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PASSAGES Brent L. Conn
Brent L. Conn—a caterer and business owner—passed away peacefully July 4 at home in Evanston. He was 67. Born in Springfield, Illinois, Brent earned his degree in hotel and restaurant management from Michigan State University and ...
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COVID-19
Replay closing July 5-6 after employee tests positive
The restaurant Replay Andersonville, 5358 N. Clark St., is closing July 5-6 after owner Mark Liberson posted on Facebook that an employee tested positive for COVID-19. On July 5, Liberson posted, "While this post is not ...
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Morrison and Preckwinkle host online LGBTQ health forum
Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison and Board President Toni Preckwinkle were joined by advocates from three local organizations for a conversation about LGBTQ health inequities on June 25. LGBTQ Americans have long faced numerous challenges in ...
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Last call for Little Jim's
Longtime Lake View tavern Little Jim's shut its doors July 2. Billing itself as "the original hookup bar," Jim Gates opened Little Jim's in 1975, and it was one of the first gay bars in the ...
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Director David Zak steps down from post after community outcry
Pride Films & Plays (PFP) Executive Director David Zak stepped down from his longtime post July 3 after numerous members of Chicago's theater community voiced complaints about his working style in late June and began a ...
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COVID-19 Survivor doctor denied as a blood donor because of his sexual orientation
Dr. Dillon Barron, MD, is in the business of saving lives. At Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, he as an emergency medicine doctor and most recently he and his partner, Eric Seelbach, tried to donate blood, ...
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LGBT Chamber of Commerce hosts 'Business Is Open' panel
The LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois hosted the virtual panel event "Business Is Open: A Conversation With LGBTQ+ Business Owners" on June 23. LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois Director Jerome' Holston led the panel, ...
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LGBTQ activists, leaders respond to police meeting
A Chicago Police Department off-the-record Zoom meeting June 30 with hand-picked leaders from LGBTQ organizations and new CPD Superintendent David Brown resulted in a public response calling for major changes in CPD—including "substantial defunding" of police. ...
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Chicago Sky hosts 'Unapologetically You' Pride virtual panel
In honor of Pride month, the Chicago Sky held a virtual panel "Being Unapologetically You" June 23 focused on success stories from three local LGBTQ leaders. E3 Radio Founder and CEO Anna DeShawn moderated the eent. ...
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Cook County Circuit Court resuming in-person hearings July 6
Starting on Monday, July 6, the Circuit Court of Cook County will resume in-person court proceedings, with the exception of jury trials. However, the circuit court will continue to hold hearings by videoconference whenever it is ...
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21st Ward holds own Pride event
Chicago's 21st Ward—an area on the city's South Side that includes neighborhoods such as parts of Auburn Gresham, Washington Heights, Gresham, Chatham and Roseland—held its own Pride event June 27. Photos courtesy of Lisa Maxey ...
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Gov. Pritzker issues Pride proclamation
On June 30, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker marked Pride Month with a statement of celebration. "Thanks to the tireless help of advocates and allies throughout the state, Illinois is becoming a beacon of equality and hope ...
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State law takes effect to strengthen Illinois workplace non-discrimination
Illinois' foundational civil rights law will now protect more workers from discrimination as a new statute to strengthen the Illinois Human Rights Act's employment non-discrimination protections takes effect today. The Illinois Human Rights Act protects workers ...
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Advocates celebrate LGBTQ Inclusive Curriculum Law, in effect July 1
Students in Illinois public schools will learn about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people in state and national history because of the Inclusive Curriculum Law, which takes effect on July 1, 2020 for ...
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Lighthouse hosting virtual Black Queer Pride on July 3-5
On July 3-5, Lighthouse Foundation will host a virtual Black Queer Pride in celebration of the organization's first-year anniversary. The organization aims to advance justice for Black LGBTQ+ people across Chicagoland through entrepreneurship, empowerment, education and ...
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Rev. Stan Sloan to leave Family Equality
The Rev. Stan Sloan—who, at one time, led the local organization Chicago House—will step down as CEO of the national group Family Equality after four years at the helm. Sloan will leave by Thursday, Oct. 1. ...
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Nonprofits can apply for charitable trust grants for food, housing
A grant program to help small nonprofit organizations provide food and housing assistance will begin taking applications July 1-Sept. 30, Illinois state Treasurer Michael Frerichs said in a statement. The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund assists small ...
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Lighthouse notes Northalsted dropping Walsh Security
In a statement, the Lighthouse Foundation noted that the Northalsted Business Alliance ( NBA ) has terminated its relationship with Walsh Security. This decision followed Center On Halsted's termination of its contract with Walsh after pressure ...
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New honorees named for Nat'l LGBTQ Wall of Honor at Stonewall Inn
New York, NY—During last year's 50th anniversary celebrations of the Stonewall Riots, the oldest LGBTQ organization in North America, The International Imperial Court System of the U.S.A, Canada and Mexico, established in 1965, and the oldest ...
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SciLine hosts intersectional briefing regarding LGBTQ+, Black communities
On June 25, SciLine held a media briefing discussing mental health in LGBTQ+ and Black communities. Yale School of Medicine's Dr. John Pachankis and Tufts University's Dr. Madina Agenor were panelists who contributed to the conversation ...
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COVID-19 pandemic focus of Latinx Pride virtual community chat
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was the focus of the first in a series of Association of Latinx Motivating Action ( ALMA ) "Latinx Pride: Integrating Past & Present Lessons to Move Forward" community chats in partnership ...
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Radical LGBTQ Pride March Today Replaces Corporate Parade (PRESS RELEASE)
LGBTQ activists have seized on the opportunity posed by the cancellation of Chicago's commercialized Pride Parade to launch a truly community-driven march beginning at 12 noon, Sunday, June 28 at the "Belmont" Red & Brown lines ...
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Consulates holding Pride talk June 30
On Tuesday, June 30, at 12 p.m., the Australian and Irish consulates of Chicago will hold a Pride virtual panel. Participants will celebrate the marriage equality campaigns of both countries and discuss the ongoing work to ...
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'Magic Parlour at Home' during July
Magician Dennis Watkins is taking his experience The Magic Parlour online for a completely new virtual offering dubbed "The Magic Parlour at Home." The new virtual magic show, designed for group and family viewings, will offer ...
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Grassroots march focuses on Black, Brown trans lives
Organized by a host of grassroots organizations focused on assisting marginalized communities around the city, the Pride Without Prejudice/Reclaim Pride march kicked off at the Belmont Red Line station at noon on June 28. The march ...
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LETTER: The U.S. Census important to LGBTQ community political, economic power
We've all seen the messaging about the Census and many of us might just wonder whether completing it truly makes a difference. As a director on the board for a social services agency that serves undercounted ...
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LETTER Standing up against racism
Dear community: June is Pride Month. Over 50 years ago, on June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. It was one of a long history of raids that the ...
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ACTIVATE:CHI march and rally cancelled; Pride Without Prejudice/Reclaim Pride march still taking place
A seven-mile march that one local group said would center the voices of Black trans community members on Sunday, June 28 has been cancelled after organizers were called out for not sufficiently involving actual stakeholders in ...
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Cerqua Rivera Dance unveils new schedule
After some restructuring, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre has announced its plans to develop work in this time, about this time. Cerqua Rivera's 2020 new work creatively responds to and utilizes social distancing. Work will be created ...
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Assistance available to businesses affected by civil unrest
Illinois businesses and residents affected by civil unrest on May 26 through June 8 can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration ( SBA ), Administrator Jovita Carranza announced. Carranza made the ...
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Food Center sign registers BLM support
Longtime activist Lori Cannon stands in front of a sign in support of Black Lives Matter that hung at North Side Food Center (Groceryland), 5543 N. Broadway. The sign was painted by local artist David Lee ...
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Howard Brown names new VP for human resources, diversity and inclusion
Howard Brown Health announced the appointment of Paul Rauseo, MBA, as vice president of human resources, diversity and inclusion. Rauseo will lead the organization's human resources department that supports recruitment, retention, and leadership development for Howard ...
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Howard Brown reveals $1M gift to start fund
Howard Brown Health announced a $1 million gift from George and Juanita Shapen to establish the Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellowship Endowment Fund. The largest private gift Howard Brown has received in its 46-year history, the ...
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Printers Row Lit Fest officially cancelled
For the first time in its 36-year history, Chicago's Printers Row Lit Fest has been officially canceled. Organizers said the current city and state restrictions around large public gatherings due to COVID-19 made it impossible for ...
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Groups respond to Indianapolis archdiocese's anti-trans guidelines
Pro-LGBTQ organizations responded to news about the Indianapolis archdiocese issuing new guidelines warning that transgender students may not be able to enroll in its Catholic schools. The archdiocese's "Policy and Complementary Norms on Sexual Identity in ...
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Raven Theatre names new managing director
Following a nationwide search, Raven Theatre's board of directors announced Markie Gray as the company's new managing director, effective July 1. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Gray most recently was the associate director of marketing & ...
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Out local musician releasing album, launching music station
Out local musician Scott Free Scott Free is releasing his new album, The Last Revolution, on Friday, July 3, and is launching Alt Q Radio, an independent queer music station. The Last Revolution, described as a ...
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PODCASTS 'A Queer Serial' delves into LGBTQ history
Devlyn Camp, the host of A Queer Serial podcast, is preparing for season two, continuing the stories of milestones in LGBTQ history before the Stonewall Riots. The show explores the world of lost LGBTQ history through ...
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THEATER Despite everything, there are shows for Pride Week
It's almost impossible to write about the indelible events of 2020 ( which is still not quite half over ) without diminishing them. Words fall short in describing—let alone analyzing—the failures of many government entities across ...
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Pride Fest Chicago goes virtual
Chicago's beloved annual Pride Fest made the move to Twitch for a special Virtual Pride Fest, presented by Northalsted Business Alliance and Gilead Sciences. The virtual fest streamed on the platform over two nights, Saturday, June ...
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BOOKS Skokie native writes about creating an LGBTQ family
Steve Disselhorst dreamed of being a parent since he was a kid growing up in Skokie. On June 16, his first book, Determined To Be Dad, was released, and it details his journey to fulfill that ...
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EXPO CHICAGO pushed to 2021
EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art, will present its ninth edition from April 8-11, 2021, at Navy Pier. The decision to move the fair from its traditional September 2020 time slot to ...
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Queer artist McKinnon among Foundation leaders
Queer artist/advocate Elijah McKinnon is among 11 local individuals The Field Foundation, in partnership with the John D. and =Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, announced as the 2020 Leaders for a New Chicago cohort. The leadership awards ...
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she crew leaders reflect on feats, end of organization
Six years after its founding, {she crew} has announced that the organization will be ending later this year. Co-founders Meredith Montgomery and Jess London-Shields told Windy City Times that they agreed at the beginning of 2020 ...
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Illinois' LGBTQ cabinet members discuss equality, coronavirus
Among those conte=nding with coronavirus preparedness, not to mention the effects from the resulting shutdowns, were numerous state government officials. They were tasked with keeping the machinery of government operating, and making sure residents received essential ...
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Organizations respond to murder of trans Chicagoan
A number of organizations released statements on the May murder of a Chicago Latinx transgender woman who, at the time of her death, had been misgendered by both authorities and local media. Selena Reyes-Hernandez, 37, was ...
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Downstate activist Buff Carmichael talks husband, the Prairie Flame
In the May 27 issue of Windy City Times, in the first of a three-part series, Springfield-based activist Buff Carmichael discussed his early life in Texas and his entry into gay activism in downstate Illinois. In ...
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Local transgender man on being affected by healthcare rollback
Oli Rodriguez is a transgender man who hopes to carry a child and become a father in the near future. Following news that President Donald Trump rolled back protections inscribed in the Affordable Care Act, however, ...
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Lighthouse Foundation event explores racism's origins for white allies
Lighthouse Foundation presented an online forum June 20 focusing on how white allies in the LGBT community can best focus their energies in struggles against racial inequities. Lighthouse Foundation, which is associated with Lighthouse Community Church ...
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At least two marches centering on Black trans Chicagoans planned for June 28 SEE UPDATE
UPDATE: ACTIVATE:CHI march and rally cancelled. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/ACTIVATE-CHI-march-and-rally-cancelled/68818.html . The grassroots activist organization ACTIVATE:CHI announced June 19 that it is collaborating with a number of local organizations and businesses, among them Chicago Pride and Northalsted Business Alliance, ...
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Memories of Pride
We asked our readers to share some of their favorite Pride memories from years past. Enjoy our shared history! I never missed a parade and had the feet and stamina to be in heels all day ...
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Library board president leaves post over anti-LGBTQ statements
Cook Memorial Public Library District Board President Bonnie Quirke has now resigned from her post, The Daily Herald reported. Quirke, 80, of Libertyville, had served on the board since 2005 and had been its president since ...
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Holocaust Museum: Pride without the parade, a quiet time to learn and reflect
Due to the pandemic, millions across the globe have been living under "shelter in place" ordinances for months. For those of us in the United States, including here in Chicago, state-wide ordinances have forced social hubs ...
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CHF talk to feature Abby McEnany and Samantha Irby
Actor Abby McEnany and writer Samantha Irby will have a conversation in a Chicago Humanities Festival digital program that will take place Thursday, June 25, at 7 p.m. McEnany has adapted her Chicago's iO Theater one-woman ...
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LGBTQ artists' installation being moved to Chicago
For the closing ceremony of last summer's World Pride in New York City, a work of art celebrating the LGBTQ community was wrapped around Times Square's main stage. For five days, this work took up an ...
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Old Town's virtual Pride Jam on June 26
Old Town School of Folk Music will host a virtual Pride jam Friday, June 26, 6-7:15 p.m. The event will feature songs for, by and about queer artists. From early blues to modern pop, musicians will ...
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Music Box, Kino Lorber hosting film 'Proud'
To honor Pride Month, the Music Box Theatre and Kino Lorber are presenting Philippe Faucon's three-part episodic cinema event Proud as a Virtual Cinema presentation. The Virtual Cinema experience was created to assist temporarily closed independent ...
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BOOKS Photographer focuses on 'The People of the Pride Parade'
Alyssa Blumstein captured a celebratory photography book The People of the Pride Parade, which was released in honor of the Pride Parade's 50th anniversary. The images highlight the joyful moments through a collection of marches and ...
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SAVOR The Clubhouse Oak Brook; Bub City Rosemont
DISH Dining Guide
When the incomparable Nina Simone sang "It's a new dawn/it's a new day" in her immortal song "Feeling Good," it's a safe bet she wasn't referring to a coronavirus pandemic. However, that current development has made ...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame selection committee to meet
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, now entering its 30th year, announced earlier this year that it would resume inducting new members. After putting out a call to the community for nominations it now has a ...
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Reunion, OTV and Slo 'Mo hosting virtual Pride festival June 26-28
LGBTQ+-centered organizations Reunion Chicago, Slo 'Mo and OTV-Open Television are combining energies and resources to present an intergenerational and intersectional virtual Pride festival that celebrates, centers and advocates for Chicago Black LGBTQ+ artists, community and causes. ...
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Morrison, Preckwinkle hosting Pride talk on health equity
Cook County Commissioner Kevin B. Morrison and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will host a live Pride virtual discussion on health equity on Wednesday, June 24, at 1 p.m. They will be joined by community ...
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UIC named Illinois' best college for LGBTQ students
Diversity and inclusion are cornerstones of the University of Illinois at Chicago's mission and its latest recognition gives the campus community more to be proud about during Pride Month. UIC has been named Illinois' best college ...
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Chicago city council member comes out as queer
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez ( 33rd Ward ) came out as queer on a twitter post late June 21, making her the sixth member of the LGBTQ community on the Chicago City Council. Rodriguez-Sanchez wrote, "Hi community. ...
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47th Non-Equity Jeff Awards announces honorees
June 22, 2020 — Chicago — As part of the annual recognition of theater excellence, the 47th Non-Equity Jeff Awards has announced honorees in 21 artistic and technical categories. Recipients included 27 theater artists whose work ...
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Equality Illinois hosts statewide Pride Month virtual event
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Equality Illinois held a "Can't Stop Our Pride: One Day, One Illinois" afternoon-long virtual Pride month event June 20. Equality Illinois Institute Board Chair Butch Trusty and Miss Trans Illinois ...
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'Chicago Is a [Digital] Drag Festival' June 30
The Chicago Is a [Digital] Drag Festival—a Brave Space Alliance fundraiser, with Shea Coulee hosting—will take place Tuesday, June 30, at 8 p.m. CT. Just a few of the personalities slated to appear/perform are The Vixen, ...
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PASSAGES Nightlife figure Cody Laughlin dies at 26
Lucky Horseshoe Lounge dancer Cody Laughlin died June 15 at his home. The cause of death is currently unknown. He was 26. Laughlin was born Dec. 30, 1993, in Chicago and graduated early from Northside College ...
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Food truck parodies Nini's; proceeds going to Black/Brown, LGBTQ groups
A food truck parodying the disgraced Nini's Deli is selling empanadas June 19-20, splitting proceeds between a Black/Brown group and an LGBTQ fixture, Block Club Chicago noted. The food truck, called "Nono's Deli," will park at ...
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March centering on Black trans Chicagoans planned for June 28 SEE UPDATE
UPDATE: ACTIVATE:CHI march and rally cancelled. www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/ACTIVATE-CHI-march-and-rally-cancelled/68818.html . The grassroots activist organization ACTIVATE:CHI announced June 19 that it is collaborating with a number of local organizations and businesses, among them Chicago Pride and Northalsted Business Alliance, ...
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Schakowsky issues Pride Month declaration
EVANSTON, IL - Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a founding member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, issued the following statement celebrating Pride Month and a 6-3 decision from the U.S. Supreme Court affirming that LGBTQ+ workers are ...
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LGBTQ aspect of state aging act taking effect July 1
An amendment of the Illinois Act on the Aging that protects the needs of LGBTQ older adults and people living with HIV will take effect Wed., July 1. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the measure last August. ...
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Nick Jonas joining Virtual Pride Fest Chicago
Chicago Pride Fest will mark its 20th year with a virtual festival format on June 20-21—and Nick Jonas is the latest name to join the event, as he will deliver a special message to festival attendees. ...
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Elk Grove Village LGBTQ bar bought for $1.35M
The owner of Chicago's Admiral Theatre is selling the shuttered Phoenix Bar & Nightclub for $1.35 million to Elk Grove Village, which plans to demolish the LGBTQ bar and hold on to the land for future ...
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NCLR cheers court ruling invalidating attempt to end DACA
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the Trump Administration's attempt to end the Department of Homeland Security's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) program, which provides relief from deportation for certain ...
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