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"I just think they're ignorant to our situation. "It is throwing it in our face that they can get married and we can't," said Dion Contreras, a 29-year-old Chicago litigation manager, while having a drink at Cocktail with friends. His customers say they like knowing they're not going to encounter such displays. Zaharakis, though, instructs his bouncers to turn away groups of women sporting beads, boas, tiaras and phallic plastic necklaces.
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Some bars welcome the women and their free spending, even advertising weekend shows. Gay bars are popular with bachelorettes, both for the over-the-top drag shows and for the ability to let loose in a place where women are unlikely to be groped or ogled. "I would rather not have the money than host an event I didn't believe in." "I'm totally losing money because of it, but I don't want the money," Zaharakis said. While most gay bars continue to welcome the raucous brides to be, Zaharakis' bar Cocktail is fighting for what he sees as a fundamental right, and his patrons - along with some peeved bachelorettes - are taking notice. That's when he made a decision now posted for all to see: "No Bachelorette Parties." (Please note: this information has not been updated since the time of the member’s induction).CHICAGO - Bar owner Geno Zaharakis sat one busy evening at the window of his gay nightclub, watching as groups of straight women celebrating bachelorette parties made their way along a strip of bars in Chicago's gay-friendly "Boystown" neighborhood. Summit has also been the recipient of the John Michie Award from Dignity Chicago and the Glynn Sudbery Award from the Gay and Lesbian Caucus of the Independent Voters of Illinois and Independent Precinct Organization. She has been honored twice by the Gay Chicago Magazine Awards, and was also recognized by Mattachine Midwest. Summit is especially proud of being a parent, having adopted - against all odds - a child of racially-mixed lineage, rearing her to adulthood and proving that lesbians and gays can be good parents. She has participated in AIDS Walk Chicago and Strike Against AIDS, and she has produced a number of fundraisers at her bar for Chicago House and other organizations. Most recently, His ‘n Hers has been home to aficionados of the gay computer bulletin boards, as well as David Boyer’s Original Country-Western Dance Party. Over the years, Summit opened His ‘n Hers to a number of organizations - allowing many to use her establishment to raise funds for a variety of causes, as well as just to socialize in a safe environment. She was among those who picketed Evergreen Foods, educating its owners and other “mainstream” businesspersons that gays and lesbians are among their regular customers and are deserving of common courtesy and respect. Along with gay businessman Frank Kellas, Summit pioneered the “Gay $ Project”, creating an ink stamp to mark paper currency as coming from gays and lesbians, demonstrating our economic impact on everyday commerce.
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She was a member of Mattachine Midwest, as well as active in the formation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Chaffin, Summit later co-produced “Crimes of Hate,” a documentary film about anti-gay and anti-lesbian occurrences in Chicago. Along with QED Productions, Gary Chichester and R.J. She appeared in the film “Before Stonewall,” which chronicled pre-1968 activities of the national gay and lesbian community. Summit produced a record album “Gay and Straight Together,” featuring performers who appeared at His ‘n Hers. His ‘n Hers became well known for its “open mike,” and was considered by many to have the “best burgers” in Chicago. Summit closed her business in mid-November of 1993.ĭuring the 1970s and early 1980s, Summit’s establishment was among the first to offer live entertainment, and she promoted the careers of numerous young gay and lesbian artists, including Diana Straight-as-an-Arrow, Chris Clason and Wacker Drive. There she was the object of ongoing harassment. She is best known as the owner of His ‘n Hers, a popular bar and restaurant that was located for many years beneath the Addison L stop forced out of this location by the Chicago Transit Authority, Summit moved her business to North Broadway in the 48th Ward. Marge Summit has been a vocal and visible member of Chicago’s gay and lesbian community for many years. She was a founder of the Chicago chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), appeared in several video projects, and initiated the “Gay$” project. Photo by: Tracy Baim/Outline & Nightlines INDIVIDUAL | Inducted 1993Īs a successful businesswoman, she has contributed time, energy, and resources to numerous community organizations.