Beaches, Bars, Socials, Events and More!
Mass Civil Union Ceremony and Reception June 3rd in Chicago
The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA),
an Illinois statewide LGBTQ
advocacy and political organization,
will be hosting a mass civil union
ceremony to celebrate the enactment
of civil unions in Illinois and the
beginning of Pride Month in Chicago.
Unite with Pride:
A Community Celebration
June 3rd at 5:00pm at
The Chicago History Museum.
Unite with Pride will provide couples an opportunity to be civilly united in an historic outdoor community civil ceremony on the picturesque “Uihlein Plaza” just days after the civil union law takes effect. The festivities will continue as couples, family, friends, and the community attend a black-tie optional cocktail reception with entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and desserts provided by various vendors from the event planning industry.
In addition to the ceremony and reception, guests will be granted access to the newly opened Chicago History Museum exhibit “Out in Chicago”. The “Out in Chicago” exhibit will explore how the evolution of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community mirrors broader changes throughout the city over the past 150 years.
(Top photo – Life.com)
“Recognizing the historic significance of civil unions beginning in Illinois, we thought it most fitting to have Unite With Pride at the Chicago History Museum, which also happens to be one of the most beautiful venues in the City for couples who wish to celebrate their union,” said Derrick Taylor, Event Director for Unite With Pride and President of Taylor & Co. “The couples who are participating have so many different reasons for taking part. Some couples don’t have the funds to do their own event so they are participating in this and inviting their friends and family. Other couples have already solemnized their relationship in Iowa or elsewhere so this is a great way for them to take part in recognizing their Civil Union here in Illinois. Others still just want to assist an organization that helped pass the law and is fighting for LGBTQ families across Illinois.”
Jayson Bernard and Roberto Rosario are one of the couples that are taking part in the ceremony. “Roberto and I met eight years ago and it was love at first sight,” stated Jayson.”It’s nice to know we can finally show the world that our love deserves to be recognized by laws and society.” “This is a huge step for our community and we are honored to be a part of this event and help TCRA,” said Roberto.
Unite with Pride: A Community Celebration is a fundraiser for The Civil Rights Agenda which continues the fight to establish equality for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. All proceeds of the event will benefit the Families United Project. The Families United Project is an exploration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer families in Illinois through the use of social media, political advocacy and by building community.
“The goal of the Families United Project is to gain equality for every family in Illinois. We hope to build a community of families that are made up of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people,” said Anthony Martinez, Executive Director of The Civil Rights Agenda. “We will help to empower this community to seek justice and equality for their families.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased at Joint CRA. Tickets for community guests are $50 and couples are asked to make a suggested donation of $75, but no couple will be turned away from participating due to financial capability.
*NOTE- Couples can apply for their actual Union license on June 1st or 2nd with Cook County – you will want to get your application in BEFORE 5pm on the 2nd, so that you can technically participate in the mass ceremony and have everything be legal.
more info email info (at) jointcra.com
BestGayChicago.com
an Illinois statewide LGBTQ
advocacy and political organization,
will be hosting a mass civil union
ceremony to celebrate the enactment
of civil unions in Illinois and the
beginning of Pride Month in Chicago.
Unite with Pride:
A Community Celebration
June 3rd at 5:00pm at
The Chicago History Museum.
Unite with Pride will provide couples an opportunity to be civilly united in an historic outdoor community civil ceremony on the picturesque “Uihlein Plaza” just days after the civil union law takes effect. The festivities will continue as couples, family, friends, and the community attend a black-tie optional cocktail reception with entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and desserts provided by various vendors from the event planning industry.
In addition to the ceremony and reception, guests will be granted access to the newly opened Chicago History Museum exhibit “Out in Chicago”. The “Out in Chicago” exhibit will explore how the evolution of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community mirrors broader changes throughout the city over the past 150 years.
(Top photo – Life.com)
“Recognizing the historic significance of civil unions beginning in Illinois, we thought it most fitting to have Unite With Pride at the Chicago History Museum, which also happens to be one of the most beautiful venues in the City for couples who wish to celebrate their union,” said Derrick Taylor, Event Director for Unite With Pride and President of Taylor & Co. “The couples who are participating have so many different reasons for taking part. Some couples don’t have the funds to do their own event so they are participating in this and inviting their friends and family. Other couples have already solemnized their relationship in Iowa or elsewhere so this is a great way for them to take part in recognizing their Civil Union here in Illinois. Others still just want to assist an organization that helped pass the law and is fighting for LGBTQ families across Illinois.”
Jayson Bernard and Roberto Rosario are one of the couples that are taking part in the ceremony. “Roberto and I met eight years ago and it was love at first sight,” stated Jayson.”It’s nice to know we can finally show the world that our love deserves to be recognized by laws and society.” “This is a huge step for our community and we are honored to be a part of this event and help TCRA,” said Roberto.
Unite with Pride: A Community Celebration is a fundraiser for The Civil Rights Agenda which continues the fight to establish equality for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. All proceeds of the event will benefit the Families United Project. The Families United Project is an exploration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer families in Illinois through the use of social media, political advocacy and by building community.
“The goal of the Families United Project is to gain equality for every family in Illinois. We hope to build a community of families that are made up of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people,” said Anthony Martinez, Executive Director of The Civil Rights Agenda. “We will help to empower this community to seek justice and equality for their families.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased at Joint CRA. Tickets for community guests are $50 and couples are asked to make a suggested donation of $75, but no couple will be turned away from participating due to financial capability.
*NOTE- Couples can apply for their actual Union license on June 1st or 2nd with Cook County – you will want to get your application in BEFORE 5pm on the 2nd, so that you can technically participate in the mass ceremony and have everything be legal.
more info email info (at) jointcra.com
BestGayChicago.com
