 "Photo: Rachel Metea")
The beginning of this month signified a great victory for gays in Illinois: the law recognizing same-sex unions went into effect June 1. How does the LGBTQ community of Chicago plan to celebrate?
Chicago isn't one to do anything on a small scale. The city embraced the new civil unions by hosting 30 ceremonies on the morning of June 1 in Millennium Park. Mayor Emanuel said that all "Chicagoans recognize the many contributions the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities have made to our city," as issued in a statement May 17. Many have expressed joy at this monumental milestone.
"I feel that if you love someone, you should be able to commit to them forever and get married, gay or straight," said Ashley Fitzgerald, 21, of Oak Forest. "It's not that much to ask to want to marry your soul mate, even if they're the same sex."
In honor of the historical event, Emanuel officially dubbed June as Pride Month in Chicago. As a result, the month will be filled with countless events, including performances, picnics, workshops, open mic, dances, festivals, book readings and TV programs. Special religious gatherings have even been organized by aChurch4Me? for practicing gays.
With so much buzz and excitement circulating, it's hard not to want to join in, regardless of sexual orientation.
The nonstop celebrations offer something for everyone. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the Gay Art Exhibit at New-Futurists, or the "Out in Chicago" exhibit at Chicago History Museum. Bookworms can participate in the many book readings and discussion panels around town. Proud to Run celebrates its 30th anniversary as people do the 10k run or 5k run and walk to support the LGBTQ community. Much of the action condenses into the end of June. Six Flags Great America hosts "Out at the Park" June 18, and the next day is the boat tour, "Pride on the Water."
The peak of Pride is the Chicago Pride Fest, scheduled for June 24 and 25. Taking place on the famously gay and thriving bar-scene strip, Northalsted Street, the festival welcomes a diverse mix of food, art and craft vendors.
As no festival is complete without live entertainment, Northalsted will provide two stages of live entertainment, one of which will showcase some of the finest performers in the gay community, including MYA, Kim English, Crystal Waters and Cowboys.
"I took the weekend off of work for Pride," said Tim Whitworth, 23, of Chicago. "It's crazy and crowded and it gets trashed, but it's really fun. It's insane, people walk around in their underwear."
All this escalates to the key event, the 42nd Annual Pride Parade on June 26, which estimates it will draw 450,000 people this year. Taking place in the heart of Boystown, the parade kicks off at Halsted and Belmont, snakes around Halsted, Broadway, Diversey, and ends off on Cannon Drive in Lincoln Park. The colorful and energetic crowd is one of the largest gay pride parades in the country, and seeing as it's right in DePaul's backyard, it's a fun (and cheap) way to spend your weekend. Everyone, regardless of sexual orientation and gender, dresses up for the occasion, whether it's lavish attire, head-to-toe rainbow, or more amusingly, next to nothing.
"The Pride Parade is pretty interesting and all out wild, like most parades here," said Ryan Brady, 22, of Chicago.
The party doesn't stop at June. Northalsted Market Days, considered the Midwest's largest two-day street festival, falls on the weekend of Aug. 13. The gay-supporting event celebrates its 30th anniversary with nearly 400 food and art vendors, and will be featuring disco queen Gloria Gaynor on the main stage for live entertainment.
For a full listing of Pride events click here
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