Sidetrack the Video Bar has hosted the public storytelling series for a decade
CHICAGO — For most of the country’s history, gay Americans feared telling their private stories publicly, knowing that speaking up about their sexual orientation could lead to isolation from their families, or even dismissal from their jobs.
But on the first Tuesday night of every month, a storytelling series encourages the LGBTQ-plus community to be “outspoken.”
North Halsted street’s famed Sidetrack transforms from a bar into a bridge, connecting the queer community through stories.
“We’ve found that storytelling events across the board really help to break down barriers when it comes to differences among people,” said Brad Balof, the general manager of Sidetrack. “Prior to Stonewall, prior to the ability to live as out, proud LGBTQ-plus citizens, everything was very underground. There was no recorded record, it was ‘the love that dare not speak its name.’ So you certainly couldn’t talk about it or share it.”
The “Outspoken” series is an opportunity for the gay community to set the record straight.
“Really we’re just giving them a chance to tell something that’s deep inside of them, that they’ve been wanting to share,” said Archy Jamjun, the “Outspoken” series curator.
The monthly evening of storytelling routinely attracts hundreds. The audience is eager to laugh, listen, and learn from those who step up on stage and share personal stories.
One recurring theme is how humor and humanity can help overcome hurdles.
“My entrepreneurial journey actually started with tampons, and in my experience, nothing makes a straight man more uncomfortable than periods or tampons,” said Sammie Hasen, one of the storytellers who shared her struggle as a lesbian trying to start a business in the male-dominated health care industry. “Just because I failed at something doesn’t really mean anything, you learn, and you move forward, and you grow.”
Anthony Orso, another storyteller spoke about growing up feeling different, not only because of his sexual orientation, but also because of his autism.
“Today I’m talking about my experience as someone who is on the autism spectrum, who is also a member of the queer community,” he said. “Words helped me understand the emotions that thrashed inside like waves in high tide.”
Outspoken, which started in 2014, is as much about the speaking as it is about the listening.
“Usually, people come to the show and after watching the show they feel like they want to get up there and do the same,” Jamjun said.
The whole point is to create a showcase where LGBTQ-plus stories are valued. It’s an attempt to demonstrate to the audience that it doesn’t have to be Pride Month to take pride in your own story.
“We can be outspoken,” said Drew Stern, one of the storytellers. “We can proudly share who we are authentically and be celebrated for all of the many colors and diversity that makes up our community.”