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Governor Pritzker, Lt. Governor Stratton comment on Texas tragedy
-- From a press release
Chicago — In the wake of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that killed at least 19 students and two adults, Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton released the following ...
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DANCE Cerqua Rivera's 'Mood Swing' on May 28
On Saturday, May 28, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre will host "Inside/Out with Mood Swing" at 7:30 p.m. at Dovetail Studios, 2853 W. Montrose Ave. Mood Swing is described as Cerqua Rivera's "suite of passionate responses to ...
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The Museum of Public Relations to address wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation June 2
-- From a press release
(New York, NY) - The Museum of Public Relations in New York City will host its fourth annual event focused on "The LGBTQ Experience in Public Relations" on June 2, 2022, from 6pm to 8pm ET. ...
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Artist Rick Sindt explores queer desire and pornography in 'Skin Remembers'
Rick Sindt, a Chicago-based artist who recently moved to St. Louis, explores the discovery and development of queer attraction in his exhibit "Skin Remembers." Sindt transforms pornographic stills, repurposing them into images of intimacy. Sindt recently ...
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Sky win on Ring Night; Cubs soar; White Sox routed by Red Sox
On May 24, the Chicago Sky (4-2) defeated the Indiana Fever (2-7) 95-90 at Wintrust Arena. Prior to the game, the Sky held its Championship Ring and Banner Night for winning the WNBA championship last year ...
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Indiana institutes anti-trans sports ban, overrides Holcomb's veto
The Indiana General Assembly overturned Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb's veto of House Bill 1041, which prohibits transgender girls from playing girls school sports, according to the IndyStar. The House voted to override the veto 67-28; the ...
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THEATER REVIEW Seagull
Title: Seagull. Playwright: Anton Chekhov At: Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; Steppenwolf.org Tickets: $20-$88. Runs through: June 12 The final test of success for any undertaking lies in how well it accomplishes its intended purpose. ...
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THEATER Lesbian-cruise drama 'Seven Days at Sea' running thru June 5
Light and Sound Productions is running the world premiere of Seven Days at Sea, written by Martha Hansen and directed by Margaret Knapp, through Sunday, June 5, at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway. The performance ...
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NBA coach/former Chicago Bull pleads for gun control after Texas shootings
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr discussed something besides basketball in his pregame news conference heading into Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Many 24, ESPN noted. "Since we left ...
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CDC publishes new HIV surveillance reports
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new HIV surveillance report: Diagnoses of HIV Infection in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2020; and a new HIV supplemental surveillance report: Monitoring Selected National ...
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MOVIES 'George Michael: Freedom Uncut' to be released June 22
Sony Music Entertainment and Trafalgar Releasing will release the movie George Michael: Freedom Uncut as a global event on Wed., June 22—and it's fitting that the documentary about the late gay singer will air during Pride ...
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Ricky Gervais courts controversy with graphic anti-trans jokes
(WARNING: There is graphic language in this article.) Yet another Netflix special is courting controversy because of a comedian making anti-trans jokes. Ricky Gervais' Netflix comedy special SuperNature has drawn criticism for a string of grap ...
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VIEWS Another 'Handmaid's Tale,' or sex and the supreme Catholics
Amy Vivian Coney Barrett was confirmed as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 26, 2020. Barrett is only the fifth woman ever to serve on the Court. She is also the sixth Catholic ...
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Chicago attractions named to U.S. summer travel list
Four Chicago area attractions have been named among the 150 best things to do in the United States this summer by Travel Lemming. The online travel guide's list highlights the publication's favorite summer events, experiences and ...
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Batavia public school rally to call for equity in education
-- From an Equality Illinois press release
BPS Parents for Equity and Justice and Batavia Public School (BPS) students to host a rally and call to action in response to ongoing inequities in the treatment of all marginalized groups and the district's reluctance ...
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Molson Coors to host Tap Into Change program kickoff at Roscoe's
-- From a press release
With Pride Month right around the corner, Molson Coors is celebrating the return of its Tap Into Change Program, a program in which proceeds of sales from Molson Coors products at select locations are donated to ...
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Chicago Red Stars to celebrate Pride Night on May 28
The Chicago Red Stars will host their annual Pride Night Saturday, May 28, at SeatGeek Stadium when the club takes on the Portland Thorns. Leading up to the match, fans will have the opportunity to bid ...
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Yankees player suspended for comment about White Sox's Anderson
Major League Baseball issued a one-game suspension and undisclosed fine to New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson for what the league calls "inappropriate comments" to Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson during a May 21 ...
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Actor/model David Pevsner challenges age and body stereotypes in recent book
When writing his recent book—Damn Shame: Desire, Defiance and Show Tunes—actor/model/filmmaker David Pevsner noticed three themes coming to the fore: body shame, sexuality and ageism. "All three of those are ...
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Siskel to show 'Judy Garland Summer Centennial Retrospective'
This June and July, the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., will celebrate Judy Garland to mark the 100th anniversary of her birth (June 10, 1922). The Judy Garland Summer Centennial Retrospective will involve ...
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NIH LGBTQ+ webinar to be presented June 9
On Thursday, June 9, 1-2:30 p.m. CT, the NIH Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office will host a special Pride edition of the Scientific Webinar Series to spotlight the recently released National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, ...
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Pritzker signs measure protecting Illinoisans with disabilities in housing, state government
-- From a press release
Chicago— Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed HB2775 and SB180 into law today, expanding protections for Illinoisans with disabilities in state government and housing. HB2775 amends the Illinois Human Rights Act ...
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Gayla Turner talks new book uncovering her grandmother's secret queer identity
In Gayla Turner's debut book, Don't You Dare: Uncovering Lost Love (BookBaby, May 24), she reveals her Grandmother Ruby's (1896-1977) century-old secret queer identity that she hid from the wider world. This revelation became c ...
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THEATER Musical 'Get Out Alive' running July 8-Aug. 7
Haven will continue its 2021-22 season with Nikki Lynette's multidisciplinary afrogoth musical Get Out Alive, co-directed by Roger Ellis and Lucky Stiff, which features the writer and her personal journey with mental health. The production will ...
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Planned Parenthood of Illinois launches abortion pill-by-mail service within the state
-- From a press release
CHICAGO - Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) will offer abortion pills through the mail to qualifying patients with an Illinois address. The FDA permanently removed in-person dispensing requirement for Mifepristone ...
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Lakeside Pride to present 'Sweet Home Chicago" May 29, part of Pride Bands Alliance Conference
-- From a press release
On Sunday, May 29 at 7pm, Chicago's Auditorium Theatre will host the culmination of the 40th annual Pride Bands Alliance conference. Chicago's Lakeside Pride is welcoming Pride Bands Alliance members from its family of 38 affiliate ...
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Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith named to Time100 List
-- From a press release
St. Petersburg, FL — TIME named Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith to the 2022 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The full list and related tributes appear in ...
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Report: Southern Baptist Convention leaders mishandled allegations of sexual abuse
A bombshell report stated that leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) mishandled allegations of sexual abuse, intimidated victims and their advocates, and resisted attempts at reform over the course ...
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Billy Masters: Theater
"Well, thanks Colin. That's the end of my career. Because you know, that role really should have been mine."—Rupert Everett tells Piers Morgan his reaction when he heard Colin Firth would play the lead in Tom ...
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'EMERGENCE: Intersections at the Center' exhibit highlights queer community art
South Side Community Art Center's (SSCAC) newest exhibition explores the center's role in uplifting and supporting a community of queer Black creators through a collection of their art from the 1940s through the 1980s. "Bringing black ...
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Howard Brown Health releases annual report
Recently, Howard Brown Health released its annual report, "Building Towards Health Equity." The report begins, "In 2021, Howard Brown Health not only rose to the occasion in our pandemic response, we laid the groundwork for the ...
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SPORTS Sky, Red Stars, Cubs and White Sox all win
Candace Parker gave a historic performance as the Chicago Sky (3-2) defeated the Washington Mystics (5-2) 82-73 on May 22 in D.C., a press release noted. Parker—who made her 361st career start—finished with 16 points, 13 ...
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PREVIEW Here comes the sun: Summer plays are blooming indoors and outside
There were times when we thought that the sunshine would never return, but despite climate change and contagion, there's no stopping summer—and while we usually associate expanded daylight hours with outdoor activities, a number of theaters ...
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'LGBTQ Rights on the Line: The Role of Communicators Advocating for Equality' event preview
-- From a press release
Celebrating, honoring and acknowledging Pride Month is more important this year than ever (and it should be celebrated all year, not just during one month). The expected Supreme Court ruling that will undermine the right to ...
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NATIONAL Idaho groups, Clay Aiken, Radio Milwaukee, Louisville school
In northern Idaho, two groups with different agendas plan to hold events on the same day (June 11) at Coeur d'Alene City Park—and both organizations have issued statements, according to the Bonner County Daily Bee. The ...
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WORLD Nigeria protest, 'Flag in the Map,' Belgium, McDonald's
Dressed in rainbow-colored vests, members of the LGBTQ+ community marched in a dangerous demonstration in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, to protest a bill introduced by lawmakers in Nigeria's lower house of parliament last month seeking to ban ...
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SHOWBIZ Broadway, JoJo Siwa, WEHO Pride, 'Jurassic World,' Madonna
The Broadway League announced that all 41 Broadway theaters in New York City have extended the current mask requirement for audiences through at least June 30, Playbill noted. Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League, ...
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Comedian criticized for letting Chappelle open and tell anti-trans jokes [UPDATE]
Comedian John Mulaney surprised his audience—and drew criticism from some fans—when Dave Chappelle appeared as the opener and reportedly told "transphobic jokes," per Variety. Chappelle's opening set occurred during a ...
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THEATER REVIEW The Chinese Lady
It began in 1834 as an advertising gimmick: In order to promote sales of their Far East Oriental imported goods, the Carnes Brothers procured their company a real-life spokesperson. This was the teenage Afong Moy, known ...
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Penn. LGBTQ+ candidates mostly suffer losses on primary night
LGBTQ+ candidates running for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, lieutenant governor and a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Philadelphia's "gayborhood" each lost their races in the Keystone State's May 17 Democratic primary, The ...
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Johnny Weir envisions his dream of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest's live stream
Johnny Weir envisions his dream of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest's live stream by Jerry Nunn Out figure skater Johnny Weir is an award-winning Olympian and an LGBTQ+ champion. This gay media spokesman brings past experience ...
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THEATER Season of Concern to present 'Jerry's Girls' on June 27
"Jerry's Girls: A Benefit for Season of Concern" will take place Monday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. Season of Concern Chicago is dedicated to providing financial assistance to ...
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TELEVISION Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson and others to exit 'SNL'
In a major shake-up on the long-running hit Saturday Night Live (or SNL), several of the main stars are leaving—including out cast member Kate McKinnon, Deadline reported. McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney and Pete Davidson (who's ...
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Chicago Sky activate Copper, release Krajisnik
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (May 20, 2022) — The Chicago Sky activated Kahleah Copper and released Tina Krajisnik from her hardship exemption contract, the team announced today. Copper joins the Sky after returning from Spain, where she won the ...
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COVID Chicago, Cook County currently still at 'medium' level
Chicago and suburban Cook County remain at a medium COVID Community Level, even as case rates continue to increase throughout the Midwest and northeastern United States, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced May 20. ...
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Monkeypox in U.S., other countries; cases include gay, bi men
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a confirmed case of monkeypox in the United States, according to a press release from the CDC Health Alert ...
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Sky Comeback falls short in road loss to Storm; 74-71
-- From a press release
Chicago Sky (2-2) @ Seattle Storm (2-3) May18, 2022: Final score CHI 71, SEA 74 <∫> TEAM HIGH POINTS HIGH ASSISTS HIGH REBOUNDS ≤/∫≥ CHI STEVENS (18) VANDERSLOOT (12) PARKER ...
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HIV/AIDS activist Rae Lewis-Thornton on her new memoir, 'Unprotected'
Emmy-winning HIV/AIDS activist, author, minister, political organizer, motivational speaker, life coach, jewelry designer and social media figure Rae Clara Lewis-Thornton's recently released book, Unprotected: A Memoir, is already a pre-release ...
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For International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia HRC highlights grants
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, is commemorating International Day Against ...
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Cubs blank Pirates; White Sox win
On May 16, the Chicago Cubs (14-20) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates (15-20) 9-0 at Wrigley Field. Willson Contreras hit a first-inning grand slam—the 100th home run of his career—as the Cubs scored eight runs in that ...
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GLSEN holds Respect Awards in New York
On May 16, the pro-LGBTQ+ education organization GLSEN held its New York Respect Awards in Gotham Hall. At its first in-person Respect Awards in three years, the organization introduced new Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers in their ...
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Quiz program 'Wait, Wait' to start taping June 16 at the Studebaker
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program, will resume live audience recordings Thursday, June 16, in a new Chicago home: the historic Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building, 401 S. Michigan Ave. ...
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Five Worth Finding: Chocolate festival, lesbian sci-fi film, 'Smahtguy'
—The Long Grove Chocolate Festival: The beloved Chocolate Festival will return to the historic streets and parkways of downtown Long Grove for the first time in three years, May 20-22. Chocolate lovers can experience so much—including ...
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POLITICS GOP candidate Irvin called Trump an 'idiot,' backed LGBTQ+s
GOP gubernatorial candidate and current Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin has dodged talking about former U.S. President Donald Trump (and many other topics)—but recently revealed records show how Irvin reportedly felt ...
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Police officer enters Chicago mayoral race
Longtime Chicago police officer Frederick Collins has jumped into the Chicago mayoral race—and it's not his first. Collins also ran for mayor eight years ago. His 2014 interview with Windy ...
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Billy Masters
"Why is that so gross? We kiss each other where we pee."—Sarah Silverman responds to The View co-hosts' disgust that she shares a toothbrush with her boyfriend. Even more priceless is Sara Haines' reaction, which you ...
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SPORTS Red Stars fall; mixed MLB results; Bucks out of playoffs
On May 15, the Chicago Red Stars fell to the San Diego Wave 2-1 in the Red Stars' first trip out west to face the new club. Rookie and Michigan State University alum Ava Cook scored Chicago's lone goal, making this ...
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SHOWBIZ Queer playwright, LGBTQ+ films, BMI Pop Awards, new superhero
Jeremy O. Harris, the queer Tony-nominated author of Slave Play, has been named the presiding playwright for the 2023 Yale Drama Series Prize—one of the theater world's most prestigious playwriting honors, Deadline noted. Harris joins the ...
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WORLD Eswatini ruling, Toronto deaths, Greece, blood donations
The High Court in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) rejected an appeal for legal recognition by the local LGBTQ+-rights group Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities, citing "laws … prevailing in the kingdom" ...
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NATIONAL New York synod, Danica Roem, legal action, Pride news, PFLAG
The Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS), the regional body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, announced Christopher Vergara as its newly elected vice president, according to a press release. Vergara is the first openly gay ...
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TV Writer Joel Kim Booster, director Andrew Ahn take a trip to 'Fire Island'
Based on the classic Jane Austen book Pride and Prejudice, the new Fox Searchlight film Fire Island has an important story to tell LGBTQ+ audiences specifically. In that story, there are plenty of laughs along the ...
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SPORTS Cubs and White Sox win; Sky prevail; Fire fall
Most of Chicago's pro sports teams who played on May 14 came out victorious. —The Chicago Cubs (12-20) defeated the host Arizona Diamondbacks (18-16) 4-2. Veteran catcher Yan Gomes batted cleanup for just the 14th time ...
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Los Angeles LGBT Center mourns passing of legendary LGBT activist, leader Urvashi Vaid
-- From a press release
LOS ANGELES, May 14, 2022—"The world has lost a giant in the movement for LGBTQ freedom, justice and equality. After a valiant battle with cancer, Urvashi Vaid died today," said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Lorri ...
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Nat'l Association of Black and White Men Together to hold July 6-9 conference
The National Association of Black and White Men Together—described on its website as "a gay multicultural, anti-racism organization committed to fostering supportive environments wherein racial and cultural barriers can be ...
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PASSAGES Urvashi Vaid dies, The National LGBTQ Task Force releases statement
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC……Legendary attorney, LGBTQ activist, and author Urvashi Vaid, known for her extensive career an advocate for LGBTQ rights, women's rights, anti-war efforts, immigration justice and many other social causes ...
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Judge blocks part of Alabama law criminalizing care for trans youth
On May 13, U.S. District Judge Liles Burke blocked part of an Alabama law that made it a felony to prescribe gender-affirming puberty blockers and hormones to transgender minors, USA Today reported. ...
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Report: Malta is the best European country regarding LGBTQ+ rights
An annual report courtesy of ILGA-Europe stated that Malta remains the best country in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights, Euronews noted. The association said that Malta (which scored 92 out of a possible 100) has maintained the ...
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PASSAGES Dr. David Ostrow dies at 74
Longtime researcher Dr. David Gene Ostrow, of Chicago, died unexpectedly on Feb. 16 at home. He was 74. The cause of death was end-stage renal disease, according to the Tribute Archive website. Ostrow was born on ...
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Leather business 64TEN to name street after Ed Negron on May 30
On May 25-30, leather shop 64TEN, 6410 N. Clark St., will mark its 21st anniversary.
The celebrations will coincide with the International Mr. Leather (IML)/Memorial Day holiday weekend. ...
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Inaugural Heatwave Music Festival in Chicago on July 16-17
Auris Presents announced the debut edition and artist lineup for the Heatwave Music Festival, coming to Chicago on July 16-17 in Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. According to a press release, the festival will be ...
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Pro-choice coalition to rally May 14 in Chicago's Union Park
-- From a press release
'Rally for Abortion Justice,' part of a nationwide 'Bans Off Our Bodies' day of action will takes place in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. on Saturday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. The crowd may be 25,000 strong according to organizers. ...
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Texas court okays child-abuse inquries into families of trans kids
On May 13, the Texas Supreme Court unanimously cleared the way for the state child-welfare agency to resume investigating parents and doctors who provide gender-affirming care for trans youth—actions Gov. Greg Abbott has equated to child ...
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Griner's detention in Russia extended by a month
The lawyer for Brittney Griner said May 13 that the WNBA star's pretrial detention in Russia has been extended by one month, ESPN reported. Alexander Boykov told The Associated Press he believed the relatively short extension ...
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Gov. Pritzker signs legislation addressing rise in organized retail thefts
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — On May 13, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker joined Attorney General Kwame Raoul, lawmakers, advocates and law-enforcement officials to sign legislation designed to combat a nationwide rise in coordinated retail thefts. "This new law represents ...
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Chicago Bears release schedule; Yankees pound White Sox
After alternating home and road games throughout the entire 2021 season for the first time in franchise history, the Chicago Bears have a more conventional schedule in 2022, according to a press release. It features three ...
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