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

Lavender University is modeled on a project of the same name that operated for several years in the 1970s and 1980s, providing a wide range of interesting educational and skills-building programs.

"While some high schools and colleges are doing a better job at including LGBTQ issues in their curriculum, there is still a vast amount of LGBTQ work and history that is not being taught to youth and adults," said Tracy Baim, publisher of Windy City Times. "I really liked the Lavender University model and approached the Center on Halsted about partnering on a 9-month series. If it is well received, we hope to expand these programs for 2014, including to other areas of the city and suburbs."

"We are excited to present a diverse set of education programs," said Lynnea Karlic, director of programming for Center on Halsted. "We think this will appeal to teenagers, college students, adults and seniors, with such an incredible lineup of LGBTQ experts from our community."

Following are the remaining speakers and topics in the nine-month series. All of the programs are the first Saturday of the month at 11 a.m.

The lectures are at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. Each lecture is $25; there are discounts available for multiple lectures, and a limited number of scholarships will also be available.

For reservations see: community.centeronhalsted.org/lavenderuniversity. Questions can be directed to publisher@windycitymediagroup.com or lkarlic@centeronhalsted.org .

—Sat., Feb. 1, 2014, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Beth Richie—Arrested Justice: Black Women, Violence and America's Prison Nation

—Sat., March 1, 2014, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Lourdes Torres—Making Familia from Scratch: Towards a History of Latina Lesbian Organizing in Chicago

—Sat., April 5, 2014, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Anne Balay—Steel Closets: Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Steelworkers

—Sat., May 3, 2014, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Timothy Stewart-Winter—From Civil Rights to Gay Rights in Chicago