The third annual GLBTA Coming Out Ball will be held Oct. 8, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. at Northeastetern Illinois University. This year, NEIU has joined forces with other local GLBTA groups to turn the event into a city-wide project. This black-tie affair is a celebration of Chicago's diverse GLBT community and is for all ages and sexual orientations. Chicago celebrities Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen will be emceeing, DJ Marc Scott will be spinning most of the night, and drag performer Miss Am'beyonce Knowles will be performing. All proceeds from this dry event are benefiting Project Vida and Lesbian Community Cancer Project.
In previous years, this event has been sponsored and organized only by the NEIU GLBTA group, however, this year the event is being sponsored by Northwestern University's Rainbow Alliance, Depaul University's Spectrum, and University of Illinois (Chicago) Office of GLBT Concerns, as well as Northeastern.
Robin Matthies and Anne Mothkovich, co-chairs of the GLBTA at Northeastern Illinois [and Windy City Times 30 Under 30 honorees] are thrilled by all the support the Chicago community has already shown for the event. Mothkovich states: 'We have had so many people asking us when this year's event is, who's performing, etc. I really think this is going to turn into an annual citywide event.'
Matthies adds, 'It's so great that we have this opportunity to collaborate with local GLBT groups for a great cause, we are making strong alliances between universities and GLBT community organizations. which is the key to strengthening visibility and awareness in our community.'
Location is Northeastern Illinois University, Alumni Hall, 5500 .N Saint Louis Ave., Chicago, $5/student with valid ID, $10 community members. E-mail for info to a-mothkovich@neiu.edu, www.neiu.edu/~glba.