As Chicago celebrates Pride Month with parades, special events, and special recognitions, it’s worth noting that the City of Chicago has been a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community since its beginning, creating safe spaces since the early 20^th Century, and moving to the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights. 

Chicago’s inclusivity is a key reason why a recent study, reported by Timeout.com, Chicago was named the 2025 #1 LGBTQ+ city, with many welcoming “gayborhoods” and an active LGTBQ+ presence. As Choose Chicago notes,  Northalsted, formerly known as Boystown,  is the oldest officially recognized gay neighborhood in the U.S.  Andersonville is another safe, celebratory neighborhood for the LGBTQ+ community.

20^th Century Acceptance, Community by Community 

According to the blogsite ChicagoDetours.com, though The Loop wasn’t a gay neighborhood per se, it was a place gay people could meet each other. 

The blogsite notes that certain high-end hotels and private men’s clubs developed the reputation as  “cruising” spots for men. The bar at the Palmer House Hotel was one such spot. Another was the Chicago Athletic Association, an elite private men’s club that opened in 1893. It boasted 100 furnished private rooms and a full complement of athletic facilities. 

According to a CBS News report, in 1924, German immigrant Henry Gerber founded the Society for Human Rights, which taught others about the gay community and attempted to change laws that made homosexuality illegal.

The organization only lasted a short time before authorities shut it down, but gay and lesbian Chicagoans were visible in the 1920s, finding acceptance among the artists, poets and bohemians of Towertown, an area of the Near North Side just west of the Magnificent Mile by the Water Tower.   Lectures and discussions on homosexuality were found on the agenda in salons and speakeasies, and female impersonator shows were popular, according to the Encyclopedia of Chicago. 

Around the same time on the Near South Side, a substantial African-American gay and lesbian community also formed, frequenting the cabarets in Bronzeville.

By the second half of the 20th century, gay communities were established on the Near North Side, Old Town, Hyde Park, and a part of the Lakeview neighborhood centered at Clark Street, Diversey Parkway and Broadway known as New Town. As the 20^th Century progressed, Illinois was also the first state to decriminalize sodomy (in 1961). In 1993, Cook County forbade discrimination based on sexual orientation

LGBTQ+ gets Political, Provides Social Services

According to Wikipedia sources, effective LGBT political involvement began in the 1960s alongside the civil rights movement, with organizations such as the Chicago Gay Liberation Network, Mattachine Midwest, and ACT UP/Chicago.

In 1965, Mattachine Midwest was founded as a gay rights organization following the Fun Lounge police raid the previous year. The Mattachine Midwest contributed both politically and socially to help the discrimination against LGBT groups, raising awareness about bar raids and police entrapment. The organization also created a monthly newsletter that provided LGBT groups in Chicago sources of gay community news, and provided a phone number for the LGBT community to find legal, medical, counseling, employment or religious help if needed. In June 1970, according to Do312.com, Chicago was one of four cities in the US that led a Gay Liberation March to commemorate the Stonewall Riots in New York. The rally started in Washington Park also known as Bughouse Square, a popular site for political and artistic discourse as well as a cruising area for queer men. In 1984, journalist Tracy Baim founded the Windy City Times, the official  “voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.”

During the 1980s, the AIDS epidemic was at its peak in the United States, including in Chicago. On September 9, 1985, the Chicago House was incorporated into Illinois as a project to house those suffering from the disease. A few years later, Chicago honored the victims of AIDS through “The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt”, which can be found in Navy Pier. 

In the Millennium: Gay Rights are Human Rights (and vice versa)

In 2004,  Illinois fully banned discrimination based on sexual orientation through the Illinois Human Rights Act. In 2007, the Center on Halsted opened its doors on Halsted Street and Waveland Avenue, bringing in over one thousand people per day. To further protect LGBT rights, in  2010, the Safe School Improvement Act was passed, prohibiting bullying or violence on the basis of discrimination, including for sexual and gender identity. In 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed off on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. In doing this, Illinois became the 16^th state to fully allow same-sex marriage. The first couple to do so were Vernita Gray, and her partner, Patricia Ewert, marrying on November 27, 2013.  In 2019, Lori Lightfoot became at age 56 the first black woman and gay mayor of Chicago. She was inaugurated on May 20, 2019. In June 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the AIDS Garden Chicago; the park officially opened on June 2, 2022.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s the Chicago

Now that most of the new plantings are in, you may think it’s time to relax—but it’s not! There are always tasks that need to be done to keep the garden and landscape. Here are a few things to do at this time of year. 

Grow grass seed. The lawn is at its best with this cooler weather. It’s a great time to thicken up that lawn and make it strong enough to survive and thrive in the later summer heat. If you applied pre-emergent weed control in the early spring, you should be able to grow some grass seed now! Overseed with a good blend for your area. The seed will emerge in 7-14 days. Water lightly every day to keep the seed moist till it sprouts. As the grass grows add fresh topsoil and lightly rake in. 

Water and fertilize. Usually in the spring we have sufficient rain, but here in Chicago (and many other parts of the country) we aren’t getting our normal amount of moisture. Your lawn and garden need more water, as many of the plants are new and haven’t had time to develop root structure yet. Ideally an inch per week, but with new plants a good soak twice weekly is recommended. New plants in the garden and elsewhere will also thrive with a bi-weekly fertilizer. Use a general all-purpose fertilizer like Miracle-Gro. 

Keep your gutters clear. Even if rain is infrequent, we still need to keep those gutters, downspouts, and outdoor drains clean and flowing. Watch your downspout during heavy rain. Water should be visibly flowing. If not, either your gutters or downspouts are clogged. If you are comfortable on a ladder, get up and clean out those gutters! Run a hose up and rinse out the gutters and downspouts till you see debris flow out. Call a professional if you don’t feel safe. Clogged gutters are one of the main causes of water damage to roofs and foundations. 

Regularly inspect your foundation. Clean away any dead plant material away from your foundation. This is a good time to inspect all around the foundation for any damage from the winter. See any cracks or other problems? Call a foundation specialist to inspect. As you are going around the foundation look up at your windows. Is all the caulking intact? Caulk is cheap and can save you dollars on cooling costs. It also prevents water damage. 

Do you have any other suggestions for things to do around the landscape?

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Filling in this week for the great Sue Moss, the weekend after Memorial Day kicks off what many consider the best of the summer season…neighborhood festivals! From now until fall, Chicago’s multicultural communities come alive in celebration. Many are free, and those that have a suggested donation or admission benefit local organizations. 

On Saturday, May 31, from 7am-12pm, start off the day at the Division Street Farmer’s Market, (30 W. Division Street) and browse among their fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and rare finds. Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the market runs until Saturday October 25. 

Don your dirndls and lederhosen and step out to Lincoln Square for Maifest Chicago (Lincoln and Leland Avenues), across From The Old Town School of Music. Through Sunday, June 1, witness the crowning of the 2025 Maifest Queen, a traditional keg tapping, decorate the May Pole, sample German and American food, play  carnival games, dance and oom-pa-pa to music, and feel the gemuetlischkeit! 

Chicago’s 4^th Annual Windy City Hot Dog Fest, Friday to Sunday, May 30–June 1, in the vibrant Portage Park neighborhood, asks two simple questions: 1) Who has the best hot dog in the city of Chicago? 2) Who will be the hot dog eating champion? Some of Chicagoland’s most iconic hot dog stands will go head-to-head to claim the title of Best Frankfurter—and you get to be the judge! Or … can you down hot dogs like champion Joey Chestnut? Be one of the lucky five people to wolf down as many hot dogs are you can in 5 minutes.  Winner walks away with a trophy and bragging rights! And the fun doesn’t stop at the food. Savor live performances by local and regional artists, explore a variety of arts and crafts vendors, and enjoy family-friendly activities in the kids’ area. 

In West Town, Do Division Street Fest takes place on Division Street (between Damen and Leavitt) from Friday-Sunday. (5-10pm on Friday, noon-10pm on Saturday and Sunday.) A $10 suggested donation  features two live music stages, local designer runway shows and a children’s area with family activities. This kid’s activities include a petting zoo, mega slide and kid-friendly musical performances.

For a completely different experience, Tuley Park’s First Annual Family Chess Fest, 501 E.  90th Place, on Saturday, May 31, (10:30am to 3:30pm) offers outdoor chess games and lessons, food from local vendors, live music, raffles and prizes at this exciting event, sponsored by the Chicago Chess Foundation. Families are encouraged to attend together!

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

“One Of Chicago’s Best-Known & Most Respected Full Dining Jazz Venues, Creating Truly Unique Cultural Experiences…”

Andy’s Jazz Club website 

A jazz club that coincidentally, serves gastro pub fare is the 75-year-old mission of River North’s Andy’s Jazz Club, founded as ‘Andy’s 11 E. Lounge’ in 1951 by Andy Rizzuto. 

While Andy’s 11 E. Lounge was a smoke-filled bar serving shots, beer and pub grub to pressmen from the newspaper industry, the venue changed course in the mid 1970’s,  New owner Scott Chisholm and his investment group envisioned more than a smoke-filled bar and middling pub grub. They envisioned an elegant environment where Chicago’s peerless jazz community could introduce a new generation to exciting nightlife and quality dining. The Chisolms are celebrating 50 years in business in 2025. 

Andy’s currently presents four 75-minute shows nightly with start times of 6pm, 8:15pm, 10:30pm.  The musical lineup features the top Chicago jazz artists, providing a truly unique Chicago cultural experience, nurtured by Chisholm and continued on today by his sons Chris, Jeff, and Brandon.

The Food 

What separates Andy’s Jazz Club from many other venues is the quality of their food. Start with appetizers like Tenderloin Sliders, two hand-cut medallions, and creamy horseradish on brioche buns. Or, their creatively named Cigar Rolls, a nodto their past, which pairs pepper jack cheese, rolled wheat flour tacos, and jalapeno crème. Can we say smokin! 

Other starters include Buffalo Shrimp, a hot mix of fried shrimp, frank’s redhot sauce, crumbled blue cheese, and ranch dressing, and Seared Brussel Sprouts, seasoned with virgin olive oil, rosemary, thyme, paprika, and garlic.

Entrees include a 12-ounce, hand-cut NY Strip Steak of angus beef, served with sautéed carrots and baby potatoes. Surf & Turf  includes a six-ounce angus beef filet mignon, served with a bacon-wrapped, jalapeno cream cheese stuffed jumbo prawn, with bourbon sauce and mashed potato. Baked Alaskan Sole is a quinoa-breaded baked filet, topped with chopped mango salsa, and served with lemon thyme kale salad or garlic sauteed kale side. Homemade Ravioli  is stuffed with your choice of lobster or portobello mushroom with red marinara, creamy vodka or lemon butter sauce.

And as we say, as warranted, make room for dessert! Warm Apple Pie is an individual baked whole apple pie (wow!) Chocolate Lava Cake ups the ante on chocolate goodness…fudgy  chocolate cake with a gooey liquid chocolate core. Caramel Apple Bread Pudding raises bread pudding to a new level.

Google reviewers speak highly of Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant. 

“This is a great place to go while visiting, or a great place to take visitors if you’re a local,” said one reviewer. “You have to make a reservation, and I believe there is a $10-$15 entry fee per person. You are seated and order before the show starts. The food is pretty great, drinks are good too. The live jazz is amazing. We’ve been during the summer, and during the holidays where they did a Charlie Brown Christmas theme. We really should go more often.”

“Loved it,” said another. “Great band. Good jazz. Good food. Good service. Make a reservation on line before you go please. We saw people that couldn’t get in because they didn’t know. Place was booked completely.”

Andy’s is located at 11 E. Hubbard Street. Open seven days a week, their hours are Wednesday -Sunday, 5:30pm-12am, with the kitchen open from 5:30pm-11:15pm. Live shows begin  at 6pm and continue at 8:15pm and 10:30pm. NOTE: On Monday and Tuesday,  Andy’s closes at 10pm. Reservations are required, and can be made by clicking here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

When it comes to purchasing a home, one of the most critical factors to consider is the neighborhood. A great home in a poor neighborhood can significantly impact your quality of life, just as a modest home in a vibrant, community-focused area can exceed your expectations. Here are key points to consider when selecting the right neighborhood for your future home.

Safety and Security

One of the first things to evaluate is the safety of the neighborhood. Research crime rates through local police department websites or community resources to get an accurate picture. Additionally, visiting the area at different times of the day can provide insight into how safe and secure you feel. Speak with residents and ask about their experiences; it can offer you a first-hand account of what living in the area is like.

Proximity to Work and Commute Times

Consider your daily commute when choosing a neighborhood. Ideally, you’ll want to be close to your workplace or have easy access to major transportation routes. Long commute times can lead to stress and reduced free time, affecting your overall satisfaction. Evaluate the public transportation options available if you rely on them; accessibility to buses and trains can be a significant perk.

Quality of Schools

For home buyers with children or those planning to start a family, the quality of local schools is paramount. Great schools can enhance your property value and provide stability. Use resources such as school rating websites and district information to assess academic performance, extracurricular opportunities, and community involvement. Even if you don’t have kids, living near reputable schools can be a selling point in the future.

Access to Amenities and Services

The availability of amenities and services greatly influences the attractiveness of a neighborhood. Consider what you value most—is it shopping centers, parks, recreational facilities, or restaurants? A neighborhood with nearby grocery stores, hospitals, and recreational areas can enhance your lifestyle by providing convenience. It’s helpful to map out where these amenities are located relative to your potential new home.

Community Feel and Culture

The overall vibe of a neighborhood can make a significant difference in your living experience. Some people prefer bustling, lively areas filled with activities, while others may desire quiet, family-oriented communities. Spend time in the neighborhood to get a sense of the culture—are there community events, local gatherings, and opportunities for social interaction? Engaging with potential neighbors can provide insight into what it’s like to be part of that community.

Future Development and Growth

Research the city plans for future developments within the neighborhood. Areas slated for improvement can lead to increased property values, but they can also mean construction and disruptions in the short term. Speak with local government offices or consult real estate professionals who can provide information about upcoming projects and zoning changes.

Budget Considerations

Finally, ensure your chosen neighborhood fits your budget. Neighborhoods can have varying home prices, property taxes, and homeowners association fees, all of which should fit within your overall financial plan. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of living, as some neighborhoods might have a lower home price but a significantly higher cost of everyday living.

Bottom-line

Choosing the right neighborhood is essential for home buyers. By considering factors such as safety, commute, schools, amenities, community culture, future growth potential, and budget, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your lifestyle and long-term goals. Take your time in this decision; the right neighborhood contributes significantly to your overall happiness in your new home.