Cook County's same-sex domestic-partners registry goes into effect Oct. 1. Partners can register together at the Cook County Clerk's downtown office, 118 N. Clark St. Bring a valid photo identification and pay a $30 fee. They also will complete and sign a legal affidavit. Call (312) 603-5584.
Lambda Legal's Bon Foster Memorial Civil Rights Dinner, with speakers Kevin Cathcart and Patricia Logue, and MC Robert Gant of Queer as Folk, is Thursday, Oct. 9. Call (312) 663-4413. Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the event, held at the Chicago Marriott Downtown. The Bon Foster Dinner honors the legacy of Chicago attorney and activist Robert Bonvouloir 'Bon' Foster. It was Bon's bequest that funded the opening of Lambda Legal's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago in 1993. He along with Lambda's Interim Legal Director Patricia Logue are among the inductees into this year's Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. Jenner & Block, which played a significant role in the defeat of Texas's 'Homosexual Conduct' law, will be honored. Call (312) 663-4413.
Northeastern Illinois University's 'Coming Out Ball' will be Oct. 10, 8 p.m. till 1 a.m., $8 for all area high school and college students with a school ID and $10 for other community members. Northeastern students get in free. All proceeds will benefit the Lesbian Community Cancer Project and Test Positive Aware Network. Go to www.neiu.edu/~glba. Northeastern Illinois University is located at 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago. Call (773) 442-4550.
Gerber/Hart Library presents Picture This... an evening of art, music, entertainment, food and a silent auction, Sat., Oct. 4 at High Risk Gallery. Performers include C.C. Carter, the spoken word performance group Pow-Wow, and the Lakeside Pride Clarinet Choir. From 8-11:30 p.m., $100, 1130 W. Belmont, (773) 381-8030.
Spin's OctoberFest, with traditional Bavarian food, drinks and live entertainment, featuring Lakeside Pride's Queer as Polka, Kimi Hayes, Thosekids, Patty Elvis, Jan James, The Rote, and the Cathy Richardson Band, is Sat., Oct. 4, 2-10 p.m., parking lot behind Ann Sather, 929 W. Belmont, (773) 327-7711.
Howard Brown Health Center's 2nd 'Handbags and Halos' event will attract Chicago's top society women to raise money for the agency. Developed by society's favorite 'man-about-town,' Bunky Cushing, Handbags & Halos is an exclusive luncheon Oct. 14 at noon at The Casino. Bring a gently used handbag, which will be donated to HBHC's Brown Elephant Re-sale Shops. Eight designer handbags will be raffled at the event.
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