LGBTQ Community Calendar

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LGBTQ Community Calendar *

LGBTQ Community Calendar

There are a number of days and months observed, celebrated, and honored by the LGBTQ community. While the list below is specific to LGBTQ-focused days, weeks, and months, LGBTQ people also observe and celebrate non-LGBTQ specific moments such as Black History Month, Latinx Heritage Month, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Women’s History Month, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Media coverage of these and other non-LGBTQ focused moments should include LGBTQ people and the intersections of LGBTQ people and the respective topic.

LGBTQ+ Chicago events through the year

Chicago is home to some of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the country, from Pride Fest and Parade in June to the Reeling Film Festival in the fall. Check out some of Chicago’s top gay events throughout the year.

May

International Mr. Leather: This international conference and competition, held annually in Chicago since 1979, includes speakers, socials, themed dance parties, and a leather market.

June

Andersonville Midsommarfest: This diverse neighborhood hosts one of Chicago’s most beloved street festivals each June. Midsommarfest celebrates the area’s Swedish roots and LGBTQ+ community with food, entertainment, artisan vendors, and more.

Chicago Pride Fest: In the historic Northalsted neighborhood, Chicago’s Pride Fest is a massive two-day celebration with multiple music stages, drag shows, DJs, dancing, and more.

Chicago Pride Parade: This legendary event is one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country. The famous four-mile procession has been wrapping up Pride Month in Chicago for more than 50 years.

Pride in the Park: A new two-day music festival, Pride in the Park is held in downtown Grant Park, the site of Lollapalooza and other iconic events. The event donates a portion of ticket sales to Center on Halsted, an LGBTQ community center.

Back Lot Bash: This long-running event includes a signature outdoor music festival and is one of the best-attended Pride events dedicated to women.

Navy Pier Pride: This annual free event consists of a full day of family-friendly festivities in honor of the LGBTQ+ community, including Storytime with Drag Queens, live performances, special film presentations, and more.

August

Northalsted Market Days: Billed as one of the biggest street fests in the country, this multi-day festival is all about life and community in Chicago’s historic Northalsted district. The event includes live music on five stages, DJs and dancing, vendors, food, and more.

September

Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival: The second longest-running film festival of its kind, Reeling showcases the artistic contributions of LGBTQ+ filmmakers, with a mission to educate and counteract stereotypes.

October

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade: The city’s biggest neighborhood Halloween event, this spooky spectacle takes over the Northalsted neighborhood with a costume contest, choreographed dances, a pup crawl, and more.

Northalsted Halloween Parade ©Northalsted Business Alliance

Year-round Pride events

Pride Arts Center: The mission of Pride Arts, a non-profit theatre company, is to exhibit promote, and champion LGBTQ+ artists through all media and art forms. Their on-stage season includes a diverse array of original works.

Sunday Funday Showtunes at Sidetrack: Showtune Sundays are a beloved event at this popular LGBTQ+ bar in Northalsted. Other events include RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties, all things Beyoncé, and more.

Slo ‘Mo: From club nights and concerts to comedy, Slo ‘Mo aims to create spaces that celebrate queer joy and uplift local queer creatives and communities.

Party Noire: This inclusive cultural hub celebrates Black women of color across the gender spectrum and cultivates affirming events and makes space for Black queer joy.

Peach pop-up events: This event series is dedicated to unifying and celebrating LGBTQ+ women through music, drinks, food, art and visually stimulating entertainment.

Check out:

https://www.eventbrite.com/d/il--chicago/lgbt-events/

https://www.gaytravel4u.com/gay-chicago-events/

https://chicago.gaycities.com/events

https://chicago.gopride.com/calendar/today.cfm

https://gay.do312.com/

https://www.choosechicago.com/events/

For more upcoming LGBTQ+ events.

February

  • February 7: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

  • Week after Valentine’s Day: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week

  • February 28: HIV Is Not A Crime Awareness Day

March

  • March: Bisexual Health Awareness Month

  • Week varies in March: National LGBT Health Awareness Week

  • March 10: National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

  • March 20: National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

  • March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility

April

  • April 6: International Asexuality Day

  • April 10: National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

  • Third Friday of April: Day of Silence

  • April 18: National Transgender HIV Testing Day

  • April 18: Nonbinary Parents Day

  • April 26: Lesbian Visibility Day

May

  • First Sunday In May: International Family Equality Day

  • May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

  • May 19: National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

  • May 22: Harvey Milk Day

  • May 24: Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness and Visibility Day

June

  • June: LGBTQ Pride Month

  • June 1: LGBTQ Families Day

  • June 12: Pulse Remembrance 

  • June 15: Anniversary of U.S. Supreme Court Bostock decision expanding protections to LGBTQ employees

  • June 26: Anniversary of U.S. Supreme Court legalizing marriage equality

  • June 27: National HIV Testing Day

  • June 28: Stonewall Day

  • June 30: Queer Youth of Faith Day

July

  • Week of July 14: Nonbinary Awareness Week, culminates in International Nonbinary People’s Day on July 14

  • July 16: International Drag Day

August

  • August 14: Gay Uncles Day

  • August 20: Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

September

  • September 18: National HIV/AIDS & Aging Awareness Day

  • Week of September 23: Bisexual+ Awareness Week, culminates in Celebrate Bisexuality Day on September 23

  • September 27: National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

October

  • October: LGBTQ History Month

  • October 8: International Lesbian Day

  • October 11: National Coming Out Day

  • October 15: National Latinx HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

  • October 19: National LGBT Center Awareness Day

  • Third Wednesday in October: International Pronouns Day

  • Third Thursday in October: Spirit Day

  • Last week in October: Asexual Awareness Week

  • October 26: Intersex Awareness Day

November

  • First Sunday of November: Transgender Parent Day

  • November 13 – 19: Transgender Awareness Week

  • November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance

December

  • December 1: World AIDS Day

  • December 8: Pansexual/Panromantic Pride Day

  • December 14: HIV Cure Research Day

To recommend additional LGBTQ or HIV-focused recognitions, please email: lw.blacqsheep@gmail.com