& associates
about q & a
upcoming events
meet the board
your q & a
resources
mailing lists
discussion board
Resources
Office Hours
All office hours take place in RC 008, in the basement of the Reynolds Club.
Q&A board (fall '04):
MONDAY: 12:30-2:00 (Jose)
WEDNESDAY: 10:00-12:00 (John)
1:15-3:00 (Angela)
THURSDAY: 3:00-4:00 (Angela)Open Source
11:30am-1:30pm and 3:00pm-4:30pm every weekday.
A new informal walk-in chat service that will begin the first day of Autumn Quarter, September 29, 2003. Throughout the school year you'll find an LGBTQ or "straight but not narrow" staff or faculty member available to answer your questions, offer advice and listen to your concerns. Visits are confidential and informal. Questioning students and straight allies are especially welcome. For more information, email opensource@listhost.uchicago.edu.
Resources
- Emergency
- Crisislines and Hotlines
- University Services
- GLBTQ Campus Organizations
- Other GLBTQ Resources on Campus
- Electronic Listserves (Mailing Lists)
- Health Resources On Campus and AIDS Testing Information
- Health Resources Off-Campus
- GLBTQ Chicago
- Business Guides
- Web Resources
Police
In case of a medical emergency or threatening situation, call 123 (on campus) or 702-8181 (off campus) to reach the campus police.
Sexual Harassment Complaint Advisers
http://www.uchicago.edu/docs/sexharass.html (phone listing and description)
The sexual harassment complaint advisers primarily provide support for victims of sexual harassment within the University, and may be able to help in cases of anti-gay harassment or personal abuse.
Horizons Community Services Helpline: between 6pm and 10pm, 7
days per week
929-HELP (929-4357)
Anti-Violence Crisis Hotline, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
871-CARE (871-2273)
961 W. Montana (North Side), 3739 S. Indiana (South Side)
http://www.horizonsonline.org/ (online resources and chat room)
Horizons is the midwest’s largest GLBTQ social service agency, providing crisis intervention, support groups, education, STD and AIDS resources, and legal services. The Helpline provides free information, referrals, and someone to talk with. The Anti-Violence Crisis Hotline assists in cases of hate-related violence or GLBTQ sexual assault.
Student Counseling and Resource Service
702-9800 (daytime), 702-3625 (emergencies 24 hours per day, 7 days per
week)
http://counseling.uchicago.edu/ (extensive online library)
Student Counseling and Resource Service provides free counseling, crisis intervention, and other resources in support of student mental health. Gay, lesbian, bisexual support groups are offered; contact Nancy Stone for more information.
Student Emergency Assistance Line
834-HELP (834-4357) (24 hours per day, 7 days per week)
During emergencies, the dean-on-call interprets University policy and coordinates administrative response, and can assist students in situations of assault, harassment, or abuse. The Student Emergency Assistance Line allows University members to page the dean-on-call at any time of day or night.
Career and Placement Services
· College advisers
· The Dean of Student Services
· deans and deans of students in the College, divisions, and professional schools
· the Office of the Dean of Students in the University
· the Office of Student Housing
· Organization of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities
· resident heads and resident masters
· the Student Ombudsman
Check the University directory for the listings. See the Student Manual of University Policies and Regulations for the University policies governing free speech, harassment and discrimination. http://www.uchicago.edu/docs/studentmanual/
The University prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and other factors irrelevant to participation. Faculty members and administrators in these offices support a myriad of University academic and student-life operations. Many have a positive track record for providing special support and assistance to GLBTQ individuals, on occasion. Contact Q & A for advice about the University offices and liaisons that are likely to be helpful.
Student Care Center
5841 S. Maryland, 702-4156 (daytime appointments), 702-1915 (daytime nurse)
702-6840 (after hours medical assistance)
All students receive limited health coverage supported by the Student Health Fee. The Student Care Center provides confidential (not anonymous—see Health Resources On Campus for an explanation) HIV/AIDS testing and other STD-related services, condoms and contraceptives, over-the-counter medicines, health information, and special services for women.
College Adviser Kathy Forde and LEGFASO (Lesbian and Gay Faculty and Staff Organization)
702-0569 (office and answering machine)
The Lesbian and Gay Faculty and Staff Organization hosts an annual welcome and welcome back reception for GLBTQ students, faculty, and staff—usually during the second week of fall quarter. This year, the reception is on Thursday, October 5, 2000 in the Divinity School Common Room from 4 pm to 6 pm. Contact Kathy Forde for more information about this event, and to learn about getting involved in the organization. As a College adviser, Forde can also help students to deal with gender/sexuality concerns, navigate the University bureaucracy, and stay afloat on the tortuous waters of College academics.
Student Counseling and Resource Service
702-9800 (daytime), 702-3625 (emergencies 24 hours per day, 7 days per
week)
http://counseling.uchicago.edu/ (extensive online library)
Student Counseling and Resource Service provides free counseling, crisis intervention, and other resources in support of student mental health. Gay, lesbian, bisexual support groups are offered; contact Nancy Stone for more information.
Sexual Harassment Complaint Advisers
http://www.uchicago.edu/docs/sexharass.html (phone listing and description)
The sexual harassment complaint advisers primarily provide support for victims of sexual harassment within the University, and may be able to help in cases of anti-gay harassment or personal abuse.
GLBTQ
Organizations On Campus
(descriptions excerpted from A Woman’s Guide to the University of
Chicago)
Queers and Associates (Q & A)
http://qa.uchicago.edu/ (information on meetings, events, and campus e-mail lists)
Q&A is probably the largest, most active queer organization on campus. It consists of both graduate and undergraduate students. It provides information, as well as social and political opportunities to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students. Q&A also provides a nurturing environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students. As one Q&A member says, “It’s nice to know there are other people like you around.”
Coalition for a Queer Safe Campus
A group campaigning on behalf of the queer community on the U of C campus. Current campaign: gender-neutral bathrooms.
A branch of Q&A for graduate and professional students.
Divinity School Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Union
This group provides support and social opportunities for graduate students in the Divinity School. It also strives to bring issues to the larger Divinity School community. Meeting times and locations vary, so call the Dean’s Office at 702-8217 for the name and number of the current contact person.
Outlaw (Gay and Lesbian Law Students Association)
This organization provides social opportunities and support for gay, lesbian, and bisexual students of the Law School. Meeting time and location vary, so call the Dean’s Office at 702-3164 for the name and number of the current contact person.
Les-Bi-Gay SSA
Les-Bi-Gay is a supportive community of students in the School of Social Service Administration that works to combat the negative impact of homophobia and heterosexism in field placements. It works with the larger SSA community to develop greater responsiveness to the concerns of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Les-Bi-Gay meets monthly in members’ homes. Members are notified by phone or mail of meeting times. Call the Dean’s Office at 702-1126 for the name and number of the current contact person.
Pritzker Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual People in Medicine
This group works to increase the hospital community’s awareness of les-bi-gay issues. It strives to provide better care for les-bi-gay patients, and to provide a safe, supportive, and sociable atmosphere for lesbian, gay, and bisexual physicians, residents, medical students, biosciences graduate students, and other hospital staff. Meeting times and locations vary, so call the Dean’s Office at 702-1939 for the name and number of the current contact person. See their website!
Gays and Lesbians In Business (GLIB)
http://gsbweb.uchicago.edu/student/glib/
GLIB provides a supportive environment for business students regardless of their sexual or gender identity. It provides social and educational opportunities for students, alumni, staff, and faculty, and serves as a liaison to the larger GSB community.
Lesbian and Gay Faculty and Staff Organization (LEGFASO)
Kathy Forde, 702-0569 (office and answering machine), kaf1@midway.uchicago.edu
The Lesbian and Gay Faculty and Staff Organization was instrumental in developing the University’s domestic partnership policy. LEGFASO hosts an annual welcome and welcome back reception for GLBTQ students, faculty, and staff—usually during the second week of fall quarter. This year, the reception is on Thursday, October 5, 2000 in the Divinity School Common Room from 4 pm to 6 pm. Contact Kathy Forde for more information, or to be placed on the LEGFASO mailing list.
Other
GLBTQ Resources On Campus
A Comprehensive Queer Studies Subject Guide to Sources
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/LibInfo/SourcesBySubject/GayLesb/
Over 2800 local citations and other academic resources from the University of Chicago Library.
The Lesbian and Gay Studies Project
834-4509, http://humanities.uchicago.edu/cgs/lgsp.html
The LGSP is part of the University’s Center for Gender Studies. It coordinates graduate and undergraduate courses, provides research grants and fellowships, sponsors the biweekly Lesbian, Gay and Queer Studies Workshop, and organizes research projects and conferences.
Electronic
“Listservs”
See the Q&A listserv page.
Student Care Center
5841 S. Maryland
702-4156 (daytime appointments), 702-1915 (daytime nurse), 702-6840 (after hours medical assistance)
All students receive limited health coverage supported by the Student Health Fee. The Student Care Center provides STD-related services, condoms and contraceptives, over-the-counter medicines, health information, and special services for women.
Womancare and the Student Care Center have queer-friendly doctors in residence. Since their staff is always changing, it's a good idea to ask around for recommendations. See the Women's Guide to the University of Chicago for some guidelines on finding an appropriate health care service provider.
Students seeking HIV testing should be aware of the difference between anonymous and confidential testing. The difference is explained in the CDC NAC, Guide to Information and Resources on HIV Testing, 1997:
Confidential Testing: The confidential testing site records the person's name with the test result. Records are kept secret from everyone except medical personnel or, in some states, the state health department. Individuals should ask who will know the results and how the record will be stored. If the HIV-antibody test is done confidentially, a release form can be signed to have the test results sent to the individual's physician. However at some centers, such as doctor offices or clinics, information about the test result may become part of the individual's medical record and may be seen by health care workers, insurers, or employers. The individual's status may become known to his/her insurance company if he/she makes a claim for health insurance benefits or applies for life insurance or disability insurance. If any health care provider proposes to test someone for HIV antibodies, the reasons and the potential benefits should be discussed before deciding whether or not to take the test.
Anonymous Testing: No name is given. The person getting tested is the only one who can tell anyone else his/her test results.
Health
Resources Off Campus
Many organizations serve the health care needs of the queer community.
Howard Brown Health Center is a comprehensive health care center and resource for queers. All services are provided on a sliding-fee scale; services include primary care, ob-gyn, STD testing and treatment, and counseling. 4025 N. Sheridan, 773 388-1600 or http://www.howardbrown.org .
Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) offers support services, programming, and education to people with HIV and to the broader community. 1258 W. Belmont, 773 404-8726 or http://www.tpan.com .
Lesbian Community Cancer Project is a leading advocate of women's health issues in Chicago, fighting for responsible health care for lesbians and bisexuals and providing information and education for all women. 773 561-4662 or http://www.lccp.org .
Horizons Community Services, founded in 1973, is one of the oldest queer social service agencies. It offers education, outreach, counseling, and advocacy and also keeps track of queer-phobic hate crimes with a hotline. 961 W. Montana (in Lincoln Park, near the Fullerton el), http://www.horizonsonline.org . Administration: 773 472-6469; Helpline 773 929-HELP (4357); Anti-Violence Crisis Hotline 773 871-CARE (2273).
Overview
The city's queer community is so large, diverse, and active that it's impossible to list everything that's going on. Instead of doing that, this guide will point you toward resources which will help you find your own way.
Neighborhoods
Queer Chicagoans make their homes throughout the city, but the queer
business community is concentrated in two clusters on the city's north
side.
East Lakeview (also known as Boys Town, for its large population of gay men) is the largest predominantly queer neighborhood in the city. Most businesses are located along three north-south avenues: Broadway, Halsted (800 W), and Clark, between Diversey (2800 N) and Irving Park (4000 N). Gay bars and clubs line Halsted between Belmont (3200 N) and Irving Park. The neighborhood is very well served by CTA: the Red line (Belmont or Addison stations) and buses 22 Clark, 36 Broadway, 145 Wilson Express, 151 Sheridan, and 173 University-Lake View Express will get you there from the Loop.
Andersonville, about two miles north of East Lakeview on Clark Street, is another queer-friendly neighborhood. Andersonville is more economically and socially diverse than Lakeview and still retains much of its history as a Swedish neighborhood. The neighborhood's main commercial streets are Clark and Broadway, between Argyle (4600 N) on the south and Bryn Mawr (5600 N) on the north. The CTA Red Line runs just east of Broadway, stopping at Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr; buses 22 Clark, 36 Broadway, 146 Marine Express, 147 Outer Drive Express, and 151 Sheridan will also get you there from the Loop.
Free walking maps of these two neighborhoods are available from the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce at glchamber.org/Map.html or by calling them (see Visitor's Center below). Information on public transit is available at 312 836-7000 or yourcta.com. Note that parking in these neighborhoods can be very scarce, especially at night, so try to use alternative transportation when possible.
Bars, clubs, and other businesses serving queer Chicagoans can also be found in Wicker Park-Bucktown (on the near northwest side), Lincoln Park, River North and River West (on the near north side), and Chatham (on the south side).
Newspapers & Publications
Several free newspapers serve the city's queer community. They are widely distributed throughout the north side, downtown, and in Hyde Park. Most are found in the lobbies of the Reynolds Club, the Regenstein, the Seminary Co-op, and Barnes & Noble.
The Windy City Times is the city's largest queer weekly; its sibling publications, Nightlines, Blacklines, and En La Vida, are targeted towards queer nightclubbers, African Americans, and Latino/as, respectively. The Chicago Free Press (not to be confused with the University of Chicago Free Press) is a newer entrant in the market. All of these are published on Wednesdays. Other publications generally limit their distribution to the North Side and downtown; these include Gay Chicago, Gab, and Boi Chicago.
Visitor's Center
The Chamber of Commerce operates a Gay and Lesbian Visitor's Center from 11am-6pm on weekdays and 11am-3pm on weekends. 3713 N. Halsted, 888 452-4262 (888 GL-CHAMBER) or http://www.glchamber.org .
Bookstores
Two independent bookstores consciously cater to the city's queer community. Women & Children First (5233 N. Clark, 773 769-9299, womenandchildrenfirst.com) is the unofficial center of Andersonville's queer community and hosts a fantastic schedule of readings and lectures. Unabridged Books (3251 N. Broadway, 773 883-9119) serves Lakeview in a similar capacity.
The Seminary Co-op Bookstore (5757 S. University, 773 752-4381, semcoop.com) in Hyde Park has the city's largest selection of academic queer-studies books, but for magazines you'll have to go to 57th Street Books (1301 E. 57th, 773 684-1300).
Most chain bookstores in Chicago also have queer studies sections and publications of interest to queers.
Festivals & Events
Some of the more notable queer festivals in Chicago:
Bailiwick Pride Performance Series, a four-month-long festival of queer theatre held every summer at the Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont. Bailiwick Theatre, 773 883-1090. (About Face Theatre also does queer plays the rest of the year.)
Reeling: the Chicago International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is the second oldest film festival of its kind in the world. It's held every November at theaters throughout the city. Chicago Filmmakers, 773 293-1447 or chicagofilmmakers.org
Chicago Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade, one of the world's largest pride parades, is held the last weekend of June in East Lakeview.
The Dyke March is a fun, dyke-centric alternative to the Pride Parade, also held the last weekend of June in Andersonville.
Northalsted Market Days is one of the city's largest street festivals, with some of the year's best people-watching. It's held annually over a weekend in mid-August.
Midsommarfest is a Swedish street fair in, well, mid-summer. Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, 773 728-2995.
Four semi-annual business directories, the OUT! Resource Guide, the Alternative Phonebook, the Lesbian and Gay Pink Pages, and the Chamber of Commerce's Business Directory, are widely available throughout Chicago. All contain comprehensive listings of organizations and resources as well as ads from queer-friendly businesses.
Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
A business group serving over 400 businesses owned by queer people - http://www.glchamber.org
Chicago Citysearch - Gay & Lesbian Guide
Citysearch is a national online city guide with very extensive coverage of Chicago; this small guide highlights gay and lesbian areas and attractions.
Lambda Publications
Online versions of Windy City Times, Nightlines, Blacklines, and En La Vida.
Time Out Chicago
This is a fairly good introduction to the city's scene, from a global
publisher of alterna-papers - http://www.timeout.com/chicago/gay