As the country marks the Stonewall anniversary, Johnson recalled key moments over the last 50 years when Chicago’s gay bars have been at the center of the LGBTQ community’s fight for equal rights. Still, like the Stonewall Inn, Johnston said Chicago’s gay activism took place in the bars - including Sidetrack, which he opened 37 years ago in the historic Boystown neighborhood.Īs co-founder of the civil rights organization Equality Illinois, Johnston has been an outspoken leader of Chicago’s anti-discrimination movement. The Stonewall riots helped galvanize the gay rights movement nationwide.īut in Chicago, even after the riots, activist Art Johnston said police raids of gay bars would continue to make headlines for another decade. 5336 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA. Highly recommended Mary Munez Google review. Some days, bands play there the first half of the night and then close out with karaoke. Rioters barricaded cops inside the bar and for several days took to the streets in an effort to put an end to years of harassment. Absolutely love the owners and the team there from Phil, Shaun, PJ, Tim, and Nick - always a genuinely hospitable and inviting group. There was one dude who seemed to be drunk and overly enamored with the piano player who was constantly calling out here name and overly praising her telling her how much he loved her. It’s been 50 years since violent protests broke out on June 28, 1969, following a raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the Greenwich Village neighborhood in New York. The sing along songs were like right out of a movie - including of course Sweet Caroline.
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