‘Health cuts kill’: Chicago coalition joins Seven Days week of action
Labor leaders, HIV advocates and health care workers are sounding the alarm over more than $1 trillion in health funding cuts that they say will devastate local communities and economies across the country. The broad coalition is mobilizing through Seven Days in June: HEALTH IS PRIMARY,…
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The Dunes Resort celebrates 45 years as one of the Midwest’s defining queer getaways
For many LGBTQ+ midwesterners, a first trip to the Dunes Resort in Western Michigan is a rite of passage—an introduction to the kind of freedom, self-expression and togetherness that generations of queer people have found there for decades. “You get out of your car here, and you forget your issues [or] prejudices,” said Mike Jones, co-owner of the Dunes. “You…
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Equality Illinois CEO warns against complacency on LGBTQ+ protections
Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO of Equality Illinois, told supporters of the statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization that the movement must respond to mounting political attacks with “strategy,” “discipline” and deeper coalition-building during a May 18 conversation in downtown Chicago. Parker made the remarks during a discussion at Winston & Strawn, 300 N. LaSalle Drive, moderated by…
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 Playwright McCraney probes the ethics of a ‘Windfall’ at Steppenwolf
Writer Tarell Alvin McCraney’s new drama Windfall, running now at Steppenwolf Theatre through May 31, is billed by its theater company as a story about “the spirit of activism versus money.” The play depicts a Chicago man whose son is killed in a violent police incident. When the father is offered a significant cash settlement, he…
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
Doc10’s Speak Truth series tells bold stories cinematically for its 11th year
Since 2016, Chicago Media Project’s Doc10 Film Festival has presented a cinematic celebration of non-fiction films from around the world. In 2026, the festival’s 11th annual edition ran from April 24 through May 3 with special events such as the new Speak Truth programming. Various film selections were hosted at the Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave., and…
Books / Art
Trans
Transgender Chicagoan turns his gym into a space for fitness and acceptance
As a transgender man, Alex Martinez knows how it feels to be othered—and he knows he’s not alone. That experience has influenced his work as both a fitness trainer and gym owner. “I knew it wasn’t just me and because I’m trans,” said Martinez, owner of the Above the Bar gym, 2000 N. Western Ave., where he…
Lesbian
Owners of beloved lesbian bar ‘Dorothy’ open queer dive bar ‘Fathom’ in Lakeview
The owners of the popular lesbian bar Dorothy opened a new queer bar in Lakeview this week, with a more casual, “classic neighborhood dive bar” feel. Fathom, 1622 W. Belmont Ave., opened April 9 and was quickly at capacity, with a line of people waiting that stretched down the block. The new nautical-themed bar is designed to…