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Five Worth Finding: Chocolate festival, lesbian sci-fi film, 'Smahtguy'
—The Long Grove Chocolate Festival: The beloved Chocolate Festival will return to the historic streets and parkways of downtown Long Grove for the first time in three years, May 20-22. Chocolate lovers can experience so much—including ...
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WORLD Eswatini ruling, Toronto deaths, Greece, blood donations
The High Court in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) rejected an appeal for legal recognition by the local LGBTQ+-rights group Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities, citing "laws … prevailing in the kingdom" ...
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Judge blocks part of Alabama law criminalizing care for trans youth
On May 13, U.S. District Judge Liles Burke blocked part of an Alabama law that made it a felony to prescribe gender-affirming puberty blockers and hormones to transgender minors, USA Today reported. ...
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PASSAGES Dr. David Ostrow dies at 74
Longtime researcher Dr. David Gene Ostrow, of Chicago, died unexpectedly on Feb. 16 at home. He was 74. The cause of death was end-stage renal disease, according to the Tribute Archive website. Ostrow was born on ...
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Pro-choice coalition to rally May 14 in Chicago's Union Park
-- From a press release
'Rally for Abortion Justice,' part of a nationwide 'Bans Off Our Bodies' day of action will takes place in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. on Saturday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. The crowd may be 25,000 strong according to organizers. ...
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Judge: Dallas hospital must start gender-affirming treatment for trans youth
In Texas, Dallas County Judge Melissa Bellan temporarily removed all barriers for transgender youth seeking medical treatments from Children's Medical Center Dallas—providing a major win for doctors fighting to restore ...
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Dance for Life returns to Auditorium
-- From a press release
Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which supports the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance community, announces the program for its 31st annual fundraiser, Dance for Life 2022, which takes place Saturday, August 13 at 6 p.m. ...
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U.S. COVID-19 death toll exceeds 1 million
One million Americans have now died from the coronavirus, according to an announcement President Joe Biden made May 12, according to ABC News. The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is now equivalent to the population ...
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U.S. Senate Republicans and one Democrat block abortion-protection bill
On May 11, the U.S. Senate failed to advance a Democrat-led bill that would enshrine broad protections for legal abortion nationwide—a vote triggered by a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that indicates Roe v. Wade will ...
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HRC calls for passage of the Women's Health Protection Act
-- 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, joined a growing number of organizations calling for the ...
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Running squad 'Team to End AIDS' calls for participants to raise funds
-- From a press release
(Chicago, IL) Over the last 19 years, TEAM TO ENDS AIDS (T2)—the only HIV charity fundraising marathon team in the Midwest—has raised more than $13 million for HIV/AIDS awareness and direct support for those living with ...
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Lightfoot, City Clerk Valencia announce partnership with UN Women
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and City Clerk Anna Valencia announced a partnership with UN Women's Global Flagship Program, Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces. The initiative responds to sexual violence against women and girls ...
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Lightfoot announces a 'Justice for All Pledge' based on equity and access
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined reproductive justice leaders to announce the Justice For All Pledge, in response to the leaked draft opinion by the majority of the Supreme Court of the United States ...
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NATIONAL Rainbow flagpole, Washington Blade, Don Lemon, Black leaders
Four years after the Trump Administration abruptly nixed plans to bring a rainbow flag to federal land adjacent to NYC's Christopher Park, the Biden Administration is planning to install a permanent flagpole at the park, Gay ...
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COVID Indoor masking 'strongly recommended' for Chicago as numbers rise
With COVID-19 cases continuing to gradually increase, Cook County and the City of Chicago moved from "Low" into the "Medium" COVID-19 Community Level, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced in a press release. In ...
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Members of the Jane Collective abortion underground to reunite for 'The Janes' screening May 19
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, Illinois — In the wake of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion set to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Doc10 today announced that original Jane Collective members will reunite for the ...
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WORLD Conversion therapy, Russian ruling, concert pianist, trans politician
A trans woman opened up about her horrific experiences of conversion therapy in the wake of the UK government's reviled U-turn that will see LGB conversion therapy banned but trans conversion therapy remain legal, PinkNews reported. ...
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Canada lifts blood-donor ban for gay and bisexual men
Health Canada approved Canadian Blood Services' submission to eliminate the three-month donor deferral period for gay and bisexual men as well as some other people in the LGBTQ2S+ demographic, CTV National News reported. The national blood ...
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PASSAGES Playwright/disability-rights activist Susan Nussbaum dies
Susan Nussbaum—a Chicago playwright, novelist and longtime disability-rights activist—died April 28 at age 68. Nussbaum won the 2012 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Social Engaging Fiction for her novel Good Kings Bad ...
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COVID Latest travel update: 9.7% of country at 'Medium' or 'High' level
In the CDC's weekly update of COVID-19 Community Levels released April 29, 9.7 percent—or 314—of the 3,220 counties in the United States and Puerto Rico are now designated at a "Medium" or "High" COVID-19 level. That ...
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More than half of transgender students in higher education report poor mental health
-- From a press release
A new study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law conducted in collaboration with the Point Foundation, the nation's largest LGBTQ scholarship fund, finds there are an estimated 218,000 known transgender students ages 18 ...
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Indiana Univ. to host inaugural national HIV conference
Indiana University (IU) will host the first IU National HIV Conference, "Stepping into the 5th Decade: Evolving Our Response to HIV," June 8-11 in Indianapolis. Hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity ...
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Event examines crystal-meth use among Black gay and bi men
An event that analyzed crystal-meth use in the Black gay/bi community took place April 19 at the space Chez, 247 E. Ontario St. After introductory remarks from individuals such as Illinois state Rep. Lamont Robinson (who ...
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Florida advises against gender-affirming care for minors; LGBTQ+ groups respond
On April 20, Florida's department of health said children younger than 18 years old should not be permitted to receive any form of gender-affirming care, including medications like puberty blockers and hormones and "social gender transition" ...
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COVID Masks now optional on Illinois and Chicago public transit
On April 19, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has changed face-mask requirements on public transit. According to a press release Windy City Times received, "To align with the ending of the enforcement of the federal mask mandate ...
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Travel confusion reigns as judge overturns mask mandate
On April 18, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle—a Donald Trump appointee—struck down the Biden Administration's COVID mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods. A Biden Administration official ...
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NATIONAL N.J. governor, scorecard, Maryland ban, Air Force, outbreak
New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the state's Department of Education to review LGBTQ-inclusive sex-education standards set to start in the fall amid conservative attacks over the policy, the Los Angeles Blade noted. The order ...
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POLITICS Congressional candidate Kina Collins on running again, addressing systemic issues
Gun-violence prevention and healthcare advocate Kina Collins is once again running against longtime Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Danny Davis in the June 28 primary for a seat in the U.S. Congress. She recently spoke with Windy ...
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First COVID breath test authorized
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the first COVID-19 test that uses breath samples, according to NBC News. The InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer test has to be done by a trained operator, but the FDA said ...
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LGBT POCs 3X more likely than white non-LGBTs to have faced food insufficiency during pandemic
-- From a press release
During the pandemic, an estimated 13% of LGBT adults in the U.S. reported not having enough to eat in the past week, compared to 8% of non-LGBT adults, according to a new report by the Williams ...
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COVID CDC extends travel mask requirement to May 3
The Biden administration announced that it is extending the nationwide mask requirement for airplanes and public transit until at least Tuesday, May 3, as it monitors an increase in COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control ...
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Groundbreaking survey details disproportionate harms of COVID-19 on TGNC Southerners
-- From a press release
Today marks the publication of a groundbreaking new research report highlighting the unique impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transgender and non-binary people in the South. The report: Disproportionate Disadvantage: The Impact of COVID-19 on Trans ...
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Families sue Alabama over ban on gender-affirming care for trans adolescents
-- From a press release
(Montgomery, AL, April 11, 2022) – Two Alabama families filed a lawsuit in federal court today challenging a recently passed law that criminalizes medical professionals who provide care to transgender adolescents with up to 10 years in prison. ...
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HRC condemns Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey for first bill to impose criminal penalties on providers of gender-affirming care for youth
-- From a press release
MONTGOMERY— Today, Governor Ivey signed Senate Bill 184, legislation passed in the final hours of the session by anti-equality legislators, is the first in the nation to impose felony criminal penalties on medical professionals who offer ...
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Legislation to increase critical access to HIV prevention meds passes Illinois House
-- From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — On April 7, HB4430—Increasing Access to PrEP and PEP sponsored by State Representative Kelly M. Cassidy—passed the Illinois House on concurrence with a vote of 72-30. This bill ...
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Understanding the Asexual Community on International Asexuality Day
-- From a press release
Useful information about the asexual community for anyone writing about International Asexuality Day (https://internationalasexualityday.org/en/ .) Asexuality, often called "ace" for short, refers to a complete or partial lack of interest ...
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Kim Hunt reflects on leadership, her life and the state of HIV/AIDS
Kim Hunt has served many leadership roles in Chicago LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS organizations since moving to the city in 1985. The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee was the first executive director of Affinity Community Services. ...
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WORLD Global conference, conversion therapy, 'It's a Sin,' South Africa
This summer, the United Kingdom will host a global LGBTQ+-rights conference that will coincide with London Pride's 50th anniversary, The Washington Blade noted. The Safe to Be Me: A Global Equality Conference will take place in ...
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Simmons measure passes Senate, would allow pharmacists to provide HIV testing, PrEP and PEP medications
-- From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — To allow more people to access HIV preventative care easier, Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is leading a measure to allow pharmacists to provide HIV tests and preventative medications to help reduce new ...
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AFC calls on state legislature to pass Getting to Zero Illinois 2030 bills
AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) held its annual HIV Advocacy Day on March 9, saying it is focused on the Getting to Zero Illinois Plan (GTZ-IL) that aims to end the HIV epidemic in the state by ...
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Arizona Gov. Ducey signs anti-trans bills; pro-LGBTQ+ groups vow to file suit
On March 30, Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a series of bills targeting abortion and transgender rights, joining a growing list of GOP-led states pursuing a conservative social agenda, NBC News reported. The measures will ...
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Chicago Red Stars confirm Davidson is out for remainder of season
The Chicago Red Stars announced the following update on the health of defender Tierna Davidson. "Davidson sustained a knee injury during training last week. After further evaluation, it was determined that Davidson tore her ACL and ...
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HRCF releases Healthcare Equality Index 2022; Illinois excels in report
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON—The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF), the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign, released its 15th anniversary edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). A record 906 healthcare facilities ...
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WORLD Religious leaders, Canadian monument, Sri Lanka, Ukrainian clinics
More than 150 senior religious leaders from around the globe have committed to protecting LGBTQ+ people in faith communities, according to PinkNews. A "revolutionary" set of safeguarding principles were set out by the 2022 conference of ...
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NATIONAL Seattle center closing, Pride news, LGBTQ judge, verbal altercation
In Seattle, after more than 50 years of providing mental health and general wellness services in the city, Seattle Counseling Service announced it will shut down May 6, according to Capitol Hill Seattle (CHS) and the ...
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Howard Brown Health announces new North Halsted clinic
On March 25, Howard Brown Health celebrated the groundbreaking of its new facility in the Northalsted area with speeches from the organization's leaders and local government representatives. "We're so excited about the beautiful building … b ...
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CPDH's travel advisory shows almost 9% of U.S. at COVID's medium to high level
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising unvaccinated travelers to take special precautions if they plan to travel in the coming week to areas of the United States—such as parts of the upper Plains, ...
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HRC marks Affordable Care Act's 12th anniversary, noting impact on LGBTQ+s, POCs
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — Marking the 12th anniversary this week of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender ...
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New HRC Foundation data: LGBTQ+s continue to have high vaccination rates
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization released new data finding ...
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Planned Parenthood of Illinois receives $17M donation from Mackenzie Scott
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) announced that it is the grateful recipient of an unrestricted $17 million gift from MacKenzie Scott—the billionaire philanthropist who has pledged to give back the ...
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United Center drops requirement for proof of vaccination, negative test
-- From a press release
Effective for all events after March 22, guests attending events at the United Center will no longer be required to present proof of full vaccination or negative tests to enter the arena. In addition, while still ...
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COVID Chicago removes seven more states from travel advisory, makes adjustments
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed seven states from its weekly COVID-19 Travel Advisory—Alabama, California, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina and Oregon—and announced that it is ...
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Bans put more than 58K trans youth at risk of losing access to care
-- From a press release
An estimated 58,200 transgender youth and young adults ages 13 and older in the U.S. are at risk of being denied gender-affirming medical care due to proposed and enacted state bans and policies, according to the ...
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WORLD Trevor Project, Ukraine items, LGBTQ politician, Kosovo's anti-gay move
The Trevor Project—the LGBTQ+ suicide-prevention organization named after "Trevor," an Academy Award-winning short film about a gay teenager who attempts suicide—is expanding its services into Mexico, NBC News reported. The ...
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Personal PAC President & CEO Terry Cosgrove announces January 2023 retirement
-- From a press release
Chicago—Personal PAC Board of Directors announced that longtime President & CEO Terry Cosgrove will be retiring from his post after the November 2022 election. The board is extraordinarily grateful to Terry for his 33 years of ...
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GLAAD comments on Twitter's inaction on repeated misgendering of Admiral Rachel Levine
-- From a press release
(Friday, March 18, 2022) GLAAD responded to Twitter's refusal to remove anti-trans content from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that misgenders Dr. Rachel Levine, Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary and leader of the U.S. Public ...
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'End the Epidemics' calls for $105M to fight HIV, STI, viral hepatitis, overdoses in CA
-- From an Equality California press release
SACRAMENTO Today, End the Epidemics, a statewide coalition of more than 150 community organizations, called on Governor Newsom and the California Legislature to allocate $105 million in the state budget to address alarming increases in ...
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Mayor Lightfoot reflects on two years of the COVID pandemic
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., ahead of the two-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 death in Chicago and the outbreak taking hold here. They honored those ...
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Sixteen more states off Chicago's COVID travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed 16 states from its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory on March 15. Those states included Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi ...
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Idaho Legislature passes bill barring abortion after six weeks
On March 14, the Idaho Legislature passed a bill that would ban abortion after six weeks, CNN reported. Idaho's GOP-controlled House passed Senate Bill 1309, dubbed the "Fetal Heartbeat, Preborn Child Protection Act," in a 51-14 ...
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U.S. Rep Quigley's projects in support of LGBTQ equality, health care, public safety become law, get funding
-- From a press release
Chicago, Ill. Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chair of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, announced that the House and Senate included all ten ...
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190 organizations call for LGBTQI data collection in science, engineering, medical reporting
-- From a press release
Washington, DC An ad hoc panel of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has issued a groundbreaking consensus report focused on advancing data collection on sexual orientation ...
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Congressman Davis praises HHS' LGBTQ+ foster-care guidance
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-Massachusetts) and Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-Illinois) recently released a statement applauding new Department of Health and ...
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Idaho House passes bill criminalizing care for trans youth
On March 8, the Idaho House passed House Bill 675, which would prohibit gender-confirming medical treatment for anyone under the age of 18, KTVB reported. The bill would place a ban on surgery, puberty blockers and ...
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Twelve states removed from Chicago's COVID travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed 12 states from its weekly COVID-19 Travel Advisory on March 8. Thirty-four states and one territory are still on the advisory. The following states and territories were removed ...
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CPS to drop mask mandate March 14; no state COVID deaths for March 6-7
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced masks will be optional for staff and students at schools and on school buses beginning Monday, March 14—setting up another showdown with the Chicago Teachers ...
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NATIONAL Electoral items, #BiHealthMonth, Disney, NYC mayor, jury award
More than 100 openly LGBTQ+ people announced Congressional bids this year—the most in U.S. history, The Hill noted. Sixteen of those candidates are running in competitive districts that will determine control of the House, and three ...
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Gov. Pritzker issues updated COVID-19 executive order regarding schools
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — With Illinois continuing to see vast improvement in recent weeks of COVID-19 hospitalizations and transmission, Gov. JB Pritzker released an updated executive order lifting the school exclusion requirements ...
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Legislation introduced to increase critical access to HIV prevention medications
-- Press release from the Office of State Representative Kelly M. Cassidy 14th District
SPRINGFIELD Yesterday evening, HB4430 Increased Access to PrEP and PEP sponsored by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy was brought to the Illinois House floor to continue to address the health disparities communities ...
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National Coalition for LGBTQ Health announces theme for 20th Nat'l LGBTQ Health Awareness Week
-- From a press release
Washington, DC - The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health announces that the 20th Annual National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week will be held March 21 - 25 and the theme is LIVE OUT LOUD for LGBTQ Health! The ...
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PHIMC grants $50K to support Illinois Safe Schools Alliance program
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, IL - Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) announced it is one of the 2022 recipients of the Hollister Confidence Fund grant program, a 501(c)(3) charity that supports ...
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COVID Dr. Ezike leaving post as state's top public health official
Dr. Ngozi Ezike—who helped guide the state's response to the COVID-19 outbreak—will leave her post as Illinois' top public health official in mid-March, The Chicago Tribune reported. Ezike joined the administration in early 2019 as direc ...
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COVID Five states and territories removed from Chicago travel advisory
The steep decline in COVID-19 cases around the United States is reflected in the Chicago Department of Public Health's (CDPH) weekly COVID-19 travel advisory, as five states and territories were removed from the advisory on March ...
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U.S Senate fails to pass WHPA, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action reacts
-- From a press release
Statement from Planned Parenthood Illinois Action President/CEO Jennifer Welch: "We are deeply disappointed the Senate failed to pass the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA), a bill that had broad support ...
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MAP reports on efforts to ban medical care for trans youth
In 2021 alone, legislatures in 22 states have introduced bills to ban best practice medical care for transgender young people. Movement Advancement Project's (MAP's) report, Efforts to Ban Health Care for Transgender Youth, provides an ove ...
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