Gerber/Hart hosts over 830 people at annual Queerkindlmarkt

With lines stretching down Clark Street and winding through the second-floor hallway, hundreds of attendees gathered to "make the Yuletide gay" at the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. The organization hosted its second annual Queerkindlmarkt, an event featuring a book sale, a queer artist and makers market, and a GroceryLand food drive honoring the late Lori Cannon.

Queerkindlmarkt is a play on Christkindlmarkt, traditional Christmas markets using wooden stalls in German villages and towns. These markets are hosted by a fictional angel named Christkindl who gives gifts on behalf of the baby Jesus.

The local event served as a tribute to Cannon, a fierce redhead organizer and Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Friend of the Community Award recipient. Cannon’s extensive legacy included work with Chicago House, The NAMES Project, and co-founding ACT UP/Chicago. She also co-founded Open Hand Chicago, also a Hall of Fame recipient, that began as a food delivery service for people living with HIV/AIDS in 1988. That initiative later evolved into the GroceryLand Pantry Network in 1994, creating dignified shopping experiences for those it served.

Founded in 1981, Gerber/Hart is itself a Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame honoree and serves as the Midwest’s largest circulating library dedicated to preserving the history and culture of LGBTQ communities.

Jennifer "Jen" Dentel, the library’s community outreach and strategic partnerships manager, noted the rapid growth of the holiday market.

"I came up with the name and concept last year which was the first time we held the event," Dentel said. "We are very excited for the event as it is a great way for people to support Gerber/Hart and local LGBTQ artists. Unlike other holiday markets, we do not charge artists to table at the event. This is definitely a group effort. And I did some of my own holiday shopping at the event."

Operations Director Erin Bell emphasized the importance of the environment the library creates.

"It is special to participate with community and help create safe space with queer artists and makers that usually do not feel welcomed at most other markets," Bell said.

The formula is resonating with the public. Development Manager Michael Rashid reported a significant increase in attendance over the previous year.

"Last year we had over 600 visitors," Rashid said. "It is amazing to be part of the event for a second year. The event welcomes the most visitors to Gerber/Hart than visit all year. This year we had over 830 visitors."

Community support and legends

The crowd included a mix of allies, activists, and local legends who came to shop and support the cause.

"I am here to support the building of circular economies for our community," said attendee Bunny McKenzie Mack.

Others, like Jace Adams, attended to "support the community and learn more about Chicago culture," while Sequeya and Jequoya Grant expressed their support for their "queer presenting friends."

Notable attendees included Mona Noriega and Evette Cardona, co-founders of Amigas Latinas, a Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame recipient organization.

"We wanted to come out to support artists in our community and another great Gerber/Hart event," they shared.

Tim Miller of ACT UP Chicago, who collected donations for the food drive, had a simple message for the season, "Donate what you can to Vital Bridges/GroceryLand."

Featured artists and makers

The Queerkindlmarkt Artist and Makers Market showcased a wide array of local talent, including:

Anne E. Terpstra, Anthony Park Kascak, BONDED by Tori Small, Chicago Queer Creations, Christopher Williams, Coma Theory, Cookies & Conversations, Gillian "Germ" Marwood, David Jay Collins, Em Assarsson, Kirin Kane, Marina Walinski Designs, Oily Costello Creative Practice, Riotous Roots, Saumitra Chandratreya, Sew to Speak, Spank Bank, Trikone Chicago, Women & Children First Bookstore, Jasjyot Singh Hans, Milk Crate Print Studio, Talon Kinkworks, and the Ambrosia Photo Booth by Pink Sappho.

The Gerber/Hart Volunteer Artist Table also featured work by Eira Fox (founder of Eir Botanica), Nie Dos, and Scott Potis.