Anti-conversion therapy rally April 9 at Center
On Thursday, April 9, Center on Halsted is hosting "#BornPerfect: The Campaign to Ban Conversion Therapy in Illinois" at 6-9 p.m. in the Hoover-Leppen Theater, 3656 N. Halsted St.
#BornPerfect is the nationwide campaign of the National Center for Lesbian Rights to ban conversion therapya practice designed to change someone's sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
The Conversion Therapy Prohibition Actwhich state Rep. Kelly Cassidy sponsored in the House ( House Bill 217 ) and by state Sen. Daniel Biss in the Senate ( Senate Bill 111 )was introduced in the Illinois General Assembly early in 2015. After winning committee approval, the House bill is now before the full House for consideration during the 2015 spring session.
Admission is free; RSVP at https://community.centeronhalsted.org/BornPerfect.
Full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php.
LGBT Advocacy Day in Springfield April 15
Equality Illinois' LGBT Advocacy Day will take place Wed., April 15, at the state Capitol in Springfield, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
The organization has stated that its "agenda includes strengthening hate crimes legislation, banning conversion therapy and saving important funding for public services in the state budget."
In addition to talking with legislators, there will be a mixer at Club Station House ( 306 E. Washington St., Springfield ) 4-6 p.m. See "Central Illinois Mixer" on Facebook.
Register at tinyurl.com/LGBT-advocacy-day .
MPSA conference April 16-19
The 73rd annual Midwest Political Science Association ( MPSA ) Conference will be held April 16-19 at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St.
Several LGBT-related forums will take place. Among them are "Do National and International Organizations of Counter-Trafficking Meet Needs of Victims of Human Trafficking of Non-traditional Sexual Orientation?" and "Voting and Sexuality: The Impact of Sexual Orientation on Turnout and Vote Choice."
Visit www.mpsanet.org/ .
Full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php.
Chicago Red Dress Party April 18
The Chicago Red Dress Partya 21-and-over eventwill take place Saturday, April 18, at 1446 W. Kinzie Ave.
VIP admission begins at 7:30 p.m.; general admission starts at 9 p.m.
The Chicago Red Dress Party is dedicated to creating awareness and visibility for the HIV/AIDS movement and raising funds for organizations ( Red Ribbon Party ) that provide vital community services and to build a strong, unified LGBT and allied community.
The only rule: All attendees must wear red to honor the spirit of the "Red Dress." ( Red dresses will be available for rent the night of the event; guys are allowed to wear red shirts. )
There will a special performance by Coco Peru.
VIP admission is $100 until April 10; general admission is $65. See www.ChicagoRedDressParty.org .
Lambda Legal's Bon Foster on April 22
Lambda Legal's annual Bon Foster event will take place Wed., April 22, at the Art Institute of Chicago Modern Wing, 159 E. Monroe St., at 6 p.m.
Jordan Heinz, Leslie and Jennifer Henry, Mark Yee and Sidney Lee are the event co-chairs.
The Bon Foster Celebration is named in honor of the man whose legacy was the founding of Lambda Legal's Midwest regional office and the subsequent civil-rights victories fought and won in that area.
For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.lambdalegal.org/bonfoster. For more information, contact Jeff Souva at 312-663-4413, ext. 335.
Full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php.