The Field Museum’s LGBTQ affinity group Outfielders will host its second annual Out in the Field: Slushies and Science, which will take place on Tuesday, June 20, from 6-8pm, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, one of Chicago’s largest gay bars. This year, there will be even more Field Museum scientists doing show-and-tells about some of nature’s most unusual sexual behavior, including fishes that switch from male to female, mushroom sex, and more.
Last year, in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting, Slushies and Science donated proceeds to Equality Florida to benefit the families of the victims. This year, the focus is on LGBTQ issues right here in Chicago. The Museum is partnering with Project Fierce, whose goal is to help homeless queer and trans youths. They just launched a fundraising campaign to raise 100K by September 1 to open operations this fall/winter.
“Everyone is welcome at The Field Museum year-round,” said Kate Golembiewski, an organizer of the event, “but Pride Month is a particularly fantastic opportunity for us to show our support for our LGBTQ visitors and staff.”
In previous years, the Field has participated in Chicago’s Pride parade, but due to changes in the parade length that limited the number of participants, the Museum is instead looking forward to exploring a different avenue for public engagement and celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month.
Tickets are being sold for $20 and include admission, snacks, and two drinks. Half of all proceeds will be donated to Project Fierce, a nonprofit dedicated to creating housing for LGBTQ youth in Chicago. Donations beyond the ticket price will also be accepted. To register, please visit the Field Museum website.