CHICAGO — The Leather Archives & Museum (LAM) is presenting “Fruiting Bodies,” a solo exhibition by Andrew Bearnot, starting on March 2. The LAM made the announcement in an email to supporters. The exhibition will include new artworks by Bearnot shown alongside archival objects from the LAM collection, including important artifacts from Chuck Renslow and…
SPRINGFIELD — A group of Illinois House members have formed a caucus to push for progressive causes like cannabis legalization and campaign finance reform. The State Journal-Register of Springfield reported that the new Progressive Caucus announced goals at a press conference on Thursday. From the Journal-Register: Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, said the formal structure of…
WASHINGTON — The HRC Foundation and the University of Connecticut released the Black & African American LGBTQ Report on Friday, which showed that LGBTQ are at a higher risk of discrimination. Some of the findings include: More than three-fourths of Black and African American LGBTQ youth who responded to the survey have heard family members say…
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A federal judge ordered the Department of Defense to halt discharge proceedings for HIV-positive service members on Friday. Lambda Legal announced in a press release that U.S. District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema issued the ruling from the bench after hearing oral argument today on both Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN’s motion for preliminary…
DES MOINES — A transgender man working as a prison nurse has won his discrimination lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections this week. Jesse Vroegh had sued after being barred from using the men’s restroom and being denied transition healthcare. From the Des Moines Register: The jury awarded Jesse Vroegh $120,000 in damages. Jurors found that the…
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Star reported on Wednesday that an inclusive hate crimes bill will move forward to debate after weeks of delays. From the Star: Ten bias crimes bills were filed at the start of session, but Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, has chosen to move forward with Senate Bill 12, which includes…
NORMAL — ISU Pride will have it’s annual drag charity show at the Bone Student Center on March 2 with RuPaul’s Drag Race finalist Shea Coulee. From the Facebook event: We are so excited to announce our headliner is Shea Coulee! Her name is Shae Coulee and she didn’t come to play – finalist of…
CHICAGO — The Women and Children First Bookstore in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood will host Anissa Gray for an author reading of “The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls.” From the Facebook event: Join us for a reading, conversation, and book-signing in honor of one of the most highly anticipated books of 2019, The Care…
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Democrats have filed a bill that could add LGBTQ people to the state’s civil rights law. Local TV station WKRC said that if passed, the bill would put both orientation and gender identity under the law’s protection. From WKRC: The bills have the support of Democrats and a few Republicans, but…
CHICAGO — LGBTQ donor and activist Art Johnston endorsed Susana Mendoza for mayor on Thursday. Johnston made the announcement in a video on Mendoza’s campaign site. Johnston is an owner at Chicago’s Sidetracks and a co-founder of Equality Illinois. Equality Illinois PAC endorsed Lori Lightfoot, the only LGBTQ candidate in the mayoral race, last week.…
