AT&T turns up the love once again on Michigan Avenue

National Coming Out Day is on October 12, 2022, and was first celebrated in 1988. This Nunn came out of the closet just a few years after that and has never looked back. It's a very different climate these days, but support is always needed for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ and struggling with the decision to tell those around them about personal feelings.

ATT&T Michigan Avenue celebrated the cause with an early weekend event full of talent and an important panel of representation. A representative from the community organization Center on Halsted was just one of the panel chosen to speak that special night.

Gender nonconforming and transfeminine artist Alok Vaid-Menon brought their book Beyond the Gender Binary to hand out to attendees and started the party with poetry and a comedy set. Chance the Rapper's little brother Taylor Bennett was also in the house to speak in the group before a later performance opening for Australian American singer Betty Who.

After several years of hosting this Turn of the Love project on Michigan Avenue gets better every year and has grown in several ways. Liquor is now served on the premises at the private event to accompany the later concert festivities. Passerbyers in the shopping district than hear a bit of the party as the sound bleeds onto the nearby streets and the lights only enhance the spectacle of rainbows inside.

Other refreshments have also come a long way in this digital venue with passed appetizers and dessert added toward the end of the show. Out artist Zipeng Zhu's art was projected on massive screens and part of his logo was displayed on the free t-shirts that were passed out as guests entered the space.

Pop princess Malia Civetz brought her "Champagne Clouds" track to kick things off for a trio of sets from performers. Her "Sugar Daddy" song was an attempt at empowerment with some in the crowd not understanding until she explained the message. Her vocals were strong even when there were microphone challenges toward the end of her segment.

Rapper Taylor Bennett was introduced as an LGBTQ+ advocate, but he is actually a member of the community. He came out as bisexual in 2017 though may still be evolving, only time will tell. His backing vocalist also played the guitar and supported Bennett while his singing struggled at times. His final track was a showstopper and had his fans dancing.

Betty Who is debuting new music this October and returned to this building after a past Turn Up the Love experience. Wearing '80s-inspired clothing and her usual sunny attitude, Jessica was ready to boogie with her two backup dancers for everyone in the room

If everyone can take a moment to reflect on someone who is LGBTQ+ and how they can be supported better, this world will certainly be a better place. Transgender activist Precious Brady-Davis stated while sitting on the panel, "It starts with companies hiring people in our community, especially Black trans women."

ATT&T brought awareness to that fact along with many other ideas throughout a night of celebration and tears for a few. Donate to CenteronHalsted.org and visit 600 Michigan Avenue to Turn Up the Love to this company today!