By Annie Delfosse
The idea of “Pride” itself dates back to June 28th, 1969, in New York City. It began when a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn was raided by police (during a time when homosexuality was still widely considered a criminal offense). This was not the first gay bar raided by police, or even the first time that patrons fought back- but the uprising that followed this particular raid lasted for days and made history. Due to the chaos, sources disagree on how many days the uprising lasted, who started it, and the details of it- but it is undeniable that the course of history for the LGBTQ+ community changed after that night.
Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, transgender gay rights activists of the Stonewall era
Thus, June 28th is a day celebrated nationally by the LGBTQ+ community. June as a whole has been assigned LGBTQ+ Pride Month for decades now. It has become a celebration, but we could not discuss it without referencing and honoring first the Stonewall Uprising and subsequent activism that made gay rights possible.
Chicago is home to a very bustling LGBTQ+ population. June has passed, but Pride doesn’t stop there for the Windy City. There are events throughout the year, businesses and even whole neighborhoods dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community.
Chicago Pride Parade Photo: Steven Koch
Events
Human Rights Campaign booth at Northhalsted Market Days Photo: Kate Scott
One of the biggest Pride events does not occur in June. Northhalsted Market Days occurs every year and attracts around 100,000 people! The weekend long street fest celebrates community in Chicago’s Northhalsted neighborhood- known nationally as one of the largest LGBTQ+ neighborhoods. Market Days is free to attend, with a suggested donation that goes towards workers and charities such as the Human Rights Campaign. There are five stages with live music, dancing and drag performances, and over 250 vendors in attendance. Northhalsted Market Days has appeared on national lists of must-see LGBTQ+ events!
Shea Coulee performing at Market Days 2023 Photo: Kate Scott
This year, you can catch the 42nd Annual Reeling Film Festival. Reeling is a Chicago-based LGBTQ+ international film festival, one of the longest-running of its kind. The festival showcases the best LGBTQ+ films and shorts from each year. Reeling’s mission is as follows: to recognize the important artistic contributions that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender filmmakers have made to our culture; to educate the general population and sensitize them to lesbian, gay and transgender issues; to investigate the history of LGBTQ+ film, including the stereotyping that has been a major part of this history; and to counteract this stereotyping with valid, meaningful and diverse portrayals of those in the LGBTQ+ community.” The festival allows for an opportunity for these identities to be celebrated, and to tell their own stories.
Each year the Northhalsted Business Alliance puts on a spectacular Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade. This year will mark the parade’s 27th annual occurrence. The parade features a costume contest with prizes and live musical performances. The parade was nationally ranked as one of the country’s best and attracts many people each year!
One of the contest winners from the 2023 Halloween Parade Photo: Del Nakamura
More costumes from last year’s parade Photo: Del Nakamura
Smaller events are always happening in Chicago! Particularly popular are drag shows and drag brunches, happening everywhere from gay bars in Northhalsted to the Macy’s Walnut Room!
Businesses
There are a wide array of LGBTQ+ owned and supporting businesses in Chicago to check out. For fun atmospheres and regular events like drag shows, you can visit virtually any joint on Halsted from Grace Street to Belmont. A few to note are Roscoe’s Tavern, the Kit Kat Lounge and Sidetrack. These bars each have lists of weekly events on their website.
PrideArts Theatre is a nonprofit organization that promotes and exhibits LGBTQ+ art and media. Located in Buena Park, there are always visual and performing arts shows and events occurring at the theater. The 2023-2024 season has concluded, but stay tuned for what’s to come in the fall!
PrideArts’ production of Girlfriend
Northhalsted is not the only neighborhood bustling with LGBTQ+ owned businesses. Head over to Andersonville to check out some of the greatest businesses in the city. The Andersonville Galleria hosts over 100 local vendors of art and unique knick knacks- don’t miss all the different candles! At the Galleria, you are bound to stumble across an item unlike anything you’ve never seen before… and that you also must absolutely buy.
Some of the knick knacks you can find at Andersonville Galleria
Some more Andersonville Galleria finds
Just down the street from the Andersonville Galleria is the Brown Elephant. The resale shop sells clothing, accessories, home decor and furniture. The shop was created by Howard Brown Health, promoting and providing accessible healthcare for women and the LGBTQ+ community.
The Brown Elephant Photo: Do312
Rattleback Records is also in the Andersonville neighborhood. The record store buys and sells all media- vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, and more. Beyond media, they also sell fun, creative merchandise to decorate with.
Rattleback Records
This is just a small list of the wide array of LGBTQ+ owned businesses in Chicago. There are so many more it may be impossible to visit them all! From Get in the Kitchen (Chicago’s “Party school of cooking classes”) to Edgewater Candles (take a candle making class!), to Barks N’ Rec (focused on healthy pet lifestyles!), Chicago undoubtedly boasts of many opportunities to support local LGBTQ+ business owners.
Charities
Beyond fun events and small businesses, Chicago is also home to a substantial amount of LGBTQ+ charities and nonprofit organizations.
Center on Halsted comes to mind first. This community center is dedicated to protecting the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ individuals of Chicago. They have many community programs including Anti-Violence, Behavioral Health, Community & Cultural, Cyber Center, HIV/AIDS & STD, Senior, Women and Youth. They have plenty of volunteer opportunities for those looking to help out.
The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a great resource. Over 80 churches and ministries in the Chicagoland area are part of the coalition, which is dedicated to promoting inclusivity and welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the religious community. Most recently, 42 of the participating churches marched with the Chicago Pride Parade. Their website has a list of churches who are a part of the coalition.
Some of the leaders from the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches
In Lincoln Park, you can find the Lighthouse Foundation of Chicago. Lighthouse is a Black LGBTQ+-led social justice organization which advocates through empowerment, education and entertainment. Their most recent event was a drag bingo fundraiser!
Lighthouse Foundation’s signature art program is Voices of Light (VOL), a collective of musical performers that celebrate Black LGBTQ+ talent, resilience, and joy
As mentioned before, Howard Brown Health provides accessible health care to LGBTQ+ individuals, “from pediatrics to geriatrics.” They also have a center dedicated to research, education and advocacy.
“Pride, Community and History” mural by Howard Brown Health
On the south side of Chicago lies Brave Space Alliance, a black, transgender, LGBTQ+-led center providing resources, programming and services for LGBTQ+ individuals on the south and west sides of Chicago. They regularly host support groups!
Some of the individuals behind Brave Space Alliance
There are so many more events, businesses and charities dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community of Chicago. This is a mere glance into some organizations and events that stand out from each category. Pride month may be over, but Pride historically lives on in Chicago.
