Tue. September 15, 2026
CHICAGO, ILL. -
By Michael Oboza, Special to GoPride.com
Community members gathered in Logan Square at noon today for the annual Bisexual Pride flag raising. Community organizer and Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame inductee Robert Castillo served as the original visionary behind the event, along with the neighborhood's Progress Pride flag and upcoming Transgender Pride flag raisings.
"I was part of Queer Nation Chicago in the 1990s," Castillo said. "So, I grew up with an intersectional community. Bisexual and transgender people were always part of the fight, work and community."
"After Chicago named a street after him, one of the reasons I wanted to fly the Bisexual Pride flag is to honor and celebrate the life of the late veteran, photojournalist, Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee and Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago co-founder, Ed Negron."
"I'd be remiss if I did not also mention that September is National Latine Heritage Month," Castillo added. "I'm Mexican American and queer, not gay. I don't separate any part of myself because I'm a complete person."
Also in attendance was 35th Ward Ald. Anthony Joel Quezada, who welcomed attendees while addressing the significance of the event.
"Logan Square is a thriving, intersectional queer part of Chicago," Quezada said. "As we raise the bisexual flag, we recognize our bisexual family, friends and neighbors because they're part of our intersectional LGBTQ community."
Starr De Los Santos, a bisexual ally and chair of the Chicago LGBTQ Advisory Council, emphasized the need for solidarity.
"While biphobia still happens inside and outside our LGBTQ community, it is no secret," De Los Santos said. "Bi, trans and nonbinary communities have always been here. Every letter and every experience matters."
Hugo Escobar, vice president of the Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago, noted the organization's ongoing work.
"BQAC is celebrating our 16th year with new programs, new interns and collaborations," Escobar said. "We are here for our entire intersectional LGBTQ community and allies, including our bisexual, queer, transgender and nonbinary communities."
Antonio King, the first director of LGBTQ affairs under Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and a Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee, also addressed the gathering.
"On behalf of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, I'm here to support, give voice and bring visibility to all layers and cultures, even those pushed to the back burner in our intersectional LGBTQ community," King said.
Before the flag was hoisted, Sister Lucy Gucy of the Abbey of the Irreverent Bean of the Second City Sisters, a mission of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, introduced herself.
"I am so humbled and honored to give a blessing here today. And I’ll be honest, I’ve been pretty intimidated for this one because I know how important this is," Gucy said. "You see, I don’t identify as bisexual. And I’ve wanted nothing more than to approach you all with honor and humility. I am here as a queer nun to express the mission of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which is to spread universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt."
"Especially within our LGBTQ community," Gucy continued. "And today, it’s all about the B, darlins."
After a pause, Gucy shared her blessing:
"I look, and I see you. I see our proud bisexual community gathered here today, standing tall, standing firm, standing joyously in their identities. And I renounce, in conjunction with all of you present here, your erasure."
"We renounce the labels that have been put upon you. You are not half anything. You are not defined by your partners."
"You are not confused. You are not greedy. You are not in a phase or transition to another identity."
"You are beautiful."
"I want you to take a few deep, cleansing breaths in and breathe out that stigma that has been placed on you."
"The invisibility that has been placed on you, both by those who would persecute us, but also by those of us who call you siblings under the rainbow. You can give it to me. I’ll take it and dispose of it. I promise."
"You are whole and vibrant and complete. And we are a stronger community because you are here. Thank you for being you."
"Today, we consecrate this Bisexual Pride flag. We bless the pink, the purple and the blue. For 28 years it has flown, and raising it on this pole is not just a symbol. It is a Sacrament of your strength, your queerness and your visibility. As this flag catches and billows on the breeze, may you too swell to occupy the space and light you deserve."
"Not just through this holy week. Not just through Sept. 23, but always."
Advocate and former BiNet USA president Wendy Curry, activist and writer Gigi Raven Wilbur, and bisexual flag creator Michael Page founded Celebrate Bisexuality Day in 1999, held annually on Sept. 23 during Bisexual Visibility Month.
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