Pride

CHICAGO – In a fulfillment of his destiny, gay activist Gary G. Chichester was Grand Marshall of the Chicago Pride Parade in 2022, to celebrate his consistent contribution to LGBTQ+ causes, including organizing and participating in the first Gay Liberation March in Chicago on June 27th, 1970. One year later in 1971, he helped put together the first Pride Parade.

CHICAGO – Locally, Jerry Pritikin was known as the Chicago Cubs “Bleacher Preacher.” But Jerry had a more important role in his life … as a photographer who captured 1970s gay liberation in San Francisco, including gay activist icon Harvey Milk. His new exhibit is “When Then Was … NOW!” For more info, click Jerry Pritikin.

CHICAGO – After a triumphant tour of Canada, the unforgettable Chicago monologist John Michael is back in the Windy City to perform his award-winning “Meatball Seance.” The internationally staged audience participation event will be in the Raven Room at the Redline VR on this Friday (9/16 at 9:30p). Click Meatball for tickets and details.

CHICAGO – 52 years ago Monday (June 27th, 2022), a young activist got together with a group of marchers – with no permit – and showed the City of Chicago the actual faces of gay liberation. Gary G. Chichester was part of that first gay pride march in 1970 … and 52 years later he’s the Grand Marshall of the 2022 Chicago Pride Parade, live and in person!

CHICAGO – John Michael is kicking out the pandemic and going on the road! Chicago’s favorite monologist is reviving his show, “Meatball Seance” for a Canadian Festival Tour. It kicks off on June 18th, click the Ottawa Fringe Fest for dates, times and details. Future shows will take place at the Toronto (July) and Edmonton (August) Fringe Festivals.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on “Benediction,” the biography film of Siegfried Sassoon, a prominent early 20th Century poet who lived his life as a closeted gay man … a somber kick-off to Pride Month. In select theaters, see local listings for theaters and show times.

CHICAGO – To wrap up HollywoodChicago.com’s coverage of Pride Week and Month, two highlight videos of ‘Reel Pride,” a show that centers of LGBTQIA+ films, co-hosted by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago and Jeffrey Leibham, an entertainment reporter in Chicago.

CHICAGO – It’s Pride Week, ya all, part of Pride Month, culminating in the upcoming Pride Weekend … the more the Pride the better. 2021 marks the 50th Anniversary of the first official Gay Pride Parade in Chicago – the first “march” took place a year earlier in 1970, honoring the first anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Uprising.