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DNC speakers, including Biden, not traveling to Milwaukee
After ongoing consultation with public health officials and experts—who underscored the worsening coronavirus pandemic—the Democratic National Convention Committee announced that speakers for the 2020 Democratic National Convention will no longer travel to Milwaukee. This development is ...
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People sought for LGBTQ South Side needs assessment survey
Pride Action Tank ( PAT ) is seeking input on people's needs, inspirations and preferences through an anonymous needs assessment survey. Completing the needs assessment will help PAT better advocate for individuals; strengthen partnerships with existing ...
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COVID-19: Lightfoot announces $6.2M for Together Now applicants
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced that the city is awarding $6.2 million in grant allocations to the Together Now fund applicants. The Together Now fund was launched last month—in partnership with Chicago Community Trust and One ...
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Lurie announces overhaul of pediatric intersex surgery policies
Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital announced July 28 that it will no longer perform irreversible genital surgical procedures on intersex patients until patients can participate in making the decision. The surgeries have long been controversial, ...
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COVID-19 Wisconsin added to Chicago's quarantine order
On July 27, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that Wisconsin will be the next state to join the 18 previously listed on the city's emergency travel order, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted. First enacted on July ...
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VIEWPOINT Coming-out letter
Mom, Starting this letter is by far one of the toughest things I have done in a long time, and trust me, I've done plenty of difficult things. First of all I want to note that ...
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WORLD Polish anti-LGBT zones, conversion therapy, HRC's Chile report
A Polish court annulled a town's LGBT-free zone declaration, Out.com noted, citing Polsat News. The provincial administrative court in Radom invalidated the Klwow Commune Council's resolution because the term "LGBT-free" refers to persons rather than an ...
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Chicago Foundation for Women virtually holds 2020 Impact Awards
The Chicago Foundation for Women ( CFW ) virtually held the 2020 Impact Awards on July 23. CFW President/CEO Felicia Davis hosted the event and awarded the honorees. Davis began by explaining the importance of the ...
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Panelists share anti-LGBTQ+ experiences in 'Torture' virtual discussion
The Center for Victims of Torture ( CVT ) hosted a virtual event entitled "Reclaiming Identity: LGBTQ Experiences of Torture, Persecution, and Healing," on July 22. It showcased the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals who have been ...
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Five Worth Finding: Bill T. Jones book, Music Box thriller and more
—Story/Time: The Life of an Idea: This book came out in 2014, but this is an excellent time to appreciate this tome. In it, out gay African American dancer, choreographer and director Bill T. Jones reflects ...
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NATIONAL Pioneering scientist dies, flag controversy, panic defense
Flossie Wong-Staal—a molecular virologist most famous for co-discovering and first cloning HIV—died July 8 of complications from pneumonia in La Jolla, California, at age 73, The Scientist reported. Wong-Staal arrived at the National Cancer Institute ( ...
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COVID-19 Lightfoot to re-tighten restrictions
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Chicago Department of Public Health ( CDPH ) and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection ( BACP ) announced a re-tightening of COVID-19 restrictions for bars, restaurants, gyms and ...
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MWRD passes policies that include LGBTs, people with disabilities
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District ( MWRD ) Board of Commissioners unanimously approved policies to assist LGBT-owned and -operated business enterprises ( LGBTBE ) as well as those owned and operated by persons with disabilities ( ...
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North Side legislators holding virtual event on clean energy
Illinois state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz ( D-Chicago ) and state Reps. Ann Williams ( D-Chicago ) and Yoni Pizer ( D-Chicago ) are partnering with the Citizens Utility Board and the Illinois Environmental Council to host ...
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The Crib, Night Ministry move to Bucktown
Nine years after it began operations in the basement of Lakeview Lutheran Church, The Crib—The Night Ministry's overnight shelter for young adults—has reopened in a larger, enhanced space on the first floor of 1735 N. Ashland ...
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Lightfoot, PSPC launch 'Let's Link Chi' to help violence-impacted areas
The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities ( PSPC ), in collaboration with Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, announced the launch of Let's Link Chi—a new grant-making initiative to support community-based organizations in Chicago's neighborhoods most impacted ...
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INT'L AIDS CONFERENCE: HIV research informing COVID-19 vaccine development
Journalist Lisa Ling hosted the second season premiere of "The Road to a Vaccine," which was a part of AIDS 2020: The 23rd International AIDS Conference. Panelists discussed how efforts for an HIV vaccine have assisted ...
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WORLD Conversion therapy, Thai measure, gay bars vandalized, Global Pride
The United Nations' Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity called for a global ban on the practices of so-called "conversion therapy," stating that such practices "inflict severe ...
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NATIONAL Marriage video, non-binary person killed, memo, Buttigieg, Fauci
U.S. District Judge William Orrick, a federal judge in San Francisco, ordered videos of a landmark 2010 trial that led to the striking down of California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage be released next month, Politico ...
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Lambda Legal asks court to block Trump's HHS anti-LGBTQ health care rule
--From a Lambda Legal press release
( Washington, D.C., July 9, 2020 ) — Today, Lambda Legal asked a federal district court to prevent the recently published health care discrimination rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from going ...
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ACTIVITIES Rollin' on the river, courtesy of the Chicago Electric Boat Company
Running out of ideas regarding what to do this summer? Well, it turns out there's nothing like going down the river in a boat built for two ( with social distancing ). I recently cruised down ...
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Reproductive health of bisexual women and girls needs greater attention
--From a Williams Institute press release
Over 48 million people of reproductive age assigned female sex at birth currently use contraceptives, including up to 3.9 million cisgender sexual minority women and transgender adults, according to new analyses by the Williams Institute at ...
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Supreme Court on religious employers, contraceptive coverage under ACA, NCLR responds
--From a NCLR press release
WASHINGTON, DC — The Supreme Court issued two important decisions today that significantly change the relationship between freedom of religion and anti-discrimination protections. In Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru, the Court ruled 7 to ...
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United Nations call for a global ban on conversion therapy, Born Perfect comments
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Today, the United Nations' Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity called for a global ban on the practices of so-called "conversion therapy," stating that ...
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NATIONAL Brayla Stone, anti-LGBTQ attacks, Virginia Values Act, Fire Island
Brayla Stone, a 17-year-old Black trans girl, was murdered in Sherwood, Arkansas, near Little Rock on June 25, a National Black Justice Coalition ( NBJC ) press release noted. Her killer has yet to be identified ...
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COVID-19
Replay closes July 5-6 after employee tests positive
The restaurant Replay Andersonville, 5358 N. Clark St., is closing July 5-6 after owner Mark Liberson posted on Facebook that an employee tested positive for COVID-19. On July 5, Liberson posted, "While this post is not ...
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Morrison and Preckwinkle host online LGBTQ health forum
Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison and Board President Toni Preckwinkle were joined by advocates from three local organizations for a conversation about LGBTQ health inequities on June 25. LGBTQ Americans have long faced numerous challenges in ...
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Last call for Little Jim's
Longtime Lake View tavern Little Jim's shut its doors July 2. Billing itself as "the original hookup bar," Jim Gates opened Little Jim's in 1975, and it was one of the first gay bars in the ...
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COVID-19 Survivor doctor denied as a blood donor because of his sexual orientation
Dr. Dillon Barron, MD, is in the business of saving lives. At Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, he as an emergency medicine doctor and most recently he and his partner, Eric Seelbach, tried to donate blood, ...
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Cook County Circuit Court resuming in-person hearings July 6
Starting on Monday, July 6, the Circuit Court of Cook County will resume in-person court proceedings, with the exception of jury trials. However, the circuit court will continue to hold hearings by videoconference whenever it is ...
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Pro-LGBTQ groups respond to SCOTUS ruling on Louisiana abortion law
On June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled five to four (with Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the liberal contingent) to block a controversial Louisiana abortion law in the case June Medical Services v. ...
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SciLine hosts intersectional briefing regarding LGBTQ+, Black communities
On June 25, SciLine held a media briefing discussing mental health in LGBTQ+ and Black communities. Yale School of Medicine's Dr. John Pachankis and Tufts University's Dr. Madina Agenor were panelists who contributed to the conversation ...
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COVID-19 pandemic focus of Latinx Pride virtual community chat
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was the focus of the first in a series of Association of Latinx Motivating Action ( ALMA ) "Latinx Pride: Integrating Past & Present Lessons to Move Forward" community chats in partnership ...
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LETTER: The U.S. Census important to LGBTQ community political, economic power
We've all seen the messaging about the Census and many of us might just wonder whether completing it truly makes a difference. As a director on the board for a social services agency that serves undercounted ...
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ACTIVATE:CHI march and rally cancelled; Pride Without Prejudice/Reclaim Pride march still taking place
A seven-mile march that one local group said would center the voices of Black trans community members on Sunday, June 28 has been cancelled after organizers were called out for not sufficiently involving actual stakeholders in ...
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Howard Brown names new VP for human resources, diversity and inclusion
Howard Brown Health announced the appointment of Paul Rauseo, MBA, as vice president of human resources, diversity and inclusion. Rauseo will lead the organization's human resources department that supports recruitment, retention, and leadership development for Howard ...
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Howard Brown reveals $1M gift to start fund
Howard Brown Health announced a $1 million gift from George and Juanita Shapen to establish the Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellowship Endowment Fund. The largest private gift Howard Brown has received in its 46-year history, the ...
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Global divide on homosexuality persists but acceptance has grown over two decades
WASHINGTON, D.C. ( June 25, 2020 ) — Despite major changes in laws and norms surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage and the rights of LGBT people around the world, a new Pew Research Center report ...
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BOOKS Skokie native writes about creating an LGBTQ family
Steve Disselhorst dreamed of being a parent since he was a kid growing up in Skokie. On June 16, his first book, Determined To Be Dad, was released, and it details his journey to fulfill that ...
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Illinois' LGBTQ cabinet members discuss equality, coronavirus
Among those conte=nding with coronavirus preparedness, not to mention the effects from the resulting shutdowns, were numerous state government officials. They were tasked with keeping the machinery of government operating, and making sure residents received essential ...
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Local transgender man on being affected by healthcare rollback
Oli Rodriguez is a transgender man who hopes to carry a child and become a father in the near future. Following news that President Donald Trump rolled back protections inscribed in the Affordable Care Act, however, ...
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Lighthouse Foundation event explores racism's origins for white allies
Lighthouse Foundation presented an online forum June 20 focusing on how white allies in the LGBT community can best focus their energies in struggles against racial inequities. Lighthouse Foundation, which is associated with Lighthouse Community Church ...
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PFLAG National, Wear Your Voice elevate voices of LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, People of Color
WASHINGTON ( June 23, 2020 ) — This month, as the media turns its lens to the dangers faced by marginalized people, specifically Black people and Black LGBTQ+ folks, PFLAG National and Wear Your Voice launch ...
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WORLD Israel news, Egyptian activist dies, Spanish singer comes out
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers behind the four largest pride parades in Israel—Haifa, Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva and Tel Aviv-Yafo—jointly decided to postpone their prospective parades, hoping they will be able to take place later ...
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Morrison, Preckwinkle hosting Pride talk on health equity
Cook County Commissioner Kevin B. Morrison and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will host a live Pride virtual discussion on health equity on Wednesday, June 24, at 1 p.m. They will be joined by community ...
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Equality Illinois hosts statewide Pride Month virtual event
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Equality Illinois held a "Can't Stop Our Pride: One Day, One Illinois" afternoon-long virtual Pride month event June 20. Equality Illinois Institute Board Chair Butch Trusty and Miss Trans Illinois ...
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LGBTQ aspect of state aging act taking effect July 1
An amendment of the Illinois Act on the Aging that protects the needs of LGBTQ older adults and people living with HIV will take effect Wed., July 1. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the measure last August. ...
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Quigley calls for HUD secretary to resign
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05) sent a letter calling for the resignation of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Ben Carson and lambasting his department's years long campaign of discrimination against LGBTQ people. Recently, media ...
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Lighthouse offers June 20 anti-racism training for allies
Lighthouse Foundation, a social-justice advocacy centering its work on LGBT persons of color, will offer an online training June 20 aimed at white people wishing to have meaningful participation in the movement for racial justice coming ...
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Millennium Park to cautiously reopen
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ( DCASE ) announced that Chicago's most-visited attraction, Millennium Park, will begin cautiously reopening on Monday, June 15, with safeguards and best practices ...
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LGBs who have undergone conversion therapy more likely to attempt suicide
A new report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that non-transgender LGB people who experienced conversion therapy were almost twice as likely to think about suicide and to attempt suicide compared to ...
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Drag activists align with Black Lives Matter in Boystown protest
"Make no mistake, the is not a f***king parade."—Rally organizer Jo MaMa at the start of the Drag March for Change Rally On June 14, a coalition of local drag performers and LGBTQ activists led a ...
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'Dine Out on Broadway' June 12-14, 19-21
Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce announced "Dine Out on Broadway," one of Chicago's first street closures open for outdoor dining and is part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's "Make Way for Dining" pilot program. Thirty restaurants and ...
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Fund established to help locals excluded from federal stimulus aid
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, The Resurrection Project and Open Society Foundations announced the "Chicago Resiliency Fund"—an up-to-$5 million cash assistance program to support the more than 300,000 Chicago residents who were excluded from federal stimulus aid ...
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Planned Parenthood reopening most centers June 15
On Monday, June 15, Planned Parenthood of Illinois ( PPIL ) is reopening most of its health centers statewide, after temporarily consolidating services to six centers in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The nine ...
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Trump administration removes ACA healthcare protections for transgender people
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced June 12 that it was rolling back health protections for transgender Americans that had previously been inscribed in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The rollback creates numerous ...
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Lawrence Hall recognized by Human Rights Campaign Foundation for LGBTQ-inclusion
CHICAGO — Today, Lawrence Hall, a nonprofit organization focusing on trauma-informed healing and resilience building in youth, families, and communities in the Chicago area, proudly announced that it is being recognized in Change-Makers in Child Welfare ...
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Chicago Pride Parade 2020 goes from postponed to officially cancelled
Statement by Tim Frye, 2020 Chicago Pride Parade Coordinator: Today we are officially cancelling the Chicago Pride Parade for 2020. We do this with total understanding and agreement that no other decision was possible. The health ...
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Transgender advocates outline challenges during pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic will likely intensify challenges experienced by transgender Americans, especially transgender persons of color, according to local advocates. In a May 29 forum presented by Chicago House and Social Service Agency, transgender activists and ...
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Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago among new or reimagined events
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ( DCASE ) announced a slate of new and reimagined summer events including at-home dance parties, drive-in movies, virtual concerts and community meals ...
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Federal Court: IL prisons violated rights of deaf and hard of hearing prisoners
Chicago ( June 9, 2020 ) — A federal judge has ruled that the Illinois Department of Corrections ( IDOC ) violated the settlement agreement in a class action lawsuit requiring effective communication for deaf and ...
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Study says LGBT emotional well-being improved post marriage equality ruling
A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which extended marriage equality nationwide in June 2015, had a positive impact on ...
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Kinsey Institute, Trevor Project collaborate on LGBTQ mental health
The critical need for research on LGBTQ youth mental health and suicide prevention—made even more critical by the COVID-19 pandemic—has led to a new partnership between the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University and The Trevor Project, ...
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Lightfoot announces reopening guidelines for places of worship
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health ( CDPH ) announced guidelines for organizations to hold in-person religious services. The "Be Safe. Places of Worship" guidelines come as the city moves into ...
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CPD officer being investigated for homophobic slur
Chicago police are investigating an officer who was recorded on cellphone video using a homophobic slur during downtown protests following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. In the video, the officer ...
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Andersonville Farmers Market online ordering starts today for pickup June 10
The Andersonville Farmers Market ( AFM ) will officially open its 11th season Wed., June 10, for shopper pick-up at 3-7 p.m. on Catalpa Avenue between Clark Street and Ashland Avenue. The market has moved locations ...
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Lightfoot, partners launch 'Together Now' to rebuild neighborhoods
On June 5, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined Chicago Community Trust President & CEO Dr. Helene Gayle and local partners to announce the launch of Together Now: Chicago's Fund to Rebuild Our Neighborhoods. In collaboration with ...
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CMSA refusing donations from Spyners after racist message
Two days after the owner/general manager of Lincoln Square spot Spyners received major pushback on social media for what many said was a racist message, a local LGBTQ sports organization condemned the post—and said it will ...
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Cook County Commissioner Morrison to hold Virtual Town Hall recognizing Pride Month
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. —June 3, 2020—In honor of Pride Month, Cook County Commissioner Kevin B. Morrison will host a live Pride Virtual Town Hall on Friday at 11:00 a.m. For everyone's safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, many ...
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Brave Space Alliance: The rebellion must be for all of us
These are momentous times for our people, our movement, and our collective liberation. Yesterday, on June 2nd, there were rebellions against policing and the state in all 50 states, and most major cities around the country. ...
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Center on Halsted boarded after anti-LGBT threats
Center on Halsted was boarded May 31 after receiving anti-LGBT threats, organization officials said. Center CEO Modesto Tico Valle announced the development on social media on June 2. He said that the threats were from anti-LGBT ...
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Planned Parenthood Illinois Action launches series on 2020 election
CHICAGO—Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) is launching a series of virtual panel discussions focused on the 2020 election. The first panel in the 2020 Election Issues Forum series is titled "Black Women's Vote, Power & Accountability" ...
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Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus issues statement on looting, civil unrest
June 3, 2020 ( Chicago, Il. ) After a weekend during which lives and property were lost throughout the city's west and south sides, the Chicago Aldermanic Caucus issued the following statement: "The Chicago Aldermanic Black ...
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U.S. Rep. Quigley part of blood-donation resolution
U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley ( D-Illinois ), Adam Schiff ( D-New York ), Carolyn Maloney ( D-New York ), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-New York ), Chris Pappas ( D-New Hampshire ), Barbara Lee ( D-New York ...
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Quigley highlights need for nondiscriminatory blood donation guidelines
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley ( D-IL ), Adam Schiff ( D-CA ), Carolyn Maloney ( D-NY ), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ), Chris Pappas ( D-NH ), Barbara Lee ( D-CA ), Deb ...
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