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House of Blues Victory Party closes out IML
The winners, contestants, and spectators partied the night away after the IML contest at the Victory Party at The House of Blues on May 28. Photos by Joseph Stevens ...
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Billy Masters: 'Vegas loves Manilow' and Mary's sues Florida
"I always go back to Divine. Also I was always a big fan of Varla. There's such a wink and a poke." —Melissa McCarthy, who plays Ursula in the live-action film "The Little Mermaid", talks about ...
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IML visitors are off to (the leather) market
International Mr. Leather visitors shopped and took part in demonstrations at the event's famous (infamous?) Leather Market at the Congress Hotel over Memorial Day weekend. Several dozen vendors took part in the event; a portion of ...
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Chef Art Smith talks upcoming dinner and activism
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, including more than 230,000 Illinoisans. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends serve as dementia caregivers, with more than 383,000 caregivers in Illinois. Unti ...
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SHOWBIZ Warhol, Sarah Paulson, upcoming books, Rufus Wainwright, Elliot Page
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled seven to two that the late artist Andy Warhol wasn't allowed to use a photographer's portrait of Prince for a series of pop-art images, per The Hollywood Reporter. Associate Justice Sonia ...
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Joy heals: Artist Hannah Sellers's works explore gender, trauma and clothing
Note: This article mentions sexual assault and trauma. Color Club Gallery, 4146 N. Elston Ave., was well-lit by the early evening sun May 18 as the audience gathered for Q & A event that was part ...
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Illinois Healthcare Cultural Competency Coalition applauds passage of HB 2450
--From a press release
The Illinois Healthcare Cultural Competency Coalition applauds passage by the Illinois General Assembly of legislation that will ensure cultural competency is part of continuing medical education for a range of healthcare providers in Illinois. "We are ...
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Fire FC advances to Lamar Cup quarters with win
In the first-ever matchup between the two teams, Chicago Fire FC defeated Austin FC 2-0 in the round of 16 of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on May 24. Defender Rafael Czichos and ...
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Openly gay experimental artist/filmmaker Kenneth Anger dies at 96
Experimental filmmaker and artist Kenneth Anger has died at age 96. According to Variety, his gallery—Sprueth Magers, operated by Monika Spruth and Philomene Magers—confirmed the news on their website, writing ...
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Target removes some Pride merchandise after receiving threats
Ahead of Pride Month (June), Target is pulling some of its LGBTQ+ merchandise after facing "threats" and backlash from customers, Politico reported. Target's website features hundreds of items as part of its Pride Collection but will ...
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Lambda Legal marks 50 years with Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration
Lambda Legal marked its 50th anniversary with The Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration May 19 at the Art Institute of Chicago. The event honored Windy City Times Owner and Co-Founder Tracy Baim. The celebration was named ...
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NATIONAL DHS violence report, queer Democratic club, trans influencer dies, vigil, GLSEN Awards
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that threats of violence against the LGBTQ+ community are increasing—and intensifying, according to ABC News. "These issues include actions linked to drag-themed events ...
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Abortion news: North Carolina, Montana, Nancy Pelosi
On May 16, North Carolina's GOP-led General Assembly moved to ban most abortions after 12 weeks, overriding a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. The state House voted 72-48, along party lines, hours after the state ...
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Archdiocese of Chicago, Loyola offer spring retreat for LGBTQ+ community and families
--From a press release
The Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach of Chicago will partner with Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies to host a four-part spring retreat for the LGBTQ+ community and their family members starting May 24, 2023. ...
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Gigi Gorgeous Spills The T Guide at Chicago Humanities Festival
Chicago Humanities Festival has created events that bring artists and audiences together for one-of-a-kind experiences in the Windy City for years—and 2023 will be no different. Programming slated for this year includes LGBTQ+ favorites such such ...
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ATTRACTIONS Lose (and find) yourself in The Exhibit House
Walking into Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave.) was an experience, for sure. After all, it's not what it used to be. Marshall Field's and its successor, Macy's, are gone—as well as scores of other ...
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Warhol exhibition to open June 3 at College of DuPage
Following the success of 2021's "Frida Kahlo: Timeless," the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage will open an exhibition of the works of legendary artist/photographer Andy Warhol ...
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Chicago Opera Theater announces new General Director Lawrence Edelson
--From a press release
May 12, 2023 (Chicago) — After a three-month nationwide search, the Chicago Opera Theater (COT) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that veteran artistic leader and stage director Lawrence Edelson has been named the next ...
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Lyric Opera of Chicago introduces first-ever Artist-in-Residence program with soprano Whitney Morrison
--From a press release
CHICAGO (5/11/23) — Anthony Freud, General Director, President & CEO of Lyric Opera of Chicago, announced the launch of a new Artist-in-Residence program. Developed by Lyric Unlimited, the company's learning ...
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ART on THE MART's summer programs include Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Pride celebration
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — ART on THE MART, an innovative digital art project that transforms a Chicago architectural landmark into a larger-than-life canvas, will introduce two new commissions this summer. Building Light, a new projection by Gensler, ...
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PASSAGES: Real estate agent and former DJ Earl Reid, Jr.
Real estate agent and former DJ Earl King Reid, Jr. died May 1 due to hypertension and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He was 67. Reid was born in 1956 in Chicago, where he lived his entire life. ...
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Biden-Harris 2024 announces campaign national advisory board
--From a Biden for President press release
Today, the Biden-Harris 2024 reelection campaign announced the formation of its National Advisory Board, which will be comprised of 50 leading voices in the Democratic Party who will take a leadership role in helping deliver President ...
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South Chicago Dance Theatre to debut 'Memoirs of Jazz' on June 10
--From a press release
(May 8, 2023) Through the 1960s and '70s, Jazz in the Alley on Chicago's South Side was a hotbed for jazz and a meeting place for some of the country's prominent musicians, visual artists, poets, activists, ...
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Chicago Fire FC parts ways with head coach
On May 8, the Chicago Fire FC announced that the club has parted ways with head coach Ezra Hendrickson. Frank Klopas will be head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season. Additionally, the Club has ...
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Lambda Legal to celebrate 50 years with Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration May 19
--From a press release
Lambda Legal's Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration returns on Friday, May 19, 2023 at The Art Institute of Chicago. The event is named after Robert Bonvoulier "Bon" Foster, a Chicago attorney and civil rights leader who ...
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ARC Music Festival expands artist line-up with local acts
The organizers of the Sept. 1-3 house/techno event known as the ARC Music Festival—which will take place in Chicago's Union Park—has expanded its line-up of artists. ARC's phase-two lineup additions include Monnom Black label head an ...
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LAMMY Awards announce host, presenters, special guests for June 9 event
--From a press release
New York, NY, May 4, 2023 — Lambda Literary, the nation's premier LGBTQ literary arts organization, announced updates and additions, including host, special guests and more at the upcoming 35th Annual Lambda Literary Awards — aka ...
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Artemis Singers presents June 10 "Better Times Will Come" Pride Concert and Dance
--From a press release
CHICAGO─Artemis Singers, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present "Better Times Will Come" Pride Concert & Dance, Saturday, June 10, at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. ...
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Pansy Division marks 30th anniversary of album with tour that hits Chicago
Pansy Division—one of the first openly LGBTQ+ rock bands—is marking the 30th anniversary of its debut album, Undressed, by performing at several spots across the country. "Pansy Division started in 1991 because we knew there were ...
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Billy Masters: Darren Hayes is bummed out
"Don't fuck it up!" —Glenn Close's bit of advice over the Paramount+ series based on "Fatal Attraction". Darren Hayes has a nice bum. I hate to start in such a coarse way—not that I have firsthand ...
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LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project hosts first art exhibit at Center on Addison
On April 28, the LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project hosted on opening reception to kick off its first ever art exhibit, Iridescent Footprints: Stories and Glories of Our Lives, at Center on Addison. The exhibition features collaborative ...
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VIEWPOINT The Panama Papers: Rogue capitalism robs your wallet
On April 03, 2016, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists [ICIJ] started publishing almost 12 million files of leaked documents revealing the details of tax havens sheltering more than a ...
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Rainbow Railroad seeks to resettle 50 LGBTQI+ people safely in the USA, including 20 in Chicago
Rainbow Railroad recently held an informational meeting at Center on Halsted to announce its partnership with U.S. State Department administered Welcome Corps sponsorship program. The organization has chosen the Chicago ...
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SHOWBIZ Lily Tomlin, Daniel Craig, Lizzo, 'Noah's Arc,' Maurice Jamal, 'Heartstopper'
Video below
The Peabody Awards announced that Lily Tomlin and Issa Rae will receive honorary awards at the June 11 ceremony, to be held in Los Angeles for the first time in Peabody's 83-year history, per the Hollywood ...
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Contrary to California law, many parole hearings for trans, nonbinary people include misgendering
--From a press release
A new study of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) parole hearings by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law and the Social Justice Legal Foundation finds 43% of parole hearings for transgender and nonbinary people ...
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Biden administration files lawsuit challenging Tennessee's ban on trans youth care, HRC responds
--From an HRC press release
WASHINGTON- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, applauded the Department of Justice's filing of a federal lawsuit ...
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MUSIC Sawyer Fredericks talks 'The Voice,' artistic freedom, coming out as bi
Life has been a whirlwind for Sawyer Fredericks, who won season eight of the NBC show The Voice at age 16 several years ago. Since that triumph, Fredericks (who explores various aspects of folk music in ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame nominations extended, participation in Chicago's LGBT Pride Parade announced
--From a press release
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame announced today, that it will once again be one of the leading floats in Chicago's LGBT Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25. McKinsey & Company will sponsor the Pride float. ...
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OBAMA-OLOGY coming to Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in June
--From a press release
Evanston, IL — Tim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the cast for the company's season-opening Chicago premiere of OBAMA-OLOGY by Aurin Squire. The play is about a young gay African American college graduate ...
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White House proclaims 70th anniversary of the 'Lavender Scare'
On April 25, the White House issued a proclamation noting April 27 as the 70th anniversary of the Lavender Scare, which negatively—and extensively—impacted the LGBTQ+ community. In 1950, the U.S. State Department fired 91 employees because ...
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PASSAGES: Retired Chicago Fire Department district chief, paramedic Pat Ciara
Retired Chicago Fire Department (CFD) district chief, paramedic and at one time the highest ranking out lesbian in the history of the CFD, Pat Ciara died April 19 of lung cancer in Lake Worth, Florida. She ...
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Singer/actor/LGBTQ+ ally Harry Belafonte dies at 96
Actor/singer/civil-rights icon Harry Belafonte died at age 96 of congestive heart failure, according to Yahoo! Among the most honored performers of his era, Belafonte won two Grammy Awards (and the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in ...
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City of Chicago names inaugural Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, in partnership with the Chicago Public Library (CPL), the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Poetry Foundation, proudly named avery r. young as the inaugural ...
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Gerber/Hart Library and Archives holds Spring Soiree benefit event at Sidetrack
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives (Gerber/Hart) hosted "This Library is QUEER! The Gerber/ Hart Spring Soiree" benefit April 20 at Sidetrack. A large collection of the history and culture of Chicago and the Midwest's LGBTQIA communities is ...
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LA LGBT Center's gala raises $1M+; Leslie Jordan among those honored
On April 22, the Los Angeles LGBT Center raised more than $1 million to support its lifeline services and advocacy benefiting the LGBTQ+ community ...
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Joseph Kraft: Gay Chicago artist talks activism, stereotypes, love of art
Joseph Kraft has been an artist practically all his life. The Illinois native and Ukrainian Village resident's love of art has taken him to many places. His latest big move was more professional than geographical, as ...
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Report reveals abuses against LGBTQ+, transgender community, people living with HIV in the criminal legal system
--From a press release
(NEW YORK, NY — April 20, 2023) Today, Lambda Legal, in partnership with Black and Pink National, released Protected and Served? 2022 [ https://www.protectedandserved.org/2022-report ] , a report that reveals ...
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EXPO Chicago wraps up 10th-anniversary edition
EXPO Chicago: The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art concluded its 10th anniversary edition on April 16. Approximately 32,000 visitors viewed and/or purchased works by more than 80 curators ...
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Lambda Legal: Proposed national transgender youth sports ban 'ignorant and despicable'
(Washington, DC, April 19, 2023) — Today the U.S. House of Representatives considered HR 734, the Orwellian-titled Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, that would ban trans girls and women from participating in school ...
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Steppenwolf premieres a queer work of art with Last Night and the Night Before
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is premiering a new production called Last Night and the Night Before, with plenty of queer representation both behind the scenes and onstage. The story centers around a relationship between two sisters with ...
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Queer Art's Illuminations Grant to recognize Black trans visual artists
--From www.queer-art.org
The Queer|Art Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists sheds light on the under-recognized contributions of Black trans women visual artists and provides critical support to their continuing work. The application period is open for ...
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Arts Alliance Illinois encourages creatives to apply for $50M in grants for pandemic losses
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Arts Alliance Illinois is encouraging creatives across the state to apply for the B2B Arts (Illinois Creative Recovery) Grant, a historic $50 million in grant money being distributed by the Illinois Department of Commerce ...
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City of Chicago, DCASE announce 2023 Millennium Park Summer Season
--From a press release
City of Chicago and DCASE Announce 2023 Millennium Park Summer Season April 13, 2023 Free Concerts, Films, Workouts and More at the Midwest's #1 Attraction DCASE Communications dcase@cityofchicago.org Download Photos ...
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Artemis Singers to present 'Better Times Will Come'
--From a press release
Kick off LGBTQ+ Pride Month with Artemis Singers' next concert, Better Times Will Come, a celebration of hopefulness after this long global slog of fear and separation. Enjoy an uplifting experience highlighting opportunities to create a ...
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'Belting for Life' returns in May with new partnership with AIDS Foundation Chicago
--From a press release
CHICAGO—Chicago's favorite evening of big voices for a big cause, returns with the 8th annual Belting for Life. For one night only on Monday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Evanston, ...
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The Jeff Awards announce grants to inspire artists of color
--From a press release
CHICAGO—As an extension of its mission to promote and recognize theater excellence, The Jeff Awards is launching a new grant award program called the Jeff Impact Fellowship to help inspire early to mid-career artists of color ...
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Local artists bring new works to Center on Halsted
As part of its omnibus art gallery showing, Center on Halsted presented an opening reception for works by artists Jim McNamee and Rossa Crean. The showing took place on April 7 on the Center's second and ...
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Photo exhibit about '80s Black gay Chicago to run at Wrightwood 659
The exhibit "Patric McCoy: Take My Picture"—about 1980s Black gay Chicago—will run April 14-July 15 at Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood Ave. "Take My Picture" features a selection of approximately 50 black-and-white and color photographs from ...
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Chicago chosen to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention
--From a press release
CHICAGO—The Democratic National Committee today announced the selection of Chicago as the official site of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. The event, which will serve as the party's nominating convention for President Joe Biden and Vice ...
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Art event EXPO Chicago taking place April 13-16
The 10th-anniversary edition of EXPO Chicago—an international contemporary and modern art exhibition—will take place at Navy Pier and throughout Chicago on April 13-16. The fair's core programs include IN/SITU and ...
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Christopher Rudd's ballet Touche explores dynamics of gay love
Jamaican-born dance creator Christopher Rudd premieres his powerful choreography for Chicago audiences at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, on April 14, 2023. The all-male partnering piece titled Touche is part of the ...
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NATIONAL Immigrant update, Black LGBTQ+ officials, notable passings, trans roundtable
The Biden administration will allow immigrants seeking benefits to mark their gender identity without needing their documentation to match, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), The Hill reported. ...
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SHOWBIZ Trans musicians, NHL, 'Queen Charlotte,' Jinkx Monsoon, Anderson Cooper
The Face published an article about five trans musicians who should be on people's playlists. British queer nightlife legend Mya Mehmi said that those musicians include New York's Ms Boogie, London-based Harve, Arca, Ms. Carrie Stacks ...
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Chicago Academy for the Arts meets million-dollar challenge with gala
The Chicago Academy for the Arts held its "Inspire: Red Carpet Gala" on April 1 at Chicago's Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. The event, according to an email from school head Jason Patera, raised more than $400,000 ...
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CPD's internal affairs department looks into 'like' of anti-trans tweet
Internal affairs investigators are looking into a report that the official Twitter account for the Chicago Police Department (CPD) liked an anti-trans post by county-music singer Travis Tritt, according to The Chicago Sun-Times. A photo on ...
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U.S. Supreme Court allows W. Va. trans girl to participate in sports
On April 6, the U.S. Supreme Court stopped West Virginia from enforcing a sports ban against a transgender girl, NBC News reported. As a result, a 2021 law called the Save Women's Sports Act cannot be ...
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Lambda Legal replies to Biden administration proposed Title IX rule
--From a press release
(Washington, DC, April 6, 2023) — Today the U.S. Department of Education released a proposed Title IX rule concerning participation by transgender youth in school sports programs. Lambda Legal Senior Attorney and Director of Lambda Legal' ...
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Biden's Title IX proposal would limit bans on trans athletes
On April 6, the U.S. Education Department announced a proposed change to Title IX, which prohibits gender-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, NPR reported. The proposal would stop schools ...
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Center on Halsted recruiting for full time bilingual health educator positions
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Center on Halsted is currently recruiting for three open positions in our HIV department. We are looking for Bilingual Health Educators. This is a full-time, on-site position with complete benefits package. The duties for ...
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Record number of LGBTQ+ elected officials now serve in the U.S.
--From a press release
Washington, DC — LGBTQ+ Victory Institute released "Leading Out Loud: Growing LGBTQ+ Political Representation," a new report tracking increases in LGBTQ+ representation in government over the past five years. The release of the report is part ...
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Andy Cohen, drag queens, Hillary Clinton, Stacey Abrams part of Chicago Humanities Festival
The spring schedule for the Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) is out—and there are several LGBTQ+ guests who will be featured. —Bisexual actress/author Mara Wilson (who played the title character in ...
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C2E2 busts down brand new barriers at McCormick Place
The largest convention center in North America may need to expand the layout for C2E2 next year. McCormick Place South continues to be the home of the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and in 2023 ...
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SAVOR The Albert stuns with Calabrian-inspired cuisine; Dolci Amori
The Hotel EMC2, in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, certainly stands out in a city that's started with places to stay. Elements of arts and science are present throughout the hotel, from the room to the lobby to ...
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Illinois attorney general joins others in calling for an end to anti-LGBTQ+ blood-donation policy
--From a press release
Chicago — Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 22 attorneys general, issued a letter to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) today in support of a proposal that would end an outdated blood ...
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Knudsen looks ahead to April 4 runoff election
The following is part of Windy City Times' coverage of openly LGBTQ+ candidates in the 2023 municipal election. Ald. Timmy Knudsen narrowly came in first in the Feb. 28 general election, and is facing Brian Comer ...
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