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LGBTQ leader Julio Rodriguez honored at Equality Illinois' annual Pride Kickoff Brunch
Longtime LGBTQ+ activist Julio Rodriguez was the main honoree at the fifth annual Pride Kickoff Brunch held by Equality Illinois at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St., June 4. Among those officials on hand to help ...
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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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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame nominations extended, participation in Chicago's LGBT Pride Parade announced
--From a press release
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame announced today, that it will once again be one of the leading floats in Chicago's LGBT Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25. McKinsey & Company will sponsor the Pride float. ...
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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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Affinity renews Burning Bowl tradition
On the afternoon of March 19, Affinity Community Services held Burning Bowl 2023 Renewal: And Still We Rise at the Pavilion at the Dan Ryan Woods. ...
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Mayoral candidate forum centers BIPOC LGBTQ+ issues, Vallas declines to participate
Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson participated in a March 22 virtual LGBTQ+-focused forum co-hosted by Affinity Community Services (Affinity), Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) Chicago ...
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Center on Halsted to Honor Sen. Tammy Baldwin April 15, Human First Gala at The Geraghty
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Center on Halsted is pleased to announce that its inaugural Trailblazer Award will be presented to Senator Tammy Baldwin at its annual Human First Gala being held the evening of Saturday, April 15, in ...
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NATIONAL Ritchie Torres, N.J. towns, Karine Jean-Pierre, Tennessee items
New York Congressman Ritchie Torres has talked about his own struggle with depression and the importance of mental health in the wake of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.)'s recent hospitalization for clinical depression, The Washington Blade ...
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'Spring Fling' at The Baton on Thursday, April 13 to benefit Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame
--From a press release
The Baton Show Lounge (4713 North Broadway, Chicago) has been entertaining folks for 54 years and will host a special "Spring Fling", an all-new show to benefit the Chicago LGBT of Fame on Thursday, April 13 ...
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Johnson and Vallas to take part in LGBTQ+-focused candidate forum March 22
Affinity Community Services (Affinity), Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) Chicago, Brave Space Alliance, Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus, Life is Work and Task Force Chicago are co-hosting a virtual ...
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HRC settles race-based lawsuit with former president
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and its Black former president, Alphonso David, settled a lawsuit in which David had alleged racial discrimination in his firing, Reuters reported. In September 2021, David was fired after New York state ...
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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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31ST annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party raises more than $9 million
--From a press release
LOS ANGELES, March 13, 2023 — The 31st annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards® Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish, with special guests Eric McCormack and Michaela Jae Rodriguez, raised more ...
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Valle leaving longtime Center on Halsted CEO role
Longtime Center on Halsted CEO Modesto Tico Valle is leaving his post, according to organization officials. Board Chair Victor Ravago announced Valle's departure in a March 10 statement: "I share with you today that Modesto Tico ...
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Steppenwolf Theatre Company's 2023 Gala May 13 at The Old Post Office
--From a press release
CHICAGO (March 6, 2023) — The Steppenwolf Ensemble and Board of Trustees are pleased to host Steppenwolf 2023 Gala—an unforgettable evening celebrating 47 years of powerful and thought-provoking storytelling. Emceed ...
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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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Home of long-term NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter devastated by Texas tornado, NCLR comments on outpouring of support
--From a press release
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Yesterday during violent storms in several southern states, the home of long-time NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter and his Robin was destroyed by a powerful tornado in rural Texas. The house also ...
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LGBTQ+ Victory Fund launches new brand; celebrates LGBTQ+ progress, joy and resilience
Video below. From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ+ Victory Fund launched its new name, new logo and new visual identity. This new brand honors LGBTQ+ progress since the organization's inception in 1991, celebrates LGBTQ+ people's joy and resilience in ...
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Gay race-car driver Zach Herrin on industry, historic partnership with Lambda Legal
NASCAR driver Zach Herrin has announced a partnership with Lambda Legal, a national organization aimed at achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV through litigation and public advocacy. ...
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More LGBTQ PoC report barriers to academic achievement than white LGBTQ peers
--From a Williams Institute press release
A new study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, conducted in collaboration with the Point Foundation, the nation's largest LGBTQ scholarship nonprofit, finds more than twice as many LGBTQ POC as white LGBTQ ...
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ALMA's Manuel Hernandez takes on new executive director role
ALMA—which stands for Association of Latinos Motivating Action—was established in Chicago in 1989, making it one of the oldest Latinx LGBTQ organizations in the country. After over three decades of operation, the organization last summer hir ...
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Rep. David Cicilline to retire, hailed by LGBTQ Victory Institute as a groundbreaking LGBTQ leader
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute, has released the following statement following U.S. Representative David Cicilline's announcement that he will retire this June. "David has been a fearless champio ...
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Returning World of Chocolate event nets $250K
On Feb. 17, AIDS Foundation of Chicago's (AFC) annual fundraiser, World of Chocolate returned after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the event was held in the main entry way of Union ...
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Puppy & Handler Contest returns
Joseph Stephens
The Midwest Puppy & Handler Contest took place the weekend of Feb. 17-18 for the first time since 2019. The contest's meet-and-greet was held at Cellblock Feb. 17. The contest itself was hosted by the Leather ...
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ILGA-Europe report: 2022 was the deadliest year for anti-LGBTI violence
ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association)-Europe's "Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of LGBTI People in Europe and Central Asia"— announced Feb. 20 in Brussels, Belgium—reveals ...
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LGBTQ leadership: A conversation with Adler University president Ray Crossman Feb. 28
--From an Adler University press release
Those seeking to learn more on why LGBTQ representation, visibility, and leadership matters in higher education are invited to a Feb. 28 discussion organized by Adler University and The Chicago Community Trust. The event, "LGBTQ and ...
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SAGECollab launches to expand services, advocacy, engagement to support LGBTQ+ elders nationally
--From a press release
[New York, NY] Today, SAGE, the world's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ elders, announced the launch of SAGECollab, its new innovative partnership model. SAGECollab ...
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The NBJC commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, re-releases toolkit
--From a press release
WASHINGTON — For National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) today, February 7, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) has re-released a toolkit that includes information about testing, treatment, and tips ...
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LGBT poverty dropped to 17% during the COVID-19 pandemic
--From a press release
Economic well-being increased most among LGBT people of color and in households with children A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds a dramatic decrease in the number of LGBT and ...
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On State of the Union eve, HRC highlights Biden-Harris record on LGBTQ+ equality, urges action
--From a press release
WASHINGTON — As President Biden prepares to deliver his second State of the Union address on Tuesday, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender ...
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HRC on end of Mpox Public Health Emergency: Today we enter a new phase in a continuing fight
--From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — marked the end of the Mpox Public ...
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TPAN announces merger with Vivent Health
Local HIV/AIDS organization TPAN announced Jan. 19 that it would be merging with Milwaukee-based Vivent Health. The merger is expected to be finalized by March 1, according to both organizations. Vivent Health, so named in 2019, ...
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One in five older LGBT adults experienced poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic
--From a press release
A new report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that during the COVID-19 pandemic LGBT adults aged 50 and older were more likely to have household incomes below the federal poverty level ...
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GLAAD announces nominees for 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards
--From a press release. Video below
Jan. 18, 2023 - GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced the nominees for the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. ...
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Asians and Friends holding Chinese New Year dinner on Feb. 4
In a throwback to the days of Hugh Hefner, Asians and Friends Chicago (AFC) will host a Playboy and Playgirl "Bunny"-themed dinner celebrating the Year of the Rabbit, bringing together members of the LGBTQ+ community to ...
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Windy City Gay Chorus, Windy City Treble Quire begin search for artistic directors
--From a press release
The Board of Directors for Windy City Performing Arts has started their search for two Artistic Directors for the organization's choruses. Applications are now being accepted in hopes to fill these positions prior to the 2023-2024 season. ...
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Black LGBTQ+ film festival among Chicago NEA grant recipients
The Black Alphabet Film Festival—the world's oldest Black LGBTQ+-focused event of its kind—was part of the first round of grant recipients from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), receiving $20,000. In a press release, Black ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame calls for nominations
--From a news release
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame has announced a call for nominations for the 2023 Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Those wishing to may nominate individuals, organizations, businesses, or "Friends of the Community," up until April ...
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Howard Brown, union officials dispute allegations around sidewalk incident
As striking Howard Brown Health Workers United (HBH Workers United) members represented by the Illinois Nurses Association (INA) and their allies were picketing outside of the Andersonville Brown Elephant location at 5404 N. Clark St. on ...
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Cherkasov to head Illinois Holocaust Museum
-- From a press release
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is proud to announce the appointment of national nonprofit leader Bernard Cherkasov as the Museum's Chief Executive Officer. [Cherkasov is gay and has been a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.] ...
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Howard Brown strike reaches third day
Amid layoffs of 60 unionized and four non-union staffers at multiple Howard Brown Health (Howard Brown), Broadway Youth Center and Brown Elephant locations across Chicago, over 400 HBH Workers United non-nurse members represented by the Illinois ...
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Brave Space Alliance to Illinois General Assembly: Don't back down on trans protections
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, IL - January 4, 2023 - Brave Space Alliance (BSA), the South Side LGBTQ+ Center, has been made aware of active discussions to exclude protections for trans people and gender-affirming care from pending legislation that ...
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AFC's World of Chocolate on Feb. 17
After a nearly three-year hiatus, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) will host the return of its famed World of Chocolate fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 17, at Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. This event features a menu ...
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Howard Brown Health staff prepares for January strike
Illinois Nursing Association (INA) filed an intent-to-strike notice against the Howard Brown Health medical organization on Dec. 23, after negotiations between the two sides have further strained in recent months. ...
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LGBTs nine times more likely than non-LGBTe to be victims of violent hate crimes
-- From a Williams Institute press release
About one out of 10 violent victimizations against LGBT people are hate crimes, according to a new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. LGBT people are nine times more likely than non-LGBT ...
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Report released on online hate and gender-affirming providers
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC Foundation) has released "Online Harassment, Offline Violence: Unchecked Harassment of Gender-Affirming Care Providers and Children's Hospitals on Social Media, and its Offline Violent Consequences." ...
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National LGBTQ Task Force plans 50th anniversary celebrations
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. The National LGBTQ Task Force — the country's oldest LGBTQ advocacy group — celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023, honoring 50 years of advancing freedom, justice, and equality for ...
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HRC: Texas AG's reported data collection about trans adults compromises privacy of LGBTQ+s
-- 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, responded to reports of Texas Attorney General Ken ...
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Brave Space Alliance to offer name change clinic for queer, trans people
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — December 13, 2022 — In its continual efforts of creating and protecting "brave spaces" for transgender and queer Black people to affirm their dignity, Brave Space Alliance (BSA) is providing a free name ...
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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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GLAAD post-election poll shows surge of LGBTQ+ voters in midterm elections
-- From a press release
(New York, NY, TBD) GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is releasing the findings of its 2022 post midterm election poll of ...
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HRC Foundation names 2022 Global Small Grants recipients ahead of International Human Rights Day
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF), the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, announced this year's recipients ...
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Brittney Griner released, national groups respond
-- From press releases
GLAAD: GLAAD the world's largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, is responding to news that Brittney Griner has been released from prison in Russia. President Biden tweeted with photos of an elated President Biden, Vice President Harris ...
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Warnock's win marks major victory for LGBTQ+ equality
-- From a press release
GEORGIA — Georgians re-elected U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock to a full six-year term this evening, repudiating months of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and millions of dollars in anti-LGBTQ+ advertising from his opponent, Herschel Walker, that sought to attack ...
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Howard Brown Health set to lay off 15 percent of the staff, union members respond
Just two months after Howard Brown Health (HBH) leadership and non-nurse employees represented by the Illinois Nurses Association (INA) finalized a three-year union contract, the nonprofit has announced that about ...
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ISU group to host holiday drag show to benefit Club Q supporter Colorado Gives
-- From a press release
Illinois State University is home to one of the state's largest charity drag shows south of Chicago and north of St. Louis. Now, a new student organization at ISU is launching to expand student drag opportunities. Drag ...
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