Chicago celebrates artist/activist Chilli Pepper at street sign unveiling
The late legendary performance artist and LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activist Chilli Pepper was celebrated with an “Honorary Chilli Pepper Way” street sign by the City of Chicago on the sunny Fall morning of Oct. 3 (the day after Chilli’s birthday) at the corner of North State and…
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Fall Fashion Show offers trans and non-binary Chicagoans a chance at expression
On Oct. 2, FashionBar LLC presented its 9th Annual Fall Trans Media Fashion Show at Water Tower Place, 875 N. Michigan Ave. The presentation was the second of the year and featured clothing and designs from IAMTONYLONG, Out of the Closet, Haley from the Third Period and Brown Elephant and served as a fundraiser for Vernita Gray Council for Philanthropy and Broadway Youth Center. Guests were treated to…
Purple Tie Affair turns 12 with Otis Mack tribute and raucous good time
On Oct. 3, E3 Radio presented the 12th annual Purple Tie Affair at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St. The nearly sold-out event aimed to both raise $10,000 and celebrate Chicago producer/entrepreneur/activist/educator Otis Mack for his contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. The event featured a concert with raw and rowdy sets from vocalists Frenchie Davis and…
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FELIX Modern American Dining
When it comes to spaces with history, FELIX Modern American Dining is certainly in one. The Lake View restaurant is at 3301 N. Clark St., which has been the home of Socca, Hutch and the legendary Buddies (the latter which partnered with LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS organizations). Now, co-owners Derek Intapura and Asana Nakornchai (who also…
Nation & World
IN BRIEF Dignity USA leader steps down, Club Q lawsuit, GLAAD Media Awards, Ukrainian law, gay men disappear, Ginger Minj, ‘Rock Out,’ ‘Glee’ reboot
Warning: This column mentions violent activities. NATIONAL Marianne Duddy-Burke has decided to step down from being executive director of the LGBTQ+ Catholic organization Dignity USA. On Facebook, she stated, in part, “The past few years…
Theater / Dance
COMEDY Marsha Warfield talks nostalgia, coming out and ‘It’s Raining Queens’
An evening of music, comedy and storytelling is set to take the stage Oct. 3 at Chicago’s City Winery as legendary vocalist Martha Wash and acclaimed lesbian comedian/actress Marsha Warfield (TV’s Night Court) unite for It’s Raining Queens: Starring Martha Wash and Marsha Warfield. https://tickets.citywinery.com/event/its-raining-queens-starring-martha-wash-marsha-w-rfxypz (The event’s name is a play of “It’s Raining Men,” the ‘80s…
Music
MUSIC Riot Fest went boldly where no punk celebration had gone before
The legendary three-day punk rock music gathering known as Riot Fest returned to Chicago’s historic Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr., where it has been held annually since 2015. From Sept. 18-20, the anti-establishment event embraced raw energy on five stages, each beginning with the letter R: Riot, Roots, Rebel, Rise and Radical. Historically, punk…
Film / TV / Gossip
BUSINESS Yvonne Welbon uplifts Black women and gender-expansive creatives with Sisters in Cinema
When lifelong Chicagoan and Sisters in Cinema Founder and CEO Yvonne Welbon started her Master of Fine Arts in film and video program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1991 she knew the name of only one African American woman director, Julie Dash. “When I asked one of my professors to help me find…
Books / Art
Trans
IN BRIEF Election items, ‘Witt v. Air Force,’ Mount Sinai’s anti-trans move, Switzerland’s government, Freddie Mercury mural, WNBA, Janet Jackson, ‘Tip Toe’
Warning: This column mentions details of killings. NATIONAL In Indiana, six candidates for Owen County township offices in the November election are coming out to voters, introducing themselves on two billboards, WISH noted. The promotion, paid for by the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana, marks the first time the organization has endorsed any candidates…
Lesbian
Chicagoans reflect on Gloria Steinem’s relationship with LGBTQ+ community
Gloria Steinem is being remembered as a feminist leader and icon. But the Chicagoans who interacted with her said she never made the movement about her—it was about all of us. “She treated everyone like a peer,” said Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who met Steinem several times, starting when Cassidy worked for the National Organization for Women’s (NOW)…