A Chicago Gender Society Publication THE PRIMROSE IN

The
Primrose
A Chicago Gender Society Publication
Volume 30, Number 1
THE PRIMROSE
IN JANUARY
3/President’s Report
by Nicole R.
6/Vice President’s Report
by Karen Lynn
7/More Americans Claim
To Have Seen A
Ghost Than A
Transgender Per
son
10/Secretary’s Report
by Jackie Miller
11/Creating Change
Conference
12/CGS Faces: Dec. Mtg.
14/Treasurer’s Report
14/You Cannot Put Genie
Back in the Bottle
16/Holiday Party Pics
20/Transgender
Bookshelf
by Brenda Johnson
21/Social Corner
25/TransCalendar
by Audry Farber
26/Trans Directory
27/Membership Form
Transgender Education and Support for 29 Years
Tucson Opens Arizona's First VA Clinic for
Trans Veterans
Transgender veterans in southern Arizona have a new
resource to turn towards when they need medical,
clinical, or mental health care: the nation's fourth
trans-focused VA health clinic opened in Tucson on
Wednesday.
At least 130 patients have already signed up to receive health services at Southern Arizona Department
of Veterans Affairs Health Care System’s newest
clinic in Tucson, according to local TV station WCNC. The Transgender Treatment Team at the
clinic, which offers specialized health services for
trans vets, began seeing patients Wednesday in its
location on the second floor of the Southern Arizona
VA’s Women's Health building.
January 2016
JANUARY CGS
MONTHLY MEETING
Tuesday, Jan. 12
January is Wine Tasting
time at CGS.
Start off your New Year
right.
Come in from the cold to
see what we are up to.
"I think it's absolutely wonderful. We're finally recognized by the world and by the VA and for us to
have our own special clinic is unbelievable,” Sue
McConnell, a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War, told Tucson News Now.
McConnell, who was a boiler technician, meaning
she worked "at the very bottom" of ammunition
ships, was adamant when speaking with WCNC that
the specialized services offered at the Tucson clinic
have been well-earned by the veterans seeking to access them.
Sonia Perez-Padilla, a physician who serves on the
Tucson VA Transgender Treatment Team, praised
the clinic’s “welcoming environment” to WCNC. She
noted that before the clinic opened, trans vets were at
risk of poor health because they often avoided medical treatment for fear of transphobic censure or they
self-medicated by obtaining transitioning medication
such as hormones from the Internet.
Cont’d. on page 15
Sponsored by our
friends at:
SideTrack
The
Primrose
A Chicago Gender Society Publication
Since 1987
Serving the transgender
community in the Chicago
metropolitan area
The Primrose is published monthly by:
The Chicago Gender Society
P.O. Box 66595
Chicago, IL 60666-0595
E-mail us at [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nicole Richmond….……....……...……………...President
Karen Richmond....……...……………...….Vice-President
Jackie Miller...….…………………………...…...Secretary
Audry Farber…...………..…………...…………Treasurer
Brenda Johnson……………...…..Representative-at-Large
The Primrose Staff
Karen Lynn / contact: [email protected]
Reprint Policy
The Primrose exists to serve the needs of the Chicago Gender Society and the transgender community at large. Feel
free to copy any non-copyrighted material. We ask that
you include the source (the name of the newsletter, the
cover date, and the author.) If you edit, please keep the
spirit of the original intact. Copyrighted material, required
the author’s permission BEFORE reprinting it.
Check your mailing label for important membership
information!
Expiration Date, Membership Number, Your requested
MAILING NAME, address. Always check your expiration date. If the date is the current month or older, it’s
time to renew your membership.
CGS Annual Membership
Single—$50.00
Couple—$75.00
Opinions and comments expressed are not necessarily
those of the Primrose or the Chicago Gender Society
2 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
President’s Report
Notes from Nicole
by Nicole Richmond
As I have said before, the days turn to weeks, the weeks
turn to months and the months turn to years. How fast
time flies, another year has gone by.
We had a lot of fun things to do this year: Our last event
was our annual Holiday Party. We got to the hotel Friday
night about 6 pm. Went for a nice dinner with friends,
returned to the hotel bar to socialize with friends. As I
was walking into the bar a gal that sitting at the corner
stool jumped up and gave me a big hug. It caught me off
guard a little, not used women grabbing me like that.
Then she said she was so glad that we could be ourselves.
A lot of girls were there for a nice late night dinner. Jill
and I sat there long enough to watch the bartender close
up for the night.
On Saturday night we had our Holiday Party. We started
off with dinner, dessert was served and Those Funny Little People came out and danced for us. That was a nice
touch from one of your generous donators. Then we all
put on our dancing shoes and danced to your DJ Derek
from Big Lights Big Dreams. What a lot of fun he was.
The silent auction went very well.
seconded outing was in October with ten ladies golfing.
We have had our golf outings at Crane’s Landing golf
course, in Lincolnshire, Il. for the past several years. It is
a gorgeous course to play on with beautiful scenic views.
The staff has always been pleasant and courteous to our
group.
Our bowling outing has been held Elk Grove Bowl for the
past two years. Our group has been well accepted there
and the staff is great. It was funny this year when Jackie
walked in, the lights went out, not for good, just for a candle light bowl. We had twenty there for pizza and bowling. This has always been a fun night out.
Last but not least the Pride Parade. What a fun day to be
with friends. CGS and ChiChapter have been getting together for the last couple of years. If you have never been
to the parade you should. It’s a blast riding on a float in
one of Chicago’s biggest parades. Seeing all people lined
up on both sides of the pride route cheering us on in support and looking for beads and more beads. I had told Karen about the beads; it’s like feeding baby birds. Arms
waving over here, over here, more beads. It’s a lot of fun.
In closing it’s been a fun year for me. I hope everyone has
enjoyed the events that CGS has hosted. On a more serious side, our past president Jackie P. had told me that she
would like to see me doing some more outreaches. Well
she got her wish; she got me to talk at an outreach with
the Menza group; and a couple of meet and greets. All in
all it has been a lot of fun for me, it has made me feel a lot
better about myself and I thank her for that. Until next
month, keep your head up and keep smiling.
I would like to thank all of the Vendors that donated to
the silent auction, the volunteers who helped all night to
make the party an enjoyable night. After the party a group
of us, including our DJ Derek went to the bar to close it
down again and then to move the lobby. I’m not used to
being up that late.
It was tough trying to get up the next morning for a swim
in the pool with Audry. I was a little late but went swimming anyway. Then went to breakfast and said good bye
to all of our friends.
Thanksgiving dinner was nice to be with all of our friends
and family with Roman and Teresa at the Stardust.
The Halloween party is always a fun night of dinner and
dancing. Then as you sit there looking around the room at
all of spectacular costumes and the talent it to took to design them. A special thanks goes out to Rori and her staff
from Transformations for hosting this party.
Moving farther back, we hosted two golf outings this
year. The first one in June. We had eight attend and the
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 3
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 5
Vice President Report
Karen’s Konnections
by Karen Richmond
Last month: The meeting opened with the “Dumb Question of the Night: What was your favorite childhood
Christmas gift? Audry’s famous gift exchange was held
with gift stealing and re-selecting another gift. A lot of
fun to participate in. Many toys were collected for Toys
for Tots. And of course, pizza was a big hit!
I would like to thank those that helped with the Holiday
Party. Raquel, for obtaining all the donations in the city;
Kristine, Katie and Shirley for helping us unload our vehicle; Katie Shirley, Linda Patricia and Maschell for helping
set up the items in the ballroom.
January Meeting: Annual Wine Tasting! A big thank
you to Brad at SideTrack.
February Meeting: Nominations for the 2016-2017
board positions.
Happy New Year……Another year has come and gone.
Quickly, I might add. My mother always told me, “The
older you get...the faster they go.” And boy, was she right.
How to celebrate the New Year coming in: with family,
friends, or out at a private event? As many of you know
me, you know that I like to plan and organize things. This
goes way back.
If you’ve read my past articles, you know that I grew up
living with my Grandma. Which also met that during the
summer months and the week between Christmas and the
New Year, my cousins (all girls) visited.
One cousin is three years older than me, the next one is
eight months younger than me, and the youngest is about
five years younger.
The one closest in age was my partner in these events. We
would plan the entire New Year’s Eve party. We’d start
early in the week and plan a menu, games, prizes, decorations, etc.
Once we had the menu planned, we’d have Grandma take
us to the grocery store. Since we were probably around
ten years old, our options were limited.
6 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
One year, my brother got a Habachi Grill for Christmas
and we hired him to be our cook. It was a tabletop model
and our parents let him use it in our family room on the
coffee table. Good thing he was a Boy Scout! (No accidental fires were started.)
We would have a table full of different snacks ready to eat
between our games. Sometimes it would be Bingo, sometimes it would be a round of Tripoley. It all depended on
how much time we wanted to involve everyone.
And of course Guy Lombardo’s New Year’s Eve special
was playing on the television. As we didn’t get a color
television until Christmas 1973, we always wondered
what color the beautiful dresses were that the ladies were
wearing.
Since it was New Year’s Eve, our parents would give
each of us a small glass of Mogan David wine mixed with
7-Up. Boy, we thought we were hot shots!
At midnight we would sing Auld Lang Syne, wish everyone a Happy New Year and wander off the bed.
As 2016 arrives, my wish to you is:
Everything which inspires you,
Everything which means most to you,
Everything that makes a small and bring a joy,
I wish for you in the New Year.
Til next month……
Over and Out.
More Americans claim to have seen a
ghost than a transgender person
Does this mean that trans people are not represented
enough in society?
From: The GayStarNews
More Americans have claimed to have seen a ghost than a
transgender person.
That statistic is according to trans activist Faye Seidler,
who is calling on trans people to come out and be open in
every part of their lives if it is safe to do so.
An activist from Fargo, North Dakota, she was misgendered and discriminated against the hospital she
worked for while she transitioned, and ultimately was
forced to leave. She is now working to fight for employment rights for trans people.
‘As a trans leader, offering education and outreach for my
community, I’m not afraid to fight,’ she said in a recent
profile in the New York Times. ‘And most importantly,
that I will never give up the fight to be treated human.’
What’s concerning is that Seidler may well be very accurate when she said trans people were less visible in Americans’ lives than ghosts.
Nearly one-in-five US adults (18%) have claimed to have
seen or been in the presence of a ghost, according to a
2009 Pew Research Center survey.
And in 2013, a Public Religion Research Institute survey
found only 9% of US adults had said they had met a trans
person. 24% also said they were not sure what the word
‘transgender’ meant and 5% said they had not heard the
term before.
AMBER
DENTAL
Dr. Michael W. Koehne, D.D.S.
Dr. Diane M. Metrick, D.D.S.
319 E. Roosevelt Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630-665-5555
www.AmberDental.com
Email: [email protected]
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 7
8~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 9
Secretary’s
Report
by Jackie Miller
ceived as a child?
A short break was taken at 8:55 p.m.
During the break the pizzas arrived. And at 9:45 Audry’s
Famous Gift Exchange began. 13 people participated. It’s
an experience you should not miss.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
As reported by Karen Lynn in Jackie’s absence
The December Business Meeting of the Chicago Gender
Society was held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. The
meeting was called to order by President, Nicole at 8:22
p.m. with 22 members and 5 guests in attendance.
Announcements were as follows:
Nicole opened the meeting talking about past Christmas’.
Growing up, special times. etc.
Nicole reminded everyone that the CGS Holiday Party is
this coming weekend.
Nicole announced that the 2015 SideTrack Holiday Party
is next Thurs., Dec. 17 from 6:00 pm—2:00 am. Karen
will send an email blast to those members whose emails
that we have.
Brenda introduced three new members: Nancy, Wendy
and Jennifer. She also reintroduced, Jill, who joined last
month.
Katrina announced that the United Church of Rogers
Park, located at 1545 W Morse Ave., Chicago is having a
free Christmas Concert on Sun., Dec. 20th at 7:00 p.m.
Olivia announced that Rori’s T-Party is next Tues., Dec.
15th at Big Shot Lounge in Arlington Heights.
Olivia also announced that there is a “Night Club at
Noon” on New Year’s Eve at the Sabre Room in Hickory
Hills. Tickets are $40.00 on sale at Transformations.
Raquel announced there will be a New Year’s Party at
Hamburger Mary’s.
Raquel also stated that her church, GLOW, is having a
social afterwards.
Raquel said to call Rev. Bradley (708) 848-5460at the
New Spirit Church in Oak Park for the holiday mass
schedule.
Nicole then asked the “Dumb Question” of the night.
What was your favorite Christmas present that you re10 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
Our Toys for Tots collection ready for delivery!
https://www.creatingchange.org
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 11
CGS Faces: December Meeting
Katie, Danni & Shirley
Raquel
Susan & Donna
Wendy, Katrina & Emily
Jackie P, Audry, Nicole & Brenda
Lyseth & Jocelyn
12 ~ Chicago Gender
The Gift Exchange Begins
Oh
Christmas
Tree….
Oh
Christmas
Tree….
Santa Tony
Lyseth, Jakcie & Brenda get instructions!
&
Nicole
Gift Exchange Mistress Audry
Katrina
&
Santa Tony
Toys for Tots Collection
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 13
“You Cannot Put Genie Back in the Bottle”
Treasurer’s
Report
By Audry Farber
TREASURER’S REPORT for December 2015
Bank of America reports the starting balance for the
December Operating Acct. is $11,530.06
Income for the month was $846.00.
Expenses were $2,216.6 leaving an Ending Balance
of $10,982.54 for December.
by: Audry Farber
After a good cleansing breath, I opened the car door. It felt
strange to be wearing so much clothing. I had to be careful
not to knock my hat/wig off and Pete the Parrot presented a
huge logistics challenge. I reached over to get my sword off
of the passenger seat, and tucked it in my sash. I moved in a
dream-like state toward the door. No one had seen me. I
could still retreat, but I did not. The first office that I came
to was HR. I stopped to give them some forewarning, but
the administrative assistant was on the phone and barely
glanced up at me. I took a piece of Halloween candy from a
basket and left.
I came to the atrium. Still no one had crossed my path.
Thoughts of fleeing abounded, but I fought them off as
moved ahead.
I turned into the business office. The first person I encounter
is the new Director of HR. She looked at me and looked at
me again. She did not recognize me. In my big wig, it was
challenging. She shouted “oh my god!!!” She had figured it
out. It was time to explain, but I had not thought that
through. I said something like (in my Jim voice), “I am
Grace O’Malley, Irish Pirate Queen…and I am
transgendered”. I know “transgendered” is not the most correct way to describe who I am, but that is what I said. Just
being able to say those words is so significant to me. To
stand proud and unapologetic, and say, “I am
transgendered”, was so awesome. I felt almost drunk. She
said, “this is fabulous…I have to show you to Jordan”. Jordan is the Executive Director of the entire organization. My
explanation to him was very close to what I said to the HR
Director. He said that the costume was good, though he did
not seem very impressed.
The costume really stands on its own. Me wearing it made it
all the more fabulous.
I walked toward my desk. I ran into Matt who is the only
person who reports to me in the organization. He exhibited
shock. I gave him my “Grace O’Malley…” speech. He
seemed amazed. He then asked me what “transgendered”
meant. I explained that it means a lot of things to a lot of
people, but for me, it means that I have a girl inside of me
who is trying to get out and express herself…” He seemed
fine with that.
Word started to spread, and people were coming over to me
to see. Everyone wanted a picture, and I would graciously
pose. When asked “whose boots are those?” I replied, “They
are my boots. I have a closet full. I am transgendered”. All
through the day, I encountered people who were filled with
questions.
Cont’d. on page 18
14 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
Cont’d. from front page
The clinic also provides an alternative for trans vets who
previously would only see a primary care doctor for almost all care.
After years of piecemeal progress and legal challenges by
trans veterans, the VA's trans-affirming measures have
mushroomed this year. Last month the VA opened its first
health care clinic dedicated to transgender service members in Cleveland. Using space inside the Louis Stokes
Cleveland VA Medical Center in Ohio, this clinic offers
primary-care services, along with hormonal therapy, and
mental health care. Currently, there are about two dozen
trans patients among the 112,000 people who receive care
at that facility.
Stardust Banquet
5688 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60646
773-775-3040
Supporters of CGS for over 20 years!
There are approximately 134,000 trans veterans, and an
estimated 15,500 active duty service members are
transgender, according to the Human Rights Campaign. In
July, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter confirmed that
the Pentagon is working on a plan that would lift the military’s long-standing ban on open service by transgender
Americans in as little as six months.
By Cleis Abeni
December 17 2015
Clary Kay
12/27
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 15
The Holiday Party
Charlotte & Stephanie
Roberta, Diane, Julie & Rori
Dianna, Julia & Susan
Katie & Shirley
Konnie & Aunt Jamie
Nicole, Jackie & Ralph
Guess Who These High Heels
Belong Too?
Deb, Santa & Kelly
Sharon & Janna
Ruby
Linda
16 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
Denise & our bartender Alex
DJ Derek takes the floor
Our D.J. ~ Derek
Those Funny Little People!
Angelica & Elf Abby
Elf Wally dancing with the ladies
Elf Abby & Danni
Elf Wally crooning to Jami
Susan & Wally
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 17
Cont’d. from page 14
“Who did your make-up?” “Me…I am transgendered.”
”Are you wearing a bra?” “Yes…I am transgendered.”
“How do you know how to walk so well in those heels?”
“I know lots of things that I should not know, because I
am transgendered…and I have been walking in heels for a
very long time.” One said to another, “He will not be able
to wear them all day”. I vowed that I would, and was not
too inclined to show my bad pedi through my stockinged
feet.
At 10 am the photo shoot was scheduled to happen for all
in costume. I was in a daze from all the attention and trying to figure out what it all meant. I work with social
workers who are predominately female. Not surprisingly,
all the people in costume were female. They fought over
who would stand next me in the photo. I was like a celebrity. I did not mind the attention, but what was really
making me feel fantastic was that I being honest and people were responding positively.
Glenna said, “you look pretty…can I say that to you?” I
replied, “I am transgendered, so I take that as a compliment.”
Linda asked if I ever “get out”. I told her all the time, and
then, went on tell her a little bit about the girls’ weekend
in Saugatuck.
Arlene said, “I hope we get to see more of you…”
As the day wore on, Pete the Parrot started to droop. I
recruited Matt to help. He suggested stapling Pete’s claws
to a piece of cardboard inside my blouse. He worked with
enthusiasm, no doubt seeing my bra strap under the
blouse. Pete was more stable after the little operation.
Matt seemed did not seem traumatized at all by the experience. It seemed natural to me that he would help a girl
out.
I was in a meeting with my boss, and (without thinking) I
crossed my legs tightly, in a most girlish manner. That is
so natural for me and it always is fantastic while wearing
stockings. I felt like maybe that was too much, but she did
not seem to notice and I did not retreat.
At lunch, I hopped in the car (“I’m Just a Girl” playing
loudly) and went to Starbucks. I am a regular there. When
asked about the costume, I gave the usual explanation.
They gave me a free coffee. It was unseasonably warm. I
sat outside basking in the glory of what I had done and
what I was doing.
Back at work, a co-worker who had been out in the morning came by. She is very religious. She said three things:
“scary…don’t get used to it…and what will your grand18 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
children think?” She also asked me what bathroom I had
been using. She is the facilities person, so maybe that was
a reasonable question. She was the only hint of negativity.
Toward the end of the day, I was helping a new social
worker with a computer issue. She exclaimed, “I am talking to a woman who talks like a man…”
This was not the most productive day in my career in
terms of things that I achieved, but yet it was one of the
most productive days of my life in terms of taking steps
to live as my true self.
At the end of the day I walked triumphantly to my car.
Just 24 hours prior, I would not have thought myself capable of this. Now it was reality. When I turned the car
on, I was greeted by the song of the day. Two co-workers
followed me out to their cars just down from mine. I
rolled down the window. I was about to start singing,
“I’m just a girl” to them, but thought better of it. I just
waved goodbye. I put the car in drive and headed for
home, with the song playing loudly all the way.
Transgender Bookshelf
Becoming Nicole
The Transformation of an
American Family
Author: Amy Ellis Nutt
Book Review by: Brenda Johnson
This newly published book by a Pulitzer Prize winning
author tells the inspiring story of the Kelly and Wayne
Maines and their two children. It documents their struggles and victories in dealing with situations they never
envisioned when they adopted identical twin male designated children. They named the children Wyatt and Jonas, and their birth date was October 7, 1997.
As the children developed into toddlers, the parents noticed that a difference began to emerge between them.
While Jonas loved Star Wars and Power Rangers, Wyatt
played constantly with Barbie toys. While Jonas developed as classic male child, Wyatt preferred to dress in
pink, and became infatuated with a princess dress. Although he was a dedicated father to both children, Wayne
Maines found it very difficult to accept Wyatt’s behavior
as a young child. Kelly Maines was determined to support Wyatt despite any unusual tendencies, but also was
very challenged in her attempts to understand the situation.
The parents struggled to find a middle ground as the
children entered school. Wyatt was allowed to have longer hair and wear more gender neutral clothing to school,
and fortunately had a very supportive early education
environment. Kelly then saw Jennifer Boylan on the
Oprah Winfrey show in May of 2003, and felt she finally
understood Wyatt’s situation. Kelly became Wyatt’s
strong advocate, and worked with family, friends, and the
school staff in providing both her children a supportive
environment.
In April of 2006, Wyatt began counselling with psychologist Virginia Holmes. He was then referred to Dr. Norman Spack, Pediatric Endocrinologist at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Spack informed the parents that Wyatt clearly appeared to have gender dysphoria, and outlined a program that would begin with hormone blockers
around the age of twelve. Dr. Spack would track the simultaneous development of Jonas who would experience
traditional male puberty identical to Wyatt without the
20 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
blockers. Assuming all other guidelines were met in the
process, Wyatt would be allowed to begin hormone treatments around age sixteen.
Dr. Spack’s involvement was a great relief to the parents
who supported Wyatt’s legal name change to Nicole as
she prepared to enter fifth grade and a new school environment. The family also saw Barbara Walters’ 20/20
show on the transition of Jazz Jennings in April of
2007.These positive developments were quickly overshadowed by pressure from the Christian League of
Maine, and harassment at the new school regarding Nicole’s use of the girls’ restroom facilities. The problem
was compounded by a lack of support by the new school
administration, and resulted in the filing of a complaint
with the Maine Human Rights Commission in April,
2008.
The lack of understanding by the school administration
became intolerable as they designated a staff person to
follow Nicole throughout the day for her “safety”. In order to provide a more supportive environment, the difficult and burdensome decision was made for Kelly and the
two boys to move to Portland, Maine and enter a new
school. Wayne would remain in their current city of Orono, Maine to retain his job at the University of Maine and
commute on weekends to be with his family. Nicole
would enter the new school as a girl, and only the administration would know of her transgender status.
Nicole started blockers at age thirteen, and also had a
wonderful experience during the summer at Camp
Aranu’tiq (the facility where Be-All donated the funds to
build a cabin for the campers). Wayne Maines now became active in lobbying the Maine legislature on
transgender issues, and evolved into a great supporter of
Nicole. The family also decided that Nicole and Jonas
should attend a private high school that was very accommodating to Nicole’s situation.
The family’s struggles were eventually rewarded with a
trip to the White House in 2012, and a victory in the
Maine Supreme Judicial court in 2014. That victory included a settlement that helped defray the enormous cost
the family had incurred over the years in providing Nicole with a supportive educational environment. It also
assured that future transgender children in Maine would
not have to deal with unreasonable burdens in the future.
Cont’d. on page 22
Social Corner
The CGS Social is the
4th Tues of the month at
Peggy Kinnane’s
8 N. Vail Avenue,
Arlington Heights, IL
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 21
Cont’d. from page 20
Nicole had sexual reassignment surgery in the summer
of 2015, and entered college at the University of Maine
in the Fall. The Maines family is certainly to be commended for their incredible tenacity and support of each
other over so many difficult years of challenges.
I found this to be an extremely well written book by a
fine author. In addition to describing the many problems
facing the Maines family, the author frequently dedicated portions of the book to providing background information and historical context to the material. This results
in a book that I enthusiastically recommend to our readers.
THE MIDWEST’S LARGEST LGBT GALA and
FUNDRAISER
SUPPORTS THE WORK OF EQUALITY ILLINOIS
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Hilton Chicago Hotel, 720 South Michigan Avenue
The book is available in hardcover for approximately
$16.00, and in electronic form for $14.00.
event of its kind in the Midwest, drawing more than 1,400 guests, including nearly
100 public officials and many more community VIPs.
You have helped create all the successes and milestones of
our movement over the last quarter century and we want to
celebrate with you at the most anticipated, elegant and fun
society event of the year
The Equality Illinois 25th Anniversary Gala promises to
be a night to remember. The Midwest’s largest LGBT formal event will celebrate a quarter-century’s worth of accomplishments and the exciting work that lies ahead to
achieve full equality. Some very special honorees will also
make this one of our most exciting galas.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will receive the
2016 Equality Illinois Freedom Award. The Mariano’s
grocery chain will receive the 2016 Business Leadership
Award.
22 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 23
24 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
TransCalendar
Upcoming Events in the Transgender Community
By Audry Farber
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 25
Directory of Groups, Advertisers & Meeting Places
Susanne Anderer, Electrolysis………………….…..………….…815-469-0050
8206 Woodvale, Frankfort, IL 60423
Cassie Electrolysis……………………………….……………..…773-919-4247
7000 W North Ave., Chicago, IL 60707
[email protected]
Center on Halsted, GLBT Comm. Center…………………..…..773-472-6469
3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60613.
Chi Chapter………………………………………………..……...708-383-1677
PO Box 303, Wood Dale, IL 60191-0303
http://chi-chapter.org
Lifestyle Illusions Transformations……………………………..630-247-7143
Errol McLendon Life Coach, Career Counseling………………….773-562-1752
1411 Wenonah Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402
The Mosaic Identity Style/Image Consulting...…………………...630-691-3250
E-mail: [email protected] www.MosaicIdentity.com
New Spirit Community Church…………..……………………...708-848-5460
542 S. Scoville, Oak Park, IL 60304-1404
Royal Imperial Sovereign Barony of the Windy City………......773-334-3296
PO Box 804545, Chicago, IL 60680-4107
E-mail: [email protected] www.baronyofchicago.org
Club Krave……………………………………………….……..…708-597-8379
Sally Ann Corset Shop…………………………………………....773-298-1031
13126 S. Western Ave., Blue Island, IL 60406-22409
10501 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
Congregation or Chadash………………………………...……....773-271-2148
SideTrack………………………………………………………….773-477-9189
5959 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660
3349 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60657-2426
Office@ orchadash.org www.orchadash.org
www.sidetrackchicago.com
Stevie D. Conlon, Attorney at Law……………………..………..312-213-2311
Stardust Banquet Hall…………………………………………….773-775-3040
[email protected] www.stevieconlon.com
5688 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60646-6222
Clear4Life Electrolysis, P.C………………………….. ……….815-266-1405
Susan O’Dell, Phd………………………………………………...773-252-7010
355 Congdon Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
1435 W Rosemont Avenue., Chicago, IL
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.Clear4life.com
Dignity Chicago……………………………………………..…….773-296-0780
3344 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657-3520
www.dignitychicago.org
Gemini Gender Group……………………………………………414-297-9328
PO Box 44211, Milwaukee, WI 53214-7222
Taste Food and Wine……………………………………………..773-761-2663
1506 W. Jarvis, Chicago, IL 60626
www.tastefoodandwine.com
Transformations by Rori…………..……………………………..847-454-0600
110 S. Arlington Hts Rd., Arlington Hts., IL 60005
www.transformationsbyrori.com
Healthy Alternatives…………………………………………...….312-553-9504 Deb Wilke, Ed.D., LCPC…...…………………………………….630-759-9799
30 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60603
Zukowski Center…………………………………………...……..847-853-8869
700 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60707
3612 W. Lake Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091
Howard Brown Health Center…………………………………...773-388-1600
4025 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60613
JannasStudio……………………………………………………....708-366-9056
[email protected]
www.jannasstudio.com
Karen’s Electrolysis Studio……………………………...……….630-985-8818
2328 Charmingfare Dr., Woodridge, IL By appointment only
Kelly Inc. Electrolysis & Spa………………………...…………...708-386-4663
715 Lake St., Suite 300, Oak Park, IL 60301
Dr. Michael W. Koehne D.D.S…………………………………...630-665-5555
319 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187
The Living Circle……………………………….………………...847-581-9136
7045 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60645 www.thelivingcircle.org
LeDame Footwear…………..…………………………………….877-365-6147
www.ledame.com
26 ~ Chicago Gender Society (chicagogender.com)
January 2016 ~ The Primrose ~ 27