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://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