tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.comments2024-03-12T08:12:41.370-04:00Supergay DetroitSupergay Detroithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10169189092634498259noreply@blogger.comBlogger1063125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-5291187769592529642019-04-24T11:04:24.201-04:002019-04-24T11:04:24.201-04:00The Chin Tiki was a great place and would have bee...The Chin Tiki was a great place and would have been an exciting place to be right now had the illiches left it alone, but Nooooooooo the mindset here in Detroit is well it's old and we don't need it so tear it down and make it a parking lot...Never mind the "Historical" value,then these damn millionaires use our money to build their totems to themselves,and we the people lose again.... Take a look at the "Historic" Monroe block built before the "Civil War", It was a thriving block of shops and hosted a large gay commercial district,That Suspiciously and Suddenly caught fire (that was blamed on vagrants) and was demolished...It became a parking lot for almost 50 years that is until Mr. Money came to town, who will probably tear down the last "Historic" Burlesque " Theatre in downtown Detroit for what a parking lot, get the picture yet! ..<br />Parking lots are what they plan on until the mr. Money can get the best deal on the land to redevelop to his own ideas that benefit him not us... All these newcomers don't have a clue of what their being led into (mostly high outrageous rents),and brother let me say one day the floor will fall out-and it always does...So you want to become Detroiters, Then stand up and stop the demolition of whatever is left of Detroit's Historic buildings and refurbish them for offices and retail, but make sure Mr. Money uses his own money not ours....Buzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04225199104611146318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-43025774742804551122018-09-23T06:46:16.727-04:002018-09-23T06:46:16.727-04:00Regarding "uncle Ron Hamilton", I think ...Regarding "uncle Ron Hamilton", I think anonymous is referring to Bob Hamilton, a rotund guy with dark hair, mustache, chain smoker with an infectious laugh that could be heard all over the bar. Bob loved to socialize and especially flirt with younger guys and was a lot of fun to be around. My partner and I were a couple of younger guys who would have dinner with Bob and his friend, Doug Houston, at Sindbad's on Fridays and then stop at the Deck for after dinner drinks. Young Mark Bilibeau was a cute bartender at The Deck that went on to work at the Gas Station. Bob lived in Grosse Pointe Woods and sadly, passed away at age 60 in 1992. Kim Lewis, and his partner Roth, a DJ at Menjos, were other friends that would occasionally be at The Deck. Bob Dziewitnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-86853214671303325832018-05-26T14:14:25.807-04:002018-05-26T14:14:25.807-04:00Hello!! Although I learned you can never go back ...Hello!! Although I learned you can never go back again, here I am. When I look backwards 35 years, I always told myself I would not go back back to Detroit; yet, I did. I went to High School in Detroit (Cass Tech--though they tore it down!). I went to Michigan, and to Wayne State. I eventually ended up in an apartment in Palmer Park in early 1980ish. Although I held on to my political LBGT pride, I find that the casual drinking, sexing, doping lifestyle drifted too much into the Gay scene. Gay people were falling away from the lifestyle. I loved Palmer Park!! It was great to live in a Gay community!! where you knew people had your back!. It was like a big family to me. The strip of lesbians I knew from the Palais bar downtown (look it up folks, it's history). I liked (did I like?) being able to walk down to Menjo's. Now you're talking about Ferndale, Royal Oak... I lived in both when they were 100% straight. I remember a colleague who refused to talk to me when she found out I was gay. I guess neighborhoods change... Finally I escaped from Detroit some 35 years ago, and never have returned except now talking about it. Living there was definitely a part of my life that created me. I take the good and the bad with me. Cheers!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-60218997932266230742017-07-09T21:11:52.275-04:002017-07-09T21:11:52.275-04:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Tim Retzloffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-13569747205128570402017-01-31T19:19:21.852-05:002017-01-31T19:19:21.852-05:00I found a Chin Tiki ashtray at the Goodwill today ...I found a Chin Tiki ashtray at the Goodwill today and ran across this article while doing some research. Dee Dee's interview is about the best thing I have read in weeks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-70213946990686184952015-06-20T15:05:43.885-04:002015-06-20T15:05:43.885-04:00Did anyone know my uncle ron hamilton?Did anyone know my uncle ron hamilton?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-33206895648492479782015-02-19T14:50:47.487-05:002015-02-19T14:50:47.487-05:00I remember My Fair Lady. If I remember right, the...I remember My Fair Lady. If I remember right, they had the fog machines on the dance floor and the inside was beautiful. Only went once and can't find any information about it at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-91866620621216979722015-01-16T00:16:35.660-05:002015-01-16T00:16:35.660-05:00I check back on this blog from time to time, never...I check back on this blog from time to time, never really expecting to find anything anymore. Enjoy following things about the D from gay CA. I wonder where your little house is and hope you keep the blog goingScottCanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-739424574605555052014-11-10T22:22:47.687-05:002014-11-10T22:22:47.687-05:00You and your work have been enjoyed by so many of ...You and your work have been enjoyed by so many of us. Your writing is so entertaining. Thank you for the joy you've brought, the light to relished memories, and the confidence that all is not lost and that there is pride in our collective histories. <br /><br />Michael<br />Toronto (formerly Detroit)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-31432725049598737272014-11-09T23:29:15.364-05:002014-11-09T23:29:15.364-05:00The "Robbie" you refer to was Robbie Mar...The "Robbie" you refer to was Robbie Marklewitz. He was a beautiful man indeed - inside and out. We had a brief fling back in '79- '80 and he was perfect. I don't know what I was thinking - he was five years older and seemed out of reach (I was hellbent on a longterm relationship). Robbie lived with his boyfriend in a lovely home not far from Menjo's in Highland Park. He owned a successful production company that continues through his last lover today. Great guy. Sexy as hell. Gone too sone.<br /><br />Toronto here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-22507377778450866262014-10-07T17:35:19.578-04:002014-10-07T17:35:19.578-04:00I remember it well. I was 17 and a busboy. The tip...I remember it well. I was 17 and a busboy. The tips put me on top at school (Murray-Wright)) and the experience was thrilling. Hula dancers, Hawaiian shirts, floating orchids and sweet and sour sauce.<br /><br />I had to manually light the torches out front with a 20 foot pipe and flaming paper towel. <br /><br />Now just cosmic debris. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-18566873849267598922014-09-29T16:50:01.416-04:002014-09-29T16:50:01.416-04:00I'm very sad to see the end of this blog. You ...I'm very sad to see the end of this blog. You entertained me for years out here in white bread Seattle. Good luck, and please let me know if this blog is ever resurrected or reincarnated. Best regards.Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-77800072334220054122014-05-23T20:11:20.462-04:002014-05-23T20:11:20.462-04:00Oh. . . that's a hoot. . . that is clearly a s...Oh. . . that's a hoot. . . that is clearly a sign, that any guy who has an ssssss sound in his speech is sexually attracted to other guys. . . a definite give away! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-53442668279421565462013-12-12T07:10:55.746-05:002013-12-12T07:10:55.746-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14716077278270758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-43183351361532201512013-06-27T08:40:22.885-04:002013-06-27T08:40:22.885-04:00Supergay sure knows how to complain alot.Supergay sure knows how to complain alot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-50416462987705153642013-04-20T18:26:27.440-04:002013-04-20T18:26:27.440-04:00I also preformed at the Desk with Hummin Helen In ...I also preformed at the Desk with Hummin Helen In Drag (1986 - 1987) I was known as ISIS and Kelly LeMan's <br /><br />Helen was my Drag mother and I remember her talking me into doing shows with her. I only did about 5 shows there a few times I did George Michael when he was in Wham! I remember guys actually coming up to me to feel if my beard was real (the shadow style that was in at the time) <br /><br />As ISIS I was a Laura Branigan look-alike. And for my first show, I had a lot of my family there. I still laugh today because my childhood girlfriend was there and was amazed how much I looked like a woman at the time LOL! <br /><br />I miss the DECK and bars like it because in fact you could go there and enjoy conversation and drinks. Even though the guys from the Points where there they never acted better then anyone and always were friendly to me. <br /> <br />Don, I remember always bitched about the low crowds because he felt the Detroit Bar Guild was ruining his business with their politics. Many of times he would threaten to close the place down. <br /><br />The bar was indeed an east-side gem. And I for one enjoyed the place in and out of drag. I used to live in the Tuxedo area of Detroit and would walk through GPP to the bar when I wanted to go have a few drinks.<br /><br />The Guy I was with at the time Mother actually worked at the Deck years way before. I remember he and I talking about it and she brought it up. We were both drinking a soda at the time and I remember it spitting out of my mouth when she mentioned it. This was before he came out to her. <br /><br />As for the other Detroit Bars, The Gas Station ( I used to strip at the Gas Station) , The Outlaw, The E-Ramp! The Aruba on 7 mile would be between The Gold Coast and the Gas Station. And I remember the $5.00 Wednesday and Sunday nights pay $5. at the door and free well drinks all night.<br /><br />The Detroit Bars I was told in the day where in the areas they were in because the police would not harass the bars as much and pretty much the only areas that residence would allow bars like ours.<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-84706336408763224272013-03-04T10:35:07.000-05:002013-03-04T10:35:07.000-05:00Nice blogger Nice blogger urducellhttp://www.urducell.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-35528217965717074982013-03-04T01:35:49.644-05:002013-03-04T01:35:49.644-05:00So, perhaps we will see you tonight at the Park Ba...So, perhaps we will see you tonight at the Park Bar for some Mardis Gras fun? And don't worry, we are respectful and all about having fun in the context of the straight scene, because really, what novelty is left? Kidding!igxehttp://www.igxe.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-44105563439431066682013-03-04T01:34:27.505-05:002013-03-04T01:34:27.505-05:00Bonaventure really IS the home of the good times!!...Bonaventure really IS the home of the good times!!igxehttp://www.igxe.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-15578997850927615732012-12-02T16:04:26.261-05:002012-12-02T16:04:26.261-05:00See this HuffPost article yet? Looks like they'...See this HuffPost article yet? Looks like they're foreclosed again and the city is taking them -- looking for a developer to pour $10M into repairs, etc...<br /> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/01/lafayette-towers-sold-develop-detroit_n_1929704.html<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-45861770000116889062012-11-25T04:51:18.818-05:002012-11-25T04:51:18.818-05:00I left Detroit in 1975, having partied at Gagen...I left Detroit in 1975, having partied at Gagen's during all hours, even the happy hours, and danced, danced, danced many nights away. Thanks for your blog - 'supergay detroit' LOL - it was. We started going to 2nd-hand stores and wearing 40s drag - then glitter - what memories. Some readers here might not know, and some readers' elders might have told them, Detroit was called 'the Paris of the Midwest' - such a beautiful, beautiful city. My folks were pleased that their daughter was also going to Frank Gagen's as they had many years before; they thought it was a glam nightclub still. It was, just glam in a different way. I forget the name of the neighborhood bar just down the street towards Woodward. There was a motorcycle gang that used to hang out there. Believe it or not children, we all got along - Gagens, the mc club, etc. Our precious dream was LOVE & PEACE.HULA BEULAHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-30633360197900565612012-08-06T01:18:35.974-04:002012-08-06T01:18:35.974-04:00I currently live in Milwaukee but am familiar with...I currently live in Milwaukee but am familiar with the Detroit neighborhoods. I have the opportunity to move back to Detroit but the area is not conducive to an urban gay lifestyle for the reasons discussed above. Royal Oak is very expensive and the houses are small and sterile in design. Too bad that Detroit's neighborhoods of the past have deteriorated to non-habitability for us gays that would love a great place in the city to live. Palmer Park wold be perfect for reasons stated above. I would buy there if it were more like gaybourhoods across the country in large urban areas. Keep this post going... very interesting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-76957763787726076992012-08-03T04:10:02.162-04:002012-08-03T04:10:02.162-04:00It's probably a family tradition for her to we...It's probably a family tradition for her to wear this costume in her birthday, and I think she has fond memories about it, which she honors no matter how silly it looks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-42741687352083155232012-07-03T13:06:06.605-04:002012-07-03T13:06:06.605-04:00I like the constructive tone of the post ... I'...I like the constructive tone of the post ... I'll claim my city--Ferndale--but I've been in and out of Detroit "proper" over the years as well. I'm living about as far out of town as I'd like to, but I don't care about cred or trendiness. If I'm talking to someone from out of state, etc., telling them I'm "from Detroit" is just common shorthand ... If I'm talking to someone local, Ferndale it is. Love them both, am over 8 Mile daily. No need to divide to conquer, I say.Johnhttp://www.michiganbankruptcyblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585668860753081421.post-36514614984869591122012-06-04T18:40:06.290-04:002012-06-04T18:40:06.290-04:00OMY - Hummin Helen (Bill), now there is a blast f...OMY - Hummin Helen (Bill), now there is a blast from my past. She was a true entertainer and I loved her Dearly. I too knew him / her when working at NiKi's in GreekTown. She was my then Drag mother when I was doing a few shows. She invited me to do a show with her at The Deck and for the life of me don't know why I chose the stage name of ISIS but it stuck and I lived hell for it for the longest. Helen was indeed as you described her. What a great person and what great times we use to have. I remember my first night a older person was hitting on me just before show time and I looked at Helen all nervous and out came her truth - honey she's just an old tired drag queen. - Interestingly enough, I just posted a small tribute to her for being a mentor to me. Although, I gave up drag as fast as I began it. I do remember her dearly. So much fun were the nights with her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com