Pride
The latest updates about Chicago’s celebrations of LGBTQ+ community and stories exploring queer experiences in the city.
Two measures to further protect transgender people are awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature. But advocates say there’s more the state can do to help the LGBTQ+ community.
From parties, street festivals, family fun and much more, here’s what’s on Chicago’s Pride 2024 calendar.
More Pride Stories
Sun-Times, Vocalo and WBEZ are looking to spotlight LGBTQ+ stories in our city during Pride Month and beyond.
“The state can’t give or take away who you are,” said Sasha Buchert, a senior attorney at the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Lambda Legal. “But it certainly is nice to have a gender marker that reflects who you are.”
When I moved to Chicago in 2021, I started to come out of my shell more — before an anti-gay slur shattered the feeling of safety I’d slowly built up.
When two drag performers led “Old MacDonald” the kids imagined a world full of wonder and possibility. Why can’t we?
From parties, street festivals, family fun and much more, here’s what’s on Chicago’s Pride 2024 calendar.
Keith Zerbian writes that he used to enjoy going out in Boystown not for the drinks but for the camaraderie, which would often end with a late-night coffee. He talks about what it’s like to get a coffee today as a gay man at his suburban Dunkin’ Donuts.
More LGBTQIA+ News
The U.S. State Department issued a “worldwide caution” alert, saying it had learned of an “increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events.”
Twenty-five more entries will be allowed to participate next month, still down from last year’s 199.
The comedian and her wife, Jax Smith, met in Chicago. They will lead the procession June 30.
A teacher says Nettelhorst School will help “coordinate” a group of schools into one entry after six schools had been denied participation when organizers scaled back the popular parade.
All schools that participated in the 2023 Pride Parade were denied entry this year, and teachers see irony in exclusion from “one of the most inclusive places that you can go.”
The 53rd annual parade, set for June 30, will limit its entries and start an hour earlier.
The 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade steps off at noon on June 30, when over 1 million people are expected to pack the parade route.
The updated guidance reaffirms on-ice player uniforms and gear for games, warmups and official team practices cannot be altered to reflect theme nights, including Pride, Hockey Fights Cancer or military appreciation celebrations. Players can voluntarily participate in themed celebrations off the ice.
Rain showers didn’t dampen festive spirits as the 52nd annual parade made its way through North Side neighborhoods. Extra police were on hand, but no incidents were reported.
It steps off at noon Sunday from Montrose Avenue and Broadway and ends at Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road.
The event is billed as the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ+ music festival. Performers include Zedd, Saweetie, Zara Larsson, CircuitMOM, Years & Years, DJ Lady D and more.
Officers’ days off also were canceled to ensure the department has enough police for the parade and other activities in the city.
The league’s Board of Governors agreed with Commissioner Gary Bettman’s view that the refusals overshadowed teams’ efforts in hosting Pride nights.
The two-day weekend festival was particularly important this year, some attendees said, in light of attacks of LGBTQ+ rights across the country.
The first openly gay owner of a major American sports team seeks to share her experience ‘that other people just don’t have’ following MLB’s recent controversies
Sixteen LGBTQ+-owned and friendly businesses selling baked goods, clothing, candles, scents and jewelry set up booths in Gallagher Way before the Pirates game.
Pride Month is well underway, with events nearly every day happening around the city. Take a look.
The Hawks are the latest NHL team to get in the middle of a controversy around Pride jerseys.