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Indiana to open first home for LGBTQ+ homeless youths
Indiana's first dedicated residential facility for LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness is slated to open this year in Indianapolis, according to WLFI.com. This home was years in the making. Trinity ...
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Lighthouse Foundation looks ahead to 2021 survey
Lincoln Park-based Lighthouse Foundation, an advocacy that primarily uplifts Black LGBTQ Chicagoans and has its roots in Lincoln Park-based Lighthouse Church of Chicago, will survey five prominent LGBTQ-focused local organizations ...
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CRS pays tribute to Rustin's legacy
Community Renewal Society (CRS) highlighted a new partnership with the Washington, D.C.-based Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative (BRLI) as part of a virtual Martin Luther King Day observance on Jan. 18. The event paid tribute to the ...
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Disability Culture Leadership Initiative launches online hub with Chicago artists
--From a 3Arts press release
CHICAGO, IL (Jan. 15, 2021)— 3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, announced today the launch of the Disability Culture Leadership Initiative (DCLI), featuring a new online platform created to elevate ...
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Jonathan David Katz awarded Andrew W. Mellon grant
--From a Wrightwood 659 press release
(CHICAGO, IL— Jan. 15, 2021) Wrightwood 659 congratulates our friend, curator, and collaborator, Jonathan David Katz on the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's announcement of a $5,000,000 award for the proposal"Dispossessions ...
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Tribute event to honor Chicago's first Cultural Historian Jan. 28
--From a City of Chicago press release
CHICAGO, IL Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced a tribute event to honor Chicago's first Cultural Historian, Tim Samuelson. Samuelson recently retired after 3 ...
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Howard Brown developing new center in Northalsted area
Howard Brown Health has chosen Inland National Development Company, LLC to develop its newest healthcare center in Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood (formerly known as Boystown), according to REJournals. There are plans ...
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Two-Spirit/LGBTQAI Native American Powwow plans a week of virtual events
--From a press release
Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) exists to restore and recover the role of Two-Spirit people within the American Indian/First Nations community by creating a forum for the spiritual, cultural ...
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GLSEN executive director stepping down
After a dozen years leading the national organization GLSEN—which aims to create a better world for LGBTQ+ students—Executive Director Eliza Byard is stepping down March 1. Deputy Executive Director Melanie ...
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Mayor Lightfoot, DCASE announce $2.5M in arts grants
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced $2.5 million in funding opportunities for Chicago artists and arts organizations. A new "Artist Response Program," ...
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Affinity's Virtual Burning Bowl on Jan. 9
Affinity Community Serviceswhich serves the needs of the Black LGBTQ+ community, with a particular focus on Black womenwill hold its annual Burning Bowl ceremony virtually on Saturday, Jan. 9. At past Burning Bowls, attendees were asked ...
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Equality Illinois gala's silent auction now open
Equality Illinois announced that its 30th-Anniversary Gala silent auction is now open. The silent auction will remain open until the end of the gala on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 8 p.m. CT. Winning bidders' credit cards ...
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NATIONAL Marriage proposal, Creating Change, mural erased, 'Queer Santa'
A COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a Canton, South Dakota, hospital turned into a marriage proposal for one healthcare couple, CNN.com noted. Robbie Vargas-Cortes, 31, a paramedic and EMS supervisor, was scheduled to get his vaccination on ...
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Gerber/Hart Library awarded $100K Mellon Grant, seeks Development Coordinator
--From a press release
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives has been awarded a $100,000 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant for Small Community Archives. This is the largest grant G/H has ever received. The grant will provide funding for a two-year Development ...
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Chicago History Museum partners with ALMA in new 'OUT at CHM' series
The Chicago History Museum announced a new partnership with the local LGBTQ+ group Association of Latinos/as/x Motivating Action (ALMA). This partnership is the culmination of a longstanding collaboration with OUT at CHM and will highlight the ...
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AIDS Garden projected for fall 2021 completion
State Rep. Yoni Pizer convened a virtual meeting Dec. 21 to discuss the progress of the AIDS Garden Chicago. The long-planned site is "destined to become a true Chicago landmark and destination," said Pizer as he ...
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Lighthouse Foundation to host Black Queer Pride: Winter Edition
--From a press release
Lighthouse Foundation will host Chicago's Virtual Black Queer Pride: Winter Edition with three days of programming by eleven local Black Queer artists. The virtual event will take begin on Facebook live, Friday, ...
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Affinity seeks new executive director
Affinity Community Servicesa Black- and queer-led organization on Chicago's South Side dedicated to social justice in Black LGBTQ+ communitiesis seeking a new executive director. The executive director will provide visionary ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame seeks 2021 nominees
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, celebrating its 30th year, is seeking nominations for new inductees. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2021. The nominations will be reviewed by a committee composed of current Chicago ...
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Windy City Gay Chorus, Windy City Treble Quire present Let There Be Light
--From a press release
Chicago, Ill. — Windy City Performing Arts (WCPA), the not-for-profit parent organization of Windy City Gay Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire, is proud to announce its 41st annual holiday concert, Let there be Light: A ...
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Surprise Grammy-winning artist to perform at Equality Illinois gala
A surprise Grammy-winning artist is slated to perform at the Equality Illinois 30th-anniversary gala on Feb. 6, 2021. The event is annually attended by hundreds of movers and shakers within the LGBTQA community. To find out ...
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HotHouse to stream Cuban jazz festival "Jazz Plaza" Jan. 21-24
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Marguerite Horberg, executive director of the award-winning Chicago-based nonprofit arts presenter HotHouse, today announced that it has been awarded the exclusive rights to stream the 2021 legendary Cuban ...
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Report: Take Off Your Mask So I Know How Much to Tip You
--From a press release
Today, One Fair Wage, a national nonprofit organization representing subminimum wage and other tipped workers, in partnership with #TimesUp, the UC Berkeley Food Labor Research Center, Professor Catharine MacKinnon, Professor Louise Fitzgerald and ...
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Creating Change announces program, honorees, virtual format
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 9, 2020… Community leaders Gloria Allen, Lisbeth Melendez Rivera, Javier Hernandez, and Gayle Rubin will all be honored at the 33rd annual Creating Change Conference. Held virtually from January 28 through January 31, ...
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Lambda Legal, Immigration Equality to challenge asylum ban
On Dec. 10, the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice announced they will soon publish a new rule that Lambda Legal said "eviscerates the United States asylum system," according to a joint press release ...
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Chicago trans icon Gloria Allen among Creating Change honorees
Community leaders Gloria Allen, Lisbeth Melendez Rivera, Javier Hernandez and Gayle Rubin will all be honored at the 33rd annual Creating Change Conference, run by the National LGBTQ Task Force. Held virtually Jan. 28-31, 2021, the ...
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Howard Brown, Open Door announce collaboration
Howard Brown Health and Open Door Health Center of Illinoisa suburban counterpart with clinics in Elgin, Aurora and Joliethave agreed to collaborate for the mutual benefit of their respective patients. The entities entered into the agreement ...
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Adler Planetarium showcases work of Frank Kameny
Adler Planetarium,The Kameny Papers and Google Arts & Culture have created and made available the Frank Kameny/Pride exhibition, an online graphic slide show, viewable at Google Arts & Culture. Thirteen slides document Kameny's life and work. ...
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COVID-19 Queer-led FamilyQ helps distribute masks
FamilyQ is an LGBTQ-led volunteer effort to support nonprofit organizations and social-justice groups by donating more than 100,000 disposable face masks. Proceeds help provide resources to overlooked and underresourced communities. ...
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AFC holds virtual 'Gala35' celebration
AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) marked 35 years with a virtual "Gala35" celebration and awards ceremony Nov. 19. Among the honorees were Newsweb Corporation Chairperson, Alphawood Foundation President and social-justice activist ...
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33rd Creating Change Conference to go virtual Jan. 28-31
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 19, 2021….. Thousands of LGBTQ advocates, activists, leaders, and allies will, for the first time ever, gather virtually for the 33rd Creating Change Conference from Jan. 28 through Jan. 31, 2020. The Creating ...
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New guide out for educators, parents advocating for LGBTQ students with disabilities
--From a press release
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation released a new resource to help both parents and educators advocate on behalf of LGBTQ students with disabilities. NCLR partnered with HRC Foundation, the National ...
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National Black Justice Coalition welcomes new directors
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC This week, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) announced two new senior level hires, Victoria Kirby York, MPA, and Dr. Kia Darling-Hammond. Their leadership and experience will ...
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Gov. Pritzker, Vanessa Williams to be at AFC's 'Gala35' Nov. 19
--From a press release
CHICAGO — AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) marks its milestone 35th year of service with 'Gala35,' a virtual celebration and fundraiser taking place Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. The event features an esteemed panel of guest ...
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Advocate Craig Johnson named next board chair of AIDS Foundation of Chicago
In October, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC)'s board of directors voted Craig W. Johnson as the next AFC board chair. Craig has served on the board since 2017, and most recently worked as board vice chair and ...
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Equality Illinois' virtual gala on Feb. 6
Equality Illinois will hold its 30th-anniversary gala virtually on Feb. 6, 2021. Things will kick off with a Champion Happy Hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. Honorees will include National Center ...
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Jane Fonda, Hillary Clinton attend Personal PAC's virtual luncheon
Actor/Activist Jane Fonda, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Governor JB Pritzker were among those who took place in Personal PAC's Oct. 21 virtual luncheon. The reproductive-rights organization's principal ...
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HRC Chicago seeks nominations for corporate equality award
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Chicago has announced the inaugural HRC Corporate Champion for Equality Award to honor individuals who have made a significant contribution to advancing equality through their workplaces. ...
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AIDS Foundation of Chicago's 'Gala35' Nov. 19
AIDS Foundation of Chicago's (AFC's) "Gala35"marking its 35th anniversarywill be a virtual event taking place Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. Gala35 marks the organization's 35th year of service and will be its premier gatheri ...
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Diversity report: More than 1,000 LGBTQs running for office
LGBTQ Victory Fund the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public officereleased its inaugural "Out on the Trail" report, which details the diversity of LGBTQ candidates who ran for office in 2020. At ...
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Restaurant employee relief fund now open
Executives at the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) announced the opening of online applications for the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. This ...
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TPAN names Colleen O'Neill as its new CEO
TPAN has announced the hiring of Colleen O'Neill as its new CEO to assist in empowering the organization to continue to provide care and far-reaching education to people affected by HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and all related issues, ...
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Matthew-Lee Erlbach talks Be An #ArtsHero, career, other endeavors
Writer, actor and filmmaker Matthew-Lee Erlbach is on a mission to get financial relief to the many arts workers and institutions impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Erlbach is calling on U.S. senators to sponsor the DAWN ...
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Equality Illinois distributes $115,000+ in COVID relief grants to LGBTQs
--From a press release
Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people; through a grant the Illinois COVID Response Fund (ICRF) and community organizations, has awarded over $115,000 in COVID relief grants ...
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Legacy Walk inducts singers Mercury and Sylvester
Musicians Freddie Mercury and Sylvester became the latest inductees onto the Legacy Walk, the Northalsted landmark functioning as an open-air museum paying tribute to notable members of the LGBTQ community. Thanks to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, ...
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HRC releases newest Congressional Scorecard
On Oct. 8, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released its Congressional Scorecard measuring support for LGBTQ equality in the 116th Congress. Members of Congress were scored based on a range of key indicators of supportfrom votes ...
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Nat'l AIDS Memorial to launch 50-state AIDS Memorial Quilt Virtual Exhibition
--From a press release
SAN FRANCISCO (October 9, 2020) — The National AIDS Memorial is announcing a virtual exhibition of the AIDS Memorial Quilt (the Quilt) that will feature more than 10,000 Quilt panels representing all 50 state and U.S. ...
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Hillary Clinton supports Personal PAC's virtual annual awards luncheon
--From a press release
Chicago, IL — Personal PAC, the leading non-partisan political action committee (PAC) dedicated to electing pro-choice state and local officials in Illinois is excited to announce that Secretary Hillary Clinton ...
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Affinity celebrating 25 years virtually Oct. 9-11
Affinity Community Servicesa social-justice organization serving the needs of the Black LGBTQ+ community, with a particular focus on Black womenwill celebrate its 25th anniversary virtually Oct. 9-11. The virtual anniversary ...
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Robin Roberts, George Wendt and more part of Oct. 8 virtual party
Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, comedic legends George Wendt and Tim Kazurinsky, and Chicago Bears legend Charles "Peanut" Tillman will be part of a virtual cocktail party supporting the work of the Illinois Medical District ...
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History initiative pairs NYC and LA LGBTQ groups
--From a press release
Organizations from two cities rich in LGBT history, New York City and Los Angeles, are teaming up for the annual social media event #MuseumInstaSwap. Tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 6), the NYC LGBT ...
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'Women of Broadway' series starts Oct. 24
Northlight Theatre is one of a select group of nonprofit arts organizations participating in the three-part virtual concert series "Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway." The series will feature two-time Tony Award winner Patti ...
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Gay history podcast has new host: Studs Terkel
For four years, Eric Marcus has been the voice of Making Gay History, introducing listeners to both the infamous and the overlooked of LGBTQ history through his extensive personal archive of audio interviews. But for the ...
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Holocaust Museum's soiree raises $250K
The Women's Leadership Committee (WLC) of the Illinois Holocaust Museum successfully hosted its first-ever Virtual Soiree Sept. 2. The committee entertained and educated more than 1,100 guests online and raised ...
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Legacy Walk to honor Freddie Mercury, Sylvester Oct. 11
The Legacy Project will honor the late music superstars Freddie Mercury and Sylvester in a virtual event Sunday, Oct. 11, 3-5 p.m., featuring multimedia, historians, tribute performances and a ceremony revealing their bronze memorials at the ...
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AIDS Run & Walk Chicago returns with reformatted 2020 event
AIDS Foundation of Chicago's annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago has been reformatted and expanded so community members can participate in the fundraiser while still social-distancing and adhering to public-safety guidelines. While an event at Soldier ...
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National LGBTQ Task Force to stream "The Power of US" gala Oct. 3
--From a press release
NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE ANNUAL GALA OCTOBER 3, 2020 AT 8PM ET/5PM PT Washington, DC. September 24, 2020. The National LGBTQ Task Force has announced it will stream the 2020 National LGBTQ Task Force Gala, presented ...
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Lambda officials weigh LGBTQ legal challenges ahead
Officials from the national LGBTQ-rights advocacy Lambda Legal held an online discussion Sept. 23 to discuss the implications for both the judiciary and the LGBTQ community following the death of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth ...
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Jane Fonda part of Personal PAC virtual luncheon Oct. 21
Personal PACthe leading non-partisan political action committee (PAC) dedicated to electing pro-choice state and local officials in Illinoisannounced that its 27th Annual Awards Luncheon will be held virtually Wed., Oct. ...
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Carey stepping down as Task Force executive director in 2021
On Sept. 23, the National LGBTQ Task Force announced that longtime Executive Director Rea Carey will be stepping down in early 2021. Carey has been with the organization since 2003 as a senior strategist, then deputy ...
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Creating Change Conference to hold Oct. 10 day-long event, "Queering Racial Justice"
--From a press release
Sept. 21, 2020….Washington, DC…. The National LGBTQ Task Force and Creating Change will hold a day-long event (12:30 ET to 6:30 ET) exploring how Queer/Trans People of Color (QTPOC) activism is leading the resistance to state ...
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NCLR mourns LGBTQ equality champion Justice Ginsburg
--From a press release
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) mourns the tragic loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — a true champion for LGBTQ rights in her 27 years on the U.S. Supreme Court. ...
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Equality Illinois announces general election endorsements
--From a press release
CHICAGO - Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Illinoisans, today announced endorsements for the November 3, 2020 general election. "Equality Illinois is ...
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COVID-19 Report: Latinx LGBTQ people suffer more from economic fallout
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation released new data outlining the economic impact of COVID-19 on Latinx LGBTQ people. The new research shows that Latinx LGBTQ people are more likely to have had their employment adversely ...
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PASSAGES Gay philanthropist Henry van Ameringen dies
Henry van Ameringen, a major donor to LGBTQ+ and HIV organizations, died Sept. 9. He was 90, according to a Plus magazine item. Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings said in a statement that Windy City Times ...
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg exhibit extended
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center has extended the run of its exhibit "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. Based on the New York Times best-selling ...
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Gerber/Hart reveals future plans
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, 6500 N. Clark St., hosted several relatively informal, socially distanced gatherings the weekend of Sept. 12-13 to let community supporters know about its plans for the next few years. The various sessionswhich ...
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EXPO Chicago hosting EXHIBITION Weekend Sept. 24-27
EXPO Chicago has announced EXHIBITION Weekend (Sept. 24—27)a digital initiative showcasing Chicago-based exhibitions, curatorial projects and artist programs through virtual studio visits, exhibition and gallery tours; ...
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Howard Brown breaks ground on new Broadway Youth Center location
Officials from the Howard Brown Health organization, public officials and community supporters gathered in Uptown Sept. 10 to break ground on a new Broadway Youth Center location. Projected for a 2021 opening, the five-story facility, at ...
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Series to celebrate Mexican artist Frida Kahlo
GLEN ELLYN, Ill. The McAninch Arts Center (MAC), in association with the Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA), will host a monthly series of events celebrating iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Kicking off the series, ...
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Care for Real names new executive director
Care for Realone of the largest food pantries in the Chicago areahas named Gregory D. Gross as its new executive director. Gross is moving to Care for Real from The Night Ministry, where he most recently ...
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Submissions sought for Lambda Literary Awards
Submissions are now being sought for the 33rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards, which honors the best of LGBTQ+ literature. Due to COVID-19, the organization has implemented an entirely digital submission process using Submittable. Submissions are judged ...
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TAWANI Foundation's donations reach $1.8M
In response to the current health crisis, the TAWANI Foundation, TAWANI Enterprises' philanthropic organization, has donated $1.8 million so far to various organizations to help support COVID-19 relief efforts in Illinois. The donations address ...
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ALMA, Center on Halsted hosting visibility talk Sept. 15
ALMA (The Association of Latinos/as Motivating Action) and the Center on Halsted LGBTQ will host a virtual community discussion on visibility"Being Seen and Heard in the Time of Coronavirus, Census ...
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"PFLAG Votes" film aims to get out the vote
--From a press release
WASHINGTONThis Friday, Sept. 4, PFLAG National will release its latest film project, PFLAG VOTES, as part of PFLAG Votes 2020, its broad get-out-the-vote initiative for the general election. Likely voters are encouraged through PFLAG Votes 2020 ...
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