PRIDEChicago opens public nominations for 2027 community grand marshals
Nominations launch October 1 for the 57th Annual Chicago Pride Parade, continuing a tradition of honoring grassroots leaders and local trailblazers. PRIDEChicago, the volunteer-powered nonprofit organization behind the historic Chicago Pride Parade, announced today that nominations are officially open for the Community Grand Marshals who…
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MUSIC Riot Fest went boldly where no punk celebration had gone before
The legendary three-day punk rock music gathering known as Riot Fest returned to Chicago’s historic Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr., where it has been held annually since 2015. From Sept. 18-20, the anti-establishment event embraced raw energy on five stages, each beginning with the letter R: Riot, Roots, Rebel, Rise and Radical. Historically, punk…
COMEDY Marsha Warfield talks nostalgia, coming out and ‘It’s Raining Queens’
An evening of music, comedy and storytelling is set to take the stage Oct. 3 at Chicago’s City Winery as legendary vocalist Martha Wash and acclaimed lesbian comedian/actress Marsha Warfield (TV’s Night Court) unite for It’s Raining Queens: Starring Martha Wash and Marsha Warfield. https://tickets.citywinery.com/event/its-raining-queens-starring-martha-wash-marsha-w-rfxypz (The event’s name is a play of “It’s Raining Men,” the ‘80s…
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THEATER UrbanTheater Company leader Ivan Vega receives Leaders for a New Chicago award
More than two decades after helping launch a theater company to put Puerto Rican stories on Chicago stages, UrbanTheater Company (UTC) co-founder and Executive Director Ivan Vega is being recognized for his work building community through the arts. Vega was one of eight people named recipients of the 2026 Leaders for a New Chicago Award, a joint initiative…
Nation & World
IN BRIEF Dignity USA leader steps down, Club Q lawsuit, GLAAD Media Awards, Ukrainian law, gay men disappear, Ginger Minj, ‘Rock Out,’ ‘Glee’ reboot
Warning: This column mentions violent activities. NATIONAL Marianne Duddy-Burke has decided to step down from being executive director of the LGBTQ+ Catholic organization Dignity USA. On Facebook, she stated, in part, “The past few years…
Theater / Dance
THEATER Handbag sends Joan Crawford on encore trip to ‘Hell’
In the first chapter of My Way of Life, Joan Crawford’s 1971 tome intended (according to its dust jacket) “for every woman who wants to live beautifully and successfully,” Crawford pontificates on the idea of regret. “People are always asking me if there’s anything I regret, or would change,” she writes. “The answer is no! Not…
Music
MUSIC Melanie C is set to break a ‘Sweat’ in Chicago
Melanie Chisholm became part of a cultural pop phenomenon as Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls before she carved out a career as a solo artist. Nine albums later, she headlines a 25-city North American Tour that bringing her Sweat to the Windy City this September.The record’s title track “Sweat” samples Diana Ross’ “Work That Body” and…
Film / TV / Gossip
Spanish actor Carlos González digs into history and sand at the 44th Reeling Film Festival
The fiercely talented queer performer Carlos González has yet to visit the Windy City in person, but he is set to appear virtually for two Spanish-language projects at the second-longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival in the world. La Bola Negra kicks off opening night of the 44th edition of Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival at…
Books / Art
Trans
IN BRIEF Election items, ‘Witt v. Air Force,’ Mount Sinai’s anti-trans move, Switzerland’s government, Freddie Mercury mural, WNBA, Janet Jackson, ‘Tip Toe’
Warning: This column mentions details of killings. NATIONAL In Indiana, six candidates for Owen County township offices in the November election are coming out to voters, introducing themselves on two billboards, WISH noted. The promotion, paid for by the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana, marks the first time the organization has endorsed any candidates…
Lesbian
Chicagoans reflect on Gloria Steinem’s relationship with LGBTQ+ community
Gloria Steinem is being remembered as a feminist leader and icon. But the Chicagoans who interacted with her said she never made the movement about her—it was about all of us. “She treated everyone like a peer,” said Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who met Steinem several times, starting when Cassidy worked for the National Organization for Women’s (NOW)…