THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Center on Halsted Chats is a monthly series that interviews local LGBTQ and Ally leaders as they discuss their lives and some of today's most pressing topics.

In a time when LGBTQ and Black movements seem to be in the public eye more than ever, the perspective of a journey that is both Black and Queer seems to be overshadowed. What does it mean to fight for equality as a dual minority? How do race, sexuality, and gender intersect? In what ways does having both Black and Queer identities impact one's experiences?

Join us for Black, Queer, & Invisible? as we explore these questions and more with special guests Kim Hunt ( Executive Director of the Pride Action Tank ) and Zach Stafford ( Contributing Writer for The Guardian ). Afterwards, stick around to network with some of Chicagoland's organizations advancing Black and LGBTQ equality, including AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus, Howard Brown Health Center, IL Caucus for Adolescent Health, IL Safe Schools Alliance, Lurie Children's Hospital, Center on Halsted, and more.

Read more about our guests below!

Kim L. Hunt is the executive director of the Pride Action Tank ( AIDS Foundation of Chicago ), a results-driven group that addresses challenges facing individuals and groups within LGBTQ communities through a collaborative process of inquiry, advocacy, and action. She is an advocate, urban design geek, and lifelong learner. During her 30 year career Kim has focused on strengthening communities. She is the former executive director of Affinity Community Services, a 20 year old Chicago social justice organization that works with and for Black LGBTQ communities and queer youth. Prior to Affinity she owned a community development and management consulting firm. She has taught mini-courses at the University of Chicago, is co-host of OUTSpoken! LGBTQ Storytelling, and serves on several boards and advisory councils.

Zach Stafford is a contributing writer for The Guardian newspaper where he does investigative reporting and writes a bi-weekly opinion column that primarily focuses on social issues. His long-form investigations have also appeared in magazines like The Nation and Out Magazine, and is regularly asked to speak on outlets such as CNN. He is also the co-editor of the bestselling book Boys, Anthology, which showcases the diverse and powerful stories of queer men all around the world, and is currently touring a photo-essay show about HIV+ people and their dogs titled: When Dogs Heal. Beyond writing and editing, Zach is the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

$5 suggested donation

Reserve your spot at the link: community.centeronhalsted.org/COHChats .

Questions to Community and Cultural Programs, culture@centeronhalsted.org .