By Sukie de la Croix

this week in...

1976 Chicago celebrates Lesbian Pride Week with events ranging from demonstrations of weightlifting, karate and self-defense to a talk on health issues at Women in Crisis Can Act (WICCA) at 1139 W. Webster. Festivities also include a poetry night at the Lesbian Feminist Center, 3523 N. Halsted—now the location of Lakeview’s favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, Las Mananitas.

1977 The Illinois Gay Rights Task Force of the Alliance to End Repression, a group of 70 religious and community groups, holds a reception for supporters of gay rights legislation at the Dewes Mansion, 503 W. Wrightwood—Chuck Renslow’s home.

1979 Monica Monet & RM Productions presents the 5th annual Miss Gay USA, Illinois Pageant at the world famous Faces Disco, 940 N. Rush St.

Chicago Affirmation: United Methodists for Gay/Lesbian Concerns hosts a party to safarewell to Rev. William Krick, who is moving to San Francisco after six years of working in Chicago’s gay community. Krick founded Chicago Affirmation, and co-founded Gay Horizons, Inc., Howard Brown V.D. Clinic, and the Chicago Gay Health Project.

1980 If you want to be in with the in crowd you need to attend the grand opening of Oz Again, 112 W. Hubbard. The bar is open 8 a.m.-4 a.m. and sells poppers over the bar for $3 a bottle.

Singer David Bowie makes his American stage debut in “The Elephant Man” in the national company of Bernard Pomerance’s Tony Award-winning hit, directed by Jack Hofsis. The play opens at the Blackstone Theater, 60 E. Balbo.

1985 William Higgins’ “Preppy Summer,” starring Rex Donahue, Lee Man, Tim and Larry Richards and lots of California blonds, and “Leo & Lance” are showing at the Bijou Theater, 1349 N. Wells.

1986 Gay businessman Ted Hoerl, owner of the bar Opal Station, hosts a reception for Cook County Commissioner candidate Susan Catania—she was the first sponsor of gay rights legislation in the Illinois House. The event takes place at Bushes, 3320 N. Halsted. A minimum donation of $15 is requested.

The Top Five lesbian bestsellers at Women & Children First are 1) “Desert of the Heart” by Jane Rule; 2) “Emergence of Green” by Katherine Forrest; 3) “Egalia’s Daughter” by Gerd Brantenberg; 4) “Curious Wine” by Katherine Forrest; and 5) “Winter’s Edge” by Valerie Miner.

1992 Chicago’s premier Latino nightlife includes deep house and hot, hot salsa at Hunger, 3336 N. Milwaukee. The dance party is hosted by Miss Ketty with DJ Mike Zuaz and includes a hot pants contest every Tuesday.

The Top Five dance hits played at Hunter’s, 1932 E. Higgins, Elk Grove, are 1) “Dancing Queen” by Erasure; 2) “Everybody’s Free” by Rozalla; 3) “Please Don’t Go” by Double You?; 4) “James Bond Never Dies” by Phenomania; and 5) “A Million Colors” by Channel X.

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