Hey folks, I’m hosting an awesome event Queer Is Community Sunday May 27th that might have familiar intentions to events that I’ve had in the past. I couldn’t be happier to be involved with another event raising awareness about issues the queer community is facing and again raising funds for the amazing The Night Ministry. For more info about the event, read up below.

Queer is Community is an upcoming event at the Center on Halsted. On Sunday, May 27, Queer is Community will bring together performers, activists, students, nonprofits and folks from across Chicago to dialogue about community building in Chicago and the need for building inclusive, affirming spaces in our community. That evening we will create a space for a discussing racism, sexism, transphobia and other pitfalls of our community that divide us, rather than unite us.

We will begin with a small vigil/speak out from 6:00 to 6:45 outside of the Center, followed by a 15-minute period to allow our vigil attendees and general attendees to file into the center. We will request a $5 suggest donation at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. The donations will be split with the Center on Halsted, to cover the cost of the space, and The Crib.

Hosted by Adam Guerino, the moderator of last year’s We Are Halsted event, Queer is Community will begin with an hour of performances, from personalities across the spectrum of the community. These performers will speak to their own experiences with these issues, and they will include Jamie Royce of Stuff Queer People Need to Know, Tony Soto of The Qu, ellie navidson of Genderqueer Chicago and No Boys Allowed, Precious Jewel of Center on Halsted,  Yasmin Nair of Gender JUST, Brian Turner of TaskForce Prevention and Community Services, Huffington Post Chicago contributor Zach Stafford, trans educator Rebecca Kling and community organizer and queer performer Jackie Guerrero.

Afterward, we will break for a 15-minute intermission, and conclude the evening with an hour-long discussion by this diverse panel of community members on including intersecting identities and inspiring change.