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ALMA Chicago holds second annual community reception
Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) Chicago held its second annual community reception Nov. 30 at La Celia Latin Kitchen in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood. This free event introduced the inaugural ...
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'When Black queer people win, everybody wins': Foundation releases report to improve equity at community orgs
In November, Lighthouse Foundation released its 2023 update on its research project, the Black Queer Equity Index, providing a guide that non-profit leaders can use to improve the experiences of marginalized employees and clients. Since 2020, ...
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YEPP 'rises' to occasion at fall fundraiser
Members and guests of Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP) gathered Nov. 17 at Chicago Theater Works, 1113 W. Belmont Ave., for the organization's fall fundraiser, Rise Up: Our Celebration of Resistance. The evening marked both the ...
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Victory Fund celebrates Midwest LGBTQ+ activists and officials
On Nov. 15, the Victory Fund Midwest Chapter held its annual fundraiser and gala, "Victory in the Midwest," at Venue West. 221 N. Paulina St. The event honored Jim Bennett (formerly Lambda Legal's Chicago office manager ...
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Howard Brown Health Workers United members gather for post-strike rally
Howard Brown Health (HBH) Workers United members held an evening post-Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike rally Nov. 15 in front of the new multi-story HBH Halsted clinic. It was the conclusion of their two-day strike that ...
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HRC's 2023 survey of cities, towns shows record support for LGBTQ+ residents; Chicago scores 100
--From a press release
WASHINGTON—Te Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), in partnership with the Equality Federation, an advocacy accelerator rooted in social justice that builds power in a network of state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations ...
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GLAAD to receive Television Academy's Governors Award
The Television Academy announced LGBTQ+ media-advocacy organization GLAAD as the 2023 Governors Award recipient. Founded in 1985 by Vito Russo, author of The Celluloid Closet, and other LGBTQ advocates, GLAAD works with leaders in television, film, ...
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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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Black Excellence Awards winners named, inaugural Chicago Black Arts Hall of Fame inductees honored
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Nov. 7, 2023)—The nonprofit Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago is proud to announce the winners of its 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards, honored last night in a festive celebration at Black Ensemble Theater. ...
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HRC Chicago hosts 2023 celebration
Photos by Kat Fitzgerald/MysticImagesPhotgraphy.com
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Chicago held its annual fundraising dinner and auction the evening of Nov. 4 on at the Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr. HRC Chicago's Community Leadership Award was presented to Jared ...
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Gay Games dealing with backlash, low turnout
Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 (which is also taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico) is taking place, but is contending with some obstacles, including political backlash and low registration numbers, media outlets have reported. According to ...
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Col. Jennifer Pritzker talks about philanthropy, Republican ties
Col. Jennifer Pritzker is someone who firmly believes in giving. There's the transgender activist who has been supportive of many LGBTQ+-related causes. And, of course, there's the Jennifer Pritzker who spent almost three decades in the ...
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Report: More than 500 LGBTQ+ candidates ran for office in 2023
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ leaders to public office, released its 2023 Out on the Trail report, the only annual report on the number and diversity ...
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Imperial Windy City Court of the Prairie State Empire announces Windy City Gala Coronation 19
--From a press release
Chicago, Illinois— October 30, 2023 — The Imperial Windy City Court of the Prairie State Empire announces Windy City Gala Coronation 19 Weekend, November 16-19, 2023. Please come join Empress Fifi De Praved and Emprex Chocolate ...
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Harlem unveils supportive housing for LGBTQ+ youths, young adults
On Oct. 24, NYC government officials and nonprofit organization leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a housing development in Harlem with services for homeless LGBTQ+ youth and young adults between the ages ...
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HRC and Dylan Mulvaney to partner for 2024 SXSW Featured Session
--From a press release
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced a key Featured Session at the South By Southwest (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals curated to discuss poignant LGBTQ+ issues. The panel, titled "When Beer Goes Viral: The Role ...
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Brave Space Alliance announces new board members, first-ever union contract
--From a press release
CHICAGO—Brave Space Alliance (BSA) has announced the appointment of seven new members of its board of directors who bring valuable expertise and diverse perspectives to the organization's leadership. Brave Space ...
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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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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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Gerber/Hart holds Fall benefit, This Archive is Queer
On the evening of October 13, Gerber/Hart Library and Archive held its fall benefit titled This Archive is Queer, with an aim to raise money for the continued expansion of the organization and the purchase of ...
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First Lady Jill Biden to open PFLAG National Convention
--From a press release
WASHINGTON—This Friday, First Lady Jill Biden will address hundreds of LGBTQ+ people, parents, families, and allies attending Learning with Love: The 2023 PFLAG National Convention on the opening day. A stalwart advocate for education, Dr. Biden' ...
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LGBTQ+ advocacy groups endorse Biden, Harris for reelection
--From a press release
The following is a statement from Biden-Harris Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez on today's announcement of the historic joint endorsement by Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC), Equality PAC, and the National Center for Transgender Equa ...
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32nd Chicago AIDS Walk/Run takes off at Soldier Field
The 32nd annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago took place Sept. 30 from Soldier Field, this year with the motto "Show Up, Show Out.” About 2,500 participants—with a united goal of reaching $500,000 for local organizations ...
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GLAAD responds to Pope Francis' statement allowing blessing for same-sex couples
--From a press release
(Monday, October 2, 2023) GLAAD, the world's largest l LGBTQ media advocacy organization, is responding to Pope Francis' groundbreaking statement allowing blessings on same-sex unions. According to New Ways Ministry ...
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SAVOR Breast-cancer awareness fundraisers, 'Hell's Kitchen' viewing party
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many Chicagoland restaurants and bars plan to hold fundraisers to help raise awareness. For example, throughout the month, Estelle's, 2013 W. North Ave., will sell F?!k Cancer Cosmos (with ...
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New report: Attacks on LGBTI rights strongly associated with democratic backsliding globally
--From a press release
A new report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that countries that are highly accepting of LGBTI people tend to have high levels of liberal democracy, such as free and fair elections ...
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Pritzker and Brady-Davis honored at Planned Parenthood gala
On the evening of Sept. 14, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) and Planned Parenthood Illinois Action PAC (PPIA PAC) organizations presented their annual Fighting Forward Gala fundraiser. The event shone ...
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SAG-AFTRA and WGA join GLAAD in releasing Studio 11th Responsibility Index
--From a press release
Hollywood—Sept. 14, 2023 — GLAAD released its annual Studio Responsibility Index in a joint press event in Hollywood alongside the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio ...
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HRC to host Chicago dinner, auction to support response to national state of LGBTQ+ emergency
--From a press release
Chicago, IL. - September 8th - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Chicago Steering Committee is proud to host its Annual - Human Rights Campaign Chicago Fundraising Dinner and Auction!! The Dinner and Auction will be held ...
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LGBTQ+ media welcome Press Forward nat'l media funds for local news innovation, survival
--From a press release
[CHICAGO] – Members of News Is Out, a collaborative of six legacy LGBTQ+ media organizations, have expressed support and excitement about the newly announced national Press Forward effort to support local media in the United States. ...
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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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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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After HRC's State of Emergency declaration, Canadian government recognizes threat of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation
--From a press release
WASHINGTON— Just two months after the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) issued a National State of Emergency in response to the unprecedented and dangerous onslaught of anti-LGBTQ laws passed across the country, the Canadian government has updated ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus leader speaks on group's diversity, 'Sporty Forty'
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus (CGMC) is marking its 40th-anniversary season this year, and will start this milestone on Sept. 15-16 with "Sporty Forty," an event that is layered in meanings involving stereotypes and the group's ...
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Howard Brown Health reinstates workers following NLRB settlement recommendations
--From a press release
CHICAGO, Aug. 29, 2023 — Howard Brown Health reinstated 25 employees as part of a plan to follow the recommendations outlined in a proposed settlement from Region 13 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The ...
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Chicago Dancers United raises more than $365K at Dance for Life
Chicago Dancers United (CDU)—which supports the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance community—welcomed 1,600 people to the 32nd annual Dance for Life on Aug. 19 at Auditorium Theatre, per ...
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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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LGBTQ+ Chicagoans mark 30 years in Bud Billiken Parade
By Vernon Hester and Matt Simonette
The annual Bud Billiken Parade kicked off on the morning of Aug. 12, carrying on the tradition of starting the school year with a celebration. Hailed as the largest African American parade in the country—and the ...
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Center on Halsted leaders discuss transition and organization's future
In March—after a 15-year tenure that was productive but also controversial in spots—Modesto Tico Valle officially stepped down from his position as CEO of Center on Halsted, the largest LGBTQ+ ...
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Chicago House indulges in Champagne Wrapture
Chicago House's annual fundraiser, Champagne Wrapture, returned to the Windy City the evening of Aug. 3. The event was held at 600 N. Fairbanks Court on the rooftop deck and featured a silent auction, free-flowing champagne, ...
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Dancer O'Shae Sibley murdered amid rising violence against LGBTQs; GLAAD highlights trend
--From a press release
At least five LGBTQ people have been murdered in recent weeks, following a dramatic spike in anti-LGBTQ hate and harassment during Pride month. GLAAD: "[O'Shae] Sibley's shocking murder follows a disturbing rise in violence and harassment ...
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Center on Halsted's Jenny Urban trains a new generation of chefs
Recently, Windy City Times chatted with Chicago chef Jenny Urban, the Director of Culinary Arts at Center on Halsted. Urban has been in the Chicago restaurant scene for more than a decade, and they've recently brought ...
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Lambda Legal replies to Biden administration proposed HHS grants rule
--From a press release
(Washington, DC, July 11, 2023) — Today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a proposed new rule modifying nondiscrimination protections for beneficiaries of and participants in ...
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Biden administration moves to ensure equal treatment of LGBTQ+ people in federal programs, NCLR responds
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds the Biden Administration for taking steps to eradicate harmful discrimination in federally-funded social service programs. The U.S. Department of ...
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American Library Association to distribute $1M for the fight against censorship
--From a press release
CHICAGO (June 22, 2023) — The American Library Association (ALA) will distribute $1 million to respond to censorship challenges ...
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Los Angeles LGBT Center releases executive summary of National LGBTQ+ Women's Community Survey
--From a press release
LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles LGBT Center, in partnership with Justice Work and 120 partner organizations, released the executive summary of initial findings from the largest and most comprehensive survey on LGBTQ+ women who partner with women ...
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Cubs hold 2023 Pride Night
The Chicago Cubs celebrated Pride Night on June 13 with activations, music, T-shirts and more. For the Pride Celebration at Wrigley Field, the Cubs recognized the Legacy Project, a Chicago-based cultural and education nonprofit dedicated to ...
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Howard Brown Health's upcoming Lake View clinic to expand healthcare access
Howard Brown Health (Howard Brown) is preparing to open a new, larger and more holistic facility at 3501 N. Halsted St., two blocks south of Center on Halsted in Lake View, for this coming Fall. Organization ...
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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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LGBTQ, women's rights supporters to protest for civil rights in Chicago June 24
--From a joint press release
On the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs anti-abortion decision, with a major anti-LGBTQ decision expected this month, and hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills pending in statehouses around the nation, organizers vow a rebirth of the spirit ...
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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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HRC declares state of emergency for LGBTQs, issues report and guidebook
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — officially declared a state of emergency ...
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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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WORLD Japanese bill, 'HRC Equidad CL,' center closes, UN expert, amFAR gala
LGBTQ+-rights activists criticized a new bill submitted to the Diet (Japan's national legislature) aimed at "promoting understanding" of equality issues as a "meaningless gesture," Japan Today noted. Japan's coalition government ...
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Leading LGBTQ+ groups raise alarm to business community on coordinated anti-LGBTQ+ attacks; call on Target to lead
--From a press release
Organizations calling on Target and all businesses to stand up against anti-LGBTQ2S+ extremism in statement below: Family Equality, GLAAD, GLSEN, The Human Rights Campaign, National Center For Lesbian Rights, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Black J ...
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SAVOR 'Round Table II' brings chefs, nonprofits together to discuss collective vision
On May 15, the Avondale restaurant eden, 2734 W. Roscoe St., was the site of a rather extraordinary gathering of Chicagoland chefs, nonprofit CEOs and other business leaders in a moving discussion that centered on building ...
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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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Modern Military Association of America appoints interim Executive Director
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, (May 17, 2023) — LGBTQ+ military nonprofit Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) announced today that nonprofit management expert Rachel Branaman, will step into the role of interim executive ...
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Howard Brown Health identifies Monkeypox (Mpox) resurgence
--From a press release
(Chicago, IL, May 5, 2023) — Howard Brown Health has identified a resurgence in cases of Monkeypox (Mpox) in the Chicago area. As of this morning, the agency has diagnosed seven new cases of mpox since ...
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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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Rainbow Railroad seeks to resettle 50 LGBTQI+ people safely in the USA, including 20 in Chicago
Rainbow Railroad recently held an informational meeting at Center on Halsted to announce its partnership with U.S. State Department administered Welcome Corps sponsorship program. The organization has chosen the Chicago ...
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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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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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One Roof Chicago LGBTQ+ centered intergenerational community in planning stages, announces new executive director
When One Roof Chicago (ORC) founder Pamela Calvert, a then-newcomer to Chicago, was researching senior living options for her wife and herself, both elder orphans with no close family ties in the area, she was looking ...
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Hall of Fame welcomes spring with Baton fundraiser
The Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame held its first fundraiser, dubbed "Spring Fling," on April 13 at The Baton Show Lounge in Uptown. Billed as "a special evening of glamour and glitz," the event featured an ...
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Lambda Legal applauds re-introduction of Federal Do No Harm Act
--From a press release
"As the Supreme Court gets ready possibly to expand even further the ability of businesses to use religion to discriminate, the federal RFRA law absolutely needs this fix."—Lambda Legal Chief Legal Officer Jennifer C. Pizer (Washington, ...
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Queer Art's Illuminations Grant to recognize Black trans visual artists
--From www.queer-art.org
The Queer|Art Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists sheds light on the under-recognized contributions of Black trans women visual artists and provides critical support to their continuing work. The application period is open for ...
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Arts Alliance Illinois encourages creatives to apply for $50M in grants for pandemic losses
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Arts Alliance Illinois is encouraging creatives across the state to apply for the B2B Arts (Illinois Creative Recovery) Grant, a historic $50 million in grant money being distributed by the Illinois Department of Commerce ...
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'Belting for Life' returns in May with new partnership with AIDS Foundation Chicago
--From a press release
CHICAGO—Chicago's favorite evening of big voices for a big cause, returns with the 8th annual Belting for Life. For one night only on Monday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Evanston, ...
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The Jeff Awards announce grants to inspire artists of color
--From a press release
CHICAGO—As 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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Parker tapped as new Brave Space Alliance head
Brave Space Alliance (BSA), a Black- and trans-led LGBTQ+ advocacy located on the city's South Side, announced that longtime activist (and former BSA Board Chair) Channyn Lynne Parker will take the reins as BSA's new chief ...
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Equality Illinois celebrates victories for trans representation in southern Illinois and Will County
--From a press release
A statement from Myles Brady Davis, Communications Director of Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Illinoisans: "We are extremely proud of ...
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Center on Halsted recruiting for full time bilingual health educator positions
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Center on Halsted is currently recruiting for three open positions in our HIV department. We are looking for Bilingual Health Educators. This is a full-time, on-site position with complete benefits package. The duties for ...
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Michaela Jae Rodriguez honored at HRC dinner
On March 25, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hosted its Los Angeles dinner at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE—and honored Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated trans actress Michaela Jae Rodriguez, per a press release. Human ...
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