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Author to hold talk about Chicago LGBTQ press on Feb. 9
Rick Karlin—author of Paper Cuts: My Life in Chicago's Volatile LGBTQ Press—will discuss his experiences in the Chicago LGBTQ press as presented in the book on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 6:30 p.m. via a video conference. ...
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Gay Black man aims for state Senate seat
Mike Simmons-Gessesse has announced that he is running for the seat that Illinois state Sen. Heather Steans recently vacated. On Facebook, Simmons-Gessesse posted, "Since it was announced in the Illinois POLITICO Playbook and Capitol Fax Blog ...
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Elliot Page and wife announce divorce
Elliot Page—the Oscar-nominated actor who recently came out as transgender—and his wife, Emma Portner, are getting divorced, CNN.com reported. A statement read, "After much thought and careful consideration, we have ...
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Actor, writer Lena Waithe to headline screenwriting conference at DePaul U
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Emmy Award-winning writer, creator, producer and actor Lena Waithe of "Twenties," "The Chi" and "Queen & Slim" will headline DePaul University's Courier 12 Screenwriting Conference Feb. 5-6. DePaul's School of Cinematic Arts will pr ...
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Gorman's inauguration poem has Black women talking
Amanda Gorman mesmerized a nation with her inauguration poem "The Hill We Climb." The beauty of her presence and the power of her words captured a country battle-scarred and looking for a lifeline. "After four years ...
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COVID Pritzker announces state coronavirus website
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced a new portal on coronavirus.illinois.gov to provide residents with easily accessible information about the COVID-19 vaccine. Coronavirus.illinois.gov will provide eligible residents with nearby vaccination sites ...
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COVID Lightfoot, CDPH unveil plan to ensure equity in vaccine distribution
On Jan. 25, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), alongside elected officials and community partners, announced new initiatives to address racial equity in the COVID-19 response and vaccine distribution, with ...
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Steamworks launches fundraiser to keep staff insurance
Private men's bathhouse Steamworks Chicago launched an online fundraiser Jan. 21 to continue covering the health insurance of its staff as the pandemic progresses. In a GoFundMe post, General Manager Nirmalpal Sachdev said, "For the past ...
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African American Arts Alliance, Black Ensemble Theater Martin Luther King Day
--From a press release
The African American Arts Alliance of Chicago and Black Ensemble Theater present the 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 6:00pm. The jubilant, online event is free will be ...
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Biden's repeal of trans military ban impacts over 15,500 adults in the military
--From a Williams Institute press release
A summary of current data on transgender military service in U.S. Today, President Biden signed an executive order ending the ban on transgender military service. The directive instructs the Department of Defense to reinstate the 2016 ...
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LGBTQA+ organizations praise Biden's lift of trans military ban
After President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Jan. 25 lifting former President Donald Trump's ban on transgender individuals being in the military, several LGBTQA+ groups and individuals issued press releases praising the move: —LGBTQ ...
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LGBTQ laws rated in Human Rights Campaign State Equality Index
--From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization ...
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Letter: Greed overrides common sense
Jeffrey Sanker, founder of the White Party concept decades ago, is now at the center of brewing online civil war in the gay community. It was reported by some online LGBTQ media news outlets such as ...
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Billy Masters
"I was too innocent and too GAY to deserve a Pardon from Trump."—Joe Exotic. It was the crazy stretch limo sitting outside the prison that made me laugh. Like there's a pardon, and POOF, he could ...
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More abuse charges leveled at Pfleger
Two brothers have alleged that the Rev. Michael Pfleger molested them dozens of times over several years beginning in the early 1970s, The Chicago Tribune reported. The brothers said they were sexually abused in Pfleger's room ...
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Biden's relief plan grows assistance for 3M LGBT adults experiencing food insecurity
Today, President Biden signed executive orders to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis. The orders include plans to expand the federal nutrition assistance program, pause federal debt payments for veterans, establish a $15 an ...
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Pioneering AIDS researcher Dr. Joseph Sonnabend dead at 88
--From a media release by HIVPlusMagazine
Pioneering AIDS researcher and clinician Joseph Sonnabend, 88, died Jan. 24, 2021 at the Wellington Hospital in London, after suffering a heart attack on Jan.3, 2021. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to a physician mother and ...
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BOOKS Author examines James Beard's life in
'The Man Who Ate Too Much'
Any established person in the food/restaurant industry or true foodie has surely heard of James Beard (1903-85), who many feel revolutionized cuisine in the United States more than any other individual. In The Man Who Ate ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Batwoman,' Village People, Neil Patrick Harris, Mariah Carey
SPOILER ALERT: Season two of Batwoman (featuring the lesbian superheroine) began by introducing Ryan Wilder, the new lead character on The CW show played by Javicia Leslie—and explained how first-season ...
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NATIONAL Bidens, NYC businesses, notable deaths, anti-Trump suit
President Joe Biden and his team recently named openly gay man Jeff Marootian as special assistant to the president on Climate and Science Agency Personnel, according to Instinct Magazine, citing The Washington Blade. Marootian is one ...
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WORLD Honduran Congress, deportation, Canadian support, athlete comes out
On Jan. 21, members of the Honduran Congress voted to amend the constitution, making it much harder to reverse existing hard-line bans on abortion and same-sex marriage, as lawmakers double down on socially conservative priorities, Openly ...
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Broadcasting legend Larry King dies at 87
Broadcasting icon Larry King has died at age 87, CNN.com reported. King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Ora Media, the studio and network he co-founded, tweeted. No cause of death was given, but ...
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COVID-19 Chicago, suburban restaurants slated to reopen Jan. 23
Customers will be allowed back inside restaurants and many bars in Chicago and suburban Cook County beginning Saturday, Jan. 23, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. The city and Cook County will move from Tier 2 to Tier ...
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LGBTQ+ Americans greet the Biden-Harris era with hope, hesitancy
Kate Sosin, 19thnews.org
To many, the moment marks a new dawn, the end of deeply distressing four years. Others are simply exhausted. A lot of kids spend their teenage years worrying about dates and dances. Eli Bundy has spent ...
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Pritzker: Illinois moving into Phase 1B of COVID vaccination plan
Building on the state's progress in administering the COVID-19 vaccine, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced the state will move into the early stages of Phase 1B of the COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Plan beginning Monday, Jan. 25. ...
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Equality Caucus applauds early pro-LGBTQ+ actions of Biden administration
--From a press release
Washington, D.C. — The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is pleased to see important steps already taken by the Biden Administration to promote fairness and equality for the LGBTQ+ community and applauds the President and his team ...
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Governors, Lt. Governors encourage all to make a plan and get vaccinated
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Today, Governor Pritzker and governors and lieutenant governors from Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin joined together to encourage everyone to make a plan for how they can get the safe and effective ...
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Gov. Pritzker praises President Biden's plan to combat COVID-19
--From a press release
Gov. Pritzker Statement on the Announcement of President Biden's Plan to Combat COVID-19 CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement following President Biden's announcement of the national plan to combat COVID-19. "One ye ...
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As Sen. Heather Steans resigns, Planned Parenthood of Illinois comments on her work
--From a press release
Statement from Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action: "We will miss working with Senator Heather Steans, a fierce champion for reproductive rights in Illinois. As the lead Senate sponsor for HB40 and ...
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Alexi Giannoulias running for secretary of state in 2022
Alexi Giannoulias—a Democratic politician and financier who was Illinois state treasurer during 2007-11—has thrown his hat back into the political ring, as he plans to run for Illinois secretary of state in 2022. He would succeed ...
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Planned Parenthood Illinois event to celebrate anniversary of Roe v. Wade ruling
--From a press release
CHICAGO - Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) and PPIA PAC celebrate the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court ruling at its Roe v. Wade Anniversary Event, to be held virtually on Thursday, January 28. The event ...
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Equality Illinois announces 30th Anniversary Virtual Gala Celebration
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL - Media outlets are invited to cover Equality Illinois' 30th Anniversary Virtual Gala, presented by Molson Coors Beverage Company, beginning at 7 p.m. CST on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Called the "who's who of ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame announces line of clothing
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, now entering its 30th year, announced today that it has teamed up with Shirts Illustrated, to produce a line of clothing bearing the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame logo. All ...
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Day 2 Executive Order prohibits discrimination against millions of LGBTQs
--From a press release
Today, President Biden directed federal agencies to affirm that LGBTQ people are protected from discrimination under existing civil rights statutes. Biden is the first president to issue an Executive Order directly on LGBTQ rights on the ...
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AMA applauds Biden Day 1 actions on COVID-19, racial equity, climate, WHO
--From a press release
CHICAGO — The American Medical Association (AMA) today applauded the Biden Administration's first-day actions that tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, re-engage with the World Health Organization (WHO), and ...
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Day 1 executive orders impact millions of LGBTQ youth, adults of diverse communities
--From a Williams Institute press release
Today, President Biden signed a sweeping executive order directing federal agencies to adopt a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including in federal employment, policies, programs, and services. This is the first day one executive ...
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Biden Orders Implementation of Ruling: LGBTQ discrimination is sex discrimination
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today on his first day in office shortly after being sworn in, President Biden issued an executive order directing all federal agencies to implement the decision in Bostock v. Clayton County issued by ...
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NCLR hails President Biden's signing of Executive Order addressing LGBTQ workplace discrimination
--From a NCLR press release
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Today, Joseph R. Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States after campaigning on a platform that advocated for the strongest protections for LGBTQ individuals in the history of ...
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Day 1 executive action addresses disparate impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ people
--From a Williams Institute press release
Today, President Biden signed an executive order to combat the health and economic impact of COVID-19. The executive action focuses on strengthening public health measures, such as mask-wearing and social ...
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Biden and Harris are inaugurated; Biden signs LGBTQ executive order
Democrat Joe Biden was sworn in Jan. 20 as the next president of the United States, ushering in a much-improved political climate for LGBT people and, many might say, the nation. In one of his first ...
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Biden, Harris inaugurated, leaders comment
--From press releases. Come back for additional statements
Planned Parenthood Illinois: Statement attributed to Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action: As the eyes of the world turn from the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol two weeks ago to today's inauguration ...
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Indiana to open first home for LGBTQ+ homeless youths
Indiana's first dedicated residential facility for LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness is slated to open this year in Indianapolis, according to WLFI.com. This home was years in the making. Trinity ...
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Super Bowl to have first woman referee
NFL referee Sarah Thomas will be the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 7, in Tampa, Florida, according to Sports Illustrated. The league announced its officiating assignments for Super Bowl LV and ...
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LETTER: Unnecessary legislation
To the Editor: At a time when Illinois lawmakers should be supporting healthcare heroes who are working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic, we instead receive unwelcome new legislation that will drive up the costs of practicing ...
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City Hall, Cook County Building closed Jan. 20 for safety reasons
Chicago's City Hall (121 N. LaSalle St.) and the Cook County Building (118 N. Clark St.) will be closed to the public Wed., Jan. 20 as a precautionary step to ensure public safety on Inauguration Day, ...
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Lighthouse Foundation looks ahead to 2021 survey
Lincoln Park-based Lighthouse Foundation, an advocacy that primarily uplifts Black LGBTQ Chicagoans and has its roots in Lincoln Park-based Lighthouse Church of Chicago, will survey five prominent LGBTQ-focused local organizations ...
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Groups sue to overturn Dept. of Ed regulation that forces funding of anti-LGBTQ groups
--From a press release
Washington, D.C.—January 19, 2021—Today, the national civil rights organizations American Atheists and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, on behalf of the Secular Student Alliance and a California ...
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THEATER A Red Orchid Theatre running magical 'Missed Connections' Feb. 2-28
A Red Orchid Theatre is presenting Missed Connections—a live, interactive play with magic, conceived for virtual experience, co-written by Jon Tai and Alex Gruhin, performed by magician Jon Tai and produced by Alex Gruhin—on Feb. 2-28. ...
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PASSAGES Kevin McCarthy
Kevin Creedon McCarthy, of Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, passed away after a brief illness on Jan. 11. He was 53. Raised in Arlington Heights, Kevin studied communications at the University of Missouri before embarking on a long ...
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Joffrey Ballet announces Feb. 12 world premiere of 'Bolero'
The Joffrey Ballet announced the world premiere of Bolero—named after the acclaimed orchestral piece by composer Maurice Ravel and choreographed by Joffrey company artist Yoshihisa Arai—on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. Bolero, to be performed by ...
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Red Stars to play in International Women's Cup in August
The Chicago Red Stars signed on to play in the inaugural International Women's Cup—a first-of-its-kind event expected to bring top European clubs to Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. The Red Stars will join National Women's ...
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National COVID-19 Memorial Service Jan. 19 to remember lives lost
CHICAGO, IL— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the City of Chicago, in partnership with the incoming Biden-Harris Administration, invite everyone in Chicago to take part in the National COVID-19 Memorial Service to remember the lives lost ...
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Steans resigns from Illinois Senate; tenure marked by advances in women's, LGBTQ rights
--From a press release
State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) today announced her resignation after 12 years of service, declaring "it's time for fresh faces and new energy" in Springfield. "It's been the privilege of a lifetime to represent the most ...
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Research shows racial bias denied social reformer Ada S. McKinley her due in history
--From a press release
(Jan. 19, 2021; Chicago, Ill.) Newly released scholarly research about Chicago social reformer Ada S. McKinley indicates her contributions to Chicago and to the field of human services have been ignored and marginalized due to her ...
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Biden nominates Dr. Rachel Levine, first trans person nominated for Senate-confirmed position
--From press releases
From Victory Institute: Washington, DC — President-elect Joe Biden nominated Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine to be the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health — a historic nomination that makes her the first out trans ...
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Biden picks transgender assistant health secretary
President-elect Joe Biden has chosen Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine to be his assistant secretary of health—positioning her to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, a Seattle Times ...
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COVID-19 restrictions for Chicago, suburbs relaxed, but still no indoor dining
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that Chicago and its suburbs would move to Tier 2 mitigation restrictions, effective immediately, The Chicago Tribune reported. Under the updated metrics, four regions under the reopening plan will ...
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CRS pays tribute to Rustin's legacy
Community Renewal Society (CRS) highlighted a new partnership with the Washington, D.C.-based Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative (BRLI) as part of a virtual Martin Luther King Day observance on Jan. 18. The event paid tribute to the ...
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Lightfoot and city leaders lead MLK interfaith event
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot virtually gathered with civic, business and religious leaders this weekend to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the City of Chicago's 35th Annual Interfaith Celebration. This year's ceremony ...
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Billy Masters
"Honey … when you got talent, you don't need all this shit."—Siegfried Fischbacher (of Siegfried & Roy) to Bette Midler, after she commented on the magical duo's high-tech show. (The story was related to me by ...
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Social exclusion, career limitations hinder LGBTQ STEM professionals
ANN ARBOR—LGBTQ professionals' pride in their science, technology, engineering, and math work is not reciprocated, say researchers. These STEM professionals are more likely to experience career limitations, social exclusion and ...
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SHOWBIZ LGBTQ movies, 'Color Purple,' Nick Jonas, gay coach
The film Draw with Me has launched its virtual theatrical release at ArenaScreen through Feb. 9, and was the subject of the first-ever panel at the United Nations on Transgender Health, a release stated. Featuring Jennifer ...
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WORLD Global Fund, Croatian case, Poland items, Hillsong
In 2020, the Global Fund signed 157 grants for a total of $8.54 billion for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria programs and to strengthen systems for health—and this is the highest number of grants the program ever ...
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NATIONAL Defamation case, inauguration items, PrEP, Capitol riot
A New York appeals court ruled that falsely accusing someone of being gay is no longer considered defamation per se, NBC News reported. Defamation is a false statement that damages someone's reputation. "It meant that it ...
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Virtual OUTspoken storytelling event Feb. 2
The next virtual OUTspoken Storytelling Night will take place Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. The speakers will be as follows: —Donald Bell is a third-generation Chicagoan, South Sider and White Sox fan who is a retired ...
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'Dixie's Happy Hour' streaming Jan. 26-31
On the heels of Dixie's Tupperware Party and Dixie's: Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull (and 16 other things I learned while I was drinking last Thursday), drag personality Dixie Longate is ...
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Chicago Sky announce contract extension for coach
The WNBA's Chicago Sky announced that General Manager/Head Coach James Wade has agreed to and signed a four-year contract extension with the team. Wade is now under contract with the Sky through the 2025 season. "I ...
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COVID-19 Three regions to end Tier 3 mitigations; IRA responds to dining changes
Following a decrease in COVID-19 test positivity rates and hospitalizations throughout Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker announced regions across the state are now eligible to move out of Tier 3 mitigations—the ...
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Hell in a Handbag Productions to present
Out, Darn Spot!
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 15, 2021) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to present the campy comedyOut, Darn Spot!, written by and starring ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith* and directed, filmed and edited by Stephanie Shaw. ...
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Disability Culture Leadership Initiative launches online hub with Chicago artists
--From a 3Arts press release
CHICAGO, IL (Jan. 15, 2021)— 3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, announced today the launch of the Disability Culture Leadership Initiative (DCLI), featuring a new online platform created to elevate ...
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Jonathan David Katz awarded Andrew W. Mellon grant
--From a Wrightwood 659 press release
(CHICAGO, IL— Jan. 15, 2021) Wrightwood 659 congratulates our friend, curator, and collaborator, Jonathan David Katz on the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's announcement of a $5,000,000 award for the proposal"Dispossessions ...
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Gov. Pritzker activates Illinois National Guard for security of state buildings
SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker has activated 250 members of the Illinois National Guard for State Active Duty in response to the warnings issued this week by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding threats to ...
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Tribute event to honor Chicago's first Cultural Historian Jan. 28
--From a City of Chicago press release
CHICAGO, IL — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced a tribute event to honor Chicago's first Cultural Historian, Tim Samuelson. Samuelson recently retired after 3 ...
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Affinity Burning Bowl hosts first-ever virtual event amid pandemic
Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Affinity Community Services (Affinity) held its annual Burning Bowl Jan. 9 on Zoom and Facebook Live. This year's theme was "Community Undivided." Among other items, the Barbara "Robbie" Smith Award of ...
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1.2 million Black LGBT adults live in the US
--From a press release by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law
A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that an estimated 1.2 million adults in the U.S. identify as Black and LGBT. Researchers found that Black LGBT people fare worse than ...
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