Chicagoland's LGBTQIA+ Organizations

Chicagoland's LGBTQIA+ organizations

Compiled by Dave Hamilton

Chicago has been known as an LGBTQIA+ haven in the Midwest. Get to know the organizations that continue to ensure Chicago is a happy and healthy city for ALL Chicagoans. AboutFace(Facebook)

About Face

5252 N. Broadway aboutface.org

About Face uses theater to build community and advance conversation around issues of gender identity and sexu ality. Volunteers who help out with shows and production preparation may be rewarded with tickets to plays and the annual gala. Besides the adult and youth plays produced throughout the year, About Face holds its Wonka Ball fundraising gala each spring.

Affinity 95

2850 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 108 affinity95.org

Affinity Community Services is a Black-led, queer-led organization on Chicago’s South Side dedicated to social justice in Black LGBTQIA+ communities. For 25 years, it has centered Black queer women via community organizing, intergenerational programming, education, and healing justice. It works to end the marginalization of Black LGBTQIA+ people globally by building brave activist com munities where all intersections of LGBTQIA+ identity are ful ly embraced; through activism, education, and transformative justice practices, it builds avenues for collective action, LGBTQIA+ justice, healing, and Black liberation.

AIDS Foundation of Chicago

200 W. Monroe St., Suite 1150 aidschicago.org

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) assists with medical and behavioral health care, housing, case management and advocacy for people with HIV and AIDS, as well as building awareness and providing resources to prevent infection. AFC welcomes all types of volunteers, but people with specialized skills such as web programming, graphic design and other areas are especially appreciated. During warmer months, the Team to End AIDS athletic arm relies on volunteers to help at marathon and triathlon training sites. Calendar highlights

include the tasty World of Chocolate gala, the Team to End AIDS athletic/ fundraising program, and the August Dance for Life.

Alma Chicago

3656 N. Halsted almachicago.org

Founded in 1989, in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, ALMA is rooted in advocating for the fair treatment and equality of the Latinx LGBTQ+ community. Its mission is to fight for the rights of the Latinx Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning community by advocating for fairness and equality, and affirming Latinx LGBTQ culture.

Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach of Chicago

708 W. Belmont Ave. aglochicago.org

In 1988, a small group of gay and lesbian Catholics celebrated their first mass as a newly organized ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago, especially created to reach out to Chicago’s LGBT community. The new ministry was named the Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach of Chicago, and its acronym – AGLO – was no coincidence. For over 25 years, AGLOChicago has labored to reflect the light of Christ’s love, offering its dazzling promise to people long forced to live in shadows, not wholly unlike the first Christians.

Assata’s Daughters

5427 S. Harper Ave. assatasdaughters.org

Assata’s Daughters (“AD”) first formed in 2015 as a volunteerbased collective of Black women, femmes, and gender nonconforming people, to address a shortage of programming and community for women-identified, femme, and gender non-conforming young Black people in Chicago. In 2018, AD shifted from a collective-model to a formal organizational structure with a board and staff. it continues to be an abolitionist organization led by Black women using a Black queer feminist lens and relationship-based tactics to organize bases of young Black people in disinvested areas of Chicago. Through its programs, it aims to deepen, escalate, and sustain the movement for black liberation, and disrupt the status quo.

Black Alphabet

1440 W. Taylor St., #1792

blackalphabet.org

What began as a conversation about the lack of exposure of films that explore the Black LGBTQ+ experience, birthed the Black Alphabet Film Festival, Chicago’s first Black LGBTQ film festival. The organization now focuses on advocating for social equity by creating and spreading awareness of issues adversely or disproportionately impacting the Black LGBT+ community through media and the creative arts.

Brave Space Alliance

1515 E. 52nd Place, 3rd Floor

www.bravespacealliance.org

Brave Space Alliance is a Black and trans-led LGBTQIA+ center on Chicago’s South Side that provides/creates culturally competent resources, programs, and services for the LGBTQIA+ communities on the South and West Sides. BSA aims to educate and empower each other through mutual aid, resources directly from the community, and by sharing its knowledge with others to reach liberation of oppressed people.

Broadway Youth Center

1023 W. Irving Park Rd.

howardbrown.org/byc

Part of Howard Brown Health Center, The Broadway Youth Center (BYC) helps the city’s LGBT with shelter, medical care, social services and other essential care. The center welcomes donations of clothing; single-ride Ventra cards; pharmacy gift cards to help with prescriptions; and personal hygiene goods. Watch the BYC Facebook page for events; in April, the annual Cupcake Wars is a tasty throwdown.

Center on Halsted

3656 N. Halsted St.

www.centeronhalsted.org

The Center on Halsted is all about building community and the health of Chicago’s LGBT community. More than 1,000 people visit the center daily to use the computers, seek counseling, explore health services, and tap into housing and employment resources. In addition to daily social gatherings hosted at the Lakeview location, the Center also hosts special events such as the annual On the Red Carpet Oscars party, the spring Human First gala, and more.

The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches

chicagowelcomingchurches.org

The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a collaboration of more than 80 churches and other ministries in the Chicago metropolitan area, which welcome and affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Its goals are: to spread the message of members' LGBTQ-inclusion across the Chicago metropolitan area, mindful that a positive message about sexual and family diversity is a gift to all people; and to connect the leaders, members, and guests of partner churches for fellowship and education, enabling support and resource-sharing for the practices of faithful welcome.

Chicago Gender Society

chicagogender.org

Chicago Gender Society (CGS) provides a safe place for people to explore their gender identity. CGS holds socials throughout the year for members and newcomers to get to know each other and have fun; it also hosts a May Kentucky Derby shindig, a December holiday gathering and it sponsors a float in the Pride Parade.

Chicago House

2229 S. Michigan Ave, Unit 304

chicagohouse.org

The group aids people and families disenfranchised by HIV/ AIDS, LGBTQ discrimination, homelessness and other causes by providing housing, job services, medical linkage and retention services, and more. Interested volunteers can help stuff safe sex kits, enter data, do HIV prevention outreach, and more. It hosts a Spring Brunch and Fashion Show, and other events throughout the year.

Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame

chicagolgbthalloffame.org

The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame is both an historic event and an exhibit. Through the Hall of Fame, residents of Chicago and the world are made aware of the contributions of Chicago’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, and the communities’ efforts to eradicate homophobic bias and discrimination.

Equality Illinois

73 W. Monroe St. equalityillinois.us

Equality Illinois was founded in 1991 as the Illinois Federation for Human Rights to secure, protect and defend the basic civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer and questioning transgender (LGBTQ+) Illinoisans. The founders of the Chicagobased organization were activists Arthur Johnston, Rick Garcia and the late Jon Henri Damski and Lana Hostetler, who had played key roles in the 1988 passage of Chicago's Human Rights Ordinance. The name was changed to Equality Illinois in 2000, and the organization has grown to become the state's oldest, largest, and most effective LGBTQ+ equality organization.

Gay For Good Chicago

gayforgood.org

Gay for Good's LGBTQIA+ volunteers work on service projects throughout the community. Each month, members pitch in on a social welfare or environmental service project. Past outings include sprucing up the Lincoln Park Conservancy’s North Pond, packing food at the Greater Chicago Food Depository and helping at a local shelter. Outings combine service and smiles—as they’re working to make Chicago a better place, enjoying the sunshine (weather permitting) and making new friends.

Gerber/Hart Library

6500 N. Clark St., 2nd floor

gerberhart.org

Founded in 1981, Gerber/Hart’s collections focus on the culture and history of LGBTQ peoples and additional marginalized sexual and gender minorities in Chicago and the Midwest. Open to all, Gerber/Hart serves these communities by collecting, preserving, and making accessible collection items of individuals, organizations, and businesses, as well as publicly distributed items. Additionally, Gerber/ Hart provides programming and exhibitions related to items in its collections and on other topics in LGBTQ history and culture.

Hell In A Handbag

4335 N. Western Ave. handbagproductions.org

Hell in a Handbag is dedicated to the preservation, exploration, and celebration of works ingrained in the realm of popular culture via theatrical productions through parody, music and homage.

Howard Brown Health

1525 E. 55th St.

641 W. 63rd St. (dental also avail able here)

6500 N. Clark St.

2800 N. Sheridan Rd.

3533 W. North Ave. (at La Casa Norte)

4025 N. Sheridan Rd.

732 W. 47th St. (at Thresholds South)

3948 N. Sheridan Rd. (counseling center) howardbrown.org

Howard Brown Health was founded in 1974 and is now one of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) organizations. With an annual budget of over $145 million, the agency serves more than 40,000 adults and youth in its diverse health and social service delivery system focused on seven major programmatic divisions: primary medical care, behavioral health, research, HIV/STI prevention, youth services, elder services, and community initiatives. Howard Brown serves men, women, trans and gender nonconforming folks, infants, youth, and children through a multisite operation.

Lambda Legal

Clark Adams Building, 105 W. Adams St. lambdalegal.org

Lambda Legal secures the civil rights of LGBT and HIV-positive people through education, legal work and public policy advocacy. The group leans upon helpers for office work, for Lambda Legal events, and for information booths at summer street fests. It hosts a monthly happy hour for women, as well as events like the Into the Woods outdoor party and Bon Foster gala.

Leather Archives & Museum

6418 N. Greenview Ave. leatherarchives.org

The Leather Archives & Museum is a community archive, library, and museum located in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. Founded by Chuck Renslow and Tony DeBlase in 1991, its mission is "making leather, kink, BDSM, and fetish accessible through research, preservation, education and community engagement."

The Legacy Project

legacyprojectchicago .org

The award-winning Legacy Project is a Chicago-based cultural and educational non-profit dedicated to researching and promoting the contributions Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQIA+) people have made to world history and culture. It is driven by a core of historians, biographers, educators, youth advocates, social activists, and community and business leaders who share a commitment to ending the redaction of LGBTQIA+ contributions from shared human history. The organization's most recognizable project is the “Legacy Walk,” featuring 40 bronze memorial plaques highlighting the contributions of queer people in history on the rainbow pylons on North Halsted.

LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois

4753 N. Broadway

lgbtcc.com

The LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (formerly the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) was established in 1995 as a small business association that specifically served the needs of the LGBTQIA+ business community. With nearly 400 members today, the chamber has reestablished a place for a community of like-minded inclusive individuals, business professionals, entrepreneurs, and community allies. Its membership benefits include tickets to semimonthly NetWerq and Members’ NightOUT events, access to annual premier events, unique member promotions and partnerships, business resources, 1-on-1 coaching and support, and new professional development programming, and more.

LGBTQ Community Fund - Chicago Community Trust

33 S. State St., Suite 750

cct.org/lgbtq-fund

In 2010, civic leaders joined in a commitment to address a broad range of needs within the LGBTQIA+ community, through strategic support to non-profit organizations that serve it. Through an operating grant from The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust and funding support from The Chicago Community Trust, the LGBTQIA+ Community Fund serves as a tool to educate the region about LGBTQ issues and promote effective philanthropy to achieve strategic change.

Life is Work Resources Center

5463 W. Chicago Ave.

lifeiswork.org

The purpose of Life Is Work is to support and empower trans persons of color through direct services, activism, and ad-

vocacy. To achieve this objective, Life Is Work provides case management-guided programs that assist with employment, legal assistance, and safe housing options.

Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland

2335 N. Orchard St. lightfoundchi.org

Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland is a Black Queer-led, multiracial social justice organization that advances justice for Black LGBTQIA+ people across Chicagoland through empowerment, education, and entertainment. It envisions a Chicagoland in which Black LGBTQIA+ people are safe, resourced, empowered, liberated, and flourishing. It provides a multitude of services, from a book club to entertainment, to loans and wellness.

Masjid al-Rabia

637 S. Dearborn St. masjidalrabia.org

Masjid al-Rabia is an Islamic community center in Chicago that centers spiritual care for mar ginalized (Black, LGBTQIA+, Disabled, and currently incarcerated) Muslims with heal ing justice practices in mind. Through outreach, education, and advocacy initiatives, it's created a faith-justice space that is safe and affirming for all Muslims. In 2018, It became the first trans-led, women-centered, and LGBTQ-affirming mosque in North America. Since then, it has implemented several programs including its groundbreaking Prison Ministry designed to serve incarcerated Black and Queer Muslims.

The Night Ministry’s Youth Engagement Services & The Crib

1735 N. Ashland Ave., Suite 2000 thenightministry.org

The Night Ministry’s Youth Engagement Services meets and builds relationships with youth and young adults experiencing homelessness on the streets, in schools, at drop-in programs, and other locations across Chicago. The Youth Outreach Team identifies youth and young adults living on the streets or at risk of becoming homeless and helps them meet their basic needs through resources and referrals. The Crib provides young adults ages 18-24 with safe and supportive overnight emergency shelter, as well as life- and leadership-development skills. In Chicago, nearly 16,000 unaccompanied people age 14-24 struggle with homelessness a year. Many of them face complex challenges, including rejection because of sexual orientation or gender identity. Young people who identify as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender) are more than twice as likely to report being homeless as their non-LGBT peers.

PR!DEArts

4139 N. Broadway

pridearts.org

PR!DEArts is the premiere not-for-profit organization that exhibits, promotes, and champions LGBTQ artists through all media and art forms. Thoughtful curation celebrates the global queer community by providing diverse talent a safe and supportive environment in which to explore and address issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. These expressive outlets include live events at the PR!DEARTS Center in Chicago, and an online and virtual platform accessible throughout the globe.

Reeling Film Festival

1326 W. Hollywood Ave. reelingfilmfest.org

Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival is the second-longest-running film festival of its kind, and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films and videos each year. From award-winning international feature films to social documentaries to experimental shorts, Reeling has always presented a range of genres that demonstrate the rich diversity of work being produced. This year’s festival runs from September 21 - October 8 at The Music Box Theatre, Landmark Century Centre Cinema, and Chicago Filmmakers.

Synapse Arts

6205 N. Sheridan Rd. synapsearts.com

Synapse Arts is a dance-theater company that presents profession al performances, teaches classes to children and adults, and that mentors emerging artists. All its work supports women and LGBTQIA+ artists.

Test Positive Awareness Network (TPAN)

5537 N. Broadway

tpan.com

TPAN was founded in 1987 as the Test Positive Aware Network during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It was a place for HIV-positive people to share vital information and find peer-support in a time when fear, misinformation, and rampant discrimination in the healthcare system contributed to countless lives lost. While HIV is a common concern for its clients, it is not the only issue addressed. Today, almost 30% of those who visit TPAN are homeless, and many are coping with mental health or substance use issues. The average client has an annual household income of $15,000. TPAN’s free services address co-occurring conditions faced by HIVpositive and vulnerable individuals: people with HIV stigma, mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, unemployment, extreme poverty and inadequate access to healthcare.

Transformative Justice Law Project

203 N. LaSalle St.

tjlp.org

Transformative Justice Law Project consists of folks who believe in the power of communal care over systemic oppression. They are radical activists, legal workers, and organizers who provide support, advocacy, and free, holistic legal services to poor and street-based transgender people in Illinois. They use their legal access and privilege as people on the outside to further the prison abolition movement. They work in three project areas: legal services, support community survival, and educational resources and trainings.

Trikone Chicago

trikonechicago.org

Trikone Chicago strives to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment, where LGBT South Asians can meet, make connections and proudly promote awareness and acceptance of their sexuality in society. It works towards the following goals: to bring people of South Asian heritage together; to promote awareness, visibility and cultural and legal acceptance of people with alternative sexual orientations and gender identities; and to help people proudly affirm both their South Asian identity and their sexual orientation. Through cultural nights, film festivals, literary events, awareness campaigns, pride celebrations, and a host of other collaborative programming, Trikone Chicago has worked hard to nurture and empower the LGBT South Asian community in the Midwest region of the U.S.