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Gay skier/actor at Roscoe's Oct. 24
Openly gay Olympic freestyle skier and actor ( American Horror Story ) Gus Kenworthy is teaming with Coors Light to throw an '80s rock-themed Halloween party in Chicago. "Halloween Rocks" is happening Thursday, Oct. 24, at ...
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SPORTS NFL player makes history by coming out
For Ryan Russell, it's now all about coming back, not just coming out. The Texas native—who played football at Purdue University and then 23 games over three seasons ( 2015-17 ) in the NFL—is ready to ...
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SPORTS Pro wrestler Kiera Hogan marking coming out at Chicago events
Kiera Hogan is holding her official coming out party in Chicago, anchored around IMPACT Wrestling's premiere event of the year, Bound For Glory, set for Sunday night, Oct. 20, at the Odeum Expo Center in suburban ...
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Fitness confab says goodbye to Chicago
After a 30-year association with Chicago, the fitness conference known as Club Industry had a last event Oct. 9-11 at the Hilton Chicago. This year's event—geared for fitness professionals—featured talks on subjects such as facility-membership retention, ...
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Vandersloot named All-WNBA First Team
CHICAGO — Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot has been named to the All-WNBA First Team and guard Diamond DeShields has earned All-WNBA Second Team honors, the league announced today. It marks the first time Vandersloot has ...
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Thousands attend AIDS Run & Walk
For the second consecutive year, "Live True. Be You." was the theme of AIDS Foundation of Chicago's ( AFC ) AIDS Run & Walk, which marked its 18th year. More than 2,000 participants came together on ...
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CLLAW returns to Chicago Nov. 2
The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers ( CLLAW ) returns with its 34th match CLLAW XXXIV: Good vs. Evil on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. CLLAW's benefit match will ...
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AIDS Run & Walk Chicago on Oct. 5
On Saturday, Oct. 5, advocates from across Chicago and beyond will gather to support those living with and vulnerable to HIV at the 2019 AIDS Run & Walk Chicago. Held at Soldier Field, the 18th annual ...
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Red Stars hosting semifinal Oct. 20
For the second time in franchise history, the Chicago Red Stars will host a National Women's Soccer League ( NWSL ) semifinal matchup, which will mark their fifth consecutive playoff match. The game is scheduled to ...
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Five Worth Finding: AIDS Run & Walk, The Ice King, TopGolf and more
—AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2019: Taking place Oct. 5, advocates from across Chicago and beyond will gather at Soldier Field to support those living with and vulnerable to HIV. The 18th annual event—with a 5K ...
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U.S. Women's National Soccer Team to hold public training in Chicago Oct. 5
CHICAGO ( Sept. 27, 2019 ) - All U.S. Soccer fans are invited to attend the U.S. Women's National Team public training sessions to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 5-6 p.m. ET at Bank ...
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CGHA part of hockey team's Pride Night Oct. 19
On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Chicago Gay Hockey Association ( CGHA ) will participate in the first-ever Wolves Pride Night, involving the local semi-pro hockey team the Chicago Wolves. CGHA will be playing on the ice ...
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NCAA trans swimmer at Oakton on Sept. 24
Schuyler Bailar, the first transgender National College Athletic Association ( NCAA ) Division I men's athlete, will speak in Oakton Community College's Student Center on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 12:30-1:45 p.m. The talk will take place in ...
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CGHA part of hockey team's Pride Night Oct. 19
On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Chicago Gay Hockey Association ( CGHA ) will participate in the first-ever Wolves Pride Night, involving the local semi-pro hockey team the Chicago Wolves. CGHA will be playing on the ice ...
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BOOKS
Former NFL player talks football, politics and Madonna
Ryan O'Callaghan made headlines two years ago when the former NFL defensive tackle came out as gay, making him one of the league's few openly LGBTQ players. Two years later, he's about to publish a book ...
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Adam Rippon in Chicago on Oct. 20
Olympic medal-winning figure skater and Dancing with the Stars champion Adam Rippon will discuss his new memoir, Beautiful on the Outside, on Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., 7-8:15 p.m. ...
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Foundation's ride/walk event about mental health, dedicated to late gay man
In honor of the late Michael James Dunlap, his family and friends created The Michael James Foundation to raise awareness for people with mental health issues. The foundation will be hosting an inaugural bike ride/walk fundraiser ...
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Trans athlete to headline ISU dinner Sept. 20
Swimmer Schuyler Bailar will be the speaker for Illinois State University's ( ISU's ) Housing Services LGBTQA Cultural Dinner at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, in the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal. A ...
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NFL player comes out as bisexual
NFL player Ryan Russell told both ESPN and Outsports on Aug. 29 that he is bisexual. Per Outsports, he told ESPN: "My truth is that I'm a talented football player, a damn good writer, a loving ...
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Kiera Hogan to appear at Chicago Wolves' Inaugural Pride Night and Center on Halsted
Kiera Hogan is having her coming-out celebration this October in Chicago in conjunction with IMPACT Wrestling's Bound For Glory extravaganza, which is Oct. 20 at The Odeum Expo Center in the Chicago area — with multiple ...
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WORLD South African judge, China on marriage, teens plead not guilty
In South Africa, after 25 years in the judicial arena, Edwin Cameron has retired as a Constitutional Court judge, TheSouthAfrican.com reported. According to the article, Cameron—who is openly gay and HIV-positive—will forever be remembered for his ...
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Gay Korean war era veteran honored by Chicago Cubs
Jim Darby, Korean War veteran and the founder of the Chicago chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights ( originally named Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Veterans of America ) was honored for his service on Aug. ...
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Ex-tennis pro Brian Vahaly becomes LGBTQ-rights advocate
Brian Vahaly didn't need to be on the May 11, 2017, edition of Sports Illustrated's Beyond the Baseline podcast. Neither publicity or the money that tend to come with it were a concern: he'd made the ...
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AIDS Run & Walk Chicago on Oct. 5
On Saturday, Oct. 5, advocates from across Chicago and beyond will gather to support those living with and vulnerable to HIV at the 2019 AIDS Run & Walk Chicago. Held at Soldier Field, the 18th annual ...
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'Out at Wrigley'set for Aug. 25
The 19th annual "Out at Wrigley" will take place Sunday, Aug. 25, at Wrigley Field. This year, the Cubs take on the Washington Nationals at 1:20 p.m. after the campaign's winning national anthem singer sings the ...
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Matt Herek on the state of CMSA
Matt Herek was in his first season playing in the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ). He was on a flag football team sponsored by Hydrate Nightclub back in September 2005 and, well, he had ...
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Illinois Gay Rodeo Association presents Rodeo Round Town
The Illinois Gay Rodeo Association presents Rodeo Round Town, a three-day series of events throughout Chicago, continuing the tradition of the annual Windy City Rodeo, which drew rodeo fans from all across the nation. The rootin'-tootin' ...
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PASSAGES CMSA Hall of Famer/former North End co-owner Bobby Nicholson
Games were played Aug. 4, but with heavy hearts—and tribute ribbons attached to players' and umpires' uniforms. The balls and strikes, safe and out calls were, in large part, secondary to the memories that ran throughout ...
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Women's national soccer team in Chicago on Oct. 6
U.S. Soccer announced the women's national team will play South Korea on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. at Soldier Field in the final match of the victory tour celebrating the Americans' World Cup title, The ...
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Women's soccer coach Ellis to retire
On July 30, U.S. Soccer announced that Jill Ellis—who won her second Women's World Cup as head coach of the U.S. women's national team for the second consecutive tournament—is stepping down from her post. Ellis has ...
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Lesbian tennis player: More athletes should 'come forward'
Professional tennis player Alison Van Uytvanck told The Guardian that more of her fellow athletes should come out of the closet, according to CNN.com. "We [would like to] see more people coming forward and saying 'It's ...
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WOMEN'S WORLD CUP U.S. wins championship
On July 7 in Lyon, France, the United States claimed a fourth Women's World Cup triumph with a 2-0 victory over European champions Netherlands in the final. Megan Rapinoe, an out lesbian, and Rose Lavelle scored ...
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Cubs affiliate calls out Kaepernick, draws flag
The Tennessee Smokies—a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs based in the town of Kodak—deleted and apologized for a tweet in which the team showed a "Betsy Ross flag" design on their infield dirt and ...
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WOMEN'S WORLD CUP U.S. beats England, advances to final
The United States is returning to the World Cup final, thanks to a 2-1 victory over England on July 2 in Lyon, France. Christen Press, starting for an injured Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan, on her ...
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PRIDE WEEKEND 2019 Proud to Run marks 38 years with first-ever half-marathon race
Proud To Run, presented by Frontrunners Chicago, celebrated 38 years with its annual 5K run/walk, 10K run and, for the first time ever, a half-marathon on June 29 at The Grove, just north of Montrose Harbor. ...
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WOMEN'S WORLD CUP U.S. beats host France, advances to semis
Scoring two goals for the second consecutive game, Megan Rapinoe led the U.S. women's national team to a 2-1 quarterfinal win over host France in Paris on June 28. Rapinoe is the first player to score ...
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Softball player reflects on sexuality in sports, teamwork
By MACKENZIE MURTAUGH
From morning to night, Chicago Bandits pitcher Aleshia Ocasio commits herself to two things: softball and benevolence. During the season for the National Pro Fastpitch team, she bustles away during training, practice and under the ballpark's ...
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U.S. advances in World Cup on Rapinoe kicks
Megan Rapinoe scored on penalty kicks to give the United States a 2-1 win on June 24 over Spain to book a spot in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup, ESPN.com noted. Rapinoe made news ...
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Writers weigh in on 'Disco Demolition Night'
Billboard published an article on the damaging aspects of "Disco Demolition Night"—which took place 40 years ago in what was then Chicago's Comiskey Park on June 12, 1979. As one of the masterminds behind the infamous ...
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Thirty-six sports confirmed for Gay Games 11 in Hong Kong 2022
HONG KONG/SAN FRANCISCO, 31 May 2019 - The Federation of Gay Games ( FGG ) together with the Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2022's management team announced today the 36 sports which will be offered at ...
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WORLD Hong Kong decision, Pride flags, out Indian athlete
In a victory for the LGBT community, Hong Kong's top court has ruled in favor of a gay civil servant applying for spousal and tax benefits for his husband, BBC.com reported. Angus Leung, a local immigration ...
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Semenya now able to compete
Mid-distance runner Caster Semenya will be allowed to compete without having to take testosterone-reducing medication after the Swiss Federal Tribunal ordered the International Association of Athletics Federations to suspend implementation of new regulations while Semenya's appeal ...
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Semenya appeals testosterone decision
South African mid-distance runner Caster Semenya filed an appeal May 29 against the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to uphold testosterone regulations for some female athletes in track and field, ESPN.com reported. Her lawyers said ...
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Players named to third Women's World Cup Team
CHICAGO ( May 2, 2019 ) - With 40 days until the USA's opening match of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, U.S. Women's National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named the 23 players who ...
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International Sports Court upholds proposed rule on testosterone suppressants
( New York, N.Y. )— Today, in a divided 2-1 opinion, the international Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a proposed rule by the International Association of Athletics Federation ( IAAF ) forcing women with high ...
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Proud to Run set for June 29
Proud to Run 2019—which includes a half-marathon, 10K run and 5k run/walk—will take place Saturday, June 29, at Montrose Harbor, 600 W. Montrose Harbor Blvd. The half-marathon will start at 7 a.m.; the 5K and 10K ...
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Lynn Sage Cancer sports event June 17
The Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation ( LSCRF ) will host the annual Play for the Cure Game Day, featuring a women's round-robin tennis competition, 18-hole golf experience and card games including canasta, mahjong and bridge. ...
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THE SPORTING LIFE Barrett A. Solorio
Barrett A. Solorio has been playing gay sports for almost five years, first starting in the Stonewall Kickball League, and has since also competed in dodgeball, flag football, soccer, volleyball and bowling. "At first, I was ...
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SPORTS Written policy bans transgender athletes from USA powerlifting
USA Powerlifting ( USAPL ), the national affiliate of the International Powerlifting Federation ( IPF ), recently barred transgender Minnesotan powerlifter JayCee Cooper from competing at a state championship due to her gender identity. Known for ...
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Chicago Polar Plunge at March 3
Registration for the 19th annual Chicago Polar Plunge is now open to all. The Chicago Polar Plunge will take place at North Avenue Beach on Sunday, March 3, and helps to support the activities and events ...
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Sporting Life, Kayla Cormier
Kayla Cormier is part of the reigning, three-time Spirit Champions kickball team through the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ). Her Bagel Bumpers team started with a few friends and, over time, has grown—some who ...
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Roller-derby teams vie for cup Feb. 9
Sports fans are invited to join the Windy City Rollers at Vertiport Chicago, 1339 S. Wood St., on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. At this event, the Double Crossers, Manic Attackers, The Fury, and the ...
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Chicago Polar Plunge March 3
Registration for the 19th annual Chicago Polar Plunge is now open to all. The Chicago Polar Plunge will take place at North Avenue Beach on Sunday, March 3, and helps to support the activities and events ...
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Chicago Dogs release schedule
The Chicago Dogs—the newest team in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball—announced their 2019 season schedule. The team will play 50 home games at Rosemont's Impact Field, including its season opener against the Gary SouthShore ...
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Windy City Rollers tryouts Jan. 27
Windy City Rollers roller-derby tryouts are being held the morning of Sunday, Jan. 27, at a private location. Skaters do not have to own their own equipment for tryouts; the Windy City Rollers rents skates and ...
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Chicago Sky players wed
Chicago Sky teammates Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley got married in Seattle Dec. 27, according to the women's basketball website SwishAppeal.com. Seattle is just north of Vandersloot's hometown of Kent, Washington. This past season, the WNBA's ...
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PASSAGES Al Petras, former Gay Games organizer, dies in Boston
A J Petras, better known as Al, died in Boston Jan. 1, 2019 of a massive heart attack. Petras served two years as co-chair of the original organizing committee that brought Gay Games VII to Chicago ...
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THE SPORTING LIFE Doug King
Sports is certainly a family affair for Doug King—well, except with his partner of 39 years, Bob, who is not sports-minded at all. However, over the past 26 years, they have raised four foster sons: Juan, ...
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The year in LGBT national news
This year is bound to be big, with events like the commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots happening. However, 2018 had its major and unique events as well: —Skate expectations: Figure skater Adam ...
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Polar Plunge at Oak Street Beach Jan. 26
The non-profit Chicago Polar Bear Club ( CPBC ) will host the 18th Annual Polar Plunge fundraiser Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at Oak Street Beach. The CPBC hosts an annual Polar Plunge event to raise funds ...
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WORLD Tanzania turmoil, Greek activist, golf player comes out
Tanzania's government says it's facing a difficult financial time after donors pulled funding over its treatment of the gay community—but it says it won't back down, NBC News reported. Finance Minister Philip Mpango told officials that ...
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Lesbian couple talk relationship, softball, bone-marrow search
During the summer of 1989, Betty Kollar and Julie Iverson met through a mutual friend and began hanging out at the now-defunct lesbian club, Paris Dance, after their 16-inch softball games. Soon after, on May 5, ...
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THE SPORTING LIFE Kenny Johnson
Kenny Johnson has played almost every gay sport over the past four years, after moving to Chicago five years ago from Elkhart, Indiana. Johnson has scored many basketball memories. "My most memorable gay sports highlight was ...
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THE SPORTING LIFE Drew Ladochi
Win or lose, Drew Ladochi always has fun playing gay sports—always. Take, for instance, the registration parties for gay softball tournaments. Ladochi's teams are the ones wearing blue wigs. "I wanted something we could do that ...
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10 Questions by Vic: Greg Louganis
Greg Louganis is the greatest diver in history. In the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Louganis achieved gold medals in both the men's three-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events. At the 1988 Olympic Summer Games ...
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WORLD Chile's pro-trans bill, gay wrestler, Russian courts
Chilean President Sebastian Pinera signed into law a bill that allows transgender people over 14 to legally change their name and gender without surgery, The Washington Blade reported. The bill received final approval in Chile's congress ...
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Pro-LGBTQ sports group looks to increase membership
Just more than four years ago, Chicago's Jake Lenz was searching for other LGBTQ individuals who worked in sports and entertainment as connections. When he did not find who, or what, he was looking for, he ...
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SPORTS Steve Kasperski, knocking it out of the park
Steve Kasperski had a memorable summer on the softball fields, claiming championship medals in two of the most prestigious international events. The 56 year-old Kasperski—who lives in Hyde Park and Melrose Park, and has been playing ...
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WORLD Taiwan marriage, Tanzania's loss, queer rap group, rugby player
In the lead-up to Nov. 24 referendums in Taiwan in which marriage equality and inclusion of LGBTQ issues in school curricula are on the ballot, 27 Taiwanese and multinational companies operating in Taiwan released a statement ...
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NATIONAL Anti-Trump actions, suicide hotline, Jeff Bezos/Amazon
Groups and individuals filed 13 friend-of-the-court briefs supporting the plaintiffs in Doe v. Trump in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, an NCLR/GLAD press release noted. The case was filed by ...
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Rugby to return to Chicago Nov. 3
USA Rugby and TLA Worldwide ( TLA ), along with host city partners Chicago Sports Commission ( CSC ) and Soldier Field, announced that world-class international rugby will again return to Soldier Field in Chicago for ...
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Proud to Run taking beneficiary applications
Proud to Run 2019 is now accepting applications from Chicago-area LGBTQ organizations seeking to be a beneficiary of the Proud to Run 10k run and 5k run/walk next June. The deadline for submitting an application is ...
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Former Chicago Force star gets taste of NFL
Darcy Leslie spent eight years playing for the now-defunct Chicago Force, establishing herself as one of the best women to ever put on the pads. She was a national champion, and was decorated with many individual ...
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Father, 12-year-old son take part in Ride for AIDS Chicago
John Schneider lives on the North Side, yet has been working on the South Side of Chicago around HIV prevention since 2001. He is a fierce advocate for ensuring resources are available in neighborhoods most impacted ...
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Pro-LGBTQ group HomeField forms
Looking to fill a gap in networking, knowledge and training for LGBTQ employees and their allies in the sports and entertainment field, a group of industry professionals has launched a new nonprofit organization called HomeField Alliance. ...
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