July 18th, 2007
“Hot boys, cold beer…what could be better?” said Chicagoan Jay Gelles as he surveyed the crowd at Wrigley Field July 15. Gelles was one of almost 1,000 participants in CFP’s seventh annual Out at the Ballgame at Wrigley, as the Cubs took on the Houston Astros. Full Story
Editorial
In October 1964, undercover police in Washington, D.C., arrested two middle-aged men after observing them having sex in a YMCA bathroom. Full Story
While our community owes a great deal of respect and appreciation to the Pride Parade committee for their ability to organize and promote Chicago’s annual Pride Parade, I think it is now time for us to conduct this parade where it belongs... Full Story
Nation Report
Richardson apologizes for 'maricon' remark
SPARKS, Nevada—Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson said his use of a Spanish word that some contend is a slur against homosexuals was meant to be playful but apologized to anyone who was offended. Full Story
Dykes on Bikes wins right to keep name
SAN FRANCISCO—The name “Dykes on Bikes” is inoffensive and a legitimate trademark, a federal appeals court ruled last week. Full Story
Man indicted after spending loot on hustler
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Gresham, Ore., man is accused of swindling more than $400,000 from people who gave him money to invest, then spending it lavishly in less than four months on a male prostitute. Full Story
Surgeon general nominee disavows paper on gays
WASHINGTON—President Bush’s nominee for surgeon general insisted July 12 that he harbors no bias against gays in spite of his 1991 writings viewed by some as anti-gay. Full Story
Flynt investigating lawmakers' sexual habits
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.—Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt reveled in Republican Sen. David Vitter’s admission of a “very serious sin” involving an escort service and said he has leads on embarrassing sexual activities involving other members of Congress. Full Story
Ohio bullying policy omits sexual orientation
COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Ohio State Board of Education adopted an anti-bullying policy July 10 after deciding that it should not specifically reference students’ religion or sexual orientation. Full Story
Senate finally confirms Michigan judicial nominee
WASHINGTON—The Senate confirmed the nomination of a judge July 9 who attended a same-sex union ceremony in 2002 and drew criticism from a conservative senator about her views on gay marriage. Full Story
Rev. Tori Spelling does gay weddings
NEW YORK—Tori Spelling is now available for weddings. “Yep, that’s right. Reverend Tori Spelling! I did it last week online and my official certificate is in the mail. I’m so proud,” the 34-year-old actress said in a posting July 9 on the MySpace.com site she shares with her husband, Dean McDermott. Full Story
Opinion
Last week, I used several interviews with gay psychiatrists recently published in “American Psychiatry and Homosexuality” to show how the American Psychiatric Association abandoned its claim that gays are mentally ill. Full Story
On August 9, the top Democratic contenders for president will duke it out in a televised forum on gay rights for the first time ever. Full Story
Dining
The Gage brings Irish home to Chicago
The Irish side of my family jokes that an Irish spice rack contains only salt and dill. Maybe a little pepper if you’re feeling adventurous. In Chicago, that was too often the case, with Irish pubs offering little more than fish and chips (not really Irish), corned beef and cabbage, lamb stew, soda bread and endless variations of potatoes. Full Story
Home
Stocking your home bar: Tips on Selecting the Right Glasses & Supplies
Next to the kitchen, the home bar is where many guests are likely to congregate. Unfortunately, this area of the house tends to get overlooked because the idea of properly setting up a bar can be rather overwhelming for most people. Full Story
Freetime
I was disturbed to read that the Chinese government executed Zheng Xiaoyu, the former State Food and Drug Administration director, for taking bribes from dodgy drug companies that resulted in at least 10 deaths. I don’t agree with the death penalty under any circumstances. Full Story
“The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman: Season One” (IFC)—If there was ever any doubt about the lack of sanity in Hollywood, then writer/actress/comedian Laura Kightlinger’s outrageously funny cable series... Full Story
It’s hot! Searing temperatures, wildfires in the west, it’s global warming and Hollywood Beach tan time—unless, of course, you’re unpleasant to the eye and then it’s better you stay indoors and stop spoiling the view for everyone else. Full Story
Kyle's Bed & Breakfast by Greg Fox
In August, Evelyn "Champagne" King, whose 1977 disco dusty "Shame" remains a classic of the genre, is releasing "Open Book," her first new album in several years. Full Story
Our Back Pages: July 18 - July 24
1977. Popular gay nightlife spots include the River’s Edge restaurant and bar, 325 N. Wells, opposite the Merchandise Mart, with outside seating by the river; the Medinah Lounge at Clark and Fullerton, for dinner and cocktails; the Chakiris Club, 5820 N. Broadway, a Latin American disco and cocktail lounge. Full Story
More News
Sure, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is like a 17-year-old boy with a PlayStation when it comes to spending tax dollars—he just can’t stop himself. So the report the other day by the Southern Illinoisan that the gov spent $600 related to his March budget address to the Legislature shouldn’t be a shocker, right? Full Story
Gay Games broke even, group says
Almost a year after the 2006 Gay Games took place in Chicago, organizers announced they’ve raised enough post-Games funds to balance the books, the first time the quadrennial event has finished in the black since 1986. Full Story
Shelter avoids suit, agrees to sensitivity training
A Chicago woman who said she was denied access to a homeless shelter because she is a lesbian said last week that she will not file a lawsuit against the shelter, according to the Chicago Tribune. Full Story
Philly reaps rewards from effort to draw gay tourists
PHILADELPHIA—When the city of Philadelphia rolled out a national ad campaign aimed at gay tourists four years ago, some of the commercials featured same-sex couples in colonial costumes. Full Story
D.C. public art project celebrates HIV caregivers
WASHINGTON—A public art project celebrating individuals who have worked to ease the suffering of people living with HIV and AIDS is taking shape in the heart of Washington’s gay community. Full Story
Turkey's GLBT community fights for rights and acceptance
ANKARA, Turkey—In the 1980s and 1990s, Turkish police routinely raided gay bars, detained transvestites and banned homosexual conferences and festivals. Full Story
Chicagoans celebrate Latino Pride in Humboldt Park
Folks enjoyed beautiful weather, great food, music and games July 14 as Orgullo en Accion joined with Amigas Latinas, the Association of Latino Men for Action and others to celebrate at the annual Latina/o GLBTQQ Pride Picnic in Humboldt Park. Full Story
Freestyle
Michael Worley's Neo-classical art
Over the past 15 years Chicago artist Michael Worley has quietly produced more than 50 paintings and drawings but never made any effort to exhibit them publicly, keeping them, as the Russians say of private literature, “for the drawer.” Full Story
July 19: Twin Wrecks the Memory plays Ronny’s Bar, 2101 N. California, with Team Band and Mr. Russia, at 8 p.m. Full Story
While the Black Ensemble Theater’s “Those Sensuous Seductive 70s” definitely delivers on its title’s promise, it also charms with a heartwarming look at a loving, hardworking African American family in the 1970s. Jackie Taylor’s script is slight but sweet and the familial interactions make for a nice contrast to the saucy and sweaty concert vignettes that dominate the show’s framework. Full Story
Seeing stars: Popular products in celebrity circles
In the GLBT community, we take endorsements seriously—the exception being the guys who support Mitt Romney because he’s hot. Full Story
Music
Folk music probably isn’t the first thing that most people think of when they think about the music of Chicago. They most likely think of the blues and Koko Taylor. Full Story
Revolutionary: An interview with out singer/songwriter Dylan Rice
As career trajectories go, Dylan Rice’s is rather impressive. In a short period of time the openly gay singer/songwriter from Chicago (via Utah) has released his first CD, 2005’s “Wandering Eyes,” which went on to win him an Outmusic Award for Outstanding Debut Disc. He caught the attention of out ex-Styx member Chuck Panozzo. Full Story
Another Pitchfork Music Festival has come and gone. If you missed this one, which featured acts such as Oxford Collapse, Jamie Lidell, Battles, Brightblack Morning Light, Girl Talk, The Field, and Klaxons, to name a few, you’d be wise not to hesitate... Full Story
Cinema
“Interview” (Sony Pictures Classics)—There are some gay movie fans sure to remember Steve Buscemi as Nick, a gay man living with AIDS, in the groundbreaking independent movie “Parting Glances.” He’s come a long way since then, appearing in both big budget Hollywood flicks and indie features. Full Story