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Here comes the sun: Summer plays are blooming indoors and outside
There were times when we thought that the sunshine would never return, but despite climate change and contagion, there's no stopping summer—and while we usually associate expanded daylight hours with outdoor activities, a number of theaters ...
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'LGBTQ Rights on the Line: The Role of Communicators Advocating for Equality' event preview
-- From a press release
Celebrating, honoring and acknowledging Pride Month is more important this year than ever (and it should be celebrated all year, not just during one month). The expected Supreme Court ruling that will undermine the right to ...
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NATIONAL Idaho groups, Clay Aiken, Radio Milwaukee, Louisville school
In northern Idaho, two groups with different agendas plan to hold events on the same day (June 11) at Coeur d'Alene City Park—and both organizations have issued statements, according to the Bonner County Daily Bee. The ...
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WORLD Nigeria protest, 'Flag in the Map,' Belgium, McDonald's
Dressed in rainbow-colored vests, members of the LGBTQ+ community marched in a dangerous demonstration in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, to protest a bill introduced by lawmakers in Nigeria's lower house of parliament last month seeking to ban ...
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SHOWBIZ Broadway, JoJo Siwa, WEHO Pride, 'Jurassic World,' Madonna
The Broadway League announced that all 41 Broadway theaters in New York City have extended the current mask requirement for audiences through at least June 30, Playbill noted. Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League, ...
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Comedian criticized for letting Dave Chappelle open and tell anti-trans jokes
Comedian John Mulaney surprised his audience—and drew criticism from some fans—when Dave Chappelle appeared as the opener and reportedly told "transphobic jokes," per Variety. Chappelle's opening set occurred during a ...
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THEATER REVIEW The Chinese Lady
It began in 1834 as an advertising gimmick: In order to promote sales of their Far East Oriental imported goods, the Carnes Brothers procured their company a real-life spokesperson. This was the teenage Afong Moy, known ...
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Penn. LGBTQ+ candidates mostly suffer losses on primary night
LGBTQ+ candidates running for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, lieutenant governor and a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Philadelphia's "gayborhood" each lost their races in the Keystone State's May 17 Democratic primary, The ...
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Johnny Weir envisions his dream of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest's live stream
Johnny Weir envisions his dream of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest's live stream by Jerry Nunn Out figure skater Johnny Weir is an award-winning Olympian and an LGBTQ+ champion. This gay media spokesman brings past experience ...
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THEATER Season of Concern to present 'Jerry's Girls' on June 27
"Jerry's Girls: A Benefit for Season of Concern" will take place Monday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. Season of Concern Chicago is dedicated to providing financial assistance to ...
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TELEVISION Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson and others to exit 'SNL'
In a major shake-up on the long-running hit Saturday Night Live (or SNL), several of the main stars are leaving—including out cast member Kate McKinnon, Deadline reported. McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney and Pete Davidson (who's ...
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Chicago Sky activate Copper, release Krajisnik
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (May 20, 2022) — The Chicago Sky activated Kahleah Copper and released Tina Krajisnik from her hardship exemption contract, the team announced today. Copper joins the Sky after returning from Spain, where she won the ...
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COVID Chicago, Cook County currently still at 'medium' level
Chicago and suburban Cook County remain at a medium COVID Community Level, even as case rates continue to increase throughout the Midwest and northeastern United States, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced May 20. ...
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Monkeypox in U.S., other countries; cases include gay, bi men
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a confirmed case of monkeypox in the United States, according to a press release from the CDC Health Alert ...
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Sky Comeback falls short in road loss to Storm; 74-71
-- From a press release
Chicago Sky (2-2) @ Seattle Storm (2-3) May18, 2022: Final score CHI 71, SEA 74 <∫> TEAM HIGH POINTS HIGH ASSISTS HIGH REBOUNDS ≤/∫≥ CHI STEVENS (18) VANDERSLOOT (12) PARKER ...
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HIV/AIDS activist Rae Lewis-Thornton on her new memoir, 'Unprotected'
Emmy-winning HIV/AIDS activist, author, minister, political organizer, motivational speaker, life coach, jewelry designer and social media figure Rae Clara Lewis-Thornton's recently released book, Unprotected: A Memoir, is already a pre-release ...
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For International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia HRC highlights grants
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, is commemorating International Day Against ...
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Cubs blank Pirates; White Sox win
On May 16, the Chicago Cubs (14-20) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates (15-20) 9-0 at Wrigley Field. Willson Contreras hit a first-inning grand slam—the 100th home run of his career—as the Cubs scored eight runs in that ...
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GLSEN holds Respect Awards in New York
On May 16, the pro-LGBTQ+ education organization GLSEN held its New York Respect Awards in Gotham Hall. At its first in-person Respect Awards in three years, the organization introduced new Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers in their ...
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Quiz program 'Wait, Wait' to start taping June 16 at the Studebaker
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program, will resume live audience recordings Thursday, June 16, in a new Chicago home: the historic Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building, 401 S. Michigan Ave. ...
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Five Worth Finding: Chocolate festival, lesbian sci-fi film, 'Smahtguy'
—The Long Grove Chocolate Festival: The beloved Chocolate Festival will return to the historic streets and parkways of downtown Long Grove for the first time in three years, May 20-22. Chocolate lovers can experience so much—including ...
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POLITICS GOP candidate Irvin called Trump an 'idiot,' backed LGBTQ+s
GOP gubernatorial candidate and current Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin has dodged talking about former U.S. President Donald Trump (and many other topics)—but recently revealed records show how Irvin reportedly felt ...
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Police officer enters Chicago mayoral race
Longtime Chicago police officer Frederick Collins has jumped into the Chicago mayoral race—and it's not his first. Collins also ran for mayor eight years ago. His 2014 interview with Windy ...
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Billy Masters
"Why is that so gross? We kiss each other where we pee."—Sarah Silverman responds to The View co-hosts' disgust that she shares a toothbrush with her boyfriend. Even more priceless is Sara Haines' reaction, which you ...
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SPORTS Red Stars fall; mixed MLB results; Bucks out of playoffs
On May 15, the Chicago Red Stars fell to the San Diego Wave 2-1 in the Red Stars' first trip out west to face the new club. Rookie and Michigan State University alum Ava Cook scored Chicago's lone goal, making this ...
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SHOWBIZ Queer playwright, LGBTQ+ films, BMI Pop Awards, new superhero
Jeremy O. Harris, the queer Tony-nominated author of Slave Play, has been named the presiding playwright for the 2023 Yale Drama Series Prize—one of the theater world's most prestigious playwriting honors, Deadline noted. Harris joins the ...
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WORLD Eswatini ruling, Toronto deaths, Greece, blood donations
The High Court in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) rejected an appeal for legal recognition by the local LGBTQ+-rights group Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities, citing "laws … prevailing in the kingdom" ...
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NATIONAL New York synod, Danica Roem, legal action, Pride news, PFLAG
The Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS), the regional body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, announced Christopher Vergara as its newly elected vice president, according to a press release. Vergara is the first openly gay ...
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TV Writer Joel Kim Booster, director Andrew Ahn take a trip to 'Fire Island'
Based on the classic Jane Austen book Pride and Prejudice, the new Fox Searchlight film Fire Island has an important story to tell LGBTQ+ audiences specifically. In that story, there are plenty of laughs along the ...
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SPORTS Cubs and White Sox win; Sky prevail; Fire fall
Most of Chicago's pro sports teams who played on May 14 came out victorious. —The Chicago Cubs (12-20) defeated the host Arizona Diamondbacks (18-16) 4-2. Veteran catcher Yan Gomes batted cleanup for just the 14th time ...
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Los Angeles LGBT Center mourns passing of legendary LGBT activist, leader Urvashi Vaid
-- From a press release
LOS ANGELES, May 14, 2022—"The world has lost a giant in the movement for LGBTQ freedom, justice and equality. After a valiant battle with cancer, Urvashi Vaid died today," said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Lorri ...
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Nat'l Association of Black and White Men Together to hold July 6-9 conference
The National Association of Black and White Men Together—described on its website as "a gay multicultural, anti-racism organization committed to fostering supportive environments wherein racial and cultural barriers can be ...
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PASSAGES Urvashi Vaid dies, The National LGBTQ Task Force releases statement
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC……Legendary attorney, LGBTQ activist, and author Urvashi Vaid, known for her extensive career an advocate for LGBTQ rights, women's rights, anti-war efforts, immigration justice and many other social causes ...
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Judge blocks part of Alabama law criminalizing care for trans youth
On May 13, U.S. District Judge Liles Burke blocked part of an Alabama law that made it a felony to prescribe gender-affirming puberty blockers and hormones to transgender minors, USA Today reported. ...
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Report: Malta is the best European country regarding LGBTQ+ rights
An annual report courtesy of ILGA-Europe stated that Malta remains the best country in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights, Euronews noted. The association said that Malta (which scored 92 out of a possible 100) has maintained the ...
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PASSAGES Dr. David Ostrow dies at 74
Longtime researcher Dr. David Gene Ostrow, of Chicago, died unexpectedly on Feb. 16 at home. He was 74. The cause of death was end-stage renal disease, according to the Tribute Archive website. Ostrow was born on ...
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Leather business 64TEN to name street after Ed Negron on May 30
On May 25-30, leather shop 64TEN, 6410 N. Clark St., will mark its 21st anniversary.
The celebrations will coincide with the International Mr. Leather (IML)/Memorial Day holiday weekend. ...
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Inaugural Heatwave Music Festival in Chicago on July 16-17
Auris Presents announced the debut edition and artist lineup for the Heatwave Music Festival, coming to Chicago on July 16-17 in Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. According to a press release, the festival will be ...
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Pro-choice coalition to rally May 14 in Chicago's Union Park
-- From a press release
'Rally for Abortion Justice,' part of a nationwide 'Bans Off Our Bodies' day of action will takes place in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. on Saturday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. The crowd may be 25,000 strong according to organizers. ...
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Texas court okays child-abuse inquries into families of trans kids
On May 13, the Texas Supreme Court unanimously cleared the way for the state child-welfare agency to resume investigating parents and doctors who provide gender-affirming care for trans youth—actions Gov. Greg Abbott has equated to child ...
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Griner's detention in Russia extended by a month
The lawyer for Brittney Griner said May 13 that the WNBA star's pretrial detention in Russia has been extended by one month, ESPN reported. Alexander Boykov told The Associated Press he believed the relatively short extension ...
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Gov. Pritzker signs legislation addressing rise in organized retail thefts
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — On May 13, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker joined Attorney General Kwame Raoul, lawmakers, advocates and law-enforcement officials to sign legislation designed to combat a nationwide rise in coordinated retail thefts. "This new law represents ...
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Chicago Bears release schedule; Yankees pound White Sox
After alternating home and road games throughout the entire 2021 season for the first time in franchise history, the Chicago Bears have a more conventional schedule in 2022, according to a press release. It features three ...
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SAVOR Coco Pazzo: Lunch at a longtime Italian favorite
The River North spot Coco Pazzo, 300 W. Hubbard St., is one of those spots I've always wanted to visit. I had heard some people rave about the restaurant but, for some reason, I never got around to visiting this Tuscan ...
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BOOKS 'Tinderbox' author to appear in Palatine on June 14
Author Robert Fieseler will discuss his debut book—Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire and the Rise of Gay Liberation—on Tuesday, June 14, at 7 p.m. at Palatine's Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, ...
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MUSIC Ty Herndon releasing 'personal' album 'Jacob' on July 15
Out gay Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning country artist Ty Herndon announced the release date of his forthcoming album, Jacob. Jacob—called Herndon's "most personal album to date"—will be out July 15. ...
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Casting announced for 'Queer Eye: The Musical Parody' at Second City
Comedy institution The Second City announced the cast and crew of Queer Eye: The Musical Parody, which will start running Thursday, May 26. (The production will run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at ...
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State rep joins Chicago mayoral race
On May 12, Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner announced his candidacy for Chicago mayor, stating, "We cannot wait a day longer for a safe and just Chicago for all of us," The Chicago Tribune reported. Buckner ...
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Judge: Dallas hospital must start gender-affirming treatment for trans youth
In Texas, Dallas County Judge Melissa Bellan temporarily removed all barriers for transgender youth seeking medical treatments from Children's Medical Center Dallas—providing a major win for doctors fighting to restore ...
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MUSIC Riot Fest to take place Sept. 16-18 in Chicago
Riot Fest—one of the largest remaining independent festivals in the country—is slated to return to Douglass Park on Sept. 16-18. Festival organizers revealed a jam-packed lineup taking up five stages and performing punk, indie rock, hip-hop, ...
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Peacock to debut horror film 'They/Them' on Aug. 5
Peacock announced that its new original film They/Them (pronounced "They-slash-Them), from Blumhouse will premiere Friday, Aug. 5. The LGBTQIA+ horror film, formerly known as Whistler Camp, is a queer empowerment story ...
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57th Street Art Fair marking 75th anniversary on June 4-5
The 57th Street Art Fair, the Midwest's oldest juried art fair, will mark its 75th anniversary with an in-person celebration on June 4-5 featuring nearly 200 artists, live music presented by Buddy Guy's Legends, and a ...
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Dance for Life returns to Auditorium
-- From a press release
Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which supports the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance community, announces the program for its 31st annual fundraiser, Dance for Life 2022, which takes place Saturday, August 13 at 6 p.m. ...
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Highwood Pride Fest taking place June 4
The North Shore suburb of Highwood will hold its Pride Fest on Saturday, June 4. The full day of activities starts with a "Pride Rocks" family picnic at Everts Park at noon-3 p.m., followed by the (21+ ...
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THEATER 'The Secretaries: A Parable' running through June 11
First Floor Theater returns to live production with the world premiere of company member Omer Abbas Salem's The Secretaries: A Parable following the script's 2021 development as part of Goodman Theatre's Future Labs. The production will ...
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U.S. COVID-19 death toll exceeds 1 million
One million Americans have now died from the coronavirus, according to an announcement President Joe Biden made May 12, according to ABC News. The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is now equivalent to the population ...
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Plaque unveiled in NYC to honor headquarters of NAACP, other progressive groups
On May 11, Village Preservation and The New School were joined by historians David Levering Lewis, Amy Aronson, Brian McGrath and Stephen Brier for the unveiling of a plaque marking 70 Fifth Ave. as the historic ...
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LGBTQ Religious Archives Network holds 'AIDS, Activism and American Christianity' webinar
LGBTQ Religious Archives Network (LGBTQ-RAN) held an "AIDS, Activism and American Christianity: A Conversation" virtual webinar on May 5. The event focused on Christian activism during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s and ...
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THEATER Underscore's 'Notes & Letters' running through May 28
Underscore Theatre Company celebrates its 10th-anniversary season with the world premiere of the musical Notes & Letters, which features book, music and lyrics by Annabelle Lee Revak (she/her) and is ...
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Chicago Sky crush NY Liberty; Cubs win; Sox game postponed
On May 11, the Chicago Sky (1-1) set a franchise record in margin of victory (33 points) by crushing the New York Liberty (1-1) 83-50 at Wintrust Arena in a Commissioner's Cup game, according to a ...
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Former White Sox head trainer alleges sexual orientation-based bias
Brian Ball, a former head trainer for the Chicago White Sox, has filed suit against the organization and General Manager Frederick Hahn. In the lawsuit, Ball alleges he was unjustly terminated in October 2020 without explanation, ...
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U.S. Senate Republicans and one Democrat block abortion-protection bill
On May 11, the U.S. Senate failed to advance a Democrat-led bill that would enshrine broad protections for legal abortion nationwide—a vote triggered by a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that indicates Roe v. Wade will ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus to present 'Unimaginable' on May 20-22
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus will present the spring show "CGMC: Unimaginable," on May 20-22 at three Chicagoland venues. The performances will take place Friday, May 20, at 8 p.m. at Chicago's Athenaeum Center for Thought ...
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HRC calls for passage of the Women's Health Protection Act
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, joined a growing number of organizations calling for the ...
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Florida schools censoring students even before Don't Say Gay law goes into effect
-- From a press release
TALLAHASSEE, FL — As the school year ends, students across Florida are experiencing the inevitable censorship of Florida's anti-LGBTQ Don't Say Gay law recently signed by Governor DeSantis. The law's harmful impacts are not limited to ...
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LGBTQs 4X more likely than non-LGBTQs to choose a college away from home
-- From a press release
A new study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law conducted in collaboration with the Point Foundation, the nation's largest LGBTQ scholarship fund, finds LGBTQ people were four times more likely than non-LGBTQ people ...
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AUTOS 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz answers the right questions
You may think the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz answers questions nobody asked, but if that's true, somebody should have asked. A car-based pickup is not a new idea. Chevrolet and Ford offered the El Camino and ...
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FILM 'The Adventures of Priscilla' to show nationwide on June 2
Iconic Events Releasing will kick off Pride Month with a special nationwide rerelease of MGM's classic 1994 Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Screenings will take place in select theaters nationwide on ...
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Deadline for Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame nominations is May 31
The deadline to nominate individuals, businesses, organizations, and allies to the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame is on May 31 at midnight. Nominations may be made online at www.chicagolgbthalloffame.org/nominate. The goal is to honor people and ...
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Running squad 'Team to End AIDS' calls for participants to raise funds
-- From a press release
(Chicago, IL) Over the last 19 years, TEAM TO ENDS AIDS (T2)—the only HIV charity fundraising marathon team in the Midwest—has raised more than $13 million for HIV/AIDS awareness and direct support for those living with ...
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Rally planned during May 11 Biden visit to demand nationwide legalization of abortion
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — Organizers and activists from the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Breaking the Chains Magazine, ANSWER Chicago, Code Pink, Make Noize for Change, and others will be rallying on Wed., May 11, at 6 ...
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Lightfoot, City Clerk Valencia announce partnership with UN Women
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and City Clerk Anna Valencia announced a partnership with UN Women's Global Flagship Program, Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces. The initiative responds to sexual violence against women and girls ...
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Kokandy Productions to present 'Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical' June 9-Aug. 7
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (May 10, 2022) — Kokandy Productions is launching its 10th-anniversary season this summer with the Chicago storefront premiere of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical—a flirty and fun, nostalgia-packed show ...
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Cubs win while White Sox blow six-run lead
On May 9, one Chicago MLB team halted its losing streak while the other had its winning streak snapped. In San Diego, the Chicago Cubs (10-18) blanked the Padres (19-11) 6-0 as the North Siders racked ...
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Queer college salutatorian plans to help community through food
Back in March, Jose Cueva got an unexpected phone call from the president of Kennedy-King College: Cueva's perfect 4.0 GPA meant he would be graduating as salutatorian. "I was in shock; I wasn't expecting that," Cueva ...
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