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THEATER "The world keeps spinnin' 'round and 'round" for Andrew Levitt in Hairspray
"Welcome to the '60s," where psychedelic fashions ruled and mini-skirts were everywhere. Soul music gained a strong voice while segregation separated the dance floors. John Waters' original 1988 film Hairspray displayed drag diva Divine as mother ...
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James Beard dinner rescheduled for March 15
Chef Cedric Harden—of the River North restaurant River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle St.—will participate in the James Beard Foundation's 2021-2022 Taste America culinary series in collaboration with featured guest Chef ...
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With her sexual orientation called a motive to kill, she's now appealing for clemency
This story was initially produced by Injustice Watch, a nonprofit newsroom focused on exposing institutional failures that obstruct justice and equality. Subscribe to their weekly newsletter here. Prosecutors in Bernina Mata's 1999 murder trial made ...
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Former WCT 30 Under 30 honoree appointed human-rights commissioner
On Jan. 27, the Chicago City Council confirmed Daniel R. Hernandez, Esq.'s appointment as commissioner for the Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR). Windy City Times named Hernandez one of its 30 Under 30 honorees in ...
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THEATER August Wilson's 'Gem of the Ocean' at Goodman through Feb. 27
Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., is staging a major revival of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean—nearlytwo decades after the play premiered on the same stage. It's directed by longtime resident director Chuck Smith, who ...
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Smollett to be sentenced March 10
On Jan. 27, a judge set an in-person sentencing hearing for March 10 for embattled actor Jussie Smollett (Alien Covenant; TV's Empire), who was convicted by a jury last December of faking a hate crime attack ...
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DANCE Alvin Ailey company at Auditorium Theatre on March 2-6
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to stages on a coast-to-coast national tour starting Jan. 28 in Philadelphia; kicking off Black History Month at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 1; and traveling to ...
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Pope Francis: Parents should support gay children
Pope Francis said Jan. 26 that parents should support, not condemn, gay children, CBS News reported. In speaking about how parents should always stand by their children during difficult times, including illness or accidents, the pope ...
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Local burlesque dancer tells stories through movement
When words can't describe how Jenn Freeman feels and thinks, she turns to movement. In the studio, she dances to a mixtape of music, spoken word and historical speeches. As her body moves, Freeman asks herself, ...
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HRCF releases Corporate Equality Index; dozens of Chicago companies score 100
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation released its 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which is celebrating 20 years of measuring company policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. This year ...
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Museum program 'LGBTQ+ Life and Death Under the Nazi State' on Feb. 3
On Thursday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m., the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center will host the virtual program "LGBTQ+ Life and Death Under the Nazi State." Attendees will explore how the Nazi state reacted to ...
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SPORTS Chicago Bears hire Matt Eberflus as newest coach
Matt Eberflus will be the 17th head coach of the Chicago Bears, The Chicago Tribune reported. In his first move as Bears general manager, Ryan Poles hired Eberflus from a group of finalists that included Dan ...
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Talks begin for new Near West Side major league soccer training facility
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chicago Fire Football Club, Ald. Jason Ervin (28th Ward),and Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) CEO Tracey Scott announced the start of preliminary discussions on a ...
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SPORTS Bulls, Blackhawks prevail
The Chicago Bulls (30-17) defeated the Toronto Raptors (23-23) 111-105 at the United Center on Jan. 26 to pull into second place in the Eastern Conference. Nikola Vucevic hit a three-pointer from the left wing with ...
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GLSEN announces new executive director
GLSEN announced that its newest executive director is Melanie Willingham-Jaggers (they/she). Before joining GLSEN in 2019 as deputy executive director, Willingham-Jaggers was the program associate director of The Worker Institute ...
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Trans Jeopardy! champ's win streak ended by Chicago-area librarian
All good things must come to an end—including Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider's win streak. Schneider, a transgender engineering manager from Oakland, California, lost her 41st game to Chicago Ridge multimedia librarian Rhone Talsma in an episod ...
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LGBT Chamber opens new office in Springfield
The LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois announced the opening of an additional office in Springfield, according to a press release. The headquarters will remain in Chicago. "We are committed to LGBT business advocacy and our ...
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Chicago Sky hire Ann Wauters as assistant coach
The defending WNBA champion Chicago Sky have hired Ann Wauters as an assistant coach, General Manager/Head Coach James Wade announced in a press statement. "We are very excited to welcome Ann to our staff." Wade said. ...
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Supreme Court Justice Breyer to retire; groups urge Biden to increase court's diversity
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer—the panel's oldest member—plans to retire, giving President Joe Biden his first opportunity to nominate a member of the nation's top court. Breyer, 83, informed the president last week of his ...
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Victory Gardens presents reading of 'exercise your demons,' a play on trauma of a gay male body
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — Victory Gardens Theater presents the Ignite Chicago reading of exercise your demons: a play on the trauma of a gay male body written by Gage Tarlton and directed by Ryan Dobrin, with movement ...
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Justice Stephen Breyer, champion of LGBTQ+ equality, to retire; HRC comments
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, in response to United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer announcing his retirement, Human Rights Campaign Interim President Joni Madison issued the following statement: "With Justice ...
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Andersonville Chamber of Commerce to present annual Hygge Fest Feb. 4 - 6
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (January 25, 2022) — The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to present its annual Hygge Fest featuring a weekend of "Hygge-themed" promotions from participating Andersonville businesses from ...
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COVID All states still on Chicago's travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) did not add or remove any states or territories from its COVID-19 travel advisory on Jan. 25. For the fourth consecutive week, every U.S. state and four territories are ...
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VIEWPOINT: FDA must lift discriminatory blood-donor policy
With the nation's blood supply at its lowest point in a decade, and the American Red Cross declaring its first-ever national blood crisis earlier this month, it is time for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ...
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Equality California endorses openly LGBTQ+ candidates for state legislature
-- From a press release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — For the first time in history, California's Legislative LGBTQ Caucus could increase to 10% of the state legislature in 2022. Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ ...
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Chicago Red Stars appoint Michelle Lomnicki associate general manager
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, IL. (Jan. 26, 2022) — Michelle Lomnicki, a former player for the Chicago Red Stars, has been named the club's associate general manager. "We're thrilled to have Michelle expand her role with the Red Stars," ...
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Indiana Court of Appeals denies trans teen's birth certificate gender-marker change
Last August, the Indiana Court of Appeals, in a two-to-one ruling, denied the request of a transgender teen's ("H.S.") to have his birth certificate's gender marker changed from female to male. A trial court judge in ...
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Report: Taliban targeting LGBT Afghans
OutRight Action International and Human Rights Watch said in a report that LGBT Afghans and people who do not conform to rigid gender norms in Afghanistan have faced an increasingly desperate situation and grave threats to ...
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Chicago Bears hire Ryan Poles as general manager
The Chicago Bears have hired Ryan Poles, 36, as their next general manager, a press release stated. Poles has spent the last 13 seasons working with the Kansas City Chiefs as a player personnel assistant (2009), ...
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Ex-NU professor sentenced for fatally stabbing boyfriend
On Jan. 25, former Northwestern University professor Wyndham Latham—who, in October 2021, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Trenton Cornell—was sentenced to 53 years in prison, WGN-TV reported. Lathem, 47, was ...
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Michigan settlement lets faith-based agencies reject same-sex adoptions
Faith-based adoption agencies that contract with Michigan can refuse to place children with same-sex couples under a proposed settlement filed in federal court, a HuffPost item noted. The development happened months after the U.S. Supreme Court ...
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THEATER REVIEW The Moors
Title: The Moors. Playwright: Jen Silverman At: A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St. Tickets: $30-$40; ARedOrchidTheatre.org. Runs through: Feb. 27 "I've been employed in many houses," declares newly hired Emily, following her arrival at ...
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Florida lawmakers pass "Don't Say Gay" bill, Black LGBTQ+ civil rights group responds
-- From a National Black Justice Coalition press release
FLORIDA — The Florida House Education & Employment Committee has passed HB 1557, the Parental Rights in Education bill, known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. This bill and its companion Senate bill SB 1834 would ...
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Hubbard Street Dance Chicago announces 2021/22 44th season, 'RE/CONNECT'
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) has announced its 2021/22 44th season Spring Series: RE/CONNECT. The dance company will premiere two programs that will take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E. Chicago ...
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Recording Academy partners with GLAAD to foster LGBTQ+ inclusion in the music industry
-- From a press release. Video below
Los Angeles, CA — Tuesday, Jan. 25—GLAAD announced that the Recording Academy® has donated $150,000 to the organization to support its work to diversify the music industry. In addition to the donation, GLAAD and the Recording ...
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Equality Illinois updates COVID protocols for Feb. 5 gala
Equality Illinois has updated its COVID protocols regarding its Feb. 5 gala, which will take place at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. The organization will be requiring negative COVID test results in addition to ...
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SPORTS Bulls edge Oklahoma City 111-110
The Chicago Bulls (29-17) barely got back in the win column, edging the Oklahoma City Thunder (14-33) 111-110 in Oklahoma. Zach LaVine—who had missed several games with an injury—scored 23 points along with seven assists and ...
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COMEDY Trans comedian River Butcher performing March 11
Non-binary trans comedian River Butcher will perform on The Heath Mainstage, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., on Friday, March 11, at 7 and 9:15 p.m. Butcher is a Los Angeles-based stand-up comic, actor and writer. Originally from ...
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PASSAGES Renowned author, professor, LGBTQ+-rights activist Arnie Kantrowitz
Renowned author, professor and LGBTQ activist Arnie Kantrowitz died Jan. 21 in New York City's Upper East Side Rehabilitation Center due to complications from COVID-19. He was 81. Kantrowitz was born Nov. 26, 1940, in Newark, ...
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Pope Benedict admits mistake in sex-abuse case
On Jan. 24, retired Pope Benedict XVI admitted that he did attend a meeting in Munich in 1980 where an abusive priest was discussed, saying an earlier denial was the result of an editing mistake, according ...
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ICYMI: NCAA Facilitator quits in protest of NCAA's failure to protect trans athletes
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Dorian Rhea Debussy, Ph.D. (they/them), one of 54 facilitators in the NCAA Division III LGBTQ OneTeam program, resigned in protest of recent actions the NCAA has taken, including a new policy around ...
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Hell in a Handbag Productions presenting 'The Drag Seed'
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (January 24, 2022) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 20th anniversary season with a revival of its popular comedy The Drag Seed, an unauthorized parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller ...
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Five Worth Finding: Mango Pickle, play about gay movie stars and more
—Mango Pickle: I've written about this Edgewater restaurant before—and, fortunately, the unique quality of the Indian menu items remains. I was fortunate enough to recently experience the 21 Days of ...
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Founders First offering grants to underrepresented Chicagoland business owners
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Founders First CDC— a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers expansion in diverse founder-led, revenue-generating businesses—announced a second and expanded Job Creators Quest Grant ...
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Cook County gets $500K from MacArthur Foundation to increase racial equality in justice system
-- From a press release
[Chicago, Jan. 24, 2022] — Last week, Cook County was announced as the recipient of a $500,000 grant by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to build upon existing efforts to address racial and ...
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SPORTS Bulls fall to lowly Orlando 114-95
The short-handed Chicago Bulls (28-17) continued their slide, losing to the Orlando Magic (9-39) 114-95 on Jan. 23 in Florida. The Bulls were recently first in the Eastern Conference; now, they're in third place. DeMar DeRozan ...
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Billy Masters: Adele, 'Pam & Tommy,' and more
"Yes, it is true—for over a year, we have been trying to film a script called My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. What is also true, we are not filming; when we get film insurance, we are going to Greece to ...
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Fashion designer Thierry Mugler dies at 73
Openly gay French fashion designer Thierry Mugler (full name: Manfred Thierry Mugler) has passed away at age 73, according to media reports. Madonna, Lady Gaga and Cardi B are among those who have worn his designs. ...
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SAVOR Jake Melnick's Corner Tap
Winter in Chicago (and other relatively northern spots) is known for many things—including comfort foods. Well, the River North spot Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., has it in spades—and it's all delicious. How ...
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SHOWBIZ 'The Gay Agenda,' Elliot Page, actress dies, sports items, Rock Hudson
Netflix has launched The Gay Agenda, a podcast that looks at the lives of LGBTQ creatives at the top of their fields across different industries, NBC News noted. The goal, the streaming service said, is to ...
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WORLD Namibia ruling, crimes, LGBTQ+ film festival, blogger sentenced
Namibia's High Court ruled against two same-sex couples fighting for recognition of their marriages, with Judge Hannelie Prinsloo saying she agreed with them but was bound by the nation's prohibition of same-sex relations, Reuters reported. Daniel ...
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NATIONAL Trans deaths, N.J. official, political items, 'Queer Eye'
The murders of two Black transgender women in the early days of the new year struck an ominous tone in the wake of two of the deadliest years on record for transgender Americans, Gay City News ...
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SPORTS Packers fall to 49ers in NFL playoffs
The Green Bay Packers made the NFL playoffs while the Chicago Bears didn't. However, they'll both be watching this year's Super Bowl from home after the top-seeded Packers (13-5) fell to the San Francisco 49ers (12-7) ...
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Chile president-elect names LGBTQ+ people to his Cabinet
Chilean President-elect Gabriel Boric—who won a runoff election on Dec. 21, 2021—named two openly LGBTQ+ people to his Cabinet on Jan. 21, the Los Angeles Blade reported. Marco Antonio Avila, a gay man, will be the ...
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Bulls, Blackhawks fall short; 'Hawks reschedule games
In NBA action, the Chicago Bulls (28-16) fell short against the defending-champion Milwaukee Bucks (29-19), losing 94-90 in Wisconsin on Jan. 21. Bulls coach Billy Donovan was livid after the game. He was upset about Bucks ...
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Lambda Legal issues assessment of Biden-Harris administration's work for LGBTQ+, HIV communities
-- From a press release
Washington, D.C. — Lambda Legal released a new comprehensive report that assesses the Biden-Harris administration's first year with respect to its impact on the LGBTQ+ community and everyone living with HIV. While the report identifies significan ...
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HRC condemns NCAA for failure to protect LGBTQ+ athletes
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Late last night, the NCAA ratified (https://www.ncaa.org/news/2022/1/20/media-center-ncaa-members-approve-new-constitution.aspx) its new constitution, which does not include nondiscrimination policy language that had ...
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Abortion Rights Panel marks 49th anniversary with demand to defend historic Roe v Wade
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — To commemorate the 49th anniversary of Roe v Wade, a diverse national panel of speakers will demand that the U.S. Supreme Court uphold Roe, defending 50 years of legal abortion, and that supporters mobilize ...
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Mayor Lightfoot, DCASE, dance community designate 2022 the "Year of Chicago Dance"
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—In deep partnership with the local dance community, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Commissioner Erin Harkey have designated 2022 as the "Year ...
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COVID Chicago's top doctor 'hopeful' vaccine mandate will end by spring
Chicago's top physician is "hopeful" that Chicago's vaccination requirement for indoor dining and other public areas will be removed once the city's COVID-19 spread declines significantly, The Chicago Tribune noted. ...
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Former Iowa Mr. Leather and computer programmer Ken Ballard dies at 43
Former Iowa Mr. Leather, computer programmer and gay Chicagoan Ken Meverick Ballard died Jan. 11 in his Lake View home at the age of 43. The cause of death is currently unknown. Ballard was born July ...
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Former pope faulted in report on sexual abuse in German diocese
A long-awaited report on sexual abuse in Germany's Munich diocese faulted retired Pope Benedict XVI's handling of four cases when he was archbishop in the 1970s and 1980s, The Chicago Tribune reported. Westpfahl Spilker Wastl, the ...
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VIEWPOINT Who is my neighbor?
The notion of functioning as a Good Samaritan is one that transcends any particular faith tradition. The idea of humans treating humans in a humane way sounds so simple, yet history and modernity are replete with ...
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Virtual Creating Change rescheduled for March 19-20
-- From a press release
Jan. 20, 2022—Washington, D.C.: The National LGBTQ Task Force's Creating Change conference, which was recently changed to a virtual format due to the on-going impact of the COVID pandemic, will now be held March 19-20. Over ...
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MOVIES Siskel films include 'The Power of the Dog,' 'Flee'
The Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., has current and upcoming movie slates that include everything from older classics to current award-festival favorites. On the more contemporary side, the Jane Campion film The Power ...
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Planned Parenthood Illinois Action launches virtual Black Community Town Hall Series in February
-- From a press release
CHICAGO - Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) proudly announces a new Black Community Town Hall series in honor of Black History Month. The series of virtual discussions will tackle topics such as community wellness and care, ...
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Failure to enact Freedom to Vote is a blow to vulnerable groups
-- From a press release
From Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund: "The failure to enact the Freedom to Vote, John R. Lewis Act is a profound blow to our Democracy. The inability to ensure ...
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'Jane's Army' to recruit, deploy pro-choice volunteers
-- From a press release
Chicago, IL — Personal PAC, Men4Choice, and Future Voices Council have launched Jane's Army — a joint campaign to recruit activist volunteers to educate, motivate, and activate pro-choice voters ahead of the critical 2022 election. This ...
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Revry's Black History Month of LGBTQ-First Films and Series celebrates Black stories
-- From a press release
Los Angeles - This Black History Month, Revry is programming LGBTQ-first Black stories with themes from the differently-abled, LGBTQ athletes, activists and the lesbian, trans and the cis-gender lesbian community. Over 35% of Revry's audience is ...
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Hubbard Street Dance finds new home at Water Tower Place
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) has moved its studio to a 13,000-square-foot space on the fourth floor of Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave. The new facility will include a dance studio, artist lounge, office ...
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LGBTQ+ organizations release eighth State Equality Index
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation and the Equality Federation Institute released their eighth annual State Equality Index (SEI). The SEI is a comprehensive report that groups states and Washington, D.C. ...
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Sinema under fire from LGBTQ+ groups for voting-rights stance
Some LGBTQ+-rights organizations have criticized U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona)—a member of the community—after her stance on voting rights. Sinema and fellow Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, have ...
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SPORTS Bulls end losing streak against Cleveland
The Chicago Bulls (28-15) ended their four-game losing streak with a sorely needed 117-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers (27-19) on Jan. 19 at the United Center. DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic combined for 54 points, ...
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NCAA updates trans-related policies
The NCAA has adopted a sport-by-sport approach for transgender athletes, bringing the organization in line with the U.S. and International Olympic Committees (IOC), POLITICO reported. Under the new guidelines, approved ...
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PASSAGES Pansy Kings performance artist, education advocate Murray McKay
Pansy Kings performance artist, education advocate, curator, designer and LGBTQ activist Edward Murray McKay died Jan. 4 of cancer. He was 53. McKay was born Oct. 2, 1968, in Brussels, Belgium. The family moved to Toronto ...
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