‘We wanted to be seen’ : Gary Chichester preserves legacy of Chicago’s first Pride rally and parade
Gary Chichester’s name is on the permit for the first official Pride Parade in the world, which took place in Chicago in June 1971. He and his homemade flag haven’t missed a Pride Parade since. “It’s my favorite holiday,” Chichester said. “People are so incredibly…
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Interfaith Family Pridefest brings musical joy to Evanston
The third annual Interfaith Family Pridefest was held June 14 at Raymond Park in Evanston. The free event celebrated LGBTQ+ families and featured performances by the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Evanston Folk Choir, Full Spectrum Bluegrass queer collective and True Colors Drag Troupe. The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus regaled the crowd with their renditions of Cher songs,…
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Omari Collins schools Chicago in the art of wearing Kinky Boots
No matter who is wearing them, heels can come fraught with challenges. Even Omari Collins, who’s currently playing Lola in the Chicago production of Kinky Boots, and who taught a Dancing in Heels workshop this month, said they take some work. “As an original veteran of walking in heels, I am used to them, but the…
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
‘Brokeback Mountain’ talkback focuses on LGBTQ+ health and history experiences
Following the June 10 afternoon performance of the expertly staged, poignant and funny Brokeback Mountain at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, a talkback focused on LGBTQ+ health and history. The talkback is one of many national Seven Days in June campaign events which marked the 45th anniversary of the first documented HIV/AIDS case under the banner Health is Primary. Panelists…
Music
Lakeside Pride takes the stage at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall
About 85 members of Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band joined members of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony the evening of June 5 for the Skylines in Sound concert. The performance took place at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Orchestra Hall is home to Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Assistant Artistic Director…
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
Brave Space Alliance taps Nikki Patin as new CEO
Brave Space Alliance has named Nikki Patin its new CEO after several months serving as the organization’s interim leader. The appointment follows a national search that attracted more than 100 applicants from across the country, according to Brave Space Alliance. The organization’s board unanimously selected Patin, who has served as interim CEO since former leader…
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,…