Last week I picked a few random Chicago gay events from 1970. This week we'll take a leap forward to 1980. Some of this was taken from the Gerber/Hart Library Timeline and some from my own research.
January 4, 1980
Bar owner and activist, Chuck Renslow, received endorsement from the Cook County Regular Democrats as delegate to the Democratic Convention from Illinois' 9th Congressional District.
January 26, 1980
Fifty people, mostly women, picketed the showing of the movie Windows at the McClurg Court Theater to protest the movie's alleged anti-woman and anti-lesbian content.
February 15-16, 1980
Protesters marched over two nights in front of the Carnegie Theater in Chicago to protest the opening of the movie Cruising for its alleged anti-gay theme. The movie starred Al Pacino as an undercover cop investigating a series of grisly murders of gay men.
February 19, 1980
Popular Chicago entertainer, Stephen L. Jones (AKA Wanda Lust) is fatally stabbed in Kansas City, Missouri. A service was held Feb. 25 at Wellington Avenue United Church.
March 14, 1980
David Goodwill and Gregory Sprague, leaders in the Chicago Gay and Lesbian History Project and lecturers in Lavender University, presented the first slide show/lecture on gay history called 'Gay and Lesbian History: Exploring Our Heritage.' At the Jane Addams Center, 3212 N. Broadway.
March 12, 1980
Serial Killer, John Wayne Gacy, was convicted of 33 counts of murder and sentenced to death.
March 17, 1980
After being refused a permit to march in Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Illinois Gay Rights Task Force are invited by the Chicago Irish Feminists for the ERA to march with them.
April 1980
The Tavern Guild sponsored a month-long series of events and fundraisers for the benefit of several gay and lesbian organizations. 'Metamorphosis' was borrowed from a similar project held in San Francisco.
May 4, 1980
Metamorphosis culminated with a grand bazaar, carnival, and dance held at the Aragon. Steve Allman was elected Emperor, Joanna Caron was Empress, and Nancy Reiff as Ms. Gay Chicago. Over $22,000 was raised in the month-long event. The money was distributed to a number of gay groups. This was the seed of the Royal Imperial Sovereign Barony of the Windy City in Chicago.
May 24-25, 1980
The Chicago National Champion Lincoln Park Lagooner Volleyball Team hosted the Second National Gay Volleyball Tournament.
June 5, 1980
Mayor Byrne proclaimed June 28 as Gay Pride Parade Day in Chicago. This was the first time a Chicago mayor acknowledged the gay community.
June 1980
Generally thought to be one of the worst movies ever made, Allan Carr's Can't Stop the Music, starring the Village People, had its world premiere at the McClurg Court Theater.
August 18, 1980
The Evanston City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in city hiring because of sexual preference. The ordinance received the mayor's approval.
This was also the day that Molly's Follies bar opened at 2568 N. Clark St. Sophie was the bartender on the opening night. The bar was formerly K's on Klark.
August 29, 1980
The Manhandler at 1948 N. Halsted St. opened. Greg Hahn, Jay Wells, and manager Paul Wirts worked there on opening night,
One Gay Chicago columnist wrote: 'Yahooo! The Manhandler is here. ... The warm paneled room with fireplace is enhanced by one of the most comfortable beer gardens/patios in town with plenty of foliage, a three-tiered fountain and cushioned lounge chairs.'
October 19, 1980
A bar called Quenchyurs opened at 4636 N. Broadway. The owner was Mel King.
October 22, 1980
Alfie's at 900 N. Rush St. was closed down by the IRS for nonpayment of taxes. A public auction of the equipment seized by Federal authorities was held Nov. 6 on the premises of the bar.
November 1980
Unabridged Books opened its doors at 3251 N. Broadway.
December 6, 1980
Steve Dahl was fired from his job at radio station WLUP for his anti-gay remarks as well as for many other policy violations and assaults on standards.
December 27, 1980
Minkees, a new lesbian bar at 3019 N. Clark St., opens. It was formerly called Jocks, and the Locker. Owner/manager: Danielle Lewis.
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