Did you know that 13% of human deaths are caused by cancer?
How about the fact that some 200 million people in Africa are malnourished?
And get this… 18 people were murdered in Chicago in the one-week period between June 29 and July 6.
Why is it then that there is a website devoted to stopping Willis Group from renaming the Sears Tower? This is almost as mind-boggling as the people who have picketed Macy’s for renaming Marshall Field’s. Folks – it’s a building. A well-known, iconic building, sure, but still just a building. There are bigger fish to fry here.
If you want to stay local, how about picketing City Hall for allowing that LAZ Parking takeover of Chicago’s parking meter system to go through. Or actually making some noise about the large number of other corrupt actions our government has taken. You could sign a petition or call your senator and encourage them to pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Protection Act, otherwise known as the Matthew Shepard Act, without any amendments. There are so many worthy causes that would make a real difference.
But people are taking action to stop a deal that has brought a large tenant to a very vacant Chicago landmark because it involves changing the name. Personally, I’m ready and willing to sacrifice the sign outside the Sears/Willis Tower in exchange for a business deal that will help boost our local economy.
Pride this year was kind of special for me. Since coming out eight years ago, I’ve always stayed on top of politics and news relating to the LGBT community at least a little but since the release of Milk and the passage of Prop 8 I’ve dropped my old passive interest ways and become a bit more activist about things. So having the opportunity to march with the Gayglers and AIDSCare Chicago made the whole pride experience a lot more meaningful for me.
I think part of what really surprised me was the sheer volume of people that turned out. I’ve gone for the past few years and knew it was a big event but I don’t think it’s really possible to understand the scope without being in the parade. People were shoulder to shoulder the entire route and in many cases the crowd went so far back from the street that I wondered if everyone could even see the parade or if many were just there for the experience. For someone like me who grew up in a small town and didn’t know a single gay person until 17, that kind of gathering really has an impact.
I think my favorite sight from marching down that proud path was one woman with a picket sign that read “Proud to have two moms.” How great is that? There were a lot of these people out in the crowd, brandishing their signs of hope and support for our community. An old coworker of mine came with his wife and daughter. It was beautiful.
Of course after the parade it was back to the same celebrate and have fun drinking and eating amongst friends old and new, as it should be. But I wanted to take a moment of pause from the circulation of pictures and drunkeness to say thank you to everyone who participated in Pride 2009. For me, your presence was moving.
One of my favorite Chicago street festivals each year is Andersonville Midsommarfest. I am drawn by the wide range of musical acts that perform there, delicious food from the likes of Reza’s and Andie’s, and mojitos. Another wonderful aspect of this particular street festival is the diversity of people that it draws. I’m always surprised by it. Pick a demographic and I would be shocked if you didn’t find it. I even saw some Amish people once!
I love the festival so much, in fact, that I have no complaints about it. Well, with one exception. In the weeks that lead up to it people are constantly screwing with the name as well as the purpose for the festival. Mid Summer Fest!? But it’s not even half way through June! Well I am here to correct you – so that you don’t continue to annoy me. (I like to call this good service through self-service, or self-service through good service. Pick a direction.)
Well it isn’t Mid-summer Fest or Midsummerfest or Middle of the Summer Festival, it is Midsommarfest! And Midsommarfest is celebrated around the time of the summer solstice – that is – the longest day of the year. This happens to occur in June on the 20th or 21st. Well now that you know what the deal is with the timing – why is there a street fest in Andersonville to celebrate it?
Andersonville has historically been the area of Chicago with the highest concentration of Swedes. Sure, the eldergays and lesbians have moved in along with families looking to be close to the city and the red line but still be able to afford a 2-bedroom, but the neighborhood is still flocked with Swedish heritage. From the Swedish American Museum Center to well-known Swedish Bakery and even Ann Sather’s, a large number of Andersonville’s businesses are or once were Swedish-owned. So how does this link in to a street festival? Well, as you might expect, the Swedish celebrate a festival this time of the year and have going as far back as pre-Christian times when the holiday was a fertility festival. I always thought that maypole looked a little like a penis… And there you are dancing around it!
So please, the next time you start typing “Midsummer…” – hit back space a few times and spell it correctly. In the end it is all about going out and having a good time this weekend, but you should at least have a passing knowledge of what you are celebrating before gorging on Falafel and chugging Miller Lite (neither of which, mind you, are in any way Swedish).
Â
PS: For cheap beer hit up Simon’s Tavern. They usually have a great special on drinks!
I just got the Facebook notice that Jay Brannan is coming to Schuba’s. I love his songs and let’s face it -- he is pretty easy on the eyes -- so I didn’t hesitate a moment in buying a ticket. In honor of his coming show I present to you one of my favorite songs by Brannan, Lower My Gun.
Here is a compilation of video shots and photos from Chicago’s Day of Decision rally. Originally I had the video set to Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” but YouTube wasn’t having any of it so here is the video with Say It’s Possible by Terra Naomi.
Every time I head out to a protest this is the song that I have playing in my head. Gay rights is probably not exactly what Mraz was thinking when he wrote the song but I can’t help but be moved by the lyrics in that context.
“No I won’t hesitate no more, no more / It can not wait / I’m sure.”
It was wonderful seeing familiar faces and new faces alike last night. The crowd was an angry group of people happy to cherish their diversity, queer or otherwise. There was one thing we all shared in common though – we were all human, and we were all equal.
The Chicago Tribune recently posted this editorial in support of civil unions in Illinois. I find myself conflicted. I’m happy that the Trib has gone on record vocally supporting some form of gay rights yet unimpressed with the language used. The argument does little to persuade and falls short of recognizing that civil unions can only be an injured step towards the real goal of full marriage rights for same sex couples.
An editorial should fervently support an argument one way or the other. I should walk away passionately in agreement or disgust. I don’t mean to sound unappreciative, I would love for the Trib to continue publishing pro-gay rights pieces, yet in a world where Iowa can unanimously approve gay marriage rights, Vermont can override a governor’s veto blocking full marriage rights, and New York’s governor can garner national press pushing a gay marriage bill this editorial does little to inspire any real movement.
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Legalize civil unions at chicagotribune.com