Minor Details: Where to Go when You're Not a Legal Lesbian in Chicago

It's frustrating to be on the brink of 21 and denied access to any events held where there's a liquor license. But in a city like Chicago, where there's always something to do, there's somewhere young and legal lesbians alike can go to see familiar faces.

The artsy dyke will appreciate Homolatte's new residency at Big Chicks/Tweet (5042 N. Sheridan Ave.) every first and third Tuesday of the month. In October, local singer/songwriter Ripley Caine and CHILL Books Editor Kathie Bergquist host the evening. Sign up to perform or read from your journal at Homolatte's open mic at Marrakech Espresso (4747 N. Damen Ave.) on the last Wednesday of every month.

Literary lesbians can also camp at out Women and Children First Bookstore (5233 N. Clark St.) for readings and events. There's also the Gerber Hart Library, where the books are free and the girls are studious. Gerber Hart has a reading group that meets on the second Tuesday of every month, and also hosts a lesbian film night, Cinema Lesbiana. In October, it's on Friday the 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Before the Reeling Film Festival returns in November, there are a few can't-miss films in October. In the documentary This Film is Not Yet Rated, directors Jamie Babbit(But I'm a Cheerleader) and Kimberly Pierce (Boys Don't Cry) are interviewed about queer sex-scenes and what has to be tamed down or left on the cutting room floor to allow such films to enter the mainstream. Also in October, Annette Benning stars as writer Augusten Burrough's bisexual mom in Running With Scissors, and John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus makes its Chicago debut at the Chicago International Film Festival.

It goes without saying that lesbians will be concert-hopping in October. Ladytron and Cansei de Ser Sexy are sure to pack the Vic on October 6. A very pregnant Ani Difranco will be at the Chicago Theatre on October 13 and Joan Jett will be breaking hearts at the Vic on October 26.

For a relaxing time, try out some lesbian yoga at Grace Place (Acme Art Works, 1741 N. Western Ave.) For only $5, instructor Louise McKissick leads beginners and yogaholics through the trendy form of exercise on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m.

If it's sports the youngins are into, there are plenty of options in the city. Roller derby dames The Windy City Rollers host their season playoffs on October 8 at Cicero Stadium (1909 S. Laramie) and the Chi-Town Sirens bout against St. Louis on October 22 at Lynwood Roller Rink (2030 Glenwood-Dyer Road). It's currently women's college soccer season, so through November check on home games for Loyola, Depaul, University of Chicago, and UIC. If it's too chilly for you post-Halloween, women's basketball starts mid-November. In the spring and summer, the Chicago Force Football team and WNBA ballers, the Chicago Sky, heat things up.

Lunch and dinner can easily be taken care of in Andersonville at homo-hot spots like T's (5025 N. Clark St.) and Tomboy (5402 N. Clark St.). Kopi Café (5317 N. Clark St.) is also a cozy option, especially for when T's starts carding after it gets dark enough to drink martinis and chain smoke by the bar.

And though it may not be as gay lady-friendly as it is a young gay guy's Heaven, there's Wild Thursdays, an 18+ dance club night at Hacienda Tecalitlan (820 N. Ashland Ave.) from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Get there before 10:30 and it's free. Showing up fashionably late will cost $10. Every Friday, Puerto Vallerta (431 N. Wells) throws a young gay downtown dance-party. More information on both events can be found on their websites at www.wild-thursdays.com and www.clubdulce.com.

If all else fails, and it's a lonely night without a lesbian event in sight, utilize MySpace and find a legal lez with an uncanny resemblance to yourself and ask if you can borrow her State I.D. (Note: CHILL does not encourage illegal activities.)