or $5 + 2 sealed, non-perish- Baim, publisher of Windy City Times and able food items. All food items and 125% Theatre. author of Obama & the Gays, presents an Saturday, Oct. 15 of all money raised will go to Care for in-depth review of Barack Obama’s poli- Fashion guru Tim Gunn will Real, Edgewater’s most established food cies on gay issues. Baim’s book came out be at Orland Square Mall in pantry. 9:30pm-11:30pm, The Call (Chi- PR photo in 2010, and provides a comprehensive cago), 1547 W Bryn Mawr look at Obama’s trajectory on LGBT rights, Orland Park. from his days in the Illinois state Senate to his first two years as president. Free Photo from Lifetime Sunday, Oct. 16 Celebrating Women’s Activism: Why His- House: A Night of Unity in House Music, lecture. 7pm, 312-747-6921, Woodson Re- tory Matters Chicago Area Women’s His- featuring Resident House DJ Semaj; 9pm, gional Library, 9525 S. Halsted St.; http:// tory Council will celebrate its 40th anni- Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, http://www.hy- http://www.chipublib.org/events/details/ versary with with a party and panel with dratechicago.com id/74096 women activists sharing their stories of SkiBudz 2011-12 Season Kick-Off Stop by women’s history. Panelists are: Tracy Baim, Tuesday, Oct. 18 to speak with the trip organizers and learn publisher of Windy City Times; Heather Twisted Tuesdays Tuesdays with a Twist! about this years trips. Of course there will Thursday, Oct. 13 Frat House Thursday Join Scarlet as they Booth, activist and president of Midwest $1 Drinks are now on Tuesdays with DJ be drinks, food and your skibudz. 7pm- Guitarist Jennifer Trowbridge performs A host all frat guys and their fans. Scarlet Academy; Jacky Grimshaw, activist and Laura B! Join Hydrate every Tuesday night 9pm, Halsted’s Bar and Grill, 3441 N Hal- recital of Brazilian music including Heitor ramps up the frat factor with a night of vice president of the Center for Neighbor- to hear your favorite hits from the 80s, sted, http://www.skibudz.org Villa-Lobos’ Douze Études and Sergio 40-ounce beer specials, HOT bartenders, hood Technology; Maria Pesquiera, execu- 90s, and today! 9pm, Hydrate, 3458 N. Michael Schiavi speaks about HIV/AIDS Assad’s Aquarelle, Farewell, and Cradle cranked-up music and hottie high jinks! tive director of Mujeres Latinas en Accion; Halsted St., http://www.hydratechicago. activist Vito Russo Schiavi is the author Song. Free. 12:15pm, Fulton Recital Hall, 21+ with ID; 10pm, Scarlet, 3320 N Hal- and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Moderator com/event-details/?event_id=116 of Celluloid Activist: The Life and Times of University of Chicago, 1010 E. 59th St., sted, http://www.scarletbarchicago.com is Cheryl Johnson-Odim, provost of Do- Vito Russo, a biography of the prominent 4th Floor, http://www.jennifertrowbridge. minican University. Also speaking will be Wed., Oct. 19 AIDS activist who was one of the LGBT com Friday, Oct. 14 Intersecting Identities: Comparing and “I Hate Tommy Finch” Tellofilms.com and historian Rima Lunin Schultz, co-editor community’s significant cultural figures Sarah Schulman Queer Writing Workshop Contrasting the Gay Experience Presen- King is a Fink Productions bring you “I of Women Building Chicago 1790-1990: A in the 1970s and ’80s. An associate pro- Queer fiction writing workshop and dis- tation and discussion hosted by the Adler Hate Tommy Finch”. This anomaly of a pro- Biographical Dictionary. 2pm, Prairie Pro- fessor of English at the New York Insti- cussion of Ms. Schulman’s 2009 novel, The School’s Institute on Social Exclusion, duction will star actresses Nicole Pacent ductions, 1314 W. Randolph St., http:// tute of Technology, Dr. Schiavi will speak Mere Future. 7:30pm, Gerber/Hart Library, examining critical issues that confront (Anyone But Me) and Shannan Leigh Reeve www.cawhc.org about Russo’s life and impact on the LGBT 1127 W. Granville Ave., http://www.ger- LGBTQ communities of color but are not (Cowgirl Up). With original music by Sami Women’s Voices Weekend, Dorothy Allison community. 4pm, Frick Center, Founders berhart.org addressed in mainstream LGBTQ discourse Grisafe and Shannon Nicole. Opportunity Workshop “Talk to Me the Way Your Mama Lounge, Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Pussy on the House Hell in a Handbag Pro- and action. 4pm, 65 E.Wacker Place Suite to meet and greet with the actresses and Talked to You: Issues with Language in the Ave., Elmhurst ductions is proud to kick off their season 2100, Chicago, http://www.adler.edu musicians after the show. 7pm, Parlour on shaping of voice and story” 2:30pm-4pm, Rainbow Dress Project Fundraiser First with a tale so big there’s barely room to LGBTQ Cancer Support Group A network- Clark, 6341 N Clark, http://www.brownpa- Swedish Museum, 5211 N. Clark St. of three fundraising events this October contain its bubbling melodrama. A tale of ing/support group for LGBTQ people who pertickets.com/event/190758 Violet Bailiwick Chicago will stage the for the Rainbow Dress Project. Get a free dark desires; of longing and lesbians; all have cancer. 6pm-7:30pm, http://www. Sarah Schulman Award-winning author of award-winning off-Broadway hit “Violet,” drink with your donation. The first 6 peo- set in the hot and steamy South. 8pm- gildasclubchicago.org/home.html, Gilda’s twelve novels, novelist, playwright, and a powerful and heartwarming story of a ple to donate over $20 get a special prize. 11pm, The Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Club Chicago (537 N. Wells, Chicago), activist (People in Trouble, Rat Bohe- vulnerable young woman’s challenges, 10pm, Scarlet, 3320 N Halsted, http:// 3 2936 N. Southport Ave., http://www. http://www.gildasclubchicago.org/home. mia) is one of literature’s most important loves and emotional journey on through www.facebook.com/rainbowdressproject handbagproductions.org html chroniclers of contemporary queer life. In Oct. 16. 3pm-5pm, 773-325-1700, Mer- Olga Trujillo & Christine Stark Authors her most recent novel, The Mere Future, cury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chi- The Sum of My Parts: A Tale of Dissocia- she invents a literature that is at once cago, http://www.bailiwickchicago.com tion. Dissociative identity disorder (DID) sexy and funny, while openheartedly re- Taverna 750 First Call Brunch Come sample inordinately afflicts survivors of child- flecting the lives we live. 7:30pm-9pm, the amazing food and drink of Taverna hood violence and sexual abuse. In these Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St. 750. They have four options, the Foodie, two bold and unflinching works, the au- Mary Chapin Carpenter Five-time Grammy the Drink Connoisseur, the Brunch Date, thors reveal multiple heretofore unspoken Award winner combining folk, country, and the SUNDAY FUNDAY, all for $20! truths about living with and surviving acoustic, rock and blues, Carpenter’s lat- 11am-3pm, Taverna 750, 750 W. Cornelia DID. 7:30pm, Women & Children First, est release, Age of Miracles, is another Ave., http://www.taverna750.com 5233 N. Clark St. Grammy award-nominated collection; Queer Fiction Writing Workshop with Sar- 8pm, Paramount Theatre, Aurora, http:// ah Schulman There are fewer stars that www.paramountaurora.com shine brighter in the LGBT literary panthe- Thursday, Oct. 20 Skloot, Ebert literary honors Writer Re- There Goes the Gaybarhood There Goes on than those of Sarah Schulman. Gerber/ becca Skloot and film critic Roger Ebert the Gaybarhood is a musical revue about Hart is honored to welcome Ms. Schulman will be; 6pm, 312-201-9830,ext.25, The the gay bar, the gaybarhood, and ev- for a queer fiction writing workshop on Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. erywhere in between. 9pm-9:45pm, 12-3 pm. 773-381-8030, Gerber/Hart Li- Reading: Leatherman, The Legend of 312.337.3992, De Maat Studio Theatre, brary, 1127 W. Granville Ave., http://www. Chuck Renslow Owen Keehnen, co-author http://www.funnystub.com/buyticket. gerberhart.org/ (with Tracy Baim) will read from and sign cfm?showtimingid=96611&buy copies of the book. He will be joined by Bjork Showcase Cosmix Fridays presents Monday, Oct. 17 Renslow, longtime community activist, this Bjork showcase, celebrating the re- Fashion Focus Chicago Weeklong celebra- business owner and founder of the Inter- lease of her new album Biophilia. All Bjork tion of Chicago’s thriving fashion industry national Mr. Leather contests. Free event, music and video with DJ Greg Haus. 9pm, through Sunday, Oct. 23, showcases some open to the public. 6:30pm, Center on Berlin Nightclub, 954 W Belmont Ave, of the city’s top designers and runway Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, http://https:// http://www.berlinchicago.com shows plus a variety of free and affordable www.facebook.com/leathermanthelegend Chicago Hellfire Club night In the club shopping events and industry happenings, ofchuckrenslow?ref=ts room. 10pm, Touche, 6412 N Clark St, $35 general admission; 12pm, Millennium Lady Miss Kier spins!!! GO-GO 30 with http://www.touchechicago.com Park and at various locations, http://www. charityhappenings.org Lady Miss Kier (of Deee-lite). Presented by Bitch to Quit, LGBTQ smoking cessation Stardust. 10pm, Berlin Nightclub, 954 W Saturday, Oct. 15 Belmont Ave, http://www.berlinchicago. NCAA Football A full day of college football. program The second of two groups kicks com Watch all the games with sound. 11am- off eight sessions with a trained smoking 10pm, Crew Bar & Grill, 4804 N. Broadway, cessation counselor. Program fee is $30. http://www.worldsgreatestbar.com 12:15pm, Howard Brown Health Center, EXAMINING AN ACTIVIST Tim Gunn of Project Runway Will emcee a 4025 N Sheridan Rd., http://www.howard- live runway show, holding a public Q&A brown.org Wed., Oct. 12 forum about style and fashion, and do- United House: A Night of Unity in House ing a meet-and-greet/book-signing for Music Join Hydrate Nightclub, Chicago- Pride.com, and host Cyon Flare for United Michael Schiavi will talk about the life of the late fans. More information on the event and AIDS activist Vito Russo (above) at 4 p.m. at Elmhurst College. Get : WindyCityMediaGroup.com Photo by Alex J. Berliner online ChicagoPride.com WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 33 BIllY MASTERS H E A R D O N T H E S T R E E T “How big’s your penis?”—Cloris Leachman cor- start with one of the most titillating books I ““FFiirrsstt lleett’’ss ssttoopp bbyy ners The X-Factor host Steve Jones backstage have ever read. My pals Jake Smyth and Luca at a television studio. After commenting on the Barbieri—not their real names—penned The size of his shoes, Jones uncomfortably asked if HardBody Chronicles. In fact, the names you’d SSiiddeettrraacckk ffoorr aa that’s what she really wanted to talk about— know them by aren’t their real names either and out came the penis question. God—love ... but that’s another story. The boys—well, that Cloris! men—might be familiar to you in several ways. After a straight celebrity makes a statement You may know Luca from his prolific porn ca- ggllaassss ooff wwiinnee..”” that can be perceived as anti-gay, they always reer with that high-flying company. Or you may give one of those interviews where they invari- know them from their extremely popular photos The Holiday Season ably say something like, “I love gay people. taken by Jeff Palmer that likely adorn many of Wine Tasting Party Many of my close friends are gay.” Never get your walls and/or coffee tables. (Some of those tired of it. But this week, we had a variation on photos are included in this book—and on our will be Wednesday, Nov. 9 that ol’ chestnut. It all started a couple of weeks website.) Or you may know them from their ago when someone asked Thomas Jane if we’d HardBody Parties that were legendary in South Tickets at EQIL.org see his character on Hung get it on with a dude. Beach for the standards of physical beauty that “I told HBO, the year I end up with a penis in my were required to get in. mouth is the last year of the show,” he said. This is not a tell-all—or is it? It actually falls Immediately, the homophobic word was being into the category of a “roman à clef”—the kinda circulated. Damage control was obviously need- book that got Truman Capote drummed out of ed. An interview was set up with the L.A. Times. society. This means it’s my kinda book—where When Jane talked about trying to break into the the names have been changed to ... well, to business, he said it—the new quote everyone’s avoid any lawsuits. But it’s more than that. talking about: “When I was a kid out here in Between each bitchy and dishy line is a story of real people traversing the ‘90s and straddling the line between fear and abandon, between pleasure and pain. Also, at least for these two, it’s a story about survival. If you lived through this era, a lot of the mate- rial will hit home. In between guess- ing who’s who in the book, you’ll be aroused, you’ll be moved, you’ll wish you were there and you may be glad you weren’t. But one thing’s for The Video Bar sure—you’ll enjoy yourself! You can 3349 North Halsted SidetrackChicago.com buy the book and get more info at /SidetrackBar TheHardBodyChronicles.com. The premature departure of The Playboy Club from the airwaves means that my friend Jenifer Lewis is back in L.A. It also means that she’ll be kicking off AIDS Walk LA Oct. 16. It also means that she’ll be appearing at Sheryl Lee Ralph’s “Divas Simply CLICKTOWIN! Singing” AIDS benefit Oct. 22 (info at TheDivaFoundation.org). And it also means that I’ll be with her—ON Bring the glitter and glitz of Las Vegas STAGE. Needless to say, you should home with the Divine Miss M’s get your tickets now! Emmy-nominated special Our “Ask Billy” question comes from Donny in Michigan: “I just saw Ameri- Bette Midler: Hung’s Thomas Jane may need to watch what comes out of can Horror Story. WOW, Dylan McDer- his mouth, as opposed to what’s entering it. mott sure is hot!!! And he was walking The Showgirl around naked. Do you have any out- takes or photos?” Must Go On L.A., I was homeless. I didn’t have any money There certainly was a lotta naked Dylan in and I was living in my car. I wasn’t averse to go- the premiere—but I’d expect nothing less from featuring renditions of “The Rose,” ing down to Santa Monica Boulevard and letting creator Ryan Murphy. And I’m told there’s more “Wind Beneath My Wings” and more! a guy buy me a sandwich. Know what I mean?” where that came from. Dylan’s always looked Oh, I know what you mean. Continuing the sex good, but this took it to a whole new level. Bra- Available on DVD and Blu-ray on now from vis-à-vis food topic, he added, “Until you’ve vo to FX for letting it all hang out. Of course, if Image Entertainment tasted the food, you don’t know whether you’ll you missed any of the skin, head to BillyMasters. www.image-entertainment.com like it or not, as my mom always said.” It sounds com. like for a while he was going back for seconds! And to slip in one more hottie, Jared Leto I’ve been thinking for months—how can I took to the runway last week at the Yves Saint help fill the void in the world that has been left Laurent fashion show in Paris. He was clad in by Oprah Winfrey? This weekend, I found my an- tight black pants and a tank (apparently fishnet swer. While touring West Hollywood’s brand-new is making a comeback). Since he always looks so library, I spotted a number of places perfect for amazingly hot, I’ll run the photos on our web- illicit assignations. But that’s how I’ll fill other site. ENTER TO WIN one DVD by sending voids. To fill Oprah’s void, I’m going to regularly When fishnet is once again fashionable, it’s an email with “BETTE” recommend books for you to read, because if I time to end yet another column. Have I men- in the subject line to know nothing else, I know you can read. So why tioned that my personal musings continue in a [email protected] not share the work of some of my more prolific unique column, Billy’s Boudoir? That column, by Mon., October 17 to be entered. friends? I’ll be including some celebs like Jackie along with all the titillating material you find Collins, Julie Newmar, Dyan Cannon and Flor- here, is all housed on www.BillyMasters.com, the Winner will be selected at random from all ence Henderson. Also, I’ll also be spotlighting site that fills many voids. If you’ve got one I’ve entries and will be notified via email. books from some of our gay scribes like Corey missed, send some information (and perhaps a Spears, Derek Hartley and Ken Howard. There’s photo) along to [email protected] and I nothing too trashy, nothing too prurient—but promise to get back to you before Cloris writes something for everyone. her own HardBody tell-all! Until next time, re- Since I don’t want to shock your system, we’ll member, one man’s filth is another man’s bible. First Mar- ket Days Classic a success

34 Oct. 12, 2011 WINDY CITY TIMES in the universe. They had vivid personalities dents, managers, designers, health care workers, and liked to smash into each other. Plus they a tennis pro, lawyers, and even a farmer. Chicago Women’s were hilarious. “We are very excited,” for the anniversary, said “Over the years, similarly memorable people team captain Sarah Esther Anderson. “It’s going [have] joined the team.” to be a lot of fun for our COWS to catch up with Rugby Football Club Gartner, 55, who lives in the West Loop and each other; and our current players are really works at Lisa’s Painting, is now the team’s co- looking forward to recognizing those women head coach, a position she’s had since 2007. She who have come before them, hearing their sto- played all but one year from 1979-1988. ries, and celebrating our history together.” marks 35 years On Saturday, Oct. 15, the CWRFC will formally Gartner joked, “I am excited [for the celebra- By Ross Forman express our strength and competitive spirits celebrate its 35th anniversary in conjunction tion] to not be the oldest by two or three de- and, at least in our minds, our razor sharp wit. with the club’s final league game of the season cades.” The men in the Midwest Rugby Union wouldn’t Friends I made then are still family.” against the Denver Black Ice. The match starts CWRFC is a Division 1 club that is competitive let women join, so the ladies had to start their CWRFC hosted the first Women’s National ‘Rug- at 1:30 p.m. at Diversey Harbor (between the at the national level, “and starting to realize own union. by Classic’ in September, 1978 as well as the driving range and Lakeshore Drive). just how good we can be,” Anderson said. That was back in 1976, even before sports second-annual event in 1979. CWRFC has made “We’re keeping [the celebration] simple, and “In my era [as a player], a team from Min- bras had been invented—and now the Chicago appearances at the National tournament since inviting all COWS (Chicago Old Women’s Side) neapolis, which later became the Valkyries, was Women’s Rugby Football Club (CWRFC) is proudly 1978, other than from 1998-2001. to watch our game,” Gartner said. “We will have our archrival,” Gartner said. “We battled back celebrating its 35th anniversary. “I was not in Chicago in 1976, [but] I do know food and beverages, plus some fun, interactive and forth for many seasons. Rugby games are “It’s hard to know where to start,” Lisa Gart- that they actually had begun with wives and activities.” very intense. You lay it all out there, using your ner said, reflecting on the anniversary. “So much girlfriends of male ruggers,” Gartner said. “There Gartner was not sure how many former team strength, speed, cunning, skill and guts. There has changed for women, sports-wise, since then. was also a difficult period of transition when members from years or decades past will attend. was one game in particular [that stands out] People from the Chicago Women’s RFC were in- gay-ness erupted. I believe some people quit “The [current] team is very good and continu- where, after this amazing 80 minutes of pure strumental in this and other kinds of organiza- playing, while others had a whole new world ing to get better,” Gartner said. “Co-head-coach effort, we won. tions at every level. opened to them. When I arrived [in Chicago] af- Sue Whitwell has been coaching at the regional “The lowest times have been when our good “Chicago Women’s Rugby offered a place to ter college, they seemed like the coolest people and national all-star level, so she brings high- friends have died. They are family to us and we level knowledge. We all learn so much from her. miss them immensely.” The team also had a big recruitment push and “We have many fantastic athletes on the team we’ve had a steady stream of new players arriv- with a wide range of rugby experience,” said An- ing, [including] some very talented and experi- derson, a medical student who has been playing enced, as well as some new, eager players. rugby for six years. “I think that’s one of the “These players truly like one another. They are major differences between us and other teams: very welcoming to new players and appreciate a We take women with no experience and teach wide range of personalities. Rugby requires all them to love and excel in this sport. Another body types and any woman can find her place on difference is that we’re out there not only to our team. The team is always striving to be bet- win, but to enjoy ourselves doing it. We main- ter on the field without skimping on the fun.” tain a good sense of sportsmanship and positive CWRFC, which has 32 players on its roster, is [attitude] which makes us fun to play for and now predominantly gay, Gartner said, and most against. We hear from many opponents, even of the players are in their 20s and 30s. after we’ve beaten them, how much they enjoy The team also attracts college-aged women playing against us—that really validates what who don’t have a team at their school or who we’re all about.” are not in school. CWRFC team members include graduate stu- dents, teachers, engineers, medical school stu-

In issuing its Oct. 4 decision, the court Court partially ruled that the Repent America had not proved their rights were violated when police asked upholds Gay them to move. However, the court questioned MPEA’s rights to limit protest within Gateway Games ruling Park and ruled that MPEA return to district BY KATE SOSIN court to argue its case. Marcavage, founder of Repent America, In a case from the 2006 Chicago Gay Games, a boasts a laundry list of arrests and consequent U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against a group of lawsuits. In 2004, he and 10 others were ar- anti-gay protesters over two complaints they rested at Philadelphia’s OutFest. filed, but the court sent a third back to the courts for review. James Deferio, Ryan Murphy and Michael Lynx takes Marcavage—of religious organization Repent America—were arrested July 2006 for refusing WNBA title to relocate their protests at three Gay Games By defeating the Atlanta Dream 73-67 Oct. events. 7, the Minnesota Lynx swept the finals in the The group sued the City of Chicago, a group best-of-five series, netting its first title, ac- of police officers and the Metropolitan Pier cording to Fox Sports. and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which owns However, it wasn’t just the first title for Navy Pier. the Lynx; it was the first pro sports title for a The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld an earlier Minnesota team since the Twins captured the ruling against Repent America Oct. 4, but re- World Series in 1991—where it beat the At- versed part of ruling by tossing it back to the lanta Braves. district court over a permit issue. WNBA MVP Seimone Augustus scored a team- According to the court judgment issued Oct. high 16 points. 4, Marcavage and others protested outside of The Lynx’s parade was slated to take place the opening of the Gay Games at Soldier Field Oct. 11 at Nicollet Mall, followed by a rally at July 15, 2006. Police asked the group to move Target Center. off the sidewalk because they were allegedly blocking foot traffic. SkiBudz meeting The group returned the next day to protest at Navy Pier, but were told to leave again be- Oct. 12 cause they were without protest permits that The 6th Annual Kickoff Event for SkiBudz, the MPEA requires. Marcavage, Murphy and De- Chicago’s gay ski and snowboard club, will ferio were arrested for failing the leave Gate- take place Wed., Oct. 12, 7-9 p.m., at Hal- way Park, which sits outside of Navy Pier and sted’s Bar and Grill, 3441 N. Halsted St. is owned by MPEA. There will be food, a cash bar and an oppor- Marcavage was also arrested a day later for tunity to meet other skiers and boarders. disorderly conduct outside of the closing cer- For more information, contact Patrick at pat- Top: Vintage photo of the Chicago Women’s Rugby Club from Lisa Gartner. Above: The club takes emony at Wrigley field. [email protected]. action the first game of its season, beating North Shore 23-8; photo by John Nester WINDY CITY TIMES Oct. 12, 2011 35 CONNE IONS X MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS

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