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AVER celebrates LGBTQ+ veterans at annual Veterans Day dinner
Writer and historian Owen Keehnen was keynote speaker at the the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) Chicago Chapter's 32nd annual LGBTQ Veterans Day Banquet held on Veterans Day at Ann Sather restaurant on Belmont. Keehnen ...
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30th anniversary of LGBTQ+ Bud Billiken Parade contingent celebrated
The 30th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee of Proud Black Lesbians and Gays celebrated the original Ad Hoc Committee of Proud Black Lesbians and Gays and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who in 1993 actively participated as ...
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State Sen. Mike Simmons receives awards
Openly gay Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons has received the 2023 U.S. Senator Paul Simon Public Service Award from the Illinois Hunger Coalition. Simmons was honored at high school alma mater, St. Ignatius College Prep, according ...
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Longtime gay Chicago couple reflects on their 50-year love story
When Chicagoans Bob Wolf and Peter Tortorello met each other for the second time, during the Friday night cocktail hours at the now-defunct gay-owned restaurant-bar The Trip in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, in 1973, they knew right ...
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IDHS Secretary Dulce Quintero to receive inaugural "ALMA del Lider" Award at ALMA's 2nd Annual Community Reception
--From a press release
[Chicago, IL] — On November 30, the Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) will present Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Secretary Dulce Quintero with the inaugural ALMA del Líder ...
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Sky player receives WNBA's sportsmanship award
The WNBA announced that Chicago Sky veteran center Elizabeth Williams is the recipient of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, per a press release. The award is given to a player that exemplifies the ideals of ...
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MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis honors former Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris at breakfast reception
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis honored former Democratic Illinois House Majority Leader Rep. Greg Harris at a breakfast reception and bi-monthly board meeting Oct. ...
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Plaques honoring MLB's Burke and marriage-equality added to Legacy Walk
On the afternoon of Oct. 14, the Legacy Walk dedicated two new plaques, acknowledging both a prominent gay sports figure and the celebration for a historic milestone for Illinois. This year's additions honored gay Major League ...
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State Treasurer Michael Frerichs honors LGBTQ+ leaders
--From a press release
Gay Men's Chorus, Bar Association president, DePaul art professor honored during LGBTQ+ History Month celebration CHICAGO — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate LGBTQ+ History ...
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Black Excellence Awards taking place Nov. 6, will feature avery r. young
The Black Arts & Culture Alliance will present the 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards on Monday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. Hosted by Melissa Duprey, this year's ...
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SHOWBIZ Holiday TV movies, GLAAD concert, Janet Jackson, muscle-fem singer
Hallmark has revealed its full slate of holiday movies—and there are more than 40 films, Entertainment Weekly noted. Among the movie's stars are Lacey Chabert, Jonathan Bennett, Luke Macfarlane, Phylicia Rashad, Nikki DeLoach, Andrew Walker and ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inducts 2023 recipient class
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame (founded in 1991) held its annual induction ceremony Oct. 3 at the Chicago History Museum. These individuals and organizations were chosen by 29 previous Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductees ...
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LGBTQ+ player wins WNBA's MVP Award
Breanna Stewart won her second WNBA MVP award after a career-best scoring season in her first season with the New York Liberty, Yahoo! Sports reported. The WNBA posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Stewie averaged 23.0 PPG, ...
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SAVOR Nobody's Darling, pastry chef, The Albert and more
Congrats go to Daisies and Thattu. These two spots—in Logan Square and Avondale, respectively—were among the restaurants on a New York Times list of the publication's "50 places in the country [it's] most excited about right ...
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Organizers found the Cure for the Riot (Fest) in Douglass Park
Picture it: Chicago, 2023. There were punk rockers, some in their golden years, attending Riot Fest in Douglass Park on Sept. 15, 16 and 17. Split between South Albany and South California Avenues, along West Ogden ...
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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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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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'We've had a ball': Prominent activists Jim Darby and Patrick Bova celebrate 60th anniversary
One of the first couples to be legally married in Illinois is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. Jim Darby and Patrick Bova fell in love decades before they became the lead plaintiffs in Lambda Legal's ...
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On the (gay) horizon: Center on Halsted marks 50 years
In 1973, a group of Chicagoans organized a telephone hotline, which they named Helpline, allowing the community to more easily find and assist one another. This was a time when LGBTQ+ bars were still regularly raided ...
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March on Washington remembered, Kierra Johnson of the National LGBTQ Task Force among speakers
--From a press release
The 60th anniversary of the March on Washington was observed on Aug. 26, 2023. Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force was among those who spoke. ...
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UIC among nation's top 30 campuses for LGBTQ+ students
--From a press release
The University of Illinois Chicago has been named one of the top 30 colleges and universities for LGBTQ+ students, according to Campus Pride, a national organization serving LGBTQ+ and ally student leaders and campus organizations in ...
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Christina Kahrl Named the 2023 Recipient of the Jeanne Cordova Award
--From a press release
Washington, D.C. (August 23, 2023) — Today, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists announced that Christina Kahrl is the recipient of the 2023 Jeanne Córdova Award. "We are thrilled to honor Christina Kahrl with the Jeanne ...
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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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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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WORLD Marielle Franco, trans student dies, Iranian official, 'Drag Race'
Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino announced a plea agreement with one of two police officers accused of assassinating Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, a Black lesbian and human-rights activist who was killed by gunfire from ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame announces 2023 inductees
The 2023 class of Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductees was revealed August 31. Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Co-Chair Tarrina Dikes and Board Emeritus and 1992 Inductee Gary Chichester announcing the latest individuals, organizations and allies to be inducted. ...
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Baton's Jim Flint celebrates 82nd birthday
Jim Flint, owner of the Baton Show Lounge, and the founder of the Miss Continental pageantry system, celebrated his 82nd birthday at the Baton on July 25. The special occasion featured cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment ...
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Hollywood Beach revels in yuletide cheer
Both the Sidetrack nightclub and 44th Ward Ald. Bennett Lawson sponsored the Christmas in July Beach Bash at Hollywood Beach July 23. Santa's Sexy Elves scoured the sands, spreading the word that the Santa Speedo Run ...
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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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Poet Laureate avery r. young draws inspiration from West Side upbringing
By Michelle Zacarias
North Austin native and multi-dimensional poet avery r. young made history in April after being selected as Chicago's inaugural Poet Laureate. The announcement came as no surprise to those who follow young's career as an award-winning ...
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Ehrenfeld becomes first gay AMA president during Chicago event
On June 13, a truly historic inauguration took place at the annual American Medical Association (AMA) meeting of its House of Delegates as Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld became the first openly gay president in the history of ...
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Andersonville Midsommarfest celebration continues Swedish tradition
The Andersonville neighborhood hosted its annual Midsommarfest celebration June 9-11. Thousands of people came to take part in the Swedish summer tradition, and many great musicians, artists, vendors and different kinds of food were on hand on hand. Among ...
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Nonbinary actors make history at Tonys
A Tony Awards ceremony that was already unique when queer Oscar-winning host Ariana DeBose hosted an unscripted event (because of the writers' strike) became even more historic when two nonbinary ...
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Sidetrack marks its 41st year
Sidetrack and its owners, Art Johnston & Pepe Pena, celebrated the club's 41st Anniversary on June 8 along with hundreds of patrons. Food was providedas well as specially priced cocktails at $3.00 a piece and drawings ...
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Lambda Literary names winners of the Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist Prize
--From a Lambda Literary press release
Lambda Literary is pleased to announce Ryka Aoki and Aaron Hamburger as the winners of the 2023 Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist Prize. Dedicated to the memory of author and journalist Jim Duggins, this prize ...
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Lambda Legal marks 50 years with Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration
Lambda Legal marked its 50th anniversary with The Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration May 19 at the Art Institute of Chicago. The event honored Windy City Times Owner and Co-Founder Tracy Baim. The celebration was named ...
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Gloria Allen to be honored on National LGBTQ Wall of Honor on June 22
The International Imperial Court System and the National LGBTQ Task Force are honoring seven legends of the LGBTQ+-rights movement as 2023 National LGBTQ Wall of Honor inductees at NYC's historic Stonewall Inn on June 22, per ...
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GLAAD ceremony honors celebrities and welcomes TGNC state reps
On May 13, GLAAD announced recipients for the final 18 of this year's 33 categories of the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. Maren Morris accepted GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, introduced by ...
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UIC's 'lavender' graduates step out into the world
On May 2, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) held its 17th annual Lavender Graduation Ceremony in front of a crowded room of queer graduates and their friends, allies and families. The event was held in ...
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Lambda Legal to celebrate 50 years with Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration May 19
--From a press release
Lambda Legal's Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration returns on Friday, May 19, 2023 at The Art Institute of Chicago. The event is named after Robert Bonvoulier "Bon" Foster, a Chicago attorney and civil rights leader who ...
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2023 Leppen Leadership Awards announced, event May 14
--From a press release
About Face Theatre has announced the return of the Leppen Leadership Awards. Now in the 28th season, About Face has been honoring community luminaries since 2001 with the Leppen Leadership Award, named for founding supporter and ...
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LAMMY Awards announce host, presenters, special guests for June 9 event
--From a press release
New York, NY, May 4, 2023 — Lambda Literary, the nation's premier LGBTQ literary arts organization, announced updates and additions, including host, special guests and more at the upcoming 35th Annual Lambda Literary Awards — aka ...
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Tony nominations are out
The 2023 Tony nominations are out. With 13 nominations, the musical Some Like It Hot led all productions, with & Juliet; New York, New York; and Shucked tying for second with nine nominations, per Deadline. Kimberly ...
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NLGJA, Curve Foundation announce recipients of inaugural Curve Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 27, 2023) — Today, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists and The Curve Foundation announced the recipients of the inaugural Curve Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage. ...
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Gala raises hundreds of thousands for Center on Halsted
Photos by Kat Fitzgerald
Hundreds of community members met at the Geraghty, 2520 S. Hoyne Ave., the evening of April 15 for Center on Halsted's 2023 edition of its annual Human First gala. Honorees that evening included local activists Ann ...
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LA LGBT Center's gala raises $1M+; Leslie Jordan among those honored
On April 22, the Los Angeles LGBT Center raised more than $1 million to support its lifeline services and advocacy benefiting the LGBTQ+ community ...
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'Birthplace' of house music to become a Chicago landmark
Shortly after being named to Preservation Chicago's annual list of the city's "most endangered" buildings, the Warehousethe club at 206 S. Jefferson St. that has been often called the "birthplace" of house musicis on its way ...
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The Jeff Awards announce grants to inspire artists of color
--From a press release
CHICAGOAs an extension of its mission to promote and recognize theater excellence, The Jeff Awards is launching a new grant award program called the Jeff Impact Fellowship to help inspire early to mid-career artists of color ...
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GLAAD Media Awards held; Christina Aguilera, Bad Bunny, 'Bros' among honorees
On March 30 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, GLAAD announced recipients for 15 of this year's 33 categories for the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, per a press release. Christina Aguilera ...
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Lambda Literary announces award finalists
--From a press release
Lambda Literary has announced the finalists in 25 categories for the 35th Annual Lambda Literary Awards. The finalists were selected by a panel of over 65 literary professionals from more than 1,350 book submissions. These selections ...
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Anna DeShawn wins prestigious Ambie award for the Queer News podcast
--From a press release
Las Vegas, NV (March 13, 2023) — The Podcast Academy hosted the Ambies, the most preeminent awards in podcasting, at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Anna DeShawn, the producer & ...
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PFLAG holds 50th anniversary celebration gala, honors Tom Daley with George Takei Advocate Award
--From a press release
NEW YORK (Mar. 4, 2023) Last night, iconic LGBTQ+ community organization PFLAG celebrated 50 years of leading with love at a spectacular gala event hosted by comedian and actress Amber Ruffin at New York's Marriott ...
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Queerties honor LGBTQ+ creatives at Feb. 28 event
The 11th Annual Queerties Awardswhich recognizes LGBTQ+ creators, tastemakers, storytellers and newsmakerstook place Feb. 28 at Eden Sunset in Los Angeles. Hosted by drag comedian Bianca Del Rio, the ceremony ...
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The Jeff Awards to honor Myrna Salazar with special non-Equity honor
--From a Jeff Awards press release
(March 1, 2023 - Chicago) — Recognizing a lifetime of theater excellence, the Joseph Jefferson Awards will honor the late arts activist Myrna Salazar at the organization's 49th Anniversary Non-Equity Awards celebration on Monday, March 2 ...
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Old Town home of gay pioneer Henry Gerber finds buyer
An Old Town row house that was home to two of the founders of the country's first gay-rights organization recently found a buyer, according to Crain's Chicago Business. The Henry Gerber House, 1710 N. Crilly Ct., ...
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Outgoing state Rep. Greg Harris feted at Baton retirement party
In recognition of his 16-year career in the Illinois House of Representatives, many efforts in public service, not to mention staunch support of the LGBTQ community, state Rep. Greg Harris, who is also the house majority ...
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Johnson among HRC Chicago's Nov. 12 honorees
E. Patrick Johnson, dean of the School of Communication and Annenberg University Professor of Performance Studies at Northwestern University, was recognized by HRC Chicago at its 2022 gathering Nov. 12 at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and Imperial Court Holiday Social
From a press release
Charlie's Chicago, 3726 N. Broadway, Chicago 60613, will hold a Holiday Social for the Imperial Windy City Court of the Prairie State Empire as a fundraiser for the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame on Friday, Dec. ...
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Chicago Fire FC wins first-ever Midwest Emmy Award
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (Dec. 6, 2022) — Chicago Fire FC has been awarded the Club's first ever Regional Emmy Award in the category of "Outstanding Crafts Achievement for Graphics Arts/Motion Graphics/ Art Direction/Set Design" as a part of ...
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ABA names recipients of 2023 Stonewall Award honoring LGBT advancements in legal profession
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, Nov. 7, 2022 Three longstanding LGBT legal activists will be honored by the American Bar Association Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity with its 10th annual Stonewall Award during a ceremony on Feb. ...
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Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs honors LGBTQIA+ leaders and celebrates LGBTQIA+ History Month
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — On Oct. 21, Illinois state Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a celebration to commemorate LGBTQIA+ History Month at the state government building at 555 W. Monroe St. The event was an opportunity to reflect on ...
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Chicago Journalists Association names honorees
-- From a press release
(CHICAGO)— President and publisher of the Chicago Reader, Tracy Baim, will receive the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Chicago Reader staff writer Kelly Garcia will be recognized as Chicago Emerging Journalist of the Year at the ...
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Legacy Walk marks 10th anniversary with newest dedications: Hart, Sarria and Sotomayor
On the afternoon of Oct. 15, the Legacy Project celebrated its 10th anniversary with the dedication of three new bronze memorials along Chicago's Legacy Walk. The Legacy Walk, which runs along Halsted Street between Addison and ...
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Sarah Siddons Society to honor Sandy Duncan on Nov. 14
The Sarah Siddons Society, celebrating its 70th-anniversary year, will present its 2022 Award to three-time Tony Award nominee Sandy Duncan. The annual award is presented to an individual who has achieved outstanding artistic achievement in theater. ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame 2022 induction ceremony honors activists, artists, community organizations
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inducted eight individuals, three organizations and three "Friends of the Community" (allies) at an Oct. 11 ceremony hosted by The Chicago History Museum. Founded in 1991, it's the only city-sanctioned ...
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HRC celebrates National Coming Out Day and the significance of chosen family
-- From a press release. Video below
WASHINGTON—Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, is commemorating the 34th annual National Coming Out Day (NCOD) by ...
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Chicago voted 'Best Big City' for sixth straight year
Choose Chicago President and CEO Lynn Osmond announced that Chicago has been named the "Best Big City in the U.S." for the sixth straight year by Conde Nast Traveler through their 2022 Readers' Choice Awards. The ...
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Actress/singer/advocate Lynda Carter honored at National Museum of Mexican Art
On Sept. 17, iconic actress, award-winning producer and accomplished singer Lynda Carter received the prestigious Sor Juana Legacy Award from the National Museum of Mexican Art. In a sold-out lunch and interview program held in the ...
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Bronze sculpture at Indiana Univ. honors Kinsey
-- From a press release
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A new bronze sculpture memorializing Alfred C. Kinsey's significant and enduring contributions to Indiana University now sits on the Bloomington campus, marking the 75th anniversary of the institute that bears his name. Kinse ...
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Black Excellence Award nominations announced; gala on Nov. 14
-- From a press release
Chicago—The Board of Directors of the African American Arts Alliance (AAAA), and the Black Excellence Awards Committee announce the nominations for the 22nd Annual Black Excellence ...
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The Legacy Project hosting two major events in October
The Legacy Project will host major events in October. On Saturday, Oct. 15, 1-5 p.m., the organization will host the "Legacy Walk 10th Anniversary" eventa free public induction of three individuals to its Legacy Walk that's ...
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NBJC to hold James Baldwin Legacy Awards on Aug. 21
-- From a press release
On Sunday, Aug. 21—National Senior Citizens Day—at 2 p.m. CT, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) will host the 2nd annual James Baldwin Legacy Awards to honor the invaluable contributions of Black men and masculine elders ...
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'Yellowjackets,' 'Abbott Elementary' among GALECA TV award winners
-- From a press release
Aug. 17, 2022'Los AngelesProving once more that the "gay agenda" is out to force its will on God-fearing freedom lovers, GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics today announced the winners of its 14th Dorian TV ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Inductees
--From a press release
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, the only city-sanctioned LGBT Hall of Fame in the world, was founded in 1991 to honor Chicago's people and entities, nominated by the community, who have made significant contributions to ...
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