Category Archives: News and Happenings
No Pants Day Comes To Chicago
The event started officially 8 years ago in New York City where participants with bare legs were required to mingle with other– equally half-naked– travelers. But It is said that earlier versions of No Pants date back to the 1990’s.
Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 85 missions involving thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York.
The annual event encourages riders to strip down to their underwear on the Subway as they go about their normal routine.
The event’s organizers, Improv Everywhere, said that as many as 2,000 people participated in the “No Pants Day” event in New York alone, with more participating in other cities including Chicago and Washington DC. It is estimated as many as 44 similar events took place in transit systems in 16 countries!
It is estimated about 120 people gathered in Edgewater. Got onto a train at the Granville station. From there, groups of people would get off at each stop and then get on the following train – that way they could surprise the people on different platforms as well as overwhelm the people already on the train.
According to its official website, Improv Everywhere is a long form improvisation troupe that executes pre-planned “missions” or performances that usually involve socially awkward or unusual situations.
Some commuters who participated in “No Pants Day” said they got phone calls from friends or invitations to join the event on Facebook.
The first Friday in May is another “No Pants Day”.
But no pants in the Winter is a little funnier and crazier!
Best Gay Chicago 2nd Anniversary at Roscoes January 14th
COME CELEBRATE!
as BEST GAY CHICAGO celebrates our
2nd Year Anniversary! And You are Invited!
Thursday, Jan. 14th 7 – 9 pm @ Roscoes 3356 N. Halsted
Hosted bar by ABSOLUT 100 Proof
Private invite – You are invited but You MUST RSVP
by Jan 13th to get on the guestlist. SPACE IS LIMITED!
Just send an email or call with your names to be on the list.
bestgaycities @ gmail.com 773-878-5323
Best Gay Chicago Celebrates 2nd Anniversay at Roscoes January 14th
GAY
CHICAGO
celebrates our
2nd Year Anniversary!
And You are Invited!
Thursday, Jan. 14th
7 – 9 pm @ Roscoes
3356 N. Halsted
Hosted bar by
Absolut 100 Proof
You MUST RSVP
by Jan 13th to get
on the guestlist for this event.
Just send an email or call with your names to be on the list.
bestgaycities @ gmail.com
773-878-5323
The Addams Family Pre-Broadway Run in Chicago – Thru January 10th with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth
Tony Award® winners
Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth
put on a fresh new
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
on Broadway last night.
It was the official Pre-Broadway World Premiere last night in Chicago at the Ford Center Oriental Theatre. The show runs thru January 10th then heads to New York City at the Lunt-Fintanne Theatre in March.
It’s an Addams Family portrait slightly different than the television and movie versions. So at times, it is difficult to grasp the new Gomez and the new and changed Pugsley. John Astin was a brilliant Gomez! And Raul Julia was suave and romantic. Nathan Lane – is Nathan Lane – as Gomez. It’s not necessarily a bad thing – just different than what you would expect.
Gomez, is still all mad impetuosity, Bebe Neuwirth is a convincing Morticia, equal parts fire and ice, eye-popping Uncle Fester (Kevin Chamberlain), is entertaining, restless and romantic, the crazy Grandma (Jackie Hoffman) is brilliantly funny and underused, Pugsley the little brother is still Pugsley and Wednesday, who is now eighteen years old and finally feeling what it means to be a woman, really brings something different to the character and the story. It’s a family that’s quite shockingly, and endearingly dysfunctional, probably just like yours!
The last time Nathan Lane was similarly in Chicago – for the pre-broadway premiere of Mel Brooks’ The Producers – the show quickly turned into international gold, so hopes are high for The Addams Family.
It’s important to remember, that this original musical by Tony-nominated librettists Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) and Drama Desk Award winner Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party) is not based on past Addams Family properties, but uses characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. The Addams illustrations inspired a TV sitcom, a TV cartoon series and two live-action feature film comedies.
I grew up with the TV show – and I adored Raul Julia, Angelica Houston, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci in the film versions! Just go with an open mind, knowing it will be different. It’s the Addams Family – Meets Broadway.
I think in New York, the 1,400-seat Lint-Fintanne will be much better suited for the show and it’s wonderful stage – as oppposed to the much larger 2,400-seat Oriental Theatre here in Chicago.
I LOVE the Oriental Theatre! But the intimacy of being in the Addams house, is sometimes lost, especially for those further back from the stage. The staging and set itself is gorgeous and costumes and lighting are all great.
Ford Oriental Theatre
24 W. Randolph
Chicago 60601
Broadway In Chicago Ticketline
at (800) 775-2000.
Chicago House Presents Champagne Wrap-ture 2009 on December 16th
Wednesday, December 16th
VIP Reception: 5:30 PM
6 – 9 PM
Hotel Sax
333 N Dearborn
Regular Tickets:
$65 in advance/$75 at door
VIP Tickets: $125
The champagne is flowing all evening at this festive cocktail party and silent auction benefit. Join Chicago House for an evening of Champagne and art, with LIVE music from cabaret duo Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen!
This year, they are bringing back the VIP reception, with tastings of rare vintage Champagne, a gourmet seafood and caviar buffet, and the comic cooking capers of “Baking with Bertha’s” Bertha Mason! Only 40 tickets are available, so be sure to reserve your spot today!
GET TICKETS ONLINE TODAY FOR CHAMPAGNE WRAPTURE SAVE $10
*SIDENOTE – Facebook Users: Vote For Chicago House!
Chase Bank is doing a Charity Vote contest on Facebook. In round one, any non-profit is eligible for votes between now and Dec. 11th. A total of $5 million is up for grabs based on user votes! Vote for Chicago House TODAY and we could be granted up to $25,000! Click here to vote now!
The Best of Gay Chicago
Heather McDonald – Comedians of Chelsea Lately in Chicago At Zanies December 29
Heather McDonald is a seasoned stand up comedienne, actress and writer.
For the last 2 years she has gained popularity on Chelsea Handler’s Chelsea Lately show on E! She is a full-time writer and story producer on the show and makes regular appearances at the show’s “round table discussions”.
ZANIES in Old Town December 29th,
ZANIES in St. Charles December 30th,
and ZANIES in Vernon Hills December 31st
Zanies Box Office at 312-337-4027
What can we expect from Heather? “I talk about my life. I’m married and have been married for 9 years and I have two kids and a stepdaughter and I talk about all that. I don’t know what they edited from it but I did a lot of my impression stuff since I know that’s what I’m known for but I tell stories…my life is pretty funny. I live next door to my parents; I chose to buy a house next door to my parents. [laughs] It’s great if I run out of milk or chardonnay or if my husband used one of my last Vicodin but it’s also like sometimes there’s a lot of pressure. My Mom is practically having an affair with my husband because she wants him to fix things but my Dad is this former Marine that has major ego problems so she’ll be like “Peter, Bob is going to the doctor. Can you come over?” And I talk a lot about pop culture and things. I watch a lot of TV and I can act out episodes and stuff.”
And NO, she doesn’t really have LONG BOOBS, as Chelsea affectionately likes to imply! “Oh my God! I was at the Playboy mansion and someone was like ‘Long Boobs!’ Or someone will come up and say ‘I’ve got long boobs, too!’ I say ‘Listen, it’s a joke. I don’t. But if you want to go to the bathroom to show you, I will.’ But I don’t care because it is such a funny name and one time I did a show with Chelsea and this woman gave me a joke thing that was this long boobs bra, like something you’d get at Spencer’s, and it was hilarious. I mean, I show them off a lot so they deserve to be made fun of. I’m huge on the cleavage so fine, go ahead and do it.”
See you at ZANIES!
Follow Heather on twitter! Join Heather Facebook Fan Page!
Add Heather on Facebook! Add Heather on MySpace
The Best of Gay Chicago
Aurora Sexton and TrannyPalooza is Coming to SPIN December 14th
This is a new party for * TS/TG/TV girls
and the men that love them!
Happening Monday, Dec 14th
@Spin Nightclub 800 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 773.327.7711
Doors Open 9pm-2am
Cover get a FREE DRINK!
$10 Gentlemen / $ 5 Ladies
Fabulous Entertainment Includes:
Shows by Your Hostess AURORA SEXTON!
Additional ENTERTAINMENT by Mercedes, Reina Valentino and Kinley Preston.
Special guest from NYC Legendary Party Hostess Sunny Dee-Lite
And FEATURED Guest Dancer from Los Angeles -XXX Film Star Yasmin Lee!!!!!
This will surely be a night to remember!
*TS – transexual – a person who has undergone a sex change operation.
*TG- transgender – involving a partial or full reversal of gender.
*TV- transvestite – relates more to the desire to cross dress.
TRANNY PALLOOZA on MySpace
The Best of Gay Chicago
Illinois State Lottery and Red Ribbon Bonus Bucks Raise Money for HIV/AIDS
This month the Illinois State Lottery brought back the RED RIBBON BONUS BUCKS game. For just $2 per card, the odds of winning are 1 in 4.59 and 100% OF NET PROCEEDS GO TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS.
The Illinois Lottery, in partnership with Illinois Department Public Health, is once again working together to raise millions of dollars to help people living with HIV/AIDS in Illinois and is encouraging residents to “Wrap it Up Illinois.”
“We are incredibly pleased to launch this new ticket and along with the ‘Wrap it Up Illinois’ initiative where we can all stand together to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS in Illinois and across the globe,” said Illinois Lottery Acting Superintendent Jodie Winnett.
During this winter season, the Illinois Lottery is encourage residents to “Wrap it Up Illinois,” and are offering a special red Quality of Life commemorative scarf (while supplies last) to those who submit $20 worth of non-winning “Red Ribbon Bonus Bucks” scratch-off tickets.
Players can submit their non-winning “Red Ribbon Bonus Bucks” tickets to:
Wrap it Up Illinois , c/o Emmis Communications
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza , Suite 230 , Chicago, IL 60654
Illinois has the sixth highest number of AIDS cases in the nation, with more than 40,000 reported cases of AIDS since 1981. Of those diagnosed with the disease, about 19,996 persons have died. In 2008, there were 1,915 persons newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. This represents an 8 percent increase in the number of new diagnoses over the previous year.
2 Gay Holiday Shows! Sanatland Diaries and Delight Before Christmas
gay yuletide fun this season?
Two great shows at the Theatre Building Chicago are sure to help you get your holiday queer cheer on.
Theatre Wit presents The Santaland Diaries.
Running now thru January 2nd,
Thursdays thru Sundays, at Theatre Building Chicago.
Santaland diaries launched the career of writer and commentator David Sedaris. A true story, he recounts his days as a Christmas elf at Macy’s department store in New York City. The experience eventually made its way into the book Barrel Fever and has been made into a short play.
David Sedaris’ sardonic tale of his stint as an Elf in Santaland returns for its annual visit, starring Mitchell Fain who headed this sold-out run last year, praised by the Chicago Tribune as a “singular interpretation that feels fresh again” in a production with “just the right sensibility”. He is GREAT in the role he plays the audience well.
At first the job is simply humiliating, but once the thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa’s workshop, he becomes battle weary and bitter. Taking consolation in the fact that some of the other elves were television extras on One Life to Live, he grins and bears it, occasionally taking out his frustrations on the children and parents alike.
The piece ends with yet another Santa being ushered into the workshop, but this one is different from the lecherous or drunken ones with whom he has had to work. This Santa actually seems to care about and love the children who come to see him, startling our hero into an uncharacteristic moment of goodwill just before his employment runs out.
Showtimes and Prices for Santaland Diaries.
Something a little different –
Girlie-Q Productions, Chicago’s premiere LGBT alternative to mainstream burlesque, presents its first original, full-length production, Delight Before Christmas, a sexy, campy, comic burlesque journey to discover the meaning of Christmas.
Delight Before Christmas incorporates a stunning variety of classic burlesque, modern dance, variety acts, and performance art to tell the story of a hopeless Fox News intern who posts a sad message on Craigslist and then is led on a sexy, magical quest by the Fairy Craigster to find the true meaning of the season. Along the journey, they encounter a gender-bending gang of burlesque and variety performers who each express the meaning of the season in their own unique and titillating ways.
One part Baz Luhrmann and one part Dickens, with a dash of 1940’s & 1970?s holiday claymation and a heaping tablespoon of Bing Crosby & Howard Hawkes, combined in a cocktail shaker with several shots naked ladies, boylesque dancers, jugglers, drag and butoh performers, and all the ingredients for a flaming rum punch, Delight Before Christmas goes behind the glittery holiday facade, exploring the agony and ecstasy of the season, with an ending wrapped in a sparkling bow.
SPECIAL nightly guest performers include RTG Dance & Cruel Valentine (12/3), Siren Jinx & The Revelettes (12/4), Backdoor Aly & Scarlett D’Evil (12/5), The Lady Miss Vagina Jenkins & Bizarre Sally (12/10), The Lady Miss Vagina Jenkins & The Revelettes (12/11), The Lady Miss Vagina Jenkins & Holly Wouldn’t (12/12), Tribal Bellydancer Jolie & Siren Jinx (12/17), Tribal Bellydancer Jolie & Holly Wouldn’t (12/18), and Dizzy Lizzy Delicious (12/19).
Plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays ONLY thru December 19th!
Get a sneak peak at YouTube
The Best of Gay Chicago
Boystown Chicago Hotels Gives Back This Holiday Season
Located in the heart of the stylish and exclusive Lakeview section of Chicago, The City Inns of Chicago – The Majestic Hotel, The Willows Hotel & The City Suites – welcome you with an abundance of personality, style and charm that epitomizes the essence of their environs.
Exuding the charm of historic buildings – circa 1920s – The City Inns are a collection of boutique hotels that combine a stylish, unique and alluring atmosphere with a location that is ideal and accessible – just 10 minutes north of downtown Chicago’s business, financial and shopping districts – and brimming with the quintessential qualities of an upscale, city hotel.
During this holiday season they have a special promotion! Help them decorate a tree this season for a less fortunate family, and you can save $10 off your room rate.
“Bring in a new boxed ornament to add to our trees and upon check-in, we’ll give you an additional $10 off any of our existing deals. We’ll be donating the decorated trees, along with gifts and a holiday breakfast.”
“A little generosity can go a long way. Bring an ornament and help make someone’s holiday season and tree’s a little brighter!”
Broughton Hospitality and City Inns
Luxury Boutique Hotels in Chicago’s Boystown
City Suites Hotel Majestic Hotel Willows Hotel
The Best of Gay Chicago
Terror in the Aisles – Attention Scarey Movie Fans December 5th
JUST A WEEK AWAY!
Do you like horror movies
and scarey movies?
From the people who bring us
MASSACRE AT THE MUSIC BOX…
now comes
TERROR IN THE AISLES 3
$12 for a Night of Totally Terrifying films, music, vendor tables, vintage movie trailers, prizes, surprises and more!!!
Dec. 5, 2009
Portage Theater
4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
1.773.736.4050
Doors open at 7pm.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
(10th Anniversary!)
with director Eduardo Sanchez
in person!
NIGHT OF THE CREEPS
(director’s cut)
with director FRED DEKKER
in Person!
BLACK CHRISTMAS
Bob Clark’s legendary holiday slasher classic!
Special Guest WENDY ROBIE
(star of People Under The Stairs & Twin Peaks)
Reads Edgar Allan Poe for Poe’s Bicentennial Birthday Celebration!
Short films include:
TREEVENGE (A Chilling Tale of Christmas Gone Wrong!)
CHEMICAL 12-D (Moral Confusion After a Zombie Apocalypse!)
Bands: My Damn Butterfly Modern Day Rippers
For more info online at MOVIE SIDE FESTIVAL or Portage Theater
Terror in the Aisles on FaceBook!
Is the End of HIV Within our Grasp?! Dr. Surhid Paul Say’s YES!
THIS IS A MUST SEE!
The end of HIV may be closer than we think! Actors, performers, comedians, HIV activists, and scientists come together to show support for Covalent Immunology, and Dr. Sudhir Paul. The Cast includes Lady Bunny, Justin Bond, Ben Andrews, and more!
$5 is all it takes – lets face it, a cure and vaccine isn’t gonna come from the big pharma, its gonna come from a brilliant scholar/researcher…DR. PAUL!!
WATCH THE VIDEO
Covalent Immunology Foundation
READ MORE AT FOX NEWS
Gay Dating Online Brings Chicago Together!
Whether you are hitting the town for a wild night or you’re heading to the theater for a play or concert, doing what you enjoy is always better when you’re with someone special. Whether that someone is a friend, a companion for the evening, or someone you’ve been with for awhile, finding that exceptional someone you want to share your passions with can be hard to do in a city of Chicago’s size.
Sure, you could try gay dating the old-fashioned way and place a personals ad in the paper or you could hit up a club every weekend – but that won’t necessarily mean you’ll find the gay heart-throb or lesbian lover of your dreams. Encountering that special homosexual someone in a large city can be hard to do in a crowded club or without even seeing their picture.
In a city like Chicago you could club every night or put in a personals ad every week and still not meet the right gay or lesbian partner for you; but at a gay dating site like PrideDating, it’s a convenient way to get together with homosexual singles in your area looking for relationships, not just hookups. The right gay dating site makes it easy for you to find the right someone for you so you can forget the drama of the club scene, and forget waiting for a personals response.
Make the most of the right gay dating site and find someone near you that will make going out in the evenings fun and pleasurable. There is so much to experience in the city of Chicago – when you find that special someone near you that enjoys the same things using a gay dating site, you’ll look so forward to going out and hitting up every hot spot in town!
Board Game Dating for Gay and Lesbian Nerds
My partner and I belong to a Meetup.com group here in Chicago for Gay and Lesbian Professionals. From time to time, organizers throw different events. So in an effort to reach a new audience, I thought I would share those events here, as they come up. It’s only $5 per year to be member and most of the events are very inexpensive to attend. Plus it’s a great way to network with other LGBT Professionals. So check it out!
In November,
Board Game Dating for Gay Nerd Guys
When : November 30th, 2009 7:00pm
Price $20 per person
In December,
Board Game Dating for Lesbian Nerds
When: December 3, 2009 7:00 PM
Price: $20.00 per person
Where: Fat Cat 4840 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60640 773-506-3100
Get your geek on with other smart, witty single night at our high-fun, low-pressure dating party, where trivia quizzes and ferocious board gaming wins you prizes as well as hearts.
The festivities take place from 7-10 p.m. in the mod back room at Fat Cat (4840 N. Broadway). We’ll have several rounds of small-group board games to break the ice and we’ll rotate the tables so that you can flirt with everyone in attendance over Apples to Apples, Catch Phrase, Taboo, Scattergories, Boggle, Homogenius and more.
Admission ($20 with advance registration and payment at Nerds at Heart or at Meet Up.com, or $25 at the door) also includes trivia contests, geeky prizes, theater ticket giveaways, a drawing for passes to the “Terror in the Aisles 3” fight-flick marathon at Portage Theater and a complimentary cocktail.
The Best of Gay Chicago
So You Think You Want To Be In Cirque Du Soleil?
WHAT’S YOUR SHPEEL?
ONE LUCKY WINNER TO PERFORM
AT THE LEGENDARY CHICAGO THEATRE
Winning Act to be Presented in the Grand Lobby Prior to
the December 9th performance of Banana Shpeel by Cirque du Soleil.
BroadwayWorld.com is giving one lucky winner the chance to entertain the pre-show audience in the grand lobby at the historical Chicago Theatre prior to a performance of Banana Shpeel, the new Cirque du Soleil show on December 9 at 8pm.
Interested contestants have the opportunity to sing, dance, or laugh their way to the theater by submitting a 60-second video to be voted on by their peers. In keeping with the vaudeville-inspired theme of Banana Shpeel, participants are encouraged to display a madcap bit of slapstick, an over-the-top comedic routine, or singing, dancing or performing a one-of-a-kind act with original creative content. Videos will be judged on creativity, raw talent, originality, humor, spirit and total “wow-factor.” To enter, participants should upload a 60-second video to YouTube.com and fill out the entry form at Broadway World.
The lucky winner will receive two complimentary tickets to Banana Shpeel and will enjoy accommodations courtesy of Delta Airlines and theWit, Doubletree Hotel in Chicago on December 9. Complimentary airfare to Chicago will be provided only if winner is from out-of-town. 25 runners up will each receive two complimentary tickets for Banana Spheel on December 9.
The contest runs until November 30 and is open to anyone 18 or older (under 18 with parental permission) in the United States. For complete terms and conditions see Broadway World.
Written and directed by David Shiner, Banana Shpeel is a roller-coaster mix of performance styles inspired by vaudeville that blends comedy with tap, hip hop, eccentric dance and slapstick, all linked by a hilarious narrative that ignites a succession of wacky adventures.
Propelled by crazy humor and intense choreography, Banana Shpeel plunges us into the world of Schmelky, a brash, ambitious producer who is trying to put together a spectacular variety show. His world is populated with sidekicks, dancers, singers and novelty acts – and a trio of badly-behaved clowns who crash the auditions spreading chaos in all directions.
For Banana Shpeel information and tickets, please visit Cirque du Soleil or Chicago Theatreor call 1.800.745.3000. Regular ticket prices range from $23 to $98, with limited Premium and Tapis Rouge VIP Experience tickets also available.
The Best of Gay Chicago
BEWARE:Homophobic Chicago Police Officer Richard Fiorito
The officer – Richard Fiorito. Known to harrass the gay community in and around Boystown. Will arrest you, even if you are NOT drunk and can pass the road tests!
This past week, 15 MORE plantiffs have filed suits against this allegedly anti-gay cop.
Fiorito has been placed on desk duty since the charges were first issued in early October. 16 more plaintiffs recently joined the case with the original 21, leading the total to 37 lawsuits against the officer. All testimony from Fiorito in any of these pending DUI cases will be on hold until internal investigations from the Cook County State Attorney’s Office and Independent Police Review Authority are complete.
Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez has now dismissed all pending Fiorito DUI casses, against the victims. Attorney JOn Erickson says, “My clients are elated Alvarez is finally doing the right thing and dismissing these cases, but will not rest until she indicts him for his crimes.”
Like that will happen!
ALERT!! This Thursday night –
The Next Step to Stopping Anti-LGBT Cop Officer Fiorito
This Thursday night, November 19th, is an excellent opportunity for you to send a message in person to the top Chicago Police Department brass about their allowing anti-gay cop Officer Richard Fiorito to remain employed by the City of Chicago.
7 PM, Thursday, Nov. 19 In front of Chicago Police Headquarters
3510 S. Michigan Avenue
Just a few blocks east of the “35th Street“ Red Line el station (ample street parking is available too)
At 7:30 PM we will go inside to attend the Police Board meeting. It begins with a half hour or so of formal business, followed by the public comment section. In order to speak in this section, you must call the Board at 312.742.4194 before 4 PM at least a day in advance.
The Best of Gay Chicago
Gay Couple Banned From Wal Mart in Niles
DO GAY PEOPLE
REALLY SHOP AT WAL-MART?
Gosh, I started boycotting that store 3 years ago after watching THE HIGH COST OF THE LOW PRICE!
The two Bic multipurpose lighters and a package of smaller lighters Joe Paolucci bought at the Niles (MI) Wal-Mart on Aug. 16 cost $15.84.
So how did the lighters end up the centerpiece of a situation that resulted in Paolucci and his gay partner, Thomas Hitchcock, being banned from Wal-Mart, not only in Niles but everywhere? That’s the rest of the story.
Tribune reporter staff writer Lou Mumford reported, Paolucci said he and Hitchcock had visited the store often since the two Chicago attorneys — for 13 years, Paolucci was general counsel for the real estate investment company owned by Chicago billionaire Sam Zell — opened a store known simply as Front in downtown Buchanan.
The “high-end modernist gallery/shop,” as Paolucci described it, stemmed from an extensive rehabilitation project. He and Hitchcock own investment properties in downtown Buchanan as well, they said, plus a second home near Buchanan that they occupy with two special-needs 11-year-old twin sons they adopted from Romania.
At the Wal Mart store, Paolucci, went to a self-checkout lane to use scanning equipment he had operated before.
Later, he said, he returned to the shopping area to pick up additional items, including the lighters, which he scanned and placed in bags. He grabbed his receipt for the items, totaling some $60, and headed for the exit, as did Hitchcock and the boys.
Before they got outside, store employees stopped them.
“They asked if I had Bic lighters. I said, ‘Yes,’ and handed them over,” Paolucci said. “Then they asked if I had a receipt. I said, ‘Yes, you’re holding it.’ Then this group of Wal-Mart employees started forming around us.”
Paolucci and Hitchcock said the employees were threatening and that one used a vulgarity. Their accusations frightened the boys, who began “crying, screaming and freaking out,” they said.
Paolucci said that while he and Hitchcock were attempting to calm down the boys, the employees ordered them to enter a “detention room” for questioning. Fearful of what might happen behind closed doors, he and Hitchcock refused to enter and asked to speak to a manager.
“Some guy came up and said, ‘I’m the manager,’ then turned around and left,” Hitchcock said.
Paolucci said he and Hitchcock then asked store personnel to call police. Within minutes, deputies from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department’s Niles Township Patrol arrived, pleasing Paolucci who said he thought a few questions and a review of the store’s videotapes and computer records would quickly resolve the matter.
He said he was shocked when he was immediately handcuffed, without a question being asked, and placed in the back seat of a squad car. Hitchcock wasn’t handcuffed but also was placed in the back seat of a second squad car.
The twins, despite the protests of Paolucci and Hitchcock, were turned over to the store’s security personnel, who took them into the “detention room” or what police referred to as a security room.
Paolucci and Hitchcock estimated it was at least 45 minutes before officers told them they had reviewed the store’s tapes and had determined that the lighters hadn’t been shoplifted. The two said they expected an apology and were surprised once again when personnel from the store walked up to the squad cars with the twins and read from a statement that Paolucci and Hitchcock had been banned by the store chain for life. Rather than shoplifting, the reason they were given was “being uncooperative.”
“Everything they asked us to do, we did. We cooperated 100 percent,” Paolucci argued. “We objected only when they tried to get us to go into the detention room.”
By the time they were read the statement, Paolucci and Hitchcock said, the twins had told them that the security staff had allegedly threatened them in the security room and had made disparaging remarks about Paolucci and Hitchcock’s lifestyle. Paolucci and Hitchcock said they asked police to take statements from the boys but the officers refused, telling the couple they’d have to contact Child Protective Services.
They were told next that they’d have to leave the premises immediately, they said, or be arrested for trespassing. The men said they argued the store should at least replace such grocery items as a frozen pizza, ice cream and popsicles, which by then had thawed or melted, but those arguments, too, went nowhere.
WHAT A MESS! I would not step foot in a Wal mart store if YOU PAID ME!
Best Gay Chicago
wal mart gay couples gay shop lifting gay twins gay babies gay lawyers Tag generator
Boycott of Hunters is Called For by Some Transgender and Gays in Chicago
The Elk Grove Village bar’s owners have implemented a new policy that requires patrons to show a valid photo ID that matches their gender presentation. Therefore, if a person wants to enter Hunters in drag, his or her ID must match their current appearance. But Hunters says the rule isn’t exactly new, and they are just making sure they comply with local laws in order to keep their liquor license.
According to Hunters, the new policy was put in place to keep out transgender and cross-dressing prostitutes. Hunters manager Peter Landorf told the Chicago Tribune that the decision was made reluctantly after seeing Craigslist prostitution ads that mentioned Hunters. Management decided it was best to be strict about photo IDs in order to avoid potentially losing its liquor license.
Chicago Gender Society’s Katie Thomas told CFP that the organization hasn’t taken much of a stand on the Hunters issue beyond telling people that “the law is the law.” Thomas said that she believes that Hunters is cracking down on IDs in order to maintain their liquor license and not for any other reason. In the meantime, she said, trans people can easily obtain a new ID. “Do what you’re supposed to do and get an ID,” Thomas advised.
MJ from One Voice Whispering in the Wind blog said in a recent post, “As many of you already know, this past Friday night I went to support a protest of Hunters Nightclub. A lot of people were asking me what brought on this protest. I very quickly explain to them about the discrimination of my fellow Transgender brothers and sisters.”
About 40 some people showed up this past weekend for a protest at the bar…”Well the night turned out like this: There were over forty people out on Friday night standing in the freezing cold parking lot waiting to challenge the new policy at Hunters. As we all made our way into the bar, two of us were turned away. The remaining people who were able to make it into the bar, were asked to leave the bar about an hour later. To clarify on this part a little; we were asking the manager about the policy and why they allowed some of us in and not others and next thing I know we were being asked to leave.
I can not comment on what was being said between our organizers and the management at Hunters for I was not there for the whole conversation. I just know that after we were asked to leave, most of us braved the cold temperatures outside because Patrick Volkert, a manager at Hunters, agreed to talk to us. We all waited for him to come out and talk to us. When he finally did come out, he would only talk to the group organizer. So the rest of us waited in the parking lot, talking and sharing stories until the meeting was done.
When the meeting was over we were told that our demand that Hunters repeal the policy was denied and so we decided to boycott Hunters.”
Chicago Gender Society’s Katie Thomas added that there are a lot of trans women who have gotten into Hunters without a problem because staff recognize them.
“It’s not that they don’t want trans girls here,” Thomas said.
On a Friday or Saturday night, patrons said there are typically a dozen or more men at the bar dressed as women. Most are just trying to be themselves. They go out “in costume” and live most of their daily lives as men.
But now a whole can of worms has been opened. The bar, could now have an additional problem on its hands. As of 2006, state law prohibits any establishment open to the public from discriminating against people based on gender identity.
Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia told CFP that the organization has known about the situation at Hunters for “a while.”
Garcia said that Equality Illinois already spoke with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and hopes to talk to Hunters owner Mike Hunter shortly. The statewide GLBT organization hopes that they can sit down with Hunters management and come up with a solution that protects both transgender patrons and the bar.
“We respect his desire to keep his business safe and legal,” Garcia said. “But in protecting the business, you can’t also harm innocent people.”
Hunters declined to comment in the Chicago Tribune recently.
Mad Boys Booze and Yacht Party Cruise Memorial Weekend in Chicago
MEMORIAL weekend has another exciting event!
A private Yacht of drinking, men and dancing go-go boys! Enjoy an OPEN PREMIUM BAR including a free elegant luncheon buffet featuring music by DJ PHIL DaBeatz on Sunday afternoon!!
Join BJPromos and DJ Phil DaBeatz as they kick off the summer in style aboard Kanan Cruise Line (Last dock on Navy Pier). This is the first of many GAY CRUISES on Lake Michigan this summer.
The combination of Memorial Day Weekend, IML, Gabbys, and Bear Pride will be bringing thousands of gays to Chicago. What better place to celebrate than the MAD BOY CRUISE!
Tickets include OPEN BAR, FREE FOOD, LIVE DANCE MUSIC, BOYS, MEN and MORE MEN!
DJ Phil DaBeatz voted Best Club DJ 2008 and signed by Centaur Music as their next POPular DJ will be behind the decks.
Whether spinning live or compiling CD’s, Phil leaves you with no choice but to “feel the beats.”
Its already been a year of accomplishments for DJ Phil DaBeatz. In April, DaBeatz was signed to Centaur Music, the 1 global GLBT record label. His contract includes the remixing and production of a cd in their POPular Series to be marketed and sold worldwide – CD Release scheduled for this month.
Everyone always looks for a chance to get out of Boystown and do something different, and this is the perfect opportunity.
Sunday May 24th
Boarding at 12:30pm and Cruise 1:00-3:00pm Tickets $65
VIP tickets $125 include Private Reception 11:30am-12:30pm
Buy tickets Online for more information call (630)664-4203
Next cruise is Pride Weekend, Saturday June 27th – Brunch, Booze and Boys!
Best of Gay Chicago!
