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Howard Brown experts discuss advocacy and allyship for Chicago's trans community
By Alec Karam
Howard Brown Health's Trans & Gender Diverse People's Rights & Patient Care panel convened March 12 to discuss both resources forand opportunities to provide allyship tothe city's trans and gender diverse communities. The event hos ...
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Howard Brown Health faces October trial if settlement isn't reached with union
Howard Brown Health could go to trial over unfair labor practice allegations if the LGBTQ+ health center doesn't reach a settlement with its agreement soon. Chicago's regional director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed ...
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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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Longtime LGBTQ+-rights activist David Mixner dies at 77
On March 11, longtime LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activist David Mixnerknown for working on Bill Clinton's presidential campaign but then splitting from him over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT)died at age 77, The Advocate reported. ...
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LGBTQ+ Victory Fund remembers co-founder David Mixner
--From a press release
Today, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker released the following statement on the passing of LGBTQ+ civil rights activist and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund co-founder David Mixner: "Today, we lost David Mixner, a founding ...
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Center on Halsted's signature Human First Gala to return
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — Center on Halsted's signature Human First Gala will be held on Saturday, April 20 at The Geraghty. The gala brings together LGBTQ+ community members and allies for an evening of celebration to recognize ...
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Center on Halsted celebrates Dreams of Drag
On March 9, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., in partnership with the Ralla Klepak Foundation, presented the Dreams of Drag Spring Cohort Class of 2024. The event featured performances from a class of new ...
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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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Center on Halsted hosts 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show
On the evening of Feb. 29, Center on Halsted held its 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show in front of a packed audience at the Hoover-Leppen Theater. The event brought together participants of the Center's youth and senior ...
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Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams's violin stylings help COH mark Black History Month
As part of its celebration of Black History Month, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., presented a solo jazz performance by violinist Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams on Feb. 21. The two-hour long performance presented a showcase ...
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Howard Brown Health Names Robin Gay, DMD as Interim President and CEO
--From a press release
Howard Brown Health's Board of Directors announced today the appointment of Robin Gay, DMD as Interim President and CEO. Dr. Gay, who most recently served as Chief Dental Officer, assumes the role formerly held by outgoing ...
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Owasso High School student of Bridge v. Oklahoma State Board of Education case dies, groups respond
--From press releases
Oklahoma City, Okla. — In response to the death of 16-year-old Owasso High School student Nex Benedict following an assault in the school restroom, Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Oklahoma ...
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GLAAD releases report on LGBTQ+ inclusion in video games
LGBTQ+ media-advocacy organization GLAAD has released a report on queer inclusion in the world of video games. Among the key findings in "Gaming: The State of LGBTQ Inclusion in Video Games" is that 17%—nearly one in ...
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SAVOR A new Sushi By Bou, a seafood boil class and James Beard scholarships
Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so much to the people who've already subscribed. The latest entry (Feb. 17) features Beyonce, Zendaya and my Oscar predictions. Subscribe ...
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Connections for the Homeless purchases Evanston hotel
Connections for the Homeless in Evanston hosted an open house at the Margarita Inn, formerly a boutique hotel, February 13, to celebrate its purchase for use as a hotel-based interim shelter. The Margarita Inn will give ...
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Lakeside Pride Wilde Cabaret Valentine's Day Feb. 17
--From a press release
Lakeside Pride Wilde Cabaret puts their own spin on Valentine's Day with a show celebrating things done and sacrificed for love - not just romantic love, but love for pets, friends, family and art. Join the ...
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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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Equality Illinois makes 77 pro-equality, pro-family endorsements for 2024 primary election
--From a press release
CHICAGO - Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organization for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans, on Tuesday announced state legislative and county-level endorsements for the primary election on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. "Equality ...
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$200,000+ raised at AIDS Foundation Chicago's World of Chocolate Fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS
--From a press release
(Chicago, IL) More than 950 guests gathered at Chicago's famed Union Station (500 W. Jackson) for Chicago's Sweetest Fundraiser, AIDS Foundation Chicago's (AFC), World of Chocolate on Friday, February 9. ...
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Munar prepares to step away from Howard Brown leadership
After 10 years of leadership at Howard Brown Health, President and CEO David Ernesto Munar has decided to step down from his post on Feb. 29. Munar, who'd previously been president and CEO of AIDS Foundation ...
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Chicagoans indulge in a World of Chocolate
AIDS Foundation of Chicago hosted its 2024 World of Chocolate celebration the evening of Feb. 9 at Union Station. Top chocolatiers from across the city allowed guests to sample numerous confections, hors d'oevres and libations for ...
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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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Town Hall Apartments switching ownership from Heartland Alliance
Town Hall Apartments is switching management amid financial turmoil at Heartland Alliance. Full Circle Communities, an affordable housing nonprofit with more than 1,600 units across the Midwest, plans to take ownership of Town Hall Apartments as ...
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Howard Brown Health President and CEO to depart following ten years of service
--From a press release
Following 10 years of dedicated leadership, David Ernesto Munar has decided to step down as President and CEO of Howard Brown Health. His last day will be on February 29, 2024. "The board celebrates David's work ...
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TAWANI Foundation commits $25K to StartOut, supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship
--From a press release
CHICAGO — February 8, 2024 — The TAWANI Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that provides support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBTQ+ and human rights ...
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Pritzker Military Library to close in July, move to Wisconsin
On Feb. 7, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library announced that it is closing its downtown Chicago location on July 27 and moving to an archives center in Wisconsin later this year, according to The Chicago ...
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Center on Halsted opens two new art exhibitions
On Feb. 2, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., hosted its latest gallery opening, presenting two solo exhibitions exploring the role of the artist and their relationships with their environments, albeit using vastly different styles. ...
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Activists, pols promise readiness for upcoming challenges at Equality Illinois gala
Over 1,350 attendees joined with the advocacy organization Equality Illinois for its 2023 gala the evening of Feb. 3, both to celebrate another year and raise funds to continue its work into the future. Over 100 ...
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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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HRC honors Domingo, Lysette, Macy's CEO at New York dinner
On Feb. 3, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) brought together more than 1,000 LGBTQ+ advocates and supporters from across the country for its annual Greater New York Dinner. This year's event honored members of the LGBTQ+ ...
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SAVOR Chocolatier Uzma Sharif on being part of World of Chocolate
AIDS Foundation Chicago will hold its annual World of Chocolate event on Friday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd. Attendees will embark on a global tour of chocolatebut there will ...
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13th Annual Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit Powwow Feb. 10
--From a press release
San Francisco, CA. On Saturday Feb. 10, 2024, the 13th Annual Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) Two Spirit Powwow will be held at Fort Mason-Festival Pavilion, San Francisco, California, from 10 am to 6:30 pm. ...
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WORLD Marriage in Greece, UK politics, cruise death, HRC grants
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece unanimously agreed at a recent meeting that it is "strongly opposed" to the Greek government's promised bill on same-sex marriage and adoption, Balkan Insight reported. The conservative New ...
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Equality Illinois 2024 Gala Feb. 3
--From a press release
CHICAGO- Equality Illinois with presenting sponsor Molson Coors will present its annual gala on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at the Hilton Chicago. More than 1,500+ attendees are set to hear about the successes and ongoing challenges ...
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National Center for Transgender Equality and Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund to merge
--From a press release
WASHINGTON - Today, the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), two leading national trans civil rights organizations, officially announced their intent ...
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Dr. David Johns named NBJC CEO
The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC)—a national Black LGBTQ+/same-gender loving (SGL)-rights organization, announced Dr. David J. Johns as its new chief executive officer, effective Jan. 2, 2024. Johns, who will ...
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Chicago Dancers United and The Dancers' Fund become Chicago Dance Health Fund
--From a press release
Chicago Dancers United, which has supported the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance community through The Dancers' Fund for more than 30 years, announces that, effective January 1, 2024, the organization will operate and distribute ...
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Lambda Legal, ACLU of Iowa file lawsuit against sweeping anti-LGBTQ law in Iowa
--From a press release
Last Tuesday, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit wit ACLU of Iowa and with co-counsel support from the law firm Jenner & Block LLP to block a sweeping law in Iowa (SF 496) that seeks to silence ...
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Joli Angel Robinson tapped as new Center on Halsted head
Center on Halsted announced on Dec. 5 that Dallas-based advocate Joli Angel Robinson has been appointed as the Center's new chief executive officer. Robinson begins in the new role on Jan. 8, 2024. Robinson comes to ...
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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
WASHINGTONThis 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
HollywoodSept. 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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