Hillary Clinton in
Town for Senate Event
The Women's Senate Network of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee hosts 'A Conversation on Public Policy' Monday, Nov. 17 with U.S. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY, Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., at the Chicago Hilton and Towers from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $150 for breakfast or luncheon events, $1,000 for entire program, including forums on economic policy and international affairs. Call (312) 527-3667 for information or tickets.
Nancy Pelosi at
GLBT Chicago Event
U.S. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is in town this weekend, and will attend a special GLBT reception benefiting the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Openly gay and lesbian U.S. Reps. Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin will also attend.
Event co-chairs are Ald. Tom Tunney and Michael Bauer. Additional special guests are U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Jesse Jackson Jr., and Rahm Emanuel.
The event is Monday, Nov. 17, 5:30-7 p.m., Ann Sather's, 929 W. Belmont. Call Holly Gallo at (202) 485-3418 or Monica Carranza (773) 680-6988.
Rainbow Spirit Awards
Honor Ronen, Billings
The annual Rainbow Spirit Awards are Sunday, Nov. 16, sponsored by New Spirit Metropolitan Community Church.
This year's recipients are Illinois Gender Advocates, state Sen. Carol Ronen and Alexandra Billings. Nan Mason is emcee; the evening includes hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction, music, dancing and live entertainment by Russ Long, Lakeside Pride, Hysterical Women and Pulsation.
The event is at the Westin Hotel, 909 N. Michigan, (708) 848-5460.
Football Player Tuaolo at HRC Family Event
Human Rights Campaign's Home is Where the Heart Is: GLBT Families and Equal Access to the American Dream, a forum on the latest developments in the fight for equality in marriage, parenting and other laws, is Wed., Nov. 19.
Speakers include Lisa Bennett, deputy director for HRC FamilyNet, Lambda Legal staff attorney Camilla Taylor, and HRC senior counsel Lara Schwartz. Special guest speaker is Esera Tuaolo, former NFL player and openly gay dad. Starts 6:30 p.m., Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State, familynet@hrc.org, www.hrc.org/familynet.
Trans Vigil Nov. 19
Illinois Gender Advocates hosts the annual Day of Remembrance candlelight vigil for all trans people who were killed because of their gender expression during the past year. The vigil is Wed., Nov. 19, 6 p.m., Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, (312) 409-5489, www.genderadvocates.org .
Amigas Latinas Hosts Aixa Diaz Dinner
Amigas Latinas hosts its fourth annual Aixa Diaz Scholarship Dinner, Sat., Nov. 22, 7 p.m. -12:30 a.m. at Lagos Banquets, 6121 W. Diversey. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and include dinner, open bar, entertainment and dancing to the sounds of DJ Wanda Rodriguez. A silent auction will be held. Tickets are available at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark.
Aixa Diaz was an openly lesbian teacher and activist who died in 1999 from asthma. Aixa was a founding Steering Committee member of Amigas Latinas and brought vision and commitment to the Latina lesbian/bisexual community through her organizing efforts, and knowledge and encouragement to Latino children through her dedication as a teacher.
Each year, in honor of Aixa, the dinner raises money to provide financial assistance to a young Latina entering or enrolled in college who is involved in fighting homophobia in high schools. Awards have also been given to gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in high schools with large Latino student populations and to the Mozart Elementary School where Aixa taught first grade.
E-mail emcardona@excite.com
NAMES Project Gala
Names Project's Remember Their Names: An Evening With the Quilt, with dinner, dancing, and awards presented to Modesto Tico Valle, TV news anchor Robin Robinson and DIFFA, is Friday, Nov. 14. Tamron Hall is host; the theme is Old Havana, with music by Island Dreams, Three Arts Club, 201 E. Ontario, (773) 472-1600.
Rainbow Families Night
Rainbow Families of Illinois (LGBT Parenting Group) hosts 'It's Our Turn: Parents' Night Out,' Sat., Nov. 22, 6-9 p.m., Rock-A-Tiki 1942 W. Division (just east of Damen). Cash bar, free admission. RSVP to Wendy Cole at wendy_cole@timemagazine.com or (312) 321-7867.
Special Guests: R Family Vacations co-founders Kelli O'Donnell and Gregg Kaminsky, who have launched the first travel company specifically for LGBT families and their friends.
Hull Travels for
Drug Protest
U.S. Senate candidate Blair Hull and senior citizens are travelling this week to Windsor, Canada to address the need for more accessible, affordable prescription drugs in the U.S.
The costs of such drugs in America has caused the elderly, people with AIDS and those with other illnesses to seek lower-cost drugs in Canada and elsewhere.
Pappas in Senate Race
Maria Pappas, pictured, a former member of the Cook County Board and Cook County Treasurer since 1998, has officially entered the crowded Democratic race for U.S. Senator from Illinois.
'I get it, and I can get it done,' Pappas said. 'It's all about your money. It's about who we will trust to go to Washington to fight for our future, the future of jobs, the economy, our infrastructure, health coverage, education programs, especially for the young, affordable prescription drugs, Medicare, Social Security, pensions, 401(k)s. It's all about your money.'
Pappas is a regular in the Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade, and she has often been seen twirling and throwing her baton along the route.
Crystal Meth Group
Crystal Meth Anonymous has started a third meeting in the Chicago area. The members of CMA meet regularly, share support and fellowship, and provide a safe environment for staying clean. The newest meeting is held Sundays at 7 p.m. at Ann Sather, 929 W Belmont, in a private upstairs meeting room. Other Chicago CMA Meetings are held Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Newtown ALANO Club, 909 W. Belmont, and Fridays at 7 p.m. at AIDS Care, 315 Barry. chicagocma@aol.com, or call Mike M. at (773) 348-2533.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
