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Revision as of 15:50, 27 November 2014 by Abductive (talk | contribs) (→Politics)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Chicago has long had a gay neighborhood. Beginning in the 1920s there was active homosexual nightlife in Towertown, adjacent to the Water Tower. As rents climbed, it forced gay-friendly establishments steadily northwards, moving through Old Town and Lincoln Park along Clark Street and on to Boys Town. Boys Town presently serves as the main Chicago gayborhood, and the center of its LGBT culture.
Politics
In 1961 Illinois was the first state to repeal its sodomy law. Effective LGBT political involvement began in the 1960s alongside the civil rights movement, with organizations such as Chicago Gay Liberation. As of 2002 most LGBT voters are in the North Side.
The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Democrats was the main LGBT political group of the 1980s. LGBT interest groups and the Democratic Party have facilitated LGBT political involvement in Chicago.
In 1983 Mayor of Chicago candidate Jan Byrne promised to support LGBT issues, so the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Democrats endorsed Byrne. However Harold Washington won the Democratic Party primary. At that point the LGBT voters began to support Washington, and they helped him win the general election. LGBT voters supported Washington during his reelection in 1987 because, during his previous term, he supported LGBT causes and criticized homophobia.
ACT UP/Chicago was an organization that opposed AIDS. It often criticized Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley. It later became a part of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.
Institutions
The Center on Halsted is an LGBT community center.
Windy City Black Pride provides LGBT-related assistance to African-Americans.
Windy City Radio is the city's only LGBT radio station.
The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame gives honors to LGBT individuals.
Media
The Chicago Gay Crusader is an LGBT newspaper.
Recreation
The Chicago Pride Parade is the city's gay pride parade.
The Reeling LGBT International Film Festival is held in Chicago.
References
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Notes
- Blackwell, Elizabeth Canning. Frommer's Chicago (Frommer's Color Complete). John Wiley & Sons, November 15, 2011. ISBN 1118162412, 9781118162415. p. 351.
- ^ Haider-Markel, Donald P. Gay and Lesbian Americans and Political Participation: A Reference Handbook (Political participation in America). ABC-CLIO, January 1, 2002. ISBN 1576072568, 9781576072561. p. 145.
- Gould, Deborah B. Moving Politics: Emotion and ACT UP's Fight against AIDS. December 15, 2009. ISBN 0226305317, 9780226305318. p. 43.
- ^ Savage, Dan and Terry Miller (editors). It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living. Penguin Books, March 22, 2011. ISBN 1101513403, 9781101513408. Google Books PT103.
Further reading
- Austin, Jill and Jennifer Brier. Out in Chicago: LGBT History at the Crossroads. Chicago History Museum, 2011. See page at Google Books.
- Baim, Tracy (editor). Out and Proud in Chicago. Agate Publishing, 2008. ISBN 1572846437, 9781572846432.
- de la Croix, Sukie. Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago before Stonewall (UPCC book collections on Project MUSE). University of Wisconsin Press, 2012. ISBN 0299286932, 9780299286934.
External links
- "LGBT Community Action Plan" - City of Chicago
- Reeling LGBT Film Festival
- "The 5 Best LGBT Bars" (Archive). Chicago. February 2013.
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