The Chicago Traveler

Chicago is renowned for its culture and diversity, bringing together people from all backgrounds and labels. The gay and lesbian community plays a significant part in the Windy City’s population, attracting men and women from less resourceful rural areas across the Midwest. Two of Chicago’s most thriving gay neighborhoods are Boystown (inside the Lakeview/Wrigleyville area) and Andersonville (and consequently its surrounding Edgewater neighborhood). A high concentration of bars, shops, and restaurants can be found among the colorful pylons of Boystown. Andersonville has a few bars as well but is better known for its boutiques and “hip” eateries.
While it is by …read more

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If you think all gay men are lisping, fashion-conscious, and limp-wristed, you’d be sorely mistaken. There are entire subcultures dedicated to expressions of masculinity and the body “anti-image.” Take, for example, the leather culture. If you’re unfamiliar with this scene, think of the stereotypical biker bar. (In fact, many conjecture that the leather world emerged from the biker culture in the late 1940s.) There are no Harleys involved here though. Just leather in all shapes and sizes: everything from a simple leather jacket to a full-on leather outfit.
One of Chicago’s well-known leather bars is the Cell Block. With its dark …read more

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Some moms save everything. Book reports, baby teeth, art projects… but if your little Picasso’s creations are starting to wallpaper your refrigerator, it may be time to talk to Susan Fleming at Stitch (just south of Hot Chocolate).
Watercolors, crayons, pencil scribbles: Susan has seen it all. She’ll shrink it all down to a manageable size and even make a cute necklace or keychain out of it in two to four weeks. Now you can carry those unique works of art with you wherever you go. They’re set in sterling silver and coated with protective resin, so they’ll last long enough …read more

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