OutChicago: Community Organizations & Nonprofit Resources

Guides/General Resources (See also Local Directories.)
Chicago Members of the Same Sex (chi.motss) Listserv A mail list created to discuss motss-related topics pertinent to the Chicagoland area. Chicago Q The gay and lesbian forum on Digital City Chicago. Illinois Queer Resources Directory Community Information Addresses and phone numbers for a variety of community organizations. MCSNet's Special Support Services This broad directory of links and contact information contains numerous queer resources as well as general resources on sexuality. OUT! Resource Guide Outlines' directory of gay and lesbian supportive businesses, professionals, and organizations contains a large listing of community contacts arranged by subject area. QUIC's List of Chicago Community Resources This listing offers information on both Chicago-based organizations and statewide resources. Chicago Members of the Same Sex (chi.motss) Listserv A mail list created to discuss motss-related topics pertinent to the Chicagoland area. Illinois Queer Resources Directory Community Information Addresses and phone numbers for a variety of community organizations. MCSNet's Special Support Services This broad directory of links and contact information contains numerous queer resources as well as general resources on sexuality. OUT! Resource Guide Outlines' directory of gay and lesbian supportive businesses, professionals, and organizations contains a large listing of community contacts arranged by subject area. QUIC's List of Chicago Community Resources This listing offers information on both Chicago-based organizations and statewide resources.
Community Interest/Support Groups
Cafe Pride Café Pride is Chicago's subsidized coffeehouse for queer kids and their friends under 21 years old. It also serves as a safe place for kids who are still figuring out their orientation/style of life. Chi-Chapter Chi-Chapter is the Chicago chapter of Tri-Ess, an educational support and social organization for heterosexual crossdressers and their families. Chicago Metro Area Gay Youth Coalition (C-MAGYC) C-MAGYC is a coalition of the gay and lesbian student organizations of the Chicago Metro Area. Active member organizations are from DePaul, UIC, IIT, Northwestern, Columbia, University of Chicago, Loyola, Lake Forest College, and Elgin Community College. Chicago Gender Society A social and educational nonprofit organization for crossdressers, transsexuals, and their supporters. Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame This site, provided by Laura Rissover, lists the inductees into the Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame, an initiative to draw attention to important people within our community. Gerber/Hart Library Gerber/Hart is the Midwest's largest gay, lesbian, and bisexual circulating library, archives, and resource center. Programs include monthly book discussion groups, a quarterly film series, art exhibits and many other special programs and events. Horizons Community Services Basic contact information for Horizons and its many services. Horizon's official page is coming soon. Men of All Colors Together MACT - Chicago is a gay multicultural organization. New Town Writers The mission of the New Town Writers, Chicago's premier gay literary group, is to foster gay literary expression. Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA) OPALGA was founded in 1989 to promote the interests of lesbians and gay men in the village of Oak Park and in surrounding areas. Out At Work (Or Not) (Out at Work has disbanded, but their website is still active) An organization of primarily gay, lesbian, and bisexual employees of many companies providing resources, contacts, and empowerment for our peers who are out, coming out, or still in the closet at work. Queer Arts Resource (QAR) QAR is a nonprofit on-line forum for the display and discussion of queer content in the visual arts, with galleries, interviews, arts resources, books and much more. The Stonewall Group The only free self-help support group for adult gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered adults located in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Education & Student Organizations
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) - Chicago GLSEN is a national organization that brings together a wide variety of people who actively care about ending homophobia in the schools. GRAPEVINE: Gay Rights Advocates Providing Education Via Illinois NEtworking It is the purpose of this web site to promote equitable treatment of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender/transsexual individuals at Illinois educational institutions. Illinois Institute of Technology Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Student Alliance The queer cyberspace at IIT. Loyola University Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Alliance Here you'll find the Alliance's statement of philosophy, meetings schedule, and upcoming events. John Marshall Law School Gay & Lesbian Legal Alliance (GALLA) GALLA is an organization of law students that explores the legal issues incident to sexual orientation and that seeks to diminish negative stereotyping of homosexual persons by providing a forum for further understanding through open discussion. Northwestern University Bisexual, Gay, and Lesbian Alliance (BGALA) BGALA is Northwestern's undergraduate student organization and here you'll find information on campus and area student events. Northwestern University Gay & Lesbian University Union (GLUU) GLUU is a campus organization for gay, lesbian, and bisexual graduate students, faculty, and staff. Prism Youth Network Prism endeavors to help youth with their issues about sexual orientation or gender identification. Support is provided through a drop-in center, an information line, community education, advocacy for inclusive youth services, and a hotline. Student Pride Chicago The purpose of Student Pride Chicago is to organize the Chicago's LBGT high school students and their respective school clubs. With the guidance of a few college-age student mentors and each other, the group can further the strength, respectability, and visibility of their high school clubs. University of Chicago Bisexual Union For people interested in working toward an understanding of bisexuality in the lesbian, gay, and straight communities, and toward creating campus bisexual community. University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Offers services and programs which support the needs of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students, faculty, and staff at UIC. University of Illinois at Chicago PRIDE: Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals Advocating Diversity PRIDE is a lesbian, gay, and bisexual student organization which provides social, educational, advocacy, and supportive services as well as events for the UIC community University of Illinois at Chicago QUIC: The Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Homepage This is an index of LesBiGay resources available at UIC and beyond.
Health (includes AIDS/HIV) (See also Businesses for Health-related commercial services.)
AIDS Book Review Journal An electronic journal reviewing books, videos, journal titles, and other materials covering AIDS, safer sex, and sexually transmitted diseases, published irregularly by the University of Illinois at Chicago Library. Coalition for Positive Sexuality: Sex Ed for Your Head This grassroots, direct-action volunteer group provides teens with information about safe sex and sexuality through their frank, no-nonsense publication, Just Say Yes. Health Care Information Resources -- Gay & Lesbian Health Links Gay and Lesbian Health Links offers a wide range of gay-related health information resources. HIV Coalition (HIVCO) The HIV Coalition's principal activities include a food program serving clients in four counties, sponsorship of HIV community education programs, and networking initiatives. Howard Brown Health Center An innovative health and human service organization focusing on the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. Jewish AIDS Network - Chicago Providing services and referrals for Jewish people with HIV/AIDS, their families, and loved ones. MATEC (Midwest AIDS Training & Education Center) . . . training Health Care providers about HIV and AIDS. Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) is the Midwest's largest non-profit support and information network for those affected by HIV. TPAN's mission is to provide education and emotional support for people affected by all states of HIV infection.
Political Organizations/Legal Resources
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois The ACLU of Illinois' page contains information on their Gay & Lesbian Rights Project as well at the AIDS & Civil Liberties Project. Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Lambda is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Lesbian Avengers The Lesbian Avengers is a direct action group focused on issues vital to lesbian survival and visibility.
Recreation/Social Clubs
Bear Naked Chicago A gay, social, sexual, nudist group for bears and their admirers. Chi-Town Squares Chicago's Gay & Lesbian square dance club. Chicago Couples A social club for gay couples. Chicago Gay Men's Chorus (CGMC) Now over 100 strong, CGMC performs three major concerts a year and supports a wide range of hospices, organizations, and services for the HIV-positive and AIDS community. Fox Valley Gay Association (FVGA) FVGA is a social organization for residents of the western suburbs of Chicago. Generation Q Generation Q is a social/discussion group for Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, etc., ages 18-30. Great Lakes Bears Chicago A nonprofit social organization that promotes social activities and brotherhood among those who are hirsute and those who admire those who are hirsute. Lakeside Pride Freedom Band The LAKESIDE PRIDE FREEDOM BAND is a lesbian and gay musical organization committed to the education of the public at large about the positive htmlects of the metropolitan Chicago lesbian and gay community through public musical performances, workshops and non-musical events. Open Road Riders of Chicagoland Chicago area G/L (inclusive) motorcycle touring association. Established in our community in 1982 to promote safe riding and friendship among riders. A friendly group to go riding with and not get lost in the crowd. ORROC welcomes all on rides. West Suburban Gay Association A social organization for northwest Cook and DuPage counties.
Religious/Spiritual
Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons - Chapter At Large The Chapter At Large of Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons is for Affirmation members who are not affiliated with the various groups and chapters in the United States. Chapters outside the United States are included in the Chapter At Large as well. Broadway United Methodist Church Broadway United Methodist Church - 3344 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL - A reconciling congregation; Broadway is a community of faith and social action that welcomes everyone regardless of race, means or sexual orientation. Congregation Or Chadash - Chicago UAHC Serving Lesbian and Gay Jews, their families, friends, and loved ones. Membership is open to everyone. Dignity/Chicago Dignity/Chicago is a Roman Catholic, gender-inclusive community celebrating the holiness of all sexual orientations and committed relationships. Good Shepherd Parish MCC Good Shepherd Parish MCC Metropolitan Community Church) is a Christian Church of the LesBiGay communities, open to all. Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church is a More Light Church, which means that all Christians are welcomed to full participation and membership regardless of sex, age, race, ethnic background, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or worldly condition.
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