1976
A group of gay organizations and business known as the Coalition meets at the home of Chuck Renslow to elect new officers. They include Mike Jacobson (Dignity) as moderator, Jim Bussen (Gay Pride Planning Committee) as clerk, Rick Noll (Good Shepherd Parish/MCC) as secretary and Chris Riddiough (Chicago Women’s Liberation Union) as treasurer.

1980
Some of the gay groups active at this time include the Alliance to End Repression, 407 S. Dearborn; Gay Atheist League, 323 S. Franklin, No. 804; Gay Horizons Resource Center, 3225 N. Sheffield; Howard Brown Memorial Clinic, 2676 N. Halsted; the Lesbian Community Center, 3435 N. Sheffield; and Maturity, 100 N. LaSalle.

Bars that are sadly missed include Augie’s/C.K.s, 3726 N. Broadway, now Charlie’s; Lucky Clover Lounge, 2315 W. Fullerton; Coconuts, 5320 N. Sheridan; the gay punk rock bar Oz, 1770 W. Greenleaf; Sharon’s Side Track, 1113 W. Lawrence; Frog Pond, 2917 N. Sheffield; and K’s on Klark, 2568 N. Clark St.

Stuart Wilber’s In A Plain Brown Wrapper art gallery, 2943 N. Halsted, hosts photographer Robert Mapplethorpe’s first major Chicago exhibition. Although the exhibit is dominated by portraiture of men and women, there is a sprinkling of Mapplethorpe’s more controversial imagery, as well as some floral portraits.

At its 15th anniversary banquet, Mattachine Midwest gives veteran gay rights activist Jim Bradford the Pearl Hart Award for co-founding the Chicago chapter of Mattachine in 1965.

1978
The Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church holds a seminar on “Gays and the Methodist Church” at Cenacle House. The featured speaker is Rev. Peggy Way of Vanderbilt University.

1996
Horizons invites you “Through the Looking Glass” at the 7th “Human First” Gala at the Palmer House.

Stephen McCauley, author of “The Object of My Affection” and “The Easy Way Out” signs copies of his new novel “Man of the House” at Unabridged Books, 3251 N. Broadway.

Dos Fallopia, a music and comedy benefit is held at the Bismarck Hotel, 171 W. Randolph, to raise funds for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Teachers Network.

1999
The Chicago Area Lesbian and Gay Chamber of Commerce invites you to its next program: “Y2K and Your Business” at Big Chicks, 5028 N. Sheridan. Two Chamber computer experts, Malik Gillani and Yvette Seifert Hirth, speak about how the Y2K bug can impact you and businesses you deal with.

2002
N TOO U Productions & Antonio present a benefit and birthday celebration for Amailia Black at the Teamsters Union Hall, 330 S. Marshfield. The event is hosted by the Queen of Ho’Nasty Glamour, Miss Flame Monroe, with special guest performances by Erica Christian, Bianca Black, Sasha Velentino, Simply E, Tiara Russell, DJ Valentino, Kenya Black, Indigo Blue, Candy Love, Delores Van-Cartier, Yas’mine Black, Trina Tru Love and Chavelle Brooks.

Thanks to the Gerber/Hart Library at 1127 W. Granville for the use of their collection and archives.