Six Chicagoans will tell compelling stories with a LGBTQ+ perspective when another OUTspoken "Storytelling Night" takes place Tuesday, Oct. 5, starting at 7 p.m., at Sidetrack Bar, 3349 N. Halsted St.
All attendees must be masked and show proof of vaccination.
Storytellers will include a publisher, a public health executive, an associate dean at Northwestern University, a graphic designer at Roosevelt University and an editor/writer.
Mitch Hagan is the creative director for a cybersecurity tech company as well as an adjunct professor of graphic design at Roosevelt University. An Uptown resident, he owns a very special Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Tucker, who claims to have more than 1,300 fans and followers on Instagram.
Lou Barrett is both publisher and writer for Purpled Palm Press, which focuses on improving queer lives, one book at a time. Barrett came to Chicago from Cleveland, where his show "Let It Out" was the only queer storytelling show in the area. Also, Barrett is joining the OUTspoken team as the new co-curator. Follow Lou on IG@louthebarrett.
Ken Griffin is the chief operating officer for Howard Brown Health. He has been in healthcare for the past 16 years and, before he came to Chicago, was the chief operating officer for the St. Louis County of Public Health. Griffin was just chosen as one of Crain's Chicago Business' 2021 Notable LGBTQ Executives and received The L. V. Eddie Challenging Lives and Changing Minds Foundation Lifetime Humanitarian Award. He is committed to his community and also engaging others to drive for continuous improvement in healthcare.
Roderick K. Hawkins is the associate dean of external affairs as well as chief of staff at Northwestern University's School of Communication. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he is now a proud South Sider. He is on the board of directors for the Auditorium Theater and recently completed six years of service on Lambda Legal's board of directors. In 2018, he was on the inaugural list of Chicago's notable LGBTQ executives for Crain's Chicago Business.
Anne Curley came out as a lesbian in her fifties. She was married for 30 years to a guy who remains dear to her and has two adult daughters and two grandsons—with another on the way! Curley is a retired corporate executive and branding consultant. Retired, she is a volunteer reading tutor and also provides pro bono communication support to an affordable housing agency in Chicago.
Rick Karlin is now retired and living in Florida. In 1997, he was inducted into Chicago's LGBT Hall of fame and currently is its co-chair. He was always a mover and shaker in Chicago's LGBT community. He was editor and writer for Gay Chicago Magazine and also wrote for GayLife, Outlines, Nightlines and Windy City Times as well as Chicago Free Press, GoChicagoPride.com and boi Magazine.
Kim Hunt and Art Johnson will host this OUTspoken production.
OUTspoken is a monthly LGBTQ+ storytelling event which takes place the first Tuesday of every month at Sidetrack Bar.
OUTspoken has been featured in Lifeline Theater's Fillet of Solo Festival and is in Amy Buzzarri's "111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss."
For further information, call 773-477-9189 or email info@outspoken.com .
