WATCH: Channyn Lynne Parker delivers Equality Illinois Gala keynote
Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO of Equality Illinois, delivered the keynote address at the organization’s annual gala on Jan. 31, framing the evening as “not just a gala—it is a sanctuary” amid escalating political attacks on LGBTQ+ people and civil rights. In a deeply personal speech,…
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Gay former teacher files harassment lawsuit against Catholic school
Gay former music teacher and theater director Brett Klaus has filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Illinois and in the Illinois Circuit Court in Madison County against Marquette Catholic High School (his former employer) in Alton, Illinois. According to the complaint filed Jan. 7, in addition to Klaus’s duties as a teacher, he was…
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Meet the class of Windy City Times’ 2026 community journalism cohort
Six early-career and journalism-curious storytellers will learn the ins and outs of reporting on underserved communities this spring in Windy City Times and E3 Radio’s second-annual Our Stories, Our Power program. The paid, six-week seminar will equip storytellers with foundational reporting skills and cover every step of the community newswriting process, beginning with pitching story ideas and…
Nation & World
IN BRIEF Anti-queer incidents, Don Lemon, prisoners in Cameroon, mayor indicted, queer Grammy party
NATIONAL There were more than 1,000 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents across 47 states and D.C. last year, according to the ALERT Desk, GLAAD’s Anti-LGBTQ Extremism Reporting Tracker, Out noted. This marked a 5% increase from the 984 incidents in 2024. These included 128 acts of vandalism, 76 assaults, 22 threats of mass violence and 15 arson attempts.…
Theater / Dance
THEATER ‘Holiday’ update: Wesley Taylor makes Goodman debut in writer Richard Greenberg’s take on the 1928 classic
Gay actor Wesley Taylor (Only Murders in the Building, Smash) is very grateful to be back in Chicago performing in another theater world premiere—except for one crucial detail. “I really wish I could be hired to work here in the summer,” Taylor said. “Every time I come to Chicago, it has been between November and…
Music
Queer ‘rapbrarian’ Roy Kinsey talks hip-hop, dandelions and representation
Have you heard of the “Rapbrary?” For those who haven’t, it’s the brainchild of Roy Kinsey, who developed the one-of-a-kind library to preserve rap and hip-hop as culturally significant literary art forms, foster creativity, preserve marginalized voices and fight censorship, among other things. Kinsey hopes that the Rapbrary will lay the groundwork for an expansive…
Film / TV / Gossip
Tonatiuh spins a web in the Windy City for Kiss of the Spider Woman
Multi-hyphenated singer-dancer-actor Tonatiuh brought the story of Luis Molina to life in the movie musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, released in theaters in October of 2025. Spider Woman continues to have legs and brought this talented queer performer to town to host a special fundraising screening at Music Box Theatre on Jan. 13. Proceeds from the event…
Books / Art
Trans
HRC Foundation takes next step in class action litigation against Trump administration, files complaint with EEOC over prohibition on gender-affirming healthcare coverage for federal employees
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF) took the next step in the litigation process against the Trump administration on behalf of federal employees and their families, filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over the Administration’s prohibition on health insurance coverage for gender-affirming care under the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and…
Lesbian
WCT issues call for 30 Under 30 nominees
CHICAGO—Windy City Times is seeking to recognize 30 more outstanding LGBTQ+ individuals (and allies) who live and/or work in Chicagoland. Nominees should be 30 years or younger as of June 30 and should have made substantial contributions to the LGBTQ+ community in the fields of entertainment, politics, health, activism, academics, sports or other areas. The…