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SHOWBIZ Laverne Cox, PBS special, Ricky Martin, queer books/authors
Nouveau Productions and PBS announced a new collaboration for Pride Month, per a press release. The special True Colors: LGBTQ+ Our Stories, Our Songs will offer a unique look at the history of the LGBTQ+ community ...
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16th Street Theater to run abortion-centered 'The Billboard' June 23-July 17
Berwyn's 16th Street Theater is running The Billboard on June 23-July 17 at Northwestern University's Abbott Hall, 710 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago. Natalie Y. Moore's play follows a fictional women's clinic in Chicago's Englewood neighb ...
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WORLD Canadian law, GLAAD, Pride Flag situation, German story hour
Members of Canada's LGBTQ community, Indigenous people and minority groups fear a proposed law tackling online harm could disproportionately curtail their online freedoms and even make them police targets, The Toronto Sun reported. Plans for an ...
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Chicago Sports Alliance, McCormick donate $300K to anti-gun violence groups
The Chicago Sports Alliance—a collaboration between the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox—along with the support of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, announced it will commit $300,000 to the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation ...
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Cubs beat White Sox; Sky fall; Red Stars tie Portland on Pride Night
Continuing the Crosstown Classic at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 28, the Chicago Cubs topped their South Side counterparts. A Patrick Wisdom bloop double and a Frank Schwindel single set the tone early for the Cubs, ...
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Church of Scotland votes to allow same-sex marriages
The Church of Scotland has voted to allow same-sex marriages after recent warnings that its historical opposition had increased the church's decline toward irrelevance, The Guardian reported. The church's general assembly voted 274-136 to allow it ...
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amfAR gala highlights Cannes Film Festival, raises $19M
The amfAR gala, the highlight of the famed Cannes Film Festival, returned as a glamorous in-person event May 26 at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France, according to a press release. amfAR, The Foundation for ...
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Lambda Legal discusses court decisions granting same-sex couples fair access to Social Security benefits
Lambda Legal—a national organization committed to actualizing the rights of LGBTQ+ people through impact litigation, public policy work and education—hosted an event at Sidetrack May 26 discussing its work securing ...
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Equality Illinois to host Pride Kickoff Brunch on June 4
Equality Illinois will host its Pride Kickoff Brunch on Saturday, June 4, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina Ave. This year, the organization's honoree will be Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris—the first ...
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Jussie Smollett back to work; BET+ plans to show his directorial debut
Embattled former Empire actor Jussie Smollett is back to work after being convicted of faking a hate crime in Chicago earlier this year, ABC 7 Chicago reported. Smollett, 39, makes his directorial debut in the movie ...
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Okla. governor signs anti-trans, strict abortion measures
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has recently signed a couple controversial measures into law. According to ABC News, Stitt has signed a bill requiring public school students to use only the bathroom of the sex listed on ...
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About Face to run immersive comedy about climate-change activism
About Face Theatre brings its 27th season to a close with a world premiere comedy created by and starring the About Face Youth Theatre ensemble. Gayme Changers will run June 18-24 at The Den Theater, 1331 ...
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'Community Parades and Activism: LGBTQ Claiming its Space' on June 4
The discussion-centered event "Community Parades and Activism: LGBTQ Claiming its Space" will take place Saturday, June 4, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, 3000 N. Elbridge Ave. An open discussion about LGBTQ/SGL activism ...
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Milwaukee LGBT Community Center has first Black executive director
The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center has broken a barrier by hiring its first Black executive director, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The board of directors named Kevin Turner-Espinoza—who identifies as a Black, Mexican and gay cisgender ...
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THEATER Steppenwolf's gay-themed 'Choir Boy' to run June 16-July 24
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will run the Tony-nominated play Choir Boy. by Oscar-winning Steppenwolf ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), on June 16-July 24. Directed by Kent Gash, the production features ...
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Jodie Foster to star in fourth season of 'True Detective'
The Silence of the Lambs star Jodie Foster is to lead the fourth iteration of HBO's True Detective franchise, True Detective: Night Country, Deadline reported. Foster, who will also executive-produce, will play Detective Liz Danvers in ...
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State Farm drops GenderCool Project; Illinois General Assembly LGBTQ Caucus, Equality Illinois respond
This week in response to an outcry from a hateful few, Illinois-based insurer State Farm dropped their support for The GenderCool Project, which provides LGBTQ-affirming books to schools across the country on a voluntary basis. We ...
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Kevin Spacey charged with sexual assault in the UK
In the United Kingdom, embattled actor Kevin Spacey has been charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of "causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent," Variety reported. The decision ...
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CDPH issues statement about monkeypox
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued a statement about the monkeypox virus. "[The department] is working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the ...
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Howard Brown Health unveils Pride mural at Walsh Park
On May 25, Howard Brown Health unveiled a mural celebrating Pride month, in collaboration with local artist David Anthony Geary. The unveiling took place at Walsh Park, 1722 N. Ashland Ave. Wintrust Bank's ongoing community partnership ...
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OUTBermuda hires first-ever executive director
Bermuda's LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit OUTBermuda has hired its first-ever executive director—Tiffany Paynter—as it looks to expand its impact and strengthen its sustainability as a resource. A social entrepreneur and longtime ...
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LGBTQ Victory Fund endorses 20 more LGBTQ candidates
-- From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed 20 more out LGBTQ candidates. Victory Fund has now endorsed 292 candidates running in the 2022 ...
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Trevor Project: 45% of LGBTQ youth considered suicide in the past year
The Trevor Project recently released its 2022 survey on the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth. According to an introduction from Trevor Project CEO & Executive Director Amit Paley, the survey demonstrates that rates of suicidal thoughts ...
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Brave Space Alliance purchases South Side building in expansion move
In its ongoing efforts to provide safe spaces for transgender and gender non-confirming BIPOC, Brave Space Alliance (BSA) closed on a 7,000-square-foot building on 71st Street and Jeffrey Avenue, in the South Shore community, to expand ...
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Governor Pritzker, Lt. Governor Stratton comment on Texas tragedy
-- From a press release
Chicago — In the wake of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that killed at least 19 students and two adults, Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton released the following ...
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DANCE Cerqua Rivera's 'Mood Swing' on May 28
On Saturday, May 28, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre will host "Inside/Out with Mood Swing" at 7:30 p.m. at Dovetail Studios, 2853 W. Montrose Ave. Mood Swing is described as Cerqua Rivera's "suite of passionate responses to ...
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The Museum of Public Relations to address wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation June 2
-- From a press release
(New York, NY) - The Museum of Public Relations in New York City will host its fourth annual event focused on "The LGBTQ Experience in Public Relations" on June 2, 2022, from 6pm to 8pm ET. ...
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Artist Rick Sindt explores queer desire and pornography in 'Skin Remembers'
Rick Sindt, a Chicago-based artist who recently moved to St. Louis, explores the discovery and development of queer attraction in his exhibit "Skin Remembers." Sindt transforms pornographic stills, repurposing them into images of intimacy. Sindt recently ...
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Sky win on Ring Night; Cubs soar; White Sox routed by Red Sox
On May 24, the Chicago Sky (4-2) defeated the Indiana Fever (2-7) 95-90 at Wintrust Arena. Prior to the game, the Sky held its Championship Ring and Banner Night for winning the WNBA championship last year ...
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Indiana institutes anti-trans sports ban, overrides Holcomb's veto
The Indiana General Assembly overturned Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb's veto of House Bill 1041, which prohibits transgender girls from playing girls school sports, according to the IndyStar. The House voted to override the veto 67-28; the ...
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THEATER REVIEW Seagull
Title: Seagull. Playwright: Anton Chekhov At: Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; Steppenwolf.org Tickets: $20-$88. Runs through: June 12 The final test of success for any undertaking lies in how well it accomplishes its intended purpose. ...
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THEATER Lesbian-cruise drama 'Seven Days at Sea' running thru June 5
Light and Sound Productions is running the world premiere of Seven Days at Sea, written by Martha Hansen and directed by Margaret Knapp, through Sunday, June 5, at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway. The performance ...
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NBA coach/former Chicago Bull pleads for gun control after Texas shootings
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr discussed something besides basketball in his pregame news conference heading into Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Many 24, ESPN noted. "Since we left ...
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CDC publishes new HIV surveillance reports
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new HIV surveillance report: Diagnoses of HIV Infection in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2020; and a new HIV supplemental surveillance report: Monitoring Selected National ...
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MOVIES 'George Michael: Freedom Uncut' to be released June 22
Sony Music Entertainment and Trafalgar Releasing will release the movie George Michael: Freedom Uncut as a global event on Wed., June 22—and it's fitting that the documentary about the late gay singer will air during Pride ...
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Ricky Gervais courts controversy with graphic anti-trans jokes
(WARNING: There is graphic language in this article.) Yet another Netflix special is courting controversy because of a comedian making anti-trans jokes. Ricky Gervais' Netflix comedy special SuperNature has drawn criticism for a string of grap ...
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VIEWS Another 'Handmaid's Tale,' or sex and the supreme Catholics
Amy Vivian Coney Barrett was confirmed as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 26, 2020. Barrett is only the fifth woman ever to serve on the Court. She is also the sixth Catholic ...
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Chicago attractions named to U.S. summer travel list
Four Chicago area attractions have been named among the 150 best things to do in the United States this summer by Travel Lemming. The online travel guide's list highlights the publication's favorite summer events, experiences and ...
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Batavia public school rally to call for equity in education
-- From an Equality Illinois press release
BPS Parents for Equity and Justice and Batavia Public School (BPS) students to host a rally and call to action in response to ongoing inequities in the treatment of all marginalized groups and the district's reluctance ...
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Molson Coors to host Tap Into Change program kickoff at Roscoe's
-- From a press release
With Pride Month right around the corner, Molson Coors is celebrating the return of its Tap Into Change Program, a program in which proceeds of sales from Molson Coors products at select locations are donated to ...
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Chicago Red Stars to celebrate Pride Night on May 28
The Chicago Red Stars will host their annual Pride Night Saturday, May 28, at SeatGeek Stadium when the club takes on the Portland Thorns. Leading up to the match, fans will have the opportunity to bid ...
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Yankees player suspended for comment about White Sox's Anderson
Major League Baseball issued a one-game suspension and undisclosed fine to New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson for what the league calls "inappropriate comments" to Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson during a May 21 ...
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Actor/model David Pevsner challenges age and body stereotypes in recent book
When writing his recent book—Damn Shame: Desire, Defiance and Show Tunes—actor/model/filmmaker David Pevsner noticed three themes coming to the fore: body shame, sexuality and ageism. "All three of those are ...
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Siskel to show 'Judy Garland Summer Centennial Retrospective'
This June and July, the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., will celebrate Judy Garland to mark the 100th anniversary of her birth (June 10, 1922). The Judy Garland Summer Centennial Retrospective will involve ...
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NIH LGBTQ+ webinar to be presented June 9
On Thursday, June 9, 1-2:30 p.m. CT, the NIH Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office will host a special Pride edition of the Scientific Webinar Series to spotlight the recently released National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, ...
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Pritzker signs measure protecting Illinoisans with disabilities in housing, state government
-- From a press release
Chicago— Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed HB2775 and SB180 into law today, expanding protections for Illinoisans with disabilities in state government and housing. HB2775 amends the Illinois Human Rights Act ...
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Gayla Turner talks new book uncovering her grandmother's secret queer identity
In Gayla Turner's debut book, Don't You Dare: Uncovering Lost Love (BookBaby, May 24), she reveals her Grandmother Ruby's (1896-1977) century-old secret queer identity that she hid from the wider world. This revelation became c ...
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THEATER Musical 'Get Out Alive' running July 8-Aug. 7
Haven will continue its 2021-22 season with Nikki Lynette's multidisciplinary afrogoth musical Get Out Alive, co-directed by Roger Ellis and Lucky Stiff, which features the writer and her personal journey with mental health. The production will ...
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Planned Parenthood of Illinois launches abortion pill-by-mail service within the state
-- From a press release
CHICAGO - Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) will offer abortion pills through the mail to qualifying patients with an Illinois address. The FDA permanently removed in-person dispensing requirement for Mifepristone ...
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Lakeside Pride to present 'Sweet Home Chicago" May 29, part of Pride Bands Alliance Conference
-- From a press release
On Sunday, May 29 at 7pm, Chicago's Auditorium Theatre will host the culmination of the 40th annual Pride Bands Alliance conference. Chicago's Lakeside Pride is welcoming Pride Bands Alliance members from its family of 38 affiliate ...
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Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith named to Time100 List
-- From a press release
St. Petersburg, FL — TIME named Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith to the 2022 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The full list and related tributes appear in ...
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Report: Southern Baptist Convention leaders mishandled allegations of sexual abuse
A bombshell report stated that leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) mishandled allegations of sexual abuse, intimidated victims and their advocates, and resisted attempts at reform over the course ...
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Billy Masters: Theater
"Well, thanks Colin. That's the end of my career. Because you know, that role really should have been mine."—Rupert Everett tells Piers Morgan his reaction when he heard Colin Firth would play the lead in Tom ...
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'EMERGENCE: Intersections at the Center' exhibit highlights queer community art
South Side Community Art Center's (SSCAC) newest exhibition explores the center's role in uplifting and supporting a community of queer Black creators through a collection of their art from the 1940s through the 1980s. "Bringing black ...
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Howard Brown Health releases annual report
Recently, Howard Brown Health released its annual report, "Building Towards Health Equity." The report begins, "In 2021, Howard Brown Health not only rose to the occasion in our pandemic response, we laid the groundwork for the ...
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SPORTS Sky, Red Stars, Cubs and White Sox all win
Candace Parker gave a historic performance as the Chicago Sky (3-2) defeated the Washington Mystics (5-2) 82-73 on May 22 in D.C., a press release noted. Parker—who made her 361st career start—finished with 16 points, 13 ...
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PREVIEW 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 Chappelle open and tell anti-trans jokes [UPDATE]
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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