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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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AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023 to draw thousands to Soldier Field on Sept. 30
The AIDS Run & Walk Chicago returns to Chicago's Soldier Field on Saturday, Sept. 30 to help create equity and justice across Chicagoland and raise awareness and funds for individuals who are living with or vulnerable ...
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NLGJA: Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists names Hall of Fame honorees
--From a press release
Washington, D.C. — Today, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists announced that co-publishers Susan Horowitz and Jan Stevenson, publisher Franco Stevens, and journalist James B. Stewart are the 2023 inductees ...
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On the (gay) horizon: Center on Halsted marks 50 years
In 1973, a group of Chicagoans organized a telephone hotline, which they named Helpline, allowing the community to more easily find and assist one another. This was a time when LGBTQ+ bars were still regularly raided ...
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After HRC's State of Emergency declaration, Canadian government recognizes threat of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation
--From a press release
WASHINGTON— Just two months after the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) issued a National State of Emergency in response to the unprecedented and dangerous onslaught of anti-LGBTQ laws passed across the country, the Canadian government has updated ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus leader speaks on group's diversity, 'Sporty Forty'
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus (CGMC) is marking its 40th-anniversary season this year, and will start this milestone on Sept. 15-16 with "Sporty Forty," an event that is layered in meanings involving stereotypes and the group's ...
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Howard Brown Health reinstates workers following NLRB settlement recommendations
--From a press release
CHICAGO, Aug. 29, 2023 — Howard Brown Health reinstated 25 employees as part of a plan to follow the recommendations outlined in a proposed settlement from Region 13 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The ...
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Chicago Dancers United raises more than $365K at Dance for Life
Chicago Dancers United (CDU)which supports the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance communitywelcomed 1,600 people to the 32nd annual Dance for Life on Aug. 19 at Auditorium Theatre, per ...
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African American Arts Alliance of Chicago names new president for first time in 25 years
--From a press release
CHICAGOThe nonprofit African American Arts Alliance of Chicago announced Charlique C. Rolle as its new board president, effective immediately. Rolle is the first new president in the Alliance's 26-year history ...
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LGBTQ+ Chicagoans mark 30 years in Bud Billiken Parade
By Vernon Hester and Matt Simonette
The annual Bud Billiken Parade kicked off on the morning of Aug. 12, carrying on the tradition of starting the school year with a celebration. Hailed as the largest African American parade in the country—and the ...
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Center on Halsted leaders discuss transition and organization's future
In March—after a 15-year tenure that was productive but also controversial in spots—Modesto Tico Valle officially stepped down from his position as CEO of Center on Halsted, the largest LGBTQ+ ...
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Chicago House indulges in Champagne Wrapture
Chicago House's annual fundraiser, Champagne Wrapture, returned to the Windy City the evening of Aug. 3. The event was held at 600 N. Fairbanks Court on the rooftop deck and featured a silent auction, free-flowing champagne, ...
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Dancer O'Shae Sibley murdered amid rising violence against LGBTQs; GLAAD highlights trend
--From a press release
At least five LGBTQ people have been murdered in recent weeks, following a dramatic spike in anti-LGBTQ hate and harassment during Pride month. GLAAD: "[O'Shae] Sibley's shocking murder follows a disturbing rise in violence and harassment ...
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Center on Halsted's Jenny Urban trains a new generation of chefs
Recently, Windy City Times chatted with Chicago chef Jenny Urban, the Director of Culinary Arts at Center on Halsted. Urban has been in the Chicago restaurant scene for more than a decade, and they've recently brought ...
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Lambda Legal replies to Biden administration proposed HHS grants rule
--From a press release
(Washington, DC, July 11, 2023) — Today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a proposed new rule modifying nondiscrimination protections for beneficiaries of and participants in ...
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Biden administration moves to ensure equal treatment of LGBTQ+ people in federal programs, NCLR responds
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds the Biden Administration for taking steps to eradicate harmful discrimination in federally-funded social service programs. The U.S. Department of ...
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American Library Association to distribute $1M for the fight against censorship
--From a press release
CHICAGO (June 22, 2023) — The American Library Association (ALA) will distribute $1 million to respond to censorship challenges ...
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Los Angeles LGBT Center releases executive summary of National LGBTQ+ Women's Community Survey
--From a press release
LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles LGBT Center, in partnership with Justice Work and 120 partner organizations, released the executive summary of initial findings from the largest and most comprehensive survey on LGBTQ+ women who partner with women ...
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Chicago House hosts Pride fundraiser at Bambola
On June 11, Chicago House Associate Board member Jon Knott in partnership with Dan Alfonso and Ryan Meyers hosted an informal fundraiser for the organization at popular bar/restaurant Bambola, 1400 W. Randolph St. The weekend event ...
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Cubs hold 2023 Pride Night
The Chicago Cubs celebrated Pride Night on June 13 with activations, music, T-shirts and more. For the Pride Celebration at Wrigley Field, the Cubs recognized the Legacy Project, a Chicago-based cultural and education nonprofit dedicated to ...
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Jennifer Pritzker's TAWANI Foundation donates almost $2M to education, research during Pride Month
--From a press release
CHICAGO — June 15, 2023 —The TAWANI Foundation announces grants totaling $1,652,940 to support LGBTQIA+ educational and research institutes across the country in observance of Pride Month. An additional $725,000 ...
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Howard Brown Health's upcoming Lake View clinic to expand healthcare access
Howard Brown Health (Howard Brown) is preparing to open a new, larger and more holistic facility at 3501 N. Halsted St., two blocks south of Center on Halsted in Lake View, for this coming Fall. Organization ...
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Ehrenfeld becomes first gay AMA president during Chicago event
On June 13, a truly historic inauguration took place at the annual American Medical Association (AMA) meeting of its House of Delegates as Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld became the first openly gay president in the history of ...
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LGBTQ, women's rights supporters to protest for civil rights in Chicago June 24
--From a joint press release
On the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs anti-abortion decision, with a major anti-LGBTQ decision expected this month, and hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills pending in statehouses around the nation, organizers vow a rebirth of the spirit ...
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Lambda Literary names winners of the Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist Prize
--From a Lambda Literary press release
Lambda Literary is pleased to announce Ryka Aoki and Aaron Hamburger as the winners of the 2023 Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist Prize. Dedicated to the memory of author and journalist Jim Duggins, this prize ...
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HRC declares state of emergency for LGBTQs, issues report and guidebook
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — officially declared a state of emergency ...
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HRC issues 'state of emergency' for LGBTQ+ Americans
On June 6, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) officially declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the United States for the first time in its history, which spans more than four decades. According to a ...
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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
CHICAGOAs 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. LIVEand 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 Galaan 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, Belgiumreveals ...
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