Category Archives: News and Happenings
Chicago Red Dress Party Tickets Discount
On-line ticket sales close April 12th at 5pm for the upcoming CHICAGO RED DRESS PARTY benefit.
General Admission: $80.00 ($130.00 at the door)
- Open Bar Featured Drinks
- Light Food Stations
- Featured Dessert by Specialty’s Bakery
VIP: $150.00 ($200.00 at the door)
- Premium Open Bar
- VIP lounge
- Early Admission
- Premium Hors D’oeuvres
- Passed Champagne Toast w/ Dessert pairing
- Goodie Bags by Kenneth Cole
GO ONLINE NOW
Chicago RED DRESS PARTY ! April 16th, 2011 525 W Monroe
BestGayChicago.com
Rosie O’Donnell Returns to Daytime Talk At Harpo Studios in Chicago
“I’m delighted to welcome Rosie to the studio I’ve called home for so many years,” Winfrey said in a statement.
The network announced last summer that O’Donnell would return to television with a one-hour talk show to air on OWN. Originally they had said at the time that the show would be based in New York. But O’Donnell was convinced to move to Chicago for taping.
“I can’t wait to do my show from Chicago,” O’Donnell said in a statement. “It’s a dream come true … beyond the beyond.”
The final original episode of Winfrey’s show, which has been on the air for 25 years, is scheduled to air May 25.
Chicago Area Lesbian Student Wins Right to Wear Tux to Prom
Proviso East High School student , Belinda Sanchez hopes to one day become a civil rights attorney. On Thursday, the 18-year-old got her first taste of victory, winning the right to wear a tuxedo to her upcoming senior prom.
Sanchez was initially told by the Maywood school’s principal, Milton Patch, that she could not wear a tuxedo to her prom and needed to wear a dress.
“I was just shocked,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez, a lesbian, said has been open about her sexuality since freshman year. She said the school has an active gay-straight alliance and it is very supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.
She wound up contacting the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois over the prom situation. On Wednesday, the group sent a letter to the school district backing her position.
“This sends a negative message to other students that they can’t express who they are,” said John Knight, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Project at the ACLU. “It’s a First Amendment right, a free speech right, and that includes her right to send a message through wearing male clothing that she doesn’t think women should be restricted to traditional female clothing.”
In a quick 24 hour response – the Proviso Township school district sent a response to Knight saying that Sanchez will be allowed to wear a tuxedo to the prom, on April 22.
High school lesbians wearing tuxes in school has foolishly been an issue all over the country. You would think this would be an a non-issue. Come on, a Chicago suburb pulling this? A reminder conservatives are everywhere.
A school district spokeswoman wrote an email to the Tribune about how the incident involving Sanchez has been a learning experience for the school: “(Sanchez has opened) up a new, very interesting and healthy dialogue in terms of our prom review procedures. We support our students in all of their differences and we encourage them to express themselves in various ways as long as it is not disruptive to the school environment. The principal gave his initial determination based on his interpretation of the policy, and the student asked that it be reconsidered. After looking into the policy — it was.”
Financial Impact of the Illinois Civil Unions Act FREE Seminar April 5th
begins this week in Chicago
with a series of about 100 educational free seminars around the city.
On April 5th, one is being held downtown specifically for the LGBTQ community and the
Financial Impact of the Illinois Civil Unions Act
How will this affect us financially?
Come find out at the FREE event!
Tuesday Arpil 5, 2011 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago 230 LaSalle street
The featured speakers are from Metx and Associates and Equality Illinois. The event is free and open to the public, so feel free to share with family, friends and colleagues.
Best Gay Chicago.com
Spring into Fitness with Deals at World Gym Chicago
ONE DAY ONLY
UNBEATBALE PRICES!
Only $1 to enroll for
ALL NEW MEMBERS
Half off memberships
Free months for members who renew
APRIL 6th – One Day Only
Personal Training Discounts – Food and Cocktails –
Free Tanning for a year and $2 off all Smoothies!
World Gym Chicago 909 W Montrose St @ Sheridan Chicago, Illinois 60613
Equality Illinois Womens Social April 9th
Women’s Social are going fast!
To purchase your tickets to this hot event, visit EQIL.org, or call 773-477-7173.
Presenting Sponsors include Olivia Cruises and CNA, Silver Sponsors include Dalila Fridi and Elizabeth McKnight, and food and cocktails are provided by Carnival Foods and Sidetrack.
We look foward to seeing you at Flourish Studios on April 9!
New Theater Classes from Center on Halsted
PRIDE FILMS AND PLAYS
and CENTER ON HALSTED
Announce New Co-operative
Venture in LGBT Acting
and Writing Classes
New theater classes will explore LGBT issues on stage. The acting class on Mondays is for working actors regardless of their sexual orientation who are interested in exploring great same-sex scenes in LGBT literature. The class on Tuesday is for LGBT writers, performers, and community members interested in creating performance pieces that tell their own story. The classes are a part of Center on Halsted’s ActOUT program
Honesty and Authenticity in Same-Sex Scene Study
This class is for working actors of all ages and types regardless of their sexual orientation who are interested in exploring great same-sex scenes from both classic and new LGBT theater. Work for honesty and authenticity through great scenes from The Children’s Hour, Boys in the Band, Angels in America, and great contemporary scripts. The cost is $300 for an 8-week session that runs from Monday, April 18 to Monday, June 6, from 6:30 to 9 pm. The class will culminate in a free, open performance on Monday, June 13 in the Hoover-Leppen Theater at Center on Halsted. The class is taught by PFP’s Executive Director David Zak, and will have a maximum of 12 students.
Tell Your Own Story And Shape It For Performance
This class is for LGBT performers, writers, and community members who are interested in creating theatrical work meant for performance. These works could be audition-length or longer works, and could be performed by the author or another performer. Students will work on developing their own written material in their unique “voice,” and then shape it for performance. The cost is $300 for an 8-week session that runs from Tuesday, April 19 through Tuesday, June 7, from 6:30 to 9 pm. The class will culminate in a free, open performance on Monday, June 13 in the Hoover-Leppen Theater at Center on Halsted. The class is taught by PFP’s Executive Director David Zak, and will have a maximum of 14 students.
All classes are at Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted.
Register on line. For further information email PrideClasses @ gmail.com
BestGayChicago.com
Dining out For Life Chicago April 28th
With such a big heart, Chicago also has a big stomach to fill. So, on Thursday, April 28th, EdgeAlliance will present its 18th annual Dining Out For Life fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS.
To join us in the fight, dine out at one of Chicago’s participating restaurants and be a part of the solution. With more than 100 participating restaurants in 30 neighborhoods, Dining Out For Life is a true-to-Chicago tradition. Each participating restaurant will donate a heaping portion of their revenue that day to EdgeAlliance and its mission to provide affordable housing and supportive services to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Participating restaurants in Chicago include Atwood Cafe, Peninsula Hotel, Carnivale, Club Lucky, Mia Francesca, Signature Room, South Water Kitchen and More can be found at DiningOutforLife.com
Along with raising funds, Dining Out For Life seeks to raise awareness for the importance of its cause. The Chicago LGBT community is still being affected heavily by HIV/AIDS. Approximately 22,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Chicago alone. Last year 76% of all Chicago men who contracted HIV/AIDS were members of the gay community. By participating in Dining Out For Life, supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS has never been so fun! A donation of $10 or more enrolls you in a raffle with five desirable grand prizes, and special menus on the date of the event added with festive décor will make this night truly memorable. Gather your family, friends and co-workers for this city-wide event! Find a participating restaurant in your city at
Dining out for Life.com or join the conversation at Facebook.com/DineOut4Life and Twitter.com/DineOut4Life.
Equality Illinois Baseball Social March 31
Join Equality Illinois and our friends at Sluggers Sports Bar on Thursday, March 31 from 6 to 9pm for a casual social to celebrate Opening Day 2011!
Come meet White Sox great Minnie Minoso (stay tuned for other names to be added!) and enjoy cocktails and the chance to win door prizes. Tickets, which include 2 complimentary cocktails and a drawing ticket are $10 at the door. Come meet some new friends and let’s celebrate the beginning of the 2011 baseball season!
EQIL 2011 Baseball Season Opening Social
Thursday, March 31 6 to 9pm
Sluggers Sports Bar 3540 N. Clark Street in Chicago
Tickets $10 at the door (2 complimentary cocktails and a drawing ticket)
Best Gay Chicago.com
Chicago’s Disco Diva Loleatta Holloway Dies
Disco Diva Loleatta Holloway died this week on March 21, 2011 from heart failure. The same day as Liz Taylor’s death. But there was so much buzz around Liz, most people didn’t even hear about Loleatta’s passing.
She was 64 years old. She is survived by her four children.
She was very well known for her disco songs such as “Hit and Run” and “Love Sensation“, both of which have been sampled extensively.
She had a rough time in the 80’s and 90’s.
In the late 1980s, her vocals from “Love Sensation” were used in the hit “Ride on Time” by Black Box. Holloway, however, was uncredited for her vocals, and both Holloway and her attorneys successfully sued the group, which lead to an undisclosed court settlement in Holloway’s favor. (You may remeber Martha Wash also had sue Black Box.)
Holloway’s fortunes dramatically improved, however, when she had her first US #1 hit when Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch featured her vocals in the chart-topping “Good Vibrations” (1991). Holloway also performed with Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch to promote the single, and she received full vocal credit and a share of the royalties.
HEAR and SEE some of her hits at this Chicago Dj site.
Rest in Peace dear Loleatta. Your voice will be missed.
HOMOPHOBIC Schuyler County Sheriff Don Schieferdecker Should Resign
OH NO HE DIDN’T!
Oh, But YES HE DID. And he got caught!
The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA), an Illinois’ statewide LGBTQ advocacy and political organization, is calling for the resignation of Schuyler County Sherriff Don Schieferdecker after it was reported that he posted a comment on Facebook that referred to a co-worker as a
“little fag Jew boy.”
“It is absolutely incomprehensible that an elected official would use such language to refer to a subordinate. I don’t care if it was meant in jest or not. I don’t care if he meant for everyone to see it or not. The fact is, the comment is now public and there should be consequences for statements such as this,” stated Anthony Martinez, Executive Director of The Civil Rights Agenda. “Not only is this remark extremely hurtful to many Illinoisans, it sends a message to folks that it is okay to use such language. It sends the message that it is appropriate to mock Jewish people and people who are gay or part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community.”
“There is no room for bigots in this state,” said Lowell Jaffe, Political Director of The Civil Rights Agenda. “As a Jewish descendent and a member of the LGBT Community, this comment turns my stomach. The Sheriff is a very public figure and an elected official; he is a leader. His comments do not show leadership, they reek of discrimination and ignorance. Think of what this says to a child, especially a child who may be struggling with their sexual identity.”
CALL TO ACTION; CALL HIM OR EMAIL HIM!
The Civil Rights Agenda is asking residents of Illinois, especially residents of Schuyler County, to contact the Sheriff and respectfully ask him to step down. Schuyler County Sheriff Don Schieferdecker can be reached at (217) 322-4366, or by email at schuylercoso@casscomm.com.
“I am extremely sorry,” Schuyler County Sheriff Don Schieferdecker told AOL News this afternoon. “I have spent over 30 years of my life here giving public service, and I have never intentionally done anything to hurt anyone for any reason. … All I can do is say I am sorry. … I am extremely sorry [and] I beg people’s forgiveness.” – he is sorry he got caught!
Schieferdecker apologized for making a derogatory post on Facebook.Schieferdecker made the comment under a photo of what appears to be a young boy with his mouth hanging open. The poster wrote: “Look, I found a fag,” to which Schieferdecker replied in a post that has apparently been removed:
“Yup and his mouth is open, his glasses are off, he’s ready, little fag Jew boy.”
Contacted by AOL News, Sheriff Schieferdecker admitting making the comment:
“It was a — what I thought to be a harmless joke between friends and employees that I wasn’t aware of that was going out worldwide,” Schieferdecker said. “I mean it was a response to a joke and it was sent out as a joke.” WTF?
“We will be watching this very closely,” said Anthony Martinez. “We will be contacting the elected officials in the area, and other organizations and groups within the state that will work with us to ensure that the Sheriff is held accountable for his discriminatory remarks.”
Best Gay Chicago.com
(Who you calling a fat jelly doughnut?!)
CHARO in Chicago One Show Only May 14th
aka CHARO!
Will make her only Chicagoland
appearance on MAY 14th!
You DO NOT want to miss this! She was in New York City in February and I had friends see the show and they said the 60 year old entertainer “WORKED IT OUT!”
The Spanish-American actress, comedienne, and flamenco guitarist, is probably best known for her flamboyant stage presence, her provocative outfits, and her trademark phrase (“cuchi-cuchi”).
Only a few people in show business are recognized by just one name. Charo is one of them. She one of the few who’s name brings a smile to everyone’s face.
She’s one of the few who deserve to be called a Master Performer. Since the 70’s, Charo, the musician, singer, comedienne, stage and screen performer, has been an integral proponent of contemporary Latin music.
The spotlight on Charo has been shining brighter than ever since her acceptance of the Female Pop Album of the Year Award. She received this accolade at the Billboard International Latin Music Conference for her flamenco inspired platinum album, Guitar Passion.
CHARO!
Get tickets now .
Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Pkwy., Palos Hills, IL 60465-0937
Best Gay Chicago.com
Chicago Red Dress Party Event – Red Hot Runway March 29
Just weeks away,
The Chicago Red Dress Party happens
on April 16th.
Have you seen the display window at BEATNIX?
(Corner of Roscoe and Halsted)
Delicious red dresses galore!
To support the mission of the Chicago Red Dress Party, PRSSA is hosting a fashion design competition, “Red Hot Runway,” highlighting Columbia College fashion designers. It will serve as a pre-event to the April 16 Chicago Red Dress Party while simultaneously working to benefit the organization and its beneficiaries-AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Equality Project. Donations for the Red Dress Party organization will be taken and tickets to their April 16th fundraiser will be sold at that time.
Fifteen student designers have designed one red dress that will hit the runway on March 29, 2011. Each piece will be judged based on execution, design quality, and wear-ability. The 900 Shops are donating a window featuring the top three dresses April 1-18. Various other prizes will be awarded to winners.
Judges will include:
Candace Jordan | Candid Candace
Kevin Aeh | Editor at Timeout Chicago
Miriam Cecilia Carlson | Designer & Owner at Miriam Cecilia
Jerry Svec | Founder of XOXO & Columbia College faculty
8 PM Reception
9 PM Runway Show
Donations for the Chicago Red Dress Party will be taken all night.
Dress is formal attire.
**TO ATTEND: You MUST RSVP to rhrRSVP@gmail.com
This event will fill up fast, so send your RSVP’s before the list cuts off!
Best Gay Chicago.com
Run Off Election Between James Cappleman and Molly Phelan April 5th
I have to say, I am a little shocked. We have strongly supported Cappleman since day one. Yet we see a lot of people in the gay community throwing their support behind Phelan…..and that worries me. Did we learn nothing from Schiller? I hear Molly say that she will work with landlords to ensure that the ward continues to have ENOUGH AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING to maintain cultural diversity.- I think we have ENOUGH. STOP! She sounds just like Schiller talking and I for one, do not want more of that!
HUD actually says a community needs to offer at least 20% affordable housing. The 46th ward has 24% already.
James on the CRITICAL ISSUES:
Economic Development:
1. He will work with the area businesses to assist them with discouraging aggressive panhandling, public drinking and graffiti
2. Will work with social services to hold their clients more accountable for their behavior
3. Will work with community members and businesses to create a Ward Development Master Plan
4. Will overlay this master plan with a retail market survey to identify needed businesses for the area.
5. Will use the $1.3 million dollars in menu funds for improvements including more streetscaping, pedestrian lighting, planters, and public art to attract foot traffic in the area
6. Will promote more street fairs, music festivals, and farmers’ markets in retail areas to bring more consumers to the ward.
Public Safety within the Ward:
1. Will immediately respond to any violent incident within the ward and inform the community of plans to address the situation
2. Will collaborate with the police and CTA to reduce the rate of crime around El stations and bus stops
3. Will continue to work with police commanders from 20th & 23rd Districts to assist with coordinating public safety issues that border one another within the 46th Ward
4. Will identify residential buildings with high rates of 911 calls and require their managers to create a plan to address the causes of crime on their property or face serious consequences
5. Will encourage area schools to participate with Explorers, a Police-sponsored program that helps reduce gang activity.
Community Input:
1. Will create a committee involving community organizations to vote on development, zoning, and TIF issues. 2. Will have monthly community-wide forums to get community input on controversial matters before a City Council vote.
3. Will have an up-to-date ward website
4. Will hold expanded office hours into the evenings and every weekend
5. Will require City departments to offer random customer service surveys and have the cumulative scores from these surveys made available to the public.
James is an active neighbor and regularly attends Belmont Harbor Neighbors Association, East Lakeview Neighbors, Lakeview Citizens Council, Buena Park Neighbors, and Truman Square Neighbors.
MOLLY IS NOT!
He also has been involved with Clarendon Park Neighborhood Association, Lakeside Neighbors, Magnolia-Malden Neighbors, Beacon Block Club, Fix Wilson Yard, Uptown Neighborhood Council.
MOLLY HAS NOT!
James also is active with the following CAPS Beats 2024, 2311, 2312, 2313, 2322, and 2323.
MOLLY IS NOT!
For the past ten years, James has been on the board of directors for the Uptown Chicago Commission (UCC), a not-for-profit neighborhood organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for all Uptown residents. He just finished serving his second term as the board president. James has helped form block clubs, organize service projects, and create open access to necessary information for residents throughout the 46th Ward.
James’ long-time partner of 18 years, Richard Thale, is chair of the 23rd Police District’s Court Advocacy Committee and a CAPS facilitator for Beat 2312. In response to gang violence within a block of their home, they both organized and attended positive loitering events for 14 straight Fridays in late 2009.
Just this week, Cappleman announced the support of more progressive leaders: State Senator Heather Steans and Alderman Mary Ann Smith!
BOTTOM LINE- JAMES WANTS TO MOVE THE WARD FORWARD. And it’s time for a change!
Equality Illinois PAC, a political action committee affiliate of Equality Illinois, has announced its endorsement of James Cappleman for 46th Ward Aldeman.
Mark your calendars for the next debate…Thursday, March 24 at 7pm. Location to be announced soon.
If you’d like to know more about James give us a call at 312-725-VOTE (8683)
or James for Change.
BestGayChicago.com
Equality Illinois Hosts Baseball Season Kickoff Social March 31st
Equality Illinois, the state’s largest organization advocating for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, is kicking off the 2011 baseball season with a pre-opening day social aimed at bringing together fans of the Chicago Cubs and of the White Sox.
Attendees will have the chance to mix and mingle with current and former baseball players such as White Sox great Minnie Minoso, and meet the editor of the best-selling Baseball Prospectus, Christina Kahrl. Contributing authors to the Baseball Prospectus will also be in attendance.
Attendees will have a chance to win tickets to 2011 season games, team memorabilia, copies of the newest edition of Baseball Prospectus, among other prizes.
The event will take place on Thursday, March 31st from 6–9pm at Sluggers Bar, one of Wrigleyville’s most renowned hotspots, at 3540 N. Clark Street. Tickets are $10 at the door and include 2 complimentary cocktails, light bites, and a ticket for the drawings.
For more information about Equality Illinois, visit Equality Illinois.
Kickoff for Equality
Thursday, March 31, 2011 6:00pm-9:00pm
Sluggers Bar 3540 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60613
Civil Union Tracker PLUS LGBT Wedding Expo
We know that many couples are looking forward to celebrating their civil union with family and friends after the law goes into effect on June 1, 2011.
The LAMBDA LEGAL/Equality Illionis Civil Union Tracker system aims to ensure that same-sex and different-sex couples who have a civil union (either because they have applied for one in Illinois, or because their out-of-state marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership qualifies as a civil union in Illinois) are treated fairly under Illinois law.
We know from experience in other states that have adopted civil union laws, that many couples and their children encounter problems getting respect for their relationships, whether in hospitals settings, by insurers, employers, schools or in other situations. While not all unfair treatment leads to legal action, knowing more about your rights will help you respond.
Please join our Illinois Civil Union Tracker. Complete the form and you will be connected to our team of experts who will help you navigate this new territory in Illinois. If you or someone you know is having trouble getting proper treatment as a couple in a civil union, contact the Illinois Civil Union Tracker Team.
SIGN UP TODAY .
ALSO – LGBT WEDDING EXPO in Chicago Sunday March 27th.
The Wedding Expo, presented in partnership with the Rainbow Wedding Network will take place on Sunday, March 27 from 1 to 4pm at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza in Chicago. The event is open to the general public, and tickets, required for admission, can be obtained at http://eqil.org/civil.html.
“Same-sex couples across the State have waited for a long time for their relationships to have legal recognition. Now that civil unions are law, we want to support these happy couples in planning their celebrations.” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois.
With the theme of “Same Love, Same Rights,” the 3rd annual LGBT Wedding Expo will provide a backdrop for couples to connect with LGBT-friendly business professionals who can assist blissful couples with planning their civil union weddings or other ceremonies. Representatives from Equality Illinois will be available to answer any questions attendees may have about civil unions in Illinois. A diverse group of gay-friendly businesses will participate, including photographers, event coordinators, officiants, ceremony and reception venue representatives, cake decorators, entertainment representatives, floral designers, travel planners, and legal resource professionals.
Chicago Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo
Sunday March 27, 2011 1:00pm-4:00pm
Holiday Inn Mart Plaza 350 West Mart Center Drive Chicago, IL 60654
Michael Snell and Best Gay Chicago.com is now offering Civil Union Photography for your special event!
Contact us at 773-878-5323 if you want details about hiring us!
Cinema Q – Free LGBT Films On Wednesdays
presents Cinema Q,
a new film series celebrating outstanding LGBT movies made in Chicago.
The free screenings will take place on four Wednesdays: March 16, 23, 30, and April 6, 2011 in the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater. All screenings will feature a discussion and Q&A following the film. Films contain mature subject matter. Viewer discretion advised.
Wednesday, March 16
Quearborn & Perversion (2007): Join filmmaker Ron Pajak for a screening and discussion of his documentary about the history of gay and lesbian culture in Chicago.
Wednesday, March 23
Go Fish (1994): Rose Troche’s shot-in-Chicago lesbian romance has become an indie classic! Also showing, never before seen outtakes from Fish Out of Water, the acclaimed 2009 documentary that explores the relationship between homosexuality and the Bible, with filmmaker Ky Dickens in person!
Wednesday, March 30
JoJo Baby (2010): The Clive Barker executive produced documentary portrait of artist and Chicago nightclub legend JoJo Baby, with JoJo in person! Also showing, Peter Neville’s music videos of local gender bending rock-n-roll group The Joans with Peter Neville in person!
Wednesday, April 6
Were the World Mine (2008): The award winning gay musical reimagining of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” with local cast and crewmembers in person! Followed by a complimentary dessert reception in the G.A.R. Rotunda (courtesy of J & L Catering)
ALL SHOWS at 6:30 ALL SHOWS ARE FREE
Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater 78 E. Washington
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