NAMES Project hosts a massive display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt over Labor Day weekend at Navy Pier; call ( 773 ) 472-1600, www.namesprojectchicago.org .
With Rep. Larry McKeon likely deciding to return to the campaign trail for the state House, candidate Mike McHale is reportedly considering throwing his hat in the ring for state Senate.
Bishop James Alan Wilkowski, Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest was called by 10th Ward Ald. John A. Pope to an pastoral accountability interview at a "Town Hall Meeting" Aug. 16. The Bishop is being called upon to give just cause and reason for a decision by the Diocese to dedicate a non-clinical HIV and AIDS support center, being named in honor of Eugene Sawyer, Mayor-Emeritus of the City of Chicago, within a building it recently purchased in Hegewisch. It is the Bishop's desire to pastorally address the "homophobia and bigotry being fanned by a few misguided individuals for the sake of recreational mischief. It is also the Bishop's desire to call people to embrace ecumenical compassion for those in need."
The WPWR-TV Channel 50 Foundation announced the resignation of Executive Director Marcia Lipetz effective Oct. 15. Lipetz guided the foundation's grantmaking programs and priorities since its inception in 1992. The foundation's grantmaking has grown from supporting 32 organizations in 1992-93 to supporting over 250 in 2000-01. "I've been doing this wonderful work for over 10 years and it's time for a break," said Lipetz. "My first priority is to take a vacation." In the near term, Lipetz will increase her volunteer activities, particularly related to the development of a new community center. Lipetz served as the first full time Executive Director of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago from 1987 to 1990.
Auditions/performance consultations for the 9th annual "Night of 100 Drag Queens" benefit will be held Sept. 16, noon until 4 p.m. and on Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m. at Sidetrack, 3349 N Halsted. "Night of 100 Drag Queens-9" will be presented Oct. 24. Call ( 773 ) 477-9189 or ( 773 ) 477-1113.
Nationally acclaimed director JoAnne Akalaitis has returned to her artistic home in Chicago to direct Court Theatre's 2001/2002 season opener, Friedrich Schiller's Mary Stuart. Mary Stuart is a retelling of the deadly struggle between two of the most fascinating women in history—the powerful Elizabeth I, Queen of England, and Mary Stuart, deposed Queen of Scots. Jenny Bacon returns to the Chicago stage as the sensual Mary Stuart, starring opposite Barbara Robertson. Press opening is Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. Performances run through Oct. 14. Call ( 773 ) 753-4472.
Community Response is offering the perfect opportunity for suburbanites to take the first step in fighting AIDS. On Saturday, Oct. 13, CR will hold its 2nd West Suburban AIDS Walk through Oak Park. Call ( 708 ) 386-3383.
The former White House Counsel whose earlier ruling as a federal appeals court judge struck down the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy will deliver the Bon Foster Memorial Civil Rights Address for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. Judge Abner Mikva will address Lambda supporters Oct. 12; ( 312 ) 663-4413 x 28;
Ifti Nasim, a controversial poet, writer and activist, has a court date Aug. 27 at Belmont and Western, 10:30 a.m. A person allegedly attacked Nasim due to Nasim's sexual orientation. Chicago Police refused to write it as a hate-crime. Call ( 773 ) 506 8810 or ( 773 ) 201-1187.
WGN Channel 9 is working on a story about Black gay men, to be aired soon.
Berwyn United Neighborhood Gay and Lesbian Organization joins OPALGA, North Suburban Gays and others for a picnic in Busse Woods Grove #3 in Arlington Heights, Sunday, Aug. 26, Noon-dusk, ( 708 ) 216-9723.
A Pussy Whipped Party, presented by Dykediva.com, will benefit Women in the Director's Chair. Featuring bands Love is a Verb and Heather's Damage, performances by the Chicago Kings, and music by DJ Pussy Galore, with Jessica Halem as MC, the event is Aug. 30, 8 pm. $10, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave.
A silent auction of celebrity artwork and other collectibles will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 31 in the lobby of the Chicago Theatre in advance of Wigstock Chicago, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Wigstock is sponsored by the Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Lady Bunny. Call ( 773 ) 871-4190.
