

New Bolingbrook youth program helps fill growing mental health support needs of LGBTQ youth
The new Bolingbrook Pride LGBTQ youth program provides a monthly drop-in “safe space” for youth in Bolingbrook and Romeoville.
Allies and partners in the project include the Valley View School District, a University of Chicago professor, a suburban Chicago all-LGBTQ+ counseling service, and PFLAG Bolingbrook. Read about how this new drop-in program helps build on existing efforts in public schools and by other groups to help LGBTQ+ youth feel safe and accepted.


LGBTQ+ Friendsgiving Dinner Part of Bolingbrook Pride’s emphasis on promoting “understanding through conversation”
Bolingbrook is one of the most diverse suburbs of Chicago. “We have lots of diversity, and we all live next to each other,” says Allaina Humphreys, co-head of the Bolingbrook Pride, only four years old.
With events like Saturday night’s LGBTQ+ Friendsgiving Dinner, Bolingbrook Pride is aiming to create “understanding through conversation” and takes a non-controversial approach to its mission: providing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people and especially youth.



Black Alphabet Film Festival showcases Black LGBTQ+ Filmmakers with Chicago event, virtual option
For nine years, the Black Alphabet Film Festival has provided opportunities for Black LGBTQ+ and same-gender-loving (SGL) filmmakers to help share the experiences of their community. You can partake of this year’s event Saturday and Sunday either virtually, or in-person in Chicago.



Ranked choice voting interest grows nationwide and in Illinois, Iowa
Evanston, Berwyn, Cedar Rapids and the Iowa Green Party are among the Illinois and Iowa entities exploring ranked choice voting.



This year’s 4/20 events feature balance of leisure, arts and policy
Organized 4/20 holiday activities in Illinois and Iowa range from the leisurely, to food-filled markets, to arts events and policy-focused events.



Pride Season in Illinois and Iowa kicks off with April 21 Davenport event
Keep up with the latest news on Pride events throughout Illinois and Iowa, starting with these 22+ events.



Registration time for Lambda Softball Association and other LGBTQ sports leagues in Iowa and Illinois
Four Iowa and Illinois LGBTQ+ sports leagues are gearing up to have their first full summer seasons since the pandemic – and they’re already working hard to make the most of it. The Lambda Softball Association (LSA) serving eastern Iowa, and the Pride Sports League...


Quad Cities June 2022 Pride event moves to Rock Island
Quad Cities Pridefest is moving to Rock Island, plus more Pride updates in Cedar Rapids, Chicago, Dubuque and Iowa City.


Krampus, the scary side of winter holidays, makes another comeback this year
More than 60 new events on the TRM Calendars include Krampus celebrations of all kinds, holiday drag, vegan and vegetarian events and more.


Iowa City Pride, Chicago Pride Fest, Metro East Pride kick off new Pride wave under COVID’s shadow
Iowa City Pride, Chicago Pride Fest and Metro East Pride are happening this weekend. Decorah Pride is coming Oct. 8-9, then Pride Orange City Oct. 15-17. The Fox Valley area holds a Pride Halloween party Oct. 23. And southeastern Illinois joins its neighbors for the 19th Annual Pride Prom Oct. 30.



Black Alphabet Film Festival showcases Black LGBTQ+ Filmmakers with Chicago event, virtual option
For nine years, the Black Alphabet Film Festival has provided opportunities for Black LGBTQ+ and same-gender-loving (SGL) filmmakers to help share the experiences of their community. You can partake of this year’s event Saturday and Sunday either virtually, or in-person in Chicago.



Ranked choice voting interest grows nationwide and in Illinois, Iowa
Evanston, Berwyn, Cedar Rapids and the Iowa Green Party are among the Illinois and Iowa entities exploring ranked choice voting.



This year’s 4/20 events feature balance of leisure, arts and policy
Organized 4/20 holiday activities in Illinois and Iowa range from the leisurely, to food-filled markets, to arts events and policy-focused events.



Pride Season in Illinois and Iowa kicks off with April 21 Davenport event
Keep up with the latest news on Pride events throughout Illinois and Iowa, starting with these 22+ events.



Registration time for Lambda Softball Association and other LGBTQ sports leagues in Iowa and Illinois
Four Iowa and Illinois LGBTQ+ sports leagues are gearing up to have their first full summer seasons since the pandemic – and they’re already working hard to make the most of it. The Lambda Softball Association (LSA) serving eastern Iowa, and the Pride Sports League...