June 11, 2009
In the 1970s, lesbian musicians got the jump on their gay brethren by starting their own records labels and festivals. The events they organized—some of which continue to this day—were successful and well-received and the music they recorded remains timeless and essential... Full Story / Comment
Why Chicago’s bathhouses stayed open
On June 19, 1981, Gay Life newspaper was delivered to the Bijou Theater, Lost and Found lesbian bar, Second Story Emporium adult bookstore, and other outlets, where it was picked up and read by Chicago’s lesbians and gay men... Full Story / Comment
It probably wasn’t intentional, but as with “Boys In the Band” in 1970, the 1980s began with a controversial gay-themed film directed by William (“The Exorcist”) Friedkin... Full Story / Comment
In last week’s column I looked back at my first few years writing for the GLBT press in GayLife, the weekly newspaper of that era. Through most of the 1980s I was lucky enough to work at Gay Chicago... Full Story / Comment
Freestyle
A bigger, longer and wider interview with Ellen DeGeneres
Out comedian, talk show host and same-sex marriage advocate Ellen DeGeneres loves Chicago. “I love Chicago, and if it weren’t for the weather, I'd live there. It’s a little too cold for me, and that’s the only thing that keeps me from buying something there, because I really do think it’s a gorgeous city, and the people are lovely... Full Story / Comment
Man in the ‘Moon’: an interview with filmmaker Duncan Jones
Filmmaker Duncan Jones has set the bar quite high for himself with his feature debut “Moon.” A marvelous throwback to science fiction films of the ‘70s and ‘80s that relied less on special effect and... Full Story / Comment
Bette Midler marks her 100th show in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS—Bette Midler admits it takes a little work to keep her Las Vegas Strip show fresh—especially now that it’s hit its 100th performance... Full Story / Comment
Check out this week's Live Performance listings... Full Story / Comment
This week CFP reviews 'The Crowd You're In With', 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee', 'Bombs Away' & 'A Minister's Wife'... Full Story / Comment
We didn’t have a Gay/Straight Alliance when I was in high school. The closest we came was the theater department—it was a safe space for gays and lesbians and their friends... Full Story / Comment
The ClosetMaid MasterSuite Man Cave is a once-in-a-lifetime luxury gift for pool-shark Dad, paddle-crazy Dad, sports-fan Dad, lounge-act Dad. The specially designed rooms come equipped with large-screen televisions... Full Story / Comment
Breaking News
DOJ moves to dismiss first fed gay marriage case
Friday June. 12, 4:00pm
The U.S. Justice Department has moved to dismiss the first gay marriage case filed in federal court, saying it is not the right venue to tackle legal questions raised by a couple already married in California. The motion, filed late Thursday, argued the case of Arthur Smelt and Christopher Hammer does not address the right of gay couples to marry... Full Story / Comment
News
After setbacks, gay marriage is legalized in NH
CONCORD, N.H.—The bill making New Hampshire the sixth state to allow gays to marry followed a torturous path this spring— dying and rising to life twice and... Full Story / Comment
Court rejects challenge to ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’
WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court refused on Monday to hear a legal challenge to the Pentagon’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, a decision that allows the Obama administration to continue its slow... Full Story / Comment
A new GLBT recovery home located on a quiet residential street in the North Center neighborhood may need to find a new space—and fast... Full Story / Comment
Activist calls for march on Washington
ALT LAKE CITY—An activist who worked alongside slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk announced plans Sunday for a march on Washington this fall to demand... Full Story / Comment
Feminist bookstore announces Pride festivities
Times might be tough for Andersonville’s Women & Children First bookstore, located on 5233 N. Clark, but that isn’t stopping the longtime feminist and GLBT-friendly bookstore from putting... Full Story / Comment
Gay, lesbian judges form alliance
Several gay and lesbian judges just launched a group that will serve as a needed resource to the local GLBT legal community... Full Story / Comment
Hunt leads South Side’s Affinity
ourteen years after its inception, a longtime organization that serves the Chicago African American lesbian and bisexual women’s community, Affinity Community Services, finally has its first executive director... Full Story / Comment
Freetime
Midlife Crisis #266: My Big Fat Gay SM Wedding
It’s interesting that former VP Dick Cheney supports both same-sex marriage and torture because for most people marriage=torture. Two people fall in love, fuck a lot, get married, fuck a lot... Full Story / Comment
Opinion
Illinois’ civil unions bill, after passing a state House committee, was left to languish at the end of the session. The bill is still alive, if barely: it can be passed by the state legislature anytime in the next two years... Full Story / Comment
Editorial
“St. Sukie de la Croix” writes the following in the June 4 issue: “The Chicago mainstream press ignored the Stonewall uprising, though it was briefly mentioned in the July 1969 Mattachine Midwest (MM) newsletter—gay activist William Kelley wrote that the reason for the Stonewall raid was to seize... Full Story / Comment
Townhomes Offer Big Advantages
One of the biggest disadvantages about condo living can be summed up in just one word: neighbors. Whether they’re obnoxious or loud; control freaks or just plain freaks... Full Story / Comment
