|
|
WINDY CITY TIMES
|
|---|
|
|
|
Queer songwriter donates $500K to Chicago Academy for the Arts
2023-02-13
|
|
This article shared 5128 times since Mon Feb 13, 2023
|
|
Returning to the school that they said saved their life years ago and set them on a path to becoming one of the most celebrated activists and songwriters of the modern era, it was announced Feb. 10 that queer musician/songwriter/activist Justin Tranter (they/them/their) is donating more than half a million dollars to their alma mater, The Chicago Academy For The Arts, according to a media release.
The unprecedented contribution serves as the single largest donation in the school's history—and it could not have come at a better time. The school noted, "During a period of tremendous financial challenges where nearly two-thirds of the Academy's families require tuition assistance, Tranter's gift will make it possible for life-changing scholarships and tuition assistance to be awarded."
"Not only did this school make me the artist and songwriter I am today but it saved my life in more ways than I can count," said Tranter, the former Semi Precious Weapons lead singer who graduated from the academy's Musical Theatre Program in 1998. "Nothing makes me prouder than to be able to support a place that educates brilliant young creatives and more importantly, gives them a foundation of compassion, community and confidence."
Among other things, Tranter founded the school's Annual AIDS Benefit—a student-run variety show with proceeds donated to support AIDS research and families affected by the disease, which recently hosted its 26th annual event last fall. The benefit has raised tens of thousands of dollars for AIDS research, support, care and organizations.
As the executive music producer and songwriter for the Grease prequel series Rise of the Pink Ladies premiering on Paramount + this April, they wrote 30 songs for the first season of the series—the most ever for a single season of television. |
|
|
|
This article shared 5128 times since Mon Feb 13, 2023
|
| ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE |
|---|
| 
|  | SHOWBIZ Celine Dion, 'The People's Joker,' Billy Porter, Patti LuPone, 'Strange Way'
2024-04-19
I Am: Celine Dion will stream on Prime Video starting June 25, according to a press release. The film is described as follows: "Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, I Am: Celine Dion gives us ...
| 
| | Kokandy Productions now accepting submissions for Chicago Musical Theater Fest returning Aug. 8-11
2024-04-18
--From a press release - CHICAGO (April 18, 2024) — Kokandy Productions is pleased to open submissions for the 2024 Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, returning this summer following a four-year hiatus. Kokandy is thrilled to ...
| 
| | Schools are back in downsized Chicago Pride Parade after merging under 'welcoming schools' umbrella
2024-04-18
At least four schools are back in the Chicago Pride Parade lineup after they were previously told they wouldn't be able to march in this year's celebration due to new limitations enforced by the city. They ...
| 
| | Chicago Pride Parade downsizing: Politicians, corporations most affected, but private schools could still be in
2024-04-16
Nearly 100 groups are on the waitlist to be in this year's Chicago Pride Parade after city officials mandated the annual event be cut by almost 40 percent. The waitlist for the June 30 parade includes ...
| 
| | NATIONAL Trans woman killed, Tenn. law, S. Carolina coach, Evan Low, Idaho schools
2024-04-12
Twenty-four-year-old Latina trans woman and makeup artist Meraxes Medina was fatally shot in Los Angeles, according to the website them, citing The Los Angeles Times. Authorities told the Times they found Medina's broken fingernail and a ...
| 
| | SHOWBIZ Jerrod Carmichael, '9-1-1' actor, Kayne the Lovechild, STARZ shows, Cynthia Erivo
2024-04-12
Gay comedian/filmmaker Jerrod Carmichael criticized Dave Chappelle, opening up about the pair's ongoing feud and calling out Chappelle's opinions on the LGBTQ+ community, PinkNews noted, citing an Esquire article. Carmichael ...
| 
| | Judith Butler focuses on perceptions of gender at Chicago Humanities Festival talk
2024-04-10
In an hour-long program filled with dry humor—not to mention lots of audience laughter—philosopher, scholar and activist Judith Butler (they/them) spoke in depth on their new book at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., on ...
| 
| | Andersonville Chamber announces Andersonville Midsommarfest entertainment lineup
2024-04-09
--From a press release - CHICAGO (April 8, 2024) — The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to announce the full entertainment line-up for Andersonville Midsommarfest, one of Chicago's oldest and most beloved summer ...
| 
| | SHOWBIZ Outfest, Chita Rivera, figure skaters, letter, playwright dies
2024-04-05
For more than four decades, Outfest has been telling LGBTQ+ stories through the thousands of films screened during its annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival—but that event may have a different look this year because ...
| 
| | SHOWBIZ Dionne Warwick, OUTshine, Ariana DeBose, 'Showgirls,' 'Harlem'
2024-03-29
Video below - Iconic singer Dionne Warwick was honored for her decades-long advocacy work for people living with HIV/AIDS at a star-studded amfAR fundraising gala in Palm Beach, per the Palm Beach Daily News. Warwick received the "Award of ...
| 
| | Nex Benedict's autopsy report released
2024-03-27
The full autopsy report for Nex Benedict (he/they)—a 16-year-old transgender and Indigenous student from Oklahoma's Owasso High School who died in February a day after a school fight—has been released. The Oklahoma Office of the Chie ...
| 
| | An interstate trans healthcare crisis: Illinois prepares for influx of people seeking gender-affirming care
2024-03-26
With hard-won rights, such as access to hormone replacement therapy or permission to use one's chosen pronouns in school, breaking down in states across the country, trans residents of all ages are left with a choice: ...
| 
| | 'Rumors' performers create alternative drag playground
2024-03-24
At first glance, Dorian's Through The Record Shop (1939 W. North Ave.) looks like a brightly-lit shop with a handful of records on the wall, but there's a secret world behind those unassuming shelves. Visitors are ...
| 
| | No charges filed in Nex Benedict fight; campaigns call for Walters' removal
2024-03-22
In Oklahoma, Tulsa County District Attorney Stephen Kunzweiler announced that no charges will be filed in connection with the fight that happened the day before transgender, nonbinary high school student Nex Benedict died by suicide, NBC ...
| 
| | SHOWBIZ Queer musicians, Marvel situation, Elliot Page, Nicole Kidman
2024-03-21
Queer musician Joy Oladokun released the single "I Wished on the Moon," from Jack Antonoff's official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ series The New Look, per a press release. The soundtrack, ...
| | |
|
|
|
|
