Howard Brown Health Center offers free syphilis tests for women who partner with women, at 4025 N. Sheridan, ( 773 ) 388-1600.
Good Shepherd Parish MCC presents their Blessing of the Animals Oct. 6, in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi; bring your pet to church for a blessing. 2 p.m., Summerdale Community Church, 1700 W. Farragut, ( 773 ) 275-7776.
Onyx Blackout VI 2001, a weekend of leather and people of color, is this weekend, ( 312 ) 329-6141 or www.onyxmen.com .
Gerber/Hart Library's book sale continues now thru Oct. 7 at 1127 W. Granville, ( 773 ) 381-8030. Gerber/ Hart is facing a financial crisis.
Chicago Gender Society's Miss Chicago Gender Society, hosted by Miss Regina Upright, is Oct. 5, ( 708 ) 863-7714
Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center is part of the 3rd Suburban 5K AIDS Walk, to benefit AIDS services in the south suburbs. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sat., Oct. 6; the walk steps off at 9:30 a.m. Prairie State College, 202 Halsted St., Chicago Heights, ( 708 ) 709-6784.
Chicago Anti-Bashing Network's Annual March Against Anti-Gay Hate, commemorating the third anniversary of the murder of Matthew Shepard, is Sat., Oct. 6, 8 p.m., at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe, ( 773 ) 878-3697, CABNstopthehate@aol.com .
Bonaventure House hosts Jubilate, Bonaventure House's 10th annual opera extravaganza, featuring performances by Renee Fleming, Susanne Mentzer, Lucio Gallo and other international opera stars, all to benefit this residence for men and women living with AIDS. It's Sunday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m., Merle Reskin Theater, 60 E. Balbo, ( 773 ) 327-9921, ext. 335 or 132.
The Lesbian Community Cancer Project cruise benefit is now Saturday, Oct. 20; ( 773 ) 561-4662. LCCP's Bitch to Quit, a free 8-week smoking cessation clinic, starts Oct. 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Uptown National Bank Building, 4753 N. Broadway, Suite 602, ( 773 ) 561-4662.
Thousand Waves Karate presents a free self-defense seminar for men and women Oct. 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 1220 W. Belmont, ( 773 ) 472-7663.
Kindred Hearts hosts a singles meeting for dinner at Reza's restaurant in Andersonville Oct. 6, followed by a walk up the street for dancing at Star Gaze. 7:30 p.m., 5255 N. Clark, RSVP to Kindred Hearts, ( 847 ) 604-0913, KndrdHrts@aol.com, www.kindred-hearts.com .
Southwest Women Working Together hosts their 25th Anniversary Gala Oct. 4, 5-8:30 p.m., LaSalle Bank, 135 S. LaSalle, ( 773 ) 582-0550.
ACLU: Celebrate the Bill of Rights, a gala event to benefit the ACLU'S Roger Baldwin Foundation, Oct. 6, 6 p.m., $250, Hyatt Regency Chgo, 151 E. Wacker, ( 312 ) 201-9740.
Chicagoland Pride At Work ( PAW ) hosts a meeting and social event with other LGBT union members, from teachers to tradeswomen, Thursday, Oct. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m., UNITE, 333 S. Ashland, ( 773 ) 506-9693.
Windy City Radio is on Sundays, 10:30 p.m.-midnight, on WCKG, 105.9 FM. This Sunday's show is a focus on the Emmy Awards. Listen at 10 for Life Outside, including an interview with Helen Shaver.