THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

See www.outspokenchicago.com for more info.

—Nestor Gomez was born in Guatemala and moved to Chicago in the mid '80s. He told his first story at a Chicago Moth Slam as a way to finally get over stuttering. Surprisingly, he won the slam that night and has not stop telling sharing stories ever since. Nestor holds the record for the most Chicago Moth Slam wins ( 22 ) and curates, produces and hosts his own storytelling show, 80 Minutes Around the World: Immigration Stories.

—Don Hall is an events consultant and an artistic mercenary. In the past thirty years, Don has worn many hats: Former public school music teacher, veteran Moth Story Slam host, Off Loop theatrical producer, the decade-long Director of Events for WBEZ and House Manager of NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!", retired professional trumpet player, and one-time homeless busker.

—Cleve Jones is an activist, lecturer, and author of When We Rise. Mentored by pioneer LGBT activist Harvey Milk, Cleve co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation in 1983 and founded the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, one of the world's largest community arts project. See what Cleve is up to today as an organizer for the hospitality workers' union, UNITE HERE.

—Barbara Marian is the proud aunt of a nephew and three nieces who also identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Barbara is from Harvard, Illinois, but was born in Wisconsin. Her mother, a fierce woman and the first feminist Barbara encountered, emigrated from the Netherlands. Even as a kid, Barbara followed her mother's dictum: "You've gotta mouth. Use it!" And she does — in letters to the editor, state and local demonstrations, parades, seminars and workshops, through the LGBT Family and Friends Ministry at St. Nicholas in Evanston and for the past twelve years as a member of the McHenry County ( IL ) Chapter of PFLAG.

—Jennifer Ould moved to Chicago from North Carolina 13 years ago and found a home here. She has a Master's of Divinity degree and, in addition to her day job at a progressive and inclusive seminary in Hyde Park, she works in leadership at Trinity Episcopal Church, Highland Park, and Gilead, an inclusive church that meets in a Rogers Park bar to tell true stories that change lives. She's a sunshine, cider, and bourbon lover who completed her first marathon last month, occasionally preaches, and blogs at jennifereould.com .

—Vicki Quade is one of the creators of the international hit comedy, Late Nite Catechism, and has performed regularly on a national tour with her many religious comedies. Born in Chicago, she started her career as a journalist before falling in love with theater. You can find her almost any weekend at the Royal George Theater performing one of her bingo comedies.