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PASSAGES: Chicago musician, producer and DJ Don Crescendo
Queer Chicago musician, producer and DJ Rodney Donovan Taylor, a.k.a. Don Crescendo, was fatally stabbed on the evening of Sept. 12 in his Avondale neighborhood apartment building. He died Sept. 15 at Illinois Masonic Hospital after ...
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THEATER Mosaic Players revives 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche
Are suburban Illinois and Wisconsin towns ready to welcome 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche into their churches, synagogues and community colleges? The artists of a Lake County theater company certainly think so. "I was very pleasantly ...
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Reeling premieres a queer coming of age story told through a Southern Gothic lens
Ganymede, a Southern Gothic horror film that explores a teenager's experiences as he discovers his sexuality, will premieres Sept. 23 as part of the 41st Reeling Film Festival. The film, according to Chicago filmmakers Colby Holt ...
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Chicago musician, producer and DJ Don Crescendo killed in Avondale stabbing
Chicago's LGBTQ+ nightlife community and allies have rallied around the family and close friends of local longtime musician, producer and DJ Rodney Donovan Taylor, a.k.a. Don Crescendo, in the wake of his death by stabbing last ...
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19th annual Andersonville Arts Weekend Sept. 29 - Oct. 1
--From a press release
CHICAGO (September 18, 2023) The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to welcome back its 19tn annual Andersonville Arts Weekend, with the neighborhood transformed into a "walkable art gallery" ...
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Billy Masters: The world is full of amicable separations
"The people had to meet a couple of criteria, but it was just kind of my personal interest and love of them. Insofar as the women, just none of them were as articulate enough on this intellectual level." —Jann Wenner (co-founder ...
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SAVOR Negroni Week, Equality Illinois brunch, new bakery and more
Negroni Week (Sept. 18-24) is returning. Restaurants and bars around the world are joining forces to celebrate Negroni Week—a global charity initiative in support of Slow Food, with Campari at its heart, that has raised more ...
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Marge Summit's life to be celebrated Oct. 15
--From a press release
A celebration of the extraordinary life of Marge Summit, the legendary Chicago bar owner, promoter of live music artists, political advocate and much more who passed away on May 16, 2023. Born Sept. 3, 1935 in ...
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National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts Raices Gala hosts Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ricky Martin
--From a press release
CHICAGO, Illinois (September 15, 2023) — The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture released photos and video from its 10th Raices Gala, where Lin-Manuel Miranda bestowed the National Ceiba Award on international superstar ...
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Newsom ends California's travel ban against anti-LGBTQ+ states
On Sept. 13, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he signed SB 447 by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), which ends the state's restriction on taxpayer-funded travel by state agencies and departments ...
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Chicago Opera Theater starts 50th-anniv. season with 'Soldier Songs'
Chicago Opera Theater (COT) is kicking off its 50th-anniversary season with David T. Little's Grammy-nominated Soldier Songs—described as "a haunting, heavy-metal infused theatrical cantata about the psychological impact of war." ...
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Lesbian chef Susan Feniger coming to Chicago for Reeling
Susan Feniger. FORKED—a verite-style documentary by award-winning filmmaker Liz Lachman that captures moments and the impactful career of her life partner: culinarian, author, entrepreneur and James Beard Award winner Susan ...
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THEATER Jim Henson production in Chicago on Nov. 14-Dec. 31
A live theatrical adaptation of Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is making its Chicago debut Nov. 14-Dec. 31, at the Studebaker Theater at the historic Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Broadway World revealed. ...
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Prime minister of Andorra comes out as gay
Xavier Espot Zamora, the head of the government of the tiny European country of Andorra, has come out as gay—although he added that he never hid his sexual orientation, according to a translated article from The ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Sex Education' star, Rotten Tomatoes, Jessica Lange, Queer/Art
Video below
Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa officially came out during an interview with Elle UK, according to Out. "I remember being at Manchester Pride, going through the streets with all my boys, shaking my cha-chas, living it ...
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SAVOR Crumbl franchise co-owner talks about the sweet business of cookies
When it comes to success stories in the world of sweets, few companies and brands can compare to Crumbl and its signature pink box. Started by Jason McGowan (CEO) & Sawyer Hemsley (COO) in 2017 in ...
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NLGJA: Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists names Hall of Fame honorees
--From a press release
Washington, D.C. — Today, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists announced that co-publishers Susan Horowitz and Jan Stevenson, publisher Franco Stevens, and journalist James B. Stewart are the 2023 inductees ...
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'Saltburn,' 'Rustin' to be shown at Chicago International Film Festival
The 59th Chicago International Film Festival announced select highlights of this year's festival, running Oct. 11-22. Films will be presented at venues throughout the city, including the AMC NEWCITY 14, the Music Box Theatre, the Gene ...
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Hong Kong court grants rights of same-sex couples, stops short of marriage
On Sept. 5, Hong Kong's top court ordered the city's government to legally recognize the rights of same-sex couples in a partial victory for LGBTQ+-rights activists, CNN reported. Five judges from Hong Kong's Court of Final ...
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Openly gay airline CEO resigns amid controversy
Alan Joyce, the openly gay CEO of Australian airline Qantas, has resigned after being accused of participating in illegal ticket sales, Reuters reported. Joyce, the company's head for 15 years, had been scheduled to retire in ...
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Painting Chi-town P!nk at Wrigley Field
P!nk got the party started on a Saturday night at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Aug. 12—and it didn't stop for almost two hours. Thanks to leftover outfits from Barbie movie screenings, much of the crowd knew ...
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Halpern's multimedia 'self-portraiture on steroids' opens in West Loop
A pink and purple tapestry was mounted on the wall of a DIY punk practice space in the West Loop on Aug. 26, covered in hand-sewn embroidery floss and rhinestones. The digitally woven piece depicted a ...
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Ricky Martin to be guest at Sept. 14 gala in Chicago
Singer/actor Ricky Martin will be the guest of honor at a fundraiser for the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. The 10th Raices Gala will take place at Galleria Marchetti, ...
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NATIONAL Sorority suit, trans woman's win, school policy, activist honored
U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson dismissed a civil lawsuit against Kappa Kappa Gamma and Artemis Langford—the first openly trans woman to join a sorority at the University of Wyoming, according to Oil City News. Johnson ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus leader speaks on group's diversity, 'Sporty Forty'
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus (CGMC) is marking its 40th-anniversary season this year, and will start this milestone on Sept. 15-16 with "Sporty Forty," an event that is layered in meanings involving stereotypes and the group's ...
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Howard Brown Health reinstates workers following NLRB settlement recommendations
--From a press release
CHICAGO, Aug. 29, 2023 — Howard Brown Health reinstated 25 employees as part of a plan to follow the recommendations outlined in a proposed settlement from Region 13 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The ...
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African American Arts Alliance of Chicago names new president for first time in 25 years
--From a press release
CHICAGO—The nonprofit African American Arts Alliance of Chicago announced Charlique C. Rolle as its new board president, effective immediately. Rolle is the first new president in the Alliance's 26-year history ...
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WORLD Ethiopia, London attack, monument vandalized, British royals
Ethiopian LGBTQ+-rights activists said that authorities are targeting venues frequented by LGBTQ+ people in the nation, particularly in the capital city, Addis Ababa, per The Advocate. In addition, LGBTQ+ Ethiopians ...
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THEATER Goodman to run 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' in 2024
Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Susan Booth announced that Chicago will be first to experience the new musical Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil—based on John Berendt's iconic non-fiction book—next summer. With a book by ...
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PASSAGES Beauman "Beau" Kent Breeden
Beauman "Beau" Kent Breeden, 41, passed away Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. Beau is survived by his partner, Eddie Gamboa, and their rabbits Cap and Debbie, as well as queer family that went above and beyond to ...
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The Jeff Awards marks 55th anniversary with Equity nominations
--From a press release
(August 14, 2023 - Chicago, IL) — The 2022-2023 Equity Jeff Awards nominees include 214 theater artists across 32 categories of excellence in theater production among shows from 35 companies. During the most recent season, which ...
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LGBTQ+ Chicagoans mark 30 years in Bud Billiken Parade
By Vernon Hester and Matt Simonette
The annual Bud Billiken Parade kicked off on the morning of Aug. 12, carrying on the tradition of starting the school year with a celebration. Hailed as the largest African American parade in the country—and the ...
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Chicago Triathlon marks 40th anniversary on Aug. 26-27
Chicago will host one of the largest urban triathlons in the world, the Life Time Chicago Triathlon, on Aug. 26-27 as the event marks its 40th anniversary. Approximately 8,000 participants will take part in the event, ...
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Amigas Latinas Forever and queer Gage Park art exhibits open at Chicago Art Department
Amigas Latinas Forever, an art exhibit exploring this important Chicago organization (1995-2015), opened Aug. 11 at the Chicago Art Department, 1932 S. Halsted St. An additional exhibit, En El Abismo, Me Encontre by the Gage Park ...
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CDPH head Dr. Allison Arwady loses job
Dr. Allison Arwady—the head of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) who led the city through the COVID-19 pandemic—was let go from her job on Aug. 11. She never met with current Mayor Brandon Johnson ...
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Healthcare Cultural Competency Law approved, Illinois Healthcare Cultural Competency Coalition responds
--From a press release
CHICAGO — The Illinois Healthcare Cultural Competency Coalition applauds Governor JB Pritzker's approval today of legislation that will ensure cultural competency is part of continuing medical education for a range ...
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New HRC data: LGBTQ+ youth still lack critical support and acceptance
From a press release: WASHINGTON—The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released a report in partnership with the ...
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PASSAGES: Former OPALGA+ board member, editor JoAnn Ziebarth
Former Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA+) board member and editor JoAnn Ziebarth died July 18 after suffering a bad fall. She was 67. Ziebarth was born Dec. 27, 1955, in DeKalb, where ...
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SAVOR Epic Burger CEO talks nutrition, money, upcoming specials
Epic Burger's David Grossman is probably one of the most affable and down-to-earth CEOs you're likely to meet. Grossman will talk about a variety of subjects (including some tumultuous days at his alma mater, the University ...
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Billy Masters: Ricky Martin takes it slow
"You guys were talking earlier about the news cycle and getting sick of it, and it's so hard to hear about it. I hope that 'Taste the Nation' is an anecdote to that." - Padma Lakshmi probably means to say "antidote" ...
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SAVOR The Lunchroom, Signature Room, Martha Stewart and more
This week's SAVOR spotlight shines on The Lunchroom at SPACE 519. The Lunchroom is a bustling 40-seat restaurant/cafe within SPACE 519, a concept store in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood at 200 E. Chestnut St., adjacent to Water ...
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Teen suspect arrested in killing of gay dancer
The New York Police Department arrested a suspect in the fatal stabbing of 28-year-old O'Shae Sibley, who was attacked last weekend at a Brooklyn gas station. According to The Advocate, Sibley, a professional dancer, had been ...
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Florida to now allow AP psychology to be taught after anti-LGBTQ+ flap
UPDATE: The Florida Department of Education said over the weekend of Aug. 5 that it will now allow the full curriculum for an advanced placement (AP) psychology class to be taught to high school students, The Advocate reported. ...
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EXCLUSIVE Legendary coach Dorothy Gaters on her career, being part of the LGBTQ+ community
One thing became apparent during a recent talk with iconic John Marshall Metropolitan High School girls' basketball coach Dorothy Gaters. She IS Marshall High School. Even though the talk took place in an office (alongside her ...
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Center on Halsted's Jenny Urban trains a new generation of chefs
Recently, Windy City Times chatted with Chicago chef Jenny Urban, the Director of Culinary Arts at Center on Halsted. Urban has been in the Chicago restaurant scene for more than a decade, and they've recently brought ...
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Chicago Fetish Weekend gets into gear
Chicago Fetish Weekend kicked off July 21 with the welcome party, which was held at The Baton. Emcee Pup Figaro introduced the judges, tally masters and the nine contestants vying for the two titles of Midwest ...
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NATIONAL Rufus Gifford, school items, N.C. situation, Texas judge
Rufus Gifford, the highest-ranking openly LGBTQ+ official at the State Department, is leaving his post as chief of protocol to become finance chair for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, The Advocate reported. Gifford, who is married ...
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Opinion: Artificial Intelligence and the Hollywood strikes, and why you should care
The two primary issues in the Writers Guild and SAG/AFTRA strikes are streaming and artificial intelligence. In my judgement, the AI issue, in the long term, is the fundamental issue. But, let me begin with streaming. ...
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Black queer artists wrestle with questions around identity
A group of Black queer artists spoke on July 8 about the continuously-shifting experiences—and perceptions of identity—within LGBTQ+ communities of color at the South Side Community Arts Center, 3831 S. Michigan Ave. The panel, "The New ...
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Dwyane Wade is newest Chicago Sky co-owner
Retired NBA champion and onetime Chicago Bull Dwyane Wade has joined the WNBA's Chicago Sky ownership group, ESPN reported. Wade told the sports outlet, "It's a great opportunity to be a part of the league in ...
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WORLD Greece and marriage, Latvia, Japan ruling, Tanzania, soccer news
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in a Bloomberg interview that the legalization of same-sex marriage is part of his government's strategy, per The Pappas Post. "Same-sex marriage will happen at some point and it's part ...
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Lambda Legal replies to Biden administration proposed HHS grants rule
--From a press release
(Washington, DC, July 11, 2023) — Today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a proposed new rule modifying nondiscrimination protections for beneficiaries of and participants in ...
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Biden administration moves to ensure equal treatment of LGBTQ+ people in federal programs, NCLR responds
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds the Biden Administration for taking steps to eradicate harmful discrimination in federally-funded social service programs. The U.S. Department of ...
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The Sarah Siddons Society to offer ten professional development grants for theater artists
--From a press release
CHICAGO (July 11, 2023) — The Sarah Siddons Society is proud to expand on its mission to further support the professional growth of the next generation of Chicago area theatre artists. This year is the inaugural ...
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Gay attorney Ray Koenig talks about historic Chicago Bar Association post
After 150 years in existence, the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) has started another new chapter in the story of inclusion. Ray J. Koenig III, a longtime attorney for the firm Clark Hill, is the CBA's newest ...
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Executive summary of Nat'l LGBTQ+ Women's Community Survey released
--From a press release
Los Angeles LGBT Center, in partnership with Justice Work and 120 partner organizations, has released the executive summary of initial findings from the largest and most comprehensive survey on LGBTQ+ women who partner with women in ...
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Chicago's Fine Arts Building hosts 125th anniversary celebration Oct. 13
--From a press release
CHICAGO (July 7, 2023)—Chicago's historic Fine Arts Building (410 S. Michigan Avenue) celebrates its 125th anniversary with a major public event on Friday, October 13 from 5-9 p.m. that activates all ten floors of this Chicago ...
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Out at CHM hosts its first 2023 event
On June 28, Chicago History Museum (CHM), 1601 N. Clark St., transformed itself into a "supportive space for trans joy" to mark its support for transgender individuals. The event was presented as part of Out at ...
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Passages: Benjamin Feathers passes away
Benjamin Feathers, "Pup Fenrir", 41, of Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, died in an apartment fire on July 1. Ben lived a very lively life. He was a lifestyle member of Chicago's Leather community. Like so many others, ...
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Take Up Space founders reach for community-building possibilities
Two Chicagoans are working to bring a new business—one part coffee shop, one part co-working space, one-part events venue—centering Black and queer identities to Lake View. Co-founder M. Rashaad Barnett said he envisions the business, to ...
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Campus Pride: College administrations must articulate plans to combat systemic racism in admissions
--From a Campus Pride press release
CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 30, 2023 — Campus Pride decries the Supreme Court's ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, which prohibits colleges and universities from considering race as an ...
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PASSAGES Music producer, vocalist, business owner Ralph Lampkin Jr.
Music producer, vocalist and business owner Ralph Lampkin, Jr. died June 24 of a heart attack. He was 66. Lampkin was born April 29, 1957, in New York City, where he lived with his parents Ralph ...
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SHOWBIZ Rocker comes out, Billie Eilish, Luke Evans, 'Housewives,' 'Masculinity' book
Josh Kiszka, frontman for the Grammy-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet, came out as gay in an Instagram post, according to Instinct Magazine. He wrote, in part, "The greatest mortal gift of all is our capacity ...
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VP Kamala Harris, husband host Pride reception with GLAAD
On June 28, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff hosted a reception in partnership with GLAAD to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month and to urge leaders to unite in the fight for LGBTQ+ acceptance ...
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Mayor Johnson hosts Pride Reception
Chicago Mayor Johnson's first annual Pride Reception was held June 27 at the Chicago Cultural Center's Preston Bradley Hall. Chicago mayors starting with Richard M. Daley have hosted these annual gatherings. Johnson spoke to the several ...
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HHS hosts Pride Summit and celebrates Pride month
--From a press release
On Monday, June 26, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hosted a Pride Summit featuring hundreds of advocates and allies from the LGBTQI+ community and leaders from across the Biden-Harris Administration. The ...
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Los Angeles LGBT Center releases executive summary of National LGBTQ+ Women's Community Survey
--From a press release
LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles LGBT Center, in partnership with Justice Work and 120 partner organizations, released the executive summary of initial findings from the largest and most comprehensive survey on LGBTQ+ women who partner with women ...
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Pride North returns to Rogers Park
North Siders and other community members headed to Rogers Park for the neighborhood's Pride North celebration, which takes place each year in the Glenwood Avenue Arts Corridor over the course of Pride Weekend. Photos by Joseph ...
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Andersonville hosts Backlot Bash
Partygoers gathered in Andersonville June 24 for the Chicago Pride Backlot Bash, which took place at 5238 N. Clark Street. ...
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Rain doesn't slow down 2023 Chicago Pride Parade
A month's worth of Pride festivities culminated June 25 with the 2023 Chicago Pride Parade, winding once again through the streets of Uptown, Lake View and Lincoln Park. More than 200 entrants took part, among them ...
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HRC condemns North Carolina senate for passing anti-trans sports ban
--From a press release. Video below
Raleigh, North Carolina — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) condemned the North Carolina Senate for passing House Bill 574, which would prohibit transgender students from participating in school sports ...
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Chicago House hosts Pride fundraiser at Bambola
On June 11, Chicago House Associate Board member Jon Knott in partnership with Dan Alfonso and Ryan Meyers hosted an informal fundraiser for the organization at popular bar/restaurant Bambola, 1400 W. Randolph St. The weekend event ...
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Chicago's DFSS launches emergency financial assistance for gender-based violence, human trafficking survivors
--From a press release
CHICAGO — The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) today announced the official launch of the Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) for Gender-based Violence and Human Trafficking (GBV/HT) Survivors ...
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Bezalel's photography exhibition captures the humanity of Argyle Night Market
Ronit Bezalel's first solo exhibition captures the humanity of Uptown's Argyle Night Market By Jess Savage Ronit Bezalel photographed only faces to capture her subjects' humanity in a single moment. Her first solo show, "Faces of ...
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What's the latest with CPD's LGBTQ+ liaisons? WCT talks with a CPD deputy director
Two years ago, Windy City Times talked with the Chicago Police Department's (CPD's) Deputy Director of Community Policing Mike Milstein and then-citywide liaison Bernard Escamilla about the city's LGBTQ+ liaisons for the CPD. Since the ...
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