By Sukie de la Croix

this week in...

1968

It’s the Grand Opening of Bert’s bar, The Place, at 1840 N. Wells, with a buffet and your hosts Bert, Roy, Eddie and Boom Boom.

1973

Chicago’s first Gay Community Center at 171 W. Elm closes down due to lack of funds. Chicago Gay Alliance had opened the center in February 1971. Plans are announced for the formation of two new gay centers, one to be called “Lambda House,” the other “Gay Horizons.”

1974

A Lesbian’s Writer’s Conference is held at the First Unitarian Church in Hyde Park. Over 130 women attend.

1976

Maturity, a new lesbian and gay group for over-40s, meets at 108 N. Germania Place for a special program presented by Chef Louis Szathmary of the world-renowned restaurant The Bakery.

1979

Larry “Molly” Berlandi, of the Nutbush City Limits bar, is the emcee for the first annual Miss Piggy Contest at Cheeks, 2730 N. Clark St. The event is a benefit for the Gay Athletic Association.

DJ Dick Guenther’s Top 5 dance hits at Man’s Country are 1) “Tryouts For the Human Race” by Sparks; 2) “Over and Over” by Disco Circus; 3) “Come to Me” by France Joli; 4) “Never Trust a Pretty Face” by Amanda Lear; and 5) “Discovery” by the Electric Light Orchestra.

Gay bars that are gone but not forgotten include Shari’s, 2901 N. Clark St.; Kitty Sheon, 745 N. Rush St.; Petunia’s, 2559 N. Southport; O’Banion’s, 661 N. Clark St.; Broadway Limited, 3132 N. Broadway; and Elsewhere, 3170 N. Clark St.

1980

A spokesperson from the Illinois Gay Rights Task Force testifies before Mayor Jane Byrne’s Committee on Cable Television and requests the cable ordinance ensure that gays and lesbians have access to cable TV programming.

1984

Stardust, a female vocal trio specializing in music from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, give a benefit concert for the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus at Trianon, 3150 N. Halsted.

The Greater Chicago Gay and Lesbian Democrats changes its name to the Prairie State Democratic Club.

1989

Chi-Town Squares hosts the Great Chicago Crossfire, a square dance festival featuring lesbian and gay square dancers from across the country. Scheduled dances include “Find Your Flame,” “Fan Your Flames” and “Smoldering Flames.”

1996

To celebrate their first anniversary, It’s Time Illinois!, the political action group for the transgender community, host a fundraising evening at LaVilla restaurant, 3638 N. Pulaski. Guest speakers include Rick Garcia, executive director of the Illinois Federation for Human Rights (IFHR); Lana Hostetler, IFHR Springfield lobbyist; and Ellen Meyers, from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Task Force on Gay and Lesbian Issues.

1999

Live lesbian music this week includes Michele Malone in concert at Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark St., and Madison-based Tara Ayres, Barb Cheron and Friends at the Mountain Moving Coffeehouse at 1650 W. Foster.

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