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Paperback
Publisher: Lake Claremont Press
Travel Deep into the Wilds of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Communities with Anthropologists and Tour Guides Robert McDonald and Kathie Bergquist "Straights beware! This is another salvo in the culture wars to turn us all gay."
--Ira Glass, This American Life "An entertaining romp through the City of Big Shoulders, Pecs, and Abs!"
--Scott Free, Outmusic 2005 Musician of the Year "Finally, a gay guidebook with a voice! Two delightful voices, actually. Kathie and Robert are so much fun to hang out with, this book will entertain the armchair traveller as well as the active explorer. And they are both SO gay; I defy anyone to read their defense of the Pride March and not pop a few buttons. For natives who need an update or first-time tourists, The Field Guide is fantastic! . . . Gay-positive, sex-positive, fun-positive."
--Linda Bubon, owner, Women & Children First bookstore, Chicago, IL "If you want a dull list of places to go, look elsewhere. If you want the real dirt not only on Chicago lesbian and gay locales but also on what embarrassing, exciting, or simply funny things happened to Kathie Bergquist or Robert McDonald and their friends in these places, check out this lively, engaging guide."
--Karen Lee Osborne, co-editor, Reclaiming the Heartland: Lesbian and Gay Voices from the Midwest "A travel guide with personality a plenty! Refreshing humor, sassy (data)tude, and solid research make this queer guide great for the visitor as well as the seasoned Chicago native. Don't leave your good time to chance. A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago is as necessary for a winning vacation as comfortable walking shoes."
--Owen Keehnen, author of Starz
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| A "Must Have" for Chicago Natives and Visitors |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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The title of this book really should be changed to "The best gay friend you may or may not have had who taught you almost everything you need to know about nearly all things gay and lesbian in Chicago." But I guess "Field Guide" will do. Kathie (a fiction writing alum of Columbia College Chicago) and Robert have compiled a valuable and expansive resource for anyone from newcomer queers to tired old queens and even straights that either enjoy the gay vibe or have the occasional visit from their flamboyant cousin. A little bit of history combined with a whole lot of detail and sprinkled with a few personal anecdotes, this field guide is a virtual romp through the `hoods, dives, stages, stores, hotels (and more) that are quietly and boldly queer Chicago.
Audio walking tours might be overkill but I wouldn't be surprised if that weren't next for these two out and seasoned Chicagoans.
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| Here, Queer and Organized |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Reviewed by Rhiannon Kelly Fionn for Reader Views (08/06)
"A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago" is, by far, the very best travel guide I've ever read--and I did read it like a novel; it is that well written. I only wish it had been published years ago; guess I'll have to go back to Chicago now. There will be no arm twisting involved, well, unless it's February (shiver); after reading this I'm raring to go.
Ms. Bergquist and Mr. McDonald use humor, common sense, honesty, and pure gusto to entertain throughout their divine reference book. Their candor is amusing and dead on; consider page 114 "We Wish! Brief descriptions of notable Chicago restaurants we can't afford". This is a perfect example of how well organized and thoughtful this guide is: they really did think of everything. Everything! Some of their readers may very well be able to afford that list of eateries but they know most of us can't and I appreciate the heads up. In other areas where the authors admitted they didn't have as great an interest as others might, like shopping, they enlisted the help of friends who ensured nothing was left out.
The book begins with an insightful look into how and why Chicago became the San Francisco of the Midwest in "A Taste of Chicago History, Queer Flavored". Don't skip this chapter; it's as witty as it is educational.
Though the title clearly indicates the focus of the book will be the delights of "Gayborhoods" and GLBT friendly businesses for the non-straight segments of society, there is so much excellent, practical, and thorough advice for travelers contained within, anyone will benefit. Besides, it isn't all gay--they include locations for strait burlesque troupes, too!
The authors, and I'm guessing here judging only on the length of chapter 13, entitled "How About a Cocktail, Darling? GLBT Bars in Chicago", seem to have had a fantastic time researching their work - which, I am sure, was painstaking and thankless. Their good time spills onto the page making "A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago" a pleasure to read. It will remain on my bookshelf until I begin planning my next trip to the windy city - and with their encouragement that will be sooner than later.
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