off the cuffs

Pictured The Lesbian Community Cancer Project received a $99,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health for training staff on the special health issues of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women in Illinois. Sen. Carol Ronen and Rep. Harry Osterman were instrumental in supporting LCCP’s proposal to IDPH. A check presentation ceremony and celebration was held at Star Gaze. TOP: Mamie and Dusty of Star Gaze with Ronen and Osterman, along with LCCP’s ED Jessica Halem. BELOW: Lost & Found bar held its annual Angels fundraiser for LCCP, collecting more than $500 from customers. Pictured are bartenders Bonnie and Debra. Photos by Terri and Tracy

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I want to give special well wishes to Sukie de la Croix, who is moving on to new projects. He has been a wonderful part of Windy City Media Group, especially through his history columns and Nightspots stewardship. We hope to be reviewing his history books some day soon … .

Mark Ishaug and Ann Hilton Fisher are honored with awards at the Feb. 5 Hearts Foundation reception, with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction, 6-10 p.m., $150, Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore, (773) 244-6000, www.heartsfoundation.com.

The Coming Out Against Cancer Ball benefiting the Lesbian Community Cancer Project features Grammy Award-nominated artist Meshell Ndegeocello as celebrity DJ and nationally syndicated radio host Gretchen Helfrich as honorary chair. Silent auction includes a set visit to watch filming of Showtime’s The L Word. The event is Saturday, Feb. 7, from 8-midnight at the South Shore Cultural Center. See www.lccp.org or call (773) 561-4662.

Amigas Latinas’ Viernes de Verdades/Real Deal Fridays, a place for real deal conversations about the challenges of being a Latina lesbian or bisexual, meets for four Fridays in February, starting Feb. 6. Call Edith at (773) 282-2620.

Stella Productions presents Regina Upright, Tajma Hall, Julia Knight and the return of HELEN Feb. 6 at Buddies’, 10 p.m., 3301 N. Clark.

A program on the life of Bayard Rustin, with a talk by historian John D’Emilio, is at Gerber/Hart Feb. 8, 4 p.m., 1127 W. Granville, (773) 381-8030.

Bruce Vilanch and the company of Hairspray present Marc Shaiman: His Music and Comedy, to benefit for Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House and the Harbor, Feb. 9, Gentry on State, 8 & 10: 30 p.m., 440 N. State, (312) 836-0933.

Sunday, Feb. 8, at Ann Sather: A Queer Eye on Marriage, a forum to discuss the spiritual aspects of LGBT marriage, 2 p.m., free, 929 W. Belmont, (773) 262-0099.

The Gay Travel Expo is Feb. 7: Plan your next getaway with the help of the travel experts of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, Essex Inn, 800 S. Michigan, (800) 448-8550, RWilson@iglta.org.