On Wednesday, June 11th at 1 pm, 快播视频 General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa will be joined by Park District Board Commissioners, elected officials, sister agency representatives, and members and allies of the LBGTQIA+ community to raise the District鈥檚 commemorative Progress Pride flag at the 快播视频鈥檚 headquarters at 4830 S. Western Avenue. During the ceremony, CEO Ramirez-Rosa will laud the District鈥檚 efforts to celebrate the LBGTQIA+ community and its ongoing work toward greater inclusion and representation in Chicago parks. The District has also raised the Progress Pride flag at region offices across the city.
鈥淲e are excited and proud to celebrate Pride Month in our parks and raise the commemorative Progress Pride flag at our headquarters and region offices across the city,鈥 said 快播视频 General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. 鈥淥ur parks are spaces of refuge and belonging for everyone and I am extremely proud of the work we鈥檝e done and are continuing to do to uplift the LBGTQIA+ community.鈥
The flag raising ceremony will follow the Park District鈥檚 monthly board meeting during which the Board will vote on opening the comment period for amendments to the District鈥檚 Code to align with Gender Diversity Policy adopted last June. The policy supports an environment in which patrons and employees are able to identify and express their gender and have safe and welcoming experiences at the Park District. Protections outlined in the policy address the needs and concerns of transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming park patrons and employees, including the right to privacy, use of correct names and pronouns, restroom and locker room accessibility, and accommodations that support participation in park sporting events and overnight trips.
Last year, the Park District updated its program registration system to include 鈥渘on-binary鈥 as a gender option in addition to allowing patrons to add their pronouns to their Park District online account. This addition to the registration process enhances inclusivity and patron experience.
This month, the Park District is partnering with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations to host a series of three community meetings as part of the City of Chicago鈥檚 effort to address transfemicide and strengthen protections for trans Chicagoans. Chicago鈥檚 transgender women are experiencing violence at a disproportionate rate. To combat these crimes, Mayor Johnson signed an Executive Order 24-2 and the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance, establishing the Transfemicide Working Group to develop strategies to address violence against transgender women. The community meetings hosted in parks, offer members of the transgender community an opportunity to discuss their experiences and safety concerns in an open and safe space. The working group, made up of interdepartmental representatives across the city, will review and recommend city policies, procedures, trainings and directives to change outcomes for members of transgender and gender diverse communities.
The community meetings on addressing transfemicide will be held as follows:
Tuesday, June 10th, 6:30 - 8:30pm at Amundsen Park, 6200 W. Bloomingdale Avenue
Saturday, July 10th, 6:30 鈥 8:30pm at Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island Avenue
Wednesday, July 30th, 6:30 鈥 8:30pm at Broadway Amory Park, 5917 N. Broadway Avenue
To learn more about Mayor Johnson鈥檚 executive order visit the City鈥檚 .
Committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work and recreational spaces, the 快播视频 created "Flourish | LGBTQIA+," the District鈥檚 newest Employee Resource Group to raise awareness, cultivate connection, and foster belonging for LGBTQIA+ employees. This month, the group is hosting informational sessions on Allyship and Mental Health in collaboration with the Park District Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services. Additionally, they will be organizing a Pride Parade Day meet-up and launching a series of networking events for employees this fall.
Beginning this month and throughout the summer, the Park District鈥檚 Night Out in the Parks series will offer outdoor performances and other events celebrating the LBGTQIA+ community.
The Amazing Adventures of 2NBs!
The Amazing Adventures of 2NBs! presents the fantastic adventures (and misadventures) of two ordinary, everyday non-binary bees in a fun, comedic 25-minute show incorporating clown, acro, juggling, contortion, dance and original music in English and Spanish. The show centers themes of self-expression, curiosity, confidence, acceptance and queer joy, inspiring audience members of all ages to BEE themselves.
Saturday, June 14th, 1pm at Lake Shore Park, 808 N. Lake Shore Drive
Friday, June 27th, 3pm at Donovan Playground Park, 3620 S. Lituanica Avenue
Friday, August 15th, 6pm at Julia de Burgos Park, 1805 N. Albany Avenue
Life OUT Loud: Voices of Pride
Three friends journey through a gallery filled with stories from LGBTQ folks from the past and present. Together we'll look back to move forward, gathering inspiration to inform our current choices, and build confidence in our voices.
Saturday, June 14th, 2pm at Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland Avenue
Thursday, August 7th, 5:30pm at Nichols Park,
Friday, August 15th, 6pm at Vittum Park
Yes Ma'am Circus: Story Time
Discover the magic of Story Time, a lively, family-friendly circus cabaret bringing myths and legends from around the world to life! Through dazzling aerials, acrobatics, and captivating performances, Yes Ma'am Circus celebrates global storytelling in an open-air setting. Bring a blanket, sit under the sky, and enjoy a free, interactive show perfect for all ages. .
Thursday, July 3rd, 5pm at Skinner Park, 1331 W. Adams Street
Tuesday, July 15th, 5pm at Dooley Playground Park, 3402 W. 77th Street
Friday, July 18th, 5pm at Oz Park, 2021 N. Burling Street
Transilience: (a Trans Pride Festival)
Chicago's first ever Trans Pride Festival! This joyous celebration for trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people of all ages and backgrounds on the North, South, and West side of the city and better yet, it's free for everyone to attend. Come out to witness art that pushes beyond any binary you could imagine including dance, drag, live musical performance, circus, puppeteering, stand-up comedy, live painting, flow arts, and experimental performance art.
Thursday, July 10th, 6pm at Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard
Friday, July 11th, 5pm at Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd Street
Saturday, July 12th, 4:30pm at Gill Park, 825 W. Sheridan Road
Rebirth Garments: Queer Radical Fair
Rebirth Garments and the Chicago Public Library debut youth and teen fashion collections from the Radical Fit and Rebirth Warriors fashion incubator programs! An annual celebration of Chicago Public Library's YOUmedia program Radical Fit program, a fashion initiative that empowers teens to create personal expressions of style while exploring gender identity and equity. ASL interpretation, CART and Audio Description for the performances. Wheelchair accessible porta-potties. Livestreamed on .
Thursday, July 31st, 4:30pm at Ping Tom Memorial Park, 1700 S. Wentworth Avenue.
For more information on these Night Out in the Parks events, visit .
Sunday, June 29th, the 快播视频 will join the city to march in the 54th Annual Chicago Pride parade celebrating this year鈥檚 them 鈥淯nited in Pride鈥 For more information on the parade, visit .