We Are Halsted: Show Support With Showtunes, a variety show that benefits homeless youth in the queer community, will be held Wed., July 25, 7 pm at Sidetrack.
Performers donating their talent include Jeff-nominated Jayson Brooks (lead singer from JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound,) Jess Godwin ( www.JessGodwin.com ), Sharriese Hamilton and host Benny Stardust (Steamwerkz: The Musical, Windy City Gay Idol). The night will also include a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit The Night Ministry's queer homeless shelter The Crib.
We Are Halsted was organized in the summer of 2011 in response to rising numbers in queer homeless youth. 26 percent of LGBTQ youth were kicked out of their homes when they came out (that's over a quarter of LGBTQ youth). Queer youth are seven times more likely to be victims of crime and three times more likely to engage in survival sex. There are 15,000 homeless youth in Chicago and up to 40% of them identify as queer.
The July 25 show will be the third edition of We Are Halsted and is organized by its creator Adam Guerino and the creator of Over The Rainbow, Jimmy Kays.
Collage of entertainers by Jayson Brooks