Chicago celebrates artist/activist Chili Pepper at street sign unveiling
The late legendary performance artist and LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activist Chili Pepper was celebrated with an “Honorary Chilli Pepper Way” street sign by the City of Chicago on the sunny Fall morning of Oct. 3 (the day after Chili’s birthday) at the corner of North State and…
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SAVOR The Carlyle Club opens, Chicago Marathon specials start and Eden celebrates Lebanese flavors
In fashion: Chicago Fashion Week® will hold events and activations for its third edition, taking place Oct. 8–18. The calendar includes more than 80 events and activations in partnership with local fashion organizations, retailers and fashion designers. Just a few of the events include a vintage pop-up (Oct. 10-11, 12-6 p.m.) at Design at 329,…
OPINION Blaming God for corporate malfeasance
On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on a climate case that could make or break efforts to stop rising temperatures before they reach the point of no return. Our planet is hotter than it has ever been, at any time, in the entire history of modern civilization. The six warmest years on record have all been within…
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BOOKS ‘Ways and Means’ probes the heart of American capitalism’s darkness
Alistair McCabe, the protagonist of Daniel Lefferts’ debut novel Ways and Means, is gay, smart, ambitious, handsome and a finance student at NYU’s Stern School of Business. He comes from a lower-working-class background in a depressed corner of upstate New York. Alistair, burdened by huge student debt, becomes entangled in a high-risk financial scheme that involves…
Nation & World
IN BRIEF Dignity USA leader steps down, Club Q lawsuit, GLAAD Media Awards, Ukrainian law, gay men disappear, Ginger Minj, ‘Rock Out,’ ‘Glee’ reboot
Warning: This column mentions violent activities. NATIONAL Marianne Duddy-Burke has decided to step down from being executive director of the LGBTQ+ Catholic organization Dignity USA. On Facebook, she stated, in part, “The past few years…
Theater / Dance
COMEDY Marsha Warfield talks nostalgia, coming out and ‘It’s Raining Queens’
An evening of music, comedy and storytelling is set to take the stage Oct. 3 at Chicago’s City Winery as legendary vocalist Martha Wash and acclaimed lesbian comedian/actress Marsha Warfield (TV’s Night Court) unite for It’s Raining Queens: Starring Martha Wash and Marsha Warfield. https://tickets.citywinery.com/event/its-raining-queens-starring-martha-wash-marsha-w-rfxypz (The event’s name is a play of “It’s Raining Men,” the ‘80s…
Music
MUSIC Melanie C is set to break a ‘Sweat’ in Chicago
Melanie Chisholm became part of a cultural pop phenomenon as Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls before she carved out a career as a solo artist. Nine albums later, she headlines a 25-city North American Tour that bringing her Sweat to the Windy City this September.The record’s title track “Sweat” samples Diana Ross’ “Work That Body” and…
Film / TV / Gossip
BUSINESS Yvonne Welbon uplifts Black women and gender-expansive creatives with Sisters in Cinema
When lifelong Chicagoan and Sisters in Cinema Founder and CEO Yvonne Welbon started her Master of Fine Arts in film and video program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1991 she knew the name of only one African American woman director, Julie Dash. “When I asked one of my professors to help me find…
Books / Art
Trans
IN BRIEF Election items, ‘Witt v. Air Force,’ Mount Sinai’s anti-trans move, Switzerland’s government, Freddie Mercury mural, WNBA, Janet Jackson, ‘Tip Toe’
Warning: This column mentions details of killings. NATIONAL In Indiana, six candidates for Owen County township offices in the November election are coming out to voters, introducing themselves on two billboards, WISH noted. The promotion, paid for by the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana, marks the first time the organization has endorsed any candidates…
Lesbian
Chicagoans reflect on Gloria Steinem’s relationship with LGBTQ+ community
Gloria Steinem is being remembered as a feminist leader and icon. But the Chicagoans who interacted with her said she never made the movement about her—it was about all of us. “She treated everyone like a peer,” said Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who met Steinem several times, starting when Cassidy worked for the National Organization for Women’s (NOW)…