47th Ward Rallies against Hate Graffiti
About 100 people gathered outside All Saints Episcopal Church, 4550 N. Hermitage, Monday night in response to anti-gay graffiti and swastikas that had been painted on the church and area homes last week.
Ald. Eugene Schulter, whose Northwest Side 47th Ward includes the church, sponsored the Community Rally against hate along with the 19th District Police.
Schulter and police believe the latest graffiti, including the words "Die Faggots," is an escalation of anti-yuppie graffiti which has appeared throughout the community in recent months.
"I'm co-sponsoring this event to really send out a very strong message not only to our community, but the whole city, that this kind of statement is totally unacceptable and that we want the person or persons involved in this, we want them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Schulter said.
"The reason for doing this rally is to get people united about our feelings, that nobody should be singled out in this city as being unwelcome. The gay and lesbian community have been wonderful partners in the evolution of the Ravenswood neighborhood, and we want to continue that wonderful relationship," he said.
Anyone with information about the anti-gay graffiti should call the 19th District Police: ( 312 ) 744-5574.
CABN CONTINUES DEVINE PROTESTS
Calling it "an insult to victims of handgun violence by police," anti-police brutality activists protested an "Abraham Lincoln Award" given by the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence to Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine July 11.
The protest was co-sponsored by the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network, Sangat and the Comité Exigimos Justicia.
CELLBLOCK TICKETED
Cellblock leather bar, 3702 N. Halsted ( just up the block from the Town Hall Police District ) received a visit from the undercover boys in blue ( and black leather ) last week.
Friday night, undercover police officers came in and after awhile discovered illegal activity ( not related to drugs ) and wrote up two individuals and gave the bar a ticket, reported the club's owner, Roger Hickey.
The Windy City Gay Naturists reported Monday that their planned event at the bar had been cancelled. Cellblock management reported that they were not in a position to accommodate the Naturists, a club for nude men.
BRIEFLY ...
The Taskforce on Lesbian and Gay Aging announced that it is conducting a survey of the needs of older lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender persons in Chicago. "A survey such as this is crucial for agencies and organizations seeking to serve the aging LGBT community," said Perry Wiggins, Mature Adult Program Coordinator at Horizons and Taskforce convener. Call ( 773 ) 472-6469 ext. 245 to participate.
The 4th annual Rainbow Spirit Awards celebration will be Saturday, Nov. 3 at the newly renovated Grand Plaza at the Carlton Hotel in Oak Park. Proceeds benefit the Metropolitan Community Church of Oak Park. Call ( 312 ) 787-2400.
