Equality Illinois celebrates Pride Month at annual Kick-Off Brunch
Equality Illinois held its annual Pride Kick-Off brunch June 7 at Venue West in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. This year’s Community Pride Honorees included ACLU Illinois Senior Policy Counsel Aisha N. Davis; 15th District Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison; and City of Chicago LGBTQ+ Affairs Director Antonio King.…
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Trans Ice Cream Social marks a decade of joy
As heavy rainclouds invaded the skies, and sheets of rain pelted the North Side of Chicago on June 8, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., hosted a giddy crowd at its 10th annual Trans Ice Cream Social. Trans individuals and allies scarfed down gluten-free Peppermint Patty, Honey Vanilla Bean, Brambleberry Crisp, Double Dough and Peanut…
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Chicago History Museum honors activist and philanthropist Fred Eychaner
LGBTQ+ rights advocate, philanthropist and arts patron Fred Eychaner used a lifetime achievement award from the Chicago History Museum to warn that many of the freedoms and institutions he spent decades defending are under renewed attack. Accepting the museum’s Making History Award for Distinction in Visionary Leadership on June 3, Eychaner reflected on his experiences during…
Nation & World
IN BRIEF Jason Collins, trans student stabbed, Warsaw’s pro-marriage move, Uganda drops bill, INK, Janet Jackson, Sally Field
NATIONAL Jason Collins—the NBA’s first openly gay player, who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion—died at age 47 after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to media reports.…
Theater / Dance
THEATER Handbag’s Golden Girls return with fun ‘Cheese Pyramid’ scheme
I don’t have the bonafides of a true cheesemonger, but I do fancy myself as sort of a minor cheese expert. I come from a small town in southwest Wisconsin, whose high school sports team was known as the Cheesemakers. I know enough to accurately guess how long a cheddar has been aged for, and…
Music
Chicago singers help Belting for Life reach new heights
On May 11, the 11th annual Belting for Life Concert reached a new milestone. The event, a fundraiser for AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) was the most successful Belting for Life event yet, nearly selling out SPACE at 1245 Chicago Ave. in Evanston. Conceived, produced and curated by Christopher Pazdernik—and taking place on his birthday—Belting for…
Film / TV / Gossip
FILM The Chicago Critics Film Festival winds up with a Wilde week in the Windy City
The Chicago Critics Film Festival is curated by the Chicago Film Critics Association and is the only United States film festival programmed exclusively by critics. Founded in 1990, the Chicago Film Critics Association supports filmmaking and is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization. For its 13th edition, the CCFF was held from May 1-7 in 2026, at…
Books / Art
Trans
Advocates celebrate passage of bill ensuring more access to prescription hormone therapy
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – The Illinois General Assembly has passed legislation that supports patients’ access to prescription hormone therapy by requiring insurance policies to cover up to a six-month supply. HB 5492 is the initiative of Equality Illinois, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action, and Planned Parenthood Illinois Action. Sponsored by Illinois House Assistant Majority Leader Katie…
Lesbian
Evette Cardona, Mona Noriega reflect on years of activism ahead of Pride Parade Grand Marshals role
Longtime LGBTQ+ advocates/activists Evette Cardona and Mona Noriega are among this year’s Chicago Pride Parade Community Grand Marshals. Cardona and Noriega were chosen alongside author, Press Forward Chicago Executive Director and Windy City Times Co-Founder/Owner Tracy Baim and the Alliance of Illinois Judges (Illinois’ LGBTQ+ judges’ association). The honorees were chosen through a community nomination process and,…