Monthly Archives: July 2013
Chicago and Los Angeles are Urged to Dump Their Sister Cities in Russia
It’s getting hotter…..The Lansing Michigan City Council appeared ready to adopt a resolution to formally begin the process of ending its sister city relationship with St. Petersburg, Russia due to discrimination against the LGBT community.
Meanwhile, Equality Illinois has called on Chicago to end its relationship with Moscow.
From the statement:
“As the state’s oldest and largest
advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
Illinoisans, we believe that it cannot be business as usual in Illinois’
relations with Russia until that country’s oppressive laws are reversed
and gays are not targeted for oppression,” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO
of Equality Illinois.
“From many small but meaningful steps, a
national and then an international consensus will grow and ultimately,
we believe, force Russia to change its behavior toward its gay citizens
and visitors,” Cherkasov said.
Los Angeles has been also been wanting to sever ties to St. Petersburg for
quite some time. Back in February, Los Angeles City Council introduced a
resolution that would have severed the city’s symbolic relationship
with Russia, Frontiers LA reports:
“The passing of this resolution sends a
strong message that the city will not tolerate discrimination against
our LGBT brothers and sisters in a sister city relationship,’ openly gay
City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl said in introducing his resolution on
Feb. 12. ‘We must stand together and continue to fight for our basic
civil and human rights for all human beings on this earth.”
Left unsaid in City Hall that day was the
possibility – albeit perhaps a remote possibility – that the severing
or even suspension of ties to St. Petersburg by the City of Los Angeles
would send a resounding message of support for LGBT human rights from
the ninth most economically powerful city in the world that other cities
could use as cover to also sever ties.
MEANWHILE at a recent meeting in St. Petersburg, co-author of Russia’s bill banning
homosexuality Vitaly Valentinovich Milonov urged President Putin to not suspend the law
during the Sochi Olympics, claiming that doing so would be “selective
enforcement.” This runs directly counter to the International Olympic
Committee’s assertions that athletes and spectators would be exempt from
the gay ban law.
Chicago Singer John Jones Releases New single and Video
John Jones is a singer/songwriter from Chicago.
As the liner notes say, “It’s hard to imagine working any harder or
capturing more of my heart and soul than I did on this record.”
part of me is there: the lover, the friend, the spiritualist…and, of
course, the flawed human being trying to keep his karma clean as he
navigates through times of light and dark. Sonically it’s my most
organic album yet – I wouldn’t call this Country Music but the earthy
arrangements certainly aren’t very far off. Like my first two albums,
“Everything I Have” was recorded at home, and this time around I even
have a couple of real, live guitarists augmenting my songs instead of
the samples and patches I’m usually limited to when I work alone.
People frequently ask me what the album sounds like, and I like to
think fans of Sheryl Crow, Chris Isaak, Coldplay or The Beatles have a
good chance of finding something to love here.
These are the stories of my life…spirutual beliefs, joys, heartbreak,
insecurities, resiliance, and of course love. My name is John Jones,
and this is “Everything I Have.”
Have,” available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and iheartradio. Watch/Listen NOW
Lex Allen from Milwaukee will Move your Soul
OUR NEW FAVORITE SINGER is Lex Allen, from Milwaukee!
have your body swaying and mind relating to his awe-inspiring melodies
and hypnotic SOULtry vocal tones that will surly blow you away.
www.soundcloud.com/
www.instagram.com/
http://
Should we Boycott STOLI Vodka?
STOLI could be in a little hot water. Some LGBT groups are already calling for a boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Russia. Now, Vodka. Gay drink lots of Vodka! But Stoli has also been a supporter of the LGBT community…
Queer Nation has organized a boycott of Russian vodka.
From their statement:
In light of the Putin regime’s attacks on the LGBT community, Queer Nation is calling for a worldwide boycott of Russian vodka.
Do not buy or drink Russian vodka: Brands
include Russian Standard and Stolichnaya. Demand that bar owners do not
buy or serve Russian vodka. Ask your favorite club promoters, DJs, and
entertainers to insist that Russian brands are not served in the venues
in which they perform.
It’s time to target Russia. Dump Russian vodka!
Stoli has shown support to LGBT community in the past – is a boycott the answer, to send a message to Russian Government? At first, I wasn’t sure it was the right choice – but now I do – even
though Stoli has shown support to the gay community, the Russian
government still shares in Stoli’s profits. We MUST put pressure where we
can, so they stop this madness over there!
Chicagoin Dan Savage, columnist, author, and founder of the It Gets Better Project, published an article in Seattle’s independent newspaper The Stranger on Wednesday titled
“Why I’m Boycotting Russian Vodka,” urging gay bars to stop serving the
brand and others like Russian Standard, Shustov, Starka, and Stolnaya.
“[T]here is something we can do right here, right now, in Seattle and
other U.S. cities to show our solidarity with Russian queers and their
allies,” wrote Savage on Wednesday. “And to help to draw international
attention to the persecution of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans
people, and straight allies in Putin’s increasingly fascistic Russia:
DUMP RUSSIAN VODKA.”
Sidetrack, Chicago’s largest gay bar, and allegedly the biggest seller of vodka in gay bars in the country! announced yesterday that it would
remove Stolichnaya and other Russian brands from its shelves, according
to the Windy City Times. Another Chicago gay bar, Call, joined the boycott. Replay, Hydrate, Elixir and Halsteds are also pulling Russian vodkas from their shelves!
The SPI Group, which owns Stolichnaya Vodka, contacted The Advocate
today to release an open letter to the LGBT community. The statement
stressed that Stoli “firmly opposes such attitude and actions” committed
by the Russian government and continues to be a “fervent supporter and
friend” of the community, pointing to past endorsements of Pride events
and LGBT organizations.
The statement claimed that the Luxembourg-based company is not
affiliated with the Russian government, and that the vodka’s production
is divided between Russia and Latvia.
AIDS Run and Walk Chicago September 28th
.Area runners invited to help support life-saving HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and housing programs
WHAT: More than 3,500 runners will lace up their shoes and join in the fight against HIV/AIDS during the 12th Annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, September 28. The AIDS Run & Walk Chicago is the Windy City’s largest annual fundraising run/walk for HIV/AIDS.
This year’s event kicks off at Chicago’s iconic Soldier Field with the 5K and 10K courses winding along the lakeshore.
Funds
raised through the AIDS Run & Walk will benefit programs and
services for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and 34 other city
organizations that work with more than 25,000 people living with
HIV/AIDS in Chicagoland. Since its founding in 2001, AIDS Run & Walk
Chicago has netted more than $4 million to battle the epidemic.
To register, donate, or learn more, visit www.aidsrunwalk.org or call (312) 334-0946. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
WHEN: September 28, 2013
8:00 a.m. Event registration and packet pick-up
9:00 a.m. Opening ceremonies
9:30 a.m. 5K Walk begins
9:45 a.m. 10K Run begins
9:50 a.m. 5K Run begins
10:00 a.m. Post-race entertainment
COST:
Event registration is $30-$45 in advance; $50 on-site. Registration
includes the official t-shirt and other benefits. To register as a
fundraising individual or as a team, visit aidsrunwalk.org or call (312) 334-0946.
WHERE: Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Steve Grand
In an awesome interview with Boy Culture, Steve says he is not a country star, and he talks about his difficult past as a drifter, going through ex-gay therapy and what’s next for him!
BUZZFEED called him ‘The first openly gay country star’…”there’s a lot of things wrong with that statement. I didn’t set out to be the first of anything. I just wrote a song that I really believed in and that I wanted the world to hear.
There’ve been people who’ve been out in
country music before me, like Drake Jensen and Chely Wright and k.d.
lang. It’s false to say that I’m the first – I’ve never said that, I’ve
never stood behind that. But I do appreciate the media that picked this
up because I had no means of promotion, so I certainly have no ill will
to any press that said that.
I’ve never considered myself country and
didn’t set out to write a country song. That isn’t an important label to
me. If some people wanna call it country, that’s fine with me. I’ll let
people decide how they wanna label it; I just write the songs.“
Read More about Steve Grand at Boy Culture
Two Dogs in Chicago Desperately Need a Home!
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URGENT!
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| Sadie & Wilson |
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These two witnessed their owner’s death and were found 2 days later
in the home – they were then sent to a kill kennel and separated. Famous Fido was able to rescue them from death and they are now together again. They are being boarded together at a kennel but they are depressed. They have to leave the kennel by this Friday, July 26th.
Sadie is a very sweet 5 – 7 year old Lab mix, Dear, sad Wilson (a 5
– 7 year old Shepard) hasn’t fared as well. He’s despondent and truly needs a truly experienced dog-nurturer (with patience and heart) to help him through his depression. He needs a yard without any other dogs, cats, or children. Sadie & Wilson and bonded, but if they have to be separated we
will consider it. These dogs have no where to go and need help – these lives are worth saving. Any donations would be helpful for boarding costs and care. Please contact GLORIA at 773.907.0305
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AIDS Legal Council of Chicago Summer Benefit, Lost in Space August 14 at Sidetrack
Lost in Space will
offer attendees a chance to explore the galaxies through amazing
cocktails, food, and prizes, plus a spectacular silent auction with more
than 150 items from businesses from across Chicagoland. Raffle prizes
include round-trip tickets to South America courtesy of Orbitz, hotel
stays courtesy of Kimpton Hotels, and neighborhood packages from around
the city. As ALCC continues to commemorate 25 years of service, this
event will be its biggest and best benefit yet.
Tickets, which include cocktails, food, and entertainment, are just $50 and can be purchased at
www.lostinspace2013.Founded
twenty-five years ago, ALCC uses the power of the law to provide to
provide health, dignity, and stability for people with HIV and their
families. The Council provides free direct legal services to people in
need, educates the public about HIV-related legal issues, and advocates
for social policies that ensure fair treatment for all people affected
by HIV.
Live Nude Male Strippers Come to Chicago land : CREAM
CREAM is the newest night on Mondays featuring full on naked nude male dancers and strippers! Yep- full on junk in your face – because it’s outside Cook county line.
Blacklight Throwback Open Mic July 20th, at Bonsai Bar for Center on Halsted
Center on Halsted’s quarterly “Blacklight” open mic and entertainment series will return on Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m. The event will take place at Bonsai Bar & Lounge, located at 3503 N. Halsted St., Chicago, Ill.
The
event theme is “Burlesque.” Entertainers are welcomed to talk, sing, or
dance creatively about Burlesque or another topic. While the mic is
open to anyone, Center on Halsted asks that all entertainers present
respectful content.
Entry is $10 dollars. For more information, contact Renauda Riddle at (773) 472-6469 or rriddle@centeronhalsted.org.
ISAIAH GRASS Live TONIGHT at Hard Rock Cafe Chicago
Isaiah Grass
with Moonrise Nation and Kristin Kelly
TONIGHT – Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 8:20 PM CDT (8:00 PM Doors)
of his own personal experiences, and of the experiences of people that
he knows. His inspiration is colorfully diverse, coming from an array of
genres, which accentuates the melodies of his songs. Isaiah’s music
speaks out in many ways, of his own personal experiences, and of the
experiences of people that he knows. His inspiration is colorfully
diverse, coming from an array of genres, which accentuates the melodies
of his songs. One of Chicago’s TOP NEW PERFORMERS, he is getting rave reviews!
Watch Isaiah’s Youtube▬►www.youtube.com/Isaiah7863 Download Isaiah’s music▬►http://smarturl.it/Isaiah-ITUNES
Just $5 general admission!
Lakeview to Become Bike Haven
Divvy is your Chicago Bike Sharing System
with thousands of bicycles available to you 24/7.
Divvy is Chicago’s bike sharing system with 4,000 bikes and 400 stations
across the city. Intended to provide Chicagoans with an additional
transportation option for getting around the city, Divvy is fun, easy,
and affordable.
I am not sure I love this idea – bike crazies already do not know how to properly interact with cars – I think this is all going to get worse having so many extra bikes around town.
LAKEVIEW will get 40 MORE locations this month!
Check out the Lakeview locations map by Andy Ambrosius at Lakeview Patch.
Sign up for Membership today. Now open for riding!
Market Days Weekend Party NOT TO BE MISSED Saturday August 10th
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Revolution proudly presents our 3rd installment for Market Days Saturday night in Chicago. Following the great times we had with “Wild West” in ’11 and “SuperHero” in ’12, this year we go down deep with SuperStar International DJ Aron Abizker making his triumphant return to Chicago after his spectacular midwest debut this past February for “War Revolution”. Get ready to join this packed house of energy filled with top notch set design, costuming, international go go boys and custom light show. LIMITED $40 Advance Tickets available now at CRAM on Broadway, www.houseofblues.com and this weekend (July 12-14) with the Neverland Boys down in Pilsen at their 3 day anniversary party! |
Victims of Milwaukee Police Departments Illegal Rectal Searches Sue the City!
WOW! Today, for the first time, victims of the notorious
police assaults in Milwaukee, publicly come forward.
Topping years of scandal over illegal and
often painful rectal searches by Milwaukee police officers who eventually were charged
with criminal conduct, this morning victims of the misconduct filed suit in
federal court against the City, and eight current and former officers.
At noon today, two of the four plaintiffs in the new suit
– Jerrold Ezell and Anthony Pettis – spoke out publicly for the first
time. They were joined by their
attorneys, Robin Shellow of The Shellow Group of Milwaukee, and Jon Loevy and
Heather Lewis Donnell of Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law, a Chicago-based
firm which is the largest civil rights firm in the region.
“Dozens
and dozens” of people had complained of illegal cavity searches by
Milwaukee police officers over the
years, according to Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, but until
today, none have spoken publicly about their trauma. All of the known victims are African
American. All of the known alleged
police perpetrators are white.
According to today’s suit:
- In
February 2011 Ezell was sitting in his car parked in front of his
grandmother’s house when Sergeant Jason Mucha and Officers Michael Vagnini
and Jacob Knight approached the car with their weapons drawn. Even though he had no probable cause,
during the course of Ezell’s arrest Vagnini grabbed Mr. Ezell’s scrotum
and put his hand through Mr. Ezell’s buttocks cheeks with a blading
motion, all outside his pants.
Unsatisfied
with his search of Mr. Ezell, Officer Vagnini then began to use his fingers to
claw and attempt to penetrate Mr. Ezell’s anus. Officer Vagnini threatened Mr.
Ezell stating: “If you try to run, I’ll blow your fucking head off,” or words
to that effect. Sergeant Mucha and
Officer Knight stood by and watched Officer Vagnini’s searches of Mr. Ezell, but
did nothing to intervene or stop him.
- In
July 2011 Vagnini performed a similar illegal cavity “search,”
this time against Anthony Pettis, in an interrogation room of Milwaukee’s
7th District Police Station. Vagnini, who on April 22 pled no contest to four
felony and four misdemeanor crimes, bragged to Officers Bartol and Seitz
that “This is how you search these guys.” Bartol and Seitz failed to stop the
misconduct.
- In
November 2011, Officers Bartol and Seitz entered a private residence
without a warrant or probable cause, followed by dozens of other officers,
including Vagnini and Knight.
Officer Vagnini ordered Mr. Pettis and Mr. Ezell to stand up and
then shoved his bare two fingers into both Mr. Ezell’s and Mr. Pettis’
rectums one after another without pausing to wash his hands or put on
gloves. No drugs were found on
either man, and yet the officers arrested them.
Chicago House Opens Nations First Transgender Housing
Monday July 15th, Chicago House Opens Nation’s First Transgender Housing
Local Gov’t Officials to Cut Ribbon; Openly Transgender Hollywood Producer
and Chicago native
Lana Wachowski to attend
July 15th is the Opening of Chicago House’s NEW TransLife Center (TLC), a first in the nation facility to offer full, wrap-around services to members of the transgender community and address the unique housing and employment needs of Chicago’s transgender populations.
In
addition to funding by Alphawood Foundation Chicago and multiple
corporate and private donors, TLC has been wholly designed with time,
materials and furnishing donations by Designs for Dignity (www.designsfordignity.org),
a Chicago non-profit organization that transforms non-profit spaces of
marginalized populations into more functional, nurturing environments.
NVRLAND Neverland Art Exhibit in Chicago July 12-14
art and original design into its events. In addition to throwing
Neverland parties, our creative team also owns the brands GayGlow and
Drag Carnage, which are exclusive to Hydrate Nightclub.
Founder & Creative Director – Anthony DiFiore
Founder & Head of Production – Damian Martin
Artistic Director – Ian Bulla (Fierce Finder Studio)
has partnered with Lacuna Artist Loft Studios in the Pilsen gallery
district of Chicago to present the “Neverland Art Exhibit” on July
12th-14th!!! This groundbreaking event–the very first time a circuit
party has held an art exhibit–will feature large-scale prints from our
photoshoots and events, original costumes from our parties, and
performance art, in addition to great house music and a NVRLND lighting
display.
OPENING RECEPTION – Friday July 12h
Time: 7pm-9:30pm (coincides with Pilsen Art Walk)
Location: Lacuna Loft Studio Rooftop Deck (http://lacuna2150.com/
DJ: Matthew Harvat of Circuit Mom Productions
Details: On Friday night we’ll be having a special opening reception on
Lacuna’s fabulous rooftop deck. This beautiful space overlooking the
Chicago skyline will be lit up with NVRLND lighting and the sounds of DJ
Matthew Harvat (Circuit Mom). We’ll be showcasing a sampling of the
prints and costumes that will be on display Saturday & Sunday in the
first-floor Gallery.
WEEKEND EXHIBIT – Saturday & Sunday July 13th-14th
Time: Noon to 7pm both days (coincides with Lacuna Art Walk & F.A.M.E. Street Festival)
Location: Lacuna Loft Studio Gallery (http://lacuna2150.com/
DJ: Jalil Z (Miami) on Saturday and Phil DaBeatz on Sunday
Details: July 13th-14th, during Pilsen’s F.A.M.E. Street Festival and
Second Saturdays Art Walk, Neverland will be showcasing all of its
photography, costumes, and performance art at the beautiful warehouse
loft Gallery inside Lacuna Loft Studios. We will be transforming this
amazing space with art, lighting, music, hot dancers, and our most
talented drag performers. We’re giving you a fierce daytime party inside
an art exhibit!!
Help us celebrate our 1-year anniversary in a truly groundbreaking and unique way!!!
EVENT PRICING: FREE
Guest Photographer and Videographer: Marco Ovando
Photography by: Fierce Finder Studio and Jonathan Mathias
Original costumes by: Damian Martin, Raul Redaggio, and Eddie Couture
Music by: DJ Matthew Harvat, DJ Jalil Z (Miami), and DJ Phil DaBeatz
CountyCare a New No Cost Health Insurance Program
To celebrate Pride Week, Cook County Health and Hospital Systems and Howard Brown Health Center
demonstrated their unique collaboration to provide medical and
behavioral care for the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ allies by encouraging
Howard Brown patients to apply for CountyCare, a new, no-cost health
insurance program.
Operating Officer of the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center and Chairman of
the Department of Internal Medicine at Cook County Health and Hospitals
System, and Karma Israelsen, interim President and Chief Executive
Officer of Howard Brown, welcomed visitors to the center and offered a
tour of their facilities that serve the community.
Cook County residents interested in applying should call 312-864-8200 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., or Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. To learn more about CountyCare, visit www.CountyCare.com.
CountyCare is a new Illinois Medicaid program. Patients choose a primary care site from
participating local hospitals and healthcare sites throughout the
county, including Cook County Health and Hospitals System locations.The patient is assigned a doctor, nurse, social worker and medical assistant to manage their health care through a new Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model.
The
CountyCare program was approved under the federal government’s 1115
Medicaid Waiver, which permits CCHHS to early-enroll 115,000 individuals
who will be eligible for Medicaid in 2014 through the Affordable Care
Act.
March for Marriage Equality July 13th
March on Chicago
for Marriage Equality
1 PM, Saturday, July 13
Corner of Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway
Nothing
is inevitable in the fight for civil rights. While some on our side
were assuring us marriage equality would pass by the end of May, the
other side was mobilizing and rallying to scare representatives out of
doing the right thing.
We need to show everyone that love is louder than hate. We need to show
that the voices for equality outnumber the voices for fear and
small-mindedness. We need to hit the streets!
We can still get it done this year if we all join in. This is not over!
Let’s show our representatives that we’re not giving up on marriage
equality without a fight!
Out Gay Country Singer Steve Grand Comes Clean
Hey, Sex Sells.
READ MORE ABOUT STEVE THIS WEEK at WISCONSIN GAZZETTE
Chicago Gay Mens Chorus SOME LIKE IT HOT July 29th
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CHICAGO GAY MEN’S CHORUS
QUENCHES THE SUMMER WITH A COOL CABARET SHOW
WHAT:
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus (CGMC) is extending their 30th season into the summer with a new cabaret show: “Some Like It Hot.”
CGMC provides two show times under the direction of Jimmy Morehead and
L. T. Johnson at Lakeview’s newest comedy club, the Laugh Factory.
Song selections include swingin’ standards like Night and Day and Another Hot Day in Harlem, showtune favorites like Too Darn Hot, and current hits from Adele and Esperanza Spalding.
Tickets are on sale for $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP seating (7:15 show only) – both with a two drink minimum. VIP ticket holder’s reception will be hosted from 6:00 p.m.- 7:15 p.m. with drinks – plus hors d’oeuvres from LM Restaurant Group. For tickets and more information, visit www.laughfactory.com/
WHEN/WHERE:
- Monday, July 29, 2013 – 7:15 p.m. AND 9:30 p.m. Laugh Factory- 3175 North Broadway; Chicago, IL 60657
