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BOOKS Owen Keehnen takes readers to an 'oasis of pleasure' in 'Man's Country'
In the book Man's Country: More Than a Bathhouse, Chicago historian Owen Keehnen takes a literary microscope to the venue that the late local icon Chuck Renslow opened in 1973. Over decades, until it was demolished ...
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Disney exhibition chronicles a century of entertainment history
Disney100, a large-scale traveling exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, has opened at the Exhibition Hub Art Center, 2367 W. Logan Blvd., in Bucktown. Hundreds of props and artifacts from the company's ...
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Rustin film puts a gay pioneer into the spotlight
The story of activist Bayard Rustin is one that should be told in classrooms everywhere. Instead, because Rustin was an openly same-gender-loving man, his legacy has gone relatively unnoticed outside of LGBTQ+-focused history books. Netflix hopes ...
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IDHS head Dulce Quintero reflects on making history, being an advocate
Dulce Quintero has always believed in helping people—and decades of doing so has resulted in an especially noteworthy achievement. Recently, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker appointed Quintero, a member of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, as ...
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Rainbow wave: Historic number of LGBTQ+ Candidates elected in 2023
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Over 200 out LGBTQ+ candidates won their elections in 2023 — including 148 tonight — more than in any other odd-numbered election year in U.S. history. The number of victories is expected to ...
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Mississippi makes history with first LGBTQ+ state lawmaker, county supervisor
On Nov. 7 Fabian Nelson—backed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund—won the general election to represent District 66 in the Mississippi State House, making history as the first out LGBTQ+ candidate to win election to the state ...
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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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WTTW doc chronicles the activism of Danny Sotomayor
Practically everything the late Chicago AIDS activist Danny Sotomayor did was "a fight." So says fellow activist Victor Salvo in the new WTTW documentary The Outrage of Danny Sotomayor, which is part of the station's Chicago ...
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LGBT HISTORY PROJECT: Exploring 70 years of lesbian publications, from 1940s zines to modern glossy magazines
Since the '40s, lesbians have created a vibrant history of publications. From the exploration of daily lesbian life to literary and feminist pursuits, to the modern age of glossy magazines, for over 70 years, lesbians have ...
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THEATER 'This Bitter Earth' tackles both political and personal commitments
I have more decades behind me than before me. Thus, my history comes at me in timeless waves. An event from 1986 will often assail my mind while one from last year follows, dreamily, behind it. ...
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Sean Fader memorializes LGBTQ+ history with Insufficient Memory
One of artist Sean Fader's recent projects project may be named Insufficient Memory, but his crucial work in memorializing LGBTQ+ history will hopefully never fade over time. In 2018, Fader—A New York City and New Orleans-based ...
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GAY HISTORY MONTH The evolution of LGBTQ+ online dating
Special to Windy City Times. To mark Gay History Month, the following article appears courtesy of LGBT History Project and Philadelphia Gay News. From casual hook-ups to friendships to meeting the love of your life, LGBTQ+ ...
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Lambda Legal holds nationwide 50th anniversary celebration
Lambda Legal—the nation's oldest and largest legal nonprofit focused on the rights of LGBTQ+ people, as well as those individiuals living with HIV—celebrated its 50th anniversary Oct. 18 with an in-person event in New York City ...
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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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Boisterous activist/business owner Marge Summit remembered
A group of Chicago-area friends gathered Oct. 15 at the Baton Show Lounge to celebrate the extraordinary life of LGBTQ+ activist and community organizer and former bar owner Marge Summit. Summit, the former owner of the ...
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Statement from President Joe Biden on 25th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death
--From a press release
BRIEFING ROOM STATEMENTS AND RELEASES Twenty-five years ago today, Matthew Shepard lost his life to a brutal act of hate and violence that shocked our nation and the world. The week prior, Matthew had been viciously ...
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GAY HISTORY MONTH George Harris reflects on his late husband and Dallas activism
Special to Windy City Times. To mark Gay History Month, this article appears courtesy of Dallas Voice and the LGBT History Project. When George Harris and Jack Evans became the first couple to legally marry in ...
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GAY HISTORY MONTH When NOW purged lesbians
Special to Windy City Times. To mark Gay History Month, this article appears courtesy of Philadelphia Gay News and the LGBT History Project. The website of The National Women's History Museum (NWHM) describes Betty Friedan as ...
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Legacy Project to host Legacy Walk Outdoor LGBTQ+ History Museum Phase XI dedication Oct. 14
--From a press release
On Oct. 14, 2023 the Legacy Project will host the 11th Anniversary Dedication of Chicago's Legacy Walk Outdoor LGBTQ History Museum. This year's inductees include The Road to Marriage Equality: The Supreme Court Decision that Rocked ...
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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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GAY HISTORY MONTH Putting an end to the myths of Stonewall
Special to Windy City Times. In recognition of Gay History Month, this article appears courtesy of the LGBT History Project and Philadelphia Gay News. For years, people have debated what actually happened that night in June ...
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GAY HISTORY MONTH In the '60s, drag found a home in San Francisco's Glen Park
Special to Windy City Times. To mark Gay History Month, this article appears courtesy of the Bay Area Reporter. During the '60s most LGBTQ nightlife in San Francisco was centered in the northern neighborhoods of the ...
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WORLD Quebec lesbians, violence study, Rugby World Cup, Ugandan bill
The hidden history of Quebec lesbians is being explored, the CBC reported. Between 1985 and 1996, a group of lesbians leased the Plateau-Mont-Royal school and ran it as a community center. The school was also home ...
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African American Arts Alliance of Chicago names new president for first time in 25 years
--From a press release
CHICAGO—The nonprofit African American Arts Alliance of Chicago announced Charlique C. Rolle as its new board president, effective immediately. Rolle is the first new president in the Alliance's 26-year history ...
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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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Diana Taurasi becomes first WNBA player to score 10K points
Diana Taurasi—an LGBTQ+ WNBA player who was already the highest scoring athlete in league history—extended her record in a significant way. Taurasi (a teammate of Brittney Griner) became the first player in WNBA history to score ...
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SHOWBIZ Emmys, 'Top Chef,' Hyphen Hyphen, Da Brat, 'Transparent,' Ben Cohen
Videos below
As the Emmy nominations were announced (with Succession leading with 27 noms), openly gay Paris Barclay made history. According to Deadline, the two-time Emmy winner is the first Black (and, certainly, Black gay) director to sweep ...
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Out at CHM hosts its first 2023 event
On June 28, Chicago History Museum (CHM), 1601 N. Clark St., transformed itself into a "supportive space for trans joy" to mark its support for transgender individuals. The event was presented as part of Out at ...
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Woman running to be first openly trans president in world's history
Tamara Adrian recently registered as a presidential candidate in the Venezuelan primary—becoming the first openly transgender person in the world to do so, The Washington Blade reported. The professor/attorney/author/LGBTQI+-rights activist—a ...
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Supreme Court ruling on 303 Creative: How bad was it? Depends on who you ask
Some believe the U.S. Supreme Court's decision June 30 in 303 Creative v. Elenis may be one of the most consequential in LGBTQ legal history—a kind of "separate but equal" pronouncement on how the courts should ...
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Chicago Fire scores historic victory over Portland
Chicago Fire FC defeated the Portland Timbers for the first time in Fire history with a 2-1 victory on June 21 at Providence Park. Striker Kei Kamara scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute to ...
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Chicago City Council approves landmark status for The Warehouse building
On June 21, the Chicago City Council, among other things, approved landmark status for The Warehouse building that featured a now-shuttered club that catered to queer Black and Brown patrons and that is known as the ...
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Patric McCoy exhibition unearths forgotten moments from Chicago's Black queer history
It's the unusual person who is able to transform commutes to and from their office into anything meaningful, let alone a profound body of work documenting a generation. But Patric McCoy has done just that. McCoy, ...
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Fabrizzio Subia navigates loss and grief through art
When it comes to loss, Fabrizzio Subia may know more than most people. Having dealt with everything from familial loss to the erasure of his history, the Ecuadorian-American multidisciplinary artist (who has also done things like ...
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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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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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HRC issues 'state of emergency' for LGBTQ+ Americans
On June 6, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) officially declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the United States for the first time in its history, which spans more than four decades. According to a ...
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SHOWBIZ Lily Tomlin, Daniel Craig, Lizzo, 'Noah's Arc,' Maurice Jamal, 'Heartstopper'
Video below
The Peabody Awards announced that Lily Tomlin and Issa Rae will receive honorary awards at the June 11 ceremony, to be held in Los Angeles for the first time in Peabody's 83-year history, per the Hollywood ...
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White House proclaims 70th anniversary of the 'Lavender Scare'
On April 25, the White House issued a proclamation noting April 27 as the 70th anniversary of the Lavender Scare, which negatively—and extensively—impacted the LGBTQ+ community. In 1950, the U.S. State Department fired 91 employees because ...
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PASSAGES: Retired Chicago Fire Department district chief, paramedic Pat Ciara
Retired Chicago Fire Department (CFD) district chief, paramedic and at one time the highest ranking out lesbian in the history of the CFD, Pat Ciara died April 19 of lung cancer in Lake Worth, Florida. She ...
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Gerber/Hart Library and Archives holds Spring Soiree benefit event at Sidetrack
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives (Gerber/Hart) hosted "This Library is QUEER! The Gerber/ Hart Spring Soiree" benefit April 20 at Sidetrack. A large collection of the history and culture of Chicago and the Midwest's LGBTQIA communities is ...
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House History: World-premiere musical was inspired by the early days of '80s house music
Gay composer Scott Free can rattle off the names of several documentaries celebrating the Chicago origins of house music. This style of electronic dance music was pioneered by Black DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Larry Heard ...
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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 Warehouse—the club at 206 S. Jefferson St. that has been often called the "birthplace" of house music—is on its way ...
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Chicago's Fine Arts Building celebrates 125th anniversary with exhibits and tours
--From a press release
CHICAGO (March 7, 2023)—Chicago's historic Fine Arts Building (410 S. Michigan Avenue) celebrates its 125th anniversary this year with two new public exhibits, a self-guided walking tour of significant sites ...
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DuSable Black History Museum to show paintings from collection of Emmy award-nominated actress CCH Pounder
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Feb. 24,2023) — The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is pleased to announce a new exhibition featuring paintings from the Collection of Emmy® award-nominated actress CCH Pounder. ...
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Passages: Longtime activist Achebe (Betty) Powell passes away
Veteran social justice organizer and educator Achebe (Betty) Powell passed away Feb. 21, according to multiple reports. Powell died of COVID-19 related complications at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Brooklyn, according to a Feb. 22 statement ...
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Hidden History: Pamela Bannos brings the life of 19th-century lesbian photographer to new audiences
Few people outside of New York may know about 19th-century photographer Alice Austen (1866-1952)—but author/historian/Northwestern University professor Pamela Bannos wants to change that. Bannos recently completed a podcast series about ...
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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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Poll: Black Americans support gender equality but split on trans and non-binary issues
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 16, 2023) — Discussions about gender equality and feminism have a long history among Black Americans, with hallmarks like Maria Miller Stewart in 1832; the Combahee River Collective in 1977; Anita Hill in ...
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WORLD Church of England, Japanese officials, Hong Kong ruling, drag kings
The Church of England has voted to bless same-sex marriages for the first time in its history; however, its ban on conducting ceremonies will stay in place, PinkNews reported. It was approved after a six-year consultation ...
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Ben LaBolt of Illinois to be first gay White House communications director
Ben LaBolt—a native of La Grange, Illinois and an alumnus of Middlebury College—is making history as the first openly gay White House communications director, according to an official press release. Kate Bedingfield, who has served as ...
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Pauli Murray becomes first Black queer person on U.S. currency
Pauli Murray (1910-85)—who was an LGBTQ+ human-rights activist, lawyer and Episcopal priest and who is the subject of the documentary My Name Is Pauli Murray—will soon be honored with a quarter of her own, USA Today ...
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Kim Petras is first openly trans singer to win a Grammy
On Feb. 5, Kim Petras made history, becoming the first openly transgender singer to win a Grammy. The German-born singer won in her category of Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Unholy," her chart-topping collaboration with non-binary singer Sam Sm ...
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Beyonce adds second Chicago date to tour
Beyonce—now the most-decorated singer in Grammys history—has added a second Chicago date to her newly announced "Renaissance" world tour, according to The Chicago Tribune. She will now perform at Soldier Field on July 22-23. H ...
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Let's Talk presents "Let's Talk & Celebrate" foodie bash March 2
--From a press release
(CHICAGO) — Kick off Women's History Month with a "Let's Talk & Celebrate" Gold Glamour Gourmet bash by 35+ Chicagoland Let's Talk Womxn LetsTalkWomxn.com restaurateurs on Thursday, March 2, at Moe's Cantina in River North fr ...
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Oak Park Festival Theatre makes history with new artistic director
The Oak Park Festival Theatre (OPFT)—the oldest professional classical theater in the Midwest—announced that Peter G. Andersen will be joining the company as its new artistic director in January 2023. It is the first time that a person ...
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Washington skates by Blackhawks as Ovechkin makes history
At the United Center on Dec. 13, the Chicago Blackhawks (7-16-4) fell to the Washington Capitals (15-12-4) by a score of 7-3. Washington's Alex Ovechkin scored three times to become the third NHL player with 800 ...
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Blackhawks end losing streak; UChicago makes soccer history
On Dec. 3, the visiting Chicago Blackhawks (7-12-4) defeated the New York Rangers (11-10-4) 5-2, snapping an eight-game losing streak. With an assist on Taylor Raddysh's goal to put the team up 4-1 in the third period, ...
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Kris Mayes shatters lavender ceiling; first LGBTQ person elected Arizona Attorney General
-- From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Fund candidate Kris Mayes won the election for Arizona Attorney General. With this historic win, she is now the first out LGBTQ Attorney General in Arizona history. Mayor Annise Parker, ...
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NATIONAL Political results, communicable-disease law, Urvashi Vaid
Sharice Davids won the election for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District. In 2018, she made history when she became the first out LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from Kansas and one of the first two Native American women ever ...
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U.S. women's soccer makes history after loss to Germany
The United States women's soccer team lost again, falling 2-1 to Germany on Nov. 10 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to The Guardian, it's the U.S. team's first three-game skid since 1993 ...
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Erick Russell shatters lavender ceiling; first Black LGBTQ person elected to statewide position in U.S. history
-- From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Fund candidate Erick Russell won the election for Connecticut state Treasurer. With this victory, he is now the first Black out LGBTQ person ever elected to statewide office in U.S. ...
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HISTORY MADE: Oregon's Tina Kotek one of first lesbian governors in U.S history
-- From a press release
SALEM — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, hailed the victory of HRC-endorsed Tina Kotek in her bid to become the governo ...
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History made: More LGBTQ+ people elected to congress than ever before
-- From an HRC press release
Washington, DC — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — hailed the victory of at least ...
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Maura Healey shatters lavender ceiling in Massachusetts; no U.S. state had elected a lesbian governor
-- From a press release
Washington, DC — Tonight LGBTQ Victory Fund candidate Maura Healey won the Massachusetts gubernatorial race — becoming the first out LGBTQ governor of Massachusetts and one of the first out lesbian governors in U.S. history. Tina ...
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Chicago History Museum holds special screening, panel discussion
The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum presented a special screening of the Youtube Originals series Supreme Models: The Documentary and a panel with an array of A-list fashion industry panelists. Among the participants were ...
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Ginsburg, Morrison, women's soccer to be honored with stamps
The U.S. Postal Service announced that the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the late author Toni Morrison (Beloved; The Bluest Eye) will be honored with new postage stamps next year. The sport of ...
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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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LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH bell hooks: A voice of love, activism and intersectionality
When bell hooks died on Dec. 15, 2021, it was a gut punch. There was no time when bell hooks' extraordinary writing and feminist and lesbian theorizing was not part of the queer community. There was ...
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LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH Podcast sheds light on forgotten murders of gay men in Montreal
When people ask about or Google the murders of gay men in Montreal in the '90s, it all leads to the podcast "The Village: The Montreal Murders." LGBTQ+-rights advocates encouraged me to listen to the podcast. ...
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Chicago History Museum to host 'Supreme Models' screening Nov. 4
The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum will host the official Midwest screening of Supreme Models and an exclusive in-person celebration on Friday, Nov. 4, 5:30-9:30 p.m. at The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark ...
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Gerber/Hart Library and Archives holds 'Unboxing Queer History LIVE' fall benefit
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives (Gerber/Hart) held its fall benefit, "Unboxing Queer History LIVE!," on Oct. 15 at Gerber/Hart to raise funds in support of the library's mission to preserve LGBTQ+ history in Chicago and the Midwest. ...
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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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