Category Archives: Celebrity
Love is Love EQIL Gala Feb. 14th
We can hardly believe it – Gala week is here and this is one of your last chances to attend the largest LGBT event of its kind in the Midwest.
It will be a night of celebration and dancing that you won’t want to miss. We’ll be honoring the TransLife Center of Chicago House, performer Lea DeLaria, and business leader Michael Sacks and GCM Grosvenor.
To kick off the night we have remarkable silent auction items for you to bid on, from travel packages to locales like Las Vegas and Maui to glamorous hotel stays, dining, and entertainment in Chicago. You will be able to bid on flights around the world, Picasso lithographs, or even baskets filled with your favorite cocktail ingredients!
Only standard tables and tickets are left, and they’re going fast – get your tickets today!
Steve Grand CD Coming
CHICAGO’s sexy and talented Steve Grand is gearing up for release his debut album All American Boy March 24 after a very successful Kickstarter last year, Out reports:
Grand is an openly gay singer who’s certainly country-inspired, but does not self-identify as a country artist. “Music is subjective,” Grand says, “The lines of life are blurring. We are seeing that in music as in sexuality and gender identity…There’s nothing different about my music just because I’m gay. I sing about things that I go through, but they are things that we all go through, regardless of sexual orientation.” […]
A full-length album has also allowed Grand to follow an arc or storyline. “Each song needed to function as a plot point on that arc. A lot of things in life follow that trajectory, where there’s a beginning, middle, and end. Relationship do that, growing up does that, life does that.” Every number, Grand adds, ”explores some kind of relationship, whether it be a relationship with a romantic partner, a relationship with a friend, a relationship with the past, a relationship with something destructive, a relationship with a community.”
Lea DeLaria Honored at EQIL Gala
Illinois native Lea DeLaria, widely known as Boo in “Orange is the New Black,” will be honored with the Equality Illinois Freedom Award at this year’s Gala.
Beyond her role on the hit show, she was the first out comedian to appear on a late-night talk show and is a prominent jazz musician. Be sure you get your tickets to the Gala today to see Lea on the big stage.
Additionally, Equality Illinois is proud to honor The TransLife Center of Chicago House with the Freedom Award for their work providing critical, life-changing services to transgender Illinoisans. Our 2015 Business Leadership Awardee is Grosvenor Capital Management and CEO Michael Sacks for spearheading business support in the fight for marriage equality. All of our awardees are helping further our movement toward full equality.
As the largest LGBT event of its kind in the Midwest, the Gala draws more than 1,400 participants and is nearly sold out. We still have a limited number of Premier tickets and Standard tickets and tables available. Don’t miss out on seeing all of our awardees at the Equality Illinois Gala – get your tickets today!
Ru Pauls Top Girls In Chicago
IT’S ABOUT TO GET REAL BITCHES!
RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of The Seasons “Condragulations” Tour in a city near YOU, featuring a night of show-stopping performances by the world’s most talented drag performers, including winners and fan favorites from Logo TV’s hit series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Over 40 cities in the US, Canada and Europe. The largest drag tour in history!
Adore Delano, Alaska 5000, Ben Dela Crème, Bianca Del Rio, Courtney Act, Darienne Lake, Detox, Ivy Winters, Jiggly Caliente, Jinkx Monsoon, Manila Luzon, Pandora Boxx, Phi Phi O’Hara, Raja and Sharon Needles. Plus Special Guest Cary NoKey and host Michelle Visage. (Lineup varies by city and is subject to change.)
Madison WI Feb 17th, Chicago Feb 19th CHECK CITIES AND TICKETS!
Jennifer Hudson, HRC and the W Hotel
A FREE EVENT – First Come First Served – SPACE IS LIMITED!
Turn it up for Change at The W Chicago – Lakeshore
Wednesday, January 14th @ 9PM
The W Chicago – Lakeshore (644 N. Lake Shore Drive) in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign will host Turn it up for Change, a fundraising and awareness initiative in the fight for nationwide LGBT equality with special guests Grammy® and Academy Award® winner Jennifer Hudson, DJ White Shadow, Legendary Damon along with local Chicago Queens Trannika Rex, Precious Jewel and Shea Coulee.
The event is free and will begin at 9:00PM CST
and entry is available on a first come, first serve basis.
TURN IT UP FOR CHANGE launched in October 2014 and combines W’s longstanding support of the LGBT community with its ongoing passion for music. In partnership with HRC and Jennifer Hudson, W hopes to bring about real and lasting change for LGBT Americans in all 50 states. As part of the program, W Hotels around the country currently host monthly TURN IT UP FOR CHANGE music events, in which a portion of proceeds (equal the number of states that currently recognize same-sex marriage) is donated to HRC. Some events, such as this one at W Chicago – Lakeshore, also include appearances by Jennifer Hudson.
HEATWAVE CHICAGO IS HERE!
THE TEMPERATURES
ARE PLUNGING!
There is a polar invasion in the Midwest…..
but don’t fret…HEATWAVE IS ALMOST HERE! After more than 1 year of planning, the party, like no other, is arriving this weekend. BUT IT’S ALMOST SOLD OUT!
24 hours at Key Lime Cove. We bought out the ENTIRE COMPLEX and portions of rooms booked will go the benefit the Chicago Gay Mens Chorus!
400 rooms.
12 hours of music with 4 DJ’s and CAZWELL!
Don’t want a room?
Can’t stay the night?
Get a party ticket for $85.
Room packages start at $200 for 2 people for 24 hours!
Yesterday EVERYONE wis trying to call and book rooms for Heatwave. Is that a Midwest thing…waiting to the last minute?? LOL – Because this is a special private event, each reservation can take time to process and answer everyone’s questions – hence, phone hold times may be annoying.
SO, WEDNESDAY NIGHT (Nov. 12th) 8pm-10pm the Key Lime Cove folks are coming to Scarlet Bar (3320 N. Halsted) to do reservations live one-on-one in person. And we only have about 50 -55 room packages left – where you get a room and party admission! So if you have not booked a room yet – come on out and book your room and we’ll celebrate with some Fireball shots on me!!
An event like Heatwave HAS NEVER BEEN DONE. You do not want to miss this!
Friday night we’ll be at Scarlet bar for another event – Heatwave Kick Off Party!
Come hang with Trannika Rex, designer Traver Rains and the fabulous Jasen Kaplan!
See YOU at HEATWAVE!
Chicago House Celebrity Luncheon Oct. 15th
JUST A WEEK AWAY!
Chicago House is elated to announce its 6th Annual Speaker Series Luncheon, a conversation about Gender, Race, and Economic Disparity under the LGBTQ umbrella on October 15th, 2014 at the Hilton Grand Ballroom on 720 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL. The Panel Discussion and Moderated Q&A will begin at 12:30 PM with our esteemed speakers, Laverne Cox, an Emmy nominated transgender actress and LGBT activist, Jason Collins, a 13-year basketball veteran and the first openly gay NBA player, and Dustin Lance Black, social activist and Academy Award winning screenwriter for MILK. This year’s moderator is Gautam Raghavan, former LGBTQ advisor to President Obama and Vice President of Policy at the Gill Foundation. These three icons follow in the footsteps of previous speakers Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, President Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Whoopi Goldberg and Kenneth Cole, who have all shed light on the work of Chicago House relative to their efforts around the world.
The 6th Annual Speaker Series Luncheon marks a critical fundraising event for Chicago House’s desperately-needed services, and is an opportunity for a larger conversation on our nation’s growing inequality and disparity of wealth. Individuals who identify as LGBTQ are significantly more likely of being disadvantaged socio-economically. LGBTQ persons, despite having more education than the national average, make less money than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, particularly if they are African American. Chicago House seeks to respond to these alarming statistics by highlighting not only the great need, but also the moral imperative that the LGBTQ community has to care for its own members living in poverty.
As we approach our 30th anniversary, Chicago House looks to its origins focusing on HIV/AIDS, poverty, and LGBTQ persons. With the nation’s first and largest employment program for those with HIV/AIDS and our recently opened Translife Center, Chicago House continues its commitment to engage in action and conversations building towards a movement of inclusivity and economic advancement for those marginalized in the LGBTQ community. This is a conversation the entire community should be having; this is the next big issue we face.
Together, we stand at crossroads of progress in HIV/AIDS stigma, civil equality, and economic disparity. With your continued support, we may celebrate our victories and the lives of individuals and families that Chicago House serves.
We encourage you to be present for what we are sure will be a revolutionary event. To purchase tickets or to become a sponsor, contact Lori Byars at 773-248-5200 x209. Additional information is also available at www.chicagohouse.org.
Chicago House Speakers Luncheon October 15th
6th Anniversary Speaker Series Luncheon
Wednesday, October 15th from 11:30am – 2:00pm
Hilton Chicago | Grand Ballroom | 720 S. Michigan Avenue
Featuring:
Laverne Cox (Orange Is The New Black Actress)
Jason Collins (NBA Player)
Dustin Lance Black (MILK Screenwriter)
Buy Tickets at www.chicagohouse.org
Spearheading a much-needed conversation about race, gender identity, class and solidarity, they will all be joined with remarks by Chicago House CEO Stan Sloan during this much anticipated and inspirational afternoon!
Chicago House Speakers Series Oct. 15th
Please join us for the Inspirational Event of the season!
The Chicago House
6th Anniversary Speaker Series Luncheon
Wednesday, October 15th from 11:30am – 2:00pm
Hilton Chicago | Grand Ballroom | 720 S. Michigan Avenue
Featuring:
Laverne Cox (Orange Is The New Black Actress)
Jason Collins (NBA Player)
Dustin Lance Black (MILK Screenwriter)
Buy Tickets at www.chicagohouse.org
Spearheading a much-needed conversation about race, gender identity, class and solidarity, they will all be joined with remarks by Chicago House CEO Stan Sloan during this much anticipated and inspirational afternoon!
Led by Co-Chairs Chicago House Trustee Todd Hamilton of Bolder Capital and the founders of Global Act, a nonprofit agency committed to accelerating “understanding, ideas, partnerships, and activities to solve pressing issues,” guests will enjoy a three-course lunch in the Chicago Hilton’s beautiful Grand Ballroom. The event, now in its sixth year, expects nearly 1,000 attendees, and will kick off with a VIP reception, followed by a lunch presentation and panel discussion featuring Cox, Collins and Black.
“This event is the follow up answer to the question of, ‘How can you possibly rival Hillary Clinton as your speaker last September?’” says CEO Rev. Stan Sloan. “Our answer is to have a conversation that the whole nation should be having about poverty, gender identity, race and solidarity. It is very exciting for us to feature the insights and perspectives of Laverne Cox as a black transgender woman as well as other nationally known voices like Jason Collins and Dustin Lance Black!”
Buy Tickets at www.chicagohouse.org
George Takei: “TO BE TAKEI” in Chicago

CHICAGO THEATRICAL PREMIERE!
ONE WEEK ONLY!
TO BE TAKEI
As Sulu on TV’s Star Trek, he boldly went where no man had gone before, and now, George Takei is on a new mission. Years after becoming one of the first Asian-American actors to appear on primetime television, Takei is the subject of Jennifer Kroot’s documentary, which follows the actor and his husband, Brad, who are the poster couple for marriage equality, as they fight for and promote rights for everyone. As a child forced into Japanese-American internment camps, the actor-turned-activist reveals the ways that racism affected him well into his early acting career, where he played stereotypical Asian stock characters in film and television shows.
But To Be Takei also explores George Takei as the social media icon and after leading the starship Enterprise, he now guides over five million Facebook fans in his rally for equality. Firmly believing homosexuality to be an “orientation” (as opposed to a “lifestyle”) in his civil rights advocacy, Takei graces cyberspace with his quirky humor and abundance of heart, in his signature voice. To Be Takei is a funny and moving film about how a beloved actor has taken advantage of his celebrity to fight for the liberty and love that matters to so many of us. George Takei’s sharp eye, coupled with his wicked sense of humor, continues to challenge the status quo well into the 21st century.
Directed by Jennifer Kroot, U.S.A., 2014, 90 mins.
SHOWTIMES
Fri., Aug. 29 at 7 & 9 pm
Sat., Aug. 30 at 3, 5, 7 & 9 pm
Sun., Aug. 31 at 1, 3, 5 & 7 pm
Mon.-Thurs., Sept. 1-4 at 7 & 9 pm
Legendary Chita Rivera in Chicago September 27th
The cheers for Chita started with the overture. By the time she had risen from the stage floor in New York last year, and stood front-and-center a few minutes later, the roar for her was deafening. Basked in a single spotlight, Chita Rivera owned the August Wilson Theatre last Fall.
NOW, Moraine Valley Community College Fine & Performing Arts Center is bringing living legend Chita Rivera to Chicagoland!
Chita: A Legendary Celebration, is a sizzling evening of song and dance!
Come celebrate the one and only Chita Rivera in a unique solo concert event celebrating the Broadway legend’s 80th birthday! The two-time Tony Award winner recreates signature moments from her legendary career, including numbers from West Side Story; Sweet Charity; Chicago; Kissof the Spider Woman; Bye, Bye, Birdie; and The Rink. In addition to a special tribute to her dear friends John Kander and Fred Ebb, the timeless music of Leonard Bernstein, Charles Strouse, JerryHerman, and Stephen Sondheim are featured with orchestral accompaniment.
Chita: A Legendary Celebration
Saturday, Sept. 27 @ 7:30 p.m. @ Dorothy Menker Theater