| |
LGBTQ+ baseball executives announce cancer battles
Openly gay Major League Baseball (MLB) executive Billy Bean announced he has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and that he needs a donor for a bone-marrow transplant, Gay City News noted. USA Today initially reported ...
|
| |
| |
Three films score 10 nods each in Chicago Film Critics Association's 2023 Awards
--From a press release
Chicago, IL (December 8, 2023) — The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) announced nominees for their top film honors of 2023; winners will be announced at the organization's annual awards ceremony to be held in Chicago ...
|
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Dr. Rachel Levine, World AIDS Day, trans deaths, Philly bar art
United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama Liles C. Burke ruled that emails and other records from U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine are relevant to a lawsuit challenging Alabama's ban ...
|
| |
| |
WORLD Laws and HIV/AIDS, Russia's crackdown, LGB Alliance, Olympians
A senior UN official said that anti-LGBTQ+ laws stop people from accessing life-saving health services and seriously impede progress on eliminating HIV/AIDS, The Guardian reported. Sixty-seven countries have laws that ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Former Disney star, women's sports, Latifah, Lenny Kravitz, 'Barbie'
Videos below
In an essay about mental health that ran in Teen Vogue, former Disney star Karan Brar came out as bisexual, Out noted. In the essay, Brar talked about moving out of his parents' place —something that ...
|
| |
| |
Wisconsin governor vetoes anti-trans youth healthcare ban
In an expected move, Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill that aimed to outlaw gender-affirming care for minors, CBS News reported. Evers has sworn to strike down any proposals from the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature ...
|
| |
| |
Brittney Griner strikes deal with ESPN, Disney
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner will partner exclusively with ESPN and Disney Entertainment Television to share her story through various projects on their platforms, according to a press release. A documentary ...
|
| |
| |
Lambda Legal, ACLU of Iowa file lawsuit against sweeping anti-LGBTQ law in Iowa
--From a press release
Last Tuesday, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit wit ACLU of Iowa and with co-counsel support from the law firm Jenner & Block LLP to block a sweeping law in Iowa (SF 496) that seeks to silence ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago author's new guide leads lesbian fiction authors toward inspiration and publication
From a press release: Award-winning and bestselling lesbian fiction author Elizabeth Andre—the pen name for a Chicago-based interracial lesbian couple—has published her latest book, titled Self-Publishing Lesbian Fiction, Write Your ...
|
| |
| |
SAVOR these holiday options
Fine and Dandy: The second annual "A Very Dandy Holiday" will pop up at The Dandy Crown, 694 N. Milwaukee Ave., throughout December, starting at 3 p.m. daily. The Dandy Crown's outgoing beverage director and award-winning ...
|
|
| |
| |
Trans actress, gay actors, 'Kokomo City' receive Spirit Award nominations
The nominations for the 39th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced—and LGBTQ+ actors, directors and productions definitely made their mark. Trans actress Trace Lysette was announced as one of the nominees for Best Lead ...
|
| |
| |
MOVIES Rick Cosnett chats about 'Shoulder Dance,' Molly and Jason Momoa
In the new movie Shoulder Dance, which is out on streaming, friends Ira (played by out actor Matt Dallas, looking and sounding quite different than from his days on TV's Kyle XY) and Roger (played by ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago Red Stars re-sign defender Taylor Malham
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Dec. 5, 2023) — The Chicago Red Stars re-signed defender Taylor Malham, whose contract was set to expire at the end of 2023. Malham stays signed with the team through 2024, with a club option ...
|
| |
| |
New doc brings home that 'We Live Here' and everywhere
The new Hulu documentary We Live Here: The Midwest highlights the challenges faced in recent times by LGBTQ+ residents of the Midwest, giving voice to a wide representation of people struggling to simply live their lives ...
|
| |
| |
MOVIES Director Daniel Peddle on the sequel to the classic doc 'The Aggressives'
In 2005, Daniel Peddle released The Aggressives—a groundbreaking documentary filmed during the late '90s and early '00s in New York City that profiled several masculine-presenting/transmasculine people of color. Fast-forward to ...
|
| |
| |
STRUT marks World AIDS Day with 14th Annual Fashion Show
On Dec. 3, John Fleming and Madman Productions presented the 14th annual STRUT fashion show at Joe's on Weed Street, 940 W. Weed St. As in previous years, the standing room only show was a fundraiser, ...
|
| |
| |
Joli Angel Robinson tapped as new Center on Halsted head
Center on Halsted announced on Dec. 5 that Dallas-based advocate Joli Angel Robinson has been appointed as the Center's new chief executive officer. Robinson begins in the new role on Jan. 8, 2024. Robinson comes to ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters: The icing on the cake at a gender-reveal party
"To hell with this place!"—George Santos's parting comments after being ejected from Congress. He also said that Congress "is full of felons galore." At least, that's what I think he said. With his lisp, it sounded ...
|
| |
| |
Bring Chicago Home: Guess who's saying no again
Commentary by Bob Palmer and Mark Swartz
Chicago is ushering in an era of change with a new progressive mayor with a vision to invest in communities long ignored and a significant increase in like-minded city council members. We are excited to see ...
|
| |
| |
Sidetrack hosts 2023 Speedo Run
On the afternoon of Dec. 2, Sidetrack Video Bar kicked off the 2023 holiday season by hosting the Santa Speedo Run, marking the 12th edition of the yearly fundraiser for Center on Halsted. About 220 runners ...
|
|
| |
| |
Catching up with The Cottages: How have tiny homes for the homeless fared in Dallas?
Walking along the sidewalk, the smell of homemade stew wafts out of a window a few feet away. Cats and their kittens gather under trees and in between the gray, green and brown tiny houses. Freshly ...
|
| |
| |
THEATER Nelson Rodriguez talks boxing, queerness and his very personal play
On Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Chicago Cultural Center, there will be a reading of New Personalidad—a play by actor, playwright and former Windy City Times 30 Under 30 honoree Nelson Rodriguez. The program, part of ...
|
| |
| |
World AIDS Day commemorated at AIDS Garden Chicago
On the rainy morning of Dec. 1, Chicago Parks Foundation and the AIDS Garden Chicago Board of Directors hosted a World AIDS Day commemoration at AIDS Garden Chicago, just south of Belmont Harbor on the Lakefront. ...
|
| |
| |
ALMA Chicago holds second annual community reception
Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) Chicago held its second annual community reception Nov. 30 at La Celia Latin Kitchen in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood. This free event introduced the inaugural ...
|
| |
| |
May December film blossoms on Netflix
The Netflix feature film May December, directed by Todd Haynes, takes the craft of character study to a whole new level. The plot is inspired by the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau, an elementary school ...
|
| |
| |
Jussie Smollett loses appeal, might head back to jail
Embattled out gay actor Jussie Smollett could soon be back behind bars after an Illinois appeals court backed the ex-Empire actor's disorderly conduct convictions stemming from a faked 2019 hate crime and lying to Chicago cops, ...
|
| |
| |
Santos voted out of Congress
Now-former U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-New York) was voted out of Congress on Dec. 1. Santos is the sixth House member in U.S. history to be booted from Congress, and the third since the Civil War, ...
|
| |
| |
GLAAD marks World AIDS Day with launch of global resource hub, new HIV report
--From a press release
New York, New York — Friday, Dec. 1 — GLAAD marked World AIDS Day this year by sharing the results of its fourth annual State of HIV Stigma Report, a national survey among U.S. adults measuring ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ 'Bodyshop,' Beyonce, Ani DiFranco, Billie Jean King
The Breaking Glass Pictures film Bodyshop will be out on digital on Dec. 5, per a press release. The plot is described thusly: "The ghost of a young soldier sexually assaulted by his lieutenant says goodbye ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Tenn. law, banned books, rainbow complex, journalists quit
Under pressure from a lawsuit over an anti-LGBTQ+ city ordinance, officials in Murfreesboro, Tennessee removed language that banned homosexuality in public, MSNBC noted. Passed in June, Murfreesboro's "public decency" ordinance ...
|
|
| |
| |
WORLD Queer teen dies, trans activist honored, HIV drugs, mpox, British lesbian
In India, queer makeup artist Pranshu reportedly died by suicide—at age 16—after being subjected to relentless attacks online, PinkNews noted. On social media, LGBTQIA+-rights advocacy collective Yes, We Exist claimed ...
|
| |
| |
Govs. Newsom and DeSantis debate LGBTQ+ rights, other issues
In a somewhat unusual face-off, Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis debated various topics in a Nov. 30 event that Fox News' Sean Hannity moderated, CBS News noted. "The Great Red ...
|
| |
| |
'She was here...and she is here': Street to be renamed after Elise Malary
By Alec Karam
The memory of the late activist Elise Malary will soon become a permanent part of Andersonville's Catalpa Avenue. The renamed "Elise Malary Way" will encompass the Catalpa Plaza area, a planned pedestrian plaza between Ashland Avenue ...
|
| |
| |
SAVOR REVIEW The Florentine
The contemporary Italian restaurant The Florentine has been around for a decade—and like many restaurants, it's gone through some changes. Yes, the warm woods and the library-study atmosphere are still there, as well as the friendly, ...
|
| |
| |
Russia court classifies LGBTQ+ activists as 'extremists'
On Nov. 30, Russia's Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ+-rights activists should be classified as extremists—a move that representatives of queer people fear will lead to arrests and prosecutions, Reuters reported. The court approved a request from ...
|
| |
| |
LGBTQ+ couple the first in South Asia to have marriage recognized
Transgender woman Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey became the first LGBTQ+ couple to have their marriage legally recognized in South Asia after they received a legal certificate in Nepal's Lamjung district on Nov. 29, The Guardian ...
|
| |
| |
George Santos defiant ahead of another expulsion vote
Embattled gay U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-New York) has remained defiant ahead of a second expulsion vote scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1, according to CNN. Santos has repeatedly said that he will not resign, but momentum ...
|
| |
| |
Martina Navratilova continues anti-trans comments
Lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been in the news lately for anti-trans comments, although she has been making them for quite some time. She recently sparked controversy with her remarks on a tribute by UK ...
|
| |
| |
Wrightwood 659 to present 'Daniel Goldstein: The Marks We Leave Behind' on World AIDS Day
(CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2023) —Alphawood Exhibitions will present Daniel Goldstein: The Marks We Leave Behind, an exhibition of works from the San Francisco-based artist & HIV/AIDS activist's iconic "Icarian Series," ...
|
| |
| |
Fla. students walk out after school board's anti-trans actions
In Florida, hundreds of students at Coconut Creek's Monarch High School held a walkout on Nov. 28 after their principal and several other school officials were reportedly reassigned over a transgender student's participation on the girls ...
|
| |
| |
BOOKS Lucas Hilderbrand reflects on gay history in 'The Bars Are Ours'
In The Bars Are Ours (via Duke University Press), Lucas Hilderbrand, a professor of film and media studies at the University of California-Irvine, takes readers on a historical journey of gay bars, showing how the venues ...
|
| |
| |
Pope Francis's community of transwomen
It's a rare opportunity to meet the pope. It's even rarer if you're a transgender Catholic. However, on Nov. 19, in Torvaianica, Italy, a community of transwomen, many of them sex workers, were welcomed and seated ...
|
| |
| |
PASSAGES Todd Vitale
Todd Louis Vitale, 60, a professional vocalist and Realtor who lived in Chicago's Sheridan Park neighborhood, passed away peacefully Nov. 15, after a long battle with ALS-Lou Gehrig's disease. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, Todd ...
|
| |
| |
'When Black queer people win, everybody wins': Foundation releases report to improve equity at community orgs
In November, Lighthouse Foundation released its 2023 update on its research project, the Black Queer Equity Index, providing a guide that non-profit leaders can use to improve the experiences of marginalized employees and clients. Since 2020, ...
|
| |
| |
PERFORMANCE Teatro Zinzanni's Carisa Hendrix talks magic, queerness and Canada
One could call Teatro Zinzanni's newest production, "Love, Chaos, and Dinner," a meal and a show—but that would definitely shortchange this ongoing extravaganza. Taking place at the Loop's Cambria Hotel, there is not a bad seat ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters: The Dolly Cowboy Cheerleaders
Whoever intended to dumb down the citizens of America have done a FANTASTIC job. We are dumb as shit!"—Patti LuPone in an interview with broadcaster Tom Power prior to her touring show Don't Monkey with Broadway ...
|
| |
| |
'Sleeping with Beauty' serves up naughty holiday laughs
Seasonal British pantomimes have been securing the talents of such known performers as Henry Winkler, George Takei and Sir Ian McKellen for decades now. This inventive recounting of fairy tales, utilizing popular song, comedy and rowdy ...
|
| |
| |
Jerry Mitchell bops into Boop!
Director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell is bringing black-and-white Boop! The Betty Boop Musical into a world of color at the CIBC Theatre this winter. It's a pre-Broadway world premiere for the musical starring Jasmine Amy Rogers ...
|
| |
| |
BOOKS Owen Keehnen takes readers to an 'oasis of pleasure' in 'Man's Country'
In the book Man's Country: More Than a Bathhouse, Chicago historian Owen Keehnen takes a literary microscope to the venue that the late local icon Chuck Renslow opened in 1973. Over decades, until it was demolished ...
|
| |
| |
Ghana cardinal: It's time to understand homosexuality
Ghana Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson told the BBC that being gay should not be considered illegal and that people should be helped to understand the issue of homosexuality better. Turkson's comments come as his country's ...
|
| |
| |
SAVOR Cody's dog drive, 'Dandy Holiday' and Santa
New addition: Firewood BBQ, 1856 W. North Ave., has launched its newest weekend brunch item—the brisket pierogi Benedict. For a limited time only, Chef Art Wnorowski and wife/business partner Gosia Pieniazek are presenting this Benedict that ...
|
| |
| |
Hell in a Handbag to present 'Peep Show: The Handbag 2023 Benefit'on Dec. 10
--From a press release
CHICAGO—Hell in a Handbag Productions will present its 2023 benefit: Peep Show—a peep through the curtains at the company's 2024 season—on Sunday, Dec. 10, 11:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. at The Center on Halsted's The Hoover-Leppen ...
|
| |
| |
Trans women banned from playing cricket
Transgender women have been barred from playing in international women's matches under a new policy from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the BBC reported. Any player who has gone through male puberty will not be eligible ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Billy Porter, queer novel, 'Tammy Faye,' queer DJ, Bella Ramsey
Billy Porter released his long-awaited new album, Black Mona Lisa, via Island Records UK/Republic Records, and it's executive-produced by Justin Tranter, a press release noted. Porter said, "So many of the songs on my album have ...
|
| |
| |
WORLD Thai marriage law, French bill, Miss Universe, IKEA, activist dies
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that the cabinet approved a draft law on marriage equality and that it would be brought to parliament during a session starting in December, Reuters reported. If the draft law ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Trevor Project, anti-trans crimes, priest sentenced, hate-crimes unit
The Trevor Project announced the extension of its partnership with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, reaffirming its commitment to providing specialized assistance to LGBTQ+ people who call 9-8-8, The Advocate reported. Interim Senior Vice President ...
|
| |
| |
Sarah Siddons to produce 'Noor Inayat Khan: The Forgotten Spy'
In a first for the 71-year-old Sarah Siddons Society, it will produce a one-night performance of Noor Inayat Khan: The Forgotten Spy—a new one-woman play written and performed by Almanya Narula, a 2016 Siddons Scholarship recipient ...
|
| |
| |
Openly gay OpenAI CEO back in charge of company
On Nov. 21, OpenAI said it had reinstated Sam Altman as its chief executive—the latest chapter in a saga that involved a boardroom coup and staff backlash. The company, which is behind ChatGPT, also said it ...
|
| |
| |
OPINION For LGBTQ+ children, the holidays are often the most challenging time of the year
Holiday time for most of us is a time to spend more time with family and loved ones, but for many children, it is a harsh reminder of their non-acceptance and thus, is all the more difficult as well. ...
|
| |
| |
Berlin Nightclub closes after nearly 40 years, following boycott
Decades of Photo Archives below
After nearly forty years, Berlin Nightclub, 954 W. Belmont Ave., officially closed its doors Nov. 19 following a months-long fight between its owners and unionized workers. Owners Jim Schuman and Jo Webster officially announced Berlin Nightclub's ...
|
| |
| |
Disney exhibition chronicles a century of entertainment history
Disney100, a large-scale traveling exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, has opened at the Exhibition Hub Art Center, 2367 W. Logan Blvd., in Bucktown. Hundreds of props and artifacts from the company's ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago Red Stars provide 2023 roster update
--From a press release
CHICAGO (November 20, 2023) — In accordance with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) end-of-season process, the Chicago Red Stars announce the following roster updates. The club exercised the option ...
|
| |
| |
Photographer Irene Young launches book with stellar concerts
"Something About the Women" was appropriately the closing song for two sold-out, stellar concerts at Berkeley's Freight & Salvage November 19, in celebration of the new book of the same name by Irene Young, the legendary ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters: Was Kim Kardashian officiating your wedding worth it?
I'd hoped to never again type the word "Jada" again. But this week, it's inevitable. It is being alleged that actor Duane Martin (don't feel bad—I had to look him up as well) slept with Will ...
|
| |
| |
SAVOR Fairmont Lodge, the MCA's newest sandwich and Krispy Kreme
Owning it: As I have mentioned, The Ramova Theatre will officially reopen this fall in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood, at 3520 S. Halsted St., as a live music venue, craft brewery, beer garden and grill. However, news ...
|
| |
| |
SAVOR REVIEW Brunch at Costera Cocina Tulum
The source of the newest Chicago restaurant trend just might be Tulum, Mexico. Fifteen or so years ago, few people had heard of this town. However, tourism and the spot's population have skyrocketed—not to mention the ...
|
| |
| |
YEPP 'rises' to occasion at fall fundraiser
Members and guests of Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP) gathered Nov. 17 at Chicago Theater Works, 1113 W. Belmont Ave., for the organization's fall fundraiser, Rise Up: Our Celebration of Resistance. The evening marked both the ...
|
| |
| |
Chicagoans gather to mark the 2023 Trans Day of Remembrance
Brave Space Alliance, Chicago Therapy Collective and Life is Work joined forces to celebrate Trans Day of Remembrance under the banner New Era Together Nov. 19 at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St., on the West ...
|
| |
| |
Scotland announces five-year plan to help nonbinary people
Scotland's government has announced a five-year action plan to improve the lives of non-binary people, Yahoo! News reported. Among other things, the first-of-its-kind plan in the UK (and, quite possibly, in the world) includes actions to ...
|
| |
| |
PASSAGES: Mexico's first out nonbinary magistrate Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo
On Nov. 13, Mexico's first out nonbinary magistrate and LGBTQ+ activist Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo was found dead in their state of Aguascalientes home alongside their partner Dorian Herrera. They were 38. According to state prosecutor ...
|
| |
| |
Victory Fund celebrates Midwest LGBTQ+ activists and officials
On Nov. 15, the Victory Fund Midwest Chapter held its annual fundraiser and gala, "Victory in the Midwest," at Venue West. 221 N. Paulina St. The event honored Jim Bennett (formerly Lambda Legal's Chicago office manager ...
|
| |
| |
Out sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson receives multiple honors
Over the past few weeks, LGBTQ+ sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has received several honors. The city of Dallas honored LGBTQ+ sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson—twice, according to LGBTQ Nation. Her former high school named the track where she ran ...
|
| |
| |
SCOTUS Hamburger Mary's decision: small victory, big concerns
In a surprise move, a 6-3 majority of the U.S. Supreme Court did something good for LGBTQ+ people: It rejected Florida's request for a stay against a lower court decision—a stay that would have enabled the ...
|
| |
| |
PASSAGES Ashley Marie McClure-Wolfson
Ashley Marie McClure-Wolfson, "Ash," pharmacist, BCACP, AAHIVP, passed away suddenly Nov. 11. She was 35 and a resident of the Andersonville neighborhood. Born in Burnsville, Minnesota, Ashley graduated from Burnsville High School and completed a six-year ...
|
| |
| |
PASSAGES Best-selling author, labor lawyer, feminist, LGBTQ ally Linda Hirshman
Best-selling author, renowned pro-union labor lawyer, Brandeis University professor, feminist and LGBTQ ally Linda Hirshman died Oct. 31 in Burlington, Vermont of cancer. She was 79. Hirshman was born April 26, 1944, in Cleveland where she ...
|
| |
