November 5, 2009
Mainers repeal: same-sex marriage law
Maine residents headed to the polls Tuesday and voted to repeal the same-sex marriage statute that was passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. John E. Baldacci in May. As of 2 a.m. on Wednesday, with 87 percent of precincts reporting, 53 percent of voters were in favor of repealing the law... Full Story / Comment
Freestyle
'Precious' moments: an interview with out director Lee Daniels
One of the most eagerly anticipated films of the season, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate) has had people talking about it since it premiered at Sundance earlier this year. As you can see from the title, it is based on the groundbreaking debut novel by out writer Sapphire and set in 1987 Harlem... Full Story / Comment
Cinema: Reel advice on Reeling 2009
Reeling 2009, the 28th Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival runs through Nov. 15 at a variety of participating theaters. For a complete schedule, visit reelingfilmfestival.org. Below are reviews of selected films from the festival. More reviews are scheduled to run in next week’s issue of Chicago Free Press... Full Story / Comment
The 180 gram vinyl Chrysalis/EMI reissue of The Specials 1980 self-titled domestic debut album (produced by Elvis Costello with the exception of one track) is a cause for celebration. Message music of the highest order, The Specials also packed a party into their songs, while filling in the gap between punk and hip-hop. The horns, the rhythm guitars and the distinctly ska beat combined to make your body move, while lyrics made it necessary for you to pay attention. “A Message To You... Full Story / Comment
Check out this week's live performance listings... Full Story / Comment
As a born and bred Chicagoan, I am constantly amazed at how neighborhoods change suddenly. The area between Ashland and Ravenswood, from Lawrence to Montrose is just such an example. No less than a half dozen new restaurants opened on the 4600 block of Clark in the past few months. So I decided to check a couple of the new joints out... Full Story / Comment
‘Witches’ arrive at Center on Halsted Nov. 15
Just because Halloween is over doesn’t mean that there aren’t witches among us. Or, rather, forthcoming musicals about witches among us. CFP’s own Rick Karlin and collaborator Scott Free will present a staged reading of their new musical “Witches Among Us” at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 3-6 p.m... Full Story / Comment
This week CFP reviews ‘Days To Come’, ‘The Glorious Ones’, ‘Man of La Mancha’ & ‘1512 W. Studebaker Place’... Full Story / Comment
Editorial
The vote in Maine, on whether or not to repeal the same-sex marriage statute that was passed there last May, has ended with another disappointment for the GLBT community. Fifty-three percent of Mainers voted to repeal the statute. It echoes the deep disappointment we felt last year when Proposition 8 brought an abrupt halt to the marriages... Full Story / Comment
I am very saddened to learn that Paul Varnell’s column will no longer appear in the paper. Paul is one of the first people I met after being appointed Mayor Washington’s liaison to the LBGT communities and since then his friendship, his advice, and his talent have been things for which my appreciation has never stopped growing. Through his columns and in our conversations he has greatly expanded the horizons of my thinking with his own seemingly limitless store of knowledge, referrals to... Full Story / Comment
Breaking News
Allegedly crooked cop no longer up on the witness stand
Friday Nov. 6, 1:00pm
Officer Richard Fiorito, who has been accused of falsifying numerous DUI allegations in order to increase his overtime pay during court appearances, will no longer be used as a witness for DUI cases by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Fiorito’s beat was the Boystown area, and he arrested a number of persons after they were leaving gay bars. Twenty-one additional plaintiffs have signed on to a federal civil lawsuit against Fiorito, doubling its size.... Full Story / Comment
News
Obama signs hate crimes measure into law
In the East Room of the White House Oct. 28, President Obama signed into law a measure signaling a major civil rights change. It is now it a federal hate crime to assault a person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. In order to make passage of The Matthew Shepard/James Bryd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act more likely, it was attached to a $680 billion defense... Full Story / Comment
President Barack Obama announced last week that his administration was to publish a new rule lifting HIV from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance for immigrants to the United States, effectively lifting the United States’ ban on travelers with HIV/AIDS... Full Story / Comment
Vital Bridges: 10 million meals and counting
Last week marked an important milestone for Vital Bridges, the local organization that since 1988 has been providing nutritious meals for Chicagoans with HIV/AIDS. On Oct. 29, the organization served its 10 millionth meal. Debbie Hinde, Vital Bridges’ exec. dir. and CEO, said that while the occasion... Full Story / Comment
Johnston and Williams win Jon-Henri award
Community members and activists gathered at Gerber-Hart Library Sunday to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the passing of writer Jon-Henri Damski and give out the award to the persons who best exemplified his spirit. Over the course of two decades, in the pages of Chicago GayLife and Windy City Times, Damski chronicled... Full Story / Comment
SF Mayor Newsom ends run for Calif. governor
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who propelled the debate over gay marriage but struggled to find a popular message outside the San Francisco Bay area, dropped his bid for California governor Oct. 30. The development leaves Attorney General Jerry Brown, who has formed an exploratory committee, as the only Democrat making a serious bid to succeed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger... Full Story / Comment
Art therapy and HIV: a lifeline at BEHIV
Treatment for HIV/AIDS isn’t just about medication. Many local agencies take a more holistic approach, offering alternative therapies like massage and art therapy to better the lives of those living with this disease. For instance, for over a decade, dozens of clients at Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV) have benefited from the organization’s art therapy program. Through... Full Story / Comment
Opinion
Only I know my girlfriend’s gay
No one can tell my girlfriend is gay. An example: About two years ago, Jenny and a gay male friend went to San Francisco in June. They were excited to celebrate Pride. But first they were hungry, so they approached a short gay guy wearing leather. “Anyplace around here we can get Mexican food?” Jenny asked. The man looked them up and down and then said with a condescending sigh, “The Mexican neighborhood... Full Story / Comment
Marketplace
Interior designers: Many ways to cut energy costs
When decorating our homes, we tend to consider things like beauty and comfort, the durability of pieces we might buy or the image they project. But how many of us stop to consider our energy bills? Energy-smart design goes way beyond choosing Energy... Full Story / Comment
Freetime
Midlife Crisis No 287: Saints Preserve Us
Several months ago I canonized myself—note the “St.” in front of my name. I did this for three reasons: 1) Because I can; 2) The Vatican aren’t going to make me a saint, so I did it myself; and 3) I’ve done my fair share of kind deeds and charity work, i.e. I’ve mercy-fucked a lot of ugly people over the years... Full Story / Comment
Mr. International Rubber Schedule of Events
Most Mr. International Rubber events will this year take place in the heart of Boystown, Center on Halsted at 3656 N. Halsted. FRIDAY: The event gets off to an unofficial start at noon, Nov. 6, when the MIR Vendor Market opens for business in COH’s Billie Jean King Recreation Hall. Vendors from around the country will be offering their wares for... Full Story / Comment
