May 20 - 23

This week has been a week of Action for the LGBT Community, leading up to Harvey Milk's birthday this weekend. If you do anything this weekend make sure you get to the planned rally at Congress & Michigan Avenue on Saturday at 1PM to stand up for your rights - no one else is going to do it for you! Get out there, raise your voice and show the world that you are not a second class citizen and you deserve the same rights as everyone else.

THURSDAY, MAY 20

Harvey Milk would have turned 80 this coming Saturday. We owe so much to him and the other LGBT pioneers who paved the way for us. The Chicago Harvey Milk Week of Action group is organizing a Flashmob to descend on Federal Plaza at noon today to demand full equality for the LGBT community by passing ENDA. More events are planned for weekend.

Raise your hand if your a nerd, keep your hand raised if you're also a lesbian. Those with their hands still raised should head over to Mary's Rec Room for the Nerds At Heart Lesbian Speed Dating Night. For 20 bucks you can go on a speed dating extravaganza and perhaps meet the next lady of your life. The fun starts at 7PM and make sure you're on time!

Rush University Medical Center and the Center on Halsted are presenting a discussion starting at 5:30 on 'The Future of HIV Research & Sexual Health' led by world-class experts Beverly Sha, MD, and Kimberly Smith, MD, MPH. Food and Beverages will be served, Please RSVP to (312) 942-1964 or Craig_Johnson@rush.edu

FRIDAY, MAY 21

Chicago Filmmakers in Andersonville will screen Shooting Robert King at 8PM, it's the Chicago Premiere. Tix are $8 at the door.

While you're on the north side, head to the Greenleaft Art Center - 1806 W Greenleaf Avenue - for Spring Thing Group Show and Open Studio reception from 6-10PM. Jacqui Horton will be singing while you check out the works of 80 artists in this collective.

So do you like to tease or do you like to get teased? Either way head on over to the LIncoln Tap when Vaudezilla hosts their monthly Burlesque Exposition with two shows at 10PM & 11:30, it's free and who knows, tonight may be the night someone actually bares it all - you won't want to miss it! Check the site for full details.

BONUS - It's Festival Season so don't miss the Chicago Mayfest for the "Official Start of Summer" kickoff in Lincoln Square 3100 N Ashland Avenue @ Barry. Runs all weekend!

FESTIVALS

F/S/S - Chicago Mayfest
S/S - Chicago Green Festival

SATURDAY, MAY 22

Happy Birthday Harvey Milk, our country's first openly gay elected official. This entire week has been a call to action for the LGBT Community to finish what Harvey started more than 30 years ago. This weekend there are several events planned including a Legal Professionals Networking meeting and Queer Noise - an open mic night on Friday while today is the planned Rally and March starting at Congress & Michigan at 1PM. Check the site for full details. And I'll see you at the Rally!

The Chicago Force, our very own women's tackle football team will take on the PI Passion at their new field at Winnemac Stadium/Jorndt Field - 5105 N Leavitt at 3PM. Tix are $10 at the gate.

I hope you've gotten your scooter tuned up because Hell's Fairies, the LGBT Scooter Club, are hosting their 4th Annual Spring Roll today. Meet at The Coffee Studio - 5628 N Clark St at 11AM for a trip to Ikea for Meatballs! Check the site for full details.

BONUS Stop by the UIC Pavilion and watch the Windy City Rollers showing us what roller derby is all about. The Double Crossers will take on The Fury at 6PM and the Manic Attackers will battle Hell's Belles at 7:30. The doors open at 5PM tix can be purchased online.

SUNDAY, MAY 23

Pride Films & Plays, a new group 'dedicated to achieving excellent writing for the stage and film by linking a national network of writers to professionals working in theater and film' will present Fifth of July - Lanford Wilson's 1973 drama at the Theatere Building at 7PM. Tix are $10 and can be purchased online.

Osie Gabriel Adelfang, editor of the book Shifting Sands will host a reading from the book this evening at Women & Children First books in Andersonville along with with contributor Emma Rosenthal from 4:30-6:30

Head to @mosphere - 5355 N Clark street for this weeks edition of Windy City Gay Idol. Its your last chance to qualify before the semifinals in a few weeks. If you've got the voice then get there by 9PM to sign up. Winner gets $100 and moves to the semifinals on June 5. Finale is coming up quickly on June 19th. Don't miss out!