June 25, 2008
*Flyer For July’s FKA, Chicago’s Best Queer Dance Party
John D’Emilio’s article in this week’s Windy City Times is a reaffirmation of my belief in the power of a queer dance party. He gives a brief history of the role that dancing and organized dances have played in the gay liberation movement:
“In discos, at women’s music festivals, on college campuses, and at street fairs, queer folk looked as if we were dancing our way to freedom. Unlike the dour images of men storming the citadels of power, the gay revolution was going to be fun.
I suspect that for some politicos—straight or queer—the association of dancing and revolution is evidence of just how trivial gay liberation is. But, if so, they don’t know much history.”
Especially in Chicago, which has seen a re-emergence of dance parties that are uniquely inclusive-not just all gay men or all lesbians-as was once the case, the scene feels energized. There is a sense of unity and community that one cannot deny is politically significant and of course, fun.
Next time you call in to work after a long night of dancing-don’t feel guilty! You are part of a revolution!
–Amy Miller
