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For International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia HRC highlights grants
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, is commemorating International Day Against ...
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GLSEN holds Respect Awards in New York
On May 16, the pro-LGBTQ+ education organization GLSEN held its New York Respect Awards in Gotham Hall. At its first in-person Respect Awards in three years, the organization introduced new Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers in their ...
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NATIONAL New York synod, Danica Roem, legal action, Pride news, PFLAG
The Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS), the regional body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, announced Christopher Vergara as its newly elected vice president, according to a press release. Vergara is the first openly gay ...
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Los Angeles LGBT Center mourns passing of legendary LGBT activist, leader Urvashi Vaid
-- From a press release
LOS ANGELES, May 14, 2022—"The world has lost a giant in the movement for LGBTQ freedom, justice and equality. After a valiant battle with cancer, Urvashi Vaid died today," said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Lorri ...
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Nat'l Association of Black and White Men Together to hold July 6-9 conference
The National Association of Black and White Men Togetherdescribed on its website as "a gay multicultural, anti-racism organization committed to fostering supportive environments wherein racial and cultural barriers can be ...
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Report: Malta is the best European country regarding LGBTQ+ rights
An annual report courtesy of ILGA-Europe stated that Malta remains the best country in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights, Euronews noted. The association said that Malta (which scored 92 out of a possible 100) has maintained the ...
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Highwood Pride Fest taking place June 4
The North Shore suburb of Highwood will hold its Pride Fest on Saturday, June 4. The full day of activities starts with a "Pride Rocks" family picnic at Everts Park at noon-3 p.m., followed by the (21+ ...
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Plaque unveiled in NYC to honor headquarters of NAACP, other progressive groups
On May 11, Village Preservation and The New School were joined by historians David Levering Lewis, Amy Aronson, Brian McGrath and Stephen Brier for the unveiling of a plaque marking 70 Fifth Ave. as the historic ...
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LGBTQ Religious Archives Network holds 'AIDS, Activism and American Christianity' webinar
LGBTQ Religious Archives Network (LGBTQ-RAN) held an "AIDS, Activism and American Christianity: A Conversation" virtual webinar on May 5. The event focused on Christian activism during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s and ...
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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 nationwidea 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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Deadline for Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame nominations is May 31
The deadline to nominate individuals, businesses, organizations, and allies to the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame is on May 31 at midnight. Nominations may be made online at www.chicagolgbthalloffame.org/nominate. The goal is to honor people and ...
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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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Center on Halsted's 'Human First' gala returns to (in-person) form
Center on Halsted's annual "Human First" gala returned Friday, May 6, in an in-person format. The event took place at the Old Post Office, 433 W. Van Buren St. Last year, the Center hosted a virtual ...
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'LGBT Milwalkee' project earns first round of funding
-- From a press release. LGBT Milwaukee history video below
Milwaukee, WI. - Thanks to generous financial support, the LGBT MILWALKEE project has achieved its first round of fundraising goals and will launch a local walking tour app on Thursday, June 1. "To date, we've received ...
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Gerber/Hart announces change in leadership
Wil Brant is no longer executive director of Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. According to an open letter from board co-chairs James Conley and Kevin Nunley as well as Board Treasurer Becky Chmielewski, Brant "served in this ...
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HRC holds Greater New York Dinner; Hochul, Schumer among speakers
On April 30, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hosted its Greater New York Dinner at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, per a press release. The event featured speeches from HRC Interim President Joni Madison, who used ...
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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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Biden-Harris administration reports on efforts to support global LGBTQ+ rights, HRC applauds result
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, has commended the release of a report from the Biden-Harris ...
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Annual LGBTQ+ networking event 'Out of the Office' to take place June 1
The annual LGBTQ+ networking event Out of the Office will take place Wed., June 1, 4:30-7 p.m., at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago's rooftop lounge, I|O, 127 W. Huron St., to kick off Pride Month. The event ...
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LGBTQ+ and allied organizations rally against bigotry and hate
A statewide coalition of LGBTQ+ and allied organizations held a press conference and rally April 27 in Chicago's Federal Plaza in response to the wave of nationwide bigotry and hate against the queer and trans community, ...
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Reader owner steps down; paper can now go nonprofit route
Chicago Reader co-owner Len Goodman and three board members stepped down April 26 amid protests from employees, freeing the embattled alternative newspaper to transition to a nonprofit organization, The Chicago Tribune reported. The Reader has been ...
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Pro-LGBTQ+ rally rescheduled for April 27 at Federal Plaza
Weeks after a pro-LGBTQ+ rally in the Loop was disrupted, the event has been rescheduled for Wed., April 27, at Federal Plaza, 219 S. Dearborn St., at 5:30 p.m. The past few months have been extremely ...
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HRC condemns Florida Gov. DeSantis for signing 'Stop WOKE' Act
-- From a press release
Washington, D.C. Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization condemned Governor Ron DeSantis for signing ...
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HRC: Real threat to women's sports not trans athletes but underfunding, lack of resources
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC—As states across the country continue to debate and pass anti-transgender sports bans — bills that would prevent transgender girls from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity — a new Human ...
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Readers invited to take survey on LGBTQ+ community media and organizations
Windy City Times is asking people to take a short LGBTQ+ survey from Community Marketing & Insights, an LGBTQ+ market-research firm. For more than a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities ...
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Designs for Dignity gala on May 19
Designs for Dignity's annual fundraising gala, "Spirit of Design," will take place Thursday, May 19, 6-10 p.m., and will celebrate more than 20 years of impact on Chicago's nonprofit community. The event will take place at ...
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Columbia College to confer honorary degrees on journalist, Center CEO
At its upcoming 2022 commencement exercises, Columbia College Chicago will confer honorary degrees on journalist/alumnus Danny Fenster and Center on Halsted CEO Modesto "Tico" Valle. The honorary degree recipients will ...
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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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Diversity training sessions for suburban executives May 19 and 26
On May 19 and 26, there will be half-day "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism" training sessions via Zoom. The primary audience will consist of senior executives and board members. The event will be free for nonprofits ...
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Black LGBTQ+ community leaders honored at Art & Soul Salon and Sneaker Gala
Social-justice agency Lorde, Rustin & Bates and Fahrenheit Chicago hosted the Art & Soul Salon and Sneaker Gala April 13 at Theater on the Lake (2401 N Lake Shore Dr.). The event featured performances from singer ...
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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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Latest Brave Space Alliance situation reveals conflicting accounts
After employees at Brave Space Alliance (BSA)which describes itself as "the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago"formed a union that the CEO, LaSaia Wade ...
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HRC Foundation launches inaugural 'LGBTQ+ School Inclusion Efforts' report
-- From a press release. Video below
WASHINGTON, DCToday, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization released the 2021 Annual Report from ...
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Youth Outlook's Joliet/Lockport drop-in center to open April 19
Youth Outlookwhich offers safe, supportive and affirming services for LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and the communityannounced that its newest drop-in center, for those in Joliet/Lockport, will open Tuesday, April 19. ...
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Gerber/Hart Library and Archives holds 40th-anniversary event at Sidetrack
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives (Gerber/Hart) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a "40 & Fabulous! The Gerber/Hart Spring Soiree" benefit April 7the birthday of one of the library's namesakes, Pearl Hartat ...
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Esteem Awards to take place July 2 at Sidetrack
Four organizations and 14 individuals have been selected to be honored at the 15th Annual Esteem Awards. The eventfree and open to the publicwill take place Saturday, July 2, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., 2-5 ...
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Andersonville Chamber of Commerce welcomes spring with Andersonville in Bloom throughout April
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (April 8, 2022) — The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) celebrates all things Spring during Andersonville in Bloom, a month-long celebration featuring Earth Month and Spring-inspired events, plus seasonal ...
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HRC, NCLR applaud confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court
-- From press releases
WASHINGTON, DC — On April 7, by a bipartisan vote of 53-47 the United States Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as an Associate Justice on the United State Supreme Court. She will take her place ...
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TPAN named beneficiary of Pride Night at Blackhawks game April 12
-- From a press release
Chicago, IL - TPAN, Chicago's own nonprofit that is in its 35th year of serving people living with HIV has been selected as the beneficiary of Pride Night at the April 12 Blackhawks game against the ...
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HRC mobilizes to defeat Ohio's "Don't Say Gay or Trans" education censorship bill
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the introduction yesterday of HB616, a new version of the "Don't Say Gay, Don't Say Trans" bill, in the Ohio House of Representatives, the Human Rights Campaign is working alongside parents and ...
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Human Rights Campaign and WarnerMedia release 'Let Us Play' video featuring trans youth
-- From a press release, video below
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced a collaboration with WarnerMedia to launch a video called "Let Us Play." The video, which features transgender youth playing sports with their friends, calls on leaders and ...
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LBQ girls, women of color overrepresented in child welfare and criminalization systems
-- From a press release
A new review of studies by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) girls, particularly girls of color, are overrepresented in foster care and the carceral system. The ...
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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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First-ever Ottawa, Illinois Pride Fest set to take place this June
When Prairie Fox Books Special Events Manager Dylan Conmy moved from Chicago to Ottawa, Illinois, in 2012, he began to miss having the city's Pride festivities nearby. Now, Conmy is making his dream a reality with ...
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Haymarket Center to honor state Rep. Greg Harris at gala
Retiring Illinois state Rep. (and Majority Leader) Greg Harris, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, will be one of the honorees at the Haymarket Center Gala. The event will take place Saturday, April 9, at the ...
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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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DignityUSA: New Vatican document on education could increase exclusion of LGBTQI people
-- From a press release
March 31, 2022—A newly released document from the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education could make it even more difficult for LGBTQI people to be part of the Catholic school system and could trigger a new wave ...
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Lambda Legal sounds alarm over child-welfare bill in Arizona
-- From a press release
PHOENIX — Yesterday, the Arizona House passed Senate Bill 1399, already approved by the Senate, that would allow government-funded child welfare agencies to turn away prospective foster parents if their personal and religious beliefs don't matc ...
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Brave Space Alliance commemorates Transgender Day of Visibility
Brave Space Alliance (BSA) hosted a rally in Federal Plaza on March 31 to mark the Transgender Day of Visibility and to honor the lives of Black trans women who've been killed in the city recently. ...
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Pro-LGBTQ+ groups sue Florida over 'Don't Say Gay' law
On March 31, organizations filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law that forbids classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, per ABC News. ...
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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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Human Rights Campaign celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility 2022
-- From a press release
WASHINGTONToday, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, honors the International Transgender Day of Visibility ...
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San Francisco to host largest display of AIDS Memorial Quilt in a decade
The National AIDS Memorial will mark the 35th anniversary of the AIDS Memorial Quilt with an historic outdoor display in Golden Gate Park that will feature nearly 3,000 hand-stitched panels of the Quilt. The free public ...
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HRCF releases Healthcare Equality Index 2022; Illinois excels in report
-- From a press release
WASHINGTONThe 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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Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party raises $8.6M
The 30th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party took place March 27 at West Hollywood Park, raising $8.6 million for the foundation's work to end AIDS. The event was hosted by 12-time Grammy-winning ...
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Pres. Biden announces steps to make it easier for LGBTQ+ Ukrainians to enter U.S.
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization has welcomed the announcement from President Joe Biden ...
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LGBTQ+ Asian group to host May 21 anti-hate event
Asians & Friends Chicago (AFC)—an LGBTQ social organization supporting the Asian community and those who have interests in Asian cultures—is hosting a pre-Pride event to debut its "#asianlove" theme of ...
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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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National LGBTQ Task Force honors 45th anniversary of historic Carter White House meeting with LGBTQ activists
-- From a press release
Washington, DC……On March 26th, 1977, a group of gay and lesbian activists met with members of the Carter administration in a historic first. President Carter's Assistant Margaret "Midge" Costanza coordinated ...
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Employees of South Side trans-led organization form union; CEO approves [UPDATE]
The employees at Brave Space Alliance (BSA)—which describes itself as "the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago"—have formed a union and are seeking official recognition. In a letter Windy City ...
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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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Jonathan Van Ness, Anita Hill, John Waters part of CHF series in April and May
The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) is back with in-person events in April and Mayand there's a wide variety of guests lined up for its series. Some of the featured guests will be advocate and legal scholar ...
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Groups condemn attacks on Women's History Month Program
-- From a press release
White supremacists broke into a virtual Women's History Month program presented by the Racial Justice Coalition of West Central Illinois and Democratic Women of McDonough County IL last weekend. Prior to the start of recording and ...
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Planned Parenthood of Illinois receives $17M donation from Mackenzie Scott
-- From a press release
CHICAGOPlanned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) announced that it is the grateful recipient of an unrestricted $17 million gift from MacKenzie Scottthe billionaire philanthropist who has pledged to give back the ...
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Preservation Chicago releases 'Chicago 7 Most Endangered' list for 2022
Preservation Chicago has revealed its list of its "Chicago 7 Most Endangered" list for this year. This year's list (which actually has eight entries) includes: The Century and Consumers Buildings at 202 and 220 S. State ...
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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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A Historic Nomination: Human Rights Campaign releases report on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
-- 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, released a 12-page report detailing the pragmatic ...
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For Bayard Rustin's birthday, NBJC asks Congress for Forever stamp honoring Rustin's life and work
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC — In commemoration of Black Queer civil rights leader Bayard Rustin's birthday today, March 17th, the National Black Justice Coalition, a leading Black LGBTQ+/SGL civil rights organization, is urging Congress to pass the Bayard ...
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Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration co-chairs named
Former Illinois state Sen. Heather Steans, Feeding America's Daniel Nisbet, Steans Family Foundation's Leo Smith and communications principal Terrence Chappell will be the co-chairs of the 2022 Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration. The Lambda Legal ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Celebrity Bowl-a-thon Fundraiser returns April 30
-- From a press release
The annual Dick Uyvari Memorial Celebrity Bowl-a-thon, a popular fundraiser for the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, returns on Saturday, April 30 after a brief hiatus during the pandemic. Bowlers from Chicago’s LGBT bowling tournaments and teams take on ...
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Lambda Literary names Lambda Literary Awards finalists
-- From a press release
New York, NY Lambda Literary, the nation's premier LGBTQ literary organization, today announces the finalists of the 34th Annual Lambda Literary Awards (a.k.a. the "Lammys"). Created over thirty years ago to recognize the crucial role ...
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HRC holds L.A. dinner, honors Brandi Carlile
On March 12, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hosted its Los Angeles dinner. The event featured speeches from HRC Interim President Joni Madison, who updated the audience on HRC's recent conversations with Disney; and trailblazer Brian ...
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NATIONAL amfAR gala, VAWA, censorship bill, gay polo, Living Out Palm Springs
On March 5, Amy and John Phelan opened the doors of their 16,958-square-foot home to celebrate the inaugural Palm Beach edition of the amfAR Gala, Vogue noted. Sylvester Stallone talked about Tommy Hilfiger's philanthropic work before ...
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