IN BRIEF Housing restrictions, missing trans student, Europe’s conversion-therapy ban, Vatican report, Tony nods, Elton John
NATIONAL The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed eliminating federal housing protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation, LGBTQ Nation reported. The proposed rule would require temporary and emergency shelter programs that receive federal funding to house trans people in facilities…
Keep readingRecent News
Drag Racer LaGanja Estranja jump-starts a new cannabis line at Sway
There’s a new fruity cannabis strain coming to the Lakeview area of Chicago on May 16 at Sway Cannabis Dispensary, 3340 N. Halsted St. Sway is the first recreational dispensary in Illinois to be Black and Latino co-owned by José Pepe Peña and Art Johnston, who also own the massive queer bar Sidetrack Chicago across the street. Illinois…
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Citywide Pride kicks off 2026 Pride celebrations
On May 7, Citywide Pride Chicago started up the 2026 Pride season with a networking and problem solving social at Hotel 55, 55 E. Ontario St. The event, geared toward corporate employees, marked the 25th anniversary of the organization and was also a celebration of hotel, which is newly acquired by Marriott Properties. Guests employed at LGBTQ+-friendly companies…
Nation & World
IN BRIEF Trans students, syphilis diagnoses, Egypt’s pro-trans ruling, New Zealand blood donation, Nathan Lane, Madonna
NATIONAL The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association voted on an amendment that would have restricted girls’ sports participation to cis individuals—but the measure failed to achieve the supermajority needed to pass, KXLY noted. The vote was…
Theater / Dance
Jeff Rodriguez jumps into the lake of Eelpout!
Shattered Globe Theatre reels in a fishy tale titled Eelpout! for its 35th-season finale at Theater Wit. Playwright Paul William Kruse serves up a story about society and queer identity set in the wilderness. Longtime friends Sven Svensen and Ole Olson are ice fishing and celebrating Ole’s upcoming wedding at Lake Mille Lacs. The duo swims into…
Music
BOOKS Queer country singer Ty Herndon discusses ‘What Mattered Most’
As everyone knows, life is a combination of sometimes stratospheric highs and devastating lows. In What Mattered Most: A Memoir, openly gay country singer Ty Herndon discusses meeting people in various capacities (personal and professional) and his rise to fame, including appearances on the TV show Star Search. However, this book is also an account of battles…
Film / TV / Gossip
FILM Anne Hathaway takes on ghosts and devils in ‘Mary’ and ‘Prada’
The year 2026 could belong to Anne Hathaway, with her name on the marquee for five films slated for release. Hathaway, an audience favorite since her Princess Diary breakthrough, appears in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey (due July 17) and the erotic thriller Verity (due Oct. 2) where she’ll eventually be landing on Dakota Johnson’s lips. The sci-fi thriller The End of…
Books / Art
Trans
‘Sashay’ celebrates TGNC youth with fashion explosion
‘On April 30, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., in partnership with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, presented Sashay into Spring, a fashion and accessory show celebrating transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth. The event was conceived by model Jae Matthiesen, along with Sophie Buchman. “This event is deeply personal for me,” Matthiesen said in…
Lesbian
Owners of beloved lesbian bar ‘Dorothy’ open queer dive bar ‘Fathom’ in Lakeview
The owners of the popular lesbian bar Dorothy opened a new queer bar in Lakeview this week, with a more casual, “classic neighborhood dive bar” feel. Fathom, 1622 W. Belmont Ave., opened April 9 and was quickly at capacity, with a line of people waiting that stretched down the block. The new nautical-themed bar is designed to…