The long and storied history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community in Chicago and the U.S. is the focus of a new program initiative at the Chicago Historical Society (CHS) titled ‘Out at CHS: Exploring the LGBT Past.’ Conceived as a multi-year initiative encompassing research, collecting, and public programs, the first year of public programming features a three-part lecture and event series that kicks off March 10 with ‘From Cole Porter to Tina Turner to Pansy Division: A History of LGBT Music.’ ‘Out at CHS’ is co-presented with Center on Halsted and the University of Chicago Lesbian and Gay Studies Project.
‘This initiative is the result of more than a year of discussions with representatives from Chicago’s key LGBT organizations,’ said Lonnie Bunch, CHS President. ‘CHS is committed to telling the history of Chicago through the stories of its diverse communities, and the LGBT community is vitally important to our city’s history.’
On Wednesday, March 10, ‘Out at CHS’ kicks off with ‘From Cole Porter to Tina Turner to Pansy Division,’ presented by Mitchell Morris, professor of music history at the University of California at Los Angeles. Morris will include music and film clips from the past 70 years. The evening begins with a 5:30 p.m. cocktail reception, followed by Dr. Mitchell’s presentation at 6:30 p.m. A festive kick-off celebration will immediately follow, featuring a DJ, live entertainment, and food and drinks themed to the evening’s presentation. Suggested donation is $10; $5 for students with valid ID. Tix: www.chicagohistory.org or call (312) 662-4600.
‘Out at CHS’ continues in May; the second program in the series, ‘From Drag Balls to Vogue Balls’ is scheduled for Thursday, May 27. The final program of the 2004 season, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 26, is titled ‘Women, Womyn, Grrls, and Kings: Chicago Lesbian-Feminist Women’s Music Culture Since the 1970s.’