FREEDOM TO MARRY WINDY CITY THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, PAGE 25 BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 FEB. 29, 2012 VOL 27, NO. 21 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.comTIMES Public talks library issue BY KATE SOSIN When it was discovered in late January that the Gerber/Hart Library in Edgewater was moving, many people in the community questioned why it would relocate and Tea who its board members were. Board President Karen Sendziak declined to disclose either. (The other board mem- time bers are Stan Huntington of Chicago and Don Landers of Arizona.) Gay-owned Chicago company Talbott LocaL coLLEGE In recent days, those most closely associated with the LGBT library have come for- ward with their feelings about its impending move and its leadership, after Windy Teas is going getS LESBIAN City Times reported that the organization is struggling to stay compliant with its national, thanks PRESIDENT bylaws and the laws governing non-profits. to Jamba Juice. pagE 7 On Feb. 15, a group calling itself “Friends of Gerber/Hart Library” issued a let- Pictured are ter to Sendziak, calling on her to open up the organization’s governance and stall Talbott’s Steven the move. (The letter is printed alongside this piece. Her response to it ran in last Nakisher (left) and week’s issue.) Shane Talbott— Among the letter’s authors was historian Sukie de la Croix. He left the board in partners in business July 2011, after eight months of service. and life. See page “Over the years, Karen Sendziak has been really, really excellent and helpful to the 25. Photo courtesy work that I do … just wonderful,” de la Croix said. He supported the library and its of the company mission to preserve history. page 25 Turn to page 6 JOSE LOVE, YOUTH LEADER, INTERVIEWED page 17 page 26 page 8 BRITISH History lesson She means business In the first of a multipart series, Windy City Times takes a look at the history of Dawn Lafreeda owns more than 70 Denny’s franchises. Read more SINGER RUMER about her on page 8. Photo courtesy of Lafreeda page 24 African-American queer culture on the South Side. See page 26. Photo of Tony Jackson courtesy of the Historic New Orleans Collection, Williams Research Center 2 Feb. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES WINDY CITY TIMES this week in WINDY CITY TIMESCURATORSFeb. 29, 2012 NEWS DOMA ruled unconstitutional Md. marriage bill; Quotelines People weigh in on Gerber/Hart ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Lesbian president at local college 4 Scottish Play Scott Woman franchise owner 5 Knight: Kink Crusaders, notes Trans ordinance to be proposed 6 IML documentary; James D. Mason 3 Varnell; Merry Mary; T in the Life 7 Talking with singer Rumer 19 Gay in the Life 8 Kotsiopoulos of ‘Fashion Police’ 22 Freedom to Marry pics 9 Talbott Teas goes national 23 10 BARE24 Elections: Guide to the Gays Gay Bronzeville history AIDS @ 30 11 Dish: A look at Jane’s 24 Views: Monroe; letter 12 Amos Lassen book column 25 13 Billy Masters 26 28 Photos on cover (left, from top): 14 Freedom to Marry pic by Kat Fitzgerald; 18 29 OUTLINES 33 pic of Dr. Susan Henking; Kink Crusaders Real estate; classifieds; pets pic from Mike Skiff; PR photo of Rumer Calendar Q Sports: Skater SashaALL Cohen Sports: CRU in tournament 30 FREEDOM TO MARRY WINDY CITY THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, PAGE 25 BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 FEB. 29, 2012 VOL 27, NO. 21 32 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.comTIMES Public talks library issue BY KATE SOSIN When it was discovered in late January that the Gerber/Hart Library in Edgewater was moving, many people in the community questioned why it would relocate and Tea who its board members were. Board President Karen Sendziak declined to disclose either. (The other board mem- time bers are Stan Huntington of Chicago and Don Landers of Arizona.) Gay-owned Chicago 34 company Talbott LOCAL COLLEGE In recent days, those most closely associated with the LGBT library have come for- ward with their feelings about its impending move and its leadership, after Windy Teas is going GETS LESBIAN City Times reported that the organization is struggling to stay compliant with its national, thanks PRESIDENT bylaws and the laws governing non-profits. to Jamba Juice. PAGE 7 On Feb. 15, a group calling itself “Friends of Gerber/Hart Library” issued a let- Pictured are ter to Sendziak, calling on her to open up the organization’s governance and stall Talbott’s Steven the move. (The letter is printed alongside this piece. Her response to it ran in last Nakisher (left) and week’s issue.) Shane Talbott— Among the letter’s authors was historian Sukie de la Croix. He left the board in partners in business July 2011, after eight months of service. and life. See page “Over the years, Karen Sendziak has been really, really excellent and helpful to the 25. Photo courtesy work that I do … just wonderful,” de la Croix said. He supported the library and its of the comDOWNLOADpany THIS! mission to preserve history. page 25 Turn to page 6 34 JOSE LOVE, YOUTH LEADER, INTERVIEWED PAGE 14 Go to www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com page 26 page 8 to download complete issues of Windy City Times and Nightspots. BRITISH History lesson She means business In the first of a multipart series, Windy City Times takes a look at the history of Dawn Lafreeda owns more than 70 Denny’s franchises. Read more SINGER RUMER about her on page 8. Photo courtesy of Lafreeda PAGE 24 African-American queer culture on the South Side. See page 26. Photo of Tony Jackson courtesy of the Historic New Orleans Collection, Williams Research Center Then click on any ad and be taken directly to the advertiser’s Web site! online exclusives at www.WindyCityMediaGroup THURSDAY, MARCH 8 COCKTAILS 5:30 P.M.; PROGRAM 6:30 P.M. $12, $10 MEMBERS AND STUDENTS MOVIE KIND OF LOVE .com WCT covered two Oscar parties this past weekend. See photos from both. They laughed, they cried, they curated Out in Chicago. Join us as co-curators Jill Austin and Photo by Kat Fitzgerald Jennifer Brier share and bare their experiences developing the exhibition. Moderated by Northwestern professor Bill Savage, the evening will explore what was possible—and what wasn’t within the walls of a mainstream, public institution, and how they dared to declare that LGBT history is woven into the BEHIND THE RATE BALL Check out photos very fabric of Chicago history. Financial expert Phil Sitar looks at from “For the Love See why refinancing and low mortgage rates. of Chocolate” at Massachusetts Out at CHM 2012 is sponsored by The Merchandise Mart. is a great travel Pauls Foundation. Photo by Jerry Nunn destination. UNCOMMONLY GOOD See photos from events with Chicago Photo by Jerry Nunn OUT IN CHICAGO rapper Common and out gay Ald. James Cappleman. SOUTHERN COMFORT Out in Chicago has brought a vital part of our shared history out of the shadows and into the THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT light. Starting at 4:30 p.m., event participants Read entertainment news about Tyra will have exclusive access to the exhibition Banks, Elton John and Cher. and can join a guided tour led by the curators. Presenting Sponsors plus Read Bent Nights to get the lowdown on Lead Corporate Sponsor DAILY BREAKING NEWS a recent Blind Boys of Alabama show. Additional Sponsor Photo of the Blind Boys of Alabama by Vern Hester nightspots #1062 • February 29, 2012 Oscars recaP Show Chicago #458 Takes Off! It’s jocks and more (and less!) at Game On!, this year’s installment of TPAN’s annual Chicago Takes Off event, Sat. March 3 at the Park West. page 29 Mr. Union Suit 2012 at Touche. Find Nightspots on page 12 Manhole’s PLUS Phys Ed. at Hydrate. page 8 www.WindyCityQueercast.com Clark Street at North Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614 Call 312.642.4600 or visit www.chicagohistory.org 4 Feb. 29, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES ONLINE AT Federal judge: DOMA Anti-domestic WINDYCITYMEDIAGROUP.COM violence group’s NATIONAL NEWS is unconstitutional gala March 10 Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC), a Chicago organization BY Lisa KEEN committed to ending domestic violence, KEEN NEWS SERVICE will host its 26th Annual Spring Gala- Sounds of Silence Saturday, March 10, 6–11 A federal district court judge in San Francisco p.m., in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt —Hairstylist refuses ruled Feb. 22 that the Defense of Marriage Act Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr. to cut anti-gay (DOMA) violates the rights of gays and lesbians The black tie-optional event, presented governor’s hair to equal protection of the law. by Discovery Clothing Company, will fea- The ruling, by Judge Jeffrey White of the U.S. ture a cocktail hour with silent auction and —Ex-GOP senator District Court for Northern California, was the mystery wine raffle, followed by a seated criticizes Santorum’s second time a federal judge has declared uncon- dinner, live auction and dancing. This year, (left) anti-gay stance stitutional the federal law banning recognition CAWC will present its Champion Award to of same-sex marriages. A federal district court Adams Street Partners. —Lesbians allegedly judge in Boston made a similar ruling in July Individual ticket prices begin at $250, assault gay man 2010, in consolidated cases brought by Gay and and VIP tickets can be purchased for $500 Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) and each. For more sponsorship and ticket in- the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. formation, contact Anne Borg at aborg@ This week’s ruling came in a case, Golinski v.