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CCH HIV chief discusses prevention and treatment efforts
According to Toyin Adeyemi, MD, an infectious disease specialist who is Cook County Health's ( CCH ) senior director of HIV services, the statewide Getting to Zero initiative, aimed at virtually eliminating new HIV transmissions in ...
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Only 13% of LGB people visit LGBT-specific clinics
A new study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that only a minority ( 13% ) of LGB people have utilized LGBT-specific clinics and providers, but a majority ( 52% ) expressed ...
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School official dismisses trans-related suicides
In Evansville, Indiana, a school board member seemingly dismissed activists' concerns about safety for LGBTQ kids and trans-related suicides, Advocate.com reported. Members of the Tri-State Alliance—a social service and educational organization serving LGBTQ communities in southeastern ...
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LGBTQ groups to Supreme Court: Strike down unconstitutional abortion law
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the National Center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) filed a friend-of-the-court ( amicus ) brief in the United States Supreme Court on behalf of 24 national LGBTQ organizations in the case ...
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Center for Disability and Elder Law launches 'Proud to Thrive'
The Center of Disability and Elder Law ( CDEL ) announced its "Proud to Thrive" program at an "LGBT Elder Cultural Responsiveness and Advance Directive Training for Legal Professionals" event Nov. 20 at Clark Hill PLC's ...
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World AIDS Day events happening in Chicagoland
This year, there will be various events taking place to mark World AIDS Day. Below is a list of some events taking place to note this special time. ( All events are in Chicago unless otherwise ...
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Youth urged to take quiz before World AIDS Day
As part of a continuing effort to educate young people about HIV prevention and treatment, Illinois HIV Care Connect has introduced HIV and youth web content to support the Y.O.U.T.H. ( Youth Overcoming Undetected and Treatable ...
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HRC calls on Trump to apologize for vile HIV and AIDS tweet
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer ( LGBTQ ) civil rights organization, called on Donald Trump Jr., son of President Trump, to ...
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WORLD Danger index, Canada anniv., gay dads split, Cyndi Lauper
Scandinavian countries performed well in a new index of 150 countries' friendliness toward LGBTQ+ travelers, Forbes.com noted. Sweden tops the list as the world's most LGBTQ-friendly country, followed by Canada and Norway. Nordic nations Finland ( ...
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Lightfoot, officials announce 'Cannabis Facts' campaign
With the legalization of cannabis in the state of Illinois on Jan. 1, 2020, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health ( CDPH ) are issuing guidance and precautionary information for ...
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HRC Foundation releases 2019 Index rating cities on LGBTQ inclusion
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer ( LGBTQ ) civil rights organization, in partnership with the Equality Federation ...
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461,000 LGBT people in Ohio are vulnerable to discrimination
Ohio's legal landscape and social climate put the state's 389,000 LGBT adults and 72,000 LGBT youth at risk of discrimination and harassment. The social, economic, and health effects of stigma and discrimination against LGBT people negatively ...
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AIDS Quilt moves to National AIDS Memorial, archives to Library of Congress
Washington, D.C., Nov. 20, 2019 ( GLOBE NEWSWIRE ) — The NAMES Project Foundation ( NPF ) today announced that the National AIDS Memorial will become the new caretaker of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and NAMES ...
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AMA supports laws protecting youth from conversion therapy, NCLR responds
CHICAGO, IL — Today, the American Medical Association ( AMA ) announced that it will formally support state and federal legislation protecting LGBTQ youth from the life-threatening practice of conversion therapy. The AMA, which has long ...
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State of LGBTQ Equality in nine Illinois cities detailed in HRC's index
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer ( LGBTQ ) civil rights organization, in partnership with the Equality Federation ...
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New report out on lives of trans people in rural America
( November 19, 2019 ) Des Moines, IA—Stereotypes and pop culture portrayals often overlook the diversity of rural America, framing rural regions as made up predominantly of white, politically conservative people who are hostile to LGBT ...
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American Medical Ass'n adopts policies on LGBTQ health issues, racial pay equity
SAN DIEGO — The American Medical Association ( AMA ) gathered physician and medical student leaders from all corners of medicine at its Interim Meeting to shape guiding policies on emerging health care topics. The AMA's ...
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Trevor Project raises $1.2M at L.A. gala
On Nov. 18, the Trevor Project—the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people—hosted its 2019 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles fundraising gala at The Beverly Hilton. The honorees included Cybill Shepherd, Hayley Kiyoko ...
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Jury renders $2.3M verdict for Planned Parenthood
A federal jury found an anti-abortion group led by activist David Daleiden caused substantial harm to Planned Parenthood by infiltrating abortion industry conferences to secretly tape abortion doctors and staff—and awarded punitive damages of $870,000, Courthouse ...
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CDC releases report on school health policies
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) released "School Health Profiles"—a system of surveys assessing school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts and territories. LGBTQs composed a significant part ...
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Television legal drama addresses personal costs of coming out
Bluff City Law, a recently-launched NBC legal drama portraying a social justice-focused Memphis attorney ( Jimmy Smits ) and his firm, has been depicting the the personal stakes for a middle-aged lesbian who is a senior ...
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Top worry for lesbian parents? Stigmatization
New study finds lesbian parents worry about stigmatization but are proud to be role models The latest findings from the US National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study New analysis asked 131 lesbian parents to reflect on the ...
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152,000 transgender adults are enrolled in Medicaid
More than half lack guaranteed access to coverage for gender-affirming care under state law. An estimated 152,000 transgender adults are enrolled in Medicaid in the U.S., according to a new analysis by the Williams Institute at ...
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Collaborative professionals convene in Chicago
At its 20th annual forum, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals ( IACP ) convened more than 430 legal, mental health and financial professionals from around the world at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. Preceded ...
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Study: Iceland, Netherlands, Norway have highest levels of LGBT acceptance
New research from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that the average levels of acceptance for LGBT people and their rights have increased globally since 1981. Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Canada, and Spain ...
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Planned Parenthood of Illinois offers gender affirming hormone therapy
CHICAGO - Planned Parenthood of Illinois ( PPIL ) proudly offers gender affirming hormone therapy ( GAHT ) at all 17 locations across the state. PPIL GAHT services include comprehensive and ongoing medical care, psycho-social and ...
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One in five LGBT people in the US live in poverty
A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that 21.6% of LGBT people in the U.S. experience poverty, compared to 15.7% of cisgender straight people. Among LGBT people, poverty rates differ ...
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Congress warned about mental health challenges experienced by Black queer youth
WASHINGTON— The National Black Justice Coalition ( NBJC ) yesterday, joined Susan Taylor, former Essence magazine editor-in-chief, and the National CARES Mentoring Movement to support a youth delegation offering testimony about the experiences of Black youth ...
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The woman who beat HIV
Leading HIV researchers have come to believe that at least one person has found a way to naturally rid their body of the virus. While they believe they understand a part of how that was accomplished, ...
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Fitness confab says goodbye to Chicago
After a 30-year association with Chicago, the fitness conference known as Club Industry had a last event Oct. 9-11 at the Hilton Chicago. This year's event—geared for fitness professionals—featured talks on subjects such as facility-membership retention, ...
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National Period Day rally Oct. 19
A rally to mark National Period Day will take place Saturday, Oct. 19, 12-2 p.m., at Federal Plaza, 219 S. Dearborn St. Organizations such as Planned Parenthood, The Chicago Period Project, She Votes Illinois, The U.N. ...
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Public poster series promotes healthy futures for LGBTQ and gender diverse youth
San Francisco, CA, October 11, 2019 — High levels of risk for LGBTQ adolescents for suicide, substance abuse, depression and victimization call for evidence-based approaches that increase support and connectedness at individual and institutional levels, starting ...
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BYC closing Oct. 14, will reopen Oct. 28
Broadway Youth Center ( BYC ) will be closed for two weeks of staff training starting Monday, Oct. 14 and will reopen Monday, Oct. 28. During this time, there will also be no GED or VOICES ...
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Study says revealing sexual orientation at work improves well-being
HOUSTON — ( Oct. 7, 2019 ) — Being open about your sexual orientation in the workplace is beneficial to your overall well-being, according to new research from Rice University. "Opening up about your sexuality at ...
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James McIntyre on foster care system, advocacy, award
=When James McIntyre was 3, he was placed in the Illinois foster care system with his four other siblings due to parental neglect and drug use. Two years later, McIntyre was adopted with two of his ...
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FASHION NEWS Illinois bans makeup testing on animals
The ban of testing makeup on animals in Illinois goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020. Illinois is the third state to adopt this law, after California and Nevada. The law bars manufacturers from selling all cosmetic ...
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Black community called to recognize Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Washington, D.C.— In recognition of the 2019 National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day ( NGMHAAD ) and to call public attention to the disproportionate impact of the AIDS epidemic on gay men, bisexual men, same gender ...
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Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness calls for protection of access to STI testing
New York, NY — Yesterday, entertainer and author Jonathan Van Ness debuted a new video encouraging people to take charge of their sexual health by getting tested for sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ) and highlighting ...
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Cannabis event set for Oct. 19; Cassidy among honorees
The Chicago Reader, MOCA modern cannabis dispensary and Emporium Arcade Bar will present Yes We Cann, a cannabis market and symposium, Saturday, Oct. 19. This will be a day focused on educating and empowering Chicagoans about ...
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LGBTQ ally Amy Armstrong talks cancer, giving back, 'Amy and Freddy'
When LGBTQ ally Amy Armstrong was growing up in Detroit and later Camden, Michigan she dreamed of becoming a performer. Since graduating from Henry Ford Community College and Wayne State University, she has parlayed that into ...
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Panelists discuss trans physician cultural competency
A panel of Chicagoans—all of them members of the city's transgender community—gathered at Malcom X College Sept. 13 to discuss the availability and importance of culturally competent healthcare. The panel, moderated by Channyn Parker, Howard Brown ...
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Candace Gingrich joins cannabis 'Revolution'
In July, medical cannabis provider Revolution Enterprises appointed LGBTQ+ activist Candace Gingrich as Vice President of Business Relations for the company's Florida operation. Gingrich, who worked at the Human Rights Campaign for over two decades until ...
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Report shatters stereotypes of lives of LGBT people of color in rural areas
( September 19, 2019 ) Des Moines, IA—Media coverage often portrays rural America as singularly white, conservative and working-class. Yet at least 10 million people of color, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) ...
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South Side workshop for survivors of sexual harm
The Surviving the Mic Writing Workshop series is designed for survivors of sexual harm. The two-hour workshop will present written and/or performance work that explores the experience, impact, and nuances of sexual harm. It will also ...
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PASSAGES Disability rights advocate Bristo passes away
Chicagoan Marca Bristo, who was at the forefront of numerous causes relating to disability rights, passed away Sept. 8. She was 66. Bristo was founder of the advocacy Access Living, which she began in 1980, a ...
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ICJIA seeks survey responses from LGBTQ+s who have experienced harm
The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) is conducting a survey to gather information on harm and help-seeking experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals living in Illinois. Research indicates LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of crime—specifically higher rates ...
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Foundation's ride/walk event about mental health, dedicated to late gay man
In honor of the late Michael James Dunlap, his family and friends created The Michael James Foundation to raise awareness for people with mental health issues. The foundation will be hosting an inaugural bike ride/walk fundraiser ...
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South Side Open Mic, Writing Workshop Series planned for survivors of sexual harm
Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation is producing two south side programs for survivors of sexual harm. The monthly writing workshop and the monthly open mic are intended to give survivors a brave space to work on ...
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Paula Basta talks LGBT elder issues, career, honors
Paula Basta has dedicated her more than four-decade career to advocating for the aging community in a variety of roles. Most recently, Gov. J.B. Pritzker named Basta the director of the Illinois Department on Aging. "It ...
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Robinson announces new South Side LGBT center
State Rep. Lamont Robinson announced Aug. 24 that he had helped secure $15 million in funding for an LGBT center to be located on the South Side. Robinson's remarks came during a panel discussion that was ...
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Mayor Lightfoot presents State of the City address
State of the City August 29, 2019 Good evening. Thank you for tuning in. Tonight, I want to speak to you about the state of our city and its finances. The city's finances impact every aspect ...
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Rally in response to racism and violence
August 26, 2019 ( Chicago, IL ) — In response to the racist actions and violence that people of color and various religious denominations have endured in El Paso, Dayton and elsewhere, people of all faiths, ...
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AFSP Illinois Suicide Prevention Walk Sept. 21
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's ( AFSP ) Out of the Darkness walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. at Montrose Harbor. Suicide is the number-one leading cause of death for people ...
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Dozens of musicians in abortion-rights ad
A new full-page ad in Billboard features nearly 140 musicians from genres across the industry opposing restrictions to safe, legal abortion and declaring their strong support for reproductive health and rights, a statement from Planned Parenthood ...
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Raoul part of brief that seeks to protect abortion
Attorney General Kwame Raoul is part of a coalition of 16 states in filing an amicus brief supporting women's access to safe reproductive healthcare. The coalition filed the brief in Whole Woman's Health Alliance v. Hill, ...
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OutRight Report: Conversion therapy is global
The group OutRight Action International has released a report exposing the global reach of so-called conversion therapy. "Conversion therapy" is the most widely used term to describe practices attempting to change, suppress or divert one's sexual ...
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HRC releases HEI; 16 Illinois hospitals cited as leaders
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation ( HRC ) released its 12th annual Healthcare Equality Index ( HEI ), which scores healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ ...
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NATIONAL Trans death, ACA, 1957 gay wedding, serial killer
Several bridges and the city hall building in Houston were lit in transgender flag colors to honor the memory of Tracy Single, 22—a Black transgender woman who was found dead in a possible homicide in July, ...
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CBGMC launching Caucus Corps Aug. 29
The Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus ( CBGMC ) is officially launching its new membership program, the Caucus Corps, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 6-9 p.m., at Little Black Pearl, 1060 E. 47th St. The mission of ...
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SAGE endorses aid-in-dying laws
Patient-rights organization Compassion & Choices issued a press release praising SAGE, dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT elders, for endorsing medical aid-in-dying laws. Medical aid-in-dying laws give mentally capable, terminally ill adults the option to ...
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Study finds older transgender men who are pregnant risk depression, lack of care
Older transgender men who become pregnant need better mental health care than female counterparts Transgender men who become pregnant are at increased risk for depression and difficulty getting medical care due to a lack of knowledge ...
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Proposed rule change would reduce ACA nondiscrimination protections
( Washington, D.C., August 14, 2019 ) — Yesterday, Lambda Legal submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services objecting to a proposed rule change that seeks to roll back the protections under ...
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Chicago Meal Pack of 9/11 Day
The first-ever Chicago Meal Pack of 9/11 Day—co-hosted by Serve Illinois and the Greater Chicago Food Depository—will take place Wed., Sept. 11, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. More than 1,000 volunteers ...
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Workshop on LGBTQ elders Aug. 19
Howard Brown Health will host a Nurses Health Education About LGBTQ Elders ( HEALE ) full-day workshop on Monday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at 6500 N. Clark St. The cultural competency continuing education ( CE ...
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1.7% of sexual minority adults identify as asexual
An estimated 1.7% of sexual minority adults identify as asexual, according to a recent study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. The study also found that asexuals are more likely to be women ...
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'TGNC Access to Surgical Services' Sept. 13
Howard Brown Health's Center for Education, Research and Advocacy ( ERA ) will host the 2019-2020 gender-affirming learning series "Holistic Care for TGNC People: Updates on Social, Medical, and Trauma-informed Care Continuum." The series includes "Transgender ...
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Barrington residents discuss local LGBT issues
Organizers said they were heartened by the turnout—about 80 or 90 people—for a July 23 meeting to discuss how Barrington can be supportive of its LGBT residents. "We received a great deal of support from the ...
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Incoming Chicago House CEO, board chair speak about the future
Both Michael Herman, the incoming CEO of Chicago House, and Ryan Garrison, that organization's new board chair, say that Chicago House that "has their heart." Herman is taking Chicago House's reins over from Scott Ammarell, who ...
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Chicagoan helps put AIDS Survivors Syndrome in the spotlight
Among the many effects of the AIDS crisis are the constellation of residual mental-health issues that can face individuals who cared for or lived with someone facing AIDS, or otherwise experienced the crisis on its proverbial ...
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Disability parade highlights representation, social justice
The 16th annual Disability Pride Parade was held July 20 in the Loop. The heat did not stop the celebration, and the parade took off on the corner of Plymouth Court and Van Buren Street. Floats ...
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Workshop on LGBTQ elders Aug. 19
Howard Brown Health will host a Nurses Health Education About LGBTQ Elders ( HEALE ) full-day workshop on Monday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at 6500 N. Clark St. The cultural competency continuing education ( CE ...
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HIV/AIDS program head resigned after violating sexual-harassment policy
A report has stated that Eduardo Alvarado—the head of the Illinois Department of Public Health's HIV/AIDS program—resigned in May after it was recommended he be fired for violating the agency's sexual-harassment policy and verbally abusing staff, ...
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Tips to deal with the extreme heat
According to the National Weather Service, heat will build to dangerous levels Thursday through Saturday ( July 18-20 ). Temperatures will reach into the high 90s on all three of those days and the heat index—the ...
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'TGNC Access to Surgical Services' Sept. 13
Howard Brown Health's Center for Education, Research and Advocacy ( ERA ) will host the 2019-2020 gender-affirming learning series "Holistic Care for TGNC People: Updates on Social, Medical, and Trauma-informed Care Continuum." The series includes "Transgender ...
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Planned Parenthood suddenly announces new leadership
On July 16, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America ( PPFA ) and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund ( PPAF ) boards of directors announced that Dr. Leana Wen is departing her role as president and ...
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