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THEATER REVIEW We're Gonna Die
Playwright: Young Jean Lee At: Theatre Y, streaming online at Theatre-Y.com . Ticketsfree. Runs through: Oct. 4 "To be, or not to be" may have once been a dilemma to beguile wealthy Danish princes, but the ...
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PASSAGES Wayland D. Rogers
Wayland D. Rogers—a singer, conductor, teacher and celebrated composer based in Chicago—passed away Sept. 9 after a long illness. He was 78. Rogers was born to Othal and Dova ( Barrier ) Rogers on Dec. 26, ...
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MCA Chicago receives $2.5M grant from Mellon
The Museum of Contemporary Art ( MCA ) Chicago received a $2.5-million award from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation—the largest in the venue's history. In a statement, the MCA said the grant "will enable the museum ...
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Equality Illinois announces general election endorsements
--From a press release
CHICAGO - Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Illinoisans, today announced endorsements for the November 3, 2020 general election. "Equality Illinois is excited to announce our endorsements today ...
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Equality Illinois endorses thirteen LGBTQ candidates for general election
--From a press release
CHICAGO - Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer Illinoisans, today announced endorsements of a record number of LGBTQ candidates running for the Illinois General Assembly in a general ...
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Link pleads guilty to tax-related charges
On Sept. 16, now-former Illinois state Sen. Terry Link pled guilty to a federal count of filing a false tax return, The Chicago Tribune reported. Link's plea agreement with prosecutors stated he listed his 2016 income ...
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Quigley, Demings introduce blood-donation bias measure
U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves as Vice Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, and Val Demings (FL-10) introduced the Science in Blood Donation Act of 2020, which would require the Food and Drug Administration ...
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Gerber/Hart reveals future plans
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, 6500 N. Clark St., hosted several relatively informal, socially distanced gatherings the weekend of Sept. 12-13 to let community supporters know about its plans for the next few years. The various sessions—which ...
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THEATER REVIEW Pride and Prejudice: A Virtual Play
Playwright: Adapted by Christina Calvit from the novel by Jane Austen At: Streaming online at LifelineTheatre.com . Tickets: Free with donation. Runs through: Oct. 4 For starters, what we've got are two wealthy young bachelors, two ...
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'Under the Stars with Handbag' drive-in fest through Sept. 19
Hell in a Handbag Productions is hosting "Under the Stars with Handbag: A Drive-In Festival," which is running Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 19 at The Red Box Workshop, 4242 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., at 7:30 ...
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MOVIES Reeling goes online for 2020 edition
The pandemic did not stop officials from Chicago Filmmakers, the organization behind Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, from planning a diverse program of feature-length and short-subject narrative and documentary films for the festival's 2020 ...
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MOMBIAN True stories, trans tales and more in new picture books
New books can be a delightful relief in these days of quarantine. Here are some of the many new LGBTQ-inclusive picture books that just came out last month. ( See Mombian.com for even more. ) The ...
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Out Illinois State coach dives into new position
Logan Pearsall, an accomplished college diver who has since transitioned into master's level diving, was competing at the 2017 FINA World Masters Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He was doing a challenging inward dive from a one-meter ...
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PASSAGES Computer programmer/Chi-Town Squares member Bill Klein passes away
Longtime Chi-Town Squares member and COBOL computer programmer William "Bill" Michael Klein died Sept. 5 due to health complications after he fell down in his home a few days prior. He was 70. Klein was born ...
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg exhibit extended
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center has extended the run of its exhibit "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. Based on the New York Times best-selling ...
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Midwest LGBTQ Health Symposium going virtual Sept. 16-17
The Midwest LGBTQ Health Symposium 2020—with its theme, "Being Healthy is a Radical Act"—will be going virtual Sept. 16-17. The symposium ( presented by Howard Brown Health's Center for Education, Research and Advocacy ) brings together ...
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PASSAGES Gay philanthropist Henry van Ameringen dies
Henry van Ameringen, a major donor to LGBTQ+ and HIV organizations, died Sept. 9. He was 90, according to a Plus magazine item. Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings said in a statement that Windy City Times ...
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Former PFLAG board member Rev. Gil Caldwell dies
Former PFLAG National board member Rev. Dr. Gilbert H. Caldwell passed away, the organization announced in a press release. A retired United Methodist Church minister, Caldwell participated in the 1963 March on Washington, the 1964 Mississippi ...
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Sky's season ends with loss to Connecticut
The Chicago Sky's season came to an end Sept. 15 with a 94-81 loss to the Connecticut Sun in the single-elimination first round of the 2020 WNBA Playoffs at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. When asked ...
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Sarah Brightman in Chicago in Dec. 2021
Soprano Sarah Brightman will bring "HYMN: Sarah Brightman In Concert" to the historic Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021 at 8 p.m. CDT. Tickets will go on sale to ...
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EXPO Chicago hosting EXHIBITION Weekend Sept. 24-27
EXPO Chicago has announced EXHIBITION Weekend ( Sept. 24—27 )—a digital initiative showcasing Chicago-based exhibitions, curatorial projects and artist programs through virtual studio visits, exhibition and gallery tours; discussion; and a new online viewing experience developed ...
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VIEWPOINTS Get involved in Michigan now
You probably feel anxious and frustrated by the political climate and the risk that the Republicans will cheat their way to victory or the Democrats will bumble their way to defeat. The best thing you can ...
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Red Stars lose opening Fall Series match
The Chicago Red Stars fell to the Washington Spirit 2-1 in their NWSL Fall Series opening match. Chicago's lone goal came from Sarah Luebbert, who would score her first professional goal. The former University of Missouri ...
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'Iconic: A Broadway Hits Cabaret' on Sept. 25, 27
Oil Lamp Theater has announced the first event in its Onstage and Outdoors: A Live Performance Series—" Iconic: A Broadway Hits Cabaret." The shows will take place Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. ...
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Howard Brown breaks ground on new Broadway Youth Center location
Officials from the Howard Brown Health organization, public officials and community supporters gathered in Uptown Sept. 10 to break ground on a new Broadway Youth Center location. Projected for a 2021 opening, the five-story facility, at ...
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Reeling 2020 reviews
For complete festival information and to buy tickets, visit http://reelingfilmfestival.org/2020. Ratings are on a **** scale but I'm a tough grader, so nothing gets over ***. Note: This year's installment of Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International ...
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Pritzker aims to connect unemployed with COVID-19 response jobs
Illinois Gov. Pritzker announced a new $16.6-million investment to expand job opportunities for Illinoisans who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through two new grants received from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Illinois ...
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Care for Real names new executive director
Care for Real—one of the largest food pantries in the Chicago area—has named Gregory D. Gross as its new executive director. Gross is moving to Care for Real from The Night Ministry, where he most recently ...
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Jeff Awards to be online this fall
The 52nd annual Jeff Awards, recognizing theater excellence among Equity theater productions, will be presented this fall as an online program. In preparation for this program, the 2020 Equity nominations will be publicly announced Tuesday, Sept. ...
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Windy City Times moves to digital-only
Press release
Windy City Times, Chicago's only LGBTQ newspaper, is moving to a digital-only format starting in October. The Sept. 30, 2020 edition, which marks the paper's 35th anniversary, will be its last regular free-standing print issue. The ...
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ALMA, Center on Halsted hosting visibility talk Sept. 15
ALMA ( The Association of Latinos/as Motivating Action ) and the Center on Halsted LGBTQ will host a virtual community discussion on visibility—"Being Seen and Heard in the Time of Coronavirus, Census and Voting"—Tuesday, Sept. 15, ...
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TAWANI Foundation's donations reach $1.8M
In response to the current health crisis, the TAWANI Foundation, TAWANI Enterprises' philanthropic organization, has donated $1.8 million so far to various organizations to help support COVID-19 relief efforts in Illinois. The donations address the urgent ...
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Red Stars player making history as part of men's team
Forward Yuki Nagasato is heading to Japan, where she will make history as the first woman playing professionally for Hayabusa Eleven, an amateur men's club, as part of the Kanagawa Prefecture League. Nagasato arrived in Chicago ...
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SAVOR: PB&J
DISH Dining Guide
Who didn't love a good peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich while growing up ( unless you had a peanut allergy )? Well, the folks at PB&J ( 205 N. Peoria St.; PBJWestLoop.com ) offer this popular item—although, of ...
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Windy City Times moves to digital-only
Windy City Times, Chicago's only LGBTQ newspaper, is moving to a digital-only format starting in October. The Sept. 30, 2020 edition, which marks the paper's 35th anniversary, will be its last regular free-standing print issue. The ...
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Wade among Streetwise's most inspiring Chicagoans
LaSaia Wade—the founder and executive director of Brave Space Alliance—has been chosen as one of Streetwise newspaper's 20 Most Inspiring Chicagoans of 2020. Brave Space Alliance is a South Side organization that aims to empower and ...
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Red Stars to play on CBS and CBS All-Access Sept. 26
The National Women's Soccer League released the remaining games of the 2020 NWSL Fall Series. The Chicago Red Stars will host the Washington Spirit on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 12 p.m. CT live on CBS and ...
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PASSAGES Sandy Potoglou
Sandy Potoglou ( Stathoula Dimitria Potoglou ), aka "Holly," left this world Aug. 27. She was 54. An obituary sent to Windy City Times stated the cause of death as The Republican National Convention. Sandy ( ...
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PHOTOGRAPHY Lisa A. Frank talks career, inspirations, Springboard Arts Chicago installation
Fifteen years ago, Lisa A. Frank's professional world changed forever when she was fired from a job designing textiles for Ralph Lauren. The very next day, Frank went out and bought a digital camera and "never ...
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Chicago House moves central hub
Chicago House—founded in September 1985 as an organization committed to providing a home to individuals dying of HIV—has relocated its central hub to the South Loop, at 2229 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 304. The central hub ...
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FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar
When a concept is reinvented at the same spot, it can be a risky undertaking. The Midwest-focused FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar ( 221 N. Columbus Dr.; FireLakeChicago.com ) is housed in the same spot, ...
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Quigley becomes Sky's all-time leading scorer, team has donated $17K
During the Chicago Sky's Sept. 2 game against the Minnesota Lynx in Bradenton, Florida, Allie Quigley surpassed Sylvia Fowles for first on the Sky's all-time scoring list. She also reached 3,000 career points in the fourth ...
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STREAMING
THEATER REVIEW The Pursuit of Happiness: A BoHo Exploration of Freedom
Playwright: Scripted by the artists and curated by Sana Selemon At: Streaming online at BoHoTheatre.com Tickets: free with donation . Runs through: Open run The projected shuttering of theater facilities for the remainder of the ...
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ART
LGBTQ+ installation on display in Chicago Cultural Center
The final pieces of Sam Kirk's latest art installation are on display in the Chicago Cultural Center until the end of September. In honor of Pride, Kirk's installation began as a way to pay tribute to ...
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR Wear a mask
Dear editor: Wear a mask. Illinois made great strides fighting COVID-19, but it will take sustained effort and discipline to keep the virus under control. Illinois doctors are asking everyone to take two simple actions when ...
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VIEWPOINT The common thread of LGBTQ+ stigma and mental health
The relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and mental health has always varied from country to country. But when religion enters the conversation, a whole new aspect escalates the stigma. Countries all over the world have high ...
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Looking at implementation of an LGBTQ+ curriculum in state public schools
On Aug. 9, 2019, Gov. JB Pritzker signed Illinois House Bill 246 into law, amending the school code to include contributions of LGBTQ+ figures in public schools all over the state, effective as of July 1, ...
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Filmmakers look back at pioneering movie 'Transsexuals'
Chicago-based Media Burn Archive presented an online screening of the rarely-seen 1971 documentary Transsexuals Aug. 27, and hosted members of its original crew, who presented insights on both its production and recent restoration. Transsexuals was created ...
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Aurora garden damage seen as possible hate crime
In Aurora, a garden that included a shed painted rainbow colors to support the LGBTQ community was destroyed recently after someone smashed it with a pickup truck—and local authorities are viewing the attack as a possible ...
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Black trans disabled Chicagoan on long quest for affordable housing
When Garnet Williams was set to enter their final year at Columbia College in 2014, they began to experience pain in their lower back. Because of this pain, Williams' life has changed dramatically these past six ...
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Joseph Baar Topinka preserves legacy of mother: Pro-gay Republican Judy
Riverside resident Joseph Baar Topinka is still impressed with the resolve and stamina with which his late mother, longtime GOP politician Judy Baar Topinka, was able to "slug it out" in the political arena. "She got ...
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Reeling: Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Fest announces program
--From a press release
( Chicago, IL ) Reeling will celebrate its 38th anniversary this fall with a new virtual edition of the second-oldest LGBTQ+ film festival in the world. Showing 30 features, 54 shorts across eight shorts programs from ...
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Closet Play virtual benefit concert leads PrideArts virtual season
--From a press release
CHICAGO - PrideArts Artistic Director Donterrio Johnson today announced a four - show virtual fall season called REIGNITE! that will look to the 17th and 19th Centuries for inspiration. The season will open with a benefit ...
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"PFLAG Votes" film aims to get out the vote
--From a press release
WASHINGTON—This Friday, Sept. 4, PFLAG National will release its latest film project, PFLAG VOTES, as part of PFLAG Votes 2020, its broad get-out-the-vote initiative for the general election. Likely voters are encouraged through PFLAG Votes 2020 ...
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LGBTQ+ actor Hank Chen talks OneWheaton, Tyra Banks and Robin Williams
Hank Chen is an actor and—perhaps more interestingly to people in Chicagoland—is a co-founder of the LGBTQ+ group OneWheaton, which consists of LGBTQ+ students and alumni of Wheaton College. Two of his recent credits include Life-Size ...
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR A word, please...
Dear editor: We just finished reading your WCT's interview with Jay Manuel ( in the Aug. 5 issue ), and we have an important question. Did you ask or even challenge him about the book's title, ...
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Trans judicial candidate Jill Rose Quinn weds
Democratic judicial candidate Jill Rose Quinn—who will likely be Illinois' first openly transgender judge after the Nov. 3 elections—added to her 2020 highlights by marrying partner Stephanie Marder this past weekend. Quinn told Windy City Times ...
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Local LGBTQ players deliver message with social-justice T-shirts
David Rill and a few friends joined a new team this summer in the abbreviated Open Sunday Softball League, run by the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ), and they needed jerseys for the Howard ...
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Chicago Gourmet announces 2020 lineup
Chicago Gourmet has revealed its 2020 lineup. Organizers at the Illinois Restaurant Association ( IRA ), the event's founding sponsor—along with presenting sponsor Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits—have curated a full schedule of programming through Wed., ...
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MUSIC
Trans singer Kyler O'Neal debuts music video, talks poetry
Kyler O'Neal is a transgender contemporary, folk artist. She officially released her debut music video for her single Satan's Tears on Sept. 1, and that is currently available for streaming on YouTube and Vimeo. Windy City ...
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SAVOR Pizza Friendly Pizza
DISH Dining Guide
Appetizing, spontaneous and hopeful: Pizza Friendly Pizza ( 1039 N. Western Ave.; PizzaFriendlyPizza.com ) is serving up one-of-a-kind slices from the former home of Bite Cafe. Pizza Friendly Pizza opened five weeks ago, and is located ...
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My case for being in Congress
By Dani Brzozowski
"I already told my family that if I catch this virus — God forbid — I'm not going to the hospital. I'll pop myself or cut myself rather than die in the hospital, miserable and alone." ...
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SAVOR Travelle To Go
These days, when convenience seems paramount, Travelle at The Langham ( 330 N. Wabash Ave.; TravelleChicago.com ) offers something that it hopes will draw lots of people: Travelle To Go. And this concept should. Located around ...
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SAVOR: RAISED An Urban Rooftop Bar
DISH Dining Guide
RAISED | An Urban Rooftop Bar ( 1 W. Wacker Dr.; RaisedBarChicago.com ) flaunts breathtaking views of the city with a spectacular food and drink menu. The venue's traditional American cuisine offers choices for anyone—including breakfast, ...
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Annual event spotlights trans lives lost
On Aug. 30, Valerie Griffin celebrated the life of her daughter—Dejanay Stanton, a trans woman of color—with an annual summer get-together billed as "The Main Event Part 2." The event, in its second year, was also ...
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ARCHITECTURE Controversy brews over Esposito dismissal
Members of Chicago's architecture community registered their displeasure after the city chapter of the American Institute of Architects announced that longtime Executive Vice President Zurich Esposito would no longer be in the role. Chapter officials have ...
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Sky release Blake statement; Bears distance from Urlacher tweet
On Aug. 27, in light of the Jacob Blake shooting, Chicago Sky owners Michael Alter and John Rogers issued a joint statement supporting the WNBA players' decision to not play that evening's games—which is echoed by ...
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Judge decides against releasing report in Smollett case
On Aug. 28, Judge Michael Toomin refused to release a 60-page grand jury report regarding the handling of the Jussie Smollett case. Smollett—a gay former actor who was on the TV show Empire as well as ...
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American Blues marking 35 years on Sept. 4 with 'Blue Bash'
American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announced the 2021 Blue Bash, a fundraiser celebrating 35 Years Strong. The interactive celebration with live performances by ensemble and artistic affiliates will be ...
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Dance for Life exceeds fundraising goal
Chicago Dancers United ( CDU ) announced that "Dance for Life 2020: United as One," which took place Aug. 10—15, exceeded its financial goal, raising more than $170,000 in contributions from nearly 700 donors. Dance for ...
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Planned Parenthood endorses reproductive health champions for election
--From a PPIA press release
CHICAGO—The Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action ( PPIA ), the non-partisan political and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, announces its endorsements for the November 3 general election. Candidates were selected based ...
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Members of Congress hold annual LGBTQ gathering online
Members of Illinois' congressional delegation hosted a virtual edition of their annual LGBTQ breakfast the morning of Aug. 25. Both political officials and community advocates participated in the event, which addressed, among other topics, the congressional ...
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Congo Square Theatre Company announces 2020-2021 Season including digital
--From a Congo Square press release
CHICAGO ( August 25, 2020 )—Congo Square Theatre Company ( Congo Square ), one of the nation's premier African American theatres, is proud to announce its full 21st Season of programming for 2020-2021. Kicking off the ...
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Mishkan Chicago to host High Holiday events Sept. 12-28
Local Jewish spiritual community Mishkan Chicago, 4001 N. Ravenswood Ave., is merging ancient ritual with film, theater and music production to create unique programming for the 2020 Jewish New Year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sept. ...
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Edgar, LaHood join pro-Biden Republicans
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, former U.S. Rep. and onetime U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, and ex-Illinois Republican Party chair Pat Brady are among the moderate members of the GOP who plan to vote for ...
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