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A MOTHER’S LOVE
page 29
WINDY CITY
TIMES
THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN,
BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985
Oct. 20, 2010
vol 26, no. 3
www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com
Election 2010: It’s Time
Windy City Times’
Election Guide
Pages 11-18
susan stryker
page 25
Windy City Times’ General Election Issue
includes interviews and charts to help local
voters determine who are the best candidates for their offices. The political roundup starts on page 11.
florence henderson
page 27
In good ‘Taste’
Gov’t moves to block
DADT injunction
by Rex Wockner
Editor’s note: Windy City Times will post breaking news online at www.windycitymediagroup.com about Judge Virginia Phillips’ decision regarding the injunction
against ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ as soon as it becomes available.
trevor project
page 9
Trevor Project Executive Director Charles
Robbins was in Chicago last week for a
benefit. Photo by Denver Smith
BEST
NEW
MUSICAL
of 2010*
*Selected by the Chicago Muse Membership
TSOML 10.25x1.5.indd 1
Beyondmedia held its “Taste of Ten” last week to mark its
10th anniversary. See more photos on page 30 and online
at http://www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com. Photo by Kat
Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com)
The U.S. government moved Oct. 14 to block a Riverside, Calif., federal judge’s
worldwide injunction issued two days earlier that bars the government from making any further use of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military gay ban.
Justice Department lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips to suspend the injunction while the government appeals it, saying her mandated, immediate, universal end to DADT was imprudent and could harm the U.S. military.
As of this writing, Phillips had not responded to the stay request, and Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell remains unenforceable worldwide.
In issuing her injunction, Phillips said DADT violates servicemembers’ and prospective servicemembers’ Fifth Amendment due-process rights and First Amendment rights to free speech and to petition for redress of grievances.
She permanently enjoined the United States, the defense secretary and anyone
working with them from enforcing or applying DADT against any person.
Turn to page 5
TICKETS
chicagomuse.org
OR CALL THE BOX OFFICE
773.871.3000
NOV.
7 - JAN. 2
VICTORY GARDENS BIOGRAPH THEATRE
Music and Lyrics by NEIL BARTRAM
Book by BRIAN HILL
Directed by Tony Award Winning Director RICHARD MALTBY JR.
10/12/10 4:24:38 PM
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
2
Obama and the Gays
A POLITICAL MARRIAGE
The new book by Tracy Baim
140
570
photos
pages
and images
With contributions by
Chuck Colbert
Ross Forman
Lisa Keen
Micki Leventhal
Jerry Nunn
Karen Ocamb
Bob Roehr
Senior Editors
Interviews in the book with:
Brian Bond
Stampp Corbin
Eric Stern
Representative Tammy Baldwin
Representative Barney Frank
Representative Jared Polis
Book discussions
and signings:
Wed., Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Women & Children
First Bookstore
5233 N. Clark, Chicago
Wed., Oct. 27, 6 p.m.
Harold Washington
Library
400 S. State Street, Chicago
Essayists
Photographers
Wayne Besen
Renee Brown
Sean Cahill
John Gress
John D’Emilio
Patsy Lynch
Kerry Eleveld
Jamie McGonnigal
Rod McCullom
Rex Wockner
The Rev. Irene Monroe
Israel Wright
Michelangelo Signorile
Pam Spaulding
Timothy Stewart-Winter
Andrew Tobias
Phill Wilson
Toni Armstrong Jr., Jorjet Harper, William B. Kelley
Plus current and former Chicagoans:
Michael Bauer
Lora Branch
Phil Burgess
Tom Chaderjian
Jamie Citron
Terry Cosgrove
Laura Cuzzillo
Justin DeJong
J. Cunyon Gordon
Vernita Gray
Kim Hunt
Mark Ishaug
Sherri Jackson
Art Johnston
Jackie Kaplan
Gail Morse and Lauren Verdich
Mary Morten
David Munar
John Myers
Phil Palmer
Jim Pickett
Laura Ricketts
Jane Saks
Debra Shore
Max Smith
Kevin Thompson
Tom Tunney
Ronald Wadley
Darrell Windle
Israel Wright Jr.
Obama marched in the 2003 Chicago LGBT Pride Parade. His volunteers
posed with the Senate candidate before the parade. Included with
Obama are John Myers (behind Obama’s right shoulder) and Kevin
Thompson, front row, right. Myers and Thompson are among the current
and former Chicagoans interview in the book. Courtesy Kevin Thompson
www.ObamaAndTheGays.com
Available on Amazon.com and Amazon Kindle
tinyurl.com/ObamaGayBook and http://tinyurl.com/ObamaGayKindle
Also available at Women & Children First Bookstore (5233 N. Clark, Chicago) and Unabridged Books (3251 N. Broadway, Chicago)
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
this week in
WINDY CITY TIMES
NEWS
Demonstrators protest Obama
DoJ moves against DADT injunction
Lesbian couple’s DMV troubles
Trevor Project in Chicago
Task force; new bisexual group
Gay in the Life: John Hassey
Views: Cosgrove, Rehwinkel
4
5
9
9
10
19
19
ELECTION GUIDE
Intro; guide to the gays
Charts
Interviews (Simon, Cohen)
11
12
15
Photos on cover (left): Susan Stryker photo
from Stryker; Florence Henderson PR photo;
photo of Trevor Project’s Charles Robbins by
Denver Smith
A MOTH
ER’S LOVE
Essays
28
ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS
Theater: Scott Peck
Theater reviews
Knight: Hereafter; DVD: String
Susan Stryker
Pop; Vicci Martinez; Cho & CGMC
Florence Henderson
Beyondmedia; Safe Schools brunch
Billy Masters
21
22
24
25
26
27
30
33
OUTLINES
Real estate; classifieds
Calendar Q
Sports: Dittmeier
31
32
34
CITY
WINDYS
DOWNLOAD THIS!
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BEST
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‘IT GETS BETTER’
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SOUTHERN COMFORT
The Southern Illinois AIDS Walk took place
this past Saturday. View photos from the
event.
Photo courtesy of Wayne Paynter
‘lust’ IN THE DUST
Jenny McCarthy talks with WCT about
her ‘Lust’-ful new book.
See photos from
Saturday’s peace
march in the Loop.
Lesbian singer/
songwriter Catie
Curtis performed
Oct. 17 in Chicago.
Photo by Chuck Kramer
Photo by Mel Ferrand
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
Read the latest entertainment news
on Rosie O’Donnell, Richard Hatch and
Vince Vaughn, among others.
Soup-er
more PHOTOS
There are scores of photos from
Beyondmedia’s “Taste of Ten” and the
Illinois Safe Schools Brunch.
plus
DAILY BREAKING NEWS
Rip Nelson at
Mary’s Attic
Finchy’s Goingaway party at
Big Chicks
Unpugged turns 1
nightspots
tOctober 13, 2010
See you in
Seattle!
page 8
Rip You a New One
Ed Jones stars in Hell In
a Handbag’s Rip Nelson
Halloween Spooktacular,
playing at Mary’s Attic
through Sat. Nov. 6.
Amuse Bouche looks at sweet potato
and chorizo soup (above); Sugar & Spice
samples the fare at Davanti Enoteca.
Photo courtesy of Danielle Aquiline
Waymon
Hudson for
The Trevor
Project
Show #388
Don’t Ask, just
read Pubert’s
porn review.
page 28
Wild Pug’s
Unpugged
celebrates
one year.
page 12
Find Nightspots on
www.WindyCityQueercast.com
3
4
Robin
McGehee.
Photo by
Rex
Wockner
GetEQUAL
zaps Obama
in Miami
by rex wockner
GetEQUAL attempted to confront President Barack Obama in a three-pronged zap of a fundraiser at NBA star Alonzo Mourning’s home in Miami
on Oct. 11. A fourth component of the protest
allegedly was thwarted by the White House.
As the presidential motorcade drove into the
Coconut Grove estate, activists held large signs
demanding that Obama “End the discharges
now” and announcing, “We’ll give when we
GetEQUAL.” The president reportedly rolled down
his window and waved to the protesters.
A bit later, activists boarded boats and got as
close as possible to the events as Obama spoke
on the estate grounds. They blasted bullhorns
and loudspeakers from a yacht covered with a
banner that said, “Stop the discharges!”
The White House press-pool reporter accompanying Obama made note of the disruption in her
fourth dispatch.
The group also set aloft weather balloons carrying their logo and URL.
A plan to confront Obama inside the fundraiser
was thwarted when the White House refused to
let Anthony Woods attend the pricey soirée, according to GetEQUAL’s version of events. Woods
is a Democratic former congressional candidate
who was fired from the military under the Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell gay ban.
“(Woods) was the guest of Itzel Diaz who was
told to send her information over to the DCCC
(Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) by the deadline on Friday at 5 p.m.,” said
GetEQUAL spokesman Brad Luna. “Itzel spoke
with the DCCC RSVP contact and was told there
was room, that she simply needed to send her
info over by the deadline—which she did—and
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
it would be sent to the White House for clearance. They informed her that she would hear
back from them at 11 a.m. (Oct. 11). However,
when they did not call at 11 a.m., Itzel phoned
them and was informed that they were both denied access by the White House.”
But DCCC National Press Secretary Ryan Rudominer contradicted that version of events.
“Ms. Diaz called on Friday and said she may be
interested in attending the event with a guest,”
Rudominer said. “However, Ms. Diaz did not confirm attendance, payment was not submitted
and no information was provided for vetting.”
GetEQUAL cofounder Robin McGehee said
Obama will be seeing more of the group.
“President Obama has failed to deliver on his
campaign promises to the LGBT community, and
we will continue to remind him of that failure,”
she said. “If the president is going to travel
around the country asking for our dollars and
our votes, then we are going to travel with him
and insist that he first give us some of the hope
and change he promised.”
McGehee said Obama should immediately sign
an executive order halting discharges under the
DADT gay ban, which has been struck down by
a federal court in California. At the moment, an
injunction from the court forbids the government from making any use of DADT. The Justice
Department on Oct. 14 asked the judge to suspend the injunction while the government appeals it.
The Pentagon is presently conducting a study
on how to formally end the ban. A measure authorizing its repeal passed the House of Representatives this year but failed to pass the Senate.
It is unclear whether the repeal authorization
will be considered again between the November
elections and the time new House and Senate
members take office in January.
Democrats are expected to lose seats in both
houses.
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
Students protest
Obama in Boston
by Chuck Colbert
President Barack Obama headlined a get-out-thevote rally for Democratic Governor Deval Patrick
in Boston on Oct. 16. The rally took place at
the Hynes Convention Center in the city’s Back
Bay neighborhood, drawing thousands of supporters.
About 10 minutes into Obama’s speech, a
handful of protestors, advocating increased federal funding for HIV/AIDS, heckled the president
and raised a sign reading “Keep the Promise:
Fight Global AIDS.”
The protestors were local college students
“fighting for global health equity,” said Arjus
Suri, a first-year student at the Harvard Medical School. “Candidate Obama promised $50 billion to fight global AIDS.” But “he’s delivered on
only one-tenth of that promise.”
During the president’s remarks Obama mentioned his administration’s increased funding for
HIV/AIDS.
But not enough for Suri. Yes, “[w]hen the
president said he funded AIDS a little bit more,
he was right,” Suri said. “One-tenth is not
enough. An inch is not a mile. It’s not enough
to pay lip service by saying he’s funded more.”
Also inside the convention center, gay-rights
activists from the grass roots group Join the
Impact MA reproached Obama for balking on
same-sex civil marriage.
Boston College law student Paul Sousa shouted
out several times during Obama’s remarks: “Mr.
President, stop the bigotry! Support marriage
equality!,” “Do you also oppose atheist marriage?” “Would you want a civil union?”
The rub for Sousa is Obama’s reliance on religion to justify civil unions but stopping short at
marriage equality.
In fact, during an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Obama told the newspaper, “I’m a
Christian. And so, although I try not to have
my religious beliefs dominate or determine my
political views on this issue, I do believe that
tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and
a woman.”
But for Sousa, civil marriage is the issue, not
religious marriage.
Challenging Obama over marriage equality is a
slight change of tactics among local activists. In
previous Obama protests, representatives from
Get Equal heckled the president over not doing
enough to lift the ban on openly gay service in
the military and for not pushing hard enough
for federal legislation to ban sexual orientation
discrimination in the workplace.
Along the campaign trail, many Democrats
have shied away from the president. But the
Massachusetts governor has embraced him. They
are close friends, and both hail from Chicago’s
South Side.
Patrick, an ardent backer of gay equality, is
in tight race with a Republican challenger. Both
candidates favor gay rights, but the GOP’s Charlie Baker has offended many LGBT voters by dismissing a transgender-rights measure, saying he
would veto “the bathroom bill.”
The rally came just 10 days after 300 LGBT
community leaders and allies raised more than
$160,000 for the Democratic governor, who is
ONLINE AT
WINDYCITYMEDIAGROUP.COM
NATIONAL NEWS
—Arson suspected
at Tenn. gay club
—Andrew Cuomo
(left)
wants to make
‘equality a reality’
—Colo. billboard
shows Obama
as mobster, gay man
seeking a second four-year term.
Activists from Join the Impact and advocates
of increased HIV/AIDS funding were clear—Patrick was not their target.
A student at Fisher College, Ian Struthers of
Join the Impact said he wanted to hear the governor and to show support for the president.
Still, “I wanted to tell Obama that I want the
same rights as everyone else. I want and end to
DADT, and an inclusive ENDA so that I can have
job security. I work and pay taxes and am like
everyone else—except that I date men.”
Harvard College senior Krishna Rabhu explained his reasons for protesting. “It’s not the
governor. We support Deval Patrick. We wanted
Obama’s ear.”
Sending Obama a message for marriage equality, Sousa said, “Best comes from Massachusetts,” referring to the commonwealth’s status
as the first state to allow gays to wed legally in
2004. Opposite-sex marriage has not suffered in
the last six years. In fact, Massachusetts retains
the lowest divorce rate in the country.
Democratic Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick addressed a group of 300 LGBT supporters and
their allies during a recent reception. Photo
by Chuck Colbert
Join us in the effort to
stop HIV.
Men who are between 18-45
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Call 312-413-5897
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12/16/09 1:30:05 PM
WINDY CITY TIMES
DADT from cover
She ordered the U.S. military and the defense
secretary to “immediately ... suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding, that may have been
commenced under the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
Act.”
Phillips also granted plaintiff Log Cabin Republicans’ request to apply for attorneys’ fees
and LCR’s request to file a motion for costs of
suit.
The injunction followed a nonjury trial that
was held July 13-23, and Phillips’ issuance of
her opinion striking down DADT on Sept. 9.
But the Justice Department was having none
of it and sought an order staying application
of the injunction pending appeal. Should Phillips not comply by noon Oct. 18, Justice said it
would seek “an immediate administrative stay”
from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals “to
allow the orderly litigation of the stay request
before that Court.”
“As the President has stated previously, the
Administration does not support the DADT statute as a matter of policy and strongly supports
its repeal,” the Justice Department told Phillips. “However, the Department of Justice has
long followed the practice of defending federal
statutes as long as reasonable arguments can be
made in support of their constitutionality, even
if the Administration disagrees with a particular
statute as a policy matter, as it does here.”
Beyond that, the injunction was imprudent,
disrupting and frustrating, and is possibly harmful, the government said.
“(T)he Department of Defense has established
a high-level Working Group that is currently
conducting a comprehensive review of the statute and how best to implement a change in
policy in a prudent manner,” the lawyers said.
“The Working Group is nearing completion of
its report to the Secretary, which is due on December 1. The immediate implementation of the
injunction would disrupt this review and frustrate the Secretary’s ability to recommend and
implement policies that would ensure that any
repeal of DADT does not irreparably harm the
government’s critical interests in military readiness, combat effectiveness, unit cohesion, morale, good order, discipline, and recruiting and
retention of the Armed Forces.”
Furthermore, the Defense Department isn’t up
to the task of stopping DADT cold, the lawyers
said.
“The DADT statute implicates dozens of DoD
and Service policies and regulations that cover
such disparate issues as benefits, re-accession,
military equal opportunity, anti-harassment,
and others,” they wrote. “Amending these regulations would typically take several months,
because of the need to notify and seek input
from all affected to ensure that changes do not
inadvertently result in unanticipated negative
effects on the force. Properly implementing any
change in policy would thus be a massive undertaking by the Department and the military and
cannot be done overnight. And if the Court’s
judgment is reversed on appeal, the Department
and the military will have to implement another
major policy change—creating further disruption and confusion.”
Gay advocates were not pleased.
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese: “It is certainly disappointing and frustrating that the administration has sought a stay.”
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis: “We are disappointed but not surprised.”
Servicemembers United Executive Director
Alexander Nicholson: “This request from the
Obama administration asking Judge Phillips to
stay her own injunction was expected, but it is
nevertheless disappointing in light of the president’s claim that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell harms national security and impairs military readiness.
... (W)e all hope that our commander in chief
will fiercely advocate for the immediate elimination of anything that stands in the way of
national security and military readiness.”
Oct. 20, 2010
5
LCR lawyer Dan Woods: “We are not surprised
by the government’s action, as it repeats the
broken promises and empty words from Presibrey Sarvis, said, “During this interim period of
The Pentagon has told military recruiters that
dent Obama avowing to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
uncertainty, service members must not come out
they have to accept gay and lesbian individuals
while at the same time directing his Justice Deand recruits should use caution if choosing to
to apply to join the military, according to the
partment to defend this unconstitutional policy.
sign up. The ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law is rooted
Washington Post. However, the recruiters must
Now that the government has filed a request
in any statement of homosexuality made at anyalso inform applications that the injunction
for a stay, we will oppose it vigorously because
time and to anyone. A higher court is likely to
against “don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) could be
brave, patriotic homosexuals are serving in our
issue a hold on the injunction by Judge Phillips
lifted at any time.
armed forces to fight for all of our constitutional
very soon. The bottom line: if you come out
On Oct. 12, Federal District Court Judge Virrights while the government is denying them
now, it can be used against you in the future by
ginia Phillips ordered an immediate injunction
theirs.”
the Pentagon.”
against the policy, halting all discharges and in GetEQUAL Director Robin McGehee: “Today’s
vestigations conducted under
appeal by President Obama’s Department of
DADT. A ruling was expected
Justice is not only indefensible—it is yet anOct. 19, although initial stateother shocking lack of leadership from the White
ments seemed to indicate that
House on issues of equality for the LGBT comshe would not lift the stay. If
munity. ... Yet again, we are faced with action
she does not lift the injuncby this administration that stands in stark contion, the government is extrast to the campaign rhetoric and lofty speechpected to appeal to the 9th
es about equality that continue to be served up
Circuit Court of Appeals in San
as progress to our community.”
Francisco, Calif.
Obama, for his part, tweeted: “Anybody who
In response to the Pentawants to serve in our armed forces and make
gon-related
development,
sacrifices on our behalf should be able to. DADT
Servicemembers Legal Defense
will end & it will end on my watch.”
Network released a statement
Look for the latest news regarding “Don’t
urging openly gay applicants
Ask, “Don’t Tell” on http://www.WindyCityto be careful. The organizaMediaGroup.com.
tion’s executive director, Au- SLDN’s executive director Aubrey Sarvis.
Pentagon to recruiters: Accept gay applicants
WELCOME
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WINDY CITY TIMES
T:13.5 in
INDICATIONS
ISENTRESS is an anti-HIV medicine used for the treatment of HIV. ISENTRESS must be used with other
anti-HIV medicines, which may increase the likelihood of response to treatment.
The safety and effectiveness of ISENTRESS in children has not been studied.
It is important that you remain under your doctor’s care.
ISENTRESS will NOT cure HIV infection or reduce your chance of passing HIV to others through sexual
contact, sharing needles, or being exposed to your blood.
IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION
A condition called Immune Reconstitution Syndrome can happen in some patients with advanced HIV
infection (AIDS) when anti-HIV treatment is started. Signs and symptoms of inflammation from opportunistic
infections may occur as the medicines work to treat the HIV infection and strengthen the immune system.
Call your doctor right away if you notice any signs or symptoms of an infection after starting ISENTRESS.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while
taking ISENTRESS. This is because on rare occasions muscle problems can be serious and can lead to
kidney damage.
When ISENTRESS has been given with other anti-HIV drugs, side effects included nausea, headache,
tiredness, weakness, trouble sleeping, stomach pain, dizziness, depression, and suicidal thoughts and actions.
Rash occurred more often in patients taking ISENTRESS and darunavir together than with either drug separately,
but was generally mild.
LEFT PAGE
T:10.25 in
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
7
Brendan
You are special, unique, and different from anyone else.
And so is your path to managing HIV. When you’re ready
to start HIV therapy, talk to your doctor about a medication
that may fit your needs and lifestyle.
In clinical studies lasting 96 weeks, patients being treated with HIV medication for the
first time who took ISENTRESS plus Truvada:
Experienced less effect on LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol)
— Cholesterol increased an average of 7 mg/dL with ISENTRESS plus Truvada
versus 21 mg/dL with Sustiva plus Truvada
Ask your doctor about ISENTRESS.
Not sure where to start? Visit isentress.com/questions
People taking ISENTRESS may still develop infections, including opportunistic infections or other conditions that
occur with HIV infection.
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have any allergies, are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. ISENTRESS is not recommended for use during
pregnancy. Women with HIV should not breast-feed because their babies could be infected with HIV through their
breast milk.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines like rifampin (a medicine used
to treat infections such as tuberculosis), non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information about ISENTRESS, please read the Patient Information on the following page.
Need help paying for ISENTRESS? Call 1-866-350-9232
ISENTRESS is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.
Copyright © 2010 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
21052250(39)(110)-10/10-ISN-CON
Sustiva is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb
Truvada is a registered trademark of Gilead Sciences, Inc.
RIGHT PAGE
T:13.5 in
Had a low rate of side effects
— The most common side effect of moderate to severe intensity (that interfered
with or kept patients from performing daily activities) was trouble sleeping
— This side effect occurred more often in patients taking ISENTRESS plus Truvada
(4%) versus Sustiva plus Truvada (3%)
T:10.25 in
Oct. 20, 2010
8
WINDY CITY TIMES
Patient Information
ISENTRESS ® (eye sen tris)
(raltegravir) Tablets
If you fail to take ISENTRESS the way you should, here’s what to do:
s )FYOUMISSADOSETAKEITASSOONASYOUREMEMBER)FYOUDONOT
REMEMBERUNTILITISTIMEFORYOURNEXTDOSESKIPTHEMISSEDDOSEANDGO
back to your regular schedule. Do NOT take two tablets of ISENTRESS at the
SAMETIME)NOTHERWORDSDO./4TAKEADOUBLEDOSE
s )FYOUTAKETOOMUCH)3%.42%33CALLYOURDOCTORORLOCAL0OISON#ONTROL
Center.
Be sure to keep a supply of your anti-HIV medicines.
s 7HENYOUR)3%.42%33SUPPLYSTARTSTORUNLOWGETMOREFROMYOURDOCTOR
or pharmacy.
s $ONOTWAITUNTILYOURMEDICINERUNSOUTTOGETMORE
What are the possible side effects of ISENTRESS?
When ISENTRESS has been given with other anti-HIV drugs, side effects
included:
s NAUSEA
s HEADACHE
s TIREDNESS
s WEAKNESS
s TROUBLESLEEPING
s STOMACHPAIN
s DIZZINESS
s DEPRESSION
s SUICIDALTHOUGHTSANDACTIONS
Other side effects INCLUDERASHSEVERESKINREACTIONSFEELINGANXIOUSPARANOIA
low blood platelet count.
A condition called Immune Reconstitution Syndrome can happen in some
patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS) when combination antiretroviral
treatment is started. Signs and symptoms of inflammation from opportunistic
infections that a person has or had may occur as the medicines work to treat
the HIV infection and help to strengthen the immune system. Call your doctor
right away if you notice any signs or symptoms of an infection after starting
ISENTRESS with other anti-HIV medicines.
#ONTACTYOURDOCTORPROMPTLYIFYOUEXPERIENCEUNEXPLAINEDMUSCLEPAIN
TENDERNESSORWEAKNESSWHILETAKING)3%.42%334HISISBECAUSEONRARE
OCCASIONSMUSCLEPROBLEMSCANBESERIOUSANDCANLEADTOKIDNEYDAMAGE
Rash occurred more often in patients taking ISENTRESS and darunavir together
THANWITHEITHERDRUGSEPARATELYBUTWASGENERALLYMILD
Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you.
4HESEARENOTALLTHESIDEEFFECTSOF)3%.42%33&ORMOREINFORMATIONASK
your doctor or pharmacist.
How should I store ISENTRESS?
s 3TORE)3%.42%33ATROOMTEMPERATURETOª&
s Keep ISENTRESS and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about the use of ISENTRESS
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in
patient information leaflets.
s $ONOTUSE)3%.42%33FORACONDITIONFORWHICHITWASNOTPRESCRIBED
s $ONOTGIVE)3%.42%33TOOTHERPEOPLEEVENIFTHEYHAVETHESAME
symptoms you have. It may harm them.
This leaflet gives you the most important information about ISENTRESS.
s )FYOUWOULDLIKETOKNOWMORETALKWITHYOURDOCTOR
s 9OUCANASKYOURDOCTORORPHARMACISTFORADDITIONALINFORMATIONABOUT
ISENTRESS that is written for health professionals.
s &ORMOREINFORMATIONGOTOWWW)3%.42%33COMORCALL
What are the ingredients in ISENTRESS?
Active ingredient:%ACHlLMCOATEDTABLETCONTAINSMGOFRALTEGRAVIR
Inactive ingredients:-ICROCRYSTALLINECELLULOSELACTOSEMONOHYDRATECALCIUM
PHOSPHATEDIBASICANHYDROUSHYPROMELLOSEPOLOXAMERCONTAINS
BUTYLATEDHYDROXYTOLUENEASANTIOXIDANTSODIUMSTEARYLFUMARATEMAGNESIUM
STEARATE)NADDITIONTHElLMCOATINGCONTAINSTHEFOLLOWINGINACTIVEINGREDIENTS
POLYVINYLALCOHOLTITANIUMDIOXIDEPOLYETHYLENEGLYCOLTALCREDIRONOXIDE
and black iron oxide.
IMPORTANT: Take ISENTRESS exactly as your doctor prescribed and at the
right times of day because if you don’t
s 4HEAMOUNTOFVIRUS()6INYOURBLOODMAYINCREASEIFTHEMEDICINEIS
stopped for even a short period of time.
s The virus may develop resistance to ISENTRESS and become harder to treat.
s 9OURMEDICINESMAYSTOPWORKINGTOlGHT()6
s 4HEACTIVITYOF)3%.42%33MAYBEREDUCEDDUETORESISTANCE
$ISTRIBUTEDBY
-ERCK3HARP$OHME#ORPASUBSIDIARYOFMerck & Co., Inc.
7HITEHOUSE3TATION.*53!
2EGISTEREDTRADEMARKOF-ERCK3HARP$OHME#ORPASUBSIDIARYOFMerck & Co., Inc.
#OPYRIGHT¥-ERCK3HARP$OHME#ORPASUBSIDIARYOFMerck & Co., Inc.
All rights reserved.
2EVISED*UNE
530ATENT.OS53 )3.#/.
1
T:13.5 in
Read the patient information that comes with ISENTRESS1 before you start taking
it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet is a
summary of the information for patients. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you
additional information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking with your
doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.
What is ISENTRESS?
s ISENTRESS is an anti-HIV (antiretroviral) medicine used for the treatment
of HIV. The term HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the
virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). ISENTRESS
is used along with other anti-HIV medicines. ISENTRESS will NOT cure HIV
infection.
s 0EOPLETAKING)3%.42%33MAYSTILLDEVELOPINFECTIONSINCLUDING
opportunistic infections or other conditions that happen with HIV infection.
s 3TAYUNDERTHECAREOFYOURDOCTORDURINGTREATMENTWITH)3%.42%33
s The safety and effectiveness of ISENTRESS in children has not been studied.
ISENTRESS must be used with other anti-HIV medicines.
How does ISENTRESS work?
s )3%.42%33BLOCKSANENZYMEWHICHTHEVIRUS()6NEEDSINORDERTOMAKE
MOREVIRUS4HEENZYMETHAT)3%.42%33BLOCKSISCALLED()6INTEGRASE
s 7HENUSEDWITHOTHERANTI()6MEDICINES)3%.42%33MAYDOTWOTHINGS
1. Reduce the amount of HIV in your blood. This is called your “viral load”.
2. Increase the number of white blood cells called CD4 (T) cells.
s )3%.42%33MAYNOTHAVETHESEEFFECTSINALLPATIENTS
Does ISENTRESS lower the chance of passing HIV to other people?
No. ISENTRESS does not reduce the chance of passing HIV to others through sexual
CONTACTSHARINGNEEDLESORBEINGEXPOSEDTOYOURBLOOD
s #ONTINUETOPRACTICESAFERSEX
s 5SELATEXORPOLYURETHANECONDOMSOROTHERBARRIERMETHODSTOLOWERTHE
chance of sexual contact with any body fluids. This includes semen from a
MANVAGINALSECRETIONSFROMAWOMANORBLOOD
s .EVERREUSEORSHARENEEDLES
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about safer sex or how to prevent
passing HIV to other people.
What should I tell my doctor before and during treatment with ISENTRESS?
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Include any of the following
THATAPPLIESTOYOU
s 9OUHAVEANYALLERGIES
s 9OUAREPREGNANTORPLANTOBECOMEPREGNANT
- ISENTRESS is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
ISENTRESS has not been studied in pregnant women. If you take
)3%.42%33WHILEYOUAREPREGNANTTALKTOYOURDOCTORABOUTHOW
YOUCANBEINCLUDEDINTHE!NTIRETROVIRAL0REGNANCY2EGISTRY
s 9OUAREBREASTFEEDINGORPLANTOBREASTFEED
- It is recommended that HIV-infected women should not breast-feed
their infants. This is because their babies could be infected with HIV
through their breast milk.
- Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. Include the following:
s PRESCRIPTIONMEDICINESINCLUDINGRIFAMPINAMEDICINEUSEDTOTREATSOME
infections such as tuberculosis)
s NONPRESCRIPTIONMEDICINES
s VITAMINS
s HERBALSUPPLEMENTS
Know the medicines you take.
s +EEPALISTOFYOURMEDICINES3HOWTHELISTTOYOURDOCTORANDPHARMACIST
when you get a new medicine.
How should I take ISENTRESS?
Take ISENTRESS exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The recommended
dose is as follows:
s 4AKEONLYONEMGTABLETATATIME
s 4AKEITTWICEADAY
s 4AKEITBYMOUTH
s 4AKEITWITHORWITHOUTFOOD
Do not change your dose or stop taking ISENTRESS or your other anti-HIV
medicines without first talking with your doctor.
WINDY CITY TIMES
Kathy (left) and Bridget Hanson.
Lesbian couple
encounters
trouble
with DMV
By Joseph Erbentraut
Mt. Zion, Ill., residents Bridget and Kathy Hanson, both 41, married Sept. 20 in a ceremony in
Iowa. Upon returning to their state of residence,
Bridget chose to change her last name to match
her wife’s, a tradition that many newlyweds
honor.
The first step of the process—requesting a
name change at the U.S. Social Security Administration’s office—went smoothly according to
Bridget, but the same could not be said for her
trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles facility
in Decatur, Ill., where a clerk denied her request
for a name change.
According to Bridget, the clerk told her to
“wait a minute” once she realized that she and
Kathy’s Iowa marriage was the reason for the
request. After conferring with a supervisor at
the facility, the clerk reportedly refused to grant
Bridget’s name change, referring to a memo on
the issue that had been issued to the department. Bridget now holds two government-issued
identification cards with two different names:
One, her social security card, reads Bridget Hanson and the other, her Illinois driver’s license,
has Bridget Wiessmer, her maiden name.
When Bridget asked the clerk what she could
do with her two identifications with two separate names, she was reportedly told: “How much
do you really use your Social Security card?”
“We feel discriminated against,” Bridget told
Windy City Times. “[The clerk] said we can’t
change your last name because our state doesn’t
recognize same-sex marriage, but that’s not my
issue really—it is, but it isn’t. Right now, I just
want to change my name.”
VALEO
Oct. 20, 2010
Bridget said that a follow-up call to state Secretary of State Jesse White’s Driver Services Department heralded the same response, causing
her to mull taking legal action. When Windy City
Times initially contacted the department, the
response was, “Illinois doesn’t honor gay marriage. ... It’s not legal [here].”
Illinois Secretary of State spokesman Dave
Druker had a different message, saying that the
Decatur clerk had been mistaken: Bridget’s Iowa
marriage license and new Social Security card
should have satisfied the state’s requirements
for a legal name change.
“The name change should have been allowed
and I would apologize for the individual and
anyone who may have been taken aback or offended by this mistake,” Druker said. “The Social
Security card is the overriding factor. That she
was married in another state is irrelevant.”
Druker also indicated he was not aware of the
memo to which the Decatur clerk reportedly referred. He added all Illinois facilities will undergo an “education program” to make clear the
department’s policy on issuing name changes for
same-sex couples married outside of the state.
The challenge Bridget faced in changing her
last name is not without precedent. In June,
Knoxville, Tenn., Traci Turpin was also denied
a name change following her Washington, D.C.
marriage to another woman. Because same-sex
marriage is not recognized in her state of residence, Turpin’s D.C. marriage license was considered invalid documentation for a name change.
Comprehensive
sex ed to get
$8.1 million
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has approved $8.1
million in new federal funding for school
and community-based comprehensive sexual
health education programs in 2011.
“This is great news for youth in Illinois,” said Carole Brite, president and CEO
of Planned Parenthood Illinois. “Governor
Quinn’s leadership will help ensure Illinois
schools have funding to support evidencebased sexual health education programs that
are age-appropriate and medically accurate.”
Although federal funding was also available
for abstinence-only sex ed programs, Illinois
did not apply for that funding.
“We thank Governor Quinn for doing the
right thing for Illinois youth and rejecting
funding for failed abstinence-only until marriage programs,” said Soo Ji Min, executive
director of the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent
Health. “All the evidence says abstinence-only programs just don’t work. In this economy,
we need to make sure government funds are
directed to effective interventions that deliver results.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services announced the awards Sept. 30. The
Illinois Department of Human Services and
Chicago Public Schools will receive the largest grants.
Chicago’s Dedicated and
Comprehensive LGBT Program
AT CHICAGO LAKESHORE HOSPITAL
Valeo at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital
provides comprehensive psychiatric
and addiction-related treatment for
gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender
and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals.
The program offers a safe, affirming
therapeutic environment for members
of the LGBTQ community. The Valeo
staff is comprised of well-trained,
experienced gay and gay-sensitive
behavioral health professionals from
a wide variety of disciplines.
4840 N. MARINE DRIVE
CHICAGO, IL 60640
1-800-888-0560
www.chicagolakeshorehospital.com
9
Trevor Project in Chicago
Joseph Kimmer is a father who is spreading the word about The Trevor Project, the nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to crisis intervention and suicide prevention
amongst LGBTQ youth. For him, it’s more than volunteerism; it’s a personal mission.
“My son, Michael, was brave; always positive on the outside, but on the inside, he was
suffering. When we lost him… How much he suffered is something I can’t imagine. Every
parent and every school district in the country should know where to turn to if they suspect
that their child is in silent despair,” Kimmer told Windy City Times during a Trevor Project
fundraiser, held at a private residence on the 1400 block of West Addison Oct. 16.
Fortunately, the organization is gaining visibility. What began as suicide prevention hotline
for LGBTQ youth 14 years ago is now a multi-faceted organization that provides services ranging from access to mental health professionals and substance abuse counselors; transitional
housing resources; even workshops for parents and educators to recognize and respond to
kids in crisis.
Trevor Project CEO Charles Robbins said, “There were over 34,000 suicides in the U.S. last
year. Our call centers have received 30,000 calls this year alone. Regardless of someone’s
sexual orientation or gender identity—no matter what their background is—when they reach
out to us, they usually have one thing in common: They feel different. As we’ve learned,
feeling different can manifest into feelings of isolation, the result of which can be deadly,”
Robbins said.
“Obviously we’re seeing more incidents of bullying online and on school campuses, which is
why we’re pushing to get our suicide awareness and prevention curriculum into more schools,
especially public schools, many of which lack any awareness, training, or policies concerning
the plight of LGBTQ youth,” Robbins said.
The Trevor Project was founded by James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski and Randy Stone, creators
of the 1994 Academy Award®-winning short film, Trevor. The plot underscores the pain felt
by a 13-year-old boy (Trevor), whose peers reject him because he is perceived to be gay, and
his subsequent attempt to take his own life.
For more information on volunteering, donating and spreading the project’s curriculum in
schools, log on to http://www.Trevorproject.org. For more on Trevor Project happenings in
Chicago, check out http://www.Facebook.com/ChicagoTrevor. Text by John Fenoglio and photos by Denver Smith; see more online at http://www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com.
Free Conﬁdential HIV Testing
For more information, contact
773.293.8430
[email protected]
Break
the
The Banyan Tree Project
Asian Human Services
4753 N. Broadway, Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60640
CTA: Red Line to Lawrence
10
Task force talks
suicide
prevention
As LGBT people worldwide continue to mourn
the recent suicides of youths who were bullied,
the Chicago Task Force on LGBT Substance Use
& Abuse held an emergency meeting Oct. 13.
The meeting’s intention, task force co-chair Ed
Negron said, was to address the recent deaths
and strategize efforts to help prevent similar
tragedies for youth here.
“We need to do something here in Chicago,”
Negron said as he began the meeting at the
city’s Department of Public Health office. “[We
need to] come up with some kind of ways or
awareness to let youth know there is support out
there.”
Advocates for LGBTQ youth present at the
meeting differed in their suggestions for preventative action on youth suicide, but agreed
on at least one conclusion to a complicated issue: In the words of fellow task force co-chair
Pamela McCann: “We have our work cut out for
ourselves” in keeping youth healthy, happy and
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
safe from harassment.
As Windy City Times reported in its Oct. 6 issue, at least two youth as young as 11 years old
reportedly took their lives for reasons related
to anti-gay bullying in Chicago area schools in
2009.
Data reported by the Illinois Department of
Public Health earlier this year suggests that
number represents only a small slice of the issue’s actual death toll: Among respondents to
the department’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey,
13.5 percent of all Illinois high school students
reported having suicidal thoughts, while 6.5
percent had attempted suicide in the last year.
Those numbers were much higher for LGB students, 54.3 percent of whom experienced suicidal thoughts, one-third of whom attempted
to take their own lives. The number of suicide
attempts among Illinois youth—both LGB and
heterosexual—have been on the rise in recent
years.
John Codd, a counselor with Alternatives,
Inc., an Uptown-based youth and family service agency, said the increased visibility of out
LGBT people in culture and mainstream media
has contributed to increased targeting of LGBTQ
youth. In concert with the growing influence of
social networking, he said youth are becoming
more isolated—rather than connected—and
that homophobic rhetoric in the political sphere
has trickled down to youth themselves.
“If you preach that gay and lesbian people are
less than or broken and that associating with
them is bad for you, then they [youth] get that
it’s fair game,” Codd said. “Adults and politicians
are modeling this behavior ... and I think it’s
gotten worse over the past 10 years.”
One strategy, Codd proposed, is to continue
the push for messages of inclusiveness of LGBT
youth in school settings, though he acknowledged groups—such as American Family Association—opposing efforts like LGBT-inclusive
bullying programs and gay-straight alliances
maintain a powerful influence on many school
boards.
Outside of schools, advocates said that programs offered by organizations such as the
Broadway Youth Center or Center on Halsted
often come with a stigma, which can often dissuade at-risk youth from utilizing LGBT-centric
programs’ services. The fear of being “caught”
in Lakeview that some youth feel is real, and
further complicates advocates’ efforts to enact
change.
“They think they don’t want to be around
‘those kind of people’ or aren’t ready to be a part
of the GLBT community, but they need someone
to talk to,” Negron added.
Anne Parry, director of the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention, noted that, for many youth, the presence of “one significant, caring, positive adult”
is a major factor in their resilience to harassment. When that support may not be found in a
youth’s immediate surroundings, campaigns like
Dan Savage’s It Gets Better Project can have a
pronounced impact.
Anthony Fleming, the Chicago organizer for
the Trevor Project, also spoke at the meeting.
Fleming addressed the ways in which the community can help support the project’s expansion,
including getting involved with the project’s
Chicago Ambassador’s Council.
At press time, the task force’s next meeting
on LGBTQ youth suicide prevention had not yet
been announced.
Bisexual activists
launch new group
On the heels of a few admittedly dormant
years, bisexual Chicagoans are re-emerging
on the city’s activist scene this fall with the
formation of a new group called Bisexual
Queer Alliance Chicago.
Led by co-organizers Br. Michael C. Oboza
and Ed Negron, bi-identified community
members gathered Oct. 16, for the organization’s first meeting at the Center on Halsted.
Among the group’s goals are increasing visibility of the city’s bisexual community and
encouraging members to both show up and
speak up within broader LGBT circles.
“Bisexuals are visible in New York, San Francisco, Fort Wayne, Ind. and Minneapolis, but
not so much in Chicago,” Oboza said. “But as
long as I’m here, that’s not going to happen
again.”
According to Negron, the initial response
from other LGBT organizations has been overwhelmingly welcoming. He hopes the organization will ride that momentum through the
coming months as they begin to establish
themselves.
“Yes, we’ve been invisible in Chicago for a
long time, but I think we need to take ownership for that. It was more [due to] us not
being out there, not being active as a group,”
Negron said. “The way I take it is they have
been holding a seat for us, waiting for us to
reclaim it when we’re ready.”
Negron and Oboza both acknowledged their
new group owed credit to Noel Spain who,
in 2008, founded a bisexual Meetup.com social group that has since grown to over 200
members. The group follows in the tradition
of a long history of bisexual activism in Chicago, dating at least back to the formation of
a group called Chicago BiWays in 1978.
Other groups—including Chicago Bi-Women, Chicago Bisexual Network and the Bisexual
Political Action Coalition (BiPAC), co-founded
by Paige Listerud in 1987 and active through
the mid-’90s—came and went, but nothing
stuck. This group—including Listerud and
Spain, both present at Saturday’s meeting—
hopes to change that.
Among Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago’s
initial goals are establishing a web presence, including generating some of their own
media, and potentially creating a “speaker’s
bureau” program to identify advocates who
can represent the organization at LGBT community events and rallies. They also will make
it a point to support the bisexual-centric programming already in place in the city.
For more information on the new group,
search “Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago” on
Facebook.
Read more about the alliance and its initial meeting online at http://www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com.
WINDY CITY TIMES
Windy City
Times’
General
Election Guide
Welcome to the 2010 Windy City Times General
Election Guide.
Although a lot of local residents are already
looking at the mayoral and aldermanic races
(which will not be voted on until Feb. 22, 2011),
there are plenty of races being voted on Nov.
2, 2010, that will have implications around the
county, state and nation.
For example, the senatorial race between
Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, Republican Mark
Kirk and Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones
could play a role in what federal legislation is
eventually approved or rejected. (An interesting side note is that voters will actually pick
between the three for two seats: a replacement
for the remaining weeks of the original term (a
seat currently occupied by Roland Burris) and a
new senator to begin a full six-year term Jan. 3,
2011.
Also, you would have to be on another planet
to not know of the gubernatorial race between
Democrat Pat Quinn and Republican Bill Brady.
They are miles apart on social issues (as pointed
out in the Windy City Times article in this issue), but are running neck and neck. And do not
forget independent candidate Scott Lee Cohen,
who has some very interesting things to say
about issues ranging from bullying to marriage
equality. See our talk with him on page 16.
There are also several intriguing U.S. House
races throughout the state, including Debbie
Halvorson/Adam Kinzinger, Bill Foster/Randall
Hultgren/Daniel Kairis, Jan Schakowsky/Joel
Pollak/Simon Ribeiro, Melissa Bean/Joe Walsh/
Bill Scheurer and Dan Seals/Robert Dold.
County races are plentiful. Toni Preckwinkle,
Roger Keats and Thomas Tresser are battling it
out in the Cook County board president race, and
Democrat Joseph Berrios is involved in a very interesting contest with independent Forrest Claypool. Also, all of the commissioners’ seats are up
for grabs. (We talk with 10th District candidates
Wes Fowler and Bridget Gainer; their interviews
will run in the Oct. 27 issue.)
Oh, but that’s not all, as there are sundry judicial races. In addition, supreme, appellate and
Cook County judges are up for retention—with
many LGBT individuals advocating that Susan
McDunn (who has an anti-gay past) not be retained, as evidenced by Tom Chiola’s letter on
page 17. (Our interview with lesbian judge Sheryl Pethers will also run in next week’s issue.)
And, as always, we have our political charts
that show recommendations and endorsements
from various organizations and associations as
well as candidates’ scores on our questionnaire.
Lastly, please do not forget to vote; everyone’s
voice deserves to be heard. And keep in mind
that Windy City Times’ special election section
is designed to be taken into the voting booth.
Oct. 20, 2010
Guide to the gays
The Nov. 2 general elections feature several
openly gay and lesbian candidates for office.
(All of the candidates are in the Democratic
party, with the exception of Wes Fowler, who is
a Republican.)
—Wes Fowler
Race: Cook County Commissioner (10th District)
Web site: “Wes Fowler for County Commissioner” on Facebook
The skinny: Wes Fowler is an anomaly in the
world of Chicago politics: As a gay Republican
operating on a very small budget, he faces an
uphill battle against incumbent Bridget Gainer,
who was appointed last year to fill the vacancy left by Mike Quigley, who’s now a U.S.
Rep. Fowler—a clerk at a large law firm in the
Loop as well as a member of the Chicago Gay
Men’s Chorus—believes in same-sex marriage,
but fancies himself socially conservative in the
sense that he wants a family structure for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
—Greg Harris
Race: Illinois State Rep. (13th District)
11
Web site: GregHarris.org
The skinny: Harris, who is openly HIV-positive
as well as being openly gay, has represented his
district (which includes Uptown, Ravenswood,
Lincoln Square, North Center and Bowmanville) since being elected in 2006. Although
his name has appeared most prominently in
LGBT publications in connection with the issue of marriage equality (introducing a civilmarriage bill), he is intimately involved with a
host of other issues, such as the state budget,
foreclosure mediation, children of incarcerated
parents and insurance reform. He is currently
running unopposed.
—Deb Mell
Race: Illinois State Representative (40th District)
Web site: DebMell.org
The skinny: Deb Mell started her first term
making history as the first open lesbian in the
Illinois General Assembly—and then did something historic in being the only representative
to vote against impeachment of then-Gov. Rod
Blagojevich, her brother-in-law. (She told Windy
City Times, “The day I made that vote, the Rod
I knew and the Rod they were talking about
didn’t match up,” adding that people told her
`
Paid for by Equality Illinois PAC.
afterwards that they were happy she voted that
way.) A staunch advocate for marriage equality,
Mell is running unopposed after defeating Joe
Laiacona in a contentious primary earlier this
year.
—Kent DeLay
Web site: KentDeLay.com
The skinny: This son of a retired state engineer is a survivor of two car accidents that
have left him partially disabled. In addition,
the candidate—who is running to represent
Springfield—is a father of two children.
—Bob Mueller
Web site: VoteMueller.org
The skinny: Green Party candidate Mueller,
63, resides in Westmont and is a graduate of
the University of Illinois at Chicago. Back in
1997, Mueller and his lawyer, Fred Wellisch
(now a DePaul University professor), argued
that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, leading to the filing of three U.S. SuTurn to page 17
Election 2010
STATEWIDE RACES
WCT = Windy City Times questions, number listed is of the total questions correct for that race
IVI = Independent Voters of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization
PPAC = Personal PAC
EQIL = Equality Illinois PAC
GOVERNOR
Pat Quinn (D)
Bill Brady (R)
Rich Whitney (G)
Scott Lee Cohen (I)
Lex Green (L)
LT. GOVERNOR
Sheila Simon (D)
Jason Plummer (R)
Don W. Crawford (G)
Baxter Swilley (I)
Ed Rutledge (L)
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Lisa Madigan (D)
Steve Kim (R)
David F. Black (G)
Bill Malan (L)
WCT
IVI
13/14
Y
PPAC
Y
EQIL
Y
WCT
IVI
13/14
Y
Y
14/14
Y
5/8
7/8
Y
Y
Y
Y
7th congressional district
Danny K. Davis (D)
Mark M. Weiman (R)
Clarence Clemons (I)
COOK COUNTY board - 7th district
Jesus G. Garcia (D)
13/14
Paloma Andrade (G)
Cary Capparelli (D)
Peter N. Silvestri (R)
Y
Brock Merck (G)
PPAC = Personal PAC
IVI
PPAC
COOK COUNTY 1ST DIST. BOARD OF REVIEW
Brendan Houlihan (D)
Y
Dan Patlak (R)
COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT
Toni Preckwinkle (D)
13/14
Roger Keats (R)
Thomas Tresser (G)
COOK COUNTY SHERIFF
Thomas Dart (D)
Frederick Collins (R)
Marshall P. Lewis (G)
14/14
13/14
COOK COUNTY TREASURER
Maria Pappas (D)
Carol Morse (R)
COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR
Joseph Berrios (D)
Sharon Strobeck-Eckersall (R)
Robert C. Grota (G)
Forrest Claypool (I)
Y
Y
WATER RECLAMATION COMMISSIONER
Michael Alvarez (D)
Barbara McGowan (D)
7/9
Mariyana Spyropolous (D)
6/9
Paul Chialdikas (R)
Jimmy Lee Tillman II (R)
John Ailey (G)
8/9
Nadine Bopp (G)
8/9
Diana Horton (G)
100
80
100
Y
Y
Y
Jerry F. Costello (D)
Teri Newman (R)
Rodger W. Jennings (G)
55
Scott Harper (D)
Judy Biggert (R)
55
Bill Foster (D)
Randall M. Hultgren (R)
Daniel J. Kairis (G)
Y
NA
David Gill (D)
17/18
Y
Timothy V. Johnson (R)
0
George W. Gaulrapp (D)
Donald A. Manzullo (R)
Terry G. Campbell (G)
0
Phil Hare (D)
Bobby Schilling (R)
Roger K. Davis (G)
14/18
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Deirdre Hirner (D)
Aaron Schock (R)
Sheldon Schafer (G)
100
Y
Tim Bagwell (D)
John M. Shimkus (R)
0
Y
US congress RACES
WCT = Windy City Times questions, number listed is of the total
questions correct for that race
HRC= Human Rights Campaign 110th Congress, ratings are a percentage
of total 100% based on HRC tracking of how candidates voted in the
110th Congress
LCR = Log Cabin Republicans
WCT
IVI
HRC
LCR
ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RACES
u.s. senate
Alexander Giannoulias (D)
18/18
Y
Mark Steven Kirk (R)
LeAlan M. Jones (G)
Mike Labno (L)
1ST SENATE DISTRICT
Antonio Munoz (D) Y
EQIL = Equality Illinois PAC
PPAC = Personal PAC
WCT
IVI
EQIL
PPAC
Y
Y
1st congressional district
Bobby L. Rush (D)
Raymond Wardingley (R)
Jeff Adams (G)
7/8
5/8
6/8
Jennifer Bishop Jenkins (D) 13/14
Y
Gregg Goslin (R)
Y
Deborah Halvorson (D)
18/18
Adam Kinzinger (R)
Patrick Maher (D)
Elizabeth Doody Gorman (R)
Matthew J. Ogean (G)
COOK COUNTY RACES
WCT
Daniel J. Seals (D)
18/18
Robert Dold (R)
LCR
0
Janice D. Schakowsky (D)
17/18
Joel Barry Pollak (R)
15/18
Simon Ribiero (G)
15/18
John P. Daley (D)
Carl Segvitch (R)
Larry Suffredin (D)
Y
Linda Thompson LaFianza (R)
George E. Milkowski (G)
HRC
Melissa Bean (D)
Joe Walsh (R)
Bill Scheurer (G)
Jeffrey R. Tobolski (D)
10/14
Tony Peraica (R)
Alejandro Reyes (G)
TREASURER
Robin Kelly (D)
8/8
Y
Y
Dan Rutherford (R)
Scott K. Summers (G)
6/8
James Pauly (L
IVI
Joan Murphy (D)
Sandra K. Czyznikiewicz (R)
Jim Dasakis (D)
Tim Schneider (R)
Laura Ehorn (G)
Y
WCT
Benjamin S. Lowe (D)
Peter J. Roskam (R)
John A. Fritchey (D)
12/14
Y
William C. “Bill” Miceli (R)
COOK COUNTY CLERK
David Orr (D)
Angel Garcia (R)
PPAC
Deborah Sims (D)
Miriam Shabo (R)
Y
Bridget Gainer (D)
13/14
Wes Fowler (R)
13/14
13/14
SECRETARY OF STATE
Jesse White (D)
Robert Enriquez (R)
Josh Hanson (L)
COMPTROLLER
David E. Miller (D)
Judy Baar Topinka (R)
Erika Schafer (G)
Julie Fox (L)
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
12
Y
COOK COUNTY board - 1st district
Earleen Collins (D)
Ronald Lawless (G)
COOK COUNTY board - 2nd district
Robert B. Steele (D)
Y
Michael Smith (G)
COOK COUNTY board - 3rd district
Jerry Butler (D)
Y
Marie Wohadlo (G)
COOK COUNTY board - 4TH district
William Beavers (D)
Joseph Barton (G)
2nd congressional district
Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D)
Isaac Hayes (R)
Anthony W. Williams (G)
Y
3rd congressional district
Daniel William Lipinski (D)
Michael A. Bendas (R)
Laurel Schmidt (G)
Y
Luis V. Gutierrez (D)
Israel Vasquez (R)
Robert J. Burns (G)
Y
85
4th SENATE DISTRICT
Kimberly Lightford (D) Y
90
100
7th SENATE DISTRICT
Heather Steans (D)
Adam Robinson (R)
14/14
14/14
Y Y
Y
10th SENATE DISTRICT
John G. Mulroe (D)
Brian G. Doherty (R)
Y
Kwame Raoul (D) Y
45
Y
Y
Michael Noland (D) Y
M. Maggie Crotty (D) Y
Adam Wojcik (R)
Y
22nd SENATE DISTRICT
Michael Noland (D)
Steven Rauschenberger (R)
Y
100
Mike Quigley (D)
18/18
David Ratowitz (R)
Matthew Reichel (G)
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
WCT
IVI
EQIL
Leslie N. Juby (D)
Chris Lauzen (R)
Corrine Michelle Pierog (D)
John J. Millner (R)
31ST SENATE DISTRICT
Michael Bond (D) Y
Suzi Schmidt (R)
Marla Wilson (D)
Dave Syverson (R)
Tori W. Hutchinson (D) Y
Adam Baumgartner (R)
David Koehler (D) Y
52nd SENATE DISTRICT
Michael W. Frerichs (D)
Al Reynolds (R)
1ST representative DISTRICT
Susana Mendoza (D) Y
2ND representative DISTRICT
Edward Acevedo (D) Y
PPAC
Y
WCT
13
IVI
EQIL
Y
28th representative DISTRICT
Robert Rita (D) Y
Y
Y
Thaddeus Jones (D)
Kenneth Williams (D)
William Davis (D) Y
Y
33RD representative DISTRICT
Marlow Colvin (D) Y
Y
Constance Howard (D) Y
Kevin McCarthy (D)
Jeffrey Junkas (R) Y
Y
Y
Deborah Mell (D) Y
Kenneth Dunkin (D) Y
Y
Esther Golar (D) Y
Annazette Collins (D) Y
Y
Y
Y
Tony Viren (D) Y
Dave Winters (R)
Gerry Woods (G)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Emily McAsey (D)
Maripat Oliver (R)
53rd representative DISTRICT
Linda Birnbaum (D)
Sidney H. Mathias (R)
Matt Flamm (D)
Thomas R. Morrison (R)
Gregory C. Brownfield (D)
Randy Ramey (R)
Y
22nd representative DISTRICT
Michael J. Madigan (D) Y
Patrick John Ryan (R)
Y
Michelle Mussman (D)
Ryan Higgins (R)
Elaine Nekritz (D)
Richard G. Hamen (R)
Y Y
Victoria Grizzoffi (D)
Jim Sacia (R)
Y
Y
Y
Y Y
Carol Sente (D)
Dan Sugrue (R)
Rita Mayfield (D) 90th representative DISTRICT
Kenneth Novak (D)
Jerry Mitchell (R)
91st representative DISTRICT
Michael K. Smith (D)
Michael D. Unes (R)
Y
Y
Y
Jehan Gordon (D) Y
Jim Montelongo (R)
Y
Y
Earl W. Godt II (D)
Richard P. Myers (R)
Y
Y
Maria Owens (D)
Mike Fortner (R)
Y
Y
Naomi D. Jakobsson (D)
Norman E. Davis (R)
Y
Y
Dennis Malak (D)
Chapin Rose (R)
Y
Jay C. Hoffman (D) Y
Dwight D. Kay (R)
Y
Y
Karen May (D)
Lauren G. Turelli (R)
Y
Y
Y
Joseph Lyons (D)
David Anderson (R)
14/14
Lisa Dugan (D) Y
Mick Been (R)
George Ochsenfeld (G)
Y
Dennis Grosskopf (D)
Tom Cross (R)
James F. Speta (D)
Y
Patricia R. Bellock (R)
Bob Mueller (G)
Jennifer Barconi (D)
Timothy L. Schmitz (R)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Camille Lilly (D) 80th representative DISTRICT
Anthony DeLuca (D) Y
Y Y
Y
Y
Mark Beaubien (D) Y
William D. Burns (D)
Slyvester Hendricks (R)
Charles E. Jefferson (D) Y
Robert E. Brokish, Jr. (R)
Deborah Conroy (D)
Dennis Reboletti (R)
Y
Barbara Flynn Currie (D) Y
Y
Y
Lou Lang (D) 24th representative DISTRICT
Elizabeth Hernandez (D) Y
Mark Walker (D)
David Harris (R)
Fred Crespo (D)
Billie D. Roth (R)
Y
Daniel Burke (D) Y
Y
Angelo “Skip” Saviano (D) Y
Y
Michael Zalewski (D) Y
Y Y
Careen Gordon (D) Y
Sue Rezin (R)
Y
Y Y
Y
Elizabeth Double (D)
Donald L. Moffitt (R)
Linda Healy (D)
Kay Hatcher (R)
Robyn Gabel (D) Y
Robert Kaempfe (D)
Michael W. Tyron (R)
Y
Harry Osterman (D) Y
Daniel K. Biss (D)
13/14
Hamilton Chang (R)
Y
Y
Patrick Verschoore (D)
Mark Lioen (R)
Brian Stephenson (D)
Chris Nybo (R)
14/14
Keith Farnham (D)
Ruth Munson (R)
Y
Greg Harris (D) Y
PPAC
Y
Arthur Turner (D) Y Y
EQIL
Jack D. Franks (D) Y
John O’Neill (R)
Y
Kathryn F. Vlahos (D)
9/14
Sandra M. Pihos (R)
LaShwan Ford (D) Y
Sara Feigenholtz (D)
13/14
Dave Lenkowski (R)
Y
IVI
Y
Cynthia Soto (D) Y
Y
Y
Y
Al Riley (D) Y
WCT
61st representative DISTRICT
Scott Pollak (D)
Joann D. Osmond (R)
Rich Voltair (D)
Sandy Cole (R)
Wendy Gruen (D)
Rosemary E. Mulligan (R)
Andre Thapedi (D) Y
Y
Ann M. Williams (D)
13/14
Scott Tucker (R)
Y
Mary Flowers (D) Y
Maria Antonia Berrios (D)
Jeremy Karpen (G)
Y
Y Y
Y
Y
Luis Arroyo (D) Y
Karen A. Yarbrough (D)
Princess Dempsey (I)
PPAC
Monique Davis (D) Y
Eddie Lee Jackson, Sr. (D) Y
Y
Y
JUDICIAL EVALUATIONS
Key to Organizations:
WCT = Windy City Times questions, number listed is
of the total questions correct for that race
PPAC – Personal PAC
IVI - Independent Voters of Illinois Independent
Precinct Organization
CCL – Chicago Council of Lawyers
CCBA – Cook County Bar Association
DSL – Decalogue Society of Lawyers
ISBA – Illinois State Bar Association
LAG – Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago
WBAI – Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
WCT
PPAC
Key to Ratings:
Q – Qualified
NQ – Not Qualified
WQ – Well Qualified
HQ – Highly Qualified
HR – Highly Recommended
R – Recommended
NR – Not Recommended
NE – Not Evaluated
Y – Yes on retention
N – No on retention
Windy City Times does not endorse candidates.
Rather, we list their answers to our questionnaire
as well as the ratings of legal organizations so that
readers can make informed choices when they vote.
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
14
(D) = Democrat
(R) = Republican
IVI
App. Ct-1st Dist.
(McNulty vacancy)
James R. Epstein (D)
7/8
Y
App. Ct-1st Dist.
(O’Malley vacancy)
Aurelia Marie Pucinski (D)
7/8
App. Ct-1st Dist.
(South vacancy)
Mary Katherine Rochford (D)
7/8
Cook Circuit Court
(Berland vacancy)
William H. Hooks (D)
7/8
Y
Cook Circuit Court
(Bronstein vacancy)
Terry MacCarthy (D)
8/8
Y
Y
Cook Circuit Court
(Dolan vacancy)
Susan Kennedy Sullivan (D)
Cook Circuit Court
(Hayes vacancy)
Raymond W. Mitchell (D)
7/8
Y
Cook Circuit Court
(Kelley vacancy)
John Patrick Callahan, Jr. (D)
6/8
Y
Cook Circuit Court
(McCarthy vacancy)
Daniel J. Gallagher (D)
7/8
Maureen Pulia (R)
Cook Circuit Court
(O’Malley vacancy)
Thomas V. Lyons (D)
Y
Cook Circuit Court
(Riley vacancy)
Sandra G. Ramos (D)
Cook Circuit Court-1st Sub
(Coleman vacancy)
Thaddeus L. Wilson (D)
Y
(Steele vacancy)
Sharon Oden-Johnson (D)
(‘A’ vacancy)
Bonita Coleman John (D)
Cook Circuit Court-3rd Sub
(Carmody, Jr. vacancy)
Allen F. Murphy (D)
(Darcy vacancy)
Edward Harmening (D)
(‘A’ vacancy)
Daniel Malone (D)
Cook Circuit Court-9th Sub
(Otaka vacancy)
Geary W. Kull (D)
7/8
(‘A’ vacancy)
Steven James Bernstein (D)
Y
(Riley vacancy)
Ann Finley Collins (D)
Y
(‘A’ vacancy)
Daniel James Pierce (D)
(Lipinski vacancy)
Linzey D. Jones (D)
(Panichi vacancy)
George F. Scully (D)
(Phelan vacancy)
John C. Griffin (D)
Y
16th Circuit Court-Kane
(‘A’ vacancy)
John D. Dalton (D)
6/8 Y
David R. Akemann (R)
19th Circuit Court-4th Sub
(‘A’ vacancy)
Wallace B. Dunn (D)
Mark D. Levitt (D)
5/8
CCL
CCBA
DSL
ISBA
LAG
WBAI
WQ
R
HR
HQ
HR
R
NQ
NR
NR
NQ
NR
NR
WQ
R
HR
Q
HR
R
WQ
HR
HR
HQ
R
R
WQ
R
HR
Q
HR
R
Q
R
HR
Q
R
R
Q
HR
HR
HQ
R
R
Q
R
R
Q
R
R
Q
NR
R
NE
R
R
Q
Q
R
R
R
R
Q
R
HR
Q
R
HR
NQ
R
NR
Q
NR
R
Q
R
R
Q
R
R
NQ
R
NR
NQ
NR
NR
NQ
R
NR
NQ
NR
NR
Q
R
R
Q
R
R
Q
R
R
Q
R
HR
Q
R
R
HQ
HR
R
WQ
R
HR
Q
R
HR
NQ
NR
R
Q
NR
WQ
R
HR
Q
R
R
Q
R
R
Q
R
R
Q
HR
HR
HQ
R
R
Q
R
HR
Q
R
R
Q
R
R
Q
R
NR
R
WCT
PPAC
IVI
1st Supreme retentions
Charles Freeman
Thomas Fitzgerald
1st Appellate retentions
Joseph Gordon
Shelvin Hall
Cook Circuit retentions
Nancy Arnold
Robert Balanoff
Jeanne Bernstein
Robert Bertucci
Paul Biebel, Jr.
Richard Billik, Jr.
Jennifer Duncan-Brice
Kathleen Burke
Charles Burns
Paula Daleo
Thomas Davy
David Delgado
Deborah Dooling
Laurence Dunford
Timothy Evans
Thomas Fecarotta, Jr.
Denise Filan
Nicholas Ford
Vincent Gaughan
Allen Goldberg
Susan Grussel
Sophia Hall
Kay Hanlon
LaQuietta Hardy-Campbell
Thomas Hogan
Nathaniel Howse, Jr.
Arnette Hubbard
Cheryl Ingram
Raymond Jagielski
Dorothy Jones
Daniel Jordan
Michelle Jordan
Thomas Kelley
Carol Kelly
John Kirby
William Kunkle
Bertina Lampkin
Diane Larsen
Jeffrey Lawrence
Daniel Lynch
William Maddux
William Maki
LeRoy Martin, Jr.
James McCarthy
Susan McDunn
Clare McWilliams
Mary Mikva
Patrick Murphy
Timothy Murphy
Donald O’Brien, Jr.
William O’Neal
Kathleen Pantle
Sheryl Pethers
Robert Quinn
Jim Ryan
Leida Santiago
Kevin Sheehan
Irwin Solganick
Paul Stralka
Sharon Sullivan
Daniel Sullivan
John Turner, Jr.
Edward Washington II
Alexander White
Susan Zwick
CCL
CCBA
DSL
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
ISBA
LAG
WBAI
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
NE
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
ELECTIONS ‘10:
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Sheila Simon
on her office
and equality
15
Biden in Chicago
By Meghan Streit
Sheila Simon is a candidate for Illinois’ lieutenant governor. Simon is a lawyer, professor and
working mother. After graduating from Georgetown University Law School in 1987, she worked
for Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance, where she
advocated for people facing domestic violence,
discrimination and loss of housing. She also
helped to start Southern Illinois University Law
School’s domestic-violence clinic. Simon comes
from a legacy of public service. Her parents, Paul
and Jeanne Simon, served in the Illinois House
together. (Paul was also a former lieutenant governor, U.S. representative and U.S. senator.)
Windy City Times: Can you begin with a
brief overview of your professional and public service experience that you believe has
prepared you for the position of lieutenant
governor?
Sheila Simon: I am taking a leave right now
as a professor at the law school at Southern Illinois University. Before that I was a prosecutor
for a while. I prosecuted all the traffic cases in
Jackson County for two years and domestic battery cases for two years. I’ve been on the City
Council in Carbondale. I was in private practice
for a while. And, I am a wife and a mom—so, all
important qualifications, in my opinion.
WCT: Many people are unfamiliar with the
office of lieutenant governor. What do you
think are the most important duties of lieutenant governor, and why are you seeking the
office?
SS: The duties of the lieutenant governor are
fairly open-ended. The state constitution requires the lieutenant governor to be available
to replace the governor, and that’s about it as
far as constitutional duties go. There are some
important statutory duties, like heading the Rural Council and the Illinois River Coordinating
Council. But there are a lot of open-ended opportunities. I am looking forward to using the
office of lieutenant governor to get citizens
more information about what levels of government can provide them as far as services and get
information from citizens of Illinois about where
we need to go in the state.
WCT: What are some of the public policy issues that are most important to you, and how
would you use the office to make progress on
those issues?
SS: I think the most important issue to me and
everyone else is the economy and the state of
the state economy. The governor has been doing
a good job in preserving Illinois and bringing
jobs to Illinois, but I would like to do more of
that. One of the key ways I think I can help in
that area is in the field of education. I think
having strong public education in Illinois is the
key to making sure we can build and attract jobs
in Illinois.
WCT: Tell us why you think you and Gov.
Quinn would make a good team.
SS: I think we already are a good team. He
had a hand in picking me, and part of it is because we work together really well. We have
the same sense of priorities in terms of jobs, in
terms of education, in terms of environmental
issues. So I really think we will be better able to
work as team more than most pairs of governor
and lieutenant governor who have been elected
much more separately.
WCT: On the flip side, if you had been serving with Gov. Quinn since he took office, is
there anything you would have advised him
to do differently?
SS: We discussed this before I was selected—
that we won’t agree on everything. I can’t imagine two people who would agree on everything.
But, on the big deal issues, I think we share a
Sheila Simon.
sense of priorities. What I would like to bring to
the process is a different perspective on things,
and a different emphasis on some issues. As a
teacher, education is really important to me,
and the governor has indicated he would like
to make me his point person on education. That
is an important role where I think I will bring
something extra to the administration—not just
the same thing, but maybe a stronger sense of
advocacy.
WCT: What have you done or what would you
like to do to ensure equality for LGBT people
in Illinois?
SS: I can tell you just in my own personal life,
I am a strong advocate for equality for everyone, and certainly “everyone” includes the LGBT
community. I served on the LGBT task force at
Southern Illinois University to review our policies there, and as a result of that, we made
some changes on our campus. As a lawyer, I
have represented pro bono several parents who
have sought a second-parent adoption, which is
more of a common thing up in the Chicago area,
but is not so common here in southern Illinois.
And I am proud to say that there are families in
southern Illinois who are complete legal families
partly as a result of my help as an advocate for
the children.
WCT: Do you support the legalization of
same-sex marriage in Illinois?
SS: I do support same-sex marriage. This is one
of those areas where the governor and I have—
we agree that civil unions are a good step forward. I would like to make same-sex marriage
available, and I think we’re moving in that direction. I think there is growing acceptance in
society, and recognition that there are healthy,
loving relationships that come in a lot of varieties. And we are better off if we recognize and
support those relationships rather than try to
exclude some from recognition.
WCT: Is there anything else you would like
voters to know about you and your goals?
SS: The one thing I would like to add is the
critical importance of this election, not just in
the LGBT community, but for everyone. In a time
where many people are turned off by the political process, it is really important to have all of
our voices heard. Democracy works better when
there are more voices participating. I would
encourage all of the folks who are reading this
interview to make sure they vote and get their
friends out to vote because it’s an important
election. In this race, it is not one of those races
where you wish you could tell the differences
between the two candidates. There are stark differences between Gov. Quinn and State Sen. Bill
Brady, and I think it’s going to be an easy vote
to cast.
See http://www.quinnforillinois.com.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was in Chicago Oct. 12 at a rally to bolster support for Illinois
Gov. Pat Quinn. The rally, which took place on the city’s Near West Side, was dubbed “Putting
Illinois Back to Work,” and counted Mayor Richard Daley and several Democratic candidates—
including Sheila Simon, David Miller, Lisa Madigan and Jesse White—among the attendees.
Quinn is in a virtual tie with Republican Bill Brady in the gubernatorial race. Photos by Kat
Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com)
Vote Independent on
November 2, 2010
Equality
FOR ALL
As your Governor,
Scott Lee Cohen will work hard to
ensure that same-sex relationships are
recognized and protected in Illinois and
that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.
New Leadership
for a New Direction
566 West Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: 312-441-0300
www.scottleecohen.com
[email protected]
Authorized and Paid for by
Citizens for Scott Lee Cohen.
16
ELECTIONS ‘10:
GOVERNOR
Scott Lee
Cohen
on LGBTs,
comeback
by CARRIE MAXWELL
Fresh from an endorsement by the National
Taxpayers of Illinois, where he pledged to have
tax accountability and not raise income taxes,
Windy City Times met with independent Illinois
gubernatorial candidate Scott Lee Cohen to talk
about a variety of issues—including why he decided to run after being asked to give up being
the candidate for lieutenant governor.
Windy City Times: How would you describe
yourself?
Scott Lee Cohen: I see myself as an easygoing, determined, open-minded, caring, compassionate person who is fiscally conservative and
socially liberal.
WCT: Why did you decide to run for governor
as an independent after dropping out of the
race as the lieutenant governor candidate for
the Democratic ticket?
SLC: I put my heart and soul into running
for lieutenant governor. When the Democratic
Party went against me it crushed me because
all I wanted to do was help the people. When
I stepped down I started getting phone calls
and e-mails. People were coming to my house
and knocking on my door. The consensus among
friends and strangers was that the Democratic
Party had no right to take away their vote.
The people of Illinois are hurting and I had
something to offer with my business and life experience. This state does not need perfection; it
needs honesty and transparency, which I have
to offer. I was totally honest about my life so I
listened to the people. I’m thinking about why
I ran and for me to just step down and not run.
It would be just like Jack Ryan or Blair Hull,
who never got involved in politics again. Most
importantly, I had the desire to run, which is
why I got back into the race.
WCT: What was your reaction when numerous top Illinois Democratic politicians called
for you to withdraw from the lieutenant governor’s race?
I was hurt and crushed because the Democratic Party led me to believe that the people of
Illinois hated me, which wasn’t true. They were
a little confused but they didn’t hate me. They
admired my honesty and they believed in me as
a person.
WCT: Do you feel that your candidacy will
take votes away from your former running
mate, Gov. Quinn? If no, then why not?
SLC: Forty-six percent of the people of Illinois
are independent voters, and the reason why they
have not voted for anyone other than a Republican or a Democrat is because there hasn’t been
a candidate that they wanted to vote for. Now
I believe there is a candidate they can vote for
because I will be pulling from both the Democrats and Republicans.
WCT: What was it that you liked about Gov.
Quinn that made you want to run as lieutenant governor with him?
SLC: Nothing, since we didn’t run together—
but my view was that, as lieutenant governor, I
would have the authority and the power to bring
businesses back to Illinois through the Illinois
Main Street program. At the time, Illinois was
going to lose that program due to lack of interest. I knew I would be his partner and it didn’t
mean that I liked him. When Gov. Quinn told me
he was going to cut the budget and take away
any of the responsibilities of the lieutenant governor’s so I’m thinking without any power how
am I going to help the people of Illinois. I am
Oct. 20, 2010
not the type of person who can take a paycheck
and do nothing because that to me is like lying
and cheating. I can’t do it so I said forget it I
am done.
WCT: Would your objectives be achieved in
other ways than running for governor?
SLC: No, and here is why: In order to move
Illinois forward and in order to bring businesses
and jobs back to Illinois Bill Brady can’t do it
and neither can Gov. Quinn. They have never
been successful businessmen. They don’t know
what it is like for a businessman to struggle to
meet payroll, work within a budget, make appropriate budget cuts and spend wisely. I could
have helped small groups but that was not my
plan; I want to help everyone in Illinois by
bringing the jobs back and putting people back
to work. I want to bring hope and prosperity
back to this state because we haven’t seen it in
at least a decade.
WCT: You support strict enforcement of the
new hate-crimes law. Can you tell me your
positions on ENDA [the Employment NonDiscrimination Act] and marriage equality for
same-sex couples as well as repealing “Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell?” Also, do you support the
right of same-sex binational couples having
the same immigration rights as straight couples have? What about HIV/AIDS funding?
SLC: I believe these hate crimes have got to
end. I am a strong advocate for the LGBT community. It blows my mind that Quinn, who is a
Democrat, doesn’t do enough to help the community. He really doesn’t, but he talks a good
game with regards to LGBT equality.
On the issue of ENDA people can’t discriminate based on sexual orientation—just like they
shouldn’t discriminate on any other factors. I
am a small-business owner and there are people
who work for me who are openly gay. I have
never discriminated against anyone in my life
and I feel that it’s not OK for anyone to discriminate against the LGBT community—not just in
Illinois but anybody across the USA.
On marriage equality I am 110 percent for
civil unions and I believe... Listen, if it were up
to me, I would say same-sex marriage is fine;
I have no problem with it and let’s go for it.
I think that getting same-sex marriage passed
through the legislature is going to be an uphill
battle, but I’m not saying it will never happen. I
am talking to you honestly and I would sign any
bill that came across my desk to allow for samesex marriages. [However,] until we get to that
point I think it’s important for same-sex couples
to share the benefits, and they aren’t getting
them. You can’t get family leave if someone dies
and you are in a same-sex relationship so there
is no equality there. So civil unions, until we
get to same-sex marriage, allows for insurance
benefits and family leave.
I don’t know all of the issues regarding LGBT
equality so I want to find out about all the issues. Why do we have to have “Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell?” It doesn’t make sense to me since it’s a
type of discrimination against gays and lesbians
and I think it should be abolished—but will the
Senate abolish it as quickly as you are asking?
I don’t know. There are still some old-time politicians who aren’t open-minded, and you know
that they are a part of the problem that Illinois
is having today.
I support the right for same-sex binational
couples to have equal immigration rights as
straight binational couples already have.
As for HIV/AIDS funding it should be funded
more but the state is broke, so for me to sit
here as a candidate and say that if elected I am
going to give you $100 million would be a lie. I
will tell you this: I won’t cut any of the funding.
I have to do my audit and when I know where
my money is going I can reallocate funding by
getting rid of some programs that are redundant
and outdated and reallocate funds to what is
important in today’s society. I am not cutting
the funding for HIV/AIDS patients drug access.
WCT: Are you holding any fundraisers geared
specifically for the LGBT community?
SLC: I have tried to reach out to a couple of
organizations and they would not meet with
Scott Lee Cohen.
me. It’s because I am an independent and it’s
not just LGBT organizations that have refused
to meet with me. I have gotten resistance from
other organizations due to my independent status.
WCT: What are your thoughts on education,
including funding?
SLC: I was very upset when the Illinois Education Association endorsed Quinn because here
is a man who cuts education spending by $310
million and, in the same week, turns around and
give his staff raises. You can’t do that.
I was walking in the Gay Pride parade and you
know it’s a very crowded parade. I heard someone screaming my name and she runs out and
said, “Mr. Cohen please talk with me for a moment?” I walked over and she [said], “Sorry to
bother you but I am a teacher and I have over
32 students in my class. I love teaching but I
can’t teach when I have this many students.” I
gave her my card and said you are preaching to
the choir so call me. However, when that same
incident happened to Quinn he wouldn’t talk
to the lady at all. I want to sit down with the
teachers and hear from them what works and
what doesn’t work and come up with a plan.
I want to know why so many kids get passed
to the next grades that are illiterate. What is the
point of all this testing when students can’t even
read and write properly? I say go to school and
learn all the subjects because I get test score
after test score on my kid and what are we doing
all of this for? So that schools can get funding
from the feds? Illinois education funding was
cut by $100 million by the federal government
so why wasn’t Gov. Quinn on a plane to Washington D.C. screaming at the President about this.
Illinois is the President’s hometown and he is
going to take money away from the children? If
Quinn had demanded an answer something better would have come out of that. This is what it
takes.
WCT: What are your thoughts regarding a
high school geared specifically for LGBT students, similar to the Harvey Milk High School
in New York City?
SLC: An LGBT person should be integrated into
society. If we put them into a school with only
LGBT kids, isn’t that saying there is something
wrong with them? That is the message that a
specific school aimed at LGBT students would
send to the public. [However,] I would support
an LGBT high school if students and parents
wanted one.
WCT: What about bullying in schools?
SLC: My youngest son is very heavy and his
confidence is shattered because of all the bul-
WINDY CITY TIMES
lying he gets so, yes, I am a big advocate for
anti-bullying laws. Gov. Quinn can sign a million
laws on the books but he has to have the ability to implement these laws by rolling up his
sleeves and seeing that these laws are carried
out, which is what I would do if elected. Also,
educating the adults involved—including teachers, principals, support staff, parents and community leaders—about the effects of bullying is
key, and I say this as someone who was bullied
in school myself.
WCT: What are your comments on the upcoming Chicago mayoral race now that Mayor
Daley has decided to retire?
SLC: I was shocked and a little sad that Daley decided to step down because he was the
mayor for over 20 years and has done many good
things for the city. Unfortunately, he is only going to be remembered for two things: selling the
parking meters and the skyway. He was the only
Democrat that stood up and said I was honest
and to let me run for office.
WCT: How do you feel about term limits?
SLC: I’m all for two terms for both state and
local offices, but if you are a good leader and
not a crook you should be able to run for office
after going back to the private sector following
your two terms in office.
WCT: What if politicians want to atone?
SLC: People are tired of that and you should be
given one chance and if you mess up again then
you should get out of politics.
WCT: How do you reconcile what you say
are your campaign goals (i.e., ethics) with
the allegations (e.g., domestic abuse against
women) that have been levied against you?
SLC: What the people heard were half-truths
and lies, and if we continue to focus on the past
we will never bring any issue forward.
Now, with the exception of the media, no one
has asked me about my past. People know that
when you are in a relationship including a divorce things are said and done that aren’t true
and I will tell you this: I was always honest with
the people of Illinois. I had a constitutional
right to expunge and seal all of my records so
that none of this would have been known but
for me to do that and turn around and say I’m
going to lead Illinois in an honest and transparent way would be a lie. That’s why I never sealed
anything because I wanted the people to see it
and make up their own minds.
WCT: Why do you think you can win?
SLC: I can absolutely win this election. People are tired of the career politicians who have
worked hard to dig us a hole, a $14 billion deficit and 10-percent unemployment. They haven’t
worked hard to get us out of it and until we elect
a new face with fresh ideas and a fresh perspective Illinois will not get back on the right road.
We have the resources to get the message out
and I am thankful and humbled by the amount
of support I am getting from people of Illinois. I
believe that together we can win this election.
WCT: Is there anything else you would like
to say to the readers of Windy City Times?
SLC: I want the LGBT community to know
that as we talked about earlier in this interview
that I myself have been discriminated against
in many different areas—for being Jewish, for
being an independent candidate, for being honest. As governor I will have an open-door policy
for the LGBT [community] that I would not only
want but would welcome members of the community to sit down with me, to be a part of an
advisory board or steering community, to make
life better, safer and to help me be able to help
them.
See http://www.scottleecohen.com.
To read an interview with Gov. Pat Quinn,
visit http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/
gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=28313.
Attempts to reach the Republican candidate, Bill Brady, have not been returned.
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
Readers weigh in
through letters
Judge’s low ratings
Early voting has begun and some people have
asked me about Judges who are up for retention.
I strongly urge you all to vote “no” on Susan
McDunn.
Please pass the word to your family and friends
as well: No on McDUNN!!
She has not learned anything from her homophobic rulings against a lesbian couple who
were trying to co-adopt, even after her Presiding
Judge removed her from the case and the Appellate Court chastised her for her inappropriate actions. She receives consistently low ratings from
the bar associations and is totally devoid of selfreflection, always blaming others. The Chicago
Tribune encourages a “no” vote on her as well.
It’s been over 20 years since a judge was denied retention so the odds are long that she will
be turned out. But it is time to return Susan
McDunn to the private sector so that she can no
longer do damage to our fellow citizens.
Please spread the word! No on Susan McDunn!!
Sincerely,
Tom Chiola
Chicago
Another option for gays
Dear Editor:
Your partner takes you for granted. No, I’m not
talking about your romantic partner, although
that person might also take you for granted. It’s
your political party that takes you for granted,
and while I’d like to say it’s their fault, I can’t.
In truth, the only people the Uptown gay community can blame for the lack of progress on
marriage equality is the Uptown gay community.
I know why you did what you did. You wanted
to develop a healthy, constructive relationship
with the Democratic Party. You didn’t want to be
hostile or rock to boat; you wanted to be a faithful partner in a progressive political movement
that would realize long overdue civil equality. In
this, your goals were admirable.
But your relationship has gone stale. The
Democratic Party has come to expect your vote,
expect your support, and expect to receive both
without any reciprocation. Worse still, that
party may actually postpone progress for fear
that it will undermine their monopoly on the
“gay vote.” In the last few decades, you have
watched what used to be a great relationship
mutate into one where you are patronized, disrespected and abused.
Take marriage equality as an example. Last
year, HB 2234, a bill that would have made Illinois the 10th state to adopt civil unions, was
introduced to the legislature with 12 democratic
sponsors. With majority control of both the Senate and the General Assembly, plus a Democratic
governor, Democrats should have been able
to pass this bill. Instead, the vote was postponed twice, and then the bill was sent back
to committee, effectively tabling the discussion
indefinitely. Even with majority control of the
government, democrats couldn’t muster the political courage to fight for your rights. This begs
an important question: if they won’t do it when
they’re in charge, when will they do it?
It’s time you started thinking about yourselves
and your own needs by voting outside the Democratic Party. This isn’t cheating. It is sending the
message that you cannot be taken for granted,
by anyone, for any reason. You are saying that
you will vote for any politician looking to help
you recognize your goals. The Libertarian gubernatorial candidates, Lex Green and Ed Rutledge,
as well as libertarian attorney general candidate
Bill Malan have all embraced marriage equality
in Illinois, and vowed to pursue civil unions if
elected. Voting for these candidates will send a
clear message to Democratic politicians “put out
or get out.”
The Uptown gay community’s love affair with
the Democratic Party needs some spice. Get
some satisfaction this November by bringing a
third party into the picture.
Sincerely,
Robert Ross
Chicago
Lesbian appointed
Cook County judge
By ANDREW DAVIS
Mary Trew—who, earlier this year, lost the
Democratic primary race for Cook County
judge, 9th Subcircuit—was appointed a judge
for that same area Oct. 14.
Trew, an out lesbian, told Windy City Times
that Judge James Epstein, who is running
unopposed for an appellate court seat, retired early to spend time with his children.
Last month, Trew called the Illinois Supreme
Court, and interviewed for a judicial position
through state justice Anne Burke’s committee. The committee recommended Trew to
Burke.
“I’ve been trying to do this [become a
judge] for 13 years and, all of a sudden, it
just popped,” Trew said with a laugh.
The appointment means that Trew will have
to leave her post as executive director of the
Domestic Violence Legal Clinic. In an earlier
interview with Windy City Times, she said that
the clinic works to “represent victims of domestic violence who can’t afford lawyers; we
don’t represent them in the criminal courts
but in the domestic-relations courts.”
Trew’s swearing-in ceremony will take place
Monday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. at 160 N. LaSalle,
18th floor, in the ceremonial courtroom. A
reception will follow at Petterino’s, 150 N.
Dearborn.
17
GUIDE from page 11
preme Court petitions regarding LGBT families
in 1999, 2001 and 2002; Ted Olson (now representing plaintiffs in the current Prop 8 case
in California) was on the other side as solicitor general when the 2001 and 2002 petitions
were signed.
—John Dalton
Race: 16th Circuit Court, Kane, “A” vacancy
Web site: JohnDaltonForJudge.com
The skinny: Dalton—who would be the first
openly gay judge elected outside of Cook
County if he prevails—has been an arbitration chairman for more than a decade and an
attorney for more than 22 years. Dalton plans
to fund his campaign without accepting donations from attorneys—a rare position among
Illinois judicial candidates. Also, Dalton is an
active member of Elgin’s First Congregational
Church, United Church of Christ.
John
Dalton.
—Christopher Boyster
Race: Sangamon County Board
Web site: ChrisBoyster.com
The skinny: Boyster, 36, is running for the
board of a county that was established in
1821 and that encompasses townships such
as Springfield, Clear Lake, Talkington and
Lanesville. If he wins, he will be the first-ever
openly gay member on the board.
��SENATORS�VOTED�TO�
REPEAL�DON’T�ASK��DON’T�TELL�
WHAT�DID�THEY�ALL�HAVE�
IN�COMMON?
STAND�WITH�THE�PARTY�THAT�STANDS�WITH�YOU�
VOTE�DEMOCRAT�ON�NOVEMBER��ND�
WWW.DEMOCRATS.ORG
Paid for by the Democratic National Committee — 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC, 20003.
This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
Oct. 20, 2010
18
Essig was a bowler in the local league from
1982-1992. He served as the bowling league
secretary from 1985-1990, and on the GAA/MSA
main board from 1982-1990.
Essig continued to bowl in the CMSA Tuesday
night bowling league until 2007.
“Rich was certainly full of life, even in his
later years,” said Chicagoan Frank Batusic, who
bowled with and against Essig. “Rich always was
gung-ho, ready to go. He worshipped the sun
like craze and never was shy to meet new people. He always wanted to be in the mix.”
Essig worked in sales for a cap and gown company for many years, and also was a representative for the Affy Tapple company for about 10
years.
Rupert Serrano.
PASSAGES
Rich Essig;
Rupert Serrano
By Ross Forman
Rich Essig, a member of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) Hall of Fame, died
Sept. 9 at Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago.
He was 86.
Essig was born in Chicago and joined the Army
during World War II from 1942 to 1945. After
the war, he returned to Chicago. Along with Sam
Molinaro, Essig helped organize many fundraisers
to financially support CMSA in its early years.
Essig, who served on the CMSA board and was
its president in 1991, was instrumental in CMSA’s
bowling growth in the early years.
“Rich was a tremendous supporter of the
[then] MSA teams and very active and responsive on the board,” said Chicagoan Dick Uyvari.
“You could always count on Rich to show up and
help out wherever need be.
“It’s always sad when someone dies, but he
lived a nice, long life; we should all be that
lucky.”
Rupert Serrano
Rupert Serrano, who has played in the Chicago
Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) volleyball leagues for years, died unexpectedly Oct.
15. He was 34.
“My personal reaction was one of shock and
disbelief,” said Anton Mulvaney, commissioner
of the CMSA’s beach-volleyball league. “I know
how serious bronchial and/or community acquired pneumonia can be, but never expected
it to take Rupert’s life. To some degree, [the
shock] still has not sunk in.
“The [CMSA] volleyball community is also in
shock.”
Mulvaney said CMSA, the Windy City Athletic
Association (WCAA) and the North American Gay
Volleyball Association (NAGVA) are each in discussions about doing something to honor Serrano.
“Rupert was one of the sweetest, most sincere
guys I’ve had the pleasure to meet and know,”
Mulvaney said. “He always had kind words to
say, [was] very supportive, [and was] always
willing to lend a hand. He was exemplary in all
thoughts and actions.
“He stood up for what he believed in, no matter how much it went against the grain. He was
passionate and his character unparalleled; his
joy for live [was] vast, his love for volleyball
intense.”
Mulvaney and Serrano were friends for four
PASSAGES
Dillie Grunauer
Dr. Dillie Grunauer, the beloved and longtime
partner of Renee C. Hanover, died after a long
illness. She was 78.
Grunauer was a neurologist with Cook County
Hospital since the late 1970s. She was well-respected in her field; very involved with Jewish
organizations and the State of Israel; and active
in the lesbian and gay rights movement. She was
active with Havurat Achayot, a Jewish lesbian
organization, and supported numerous gay and
lesbian causes.
Grunauer was the loving stepmother of Paul
(Nancy) Hanover; cherished grandmother of Sarah; and treasured cousin of Shirley London.
A friend of Grunauer wrote the following for
friends and family: “A neurologist, herself, Dillie
readily acknowledged that less was known about
the brain than any other organ. Dillie was an
inspired diagnostician; she made what seemed
to be a correct self-diagnosis of her own cruelly
ironic condition. She consulted with the neurologist who, in 1982, assigned the name Primary
Progressive Aphasia, PPA, to a rare neurodegenerative syndrome; he established the diagnostic
criteria for PPA in 1987. While in Spain, at a
medical conference in 2000, Dillie became aware
of a ‘slowness’ in her speech, nothing more. Dillie was a deft medical researcher long before the
rest of us had PCs and, in 2004, at their first
meeting, she told the doctor that she thought
she had PPA. After examining her, he confirmed
her diagnosis.
“She wrote a letter to her renowned physician
and presented it at her November, 2007 appointment. ‘In 2004, my writing was as my speech
was 3 years ago (2001). Now I am completely
mute. I am like the man in The New England
Journal … who was an amateur pilot who had to
WINDY CITY TIMES
years, and friendship that took root on the volleyball court.
Serrano served on the CMSA beach volleyball
committee for the past three seasons. He took
on the ominous task of putting all the score
sheets together on a weekly basis. He also updated the standings on the CMSA beach volleyball website.
Serrano also helped with Queen of the Beach
tournament and other volleyball events.
Serrano competed in volleyball at the 2010
Gay Games in Cologne, Germany.
“I adored Rupert and will miss him forever,”
Mulvaney said.
Added Chicagoan Scott Nelson: “Rupert was
unselfish in his volunteer work. He was a tireless
volunteer in the Chicago gay volleyball community and NAGVA. Rupert always had a smile and
a hug for everyone.”
Nelson and Serrano had been friends for eight
years, and they too met playing volleyball.
“He was a great coach/mentor and would
scream and shriek while dominating the volleyball court,” Nelson said. “He was amazing and
hilarious to watch at the same time.
Nelson said one his favorite Serrano tales
was the time he brought an exercise ball to sit
and stretch while at a volleyball tournament in
Cincinnati. “He would bounce around the gym
on it while screeching,” Nelson said. “He then
had someone get on the ball with him and both
bounced at the same time.
“[Serrano’s] red fan and his camera went to
every tournament he went to.”
Will McKendree of Chicago, who has played
volleyball with Serrano, said he prepared for
the worst while Serrano was in the hospital. But
when he heard of Serrano’s passing, “it took almost 30 minutes to register,” McKendree said. “I
somehow expected that he would be back to his
joyful self, and knew deep inside that he would
pull through this. It wasn’t until I was home
that it finally hit me, and I had to deal with the
idea that he was no longer with us.”
McKendree said the thing about Serrano that
stood out the most was that Serrano, “always
was intent upon making people around him
have fun. He would often do the most ridicu-
lous things if he knew that it would light up
someone’s night. He cared for every last person
around him, and was an outstanding friend.”
McKendree and Serrano were friends for four
years—a friendship also formed on the volleyball court.
“When Rupert and I went to Japan, we spent
the first night running amuck around Tokyo’s
Shinjuku district,” McKendree said. “After a
lovely dinner with perhaps a little too much
shochu [an alcoholic beverage], Rupert learned
a phrase, ‘Dai Suki,’ which literally translates
into ‘I like it a lot.’ We ran around Tokyo until 6
a.m. with Rupert yelling, ‘Dai Suki’ at the top of
his vocal range, and at everything from scooters to men to advertisements, etc. It was a wild
night that I will always remember.”
Serrano worked for the Women’s Business Development Center, with side jobs teaching aerobics. He also played badminton and tennis.
Serrano was born in the Philippines, moved to
Michigan in his teens, then went to college at
Loyola University in Chicago.
“Rupert was always willing to help train those
around him [on the volleyball court], and he did
it in such a way that was nurturing and kind,”
McKendree said. “He had a true love of the sport,
and always hoped to elevate the skill of those
around him.
“Rupert somehow made an impression with any
and everybody he met. I have friends that have
crossed his path for mere minutes that have sent
me messages inquiring about his situation while
he was in the hospital. Never before have I met
someone that could make a lasting impression
like he could, and a positive one at that.”
Ben Remor of Chicago, a friend of Serrano’s
through volleyball, said he was “pretty shocked”
for losing a dear friend. And confused
“Rupert was very open and welcoming to everybody,” Remor said. “He did not want to be
a problem, but rather, always wanted to know
what he [could] do to help. He was always willing to listen. He was loyal to all his friends.
“His laughter and his cheers [stand out the
most]. He was just a happy person.”
Serrano enjoyed dancing, and loved beauty
pageants and figure skating, Remor said.
“She was always somewhat inscrutable and
impenetrable and that was true of her medical
condition, too. For the last few years it’s been
described only by broad, vague and indeterminate words and remains a mystery yet to be
solved.
Grunauer had always shunned credit for doing mitzvot (acts of giving of your time and resources simply because they need to be done).
She was the anonymous serial donor who gave to
countless causes and charitable organizations.
She knew that medical knowledge can be ad-
vanced through research. It is only fitting she
thought her brain would be the most useful possession she could leave to others.
A service for Grunauer was held Oct. 17 at Anshe Emet Synagogue. Interment was at Skokie’s
Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made
to Anshe Emet Synagogue and Congregation Or
Chadash, 5959 N. Sheridan, Chicago, Ill., 60660.
For information, contact Shalom Memorial Funeral Home at 847-255-3520 or http://www.
shalom2.com.
PASSAGES
Dillie Grunauer.
stop flying because he could no longer communicate with the ‘ground’. I have PPA without Dementia. (my diagnosis).’ Memory impairment is
included among the diagnostic criteria for PPA.
Dillie could recall virtually every moment of every event in her life and her medical vocabulary
was all there, too, locked inside her head with
no way to express it because she could neither
speak nor write intelligibly. Dillie agreed to an
exhaustive neuropsychological evaluation. Her
point was validated and the doctor changed his
diagnosis. But her condition was sui generis,
unique. A diagnosis was impossible and irrelevant.
“Being consigned to expressive bondage is
a difficult state to imagine; even insignificant
communication requires great effort, every minute of every day. … Dillie survived it all [including two forms of cancer] but something else
was happening to her that was not palpable. She
knew a motor-neuron condition when she saw it.
ALS and several other diagnoses were ruled out;
no neurologist was ever able to label her condition.
Kenneth Brian Stein
Kenneth Brian Stein—also known as “BrianKenny,” “Kenny” and “Bif”—died peacefully
and comfortably surrounded by friends who
loved him dearly in the early hours of Oct. 11
in Chicago. He was 49.
Stein lived in Chicago for some 30 years,
moving here after being a successful punk art
student in Detroit and New York.
Using his intense and original sense of humor, Stein created his alter ego, “Bif,” who was
among the original servers at Ed Debevic’s and
then at Buck’s on Halsted.
Facebook and blog (“Do It Your Damn Self”)
fans and friends admiring his creative genius
looked forward to weekly updates for “Tittie
Tuesday” and “Weenie Wednesday.”
After leaving Bucks, Stein founded Brian
Kenny Cardtoure to “make the world a better
place, one card at a time.”
His exclusively hand-made “couture” cards
were featured in national “How To” and “Best
Of” craft books. They were sold in specialty
stores from coast to coast and through his online boutique.
Kenneth Brian Stein. Photo courtesy of
George Grayson
Featuring images of pulp fiction, B-movie
advertisements, mug shots, vintage pinups,
mod pop culture and even Wayne Newton, the
glittered, embossed, jeweled and elaborately
die-cut cards visually presented Stein’s humorlaced view of the world. Cards with titles like
“Hot Pants Homo,” “The Thing That Wouldn’t
Die” And “Queen” were some of his best-sellers.
Traditional funeral services were held in Detroit Oct. 13. Donations can be made in Stein’s
name to Howard Brown Health Center, 4025 N.
Sheridan.
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
Wed., Oct. 27
7:00 p.m.
Bonnie Jo Campbell
American Salvage
Jennifer Richter
Threshold
Diane Seuss
Wolf Lake, White Gown
Blown Open: Poems
19
a
GAYin the
LIFE
Text and PHOTOS by Ross Forman
Friday, Oct. 29
7:30 p.m.
Barbara Wells
Be Careful of What You Wish
4
John Hassey
Minister
He’s a gay, ordained minister who works with gay and straight couples at one of the most trying
times in their lives: when a divorce is on the horizon.
John Hassey, a reverend by title, is a family mediator, with a one-room, second-story office
along Clark Street in Andersonville. He sees three couples per week, sometimes more, often for
80 or 90 minutes per session. And each couple visits seven or eight times on average.
5233 N. Clark
(773) 769-9299
[email protected]
www.womenandchildrenfirst.com
Parking Available
Wheelchair Accessible
“I love my job,” Hassey said. “Often, when the couple arrives [at my office], there is an incredible amount of tension. By the time they’re leaving [the office], sure, they’re still getting
divorced, but they’re friends again.”
Hassey said couples bring their children to the sessions too, at times.
“The most rewarding part of my job comes when there are young kids involved [in the divorce],” Hassey said. “It’s rewarding to be able to help the couple resolve their conflict, work out
the practical details of their divorce decree, and give them the skills to resolve future conflicts
on their own, so they don’t have to keep coming back.
“I want my business to rely on referrals, not repeat business.”
nightspots
the stats
Name
John Hassey
Neighborhood
Andersonville
Age
34
Have your
premiums
increased
recently?
See me:
Charles T. Rhodes,
Agent
2472 N. Clark
773.281.0890
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
(not in NJ)
State Farm Indemnity Company (NJ)
Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois
Relationship status
Dating
Sports
Is a Green Bay Packers fan, “by
law,” he said, laughing. “I have
to be [being from Wisconsin].”
Hobbies
Kayaking, hiking and camping
It’s a fact
Grew up on
a farm just south
of Milwaukee
Hassey starts his mornings with a 30-minute meditation session. He also meditates and prays
before every couple arrives—to calm himself, he said.
“If I’m not centered, calm and focused, I won’t be a benefit to my clients,” said Hassey, who
also attends several networking events per week.
“What I do is family mediation, not family therapy,” he said, “and it’s definitely also needed
for gay couple that are divorcing, especially when the couple shares real estate, debts, or has
children. At that point, what I’m doing for a gay couple is the same as for a straight couple.”
Oct. 20, 2010
20
WINDY CITY TIMES
VIEWPOINTS WINDY CITY
TERRY
COSGROVE
Bill Brady: The most
anti-woman
nominee to run for
Illinois governor
Illinois voters are tired—tired of ugly campaign
ads and bad economic news. Many won’t even
bother voting in the governor’s race. Why should
we? There’s a very good reason: Because Bill
Brady’s candidacy is a serious threat to personal
liberty in the state of Illinois.
In my 30 years in Illinois politics, I have never
seen a nominee for governor who is more antiwoman and more anti-family than Bill Brady. Bill
Brady is not your garden-variety downstate conservative. He is an extreme right-wing candidate
and an activist leader in the fight to make abortion illegal, even in the case of rape or incest.
He aims to set back women’s rights not just one
generation, but several generations.
Where does Bill Brady stand on women’s issues?
—Brady supports a law in Illinois to ban abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.
—Brady supports amending the U.S. Constitution to make abortion illegal with no exceptions.
—Brady supports a law allowing pharmacists
to refuse to fill prescriptions based on moral or
religious objections, denying patients medicine
for birth control, emergency contraception, HIV
medications, anti-depressants for post-partum-
CHASSE
REHWINKEL
Don’t tread on
LGBT voters?
In the name of full disclosure, before I begin,
the research and writing of this piece was anteceded by two very personal encounters of mine
with the Tea Party movement.
The first such experience was in April 2008,
while I was covering the Republican presidential
primary for a paper in southern Pennsylvania.
Dark-horse Republican candidate and Texas congressman Ron Paul was making a stop in Gettysburg, Penn.—partly because of its historical
significance, partly because Paul is an alumnus
of Gettysburg College—and I was sent to cover
his speech.
The Paul rally was a profound moment in my
political life. Not because of what Paul said or
stood for, but for how his supporters acted.
The event was electric, a palpable collective of
excitement surged through the building. It was
a feeling that, until that moment, I had never
thought possible in U.S. politics.
Just two years later, while working for a Democratic state senate candidate in the Chicago
suburbs, I found myself being told by a police
officer not to worry. I was told that they would
keep a car around our campaign office to make
sure that the harasser—a local “patriot”—did
not come back or, in his words, “become violent.”
Perhaps because of this, I think the best adjective to describe the Tea Party movement is
“schizophrenic.”
depression, etc.
—Brady was one of only two legislators to
vote against stopping “Drive-Thru Deliveries,”
when HMOs were throwing women out of hospitals, against their doctors’ advice, less than 24
hours after delivering a baby.
—Brady was one of only four legislators to
vote against the voluntary check-off on the Illinois income tax form for cervical and breast
cancer research.
—Brady voted against requiring insurance
companies to pay for prescription contraceptive
drugs, even when these same companies cover
male enhancement drugs.
—Brady has voted against Family Medical
Leave, equal pay for equal work for women, and
stem cell research.
Brady likes to talk about limited government
and small government. Is outlawing abortion for
a rape victim, or any woman, limited government intrusion? Is regulating our personal lives,
limiting our access to birth control (or to any
medication), and dictating under what circumstances we have children limited government?
Not in my book, Sen. Brady.
Is criminalizing the actions of the 50,000
women who seek an abortion in Illinois each
year part of his secret economic plan? Think of
the jails and courthouses that will have to be
built to house them and their accomplices (i.e.,
friends and doctors). Think of the hospitals that
will have to deal with women suffering from illegal abortions.
I wish I were exaggerating. Prior to Roe v.
Wade, Cook County Hospital had an entire ward
devoted to “septic abortion patients,” women
who were brought to the hospital bleeding profusely, dying or dead from an illegal abortion.
Now Bill Brady wants to can take us back to
those horrible dark days.
How many years in prison does Bill Brady think
a woman should be sentenced for having an illegal abortion? I think the voters of Illinois have
a right to know the answer to this question. Will
a woman who has been raped, gets pregnant
and survives an illegal abortion get more years
in prison than the man who raped her? Voters
should know the answer to this question as well.
I encourage the media to ask Brady these questions.
Brady’s position is diametrically opposed to
that of Democratic nominee Pat Quinn. Quinn
believes that abortion should be a private decision between a woman and her doctor, not politicians. He believes that pharmacists should be
required to fill all prescriptions written by physicians, and that insurance companies must pay
for mammograms, pap smears and prescription
contraceptives. Quinn also believes that family
medical leave and equal pay for equal work are
vital to healthy families.
This is the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. This
right was not graciously extended. Women, and a
few men, planned and fought a national battle.
They were arrested, jailed, beaten, forced fed in
prisons, and some died. A relatively small group
of people gave everything they had to make sure
that every woman in the United States. would
some day be treated with dignity, respect and
make choices about her future.
My grandmother was born without the right to
vote, and my mother was born when birth control was illegal. My sister was born without the
right to legal abortion, and now my niece, born
well after 1973, stands to lose much of what
has been gained since 1920. For the sake of my
niece, our daughters, granddaughters, friends
and a civil society, we have to do everything we
can to make certain we don’t go back to those
horrible and dark days of yesterday.
Terry Cosgrove is president/CEO of Personal
PAC, a bipartisan political action committee
dedicated to electing pro-choice candidates
to state and local office in Illinois.
Leading the movement is a group of Republican ex-officials that should make anyone within
the LGBT community cringe. There’s former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin with her Christian-right pedigree; former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who is on record as being against same-sex
marriage and gay adoption; and FreedomWorks
chairman Dick Armey, who, as a congressman,
voted for a ban on gay adoption and once, in
1995, infamously used a three-letter word beginning with the letter “F” to refer to openly
gay congressman Barney Frank—and it wasn’t
“fun.”
So the head of the Tea Party movement seems
intolerable for the fiscally conservative LGBT
electorate and with reports of anti-gay slurs and
rhetoric at Tea Party rallies across the nation the
body seems to be off limits as well…
…but what about the limbs?
Running in the Ninth Congressional District—a
district that includes much of Chicago’s North
Side as well as Evanston, Skokie and Lincolnwood—is Tea Party-sponsored Republican challenger Joel Pollak.
There’s a definite Libertarian flare to Pollak—a
smattering of von Mises economic principles
here, a touch of Ayn Rand objectivism there.
However, Pollak is not your stereotypical Tea
Party candidate.
Pollak started off his political life in the Democratic camp, working as an intern in then-Democratic Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun’s office.
Pollak then went to work as a speech writer for
South African politician Tony Leon, the former
leader of the anti-apartheid and liberal-leaning
Democratic Alliance party.
Pollak is Jewish, pro-choice and an immigrant;
an open supporter of the Employment Non-discrimination Act, same-sex civil unions, and an
end to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). And, although he is morally opposed to the idea, Pollak
is in favor of a state’s right to legalize same-sex
marriage.
There are a couple issues for Pollak, however, if
he wants the support of LGBT voters come Nov.
2. He is running against a very pro-LGBT incumbent in Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and he
does look like something of an anomaly or oddity within the Republican party at present—but
his very existence raises a much more important
point to this election cycle: The LGBT electorate
cannot support the Tea Party movement—not as
a whole, anyway.
The Tea Party movement is not a solid force,
not a third party or new wave to standard Republican thinking; it’s a political backlash to the
current economic times.
This is not something new in U.S. politics. As
liberal strategist James Carville famously put it
during the 1992 presidential election, “It’s the
economy, stupid.”
It’s the one absolute in our political system:
Bad economies hurt the ruling party. And with
so many important issues still on the table for
LGBT Americans—ENDA, marriage, adoption and
DADT—blindly voting for the scatterbrained
knee-jerk reaction to a lagging economy seems,
as Schakowsky puts it, “dangerous” for LGBT
voters, even the most conservative ones.
A candidate’s Tea Party seal of approval, therefore, should be as unimportant a label for Chicagoland gay voters as their hair color. Instead
I suggest LGBT voters, both liberal and conservative, heed the words Pollak spoke to me in
an earlier interview: “All voters, no matter their
political leanings, should decide their ballots on
a candidate-by-candidate basis.”
It may seem simple and boring, but it’s a system that has worked to educate voters for more
than 100 Illinois elections and it will work again
in 2010.
Chasse Rehwinkel is a Chicago-based writer and contributing reporter for Windy City
Times. Currently, he works with the Illinois
State Senate Democrats as a campaign field
organizer.
TIMES
VOL. 26 No. 3, Oct. 20, 2010
The combined forces of Windy City Times,
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WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
GOINGS-ON
21
WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION
WHERE THE WILDE THINGS ARE
Photo
courtesy
of Gary
Murphy
Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde looks at the life writer/poet. See page 22.
MUSIC
MOVIES
EVENTS
Welcome, Matt.
Page 24.
Pop life.
Page 26.
Showing ‘Taste.’
Page 30.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Photo of Siobhan Fahey by Colin Bell
Photo by Kat Fitzgerald
(MysticImagesPhotography.com)
Doug Peck:
Out music
director on
Candide, rights
by Micki Leventhal
Doug Peck, music director for Candide—the current hit at the Goodman Theatre, already has
four Joseph Jefferson awards for best musical
direction to his credit. The list of venues he has
worked for reads like a Who’s Who of Chicago
regional theater. This is particularly impressive because the energetic, talented and effervescently out Mr. Peck is 29 years old. “But,”
he said, “when you’re working on a Leonard
Bernstein show you feel old because, what was
he—24, when he conducted the New York Philharmonic?”
An Evanston native and graduate of Northwestern University, Peck said that he chooses
projects “that are fun and have great scores; it’s
a waste of my time to work on something that’s
not great, great music. I also don’t like to work
on projects where the job is for me to re-create
something. I like to be creative and find a new
sound for something and work with brilliant directors. I want to make sure my collaborators are
great.”
Working with the Tony-, Jeff- and MacArthur
“genius” award-winning director Mary Zimmerman to craft a fresh and contemporary revival of
the notoriously challenging Candide was a very
satisfying and successful partnership.
“I tend to work in classical theater where you’re
taking an old piece, even of a dead playwright,
and putting their words on the stage,” Peck said.
“Mary was creating a new book for us which she
did so effortlessly that we didn’t even realize it
was a big deal sometimes. She brought in her
new pages every day and there was a moment in
the first, maybe second, week when she said to
me, ‘You know with my plays there’s a composer
Doug Peck. Photo by Micki Leventhal
who comes in and writes all my incidental music. You’re that person on this project.’” Peck’s
challenge was to study the extensive Bernstein
scores and select music and themes with which
to create an underscore for some of the narrative
scenes.
“We wanted to create characters that could
have all of that going on but also be wickedly
funny and Mary cast some fantastic comic actors. Hollis Resnik [as The Old Lady] makes a
meal out of trying to sit down.
“I believe the very best musical performers are
actors as well as singers. The wonderful thing
that happened Candide is that Mary and I cast
singing actors and then the singing wound up
being really spectacular. The comment I keep
hearing is that you can understand all the words.
With opera singers you can’t always understand
all the words; with actors you can understand all
the words.”
A co-production of The Goodman and Washington, D.C.,’s Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC),
Candide will close in Chicago Sunday, Oct. 31,
and travel to the capital for six weeks at STC.
Peck, Zimmerman and the entire 19-member
cast will relocate to D.C. for the entire run. “It’s
very important to me,” said Peck. “The way that
Mary works, the actors are part of the process,
she writes the lines with the specific actor in
mind.”
One of those actors is Rob Linley, Peck’s life
partner and soon-to-be spouse. The couple live
in Lincoln Square with their “very spoiled, very
loved little black cat named after the jazz singer
Shirley Horn.” Peck and Linley, who plays The
Anabaptist in Candide, work and play together
in great harmony.
“We love going to the beach and traveling. My
folks live in Santa Barbara California now and we
go out to see them a couple times a year. Rob is
from Iowa. Once Candide settles down we’re going to take a big Iowa trip and see all the places
Rob grew up. We enjoy going out to eat and we
cook a lot, and work out. Something that I’ve
gotten into because of Rob is antiquing. We go
to the theater to support our friends. I’m also a
big opera and classical music fan, so I spend a
lot of money on that.
“We do love working together and seeking
out projects. We’re in the business of creating
galas,” Peck said, noting their work creating
benefit concerts for clients such as Porchlight
Theatre, Writers’ Theatre, Court Theatre and the
Chicago Humanities Festival.
“We’re getting married in June; that’s a huge
thing now, planning the wedding. We’re actually getting married in Chicago, even though it’s
not legal here. We will go to Iowa for the legal
aspect, but we want to have the big event here
and get married in front of all our friends. It’s
countercultural and against the grain and we
want to do it anyway.
“I consider myself a political artist. The biggest issues I care about are health care and gay
rights. My parents were hippies and were very,
very politically active. I inherited that from
them. My mom is a diversity consultant so those
issues are huge for me, making sure everyone in
this country has equality. Basic human rights are
very important to me.
“The arts are tremendously political, especially
concerning gay rights. In Bernstein’s time, artists could not be out. We do acknowledge the
fact that Bernstein chose to be married and
have a family, even though he was homosexual, but the minute it became possible—he was
tremendously activist. If Bernstein would have
lived longer he would have been active [in gay
rights].
“Rob and I are eight years apart and he’s at the
end of one generation and I’m at the beginning
of another. We’re also from different parts of the
country. His family was more conservative, mine
liberal. Things are changing very quickly, we’re
at a tipping point. I feel that in 10 or 20 years
we’ll look back and not understand why there
was a problem.”
Peck’s next project is with director Charles
Newell. They are doing a revival of Porgy and
Bess for Court Theatre, to open in May. This
is Peck’s tenth collaboration with Newell, who
picked the George Gershwin classic two years
ago and the team has workshopped with a group
of African American actors to look at questions
of stereotype and dialect in the play. “The actors were very open and said that they were not
offended, that people still use this dialect. They
encouraged us to pursue this project and tell it
like we tell any other story that belongs on the
stage with great music.”
With a small cast and six-piece orchestra, suited to the intimate space of Court Theatre, this
“Porgy” will be a very different experience for
audiences than the full opera production done
by the Chicago Lyric a few years ago. “We can
serve the theater aspect,” said Peck. “To do it
in the size Gershwin intended is almost un-produceable by a theater company. I really want to
address the folk quality of the music more, playing with key and arrangement. I’m tremendously
excited for that journey.”
Porgy is the last committed project on Peck’s
calendar. “Although the offers for the fall of the
2011-12 season have started to come in, we’re
also hoping for future life for Candide,” Peck
said. “Mary’s shows have a conspicuously long
afterlife. Maybe more regional theater. We’re joking about going to Tokyo or London.”
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
22
THEATER REVIEW
Gross Indecency:
The Three Trials
of Oscar Wilde
Playwright: Moisés Kaufman
At: Black Elephant Theatre at
the Raven Theatre Complex, 6157 N. Clark
Phone: 800-838-3006; $18-$22
Runs through: Nov. 14
BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE
“Heroism is always very nice in retrospect” observed Moisés Kaufman, speaking of his 1997
docudrama recounting the excoriation of Oscar
Wilde at the hands of a vindictive English society as intent on punishing the author for his
audacious opinions as they were on upholding
an already-crumbling moral standard. As with
all tragedies, Wilde’s undoing is fraught with
hindsight speculation: If he’d only ignored the
harassment of his boyfriend’s crackpot father. If
he’d only been caught consorting with underaged
female prostitutes. If he’d only fled jurisdiction
to live contentedly in exile with his paramour.
But we in 2010 know too well the fate of those
who proclaim themselves too big to fail.
Whatever part he may have played in his own
ruin, it earned Wilde his place in the highest
echelons of gay history’s martyrs. And just to
underscore his example to audiences in 2010,
Black Elephant Theatre director Michael Rashid
has introduced a framing device to Kaufman’s
text: instead of a courtroom, we find ourselves
in a small after-hours bar called the Green Carnation. With the arrival of a “regular” bearing a
playscript, the karaoke machine is silenced as
the others assembled proceed to act out the final days of their patron saint, with annotative
commentary from, among others, George Bernard
Shaw, Queen Victoria and modern scholar Marvin
Taylor.
This conceit inevitably calls to mind Joe Calarco’s more-often produced Shakespeare’s R &
J. The mostly-young men begin their charade in
a jocular tone, reveling in camp postures and
cartoonish voices, while improvising costumes
and props from their taproom’s ersatz fin-de-siècle decor. As the inexorable journey progresses,
however, the mood grows more somber (and the
production values more overtly professional) until an unforeseen epilogue propels us back to the
present, where the persecution of homosexuals
continues.
It’s not easy to conjure a tearful denouement—
and playgoers are advised to bring their hankies for this one—from a scenario initiated by
hugs, swishes, and the ubiquitous “Don’t Stop
Believing” (“Glee” arrangement). Although the
ensemble is uniformly committed to their multiple characters—with only Kevin Bishop and
Casey Chapman, as Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas, respectively, playing single roles throughout—the heavy-lifting honors go to Danne W.
Taylor, whose Marquess of Queensbury and two
prosecuting attorneys strike just the right note
of menace amid the pretty boys for whose sake
Oscar Wilde chose to die so courageously and
unnecessarily.
THEATER REVIEW
Scorched
Playwright: Wajdi Mouawad;
Translator: Linda Gaboriau
At: Silk Road Theatre Project
at Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington
Phone: 312-857-1234; $34
BY SCOTT C. MORGAN
We all know that war is hell. But in a civil war
where one family member can literally be pitted against another, well, that’s an even worse
kind of hell.
This fact is hammered home in Silk Road
Theatre Project’s Midwest premiere of Wajdi
Mouawad’s 2007 drama Scorched. And Mouawad
isn’t afraid to cudgel the civil war wound with
a plot twist worthy of a shocking Greek tragedy.
Scorched unfolds as a mystery where grown
twin brother and sister Simon (Nick Cimino)
and Janine (Lacy Katherine Campbell) reluctantly take up their late mother’s wishes to
leave Canada and journey to Lebanon to find
their long-lost brother and father.
In between Mouawad interjects scenes of
their mother, Nawal, during her life in Lebanon
before, during and after the country’s bloody
civil war of the 1970s and ’80s (to show Nawal’s age progression, the three actresses Rinska
M. Carrasco, Carolyn Hoerdemann and Diana
Simonzadeh each effectively assume the role).
Mouawad emphasizes the horrors and atrocities of the Lebanese civil war, all the while creating a compelling mystery about Nawal and
her children’s search for their missing relatives.
But it isn’t all gloom and doom, since Mouawad
includes the eccentric and malapropism-prone
character of the notary Alphonse Lebel (brightened up by Fredric Stone’s genial performance)
who sticks up for the deceased Nawal by pressuring her children to fulfill her difficult last
wishes.
What isn’t so effective is the ability of
Mouawad (or perhaps translator Linda Gaborian’s French-to-English adaptation) to create
characters that you genuinely care about the
whole way through. Simon and Janine are given overly symbolic careers (respectively an am-
Adam Poss in Scorched. Photo by Dale
Heinen
ateur boxer and a theoretical mathematician)
which neatly tie into the plot mechanics. And
the fractured storytelling is more interesting
with its mysterious build up to the shocking
revelation rather than building true character
development and progression.
But even with these drawbacks in the script,
the acting ensemble gathered by director Dale
Heinen creates richly detailed characterizations with the material they’re given. Justin
James Farley and Adam Poss each show off
their versatility by skillfully tackling multiple
roles throughout Scorched, ranging from a war
photographer pleading for his life to a heartless sniper who loves singing along to pop music.
The production design is also very effective,
from scenic designer Tom Burch’s sand-filled
set to Peter J. Storm’s sound design filled with
spilling water sound effects to percussive gun
shots.
With Scorched, Silk Road Theatre Project illuminates an ugly chapter of recent history in
the Middle East. And though not entirely satisfying, it’s definitely a worthy reminder about
the horrors of a civil war with the extra kick of
Greek tragedy to add to its profundity.
SPOTLIGHT
There are lots of ways to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of Harper Lee’s landmark novel To Kill a Mockingbird. You could
re-read the original book, rent the DVD of the 1962 film or catch
Steppenwolf Theatre’s special presentation of Christopher Sergel’s stage adaptation. It’s great to know that Lee’s great novel
of tolerance continues to live and breathe in so many forms.
To Kill a Mockingbird plays until Nov. 14 at the Steppenwolf
Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. Performances are 7:30 p.m.
Fridays and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets are $20; call 312335-1650 or visit http://www.steppenwolf.org. Photo of (left to
right) Phillip R. Smith, Caroline Heffernan and Bubba Weiler by
Michael Brosilow.
THEATER REVIEW
State of the Union
Playwright: Russel Crouse
and Howard Lindsay
At: Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway
Tickets: 773-528-9696;
http://www.strawdog.org; $20
BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL
Rarely revived, State of the Union won a 1946
Pulitzer Prize and became a successful 1948
movie. It concerns Grant Matthews, a prominent
aviation executive who emerges from World War
II industrial leadership with immense prestige
and respect. Party power brokers think Matthews, a liberal Republican, has Presidential potential. They begin grooming him as a candidate,
which means withholding his views from public
exposure and making backroom compromises.
Is Matthews ambitious enough to take the bait
and accept the entanglements? Or will his instinctive idealism win out? And what about his
estranged wife?
So, why revive this play? Well, obviously, there’s
an election in less than a month. Also, the play’s
politics—although blandly generic—are as true
now as then, dealing with power blocs, personality, secret money and the manipulation of public image. The power-brokers of this piece never
once ask, “What will be best for the country?”
Their interests are parochial and selfish as they
remind Matthews that the professional pols select the candidates, not “the people.” The rise
of the primary election system (unimportant in
1946), has dulled that truth very little. Primary
election success requires access to Big Money,
which means an oligarchy still is in charge.
All of this is too true to be good and would
make damn dull drama if State of the Union
wasn’t an old-fashioned well-made play crafted to witty sharpness by master authors from
Broadway’s Golden Age. Act I, rising action; Act
II, conflict and crisis; Act III, resolution. Along
the way it offers sharply-drawn personalities,
political wisecracks, skillfully deployed exposition and enough factual references to make the
play believable plus a love triangle. Hey, how
can ya’ fail?
Director Geoff Button moves the play briskly,
keeping the blocking of his large cast clean and
mostly simple on Marianna Csaszar‘s simple set
which effectively uses white moldings, a parquet
floor and traditional furniture to suggest Georgetown elegance. Leads Michael Daily and Kendra
Thulin as Grant and Mary Matthews are veteran
performers in command of the stage with a clear
understanding of the characters they play. Kristina Johnson provides glamour in the underwritten role of newspaper mogul Kay Thorndyke, the
other woman in Grant’s life. BF Helman does
what’s needed as chief party strategist James
Conover, but he has less range than the others
State of the Union. Photo by Chris Ocken
in a role requiring a high degree of charm. Comic kudos go to Anderson Lawfer and Kate Harris
(good to have you back!) as, respectively, Matthew’s road manager and a hard-drinking political wife. The types and the portrayals are broad
but enjoyable.
Audiences today may not know who Walter
Lippmann, Senator Taft and Harold Stassen
were, but not to worry: names change but political types remain the same, alas.
CRITICS’ PICKS
Louis Slotin Sonata, A Red Orchid Theatre, through Oct. 24. As mothers love their
babies, the techno-Frankenstein boys who
invented nuclear weapons played with their
new toy until it turned on its parents—a
theme tailor-made for Red ‘Orchid’s watchand-warn mission. MSB
Night And Day, Remy Bumppo Theatre
Company at the Greenhouse, through Oct.
31. Linda Gillum is our sexy moderator in
Tom Stoppard’s still-timely symposial drama
on the Rambo-ization of war correspondents
willing to die in service of the information
industry. MSB
Romeo and Juliet, Chicago Shakespeare
Theater, through Nov. 21. Classical and
modern pieces blend perfectly in a physically gorgeous show in which the text drives
the action instead of slowing it down to
sound like poetry. Splendid wing-and-drop
set. Stunning flesh. JA
Thieves Like Us, The House Theatre of
Chicago at Chopin Theatre, through Oct.
30. This theatrically vibrant drama about
Depression-era bank robbers has more heart
and emotional involvement than Michael
Mann’s disappointing 2009 John Dillinger
flick Public Enemies. Take the money and
the run to see this. SCM
—By Abarbanel, Barnidge
and Morgan
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
23
“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED”
“ORIGINAL AND ENCHANTING…
CANDIDE IS A GARDEN OF DELIGHTS.”
—Chicago Sun-Times
“THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE CANDIDES”
—Variety
Tom Amandes and Annabel Armour in At Home in the Zoo. Photo by Liz Lauren
THEATER REVIEW
At Home
at the Zoo
Playwright: Edward Albee
At: Victory Gardens Theater at
the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln
Phone: 773-871-3000; $20-$50
Runs through: Oct. 31
BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE
Since its premiere in 1960, scholars, critics and
student actors have delved the enigma of Edward Albee’s brief, beguiling play describing a
chance encounter between two strangers in a
park—one, a “square,” and the other, a “beat”
(in the parlance of that era)—who carry on a
mostly one-sided conversation before one engineers his own death. Now, half a century later,
the author presents us with a second piece in
the puzzle, and in doing so, pulls the rug out
from under decades of textual analysis to irrevocably alter its source for all posterity.
The first act of this revelation, subtitled
“Homelife,” locates us in the stylishly-drab
living room of Peter and Ann on a Sunday afternoon when the serenity of their Noah’s Ark
lifestyle has finally become so manifest as to
require confrontation. Ann laments the loss of
passion and spontaneity in their lives, going so
far as to conjure violent fantasies bespeaking a
longing for extreme experiences reflecting “ani-
mal” savagery. Peter replies with an account of
a youthful moment when he gave way to his libido, only to be horrified at the brutality engendered by such license. He then goes for a walk
to contemplate this discussion, where he meets
Jerry, whose squalid circumstances represent everything missing from his own.
What would spur Albee, 50 years after, to
explore Peter’s backstory? Has age made him
more sympathetic of safe players than when he
himself was a hungry, angry young artist? Whatever the motive, his “prequel” doesn’t tell us
much about paranoia-laced malaise in affluent
mid-20th-century America that The American
Dream or A Delicate Balance didn’t, but what
it does is to impose yet another subtext onto
the subsequent events. The scruffy Jerry is still
the aggressor, brandishing the minutiae of his
lonely existence, but our empathies are rooted
in Peter, whose emotional ambivalence we now
recognize.
Director Dennis Zacek recognizes it, too.
Though the second-act dialogue is the same as
in our first few dozen viewings of The Zoo Story,
Marc Grapey has been instructed to play Jerry as
a vigorous, big-voiced, almost menacing raconteur, the better to contrast with Tom Amandes’
puritanical Peter, whose bemused indifference
(like that of Annabel Armour’s sleekly patrician Ann) we now know to be a façade—insight
generating tension sufficient to certify Albee a
playwright as ornery and provocative at age 82
as he was at 30.
MUSIC BY LEONARD BERNSTEIN
BOOK ADAPTED FROM VOLTAIRE BY HUGH WHEELER
LYRICS BY RICHARD WILBUR
ADDITIONAL LYRICS BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM, JOHN LATOUCHE,
LILLIAN HELLMAN, DOROTHY PARKER AND LEONARD BERNSTEIN
DIRECTED AND NEWLY ADAPTED FROM THE VOLTAIRE BY
MARY ZIMMERMAN
EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND
THROUGH OCTOBER 31!
HURRY, THE BEST SEATS ARE GOING FAST!
with Billings and a copy of one of her recordings. Tickets and can be purchased online
through Paypal (admission ticket, benefactor
ticket), by calling Gerber/Hart or by stopping
by the library, 1127 W. Granville, during open
hours. See http://www.GerberHart.org or call
773-381-8030 for more information.
Billings will also be featured in a reading of
Terrence McNally’s The Ritz, which will conclude Pride Films & Plays’ The Great Plays of
Terrence McNally reading series on Sunday, Oct.
24, at 7 p.m. The event will take place at Stage
773, 1225 W. Belmont. Visit http://www.pridefilmsandplays.com or call 773-250-3112.
Alexandra Billings.
Billings at
Gerber/Hart
benefit, Ritz
reading
Tickets are now available for the 2010 Gerber/Hart annual benefit, “Making History: Center Stage,” which will take place Saturday, Oct.
23, at 7 p.m. with keynote speaker Alexandra
Billings at the Swedish-American Museum Center, 5211 N. Clark.
Billings, originally from Chicago, is a favorite of local audiences. Admission tickets are
$75, and benefactor tickets are $135. Benefactor tickets include a champagne pre-reception
Levi Kreis in Chicago
for ‘Quartet,’
solo show
Levi Kreis—who won a Tony Award this
year for his portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis in the
Broadway production Million Dollar Quartet—
will join the Chicago cast Sunday, Oct. 31, during the encore for the 6:30 p.m. performance.
Quartet is running at the Apollo Theater, 2540
N. Lincoln.
Kreis will also put on a solo acoustic show
Monday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Apollo.
Tickets are available through the Apollo
Theater box office, and online through http://
www.ticketmaster.com.
ANYONE WHO LOVES MUSICALS MUST SEE CANDIDE!
Featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein with contributions from the greatest lyricists from the 20th
century—from Stephen Sondheim to Dorothy Parker—this outrageous musical satire tells the story of
the naïve Candide, who is banished for romancing the Baron’s daughter only to be plagued by a series of
absurd hardships that challenge his optimistic outlook of life and love. Candide will leave you enchanted.
312.443.3800
GoodmanTheatre.org
Special discounts for groups
of 10 or more: 312.443.3820
Corporate Sponsor Partners
Media Sponsors
Lead Corporate Sponsor
Official Lighting Sponsor
Exclusive Airline of
Goodman Theatre
PETTERINO’S, Promotional Partner
for Candide.
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
24
KNIGHT
AT
THE
MOVIES
By
Richard
Knight, Jr.
Hereafter;
DVD round-up;
film note
Clint Eastwood’s movies have become ubiquitous
entries in the annual year-end Oscar derby. And
the weighty Hereafter—with its serious subject
matter (communing with the dead Over There);
serious leading actor (Matt Damon); and serious,
large-scale approach—is his latest contender.
But the result, from a convoluted script by Peter
Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) and directed
by Eastwood in his signature, stultifying pace, is
a leaden mess. Filled with promising elements,
wonderful actors and occasional bright spots,
Hereafter is ultimately nebulous and mundane—
so empty-headed and pretentious that it collapses under its own “prestigious” weight.
The movie’s best sequence comes right out of
the gate: Marie, a gorgeous French TV journalist
(Cecile De France) and Didier, her equally gorgeous French hottie boyfriend/producer (Thierry
Neuvic), are caught in a devastating tsunami
(captured by Eastwood in true Irwin Allen disaster style). Marie momentarily drowns, glimpsing the hereafter; upon her return to France,
she begins to experience flashbacks of what she
encountered. Meanwhile, in the United States, a
renowned psychic named George Lonegan (Damon) has renounced his abilities to hear messages from the dead and is trying to make a new
life for himself. But his brother (Jay Mohr) only
sees dollar signs and won’t let him. Finally, one
of a pair of cockney English twins is tragically
killed in an accident and his surviving brother,
Marcus (Frankie McLaren), won’t rest until he
connects with his brother “on the other side.”
Eventually, of course, all three of these stories
will connect, but Morgan’s script and Eastwood’s
glacial pacing won’t find that happening until
long after the 100-minute mark—long after any
interest in these characters who are haunted by
their connection to the “other side” has evapo-
rated like so much ectoplasm.
The bulk of the blame goes to Morgan’s script,
which promises a lot more than it delivers. Weld
that to Eastwood’s bland direction and the result
is a movie consciously reaching for “greatness”
and falling far off the mark. This “we’re all connected under the skin” stuff worked wondrously
in a movie like Babel but Eastwood’s flinty, nononsense approach has none of the lyricism that
director Alejandro González Iñárritu unforgettably displayed in that marvelous film. Eastwood
resorts to visual metaphors (claps of thunder arrive on cue each time something momentous is
about to happen), lets scenes run on too long
and, worst, persists in writing yet another of his
wooden, signature music scores (single notes
plucked out on piano or guitar) for a movie that
desperately needs a film composer with musical
versatility and passion. (Rarely has a score irritated me as much as this one has.)
In the end, Hereafter is just so much smoke
and mirrors, and has the same effect as an encounter with a phony physic—it keeps delivering just enough to tantalize you, never has a
real payoff and eventually makes you realize
with sadness and/or anger that you’ve been
conned. What a lot of hooey.
DVD round-up:
Two of my favorite films this year—the sumptuous I Am Love, a collaboration between star/
producer Tilda Swinton and director/co-screenwriter Luca Guadagnino, and the thrilling sci-fi
horror movie Splice, which stars Adrien Brody
and Sarah Polley—are out on DVD and will be
of interest to queer movie fans. The first, a masterpiece of sensuality set in Italy, features a
lesbian character and plenty of homoerotic subtext—both integral to the tragic, melodramatic
outcome of the film. In the second, Brody, Polley
and Delphine Chanéac (as Dren, the hybrid human-animal creation) pull off a gender-bending
high-wire act under the inspired direction of
Vincenzo Natali (who co-wrote the script) that
has to be seen (and reveled in) to be believed.
Both films signal the arrival of bold, enthralling
filmmaking talents to be reckoned with.
For fans of classics, the Warner Archives’ DVD
on Demand service is giving us the long-requested A Stolen Life. This 1946 plot-boiler features
Bette Davis as twins (one saintly, one nasty as
hell) and handsome young Glenn Ford for them
to fight over. Consistently over the top, the
movie’s an entertaining women’s picture that
marked the first and last time Davis took a hand
in producing her own films. The Warner Archive
has also released the 1971 black-comedy murder
mystery Pretty Maids All In A Row, starring the
late gay movie star Rock Hudson as a married
high school athletic coach who has flings with
several of his comely, female students and resorts to murder when his wanton ways become
threatened. Angie Dickinson plays a substitute
teacher who has a fling of her own; the Osmonds
Bryce Dallas Howard and Matt Damon in Hereafter. Photo by Ken Regan
Gyllenhaal, sporting plenty of muscle along with
a pretty good British accent—to make this okay
action movie worth seeing.
Tilda Swinton in I Am Love.
sing the theme song; Telly Savalas plays a detective; and James Doohan (“Star Trek’s” Scotty)
and Roddy McDowall are in the supporting cast.
Only in the ‘70s! (Get those orders in quickly to
http://www.warnerarchive.com for a copy autographed by Dickinson.)
Prince of Persia, one of last summer’s semisuccessful action blockbusters, is out on DVD
and Blu-ray. Though it’s not as entertaining
as its Arabian Nights movie forebears, there’s
enough diverting action and special effects—
not to mention the sight of the buffed-up Jake
Film note:
It’s fall in Chicago, which means film festivals—and one of the largest is the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival. Kicking
off Oct. 22 and running through Oct. 31, this
year’s lineup is the largest in the fest’s history—a whopping 270 movies (representing 40
countries and including 90 Chicago premieres).
Don’t let that number overwhelm you—many of
the entries in the fest are cartoon-length shorts
programmed together as in the Friday, Oct. 22,
opening-night program at Thorne Auditorium,
375 E. Chicago, that kicks off at 6 p.m. and features seven short films hosted by WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer along with entertainment by Radio
Disney’s Party Patrol.
More than 100 filmmakers will attend the
festival, which in addition to screenings will
include lots of kid-friendly workshops and activities. Movies for children of all ages (from 2
through 13+) which will screen at a variety of
Chicago venues, including the Center on Halsted. Complete festival information is available at
773-281-9075 or http://www.facets.org/kids.
Check out my archived reviews at http://
www.windycitytimes.com or http://www.
knightatthemovies.com. Readers can leave
feedback at the latter website.
From left: Antonin Stahly and Salim Kechiouche in The String.
DVD REVIEW
The String
by Steve Warren
You may have heard how difficult it is to be
gay in Arab countries. The String (Le Fil) makes
it look easy. Director and co-writer Mehdi Ben
Attia serves up a lite drama with very little
conflict, in which love conquers homophobia,
class warfare, xenophobia, misogyny—virtually
everything but the common cold.
It’s all quite watchable and there are enough
serious films on these topics that you can be
excused for taking a night off to observe the
world more or less as it should be, in hopes
that today’s fantasy will be tomorrow’s reality.
Sara (Claudia Cardinale) shocked her French
family some 40 years ago when she moved to
Tunisia to marry an Arab. Now it’s her turn to
be shocked—but only briefly—when her son
Malik (Antonin Stahly) moves back to Tunisia
to live with her in her fabulous seaside villa
a few months after her husband’s death. She
should know he’s gay but she’s in denial and
keeps him from telling her until she catches
him in bed with a handsome servant, Bilal
(Salim Kechiouche).
It takes Malik and Bilal half the movie to
hook up but once they do they face only the
most minor of difficulties.
Malik is an architect designing a mosque
that’s run into a roadblock over how to provide
parking. That’s never resolved but it serves
to introduce Malik’s lesbian co-worker, Sirine
(Ramla Ayari), who plans to have a baby by
artificial insemination with her partner, Leila
(Abir Bennani). Malik signs on to marry Sirine
to give the baby a nominal father and make his
own mother and grandmother happy.
Sirine and Leila are open about their relationship and Malik has a cousin, Wassim (Ali
M’Rabet), who’s openly and obviously gay.
None of them have trouble being accepted by
friends and family, and it doesn’t take Malik’s
mother long to adjust to his new status (although as written she seems somewhat bipolar
anyway).
Cardinale, though rarely seen in the United
States since the ‘60s, provides star power as
well as authenticity, as she was raised in Tunisia (though of Italian, not French descent).
Stahly and Kechiouche are decent actors with
average faces and nice bodies, which thanks to
that darned Tunisian sun they have to display
frequently.
The string of the title is an imaginary one
Malik was obsessed with as a child. It manifests itself in various ways, from B&D fantasies
to unraveling sweaters and a water ski rope.
Since there’s not much of a plot the movie has
to fill time with something.
With Amazon.com selling used copies of
SCARCE (www.myspace.com/scarcemovie)
for as little as $4.79, Steve understands
what Bette Midler meant in Ruthless People
when she said, “I’ve been kidnapped by KMart!”
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
MOVIES
Historian Susan Stryker
on transgender rights
By KATE SOSIN Without Susan Stryker, some of the most significant moments in transgender history might
be confined to archive collections rather than
best-selling books and films. A filmmaker, writer
and professor at Indiana University-Bloomington, Stryker is one of the few known transgender historians to date. Her works, which include
Transgender History and Christine Jorgensen’s
autobiography (Stryker co-authored the work),
became canonical in gender studies collections
nearly the moment they hit the shelves.
It’s been five years since Stryker released her
Emmy-winning documentary, Screaming Queens:
The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria. The film is
largely credited with shedding light on the
Compton Cafeteria Riot, the violent transgender
uprising in San Francisco against police brutality that pre-dated Stonewall by three years.
Styker will be screening her Emmy-winning
film, Screaming Queens, Oct. 24 at Oak Park
Public Library. Windy City Times caught up with
Stryker to talk about historical tensions between
trans and gay people, the conservative right’s
new anti-trans agenda, and the challenges facing trans people in a post- 9/11 world.
Windy City Times: What are you working on
right now?
Susan Stryker: Ah, too much. Mostly what I’m
doing is trying to teach my classes and keep
my girlfriend happy. So that’s the main thing.
In terms of work, I am working on a new film
… about Christine Jorgenson. It’s all starting
to gel. I plan for it to be done by summer of
2012.
WCT: Gay issues are getting a lot of press
right now. How do you think this affects
transgender movements?
SS: I think it’s kind of a mixed bag. In some
ways it’s not necessarily the same issues for trans
people. I mean like, gays in the military. It’s
like, so if they let gays in the military, they’re
still not going to let trans people serve. And
so whether or not those are even trans issues
remains to be seen or whether or not whats good
for the gays is good for the trans. I don’t want
to see gay and trans being put in opposition
of each other because I live at the intersection
of those communities. I don’t want to have to
choose. Susan Stryker.
WCT: In arguing for a transgender-inclusive
ENDA, you confronted the claim that transgender and gay histories are disparate. As a
historian, why do you think some gay people
have a hard time viewing their history as integral to trans history?
SS: By 1973 or so, that the whole idea of gay
liberation had gotten tied up with the idea of
having full citizenship rights. It’s been a mainstreaming. It’s the idea “well, we want a place
at the table.” And the “place at the table” way
of thinking about things wants to create gay as
a variation on normal … and that includes gender normalcy. In that way of thinking about it,
transgender doesn’t fit into it. WCT: As a person who is recording transgender history now, are you finding that the
language is changing faster than you’re able
to record it?
SS: I think that happens all the time, anyway.
But, yeah, things do seem to be very fluid. Everything is just so in flux and fluid that yeah, it
is in some ways hard to keep up. It’s what makes
me want to listen and not act like I know all the
answers. WCT: What is the historical significance of
the present for transgender communities?
SS: I do see a lot of things happening all at
once, some of which are contradictory. You know
like, I do see more and more people knowing
about transgender issues and feeling comfortable with them….I also see, through, from the
organized far right in the U.S., in some ways,
it has sort of shifted focus away from gay and
lesbian issues. I think they have found that the
sort of “tranny bathroom, man in a dress stalking our wives and daughters” theme is actually a
good way to drive a wedge into LGBT politics.
WCT: What is a new challenge facing transgender people?
SS: Given some of the post-9/11 security issues that have been raised, there’s far more
surveillance of the population. There’s so many
ways that all of our data is much more scruti-
25
nized than it used to be. And that as a result,
I think it’s harder to be in the closet as a trans
person, even if you want to be. You can walk
around in the world as a trans person a little bit
more easily in a lot of places, but you can’t do it
with the assumption that nobody knows you’re
trans. WCT: Why is it important for transgender
people to have written and oral histories?
SS: I think it’s really easy to feel like you’re
alone, and so just documenting that there are
other people who have had your experience, I
think is good. And two… knowing other people’s
stories is a way to broaden your perspective.
Stryker will be screening her film, Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria,
as part of the Oak Park PFLAG October Movie
Series at Oak Park Public Library Sunday, Oct.
24, at 2:30 p.m. For more information got to:
http://www.oppl.org/.
Liza Minnelli
cancels
some shows
Singer/actress Liza Minnelli has cancelled
several shows due to a bout with bronchial
pneumonia.
In a statement, Minnelli said, “Performing live is my passion and I’m greatly disappointed that I will not be able to continue
my tour. I do not want to let down my fans as
my loyalty to them has always been of prime
importance in my life. I will be back on stage
on November 20.”
The cancelled concerts are Oct. 22 in Appleton, Wis.; Oct. 29 in Joliet, Ill.; Oct. 30 in
Indianapolis, Ind.; Nov. 7 in Boston, Mass.;
Nov. 12 in Memphis, Tenn.; and Nov. 13 in
Nashville, Tenn.
See http://www.OfficialLizaMinnelli.com.
Oct. 20, 2010
26
POP
MAKING
SENSE
by David Byrne
with Tony Peregrin
After having a lengthy pre-Broadway run in the
Windy City as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet, Levi Kreis returns to Chicago for a
special acoustic concert on Monday, Nov. 1, at
Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln. The Tony winner scored sizeable hits on Logo’s Click List with
the bringing-down-the-house gospel-flavored
“Nothing at All” and the coming-out tale “We’re
Okay.” The openly gay crooner’s catalog boasts
four albums, featuring the standout tracks “U
Found Me,” “Hardly a Hero” and “With You.”
I am going to come out and say it—I am not
much of a Maroon 5 fan. The group’s radio hits
fail to be distinctive and the videos are oversexualized, but not in a fun, campy David Lee
Roth or Motley Crue kind of way. The quintet’s
fingerprints are found easily on its latest, Hands
All Over, with its trademark wah-wah guitar and
lead singer Adam Levine’s unmistakable vocals
carrying on about his unsatisfying romantic escapades. This outing is produced by John “Mutt”
Lange, who has worked with gay favorites Cher
and Shania Twain. The Beach Boys-inspired
“Stutter,” the slower-paced “Just a Feeling” and
a joint effort with Lady Antebellum on “Out of
Goodbyes” highlight the package. Hands All Over
is out now via A&M. The boys in the band are
scheduled to perform at The UIC Pavilion, 1150
W. Harrison, on Wed., Oct. 27.
Last year I dubbed Songs from the Red Room
by Shakespears Sister as the album of the year.
Finally, this superb set is available stateside. Just
imagine Blondie, Love and Rockets and Siouxsie
and the Banshees collaborating on “You’re Not
Yourself” or the remake of Linda Lamb’s “Hot
Room.” There is a glimmer of darkness coming
through frontwoman Siobhan Fahey’s smile on
“Bad Blood.” “Someone Else’s Girl” and “Baby
It’s You” have a wonderful ‘60s girl-group glow,
while the Death in Vegas Mix of “Cold” is deliciously icy and robotic.
A limited-edition version of Songs from the
Red Room is available with brilliant interpretations of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” and
Joy Division’s “She’s Lost Control.” Fahey is ageless and energetic in the video for “It’s a Trip.”
She looks spectacular in a tie and a form-fitting
suit. Rumors of a stateside tour and live DVD
have me dizzy with anticipation.
It is a shame that Faithless’ success does not
cross the Atlantic. Fronted by rapper Maxi Jazz
and DJ extraordinaire Sister Bliss, the band is
a festival headliner in its native England and
spawned the career of guest vocalist Dido.
Faithless is back with The Dance. The title
gives it away; The Dance is dark, moody music
made to make you move. The opener, “Not Going
Home,” recalls previous outings “God Is a DJ”
and “We Come 1.” “Feel Me” is a nod to The Talking Heads, while “Love Is My Condition” is a step
into Delirium’s domain, with vocals from Mia
Maestro. Dido cameos on the danceable “Feelin
Good” and on the electronic “North Star,” which
will leave listeners spellbound. “Sun to Me” is
melodic and dreamy enough that it should find
its way onto radio, but not when fodder like Justin Bieber and Ke$ha rules the airwaves. Now,
let’s see about getting Faithless to headline Lollapalooza.
Last time around, The
Ladies of the Canyon created a lively dance party
by fantastically covering
Madonna’s material. On
Wed., Oct. 27, the Chicagobased outfit is going to
salute the legendary Diana
Ross at Fitzgerald’s, 6615
Roosevelt, Berwyn.
The grand diva scored
hits as the centerpiece of
The Supremes and has gone
onto claiming Marvin Gaye
and Tammi Terrell’s duet
“Ain’t No Mountain High
Enough” as her own, topping the charts with Lionel
Richie on “Endless Love”
and remaking the gay anthem “I Will Survive” with a drag queen-rich
video. My favorite is “Reflections,” which was
used as the theme song on the ’80s Vietnam War
drama China Beach. The madly talented artists
comprising Ladies of the Canyon proved they can
shine performing any genre with past tributes
ranging from Chaka Khan to The Indigo Girls. For
more information, please find Ladies of the Canyon on Facebook or visit http://www.lotclive.
com.
In light of the tragic LGBT youth suicide string
and the “It Gets Better” campaign from The
Trevor Project, I wanted to share some related
musical references. First, we lost many in the industry who have killed themselves, most notably
Kurt Cobain. This left us wondering what could
have been if the voice of a generation did not
turn the gun on himself. Don’t be mistaken into
thinking gay bullying is new. Bronski Beat’s 25year-old video to “Smalltown Boy” documents
this. In the wake of Marvin Gaye’s murder, Diana
Ross released “Missing You.” This ballad captures the heartache, devastation and questioning that one faces after losing a loved one. Similarly, Michael Jackson penned “Gone Too Soon”
after Ryan White lost his battle to AIDS. Billy
Joel’s 1985 video to “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” has Joel serving as a suicidal teen’s
guardian angel, not unlike how Clarence does for
George in It’s a Wonderful Life. But D:Ream sums
it up best with the uplifting British smash hit
“Things Can Only Get Better.” And they do.
WINDY CITY TIMES
MUSIC
Vicci Martinez
continues
to rock
by SARAH TOCE
Winner of the 2009 OutMusic Award for Outstanding Folk/Country Song (with Blair Hansen
for “Break Away” from the lesbian film Hannah
Free), Vicci Martinez recently performed in Chicago at Buddy Guy’s Legends. Windy City Times
talked with her before her show.
Windy City Times: What brings you to Chicago?
Vicci Martinez: I recently signed with new
management and we have been wanting to get
signed with a great agency called Monterey International. In the past, we sent them recordings of our stuff, but they just didn’t get the
vibe with the recording. My new manager used
to work with Monterey and one of their artists
and knows the people there so she managed to
get them to agree to come to a live show so
that they could see me play live. So, we’re going to play a show to showcase for the agency.
My drummer, bass player and keyboard player
are going to come and meet me there. Hopefully they will get the vibe and sign us to the
agency.
WCT: Wow, no pressure for the show, eh?
VM: Hopefully, they will get the vibe this time!
Hopefully they will like it and we’ll do our best.
I mean, I know we’ll do our best. We’re working
right now on trying to get an album out that
really shows what we are like in a live show and
not just a recording like in the past. So, hopefully we’ll all be in the same page there. Yeah,
cause I’ve been trying to get onboard with these
guys for a long time.
WCT: Last time we talked, you were about to
embark on a college tour. How is that going?
VM: We did a college tour last spring in the
northeast and I went and lived in New York for
a little bit. I started another tour in September
in the southeast—Georgia, South Carolina—and
I’ve been in Florida for the past two weeks. I
think I’ve done about five or six shows here in
Florida. Then I have a few others spread out on
the East Coast—Pennsylvania—and then I head
to Ohio.
WCT: You’re going all over the place!
VM: Yeah! It’s been a good excuse to get me
out of the northwest and to see the country. I
was just talking with my girlfriend a little while
Vicci Martinez. Photo by Hurricane of Lions
Photography
ago and I was telling her that, you know, even
though it’s really cool to be a part of these college shows and they have good budgets and pay
you well, being on the road is expensive! I never
realized it! [Laughs]. I mean, I used to be the
kind of person who didn’t want to put anything
on credit and I always wanted to pay everything
off, but now my cards are like all maxed out!
WCT: We’re all going through that kind of
situation, it seems! The economy, travel, work
that doesn’t pay what you what you need in
order to live, etc.
VM: I know; it’s crazy! It’s kind of like—when
you start doing it, you don’t realize how much it
catches up with you! I’m flying around, booking
car rentals and stuff. I’ve gotten really good at
Priceline and stuff. I can’t complain, though.
WCT: Are you planning to settle down anywhere soon?
VM: I was just sitting there talking with my
girlfriend about how stressful of a decision that
is right now for us. We were just talking about
buying a house because we’re wasting all of our
money on rent, but I don’t know. I mean, I’m
going back to being a full-time musician here!
WCT: Do you have a CD on the horizon?
VM: There is a limited edition live CD to help
us raise money for touring in the future. We
recorded it in Tacoma, Wash., at Jazzbones. I
actually was able to meet Keb Mo while I was
in Nashville. A good friend of mine was good
friends of his for awhile so he introduced us. Keb
has been amazing and so supportive offering advice. It would be awesome to get him on the
new album to sing a duet with me! [Laughs].
Cho good
Siobhan Fahey of Shakespears Sister. Photo
by Colin Bell
The Cho Dependent tour, headlined by comedian/actress/reality-TV veteran Margaret Cho,
arrived at The Chicago Theatre Oct. 16. Cho sang songs (“I’m Sorry” and “Your Dick”) from
her new pop album, Cho Dependent. Her stand-up act was full of fun covering condom use,
marijuana lollipops and, of course, her mom. Cho closed the show belting a duet with the
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, followed by an acoustic encore. Keep up with Margaret’s exploits by
visiting http://www.margaretcho.com; for the choir, click http://www.cgmc.org. Text by Jerry
Nunn; photos by G. Thomas Ward
WINDY CITY TIMES
Florence
Henderson:
Dancing as fast
as she can
BY JERRY NUNN
Florence Henderson will always be remembered
as the perfect mother, Carol, in The Brady Bunch.
After strutting her stuff on the 11th season of
Dancing with the Stars, it’s time to make new
memories for this lady of the ‘70s.
Windy City Times: Hello, Florence. First off
I grew up watching the Brady Bunch and even
dreamed I was the seventh kid. I am not sure
if Oliver counted or not…
Florence Henderson: Well, Oliver was a cousin.
[Laughs]
WCT: I interviewed Christopher Knight and
he was great to meet. Do you keep in touch
with most of the gang, still?
FH: Yes. Susan Olsen just came to DWTS to
watch and cheer me on. Barry [Williams] and
Chris are coming, too. Eve [Plumb] is doing a
new play in New York and is not able to make
it.
WCT: That’s great. Do you think of the other
books that the cast has written when writing
your own?
FH: No. My book covers a lot more years than
the others already written, and The Brady Bunch
is just one chapter.
WCT: Do you know the name of your memoir
yet, and can you give any choice tidbits?
FH: It’s called It Will Never Be Noticed On A
Galloping Horse, due to be released [on] Moth-
Oct. 20, 2010
er’s Day, 2011. I think you’ll find it funny, tearful, joyful and a bit surprising.
WCT: I have always wanted to ask you, what
did you think of Shelley Long playing your
part in the Brady Bunch movies?
FH: I thought she was great!
WCT: How do you stay looking so young, exercise, diet?
FH: I have always exercised and watched what
I ate. I have been doing Pilates for the past few
years, but dancing five hours a day on DWTS will
certainly keep anyone in shape.
WCT: Are you filming any more of the Florence Henderson Show?
FH: I hope to, but not at this time.
WCT: How long did you have to wait to be
on Dancing with the Stars? I heard there is a
long waiting list.
FH: It wasn’t a waiting list per say. I was a fan
of the show from the very beginning. I had attended several of the live shows in the audience.
The producers knew I was interested and they
finally made me the offer this year. I am thrilled
to be a part of it. It is a dream come true.
WCT: What are rehearsals like? Do you still
get nervous?
FH: The rehearsals are four to six hours long
four days a week. Prior to rehearsal or right after,
I do package interviews for the show and costume fittings. One day a week, I do an hour-long
interview. The other three days are consumed
with camera blocking, and dress rehearsals. So
it’s pretty much 24/7. I absolutely get nervous
before each dance, and especially on the “results
show.”
WCT: Any chance that we might hear you
sing on the show.
FH: No. It’s clearly a dance competition.
WCT: Who do you see as your biggest competition as far as the other celebrities on the
show?
FH: Everyone!
WCT: When can we see you hosting Saturday
Night Live?
FH: Wouldn’t that be fun.
WCT: It has been an honor to interview you.
I look forward to seeing you Dancing With the
Stars. Should I say “break a leg” or not?
FH: Thanks, it’s a pleasure to have been asked.
“Break a leg” is OK. It’s the tradition!
Watch Florence Henderson in action on
Dancing with the Stars and check http://abc.
go.com for listings and information. For more
on Henderson, see http://www.FloHome.com.
27
CULTURE CLUB
Nan Giordano, Artistic Director
THIS WEEKEND ONLY
LiveLife. DANCE!
Presented by:
THREE WORLD PREMIERES
OCTOBER 22 & 23, 8PM
HARRIS THEATER 205 E. RANDOLPH
IN CHICAGO’S MILLENNIUM PARK
TO PURCHASE TICKETS,
CALL THE HARRIS THEATER BOX OFFICE
312-334-7777
www.giordanodance.org
A world premiere adaptation of Emily Brontë’s
WUTHERING HEIGHTS
Thursday–Sunday through October 31, 2010
Call 773-761-4477 or
visit www.lifelinetheatre.com
She Loves Me
BOOK BY JOE MASTEROFF
MUSIC BY JERRY BOCK
LYRICS BY SHELDON HARNICK
MUSICAL DIRECTION BY BEN JOHNSON
DIRECTED BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL HALBERSTAM
“+ + + +”
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Florence Henderson.
Raven welcomes the LGBTQ community for a night of electrically charged theatre with
a post-show wine and appetizer reception and talk back with the cast and director.
28
IT
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
DOES
GET BETTER
A special section of
WINDY CITY
TIMES
Dan Savage, the nationally syndicated writer, author and blogger, started a new YouTube
channel, It Gets Better, to give hope to our next generation of LGBTs. The bullying, suicides
and all-around difficulties of growing up different are still cause for alarm in 2010, even
as society becomes more accepting of LGBTs. Savage started this project before the recent
tragic news of more suicides among gay youth.
This is the second week Windy City Times is including a special section on the topic, in
the words of our writers and guest essayists, hoping to be part of the dialogue with youth,
telling them “it does get better.”
Windy City Times will be taking submissions of essays to run on our Web site,
www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com, and in future issues. Please send your submission to
[email protected]
It Gets Better
BY Dean Littner
Kathleen Sebelius.
Arne Duncan.
Protecting Our Youth
BY Kathleen Sebelius and Arne Duncan
Kathleen Sebelius is the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, and Arne Duncan is the Secretary
of Education.
Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old from a small city in
central California, loved French fries and Pokemon
cards. Tyler Clementi was 18, a college freshman
who played violin in the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra. Asher Brown was a 13-year-old straight-A
student in Houston. Billy Lucas was a 15-year-old
from Indiana who showed horses. Justin Aaberg
from Minnesota was 15 too and posted his cello
music on YouTube.
What did these young people have in common?
They all died recently by suicide after being harassed because they were gay or believed to be
gay.
Millions of young people will wake up in America today, knowing they’ll be bullied before the
day is over. For many, the harassment will focus
on their race, a physical or intellectual disability,
their performance at school, or another characteristic that sets them apart.
We know that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students are among the most likely to be
targeted. Four out of five gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender middle-schoolers say they are
regularly harassed because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Three
quarters of high-schoolers say they “frequently”
or “often” hear derogatory and homophobic remarks.
As these attacks add up, they can become an
unbearable burden for young people. Bullied teens
are more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol. They’re
more likely to skip school. They’re more likely to
be depressed. The result is that gay, lesbian, and
bisexual teens are up to seven times more likely
to have reported attempting suicide than their
peers.
We cannot continue to stand by while our children are subjected to this physical and emotional
violence. Protecting young people from bullying is
just as essential to their healthy development as
making sure they have good teachers and access
to health care.
Over the years, we’ve heard excuse after excuse
for why this harassment continues. One argument
is that bullying often happens out of sight – in
locker rooms, deserted hallways, and social media
websites. But we know that 85 percent of bullying
happens in front of witnesses, including adults.
Others operate under the sad belief that bullying is a just another part of growing up, that
it “toughens kids up.” The events of these last
few months should put this outrageous theory to
rest.
Still others say some kids are just mean and
there’s nothing we can do about it. But this excuse ignores the effective strategies we’ve developed for reducing bullying. For example, in
schools which have an anti-harassment policy
that specifically addresses sexual orientation or
gender identity, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students are 50 percent more likely to feel
safe in school and one third less likely to skip a
class.
Even more promising are approaches that get
entire communities involved. When principals,
teachers, school nurses, pediatricians, social
workers, faith leaders, law enforcement agents,
parents, and youth all have the information they
need to recognize bullying and respond to it, bullies get a clear message that their behavior is unacceptable.
That’s why last year, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services joined forces
with four other departments to create a federal
task force on bullying. In August, the task force
staged the first-ever National Bullying Summit,
bringing together 150 top state, local, civic, and
corporate leaders to begin mapping out a national
plan to end bullying. And we launched a new website, www.bullyinginfo.org, which brings all the
federal resource on bullying together in one place
for the first time ever.
We’re also getting students involved. The Stop
Bullying Now! Campaign has 80 partners across
the country that help reach youth with an antibullying message everywhere from elementary and
middle schools to Boys and Girls Clubs to public
libraries to 4-H clubs.
And earlier this week, the Department of Education’s new Safe and Supportive Schools program
announced grants to 11 states to help them to
use student, family, and staff surveys to create
“school safety scores” for schools in their states.
Additional funds will be available for the schools
with the biggest safety concerns.
We’re launching a similar effort to mobilize
communities to prevent suicides. Last month, the
Department of Health and Human Services helped
announce an unprecedented National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, which brings together
a wide range of public and private partners to coordinate anti-suicide efforts. One of its specific
goals is preventing suicide in at-risk groups, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
youth.
Building safe neighborhoods and schools where
young people can thrive is a job for all of us, not
just government or schools or parents. It means
speaking up the next time you hear someone use a
homophobic slur, stepping in when you encounter
a bully in action, and letting your local school
board know that bullying isn’t just part of growing
up – it’s a serious danger to our children.
The events of the last few weeks have filled
many of us with sadness and anger. They should
also fill us with determination to do everything we
can to stand up for Seth, Tyler Asher, Billy, Justin
and millions of other young people who can’t do
it for themselves.
One day you will be the person who gets to
judge another with the same amount of power
with which you have felt judged. The true test of
a human being is to act compassionately toward
one another when you have all the power. If
you choose to take advantage of this power and
harm the individual receiving your judgment,
you have no character and your world remains
small; however, if you offer compassion and
understanding, your world grows and only gets
better. That day will come, please prepare for
it and build your character until then. Start by
offering this compassion to yourself. You won’t
be given a chance to be compassionate towards
another human if you can’t be that way towards
yourself first, begin with the most important
closest person to you and you are likely to be
successful.
A lesson I have learned is that people steal,
they take what they don’t have the creativity to
produce for themselves, they rob the materials
of ones character, and they brag about it when
possible. This is ongoing and doesn’t stop when
you’re an adult but what gets better is your ability to not be as harmed as the first time someone stole from you. I have made short movies
and videos since I was a little boy and being
very proud of my videos, I brought one of my
features to junior high one day.
I told everyone in my class, “This movie is
called ‘Blood Kill,’ it’s a horror movie I made with
my friends.” I beamed with pride.
After telling the world that I was carrying
around the one and only video tape of my feature
that I spent weeks making with my best friends,
I should not have been that surprised when it
disappeared from my desk during third period.
I was devastated. I ran up to everybody in my
class asking where it had gone and if they had
seen who took it. In my perfect world up until
that point, I could not imagine someone taking
my work of artistic genius away from me but it
had been thieved away forever. Nobody cared.
Nobody helped me find it. Nobody stepped in
to right something very wrong. That wasn’t the
worst of it and was just the first of it … I had
my only video camera stolen from me a few years
after that too. Even though these physical items
were taken, there was no way someone could
steal my creativity from me. Without a video
camera, I made music and sang instead; there’s
always something else. There was no way I could
“The unholy marriage of
the bully and the pulpit
really is all anti-gay
activists have left in their
arsenal to defeat the LGBT
movement. No matter how
many youth commit suicide
or adults are gay-bashed,
don’t expect our foes to
give up their trump card of
violence anytime soon.”
- Wayne Besen, executive
director of Truth Wins Out
control the forces that took from me, my only
control was how I reacted to it and to not let it
stop me from doing something different or better.
I decided to bring up this story as an example
of how to deal with loss when you have no control over what is taken. Somebody could take an
unflattering image of you, write something embarrassing, and with just a click, let the whole
world think you are horrible. They are the common thief, they are trying to take your character away; don’t let them. You are the judge of
yourself and no matter how much someone has
taken from you, you always have the choice to
be stronger and believe in yourself more than
anybody else. You don’t need to correct them. If
the truth is twisted out of your grasp and you
feel the weight of unbearable shame from every
corner, just remember that you are more creative
than that, than anything some sad cruel group
is trying to topple you with. When faced with
judgment that seems condemning and insurmountable, be more yourself than ever in retaliation. Most people take all the energy they have
to put up a defensive fake front of armor, create
a barrier, and hide themselves from feeling pain.
These bullies are weak. They use all their energy
to be something unnatural. The best defense is
to be your full self in the face of these thieves.
“Dean, I don’t want to be your friend anymore. You’re gay and going to hell and I can’t be
friends with a damned soul,“ someone I thought
was a friend told me years ago when they found
out I was gay from all the rumors swirling about
my true sexual identity.
Instead of being someone else around this
person and lying about who I was, I simply told
them that they had no right to speak to me like
that and my life had become none of their business. They happened to be a co-worker and I let
them know that they would be fired if they ever
spoke to me like that again. I remained exactly
who I was in the face of their blind bigotry and
they had to shut up to stay employed. It gets
better; your world gets bigger. The people I have
in my life today are a result of years of steady
belief in myself and others. I appreciate being
able to look back and see my character and relationships built over the span of time. I never
would have appreciated it as much if I always
had it effortlessly or gained it all too quickly.
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
Surviving
BY Brittany Barton
My name is Brittany Barton. I just recently moved
to Chicago from New Orleans, La. in June. I am
a graduate student at Loyola University Chicago
working on a dual Master’s in social work and social justice and community development. I work
for Teen Living Programs, a transitional living
facility for homeless youth in the Chicago area,
and I am also an active parishioner at All Saints
Episcopal Church. I gave the “Survivor’s Speech”
at the Oct. 8 night vigil surrounding the recent
suicides. Following is my speech.
Excerpt from my journal: May 8, 2010. “I need
more. I need a family. I need someone who
will love me and accept me for who I am. I am
happy. I am depressed. I want to communicate,
but I struggle … my heart feels dead, my soul’s
weak, my mind gone, my body worthless. God
never loved me.”
May 9, 2010. “Mother’s Day. I attempted suicide.”
I am black. I am a woman. I am a lesbian,
and I was raised Catholic. Sometimes I feel as
if I was born to be silenced, silenced by the
systems, the people, my religion, my sexuality.
But today, I stand here to have a voice.
That night, I lost hope because of the woman
I loved. I truly believed that I’d lost friends,
family did not accept me, the church didn’t want
me, and that I was better off dead. Suicide be-
came the best option that I thought would make
it all better … not just for me, but for everyone.
Once again, I felt silenced.
I am not here to tell you that it doesn’t hurt.
IT HURTS! I am here to tell you that beyond that
hurt, there is strength in each and every one of
us. There is hope. There is a voice that’s waiting
to be heard.
What saved my life that night? Me! Me telling ONE friend what I’d done. ONE friend calling
my mother (not the best Mother’s Day gift for
her). I just knew she would be disappointed in
me. I could already see her face, her eyes. She’d
never acknowledged my sexuality; actually, she
ignored it.
But that night, my mother told me, “Girl,
don’t you let that woman break your heart to
the point that you don’t want to live. You guard
it!” My mother gave me hope. The main person
in my life who I thought rejected me gave me
hope. Later on, it was my therapist, then it became my friends, the same friends who I also
thought rejected me, and today, it’s you—you
hearing my voice, listening to me say that I AM
A SURVIVOR.
IT IS TIME! It is time for us to speak up as
human beings against injustice, against the silencing of our hearts. We have to stand up to
tell politicians, churches, schools, friends that
it’s okay to be gay and that we have a right to
have a voice! We are people of all faiths, backgrounds, cultures—gifts that deserve to have a
voice.
So to each and every one of you out there
who feels alone, you are NOT alone. You have a
voice and you too are a survivor. Talk to someone, phone a friend, family, a counselor. There is
help. So my challenge to you tonight is to find
your voice.
Irish philosopher Edmund Burke once stated,
as I rephrase, “The only way for injustice to prevail is for good people to remain silent.”
If you’re of the LGBTQ community; if you’re
feeling depressed, suicidal, or know someone
who is; FIND YOUR VOICE and SPEAK IT. It’s time
that it’s heard.
RESOURCES
PFLAG (Parents
and Friends of
Lesbians and
Gays)
www.pflagchicago.org
THE TREVOR PROJECT
866-4-U-TREVOR
www.TheTrevorProject.org
IT GETS BETTER
www.youtube.com/user/
itgetsbetterproject
GLSEN (Gay,
Lesbian and
Straight
Education
Network)
www.glsen.org
IL SAFE SCHOOLS ALLIANCE
312-368-9070
www.IllinoisSafeSchools.org
For Those We Lost
BY Matthew Zaradich
The following is the speech given by Zaradich at
the recent Vigil in Memory of Tyler Clementi and
Other Victims of Homophobia-Driven Suicide, Oct.
8 at DePaul University.
As we’ve heard the names of those we’ve lost,
we cannot help but consider the potential of humanity that expired with them.
We cannot help but consider the loss of great
spirit, and the loss of a childhood—a childhood, for these children had yet to experience
the world as an adult.
It gets better. Well, sort of.
Yes, things have changed. We’ve made progress. But we have yet to complete our mission.
We have yet to do our part. We have yet to offer
these children a world to which they can look
forward.
These children suffered the brutality of bullying, driven by a vicious homophobia that, make
no mistake of it, was learned—learned, I say,
for something so vicious could never lie innately
in the mind of an infant, waiting to crawl out in
a small number of years. No, something taught
these children to hate, to point out the weak,
and to viciously malign them.
This didn’t occur in a vacuum. This didn’t occur because one or two bullies exist. This didn’t
occur because some of these children grew up in
small towns in Indiana, Minnesota, or Texas.
No, these murders happened because of an
apathetic society that allows itself to reject the
notion that LGBTQ people are, indeed, equal
with their straight and cisgender counterparts.
These children grow up in an unsure era.
They consider—Will I ever be married? Does
God really love me? Will my family ever accept
me?
And who can wonder that as they look into a
future filled with Prop 8s and Andrew Shirvells,
Fred Phelpses and Illinois Family Institutes, they
are literally scared to death.
No, my friends, this is not acceptable. But it
won’t be enough for us to come here and hold a
29
Maureen Goldin and her son, Nathan.
Supporting My Son
BY Maureen Goldin
The following speech was given at the Oct. 8 vigil
at DePaul university, honoring those lost to suicide.
My name is Maureen and my 13-year-old son is
gay.
I like to think that my son never really had to
come out to his dad and I. From an early age,
he was not your stereotypical boy. His favorite
color was lighter pink, he loved dress up, his
dream is to become a Fashion Designer and he
is a gifted musician. Sports are not his thing
and he is always surrounded by a gaggle of girls.
Many parents have given me quizzical looks over
the years about letting my son wear pink, or
dress up as a “girl” witch for Halloween. But
deep down I believed that if I suppressed his
spirit and true being, I would eventually destroy
his courage and self-assuredness. I have gone
against advice about trying to get him to fit in
more. Instead, I have let his creativeness flourish.
I regularly attend my PFLAG meetings and am
often told what an amazing parent I am and how
lucky my son is to have my husband and I as his
parents. While I am flattered by their praise, I
genuinely do not feel that I deserve any. I am
only doing what I signed up for when I made the
choice to become a parent—to love my children,
unconditionally.
I have been told that my child is the first in
his school’s history to come out at such an early
age. The truth is that there are many more children there who are gay and may not feel safe,
candle. It won’t be enough for us, tucked away
in ol’ progressive big city Chicago to repeat their
names. No, it will only be enough when ALL of
you stand together and work for equality, nay
demand it with all of your voices crying out together—THIS IS OUR COUNTRY! THESE ARE OUR
CHILDREN! WE WILL NOT LET THEM DIE! EQUALITY NOW!
The cry of EQUALITY NOW! should be as dear
to us as any cry in the wilderness. Build a future
for our children! Give them hope! Light the way,
and don’t just say it gets better—demand that
it be so.
To the children listening, hear this: you are
the most beautiful creatures God has ever created. And when the fear is so great, and the pain
is too much, and the world simply too heavy to
bear, remember this crowd of people who love
you. Hold tight to this image, and hold tight to
the strength that is within you, and survive.
For I promise to you: I won’t stop working until we force a new sun to shine out equality over
the entire earth, and your future along with it.
comfortable or strong enough to come out. I remember my son telling me when he was five that
he felt different. You cannot tell me that these
kids don’t know they are gay. They are just too
afraid to talk about it.
Gay teens and adults endure ridicule and humiliation that our society brushes under the
rug. My son hears the word “faggot” and gay
slurs multiple times every day. They may not
always be directed at him, but they are there
and he hears them. These comments are humiliating and demoralizing. Yes, some would say I
am oversensitive; it’s just words. I don’t accept
that. These words are like poison and they can
become lethal.
As parents, family and friends of gay loved
ones, we need to continue to educate and insist that this abuse, misinformation and bigotry
ends. Gay people are not going to go away. Children are going to come out earlier in life. We
need to dispel the myths and correct the misinformation. I cannot imagine the hurt, confusion
and pain that young people face when they are
forced to live a life that is not their own. My
goal for my son is to grow into an adult with all
the same experiences that any other teen goes
through. I think that his Dad and I have accomplished that and we have a very secure, happy
and confident young man to show for it. Parents
need to know that they are doing more damage than good by trying to suppress what they
cannot change. Having a gay child may not be
the life that you signed up for, but it’s the one
you got. Do the right thing—love them in their
entirety.
Maureen Goldin and her family live in Libertyville,
Illinois.
Oct. 20, 2010
30
‘Taste’-ful affair
ISSA’s brunch
Beyondmedia Education marked its 10th anniversary with its “Taste of Ten” gala, held Oct.
14 at Architectural Artifacts. Not only were there many culinary delights (provided by chefs
from establishments such as Treat, LUXBAR, Publican and Fireside, among others), but 11
very deserving individuals and organizations got their due by being named Media Justice
Awardees. Among the award recipients were CLAIM (Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated
Mothers); Howard Brown Health Center’s Joe Hollendoner; Crossroads Fund’s Jeanne Kracher;
Jane Saks, from the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts
and Media; and Ann Russo of DePaul University. Photos are by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com); see many more images at http://www.windycitymediagroup.com.
LIVE! Stand-Up Comedy Thursdays • No Cover !
®
special
showcase edition:
WINDY CITY TIMES
Thurs, Oct. 21, 8 (sharp) -9pm
Manny Capozzi & Bradley Thomas welcome... Sapna Kumar
Matt Drufke • Mo Welch • Matteo Lane • Thomas Bottoms
ABSOLUT-LY
HILARIOUS
3349 N. Halsted
SidetrackChicago.com
PLAN TO JOIN US FOR
OUR PRE-HOLIDAY SEASON
WINE
TASTING
PARTY
WED, NOV. 3 • 6-9PM
Using a mixture of public policy, youth advocacy and professional development, among
other means, the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (ISSA) has helped keep schools safe statewide for over a decade.
As the alliance held its annual brunch Oct. 17 at HUB51, members took a moment to reflect
on recent accomplishments as well as future goals.
“This group works on the beginning of the problem. I work with plenty of orgs that deal
with the end result (therapy, depression, suicide prevention),” said principal supporter Dan
Polzin. Polzin was referring to ISSA’s proactive approach of quelling bullying before it leads
to long-term problems.
The alliance works in many different capacities throughout Chicago, from advising and
creating gay-straight alliances, to leading professional development with educators. Most
recently, they partnered with legislators to pass an unprecedented piece of anti-bullying
legislation.
Gov. Pat Quinn, who attended the brunch, signed the Prevent School Violence Illinois Act
bill into law on Gay Pride Sunday (June 27) at Nettelhorst Elementary, one of the most gayfriendly schools in the city. The bill clearly defines bullying and ensures that all schools have
a comprehensive anti-bullying policy.
During the brunch three awards were given: Advocates of the Year (State Sen. Kimberly
Lightford and State Rep. Karen Yarbrough), Activist of the Year (Dillin Dee) and Ally of the
Year (Ernst & Young). “For me, the most important part of the Alliance is policy,” said Crystal
Ramirez, 16, of Lincoln Park High School. “We just passed the non-discrimination policy and
we are trying to implement it at all of the different schools.”
“Schools are not places of zero tolerance, but places of zero apathy. There should be nothing that goes on in our schools that no one cares about,” said Executive Director Shannon
Sullivan. Text by Blair Mishleau and photos by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.
com); more online at http://www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com
Duffy to receive
Damski Award at
Gerber/Hart Nov. 7
Katherine “Kit” Duffy will receive the 13th Annual Jon-Henri Damski Award Sunday, Nov. 7,
4-6 p.m., at Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville.
The event will include refreshments compliments of Gerber/Hart as well as dramatic readings by the Theo Ubique Theatre (with Artistic
Director Fred Anzevino).
Duffy, 64, is the recipient of the 13th Annual
Jon-Henri award, a longtime civil rights advocate for the LGBT community. This includes her
1984 appointment by Mayor Harold Washington
as the first mayoral liaison to Chicago’s LGBT
communities, as well as Damski’s favorite coconspirator.
In 1985, she convened Mayor Washington’s
Committee on Gay and Lesbian Issues, the precursor to today’s Advisory Council on Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. Also in
1985, she became the first executive director of
the newly formed AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
After Washington’s untimely death in November 1987, instead of giving up, Duffy increased
her efforts as a vocal advocate for equal rights.
She worked in tandem with the Gang of Four—
Damski, Rick Garcia, Laurie Dittman and Art
Johnston—securing the 1988 passage of the
historic gay-rights ordinance that bans discrimination. Not stopping there, Duffy co-founded
the Illinois Federation for Human Rights (the
forerunner of today’s Equality Illinois).
Duffy penned an “It Gets Better” column for
Windy City Times, weighing in on the rash of gay
teen suicides. “At all costs, we have to protect
our kids,” Duffy writes. “It’s clear that unless we
shepherd them safely through the years during
which they are most vulnerable emotionally and
even neurologically, we are in danger of losing
them, either when they are young or later in
their lives when their unhealed wounds are reopened by hatred and derision.”
Damski would be right at her side.
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
31
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CLEANING SERVICES
FIREWOOD
CHESTNUT CLEANING SERVICES: We’re a house cleaning
service for homes, small businesses and small buildings.
We also have fabulous organizational skills (a separate
function at a separate cost that utilizes your assistance) for what hasn’t been cleaned in many months
or years due to long-term illness, depression, physical/
mental challenges, for the elderly, if you have downsized and more. Depressed about going home to chaos?
We can organize your chaos, straighten out your chaos,
help you make sense of your chaos and finally clean
what is no longer chaos. Can we help you? Bonded and
insured. Chestnut Cleaning Service: 312-332-5575.
www.ChestnutCleaning.com (4/27/11-52)
WISCONSIN’S FINEST: Seasoned dry oak, fruitwood,
white birch, etc. Guaranteed to burn. Fast delivery or
pick-up. 1/4, 1/2 or full facecord. 2175 S. Canalport.
www.GoodwoodFirewood.com;
773-975-0251
(1/5/11-13)
CONTRACTORS
FOR YOUR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE/ENGLISH
INTERPRETING NEEDS: To consult with you or your
company with your ADA needs. Diana Thorpe CI/
CT/NIC Master, Nationally Certified Interpreter,
773-401-1339, or e-mail [email protected]
[P-TB]
Shannon Contractors: WE SPECIALIZE IN ALL YOUR
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS. From new construction, remodeling, all
carpentry, porches, decks, patios, electrical, masonry,
tuck pointing, concrete work, drywall, kitchen & bath
remodeling, brick washing & sealing and painting.
Licensed, insured and bonded. Call Brendan Coyle
312-307-6515, [email protected] (11/17/10-12)
COUNSELING
Counseling and Clinical Hypnotherapy: Providing help
to individuals and couples in our community since
1987. I specialize in relationship issues, spiritual issues,
childhood trauma, and recurrent patterns that inhibit
potential. Starla R. Sholl, LCSW, PC, 773.878.5809,
www.starlasholl.com (2/23/11-26)
REAL ESTATE
FREE!
Instant Access
to Chicago and
the Nation’s
Top Gay &
Lesbian Realtors.
Choose Your Perfect Agent Online:
baths, stunning 25 x 13 heated greenhouse currently
used as a sunroom. Spectacular setting! $599,000.
Anne Brandt, Brush Hill Realtors. Office 630-920-0666,
cell 630-674-2663. More info and photos here: http://
brushhill.com/07511907.ad (10/20/10-4)
BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED AND EXPANDED TWO STORY
FOREST PARK FARMHOUSE. 3 bedrooms, 1.1 baths. Detailed finishes throughout. On a large corner lot lined
with trees and a cobblestone street. Blocks from Blue
Line, schools, parks, pool and downtown Forest Park.
$389,9000. Call Anne at 708/917-6379. Gagliardo
Realty. (10/20/10-4)
MULTI-UNIT BUILDINGS
SOLD
www.GayRealEstate.com
Toll Free:
1.888.420.MOVE (6683)
EDGEWATER GREYSTONE TWO FLAT ON AN OVERSIZED
LOT with back and side yard. Includes all new windows
and separate CFA/CA, in unit laundry. Owners unit duplexes down to a large family room, second kitchen,
bath and third bedroom. Close to lake, shopping, transportation and Andersonville. Outstanding opportunity!
$649,000.00 Call Joe at 773-835-1333. Lakeside
Property Consultants, Agent Owned. (11/17/10-12)
OUT OF TOWN
FOR SALE
CONDOS
4529 N. MALDEN #1 AND #2. ENJOY EXQUISITE DETAILS OF TWO IMPECCABLY RESTORED CONDOS. Located on a massive landscaped lot, these bright units
range from 2100 to 2300 square feet all on one level.
Each unit offers incredible blend of original features
from inlay hwfls, French doors, 6’ wainscoting and plaster molding to all new custom eat-in kitchen w/stainless applcs, sep. DR, two sunrooms, central air, large
deck and 2 secured parking spaces. Prices range from
$489,000-$525,000. Call Andy Gersten 312.368.3280,
Prudential Rubloff Properties. Website Link: http://
www.andygersten.com/property/chicago/07597274.
cfm (11/3/10-8 - TB)
4838 Magnolia. FHA APPROVED! Bright one bedroom
with great layout in courtyard building. Pretty block
near restaurants, bars, red line, Metra. Hardwood floors,
Central A/C, In unit laundry, pristine condition. Storage. $171,900. Low tax/assms. www.getrealtyinc.
com. 773-704-0123 (11/10/10-4)
4615 N. Magnolia -1S, 3 BEDROOM/2BATH DUPLEX.
Newly rehabbed, granite, stainless, in-unit laundry, 1
parking space included. Open Sunday 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Chad Duda-Prudential 773-398-4097 (11/10/10-4)
HOUSES
RIVERSIDE HOME. CHARM, LOCATION AND GORGEOUS
LOT. Brick walls, parquet floors, 4 bedrooms, 3 full
WATER FRONT MILLER BEACH On lagoon, 4 blocks to
lake michigan, 45 min to Loop, Restored Heritage
home, 3 bed, 2 bath, Many gay neighbors. 283,500.
Ayers Realtors, 219 938-1188 (10/20/10-2)
FOR RENT
STUDIOS
WEST EDGEWATER BEAUTIFUL STUDIO. ONE MONTH
FREE. New kitchen, dining room, oak floors, walk-in
closets, laundry, $650 heated. 773-743-4141. www.
urbanequities.com (10/20/10-4)
ONE BEDROOMS
WEST EDGEWATER BEAUTIFUL ONE BEDROOM. ONE
MONTH FREE RENT! Sun-filled 900 sq ft, great kitchen,
new appliances, FDR, gleaming oak floors, walk-in
closets, laundry, CTA. $825-875. 773-743-4141 www.
MAGNIFICENT EDGEWATER ONE BEDROOM 900 SqFt,
Gleaming Oak Floors, FDR, Great Kitchen w/Dishwasher,
New Windows, Sun Room, 2 blocks to Red Line, Storage/
Laundry on-site. NO DEPOSIT $875/HTD 773-743-4141
www.urbanequities.com (10/27/10-4)
TWO BEDROOMS
EDGEWATER - ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED $1300 - condo
w/1 bath, upgraded kit, balc, w/w carpet in liv/din and
bedrooms. Sheridan Rd. bldg w/laundry, storage, 24-hr.
TV sec. No pets. Contact [email protected]. (10/20/10-2)
HEALTHCARE
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request a free quote today: www.NewYouCostaRica.
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INTERPRETER
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation
to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct
or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended,
that a certification was filed by the undersigned with
the County Clerk of Cook County. File No. D10123552
on September 27, 2010 Under the Assumed Name
of: Mindful Spirit with the business located at 1818
Dempster Ave., Evanston, IL 60201. The true name(s)
and residence address of the owner(s) is: Sarah
McLaughlin, 2509 W. Gunnison Street, 3E, Chicago, IL
60625. (10/13/10- 10/27/10)
MOVERS
WE ARE AN EXPERT, FULL-SERVICE MOVING COMPANY
with over a decade of excellence serving our community. We pride ourselves in offering top-quality,
efficient, low-cost, damage-free moves. Small to large
trucks, fully equipped with modern tools, supplies of the
trade. Rates for guaranteed professional staff: 2-man
crew $65/hr.; 3-man crew $85/hr.; 4-man crew $105/hr.
(plus low, one-time travel charge.) Call 773-777-1110
or www.chicagocrescentmovers.com. (3/23/11-26)
LEGAL NOTICES
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation
to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct
or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended,
that a certification was filed by the undersigned with
the County Clerk of Cook County. File No. D10123644
on October 4, 2010 Under the Assumed Name of: Short
Stuff Chicago with the business located at 2054 W.
Irving Park Road, #3A, Chicago, IL 60618. The true
name(s) and residence address of the owner(s) is:
Anthony D. Colston II, 4533 N. Paulina, Chicago, IL
60640. (10/13/10- 10/27/10)
EDGEWATER TWO BEDROOM. WALK TO BEACH. Sunfilled, 12 sq ft corner unit, magnificent vintage details,
great kitchen, FDR gleaming oak floors, walk-in closets, pets OK, laundry, CTA. $1100-1250 773-743-4141
EAST ROGERS PARK 2 BEDROOM. ONE MONTH FREE. Walk
to lake, CTA. Sun-filled corner unit, new carpet, AC, elevator, laundry. $1100 heat + gas included. 773-743-4141
EAST ROGERS PARK 2 BEDROOM ONE MONTH FREE. Walk
to lake, bring the dog. Sun-filled new kitchen, formal
dining room, French windows, gleaming oak floors.
$1100 heated. (773) 743-4141 www.urbanequities.
com (10/20/10-4)
EDGEWATER 2-BDRM / 2 BATHROOMS ROSEMONT &
CLARK; $1,100; 2 king size bedrooms w/walk-in closets. 2 modern bathrooms/Jacuzzi. Remodeled Kitchen w/new appliances, Hardwood Floors. Jim (847)
692-3855; [email protected] (10/20/10-1)
CHARMING LARGE CONDO - NOV. 1 GAY-OWNED, BRIGHT
1600 SQFT. 2BR/2BA Uptown condo. HW, gas fireplace,
CA/CH, W/D, assigned parking, balcony. Near L, Metra,
lake, dining, nightlife. $1,475. 217-369-1953; [email protected] (10/27/10-2)
OWNERS UNIT IN A 3 FLAT IN BOYSTOWN, STEPS FROM
HALSTED. Large, bright, first floor, 7 room apt. with
formal dining room and 3 bedrooms. Updated kitchen
with dishwasher and microwave. Hardwood floors
throughout. New light fixtures . ADT alarm system ready.
Laundry facilities on premises. Walkout porch. Available 11-01-10 at $1,500.00/month. Call Mary at
847-749-5031. (11/3/10-4)
Chad
Duda
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
773.398.4097
THREE+ BEDROOMS
EAST ROGERS PARK 3BED/2BATH. ONE MONTH FREE
RENT. Pet friendly, sun-filled, 2000 sqft, new kitchen,
FDR, new windows, gleaming oak floors, huge sun room
and deck, laundry. $1400 heated. 773-743-4141 www.
[email protected]
An independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
OPEN HOUSE
Sun. Oct. 24, 12pm–3pm.
905 W. Lakeside Pl. 2F, Chicago, IL.
$484K. Craftsman Condo in Uptown.
2nd FL/3br/2ba. Hrdwd fls. Wide moldings.
Coffered ceilings. Bay windows. French doors (4).
Glass door knobs. Cstm window coverings. 2000sqft.
Foyer. Lite-filled LR. Formal DR. Gourmet kitchen.
Lrg MBR. 10x24 terrace. 12x10 storage. W/D.
Central AC. Deeded prkng. Express buses/train close.
978.979.4661
For more photos see MLS # 07623520
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
32
Halsted, http://www.facebook.com/reqs.
php#!/pages/amy-lloyd/168477356081
Saturday, Oct. 23
Brought to you by the combined efforts of
Wed., Oct. 20
Toni Morrison in Conversation with Oprah
The Chicago Public Library and the Chicago
Public Library Foundation are honored to
announce that Nobel and Pulitzer Prizewinning author Toni Morrison will appear
in conversation with Oprah Winfrey at the
annual Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner. 6 p.m., The Forum at University of
Illinois at Chicago, 725 W. Roosevelt
Forum on Intersection of Faith and the
LGBTQ Community How faith informs
our search for justice for the LGBTQ Community and how it leads and informs our
lives as LGBTQ people, with diverse set of
faith leaders and open discussion from the
floor; open to all faiths; Outreach Committee: Collins Hunter, Dalila Fridi, Ed
Mullen, Jacob Meister, Jim Bennett, Ky
Dickens, Kristen Kaza, Lowell Jaffe, Pastor
Fred Kinsey; 6 p.m., All Saints Episcopal
Church, 4550 N. Hermitage
Equality Illinois Night of 100 Drag Queens
– 2010 A Space Oddity Equality Illinois
Night of 100 Drag Queens – 2010 A Space
Oddity is sure to please! This is a great
night of entertainment and community
support; 7 p.m., Sidetrack, 3349 N Halsted
St, http://www.equalityillinois.org
Tracy Baim, author of new book: Obama
and the Gays: A Political Marriage Chicago-based journalist Tracy Baim offers
an in-depth look at Obama’s trajectory on
gay issuess, including documents, photos, and interviews with Obama illustrating how his views on LGBT issues have
changed over the years, as well as the accomplishments and stumbles of his presidential administration. 7:30 p.m., Women
& Children First, 5233 N. Clark, http://
POLITICS OF TRUTH
Wed., Oct. 20 and 27
Tracy Baim will discuss her
book, Obama and the Gays
at Women & Children First,
5233 N. Clark, and the
Harold Washington Library,
400 S. State.
www.obamaandthegays.com
Thursday, Oct. 21
Women Like Me Are you currently or previously married, but think that you might be
lesbian, bisexual, or gay? If so, joins us
for Women Like Me, an ongoing women’s
discussion and support group. In an open
discussion format, we’ll address topics
unique to women who have previously
identifies as straight, such as: Coming out
to family, friends, and at work, Parent/
Child Issues, Marital separation & divorce;
6 p.m., 4025 N Sheridan Road, Chicago IL,
http://howardbrown.org/uploadedfiles/
services_and_programs/older_adult_services/women%20like%20me%20flyer.pdf
Make a Statement: Design for the Cure
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago Junior
Board’s signature event, Make a Statement: Design for the Cure, is at River East
Art Center. Tickets are on sale now! 6:30
p.m., River East Art Center 435 E. Illinois,
Chicago, 60611, http://www.aidschicago.
org/events/make_a_statement.php
DRAG LADY
Wed., Oct. 20
Equality Illinois’ Night of 100 Drag Queens concludes at
Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted.
Photo from 2008 by Kirk Williamson
Lambda Legal Women’s Autumn Kick-Off
Have drink and learn about volunteer opportunities. T’s to donate 10% of proceeds
to Lambda Legal. 6:30 p.m., T’s Restaurant and Bar, 5025 N Clark, http://www.
lambdalegal.org/events
Friday, Oct. 22
Big Gay Pudding White Rainbows presents
Big Gay Pudding, proving once and for all
that the proof is indeed in the pudding.
You will laugh, you will cry, and if you are
lucky you may see some people in their
underwear. Add a teaspoon of vanilla, a
dash of fun, a cup of laughs and chill for
about 45 minutes every Friday and Saturday thru Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. at The Call,
1547 W. Bryn Mawr, http://whiterainbowschicago.wordpress.com
Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus and the
Vote Naked campaign After-work event
to socialize, grab a drink and support a
great cause: voting in the up-coming
mid-term elections. Scarlet Bar will provide drink specials for event attendees: $4
mixers $4 domestic $4 wine. Info: Alexander Sewell, alexander.c.sewell@gmail.
com; 7 p.m., 773-991-5341, Scarlet, 3320
N Halsted, http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ncqp3r2iafg
Carpenters Halloween It’s the return of The
Scooty & JoJo Show’s cult hit Carpenters
Halloween, the spine-shivering send-up
of John Carpenter’s slasher classic set to
the The Carpenters’ classic songs. Opening Oct. 21 and plays only 8 performances
through Oct. 31. $15-$25 per person. 8
p.m., Circuit Night Club, 3641 N Halsted
St, http://www.scootyjojo.com
Violence Recovery Project panel For professionals interested in learning more
about intimate partner violence in LGBTQ relationships. Pre-registration is
required. Space is limited. [email protected]; 10am, 773-388-8882, Howard
Brown Health Center, 4025 N Sheridan Rd,
http://www.howardbrown.org
NUGALA 15th Annual Homecoming Northwestern University Gay and Lesbian Alumni invite alumni and friends to celebrate
their 15th Annual Homecoming party with
a mixer featuring a private 3 hour topshelf open bar with hors d’oeuvres service.
RSVP online. 8:30 p.m., (773) 871-6227,
Minibar Ultra Lounge and Cafe, 3341 N
Halsted, http://www.alumni.northwestern.edu/nugala
Open Mic Show with Amy Armstrong &
Lloyd Young A new open mic, with a new
attitude! Come out and jam with us on
FRIDAY NIGHTS. More songs to choose
from for you to sing, with the same awesomeness that is Amy & Lloyd. Its BETTER
THAN EVER! 9 p.m., Rehab Lounge, 3641 N
Get
online
Affinity Celebrates 15 years of service
Honoring the organization’s founders and
founding board members. E. Patrick Johnson, star of Sweet Tea will emcee. $30.
1 p.m., Sidetrack, 3349 N Halsted St,
http://www.affinity95.org
Dream Halloween Chicago for Children
Affected by AIDS Foundation Toys R US
& Mattel will bring together children affected by AIDS for a safe and enjoyable
Halloween experience with family fun,
fabulous food, stage performances, face
painting by MAC Cosmetics and character
appearances by Barbie®, Beetlejuice, Bugs
Bunny™, Shrek® and more! $200 adults,
$100 children 13 years and under. 5 p.m.,
312-580-1150, Windy City Fieldhouse,
2367 West Logan Blvd. , Chicago
It Takes a Village, People! is the first gaythemed production from Salsation Theatre
Company, NFP; 5:30 p.m., 773-598-4549,
Gorilla Tango Theatre 1919 N Milwaukee
Ave, http://www.salsation.com
Chicago Women’s AIDS Project, Women
living with HIV 3rd annual conference
for women living with HIV: Positive and
Powerful, We’re Still Standing! A full day
of workshops, activism, food and fun.
[email protected]; 8:30 p.m.,
773-262-5566 ext 202, UIC School of
Medicine, 1853 W. Polk
DJ Phil DaBeatz at Hydrate Popular DJ sensation, DJ Phil DaBeatz will be spinning at
Hydrate this Saturday. 10 p.m., Hydrate,
3458 N. Halsted, http://www.hydratechicago.com
The Rocky Horror Show Just in time for
the Halloween, NightBlue Performing Arts
Company presents their restaged production of the crowd-pleasing, cult classic
musical “The Rocky Horror Show.” Audiences are encouraged to dress up as their
favorite Rocky Horror characters. 11:30
p.m., 773-327-5252, Stage773, 1225 W.
Belmont, http://www.stage773.com
Sunday, Oct. 24
Haunted Halsted Pub Crawl Join the Feast
of Fun as they go from bar to select bar
on Halsted Street for a ghoulish cavalcade
of depraved delights. The Crawl kicks off
at 2 p.m. at Berlin with fantastic zombie
makeovers and New York City drag sensation Mimi Imfurst. The tour includes Spin,
Scarlet, Roscoe’s and Hydrate. 2 p.m.,
Boystown (various locations), http://
www.hauntedhalsted.com
Massage in a Bottle fundraiser for BEHIV
Massage Therapy Program Volunteers will
be at the following bars from 2 -5 p.m.
selling raffle tickets and conducting
drink/shot specials: Big Chicks, Crew, The
Glenwood, Ravenswood Pub, Parlour on
Clark. Everyone will then gather at Atmosphere from 5 -8 p.m. for a wrap-up party
and karaoke. Members of BEHIV’s Board
of Directors and staff will be visiting all
six locations via a trolley. 2 p.m., Andersonville, Edgewater and Uptown., http://
www.behiv.org
GLBT Documentary Film Series, Susan
Stryker, Screaming Queens Oak Park
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
(PFLAG) and the Oak Park Public Library
announce a ree and open to the public
series of four documentaries which will
be shown at the Library on Sunday afternoons in October. Author, director, and
transgender activist Susan Stryker will
speak following the screening of Screaming Queens; 2:30 p.m., Oak Park Public
Library, 834 Lake, Oak Park, http://www.
oppl.org
Monday, Oct. 25
Trevor Project benefit Roscoe’s hosts a
benefit for The Trevor Project, the national
organization focused on crisis and suicide
prevention efforts among lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender and questioning
MODEL SERVICE
Thursday, Oct. 21
AIDS Foundation of
Chicago’s Junior Board
will hold “Design for
a Cure” at the River
East Art Center, 435 E.
Illinois.
Photo from 2009
by Jerry Nunn
(LGBTQ) youth, with cabaret act Amy and
Freddie, performers from The Baton Show
Lounge, Frida Lay, Debbie Fox, Honey West
and many more. 10 p.m., Roscoe’s Tavern,
3356 N Halsted, http://www.roscoes.com
City of Hope: Chicago Cares For one night
only, the talented cast and crew of Disney’s The Lion King and Billy Elliot will
join together to present City of Hope:
Chicago Cares-a concert featuring song,
dance, and spoken word. $40 General
Admission, $75 VIP. All proceeds benefit
Chicago House and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA ); 7 p.m., Royal
George Theatre, 1641 N Halsted, http://
www.chicagohouse.org
Tuesday, Oct. 26
Women On Top: pH balanced for her Women On Top is an original improv comedy
show spotlighting the fairer side of pH
Productions’ vast, eclectic ensemble. We
boast one of the largest, most hilarious
collection of female comedy performers
in Chicago. Women On Top is their chance
to create comedy without all that nasty
testosterone getting in the way. 8 p.m.,
773.732.5450, Studio BE 3110 N. Sheffield, http://whatisph.com
Volunteer for the Quinn/Simon Campaign
Every Tuesday from 5:30-8:30 is LGBT
night at the phone bank. Involves calling democrats or people who have voted
democrat in the past to gain their insight
of who they are going to be voting for.
Its actually a great time, good chance to
meet people, and become politically involved with a cute crowd. 5:30 p.m., 676
N Lasalle, 3rd Floor
Wed., Oct. 27
Tracy Baim, author of new book: Obama
and the Gays: A Political Marriage Chicago-based journalist Tracy Baim offers an
in-depth look at Obama’s trajectory on gay
issuess, including documents, photos, and
interviews with Obama illustrating how
his views on LGBT issues have changed
over the years, as well as the accomplishments and stumbles of his presidential
administration. 7:30 p.m., Women &
Children First, 5233 N. Clark, http://www.
obamaandthegays.com
Chicago Area G/L Chamber of Commerce
Mix & Mingle Networking Event Networking opportunity and celebration of
Halloween. 6 p.m., Illinois Nut & Candy,
3745 W. Dempster, Skokie, http://www.
glchamber.org
Sunday, Oct. 31
14th Annual Halloween Parade hosted by
Miss Foozie. This year’s theme is “Little
Street of Horrors,” taken from the Hollywood film and Broadway show “Little Shop
of Horrors.” 6 p.m., Halsted Street, North
to Grace, http://www.northalsted.com/
pages/halloween_on_halsted/31.php
: WindyCityMediaGroup.com
ChicagoPride.com
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
BILLY MASTERS
Figure skater/Dancing with the Stars alum
Evan Lysacek is playing the skin game.
“I was in the middle of eating a kosher pastrami
sandwich. They came running and they say, ‘Paladino became gay!’ I said, ‘What?’ And then they
showed me the statement. I almost choked on
the kosher salami.”—Orthodox Rabbi Levin from
Brooklyn (who helped Paladino write his diatribe
against gay people) was outraged when he heard
of Carl’s apology. Can we really trust a rabbi who
can’t keep his deli meats straight?
This week, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino got
a double dose of bad news. First, he was dumped
from Dancing With the Stars. Then, an alleged
paramour blabbed to the Star tabloid that their
dalliance left quite a bit to be desired. When
speaking of the tryst, this gal said, “I wouldn’t
even call it a one-night stand, because he only
lasted a few minutes.” You know, young men
are an excitable bunch. To add insult to injury,
this is how she described his appendage: “Let’s
just say I’m thinking of my pinky.” Maybe it’s
revenge—those little ones can hurt!
A former “DWTS” contestant is showing off his
bod in print. Evan Lysacek took part in ESPN
Magazine’s “Body Issue.” First off, who knew
ESPN had a magazine? Anyone? Not that I expect my readers are avid ESPN devotees—in
fact, I believe ESPN prides itself on having no
viewers who would use the word “devotee.” We
already knew Evan photographed well from those
semi-nude photos we’ve run in the past, so we’re
not completely surprised that he decided to bare
all for his steamy snap. But it is far more explicit
than anything in the past (of course we’ll post
it). OK, so he has no ass. I suspect he makes up
for that in other ways.
The big story this week is Brett Favre’s penis.
Since we’ve established that most of you don’t
watch ESPN, you may be unsure as to who this
Brett Favre is. He was in Something About Mary.
Ah, now you know who I mean. Allegedly, he was
trying to woo some chick who worked for the New
York Jets and decided to send her some photos
of his penis. Ya gotta love straight men—they
actually think a photo of a soft penis is gonna
get them laid. Really? Since I know you’ll wanna
see for yourself, consider them posted.
A couple of older men have recently turned
up shirtless, giving us all hope for the future.
Hunk of days gone by Dolph Lundgren was photographed on holiday in Mexico last week, looking hot indeed. Sure, he’s a little thicker around
the waist, but who isn’t? Then you’ve got the
diminutive Mr. Cruise who doffed his top to do
some stunts on the set of Mission: Impossible 4
in Prague. As the caption said, not bad for 48.
Or maybe 4’8” is his height.
Arnold Schwarzenegger had the misfortune of
turning up topless within days of son Patrick
showing off his rockin’ bod. Arnie might just
need larger shorts or perhaps an elastic waistband. Patrick, on the other hand, looks taut and
tight and lithe—all words that spring to mind
when describing a well-defined 17-year-old boy.
By that age, Arnold was lifting oxen over his
head, while Patrick has abs you could do your
laundry on. The tyke is achieving his lean physique by doing yoga with Mama Maria. And, yes,
photos of everyone will turn up on our website.
It was a big week for the former cast of Friends.
Within a matter of days, Matt LeBlanc yelled at
people in London to not call him “Joey,” David Schwimmer revealed he got married in June,
Jennifer Aniston went out on a date with a Cougar Town star and Courteney Cox was linked to
one, too! As you’ve undoubtedly heard, Ms. Cox
and David Arquette are in a “trial separation”—
which is never good if you’re the party clinging to the word “trial.” Things have been going downhill ever since their 11th anniversary
when Cox told Arquette, “I’m tired of being your
mother.” They separated with Court telling
Davey that he could see other people—which
I’m guessing means she wanted to see other
people. Bing, bang, boom—she’s rumored to be
dating her on-screen Cougar Tow” ex, Brian Van
Holt, days after Aniston was rumored to be dating Courtney’s on-screen Cougar Town present,
Josh Hopkins. How cute—they can double-date.
Meanwhile, David met waitress/actress/Lindsey
Lohan-slapper Jasmine Waltz and slept with her
“once, maybe twice.” This infuriated Waltz, who
allegedly told friends, “Twice, my ass.” I guess
she doesn’t agree with his calculations—or maybe he did something with her ass!
Christina Aguilera also announced that her
marriage is over. This was not news to anyone
who’s been at The Roxy on a Sunday night—
the night Samantha Ronson DJs. It’s a curious
influence, since this week Aguilera was allegedly engaged in a marathon make-out session
with a fetching filly (who was most definitely
NOT Ronson—despite what you may have read
elsewhere). Perhaps we can blame this one on
alcohol. Rumor has it, Tina had to be carried out
of the club by her burly security guard. We hear
the gal went with them.
Our own Marty Thomas, the sexy star from
Broadway productions of Xanadu and Wicked, is
suing Twitter to find out the identity of the person behind an anonymous post: “Which ‘Avenue
Q’ cast member gave Marty Thomas crabs?’” In
33
the suit, Marty states: “I do not suffer from, nor
have I ever suffered from, a sexually transmitted
disease.” I’ll file that bit of information away for
future use.
To end on a positive note, congratulations to
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, who became parents Oct. 12 to twins, Gideon Scott and
Harper Grace. This is not uncharted territory for
Burtka. He actually has twins from his decadelong relationship with Lane Janger, who you
may recall as the actor/director/writer/producer
of the film Just One Time. While the paternity
of the newborns has not been disclosed, we do
know that luscious Lane is the biological father
of Flynn and Javin Janger—who just happen to
have been born Oct. 19, 2000. Hmmm, maybe
they can all celebrate future birthdays together.
When I can go from STDs to surrogacy, it’s
definitely time to end yet another column. You
know what I just realized? You can’t spell “penis” without “ESPN.” And obviously I put the “I”
in penis! While I’m posting a plethora of penii
to be viewed on www.BillyMasters.com, you can
feel free to write me if you have a question.
Just drop a note to [email protected], and
I promise to get back to you before Neil, David
and Lane star in an all-gay remake of Yours, Mine
and Ours! Until next time, remember, one man’s
filth is another man’s bible.
Get the Shot
Help Chicago fight the flu, get the flu shot.
The 2010-2011 flu vaccine includes protection
against H1N1 and other forms of influenza.
If you live in Chicago and don’t have a doctor,
call 311 or contact the Chicago Department
of Public Health.
Call 311 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/Flu
City of Chicago s Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Chicago Department of Public Health s Bechara Choucair, M.D. , Commissioner
Oct. 20, 2010
34
Bobbie Dittmeier and a friend identified only as Beth. Photo courtesy of Dittmeier
Transgender
journalist
Bobbie
Dittmeier:
The write stuff
By Ross Forman
Bobbie Dittmeier was a sports reporter in upstate New York for 15 years, and a very good
one at that.
She was Bob at the time, and she worked in
the Albany market, with stints at two different
papers, where she covered professional hockey
and horse racing. Dittmeier wrote at length
about the American Hockey League, often covering 100-plus games during a season, and even
topped out one year at 125 games. She wrote
about the National Hockey League for national
publications, not just regional ones.
Dittmeier also covered horse racing at the famous Saratoga Race Course, and in 1992 was an
honorable-mention winner of the Eclipse Award.
Her writing was judged to have produced one of
the top three stories about horse racing in North
America that year.
But then in 1995, Dittmeier returned to her
native New York City without a job.
“I didn’t believe that a sports writer could
transition [gender] on the job, in the same job,
and do it successfully. And my wife wanted to
come back to New York [City], so we did,” Dittmeier said.
So Dittmeier was big-city-bound.
“Personally [at the time], I was happy; I was
very happy in my relationship,” Dittmeier recalls. “But I always knew that transitioning at
some point would probably happen. It was just
a matter of when, where, and was I going to be
able to manage it and make it happen.
“I finally grew some courage back in the mid1990s to try to do something about it. It was
nagging, gnawing. I finally got annoyed with it,
tired of it, and just had to do something about
it, or at least be open about it. I guess I reached
that point.”
She had been married for several years.
“In 1994, I think I just reached a point where
I wanted to be open; I wanted to be open with
my spouse. I wanted to be able to talk about it
and I wanted to be able to do something about
it. It had been building over time,” Dittmeier
said. “However, my first transition attempt was
a disaster; I had no idea what I was doing. I
jumped in headfirst, which I shouldn’t have. I
had no real plan. I had no foresight. And it went
terribly; it was awful. I wasn’t educated enough;
I probably wasn’t getting enough counseling; I
was jumping in a little too fast.
“I ended up with a divorce that I didn’t want
from someone who I loved very much. And then
I backtracked; I absolutely backtracked. I was
completely devastated by my divorce; it was a
tremendous emotional upheaval for me. Combined with fact that I was not working in my
career, it really made for some difficult times. It
was just too much of an uphill climb.”
From 1997-2004, Dittmeier did not again address her transgender feelings. “I totally went
into denial and just focused on what I needed
to focus on, such as building back my career
and raising and supporting my child,” Dittmeier
said.
“The two things that you have to have to
transition are job security and money. Without
those, the chances are you’re not going to make
it. So, I needed to get myself back into a position where I had job security—and around 2004
or 2005, I realized that I did, and realized that
I could move forward with it again.”
Which she did. Dittmeier hoped to be completely transitioned in late 2006, but it wasn’t
until November 2007 when Bob became Barbara,
or, as she prefers, Bobbie.
“In 2004 and 2005, when I was transitioning
for the second time, I went very slowly. I did it
completely different from the first time,” Dittmeier said. “I started out [telling] a very, very
small group of people who live in my apartment
building and grew my world out from there,
rather than telling the most important people
in my life first [as she did in the mid-1990s].
I felt that I needed to experience life without
my closest friends and family knowing and questioning me about what I was doing. They were
the last to know this time; I learned from my
first experience.
“So, from 2004-2007, it was good for the most
part. I was just trying to be comfortable with
myself, and hopefully help make people comfortable with me. I also then worked to expand my
circle [of friends] as I went along.”
Dittmeier, now 47, is a homepage editor for
MLB.com, the official website for Major League
Baseball.
“The people at work have been great [about
the transition],” Dittmeier said. “There haven’t
been any issues that I’m aware of. I just go in,
do my job, and hopefully get it done well. Things
have been pretty good.”
Dittmeier joined MLB.com in September
2001.
“I think things are a lot different than when
WINDY CITY TIMES
I first attempted [the transition] 15 years ago,”
Dittmeier said. “I think the younger generation
has less of a hang-up with things. I work with a
lot of younger people, people in their 20s, and
to my knowledge, [being transgender] has never
been an issue.”
Dittmeier and sportswriter Christina Kahrl, of
Chicago, are the only two transgender sports
journalists in the U.S.
“Christina is a great friend; we talk a lot;
we care about each other a lot, and we sort of
watch out for each other,” Dittmeier said. “We
don’t necessarily talk about issues related to
[being] transgender, but more about life issues
and work, home, relationships, etc. We get along
pretty well.”
However, Dittmeier isn’t all smiles on the
social/personal front. In fact, she admits, “it’s
been a struggle at times.”
But mainly, she believes that’s because
she’s lived for a long time in a small town in
Westchester County, in the suburbs north of New
York City, where people have known her for many
years, long before she transitioned.
“It’s very, very difficult to find someone who
you’d be interested in, or would be interested
in you, for a relationship. There are a lot of obstacles here,” Dittmeier said. “It can be lonely at
times.”
She’s planning to move to Manhattan.
“People here have been very nice overall, but
they don’t fully accept me,” said Dittmeier. She
noted that many locals still call her Bob and use
male pronouns when talking to, and about, her.
“That doesn’t particularly bother me, but it is a
reminder,” she said.
“One of my great disappointments, one of the
definite things that I’ve learned since I’ve transitioned, is how little everyone else really wants
to know about it. They don’t ask questions. My
family doesn’t even ask questions.”
So, Bobbie, who are you attracted to these
days?
“I’m looking for the person who I connect
with in heart, soul and mind; those are the three
most important things. And I don’t really care
which wrapper that comes in, partially because I
don’t want anyone to care what wrapper I’m in,”
Dittmeier said. “I don’t rule out anyone based
on gender, just like how I don’t want to be ruled
out based on my gender.”
FGG signs with Ohio
special-events firm
Want more Bobbie Dittmeier? Here goes:
—Hobbies: The beach, walking, lunch with
friends, bicycle riding, and attending New York
Yankees games.
—Are you a role model? “No, not at all. In
fact, I’m guilty of not being involved with the
trans community, or having very little involvement. And I don’t really know what the reasons
are for it. I happen to be a sports journalist who
just happens to be transgender.”
—Will there ever be an openly gay player in
major league baseball? “It’s going to happen.
I think there eventually will be an athlete who
wants to make a statement or wants to make that
impact, or will get caught—and that’s probably
more likely [why he comes out]. Hopefully then,
he’ll have the courage to stand up for himself in
the right way and educate others. There certainly are [closeted] gays in professional sports, if
only based on the sheer number of pro athletes.
With the number of pro athletes, it’d be silly to
think otherwise.
“But this is something that I have a problem
with. How does someone’s sexuality or sexual
preference matter to anyone? And why should
anyone feel obligated to state their sexual preference? When a player signs a contract, no one
asks, ‘Are you straight or gay?’ It’s only an issue
when you’re gay, and why would that be?
“Same thing happens in the trans community,
when people ask about the state of our genitals.
The general public would only ask a transgender
person that question; no one else would ever be
asked that question.”
—Year started in sports journalism: 1982,
and since has worked for various newspapers or
websites
Kurt Dahl. Photo courtesy of Dahl
The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) has
signed a contract with Cleveland Special
Events Corp. to hold the license to operate
the 2014 Gay Games, according to a press release. Co-President of the Federation of Gay
Games Kurt Dahl and FGG Technology Officer
Gene Dermody met with the new group in
Cleveland Oct. 16.
The new organization represents the LGBT
community and high-profile civic leaders of
Cleveland. The City of Cleveland will continue
to be very involved in assisting the worlds
largest sports and cultural event to come to
Cleveland-Akron, Ohio. Local tourism representatives with local LGBT sports, cultural and
community civic leaders have joined forces to
organize the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland.
Dahl said, “The high caliber of people and
organizations that are part of this group is incredible and will help ensure wide support in
the state of Ohio. I am very impressed to see
Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s involvement. Gay
Games VIII Cologne 2010 was helped greatly
this year in Cologne, Germany, by the local
city government and the German Foreign
Prime Minister Guido Westerwelle.”
Cleveland and Akron were awarded the
games last year following a competitive
bidding process. The Cleveland City Council passed legislation in support of the Gay
Games in 2014. The games will take place in
Cleveland Aug. 9-16, 2014.
Dragons may play
for cup in Australia
After visiting Dublin, Ireland in 2008 and
Minneapolis, Minn., in 2010, the Chicago
Dragons may be heading down under to play
in Sydney, Australia, in 2012, according to a
team press release.
The Bingham Cup will be in its 10th year
in 2012. Its namesake is 9/11 hero Mark
Bingham, who helped fight with terrorists on
United Airlines Flight 93. He was a gay rugby
player from the San Francisco Fog RFC.
Australia is vying with Manchester, England,
to host the gay world cup of rugby as part of
a greater fight against homophobia in sports
around the world. In addition, the first-ever
World Cup of Lesbian Rugby is also scheduled
also to be held in 2012.
Second City
Badminton’s
Open Gym returns
Second City Badminton is holding Open
Gym at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway. The hours are 6:30-9 p.m. on Monday
nights.
Dates are Oct. 25; Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29; and
Dec. 6, 13. The cost to play is $7. See http://
www.chicagomsa.org.
WINDY CITY TIMES
Oct. 20, 2010
X
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35
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Oct. 20, 2010
36
LET’S
Make a Difference
THIS OCTOBER
Coat & Warm Clothing Drive!
Help make a difference in our community by dropping off a donation of new or gently used coats,
scarves or mittens at any of our Chicagoland Branch Offices – or – you can bring your donation to
any Baird & Warner “Open House” through Oct. 24th. We will make sure your donation gets to
where the need is greatest in our local communities. Thanks for caring!
838 W Webster
$4,950,000
Contemporary, iconic Lincoln Park 5bd/3.1bth sfh
on ovrszd lot. AIA award winner, exhibited in Chicago Art Institute! 3 car gar.
ID#02307059
Robert John Anderson
773-697-5555
3530 N Marshfield
$1,300,000
Pristine cond & updates galore on this 2003 home in
lakeview-walk to everything, whole foods, lincoln ave.
shopping & rest,schools
ID#04405317
Catherine Byrne
773-775-1855
NEW LISTING
329 S Clinton
$1,249,000
5540 N Francisco
This stunning 5b3/3ba home,designed by architect as
personal residence.
ID#92309849
Connie Grunwaldt
773-697-5555
$825,000
4 bd/3.1ba Colonial/Lincoln Sq. Recent rehab.Lots of
strg.Spcs rms.Kit w/commercial grade appls.Scrnd-in
porch.Snrm.Fam rm.2c gar
ID#03105272
Sheila Doyle
847-491-1855
1217 N Damen
$699,000
Wicker Park brick 2-flat at a great price. Updated units
w/beautiful wdwk thruout. 1st flr dplx down. 2 car gar,
rooftop deck.
ID#02055289
Michael Canaan
773-549-1855
NEW LISTING
$639,900 1449 N Sedgwick
Amazing space in the large 5BR vintage charmer in great
loc on large lot. Too many features to list.ID#05705380
Patricia McGowan
708-697-5900
2112 W Charleston
Good Will
netw rk
3 unit bldg in the heart of Old Town!
Leila Keene
$574,900
936 N Oak Park
ID#92300377
773-697-5555
Fantastic jumbo octogon bungalow in the heart of nw
oak park.
ID#05705526
Stephen Scheuring
708-697-5900
$539,000 1530 N Elk Grove E
$440,000
Highly desirable secluded bucktown/wicker park location is steps away from the restaurants, stores & transportation!
ID#04405487
Laura Arnett
773-775-1855
1704 Keeney
$399,000
Surprising space updtd & inviting! 4 bedroom 2.1 bath
split level. Hrdwd flrs, new Anderson windows, master
suite, deck & garage.
ID#03105302
Julie Naumiak
847-491-1855
NEW PRICE
609 W Stratford 7-D
$369,500 2037 W Farragut 2
Lg, renovated 2br/2ba vintage lovers unit. Spacious
living rm w/wbfp, formal dining rm, great eat-in kit,
newer appl, tile ba’s.
ID#02055243
Michael Parish
773-549-1855
$284,900
2br/2ba unit in a gut 3 unit new conversion!Washer/
dryer in-unit,back deck,garage parking incl & much
more!
ID#02307147
Lynne Stasik
773-697-5555
5445 N Sheridan 3106
$195,000 5455 N Sheridan 1506
We are proud
to announce...
$145,000
Great south facing one bedroom with views of lake,
park and downtown. Shows well-newer kitchen.
ID#02155151
Eleni Mathias
312-640-7010
It’s all about the view! Completely unobstructed water
& park views! Gorgeous new kitchen w/maple cabs,
granite & ss appl.
ID#02155816
Thomas Sillitti
312-640-7010
1458 W Argyle 3N
$99,900
Andersonville large, bright 1 bed plus sunroom/office
& separate dining room. Close to shops/restaurants.
Assmt incl heat & taxes.
ID#02055315
Joseph Chiappetta
773-549-1855
SHAFFER GROUP
Î£Ó°Î£È°{Ó{äÊÊÊUÊÊ[email protected]
Baird & Warner
has earned the 2009
Website Quality Certification
for meeting Leading Real Estate
Companies of the World’s rigorous
standards of website excellence.
bairdwarner.com
2749 W Sunnyside
$1,329,000 4752 N Lincoln Ave
Magnificent 2 flat on double lot
in Ravenswood Manor. Building offers over 6000 sf-2 Units
w/4BD/2Ba ea. Great vintage details.
ID#02055379
$1,300,000 1431 W Oakdale
Great 3 unit commerical building w/1 store front on Lincoln
Square. Apt w/3BR/1Ba, original
woodwork, dec fpl, in-unit w/d &
deck.
ID#02055363
$1,070,000
Gorgeous 4br/3.1ba home. Gourmet chef’s kit, atriumed lower
level w/lg patio. 2nd flr mstr br
w/spa bth & Jacuzzi tub. 2 car
gar.
ID#02055086
Enter the ID number in the FAST FIND box on our homepage
to find complete details on these Chicagoland homes for sale.

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