'Do Ask, Do Tell' Oct. 4
The third annual "Operation: Do Ask, Do Tell" will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital Auditorium, 5000 S. 5th Ave., Hines, Illinois.
The event is a symposium for LGBT veterans, active-duty service members, families, friends and health care providers that focuses on health needs and resources. Among the subjects to be covered are VA services, LGBT health care, the impact of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on service members and benefits available to LGBT veterans.
Kristin Beck, the first openly trans Navy SEAL and a civil-rights activist, will be the keynote speaker. View 2013 profile of Beck at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Former-Navy-SEAL-Kristin-Beck-talks-trans-workplace-equality/43683.html .
Register for the free event at 708-202-8387, ext. 21228 or lorry.luscri@va.gov .
'NO H8' open photo shoot Oct. 5 at W Chicago
The NO H8 photo campaign will be in Chicago Sunday, Oct. 5, at W Chicago City Center's Great Room 1, 172 W. Adams St., 4-7 p.m.
Anyone taking a photo is asked to wear a plain white shirt to match the look of the signature NOH8 photos. Solo photos are $40; couple and group pictures are $25 per person.
Celebrity photographer & NOH8 co-founder Adam Bouska will photograph five to 10 frames for each person who comes through. The final selection he chooses will be retouched and made available to participants in approximately eight weeks through the website ( timeline subject to change ): www.NOH8Campaign.com .
RSVP at "Open Photo Shoot in CHICAGO, IL" on Facebook.
Illinois Safe School Alliance's 'Alliance Brunch' Oct. 5
The Illinois Safe School Alliance's "Alliance Brunch: Remembering Our Past. In the Present. For Our Future" will take place Sunday, Oct. 5, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
Walter Payton College Prep grad Katya Mazon will be honored as activist of the year, while University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Education is ally of the year. Illinois state Sen. William Delgado will be the featured speaker.
The mission of the alliance is to promote safety, support and healthy development for LGBTQ youth, in Illinois schools and communities, through advocacy, education, youth organizing and research.
See "The Alliance Brunch: Remembering Our Past. In The Present. For Our Future" on Facebook, or visit www.illinoissafeschools.org .
