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Almost 8% of U.S. residents identify as LGBTQ+
The proportion of U.S. adults identifying as LGBTQ+ continues to increase. LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. continues to grow, with 7.6% of U.S. adults now identifying as LGBTQ+, according to the newest Gallup poll results that ...
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Women's History Month doesn't do enough to lift up Black lesbians
Fifty years ago, in 1974, the Combahee River Collective (CRC) was founded in Boston by several lesbian and feminist women of African descent. As a sisterhood, they understood that their acts of protest were shouldered by ...
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No 'explanations' needed: Affinity remains a haven for Chicago's Black queer community
Back in 2007, Anna DeShawn came out while she was studying for her undergraduate degree. At around the same time, she searched online for "Black lesbians in Chicago." Her search led her to Affinity Community Services, ...
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Affinity Community Services' Latonya Maley announces departure
Latonya Maley, executive director of Affinity Community Services, announced March 6 that she would be stepping down from her post. The announcement came from a statement with Affinity board members. Maley said that, "It has been ...
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LPAC celebrates historic wins for LGBTQ+ candidates in Super Tuesday primaries
From a press release: Washington, DC—Today, LPAC,the nation's leading organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary candidates to public office, proudly announces the outstanding victories of 67% of endorsed candidates ...
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THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...
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Without compromise: Holly Baggett explores lives of iconoclasts Margaret Anderson and Jane Heap
Jane Heap (1883-1964) and Margaret Anderson (1886-1973), each of them a native Midwesterner, woman of letters and iconoclast, had a profound influence on literary culture in both America and Europe in the early 20th Century. Heap ...
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There she goes again: Author Alison Cochrun discusses writing journey
By Carrie Maxwell When Alison Cochrun began writing her first queer romance novel in 2019, she had no idea it would change the course of her entire life. Cochrun, who spent 11 years as a high ...
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Brittney Griner's jersey retired at Baylor University
On Feb. 18, Baylor University retired Brittney Griner's #42 jersey. Grinera two-time AP national player of the year, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the NCAA women's career blocks leader (with 748)attended a Bears home game ...
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Second Glance Productions hosts LGBTQupid Soiree
In celebration of Valentine's Day, Chicago based film and media production company Second Glance hosted The LBGTQupid Soiree. The event, which was focused on spinning attitudes on this particular day, was presented at The iO ...
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SHOWBIZ Elton John, Hannah Gadsby, video game, Jennifer Lopez, queer thriller
Video below
Sir Elton John has sold his Atlanta home and is now auctioning off more than 900 of his personal items that were kept in the 13,500-square-foot condo, The Daily Mail noted. The massive collection includes rare ...
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WORLD South Africa murder, lesbian couple, Brianna Ghey, Eurovision
In South Africa, LGBTQ+-rights groups condemned the brutal murder of Diego Jacobs, a queer man in Cape Town, The Washington Blade reported. Reports indicate Jacobs, 21, was brutally murdered (reportedly by a former neighbor) on Feb. ...
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Human Rights Campaign report releases new data on experiences of Black queer youth
--From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released a report in ...
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Asians and Friends Chicago to host LGBTQ Lunar New Year Dinner Feb. 24
--From a press release
CHICAGO—Taking a cross-dressing twist for the Year of the Dragon, members of Asians and Friends Chicago (AFC) will host a dinner-and-drag musical revue, celebrating the Year of the "Drag-on" and bringing together members of the lesbian, ...
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SHOWBIZ Raven-Symone, women's sports, Wayne Brady, Jinkx Monsoon, British Vogue
In celebration of Black History Month, the LA LGBT Center announced that lesbian entertainer Raven-Symone will be presented with the Center's Bayard Rustin Award at its new event, Highly Favored, per a press release. She joins ...
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WORLD Taiwan MP, lesbian couple, India items, Ghana assault, Nepal
Huang Jie said her election to Taiwan's parliament as the island's first openly gay MP represents progress, according to the Hong Kong Free Press. "I hope (my election) will bring courage to many people as I've ...
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SAVOR Taylor's Tacos' Chef Taylor Mason on being part of the Vegas event 'Pepsi Dig In'
On Feb. 8-10 (Super Bowl weekend), Taylor's Tacos Chef Taylor Mason and wife/co-owner Maya Mason will be showcasing two exclusive dishes at the Pepsi Dig In: Brunch with the Best takeover at Delano Las Vegas, giving ...
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Parker stepping down from leading LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
Annise Parker, the former mayor of Houston, announced that she is stepping down from being president/CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund at the end of 2024. In a public letter, Parker stated, "This is not goodbye. I ...
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ART Champaign display looks at the Midwest Black lesbian experience
In Illinois, archival photos are the centerpiece of a new display at the Krannert Art Museum focusing on the Black lesbian experience in the Midwest, IPM reported. The new solo exhibition by St. Louis-based artist Jen ...
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HRC State Equality Index: Anti-LGBTQ+ 2023 state legislative season "most destructive"
--From a press release
WASHINGTON—Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the education arm of the nation's largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, in partnership with the Equality Federatio ...
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Indigo Girls/Melissa Etheridge tour to start Aug. 11 at Ravinia
Grammy-winning folk icons Indigo Girls will join Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter/rocker and fellow queer legend Melissa Etheridge for several co-billed shows this August. The tour kicks off at Ravinia at Highland Park, Illinois on Sunday, Aug. 11, ...
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Artemis Singers' winter performance inspires listeners to 'Embrace the Night'
This winter's annual Artemis Singers' concert, "Embracing the Night," is designed to help listeners connect with their inner strength as they brave the cold winter months. The program begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20 ...
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Few LGBTQ+ individuals score Golden Globes wins
The Golden Globes took place Jan. 7but, for the LGBTQ+ community, there wasn't much to cheer about. For example, queer actors Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers) and Colman Domingo (Rustin) fell short, as Cillian Murphy ...
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Artemis Singers to present "Embracing the Night" concert Jan. 20
--From a press release
CHICAGO─Artemis Singers, www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present "Embracing the Night," a concert of choral and popular music about finding inner strength. The program begins at 7 p.m., Saturday ...
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Brittney Griner strikes deal with ESPN, Disney
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner will partner exclusively with ESPN and Disney Entertainment Television to share her story through various projects on their platforms, according to a press release. A documentary ...
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Chicago author's new guide leads lesbian fiction authors toward inspiration and publication
From a press release: Award-winning and bestselling lesbian fiction author Elizabeth Andrethe pen name for a Chicago-based interracial lesbian couplehas published her latest book, titled Self-Publishing Lesbian Fiction, Write Your ...
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May December film blossoms on Netflix
The Netflix feature film May December, directed by Todd Haynes, takes the craft of character study to a whole new level. The plot is inspired by the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau, an elementary school ...
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WORLD Queer teen dies, trans activist honored, HIV drugs, mpox, British lesbian
In India, queer makeup artist Pranshu reportedly died by suicide—at age 16—after being subjected to relentless attacks online, PinkNews noted. On social media, LGBTQIA+-rights advocacy collective Yes, We Exist claimed ...
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Martina Navratilova continues anti-trans comments
Lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been in the news lately for anti-trans comments, although she has been making them for quite some time. She recently sparked controversy with her remarks on a tribute by UK ...
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BOOKS Lucas Hilderbrand reflects on gay history in 'The Bars Are Ours'
In The Bars Are Ours (via Duke University Press), Lucas Hilderbrand, a professor of film and media studies at the University of California-Irvine, takes readers on a historical journey of gay bars, showing how the venues ...
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Photographer Irene Young launches book with stellar concerts
"Something About the Women" was appropriately the closing song for two sold-out, stellar concerts at Berkeley's Freight & Salvage November 19, in celebration of the new book of the same name by Irene Young, the legendary ...
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Eye-opening LGBTQ+ women's survey shatters myths and spotlights challenges
The realities, ambitions and hardships of queer women aren't often given deep analysis by researchers. Mainstream socio-political conversations, research data and legislative choices frequently center individuals whose lives are marked ...
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Megan Rapinoe ends career with injury
Soccer icon Megan Rapinoe ended her legendary career on Nov. 11, as an injury caused her to leave her team's championship loss in the NWSL championship, ESPN reported. Rapinoe's team, the OL Reign, fell to NJ/NY ...
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PASSAGES Local bowling legend, Wordle enthusiast Mary Ann Graziano
Mary Ann Graziano was a fervent Wordle player, avid bowler and an ace golfer. But above all else, she was a friend to many. The Palatine native died Oct. 9 at the age of 82, after a long illness that left ...
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WORLD Macron, Senegal incident, drag queen, King's Speech, lesbian artist
French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his support for a bill banning gender-inclusive language on official state documents, according to PinkNews. During the inauguration of the space known as the Cite ...
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PASSAGES: Activist, former Organized Chaos Chicago president Kathy Guzman
Community activist, former Organized Chaos Chicago (OCC) president and founding member and now-retired queer women-focused L Stop website editor-at-large and writer Kathy Guzman died October 26 of heart complications. She ...
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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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Queer athlete named women's rugby player of the year
World Rugby announced that British captain Marlie Packer has been named this year's World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard, according to a media release. Packer received the award in front ...
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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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PASSAGES: Longtime social justice activist, filmmaker, writer Amber Hollibaugh
Longtime social justice and HIV/AIDS activist, filmmaker, public speaker and writer Amber Hollibaugh died Oct. 20 due to complications from type one diabetes in her Brooklyn, New York home. She was 77. A self-described "lesbian sex ...
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LGBTQ+ figure skater lands triple axel in competition
Amber Glennwho identifies as bisexual and pansexualbecame the sixth U.S. female figure skater to land a clean triple axel in competition, hitting the jump at Skate America on Oct. 22, NBC Sports noted. "It's been more ...
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois faces LGBTQ+ fertility lawsuit
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois recently ruled that Illinois resident Kelsey Murphy can proceed with a proposed class-action lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), Bloomberg Law reported. The ...
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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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UPDATE: Suspect arrested for arson at San Diego queer women's bar
San Diego resident Ryan Habrel has been arrested for committing arson at Gossip Grill, a queer women's bar in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood, according to LGBTQ San Diego County News. ...
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Report from National LGBTQ+ Women's Community Survey includes high rates of disability, intimate partner violence
--From a press release
LOS ANGELES, October 12—Today, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, in partnership with Justice Work and 120 partner organizations, released the first full report from the largest and most comprehensive survey on LGBTQ+ women who partner with ...
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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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Red Stars fall as the Reign's Rapinoe scores twice in her final match
Megan Rapinoe knows how to go out with a bang. The lesbian soccer icon scored a bracetwo goals in one gameas her OL Reign topped the Chicago Red Stars 3-0 at SeatGeek Stadium in her final ...
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BOOKS Rachel Maddow talks 'Prequel,' fascism and gay vampire fiction
In Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism, New York Times best-selling author and MSNBC host Rachel Maddow traces the fight to preserve U.S. democracy to the early days of World War II, when a clandestine network ...
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LGBTQ+ Victory Fund welcomes Lori Lightfoot to its board of directors
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Today, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund welcomed former Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot to its Board of Directors. Lightfoot was Chicago's first out mayor, serving from May 2019 to May 2023. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is ...
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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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PASSAGES: Renowned DJ, music producer Teresa K. Bristol aka Teri Bristol
Renowned DJ and music producer Teresa Kaye Bristol, aka Teri Bristol, died Sept. 25 in Beechgrove, Tennessee of kidney failure, following an over three-year battle with the disease. She was 66. Bristol was born Dec. 26, ...
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PASSAGES: Former Chicago lesbian nightclub bartender Jennifer Cadieux
Former lesbian nightclub bartender Jennifer Cadieux died Oct. 1 of cancer at the age of 60. She was surrounded by close friends. ...
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WORLD Canadian news, mpox in China, Greek politician, Scottish study
In Canada, LGBTQ+ groups in northwestern Ontario are calling for an urgent meeting with Conservative MP Eric Melillo over what they're calling transphobic policy resolutions passed by the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC), CBC reported. Rainb ...
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Gavin Newsom chooses Black queer activist to fill Feinstein's Senate seat
California Gov. Gavin Newsomfulfilling a promise to appoint a Black woman to the seattapped queer Democratic strategist Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate post held by the trailblazing Dianne Feinstein, who died on Sept. 29, The ...
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WORLD African efforts, HIV in Amsterdam, Donatella Versace, 'The Queen in Me'
A new attempt to prevent the recognition of and equal rights for LGBTQ+ people in Kenya through a constitutional amendment has been introduced in Parliament, The Washington Blade reported. The move was in response to this ...
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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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Megan Rapinoe receives send-off in last international match
Lesbian soccer icon Megan Rapinoe received a triumphant send-off in her last international match, and the United States beat South Africa 2-0 at Chicago's Soldier Field on Sept. 24, per ABC News. Trinity Rodman and Emily ...
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Nobody's Darling celebrates expansion into adjoining property with soft opening event
In the little over two years since its opening, Nobody's Darling in Andersonville has emerged as one of the premiere inclusive spaces to gather in Chicago. Nobody's Darling has become so successful that co-owners Angela Barnes ...
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THEATER Mosaic Players revives 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche
Are suburban Illinois and Wisconsin towns ready to welcome 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche into their churches, synagogues and community colleges? The artists of a Lake County theater company certainly think so. "I was very pleasantly ...
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Mets honor lesbian baseball icon Maybelle Blair
On Sept. 14 at NYC's Citi Field, the New York Mets recognized the life work of lesbian baseball pioneer Maybelle Blair, 96, with the inaugural Amazin' Mets Foundation Legacy Award, according to a Major League Baseball ...
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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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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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NATIONAL Lesbian politician, Nancy Pelosi, bomb threat, politician dies, Lyft
Kathy Kozachenkothe first out politician elected to public office in the countrywill be honored with a statue on the 50th anniversary of her historic election, per The Advocate. The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, will honor ...
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Lesbian chef Susan Feniger coming to Chicago for Reeling
Susan Feniger. FORKED—a verite-style documentary by award-winning filmmaker Liz Lachman that captures moments and the impactful career of her life partner: culinarian, author, entrepreneur and James Beard Award winner Susan ...
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Dykes to Watch Out For Audible series returns listeners to the '80s
By Ro White
From 1983-2008, Alison Bechdel's comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For captured the drama and hilarity of lesbian life. Now it's been adapted into an Audible Original series that draws parallels between the queer past and ...
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Laura Ricketts talks about Chicago Red Stars deal, investor group, coming out
On Aug. 1, a group of investors led by lesbian Chicago Cubs co-owner/Chicago Sky minority owner Laura Ricketts announced that they had officially took ownership of the Chicago Red Stars National Women's Soccer League franchise. The ...
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Laura Ricketts-led group of diverse investors buys Chicago Red Stars in $60 million deal
From an Sept. 1 press release: A diverse investor group led by Laura Ricketts and prominent Chicago women business and civic leaders has officially taken ownership of the Chicago Red Stars National Women's Soccer League ...
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Rapinoe's last international match to take place in Chicago on Sept. 24
Lesbian soccer icon and two-time Women's World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe will play her last professional match against South Africa on Sunday, Sept. 24, in Chicago, U.S. Soccer announced. The match (scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT) ...
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Brave Space Alliance holds Post Pride Mixer
On Aug. 27, Brave Space Alliance held its Post Pride Mixer at popular lesbian-owned bar Nobody's Darling. The social gathering celebrated past accomplishments while looking forward to new horizons for both the service organization and the ...
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Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts to purchase Red Stars
An investor group headed by out lesbian Chicago Cubs co-owner/Chicago Sky minority owner Laura Ricketts reached an agreement to purchase the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars, according to ...
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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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New HRC data: LGBTQ+ youth still lack critical support and acceptance
From a press release: WASHINGTON—The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released a report in partnership with the ...
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PASSAGES: Former OPALGA+ board member, editor JoAnn Ziebarth
Former Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA+) board member and editor JoAnn Ziebarth died July 18 after suffering a bad fall. She was 67. Ziebarth was born Dec. 27, 1955, in DeKalb, where ...
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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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Dykes to Watch Out For launches as audio series
From 1983 to 2008, Alison Bechdel's comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For offered playful, incisive commentary on lesbian culture. Forty years after the comic's inception, it's been adapted into an audio series produced by author-journalist ...
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