LGBTQIA+ Community Resources in Chicago and the Oak Park area

Business - www.glchamber.org Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce promotes opportunities for the LGBT community by being and advocate and resource for all member businesses that promote equality.

Community - www.centeronhalsted.org Center on Halsted will be a focal point for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community of Chicago, serving the community’s diverse social, recreational, cultural, and social service needs.

Diversity - https://www.affinity95.org/  Affinity 95 is a Black- and queer-led group that works to advance social justice within and for Black LGBTQ communities.  It has a book club, hosts support groups and organizes events to provide information about wellness and resources to people in need.

Diversity - https://www.bravespacealliance.org/  Brave Space Alliance is a Black- and trans-led organization that works to empower and provide resources to queer and trans people, particularly those of color.  It's opened a food pantry and helped participants connect with jobs.

Drug & Alcohol Addiction - www.DrugRehab.com  DrugRehab.com provides information regarding drug and alcohol addiction in the LGBTQ+ community, statistics and trends, related psychological disorders, information on spotting the signs and hotlines for assistance.

Education & Support - www.glsen.org GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, now in its 10th year, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for ALL students.

Education & Support - www.youth-outlook.org  Youth Outlook has drop-in centers throughout the Chicagoland suburbs that are safe, supportive, and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and allies to meet, socialize, and talk about topics that matter to them.

Families & Parenting - www.pflag.org Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States.

Health - https://www.aidschicago.org/  AIDS Foundation of Chicago advocates for and provides resources to people living with or vulnerable to HIV and AIDS.  It helps people get tested for HIV and connects those with HIV to health care.

Legal - www.aclu.org The American Civil Liberties Union works in part to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including Native Americans and other people of color; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor.

Legal - www.lambdalegal.org Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

National Help - www.glnh.org The GLBT National Help Center is dedicated to meeting the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and those questioning their sexual orientation and gender identity. We are an outgrowth of the Gay & Lesbian National Hotline, which began in 1996 and now is a primary program of the GLBT National Help Center.Gay and Lesbian National Hotline 1-888-843-4564.

National Help - www.thetrevorproject.org The Trevor Project Helpline is the only national 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention hot line aimed at gay and questioning youth. It is geared toward helping those in crisis, or those wanting information on how to help someone in crisis. Calls are handled by highly trained counselors and are free and confidential.Trevor Project Gay and Lesbian Hotline 1-866-488-7386.

News sources / Local Media - www.chicagofreepress.com The Chicago Free Press, a Rainbow Media Publication, is aimed at an urban gay and lesbian audience. CFP covers gay life today – with news, analysis, commentary, health, business, auto, travel, real estate, entertainment and photography.

News sources / Local Media - www.wednesdayjournalonline.com The Wednesday Journal Of Oak Park and River Forest is published weekly and provides local coverage of the Oak Park area.

News sources / Local Media - windycitytimes.com Windy City Media Group produces Windy City Radio, and publishes Windy City Times, The Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community, Nightspots, Out! Resource Guide, and Identity.

News sources / National Media - www.advocate.com The Advocate is America’s leading gay news and entertainment magazine. It reports on the people, events, and experiences that impact the lives of gay men and lesbians across the country.

Political - www.equalityillinois.org Equality Illinois’ mission is to secure, protect and defend the basic civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the state of Illinois.

Political - www.glaad.org The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Political - www.hrc.org The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Religious - http://chicagowelcomingchurches.org/  Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a collection of more than 80 churches and ministries in the Chicagoland area that welcome and affirm all people.

Seniors - www.primetimersww.com/chicago Chicago Prime Timers provides mature gay and bisexual men opportunities to come together in a supportive atmosphere to enjoy social, educational, and recreational activities. Events include dining, brunches, potlucks, parties, bicycling, bowling, plays, movies, bar nights, cards, local tours, vacation tours, and more.

Transgender - www.ifge.org IFGE advocates for freedom of gender expression. We promote the understanding and acceptance of All People: Transgender, Transsexual, Crossdresser, Agender, Gender Queer, Intersex, Two Spirit, Drag King, Drag Queen, Queer, Straight, Butch, Femme, Homosexual, Bisexual, Heterosexual, and of course – You!

Transgender - www.isna.org The Intersex Society of North America (ISNA) is devoted to systemic change to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital surgeries for people born with an anatomy that someone decided is not standard for male or female.