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Brave Space Alliance taps Nikki Patin as new CEO Brave Space Alliance has named Nikki Patin its new CEO after several months serving as the organization's interim leader....

Chicago Gay Black Men’s Caucus celebrates Pride with Spring Fling On June 7 The Chicago Gay Black Men's Caucus kicked off Pride month with its annual Spring Fling Soiree.... https://windycitytimes.com/2026/06/10/chicago-gay-black-mens-caucus-celebrates-pride-with-spring-fling/

Queer walking tours shine new spotlight on long-forgotten LGBTQ+ Chicago Daniel Williams is fascinated by the stories of queer Chicagoans in history, and he’s sharing that fascination with others through his Chicago Queer History walking tours....

Downers Grove mayor rejects calls to cancel Pride Proclamation Since 2022, Downers Grove Mayor Robert Barnett has issued a Pride proclamation at the beginning of June to mark Pride Month in the village....

AIDS anniversary vigil links lessons of epidemic to fight over healthcare cuts Forty-five years after the first reported AIDS cases appeared in a federal public health report, healthcare advocates and LGBTQ+ leaders held a candlelight vigil to argue that lessons from the AIDS epidemic remain…

Trans Ice Cream Social marks a decade of joy As heavy rainclouds invaded the skies, and sheets of rain pelted the North Side of Chicago on June 8, Center on Halsted, 3656 N....

Wrightwood introduces ‘Chinatown,’ ‘Dispossessions’ exhibitions exploring queer life Lincoln Park’s side-street art museum has welcomed two exhibitions to the fold, from a sweeping display of Martin Wong’s work to Dispossessions in the Americas. ...

Lakeside Pride takes the stage at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall About 85 members of Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band joined members of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony the evening of June 5 for the…... https://windycitytimes.com/2026/06/09/lakeside-pride-takes-the-stage-at-chicagos-orchestra-hall/

Puerto Rican Cultural Center named Chicago Pride Parade’s 2026 ‘Out Front’ honoree The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) will lead the 55th annual Chicago Pride Parade as this year’s “Out Front” community group, marking a moment of heightened visibility for Latino LGBTQ+ communities amid…

CPS chief defends district under federal scrutiny over transgender-inclusive policies Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King defended the district’s policies before members of Congress after being subpoenaed to testify at a hearing largely focused on transgender students and parental rights....

Brave Space Alliance has named Nikki Patin its new CEO after several months serving as the organization's interim leader. The appointment follows a national search that attracted more than 100 applicants from across the country, according to Brave Space Alliance. The organization's board unanimously selected Patin, who has served as interim CEO since former leader Channyn Lynne Parker left to lead Equality Illinois last fall.

Daniel Williams is fascinated by the stories of queer Chicagoans in history, and he’s sharing that fascination with others through his Chicago Queer History walking tours. He isn’t a professional historian—he’s a Ph.D. candidate in political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago and an adjunct professor at Loyola University. His specialty is studying the ways that politics influences how LGBTQ+ people use the city.

As heavy rainclouds invaded the skies, and sheets of rain pelted the North Side of Chicago on June 8, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., hosted a giddy crowd at its 10th annual Trans Ice Cream Social. Volunteers at the 10th Annual Trans Ice Cream Social Photo by Vern Hester Trans individuals and allies scarfed down gluten-free Peppermint Patty, Honey Vanilla Bean, Brambleberry Crisp, Double Dough and Peanut Butter ice creams.

On June 7 The Chicago Gay Black Men's Caucus kicked off Pride month with its annual Spring Fling Soiree. The event, which took place at The Iron Lab, 3700 S. Iron St., has for many marked the start to queer summer. This year’s edition featured a full lunch buffet, a silent auction; a fundraising paddle-raise segment with Pastor Stephan Thurston; liquors from Uncle Nearest Whiskey and Bayab African Spirits; and a special musical performance by Malone and his band, who paid tribute to Motown great Marvin Gaye.

Since 2022, Downers Grove Mayor Robert Barnett has issued a Pride proclamation at the beginning of June to mark Pride Month in the village. Downers Grove Mayor Robert Barnett at the June 2026 Village Council meeting. Screenshot from YouTube video This year was the first time the mayor and village council received pushback from anyone regarding this proclamation. But Barnett and supporters of the proclamation did not back down.

Lincoln Park’s side-street art museum has welcomed two exhibitions to the fold, from a sweeping display of Martin Wong’s work to Dispossessions in the Americas. Wong, a queer Asian-American artist, grew up around San Francisco’s Chinatown before moving to New York City in adulthood. His autobiographical works are spread throughout Wrightwood 659 with the Chinatown USA exhibition, curated by Yasufumi Nakamori and Ashley Janke.

Forty-five years after the first reported AIDS cases appeared in a federal public health report, healthcare advocates and LGBTQ+ leaders held a candlelight vigil to argue that lessons from the AIDS epidemic remain relevant as federal healthcare cuts threaten access to care for millions of Americans. The June 5 gathering at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., was part of Seven Days in June: HEALTH IS PRIMARY…

About 85 members of Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band joined members of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony the evening of June 5 for the Skylines in Sound concert. The performance took place at Symphony Center at Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Orchestra Hall is home to Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) will lead the 55th annual Chicago Pride Parade as this year’s “Out Front” community group, marking a moment of heightened visibility for Latino LGBTQ+ communities amid political adversity. The PRCC will head the June 28 procession as it travels through Lakeview. PRIDEChicago, the nonprofit that organizes the annual parade, started the “Out Front” tradition in 2025…

Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King defended the district’s policies before members of Congress after being subpoenaed to testify at a hearing largely focused on transgender students and parental rights. King repeatedly emphasized that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) policies comply with Illinois law during the June 10 hearing by the U.S. House education committee, where King and education leaders from San Francisco and Virginia were called to testify.