We’re Everywhere
Chicago is well known for its two vibrant LGBTQ neighborhoods, Boystown and Andersonville, but increasingly LGBTQ people are letting it be known that they live in, and are constructive players in, all parts of the city. And these days flying the rainbow flag doesn't stop at the big bad city's borders. Fairly quietly, LGBTQ organizations have sprouted in suburbs all around the city.
This survey is by no means meant to be definitive, but it does show just how much LGBTQ pride and influence have spread throughout the Chicago region - even out there in traditionally very conservative suburbs. Some groups are way bigger and more influential than others, with organized events, community outreach and well-planned meetings. But all the groups listed here reflect an urge for community.
Certainly one extraordinarily valuable resource for anybody in the 'burbs or considering moving there is Fran Bailey's newsletter Out in the Suburbs: http://www.outinthesuburbs.com/ It's is a wealth of invaluable info.
Northern Suburbs:
Deerfield
The North Suburban Gay Parents & Kids Meetup Group has 78 parents and kids. Founded in December 2006, one of its major goals is to make sure that kids get it that their families are "normal too." For info: http://gaycouples.meetup.com/228/
Elk Grove Village
With 52 LGBT members and friends this group is the place in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago to network, get support, and discuss spirituality issues. "Anyone who's been burned by mainstream religion or is seeking answers to life's most puzzling spiritual questions will love this group!" Its next meeting is set for Sept. 26. For more: http://lgbtfriends.meetup.com/152/
Southern Suburbs:
SASS - the Society of Active Women of the South Suburbs - is a lesbian group with almost 300 members. Its purpose is to get "together for fun stuff around the Chicagoland area...The only thing we ask of members hosting an event is to help make newer members feel at ease when attending their function. BBQ's, game nights, group hikes, bon fires, movie nights, weekend getaways, haunted houses, dances, singles events, fishing, sporting events, picnics and golfing are some - but not all - of the events we participate in." For info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sasschicago/
Tinley Park
The Chicago South Suburbs LGBT Couples Meetup Group is headquartered in Tinley Park. Founded in July 2007, it claims 50 gay couples as members. Its website asks a question common to lots of LGBTQ people living in the 'burbs: "Are you in a LGBT long-term relationship? Do you feel disconnected from the LGBT community which mainly focuses on areas on the Northside of Chicago? We are looking for other LGBT couples including families to come together to meet other LGBT couples and families in the South Suburbs of Chicago to share experiences and make new friends in our area."
Western Suburbs:
The West Suburban Gay Association (WSGA) is an all volunteer-based, non-profit organization of about 300 people providing a safe and friendly environment through its social, recreational and educational events. Its next event is this Sunday at 12:30 p.m., a day in Wilder Park in Elmhurst. For info on the event and the group: http://www.wsga.com/
Women Of the Western Suburbs (WOWS) hosts monthly potlucks/meetings for lesbians in the west Chicago suburbs. They don't seem to have a website, so for info call 847-622-4327 or write them at PO Box 6093, Bloomingdale, IL 60108.
Oak Park
This just-across-the-border town west of Chicago has a long-standing tradition of tolerance and acceptance, which is reflected in the history and strength of the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association. Begun way back in 1989, OPALGA grown to become one of the largest community-based, multi-purpose lesbian and gay membership organizations in Illinois, basting over 400 contributing members. Its mission is "to improve the quality of life and empower gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered residents of the area through communications, education, participation, celebration and understanding, thereby incorporating our unique strengths and values into every day life."
OPALGA provides direct services for youth that includes a weekly-drop-in center, and HIV education and prevention. It�s new website is currently under construction, but a good bit of info can be gleaned from the old one: http://opalga.org/oldsite/index.html You can also e-mail [email protected] or phone 708-848-7544 for more info.
Chicagoland Gay and Lesbian Singles in Oak Park was founded in May this year and already has 214 members. Co-sponsored by OPALGA, this group bills itself as �a social group for gay and lesbian singles of all ages from all over Greater Chicago.� Its October 6 meeting is set for The Velvet Rope 728 W. Lake St. in Oak Park, 708-358-8840. To learn more: http://gaypros.meetup.com/321/
Naperville
The Stonewall Association of Illinois is an umbrella organization that hosts a variety of groups, including a self-help support group, a social group, a discussion group, a young adult group and a coming-out-of-marriage group. For detailed information: phone 630-585-3827 or http://www.stonewallassociation.com/
Joliet
In Joliet, you should know about the Community Alliance & Action Network. Begun in 2005 by six people sitting around a dining room table, It now offers programs, support and outreach services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning community from its community center at 68 N. Chicago St. in downtown Joliet. To learn more: 815-726-7906 or http://caanmidwest.org/home.html
West Chicago
The West Chicago Gay Couples Meetup Group is about to be a year old and has 38 gay couples as members. Its basic aim is to provide gay and lesbian couples with a comfortable, safe place to socialize. http://gaycouples.meetup.com/279/
Kane County
GLBTQ Friends ?" Central Kane County: What is most intriguing about this group is that it's not really a group, It's a web resource that says of itself: "You are the chairman of the Board. This group has no officers, no charter, no bylaws, no structure. Technically, there is no organization. Anybody can come in and sign up on the website, but the website is simply a communication tool. Some who attend the functions planned are not website users, and some who use the website will never attend an event. YOU may post an event, organize an event and report on your event. You can ask for help, you can do it on your own. You can pick a date, you can take the emails, you can ask the moderators to help gather RSVPs or do it yourself. You can come to all the events, one event, no events, any events you want. No dues, No membership card." For more on GLBTQ Friends Central Kane County:
http://gaykane.wetpaint.com/?t=anon
Or call 630-338-6134.
St. Charles
In St. Charles, the town that is in both DuPage and Kane Counties, the other group to know about is the trans group, The St. Charles TG Meetup. It's small, only nine members so far, but it serves the valuable purpose of providing a safe place to meet other local transgendered people and to discuss gender identity, provide educational and emotional support, and have a good time in an accepting environment. Next meeting is Sept. 18. For info: http://transgender.meetup.com/186/
PFLAG
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians And Gays has chapters in several Chicago suburbs:
Aurora/Fox Valley - Ph: 630.738.1962
DuPage - Ph: 630-375-7756
Glenview - Ph: 773.472.3079
Hinsdale - Ph: 630.415.0622
Oak Park - Ph: 773.472.3079
Palatine - Ph: 847.358.3994, PFLAG-Palatine.Org
Woodstock - Ph: 815.385.9068
If you are a member of an organization we have overlooked, please let us know.