Equal Marriage NOW! will hold a rally demanding marriage equality for same-sex couples in Cook County on March 5 outside the Cook County Marriage License Bureau, 125 W. Randolph at 11 a.m. The theme of the rally is Renew the Vow: Demand Equal Marriage NOW! and is being held to mark the groups first protest, which was held a year ago. Contact Equal Marriage NOW! at ( 773 ) 243-2576 or www.equalmarriagenow.org .
The Human Right Campaign's 5th Annual Laughing Out Loud will take place March 4-5 at the Park West Theatre, 322 W. Armitage in Chicago at 8 p.m. The host for both evenings is Jack Plotnick, who is known as the voice of Xandir on the Comedy Central hit show Drawn Together. Performing on March 4 will be All-American lesbian Vickie Shaw and the irreverent ANT ( currently hosting VH1's Celebrity Fit Club ) . March 5 will bring gay comic Eddie Sarfaty and Latina star Marga Gomez. General admission tickets for each show are $35/person and premium seats are available for $50/person. Visit boxofficetickets.com/hrc, and log on to ww.hrc.org for more info on the HRC.
A breakfast discussion entitled 'The Changing Face of AIDS: Women's Stories' will take place March 7, 8 a.m., at the Allerton Hotel, 701 N. Michigan. Among the speakers will be Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta, president of the International Center for Research on Women. RSVP to KurthLampe@aol.com or Kitty Kurth at ( 312 ) 464-0260.
The Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on LGBT Issues ( ACLGBTI ) will host 'Just Married,' a photo exhibit of images taken during the 29 days San Francisco offered same-sex marriages. It is scheduled for Mach 4, 6-9 p.m., at Hull House Arts Center, 1136 W. Wilson. RSVP at ( 773 ) 907-9403, ext. 101.
Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago are co-sponsoring 'HIV Services Education: How to Get What You Need,' March 22, 6-8:30 p.m. at TPAN, 5537 N. Broadway. Contact Sanford Gaylord at ( 312 ) 922-2322 or sgaylord@aidschicago.org .
The LGBT Religious Archives Network ( LGBTRAN ) at Chicago Theological Seminary has established an annual LGBT Religious History Award to honor outstanding research and writing. Papers are welcome from established and junior scholars; independent scholars; and graduate and undergraduate students. Deadline for submissions in this first year is Oct. 11. For complete details, go to www.lgbtran.org/HistoryAward.htm.
Asians and Friends Chicago is hosting two upcoming events. The first is Beach Blanket Bingo: An Asians and Friends Chicago Fundraiser, March 12, at the Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe, at 8 p.m. Also, socials are being held on the second Wednesday of March, April, and May at @mosphere, 5355 N. Halsted, 8:30 p.m. For more info, call ( 312 ) 409-1573 or visit www.afchicago.org .
Carlos Mock is hosting a party to support Christine Cegelis for Congress. ( In 2004, she got 44.2% of the vote against 30-year Illinois Republican incumbent Henry Hyde. ) It will take place March 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 4728 N. Malden, Unit 1-S. RSVP at ( 773 ) 561-6617 or ctmock@yahoo.com .
Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville, is holding its spring book sale, March 4-13. All monies raised from the 'March Madness Book Sale' will go to support the library. Call ( 773 ) 381-8030, visit www.gerberhart.org or e-mail info@gerberhart.org .
Early to Bed, located at 5232 N. Sheridan, is hosting The Big O workshop, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. The womens-only workshop will explore the intricacies of woman's sexuality, from techniques to toys. Contact Searah Deysach at ( 773 ) 271-1219.
Freedom to Marry appointed writer and communications consultant Samiya Bashir to the post of communications director of the organization. Freedom to Marry executive director Evan Wolfson said that Bashir 'is the right person to help the diverse gay and non-gay people who believe in fairness to raise their voices and reach more of their neighbors in every state.' Previously, Bashir served as communications director for the HIV/AIDS organization The Balm in Gilead.
The Deaf Queer Resource Center announced the establishment of the Deaf Queer Youth Scholarship Fund. The first set of awards will be $250 and $500 each. See www.deafqueer.org/youth/scholarships/ .
In Minnesota, hundreds of gay couples and their children got together on Feb. 26 for the 10th Annual Rainbow Families Conference in Minneapolis, WCCO.com reported. The event provides resources for gay parents and prospective parents.
In Florida, Robert Pingpank, a retired schoolteacher, and Richard Nolan, a retired Episcopal priest, became the first couple to register on West Palm Beach's domestic-partner registry, Sun-Sentinel.com reported. City commissioners unanimously approved the domestic-partner registry ordinance on Valentine's Day. 'After 49-1/2 years, it's official,' Pingpank said.
In Kansas, some Lawrence residents are having fun with the state's new advertising slogan, 'Kansas: As big as you think,' the Lawrence Journal World reported. Concerned about the state's push toward a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, Jennifer Newlin, a Lawrence attorney, printed and began distributing thousands of brown and yellow bumper stickers with the phrase 'Kansas: As bigoted as you think.' The slogan also is being skewered by 'The New World Order Peace Choir,' the musical arm of the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice.
