My Kinda (QUEER) Town Chicago Is ..........now that Chicago Social Butterflies are here to tell us what's what

So Chicago seems very much the city where it is all happening for the queer community right now. Firstly holding one of the most succesfull DNC Conferences of all time culminating with the anointing of Kamala. Then there is the launch of the city’s Reeling Film Fest the second longest-running film festival of its kind, that rightly prides itself on showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films and videos each year (see our preview piece HERE)

Now breaking in on the scene is Chicago Social Butterflies, a new project from Windy City Times, unites the LGBTQ+ community by offering a central hub for updates on events and initiatives from over 200 clubs, promoters and nonprofits. It addresses the challenge of scattered information across social media and multiple newsletters

Tracy Baim, Windy City Times cofounder told Queerguru : Many folks in the LGBTQ+ community feel disconnected. They hear about great events and benefits after they see the photos on social media. It’s hard to know what the more than 200 LGBTQ+ clubs, promoters, and nonprofits are up to these days. Our weekly newspaper used to serve that role, but now it’s hit-and-miss finding things on social media, or subscribing to dozens of newsletters.

So what’s next? Longtime community activist Michael Leppen and I were brainstorming about this, and decided to launch a newsletter. Like a butterfly flapping its wings, we want to have an amplifying effect, to lift up our community, and support worthy events and causes.

The weekly Chicago Social Butterflies newsletter is also backed up by a new website. It’s a free way to have a one-stop link to our community’s vast offerings. It’s free to the event hosts and free to readers. The joy is that it does more than inform the local queer community but it positively tempts us out-of-towners to head for Chicago and the Mid West

One of the really must-read pieces is Sapphic bars, parties and more across Chicago. In todays’ climate there is so much negativity about the wholesale closing of queer spaces ….. particularly lesbian ones …. its good to be able to celebrate the ones that are thriving in the City.

Three events on the Social Butterfly Calender grabbed out attention.

Each year, 2,000 people show up and show out at the largest HIV gathering in the Midwest. Join our incredible community as we run, walk, and roll on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Soldier Field and along the Chicago lakefront. We are grateful to our individuals, teams, and sponsors for supporting AIDS Run & Walk.

The One NIGHT we do not want to be alone this year is ELECTION NGHT , so there is a get together with Sapphic Before Sunset for a Queer election night viewing party at Outta Space in Berwyn, IL. There will be drinks, NA specials, and a food truck. Family friendly. Please obtain a free ticket for each member of your party as it helps with the planning.