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Chicago Chronicles Hate Crime Legislation Prison industrial complex Queer Politics, Culture, and History Race, Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Reporting

Event looks at Trayvon Martin case through queer, feminist eyes

In the wake of the Trayvon Martin verdict, Chicago has seen several public events and workshops exploring its aftermath. On Aug. 15, queer and feminist scholars gathered at the famous Hull House for a panel titled, “Transformative Justice and The Trayvon Martin Case: A Consideration.”

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Prison industrial complex Queer Politics, Culture, and History Race, Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Bars For Life: LGBTQs and Sex Offender Registries

“Within the next couple of years, we’re going to have a million sex offenders, people found guilty or who plead guilty. That’s an enormous population we’re going to isolate from mainstream society.”

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Chicago Chronicles Prison industrial complex Queer Politics, Culture, and History Reporting

Activists protest sexual abuse of incarcerated youth

On July 30, approximately 50 people gathered outside the Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St., to participate in a silent protest against the sexual abuse of incarcerated youth. The event, which began at 8:30 a.m., was scheduled before the Illinois House Restorative Justice Committee held a hearing in response to response to a recent Department of Justice (DoJ) report and findings.

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Queer Politics, Culture, and History Reporting

Queer: What is it good for? Language and the LGBT movement

The word “queer” has been around since the 16th century and at first meant simply something out of order, mis-aligned, with occasional references to mental disorders. Over the years, it gradually took on a term of abuse directed at those considered sexually deviant.

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Capitalism, Class, Inequality Immigration Queer Politics, Culture, and History

Romancing the Border: Or, Making (Self) Deportation Sexy

Stop buying this bullshit, people, and start asking the hard questions.

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Feminism Film, Art, Television, and Media Prison industrial complex Queer Politics, Culture, and History Race, Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

“White Chick Behind Bars”: My Review of Orange is the New Black, Season 1

The show can’t conceive of the fact that the biggest hurdle for most of the women in prison with Chapman is not that they made ‘bad choices,’ but that their future choices are foreclosed by prison.

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Chicago Chronicles Feminism Queer Politics, Culture, and History Race, Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Reporting

Alice Walker discusses books at Women and Children First event

Literary icon and celebrity Alice Walker was in Chicago on July 1 to promote two new books. She appeared as part of the summer program at Women and Children First (WCF) bookstore. Though sponsored by the bookstore, the event was held at the First Free Church, 5525 N. Ashland. The venue had been changed from the Swedish Museum in order to accommodate larger crowds.

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Queer Politics, Culture, and History

Jason Collins and How It Actually Might Not Get Better

Collins’ statement hits every perfect gay note, charting an upwardly progressive coming out narrative fit for Hallmark and Hollywood.

Image result for Jason Collins free images
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Capitalism, Class, Inequality Gay Marriage Queer Politics, Culture, and History

Illinois’ Gay Marriage Disaster: An Autopsy

Illinois has the highest foreclosure rate in the country in 2012, and the highest unemployment rate.  Marriage can’t prevent either.

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Chicago Chronicles On Books and Publishing Queer Politics, Culture, and History Reporting

Sukie de la Croix’s Chicago Whispers book now available

St. Sukie de la Croix has been a Chicago fixture since the English native moved to this city in1991. He is a former writer for Windy City Times, has been a reporter and columnist for several publications, and is often seen at LGBTQ events, recording people and speeches with his camera and notebook. He currently writes for ChicagoPride.