Chicago’s No Kings protest weaves LGBTQ+ voices into a broader movement
Longtime LGBTQ+ activist Gary Chichester has been showing up to protests for more than 50 years. On March 28, he was back in the crowd at Chicago’s No Kings rally, warning that hard-fought rights are once again under threat. “We have so many things that…
Keep readingRecent News
IN BRIEF Trans activist killed, harsh Idaho law, trans Olympics ban, Gabrielle Goliath and ‘Bridgerton’
NATIONAL Black trans activist/drag performer Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-McCray, 42, was shot and killed in Petersburg, Virginia, according to Them. Sanchez-McCray was a frequent competitor in drag pageants, winning Miss Mayflower EOY in 2015. RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Kennedy Davenport wrote I will certainly miss you my sister. [Rest] in the Lord” on her Facebook page.…
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Mimi Gonzalez reflects on Go Girl! Saugatuck, stand-up career
Go Girl! Saugatuck celebrates its ninth and final year at The Dunes Resort in Saugatuck, Michigan from May 29-31. The rebranded, inclusive-of-all women’s weekend event is produced by self-described lesbian-identified, bisexual, woman of color, Cuban-Italian American, radical inclusionist, activated activist, poet and stand-up comedian-turned-producer Mimi Gonzalez. The genesis of Go Girl! Saugatuck began on a November 2015 trip Gonzalez…
Nation & World
IN BRIEF Florida HIV rule, mock funeral, Iceland schism, kissing women arrested, ‘Karamo’ canceled
NATIONAL HIV/AIDS organizations and others criticized an emergency rule that went into effect in Florida that could restrict access to HIV treatment for thousands of Floridians, per The Bay Area Reporter. One of the rule’s…
Theater / Dance
52nd Anniversary Jeff Awards for Non-EquityTheaters announced
CHICAGO—At the 52nd anniversary celebration of Non-Equity theater excellence, the Jeff Awards recognized 36 award recipients selected from among 157 nominees across 28 categories of excellence in theater production among shows from 27 producing entities. The awards show was co-hosted by award-winning Chicago entertainment power couple Alexis J. Roston and Kelvin Roston, Jr., under the direction…
Music
We Keep Us Safe throws Queer Happening in support of Brave Space Alliance
On the chilly evening of Feb. 28, the new organization We Keep Us Safe held its inaugural queer happening Let Yourself Shine with Brave Space Alliance as the beneficiary. The event took place at i0 Theater, 1501 N. Kingsbury St., and invited guests to “come as your shiniest self” for a soiree that featured ambient performers, curated art installations, stylistically…
Film / TV / Gossip
‘Sinners’ dominates 2026 Dorian Film Awards, Rose Byrne and Amy Madigan take acting prizes
Eva Victor’s ‘Sorry, Baby’ Garners Two Wins; Ryan Coogler Earns Three Honors in a Breakout Year for Bold, Community-Driven CinemaSponsored by Tello Films March 3, 2026, Los Angeles – GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, the second largest entertainment journalists organization in the world, today announced the group’s 2026 Dorian Film Awards, with Sinners emerging as the…
Books / Art
Trans
Trans Up Front Illinois launches gender-affirming care fund at inaugural “Light the Way” Soiree
Trans Up Front Illinois announced the launch of its Illinois Gender Affirming Care Fund March 21 during its first annual “Light the Way” Soiree, a signature fundraising event supporting its work with transgender and gender nonconforming youth and families. The event, held at Hairpin Arts Center, 2810 N. Milwaukee Ave., raised more than $15,000 for Trans Up Front…
Lesbian
Lightfoot’s ICE Accountability Project builds database of alleged immigration agent misconduct
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is gathering evidence of alleged misconduct by federal immigration agents and creating a public database she says could help hold them accountable. The ICE Accountability Project is a public database designed to collect and preserve evidence of “increasing misconduct” by federal agents during recent immigration enforcement operations. It collects videos, photos and…