BIG FREEDIA BOUNCES TO THE BIG TIME WINDY CITY THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 PAGE 18 NOV. 20, 2013 VOL 29, NO. 8 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.comTIMES Youth-rights advocate reflects on decade’s work BY MATTHEW C. CLARK Windy City Times: What has been the impact the GSA network doubling in Illinois? Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (ISSA) Executive Director Shannon Sullivan: GSAs are basically the indicator of Shannon Sullivan will be leaving the non-profit advoca- how safe LGBTQ and allied youth feel or don’t feel in cy group at the end of the month. The alliance was es- schools—that, and being able to identify a supportive transitioning tablished in 2007 with the same mission it has today— adult. So we know the power of GSAs in schools. Even “to promote safety, support and healthy development if you’d never attend a meeting, just knowing that re- ARIANA dahms for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning source is there shifts the way young people perceive IS ‘HAPPY WITH (LGBTQ) youth, in Illinois schools and communities, their school environment. Thinking about the doubling MY LIFE’ through advocacy, education, youth organizing and re- of the GSA network between 2007 and today makes me search,” according to its website feel like there’s a lot more promise for young people page 9 A reception was held Nov. 17 honoring Sullivan’s ca- entering school and their perceptions of how safe or reer with the alliance, and announcing the Shannon respected they may or may not be. One of the huge Sullivan GSA Scholarship Fund in honor of her vision, impacts that the Alliance has had is expanding that GSA commitment and leadership. network outside of the Chicago area. Sullivan began her career 10 years ago with The Coali- We started intentionally working in Peoria in 2006- tion for Education on Sexual Orientation (CESO), and 2007. There was not a single gay-straight alliance in or the Chicago chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Edu- around Peoria at that time. There are eight now. I think cation Network (GLSEN), before the two organizations that’s the power of the work right there. came together to form the Alliance. WCT: At a glance, the Alliance is so involved. You In 2007, Sullivan estimated that there were about 80 have Night of Noise, legal aid and youth leadership gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in Illinois schools. She summits. You work with the Legacy Project, About said today there are 163. Face Youth Theater and the list goes on. Are there Sullivan spoke with Windy City Times about her career any standouts for you? in safety and education for LGBTQ young people, and Shannon Sullivan. Photo from Illinois Safe Schools Turn to page 10 her work with ISSA. Alliance AFFAIRS TO REMEMBER trans triathLete CHRIS MOSIER maKES STRIDES pagE 21 page 6 page 23 CLEVELAND shows OFFERINGS AS IT PREPARES FOR GAY GAMES 9 Photo by Kat Fitzgerald (www.MysticImagesPhotography.com) pagE 20 Photo by Hal Baim The recent passage of the marriage-equality bill in the state’s General Assembly gave two big annual events—the Hall of Fame reception and the Human Rights Cam- paign (HRC) Chicago’s gala—even more meaning than usual this year. See photos from the Hall of Fame event on page 6, and images from the HRC gala on page 23. 2 Nov. 20, 2013 WINDY CITY TIMES “Avenue Q © and TM Mingus Park Productions, Inc., Only For Now, Inc. and Fantasies Come True, Inc.” UNBC0303 08/13 15503_wilgil_AveQ_wind_city_times.indd 1 8/27/13 3:08 PM WINDY CITY TIMES this week in Nov. 20, 2013 NEWS WINDY CITY TIMES ‘Chat Daddy’ fundraiser; column Hawaii passes marriage bill; Brewster Photos from Hall of Fame reception 4 ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Marriage-equality news in Illinois Scottish Play Scott Dahms makes transition 5 Knight: Animals 6 Youth-rights advocate looks back 6 Pop Making Sense 3 Trans in the Life Big Freedia; Reza of ‘Shahs’ 13 VIEWS: Monroe; letter 9 Books: Barrie Jean Borich 16 10 Travel: Cleveland 17 11 Trans triathlete Chris Mosier 18 Photos on cover (left, from top): Photo of 12 Dish: Kanela, LYFE, Rockit 19 Big Freedia by Kareem Black; photo of Ariana Billy Masters 20 Dahms by Ross Forman; photo of Chris Mosier 21 from Mosier; photo of Cleveland’s Marriott 22 OUTLINES 25 Renaissance Hotel (site of Gay Games 9 Classifieds registration) by Andrew Davis Calendar Q 22 BIG FREEDIA 24 BOUNCES TO THE BIG TIME WINDY CITY THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 PAGE 18 NOV. 20, 2013 VOL 29, NO. 8 www.WTIMESindyCityMediaGroup.com Youth-rights advocate reflects on decade’s work BY MATTHEW C. CLARK Windy City Times: What has been the impact the GSA network doubling in Illinois? Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (ISSA) Executive Director Shannon Sullivan: GSAs are basically the indicator of Shannon Sullivan will be leaving the non-profit advoca- how safe LGBTQ and allied youth feel or don’t feel in cy group at the end of the month. The alliance was es- schools—that, and being able to identify a supportive tablished in 2007 with the same mission it has today— adult. So we know the power of GSAs in schools. Even TRANSITIONING “to promote safety, support and healthy development if you’d never attend a meeting, just knowing that re- ARIANA DAHMS for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning source is there shifts the way young people perceive IS ‘HAPPY WITH (LGBTQ) youth, in Illinois schools and communities, their school environment. Thinking about the doubling MY LIFE’ through advocacy, education, youth organizing and re- of the GSA network between 2007 and today makes me search,” according to its website feel like there’s a lot more promise for young people PAGE 9 A reception was held Nov. 17 honoring Sullivan’s ca- entering school and their perceptions of how safe or reer with the alliance, and announcing the Shannon respected they may or may not be. DOWNLOADOne of the huge THIS! Sullivan GSA Scholarship Fund in honor of her vision, impacts that the Alliance has had is expanding that GSA commitment and leadership. network outside of the Chicago area. Sullivan began her career 10 years ago with The Coali- We started intentionally working in Peoria in 2006- tion for Education on Sexual Orientation (CESO), and 2007. There was not a single gay-straight alliance in or the Chicago chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Edu- around Peoria at that time. There are eight now. I think cation Network (GLSEN), before the two organizations that’s the power of the work right there. came together to form the Alliance. WCT: At a glance, the Alliance is so involved. You In 2007, Sullivan estimated that there were about 80 have Night of Noise, legal aid and youth leadership gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in Illinois schools. She summits. You work with the Legacy Project, About said today there are 163. Face Youth Theater and the list goes on. Are there Sullivan spoke with Windy City Times about her career any standouts for you? in safety and education for LGBTQ young people, and Shannon Sullivan. Photo from Illinois Safe Schools Turn to page 10 her work with ISSA. Alliance AFFAIRS TO REMEMBER Go to www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com TRANS TRIATHLETE CHRIS MOSIER MAKES STRIDES PAGE 21 page 6 to download complete issues of Windy City Times and Nightspots. page 23 CLEVELAND SHOWS OFFERINGS AS IT PREPARES FOR GAY GAMES 9 PAGE 20 The recent passage of the marriage-equality bill in the state’s General Assembly gave two big annual events—the Hall of Fame reception and the Human Rights Cam- paign (HRC) Chicago’s gala—even more meaning than usual this year. See photos from the Hall of Fame event on page 6, and images from the HRC gala on page 23. Then click on any ad and be taken directly to the advertiser’s Web site! online exclusives at www.WindyCityMediaGroup CAPITAL IDEA .com The group Capital Cities (left) talked with WCT about the song “Farrah Fawcett Hair” and covering Madonna’s “Holiday.” Photo by Jerry Nunn BENEFITING REEL LOVE Reeling: The LGBT International Film Festival held closing ceremonies last Tony Velez and Frank Ochoa run week. John Legend and the local Puerto Tamar Braxton Rican gay bar E.M. brought their show Lounge. Photo from Robert to the Chicago LEGAL EA Castillo Theatre. This month’s “AskGLES Lambda Legal” is Photo by Jerry Nunn about asylum and sexual orientation. SCHOOL DAZE THAT’S ENTER Find out the latest aboutTAINMEN Hugh Jackman,T Andy Cohen and Jillian Michaels. FRIDAY, DECEMBER PM UNION STATION GREAT HALL plus PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE MAGNIFICENT WORLD OF CHOCOLATE AT DAILY BREAKING NEWS Christine Irvine (left in the above photo) has launched a Change.org petition AIDSCHICAGO.ORGCHOCOLATE asking Loyola University to stop its ban regarding same-sex ceremonies on campus. Photo from Irvine night SPONSORS nightspots spots #1106 • Nov. 13, 2013 Jim Bennett of Lambda Legal and the Illinois SEXY/SC HALLOWEEN:ARY House P PLUS Our 2011 Holiday PAR Moose’s musicGift gifts (and Guide gaffes). assing SB10 T TWO Peter Pointers’ “12 Ways To Bliss-maspage 10 .“ page 25 Pubert’s Favorite Things. pages 28-29 American AirlinesSUPPORTING | Bell Litho Printing SPONSORS | Blommer Chocolate Company Find Nightspots on Food for Thought Catering | Kehoe Designs | Lady Gregory’s Irish Bar & Restaurant | Orbitz Public Communications Inc. | Wilde Bar & Restaurant www.WindyCityQueercast.comShow #547 BestGayChicago.comMEDIA | Chicago PARTNERS Magazine | ChicagoPride.com GRAB Magazine | Windy City Media Group 4 Nov.