Illinois primary: LGBTQ+ candidates secure state and local wins, stumble in federal contests
LGBTQ+ candidates across Illinois won several state and local races in the March 17 primary, but fell short in higher-profile federal contests. More than a dozen LGBTQ+ candidates ran in the Democratic primary, competing across federal, state and local races in Illinois. The results pointed…
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Tip Your Queens: Blending drag and opera with Thompson Street Opera Company’s Claire DiVizio
Opera fans are enjoying a richly creative spring here in Chicago. Madama Butterfly, led by gay director Matthew Ozawa, is currently melding virtual reality and pop fantasy for a unique take on the form at the highly revered Lyric Opera. Meanwhile, the adventurous Thompson Street Opera Company (TSOC) is blending the singular styles of drag, film noir and opera into one delicious…
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IN BRIEF Club fire, new NYC office, marriage recognized in Ukraine, Dionne Warwick, ‘General Hospital’ actress
NATIONAL Firefighters are investigating a suspicious fire that burned down The Quest Club, a decades-old LGBTQ+ nightspot in Birmingham, Alabama, LGBTQ Nation noted. The city officially closed the bar in 2024, although its building and bright exterior mural remained. While the bar initially opened in 1982, it closed after the city pulled its business licenses…
Nation & World
IN BRIEF Legal setback in Calif., Scouting America, queer inmates released, Alexandra Billings, Ricky Martin
NATIONAL In the case of Mirabelli v. Bonta, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a big setback to California transgender students, allowing parents challenging the state’s school gender-identity policies to enforce a lower-court injunction that restricts…
Theater / Dance
OPERA East-West fantasy: Virtual reality frames ‘Madama Butterfly’ at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Gay director Matthew Ozawa has grappled with Madama Butterfly throughout his career. Now at the Lyric Opera of Chicago through April 12, Ozawa’s updated take on composer Giacomo Puccini’s classic 1904 tragedy is bound to raise some eyebrows among opera traditionalists. “The base of our concept is stating that this is a fantasy and that this is…
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
Connections and brotherhood focus of newly formed Transmasc Society of Chicago
When Brave Space Alliance Development Manager Troy Taylor moved to Chicago last March, he was determined to find new trans guy friends at the social events he attended. That proved difficult for Taylor, so he decided to create the Transmasc Society of Chicago (TMS). TMS was born out of commiserations between Taylor and his close friend Jey…
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…