A Look At 40 Years of Gay Media
Tracy Baim has been covering Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community for more than 40 years, but it hasn’t always been easy. Back then, she says you couldn’t be openly gay in Chicago media, which is why so many LGBTQ+ journalists like herself had to create their own queer press. In 1984, fresh out of college, Baim started part-time at Gay Life Newspaper, before co-founding the LGBTQ+ newspaper, Windy City Times. Fast forward to 2018, and she’s the publisher of the Chicago Reader, the iconic alt-weekly. Chicago Reader’s “Pride” issue this week documents the evolution of gay activism in Chicago. The issue includes an interview with Dr. Fauci about the AIDS epidemic, and a profile of a '80’s zine that explored Chicago’s House music scene, among other stories. Baim spoke with host Jacoby Cochran about her decades-long career in the gay press and about what it’s like seeing Chicago media’s journey from sidelining the queer community to finally embracing it.
Guest: Tracy Baim, Publisher, Chicago Reader (@TracyBaimWCMG)
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Mayor Walks Quantum Tightrope. Plus, Chicago's Got Talent
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is a forthcoming multi-billion-dollar development on the former U.S. Steel South Works sit...
Data Center Moratorium, 'ICE Out' Pledge, and Chicago Singles Mingling
Last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order aiming to modernize regulations and oversight for Chicago’s data centers. He a...
CPD Traffic Stops Down, Chicago’s West Nile Risk, and Even More Belugas OTW
The Illinois Department of Transportation has released the most recent traffic stop data from police departments across the state. While...
Funeral Home Under Investigation, Aspira Charter Files Bankruptcy, and Chicago Fire Heats Up
The owners of multiple South Side funeral homes are under a microscope after state officials discovered they had been mismanaging human r...
Will CPD Ever Actually Investigate ICE? Plus, The Other Washingtons
Earlier this week, a coalition of Chicagoans who allege they were victims of misconduct and violence during Operation Midway Blitz filed...
Why Did Bally’s Pause Hotel Construction? Plus, 24 Hours in Chicago
Over the weekend, Bally’s Casino hit the brakes on all non-gaming construction in protest of Chicago’s forthcoming expansion of video gam...
Let’s Play Chicago Scattergories! Plus, Moving Tips
Back in June, we played a Chicago-themed game of Scattergories during our live taping at Switchyards Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran compete...
Will Local Grocers Survive SNAP Cuts? Does Chicago Have A City Council Problem?
Today we’re talking about the impact SNAP cuts are having on grocers across Chicago, the relationship between the mayor and alders headin...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Chicago
As much as you love Chicago, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have compl...
Why Are More Young People Moving to Chicago? Plus, How To Recycle Your Electronics
While cleanup at Grant Park is ongoing following a massive, rain-soaked Lollapalooza, Mayor Johnson called this year’s festival “the prel...