How to Connect With the Gay and Lesbian Community in Chicago

You'll be blown away by all the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender offerings in the Windy City. Chicago is a town that toasts its GLBT members and honors their history--all while offering a gay old time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. See the GLBT community enshrined. The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, 740 North Sedgwick, has honored dozens of individuals, AIDS service organizations and theater groups since it opened its doors in 1991.

2. Check out your neighborhood. The Chicago GLBT community is so large that many areas such as Oak Park and the North Suburbs have their own gay organizations.

3. Find your groove. The city offers support groups for Asians, Latinos and GLBT people of color as well as a range of organizations for transgender Chicagoans.

4. Make your home away from home inside the Chicago's Center on Halstead's GLBT community center.

5. Join others in a summer show of pride. Chicago's Pride festival is the last weekend in June, followed by the Windy City Black Pride event the first weekend in July.

6. Participate in sports and theater through Chicago's multitude of GLBT options. Go square dancing or see a GayCo comedy show.

7. Work for change. Volunteer with Equality Illinois. Read the Windy City Times to find out the latest news in the GLBT community.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're just entering the community, start with the Center on Halstead and then fan out to other organizations. The Center is a great hub for GLBT activity.
• Pace yourself. There is so much GLBT support and socializing in Chicago that you'll be tempted to try it all at once.

Resources

• Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame
• Affinity Services for lesbian and bisexual black women
• Amigas Latinas for Latino/a GLBT persons
• Illinois Gender Advocates
• Asians and Friends Chicago
• GLBT community center
• Chicago Pride
• Windy City Black Pride
• GLBT sports
• Equality Illinois
• Windy City Times newspaper
• Bars and nightclubs