QUEERING THE PARKS
Queering the Parks (QTP) is a partnership-based, youth-led initiative that creates uncontested public space by and for BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ youth. Founded in 2019, Queering the Parks has engaged over 1,500 queer youth in community organizing, public programming, cultural production, and popular education. In 2022 QTP is expanding to year-round programming while maintaining our focus on the South and West sides of Chicago.
2022 PROGRAMMING
Title: Queer Radical Fair
Date: Saturday, June 18th
Location: Palmer Park
Description: The Spring Queer Radical Resource Fairs will be co-hosted by the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Freedom School, Howard Brown, Broadway Youth Center, Brave Space Alliance, and Social Works. The Queer Radical Fair will offer a public education workshop around LGBTQIA+ identities including vogue dancing, fashion, and ball culture; as well as COVID-19 vaccinations and testing; HIV and STI testing; education and employment opportunities; free food; accessible and culturally affirming mental health resources; and artisanal goods made by local queer creatives.
Title: Queer Radical Fair
Date: Sunday, August 28
Location: Garfield Park Conservatory
Description: The Fall Queer Radical Resource Fairs will be co-hosted by the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Freedom School, Howard Brown, Broadway Youth Center, Brave Space Alliance, and Social Works. The Queer Radical Fair will offer a public education workshop around LGBTQIA+ identities including vogue dancing, fashion, and ball culture; as well as COVID-19 vaccinations and testing; HIV and STI testing; education and employment opportunities; free food; accessible and culturally affirming mental health resources; and artisanal goods made by local queer creatives.
Title: Queering the Airwaves Podcast
Date: Ongoing 2022
Description: QTP will produce a monthly podcast uplifting BIPOC queer and trans youth organizers as a means of connecting the vibrant and diverse LGBTQIA+ communities across Chicago during these times of social distance.
2021 PROGRAMMING
What: Queer Radical Fair: LGBTQIA+ Fashion & Resource Fair
When: Thursday, August 12th 3:00-7:00pm
Where: Ping Tom Memorial Park
Who: LGBTQIA+ youth, adults + allies are welcome
Expect: Co-hosted with the Chicago Public Library’s Radical Fit Program, this Queer Fashion Show and Resource Fair feature DJs, a fashion show, art making stations, OVID-19 vaccinations, HIV, and STI testing, employment and housing opportunities, as well as LGBTQIA+ accessible and culturally affirming mental health resources.
What: Queer Open Mike
When: Monday, October 25th 5:30-7:30PM
Where: Garfield Park Conservatory
Who: LGBTQIA+ youth, adults + allies are welcome
Expect: Co-hosted with the Chance the Rapper’s Social Works, this LGBTQIA+ Open Mike invites high school youth to perform, share, express, and network with like-minded individuals!
2019 PROGRAMMING
Queer Family BBQ - Sunday, June 30th 11:00-4:00pm
Ping Tom Memorial Park, 1700 S Wentworth Ave
Free and open to all ages
Queer Pool Party - Saturday, August 24th 1:00-4:00pm
Washington Park Refectory, 5531 S. Russell Drive
Free and open to youth ages 13-17
MasQUEERade Ball - Sunday, November 17th 6:00-10:00pm
Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W Jackson Blvd.
Free and open to youth ages 13-24+
*Adult chaperones, volunteers, and queer elders welcome!
This project is generously supported through grants and partnership from: Night Out in the Parks, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Chicago, Crossroads Fund, Illinois Humanities, Chicago Parks Foundation, Chicago Public Library, Rebirth Garments, Social Works, Chicago Freedom School, Howard Brown Health, Broadway Youth Center, Brave Space Alliance, Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, About Face Theater, Marimacha Monarca Press, Circles and Ciphers, Northwestern University Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Columbia College, Pivot Point Academy, Reunion Chicago, GlitterGuts, Wendella Boat Tours, National Immigrant Justice Center, Únete La Villita, Invisible to Invincible Asian Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago, Alternatives to Calling the Police During Mental Health Crises, Youth Empowerment Performance Project, OnWord Skate Collective, Roots & Knots, ACRE Residency, Chicago Artist Census, Marwen, Sarita's Pleasure Pie Shop, Firebird Community Arts, Salty Brown Femme, and many more.
Photos courtesy of Micheal Courier and Glitter Guts.