McHale not running
Gay political activist Mike McHale has announced that after exploring his options, he will not seek to run for U.S. Congress from Illinois. U.S. Rep. Rob Blagojevich is running for governor, and therefore his North Side congressional seat is up for grabs.
TRANS FORUM
Three nationally known scholars on transgender issues will examine how gender and technology inform one another in a panel discussion entitled Sex/Change: Technology and the Transformation of Gender, Wed., Oct. 17, 2-4 p.m., UIC at Chicago, Stevenson Hall, 701 S. Morgan, ( 312 ) 996-3595, tmurphy@uic.edu .
Joel Hall Dancers held a dance benefit at Park West last Saturday night, co-hosted by T.C. Carson of Living Single, and Jessica Halem. Joel Hall, an inductee into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, was on hand for the festivities. Photo by Israel Wright
LATINO GROUPS GET GRANTS
Amigas Latinas and the Association of Latin Men for Action were recently named recipients of the Gill Foundation's People of Color Initiative to advance the social justice movement by strengthening urban LGBT people of color organizations. The goals of the initiative are to support and strengthen the infrastructure and broaden the base of donors of LGBT organizations through grants and technical assistance.
ALMA was awarded a three-year $30,000 Resource grant to support capacity-building efforts to achieve greater stability. Amigas Latinas received a two-year $5,000 Development grant to support targeted organizational development efforts.
LOCAL NEWS ...
Children Affected by AIDS Foundation hosts a Dream Halloween Chicago, for families. Celebrities Jamie Lee Curtis and Marlee Matlin are slated to attend. Sat., Oct. 20, 5-9 p.m., $100/$200 ( child/adult ) , Windy City Fieldhouse, 2367 W. Logan, ( 312 ) 409-1210.
Lesbian Theater Initiative of Bailiwick hosts open auditions Oct. 20-21 for the LTI's Winter All Girl Review Benefit Show. LTI is seeking lesbian performers, dancers, singers, spoken-word artists, comics, bands, etc. Call ( 773 ) 883-1090.
BLAST ( Bisexual women & Lesbians At Service Together ) : Join this new social and service group for lesbians and bi women 21-35; ( 773 ) 370-4302.
Open Hand Chicago benefits from an Oct. 24 event at The Room, dry martinis and tasty hors d'oeuvres are featured at this celebration, 6-9 p.m., ( 773 ) 381-4374.
Calling all goblins, ghosts, witches, and Transsylvanians: Rise from your graves, bust out of your crypts and come if you dare to the Halloween Drag King Ball. The Chicago Kings present the spookiest drag show and party Sunday, Oct. 28 at 9:30 p.m. at Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted, tix $5. Among the many festivities at the Ball there will be Sugar Daddies handing out treats for your tricks, a raunchy raffle, and a show with the Chicago Kings; chicagokings@yahoo.com .
Los Angeles singer/ songwriter Sean Wiggins returns to Chicago to present her newest CD release, Next Time Around. Wiggins will be at Girlbar Nov. 15.
