Big Gay Welcome Wagon Archives

Who Reads? We read! Dr. Seuss's B-Day Storytime at Target

This Saturday, February 26th, every Target store will hold "Who Reads? We Read!" a Dr. Seuss inspired story time. An event sure to please kids of all ages with lots of stories, giveaways, and coupons!

Six Queer Activists Arrested, Charged with Tresspassing At Marriage Bureau on Valentines Day

On Monday, six activists were arrested at the marriage bureau office in Daley Plaza when they refused to leave without a marriage license for a queer couple. The activists, from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights groups Join The Impact Chicago, GetEQUAL and Video Action League, were part of a national narrative to raise awareness about the need for federal marriage equality.

SNOMG 2011: Why Bread?

We all know that winter weather equals great sandwich weather, but what else can you do with the popular snowstorm staples such as bread, milk, and eggs?

What Your New Zodiac Sign Says About the Old You.

You may have heard in recent days that based on the Earth's changing alignment with the Sun, the dates for our Zodiac signs have changed. While most may spend their time now re-evaluating themselves according to their NEW sign, lets take a moment to look at what this change means to the OLD you, shall we?

LEAVE CHRIS CROCKER ALONE!

YouTube Sensation Chris Crocker's NSFW music video for "Freak of Nature" is not to be missed.

I'm Back!

I know what you're thinking, its been about 3 months since I've blogged about, well, anything. I know you've missed me. One of my New Year's resolutions was to commit to my blog a little bit more and catch up. After all, a lot has happened! Some good, some bad. Stay tuned

Count Me Out! A Grassroots National Coming Out Day 2010 Social Media Ambush

Every October 11th, the nation comes together to celebrate National Coming Out Day. This year with the recent heart-breaking stories of all the LGBT individuals who ended their own lives to escape the bullying, the day has a special meaning.

What Gets You Naked, Illinois?

Vote Naked Illinois is a campaign to make all Illinois citizens aware of their new found right to vote via mail. In other words, anyone can request an absentee ballot...whether they are absent or not!

Highwood Street Market Festival Goes Gay This Weekend

If you're free this weekend, Highwood, IL will be kicking off its Highwood Street Market Festival with a drag show, martini's, and an upscale antiques market. Fabulousness is bound to ensue. Sounds great, doesn't it!

Photos from The Flesh Hungry Dog Show at Jackhammer with Tom Goss

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, Tom Goss was in town last night performing at Jackhammer for The Flesh Hungry Dog Show. It was a rockin' night and it reminded me why I love Tom and his music. Gay or straight you have to check out his music! Here are some pictures I took of the performance.

Tom Goss Performing at The Jackhammer on 9/3

On Friday night, The Flesh Hungry Dog Show presents Tom Goss with The Heatbirds and Brown Lazer starting at 9pm at The Jackhammer.

Vincent Minor Performing at Dark Room on 9/2

On September 21st, openly gay musician, Vincent Minor, will release his debut album. To promote his new album, he's embarking on national tour to spread the joy, and he's coming to Chicago on 9/2!

Logan Square's Lula Cafe Named One of the Ten Best Pancake Places in America

Everyday I find a new reason to love living in Logan Square, rather than one of the gay mecca's like Boystown or Andersonville. This weeks reason is a small place just up the road called Lula Cafe. According to a recent article in Travel + Leisure Magazine, Lula Cafe at 2537 North Kedzie Boulevard is among the top ten pancake places in America.

Top 10 Cartoons From the 90's

I remember the days when cartoons were awesome, even emmy-award winning in some cases. So, to reminisce a bit, I decided to create my list of the top ten animated series from the 90's.

Sherry Wolf Debates "Ground Zero Mosque" on MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews"

On Monday evening, author Sherry Wolf appeared on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews giving insight on why there is nothing wrong with the 'Ground Zero Mosque.'

Pictures from Matt Alber and Jen Porter's Live Performances at The Jackhammer

This weekend Matt Alber performed live at The Jackhammer with Special Guest Jen Porter. Both gave amazing performances, and fun was had by all! Take a look at some of the pictures I took! It was a hoot and a half!

Matt Alber Performing Tonight At The Jackhammer

Tonight at The Jackhammer, as part of The Flesh Hungry Dog Show, Matt Alber will be performing live with special guest Jen Porter.

A Gay Target Team Member's Open Letter To Target, Its CEO, and Those Protesting on Saturday

Yesterday, I received word that local LGBT groups plan to protest at the newly opened Wilson Yard Target Store on Saturday morning over the retailers recent corporate donation made to MN Forward. As a Wilson Yard team member, I feel torn between my job and my lifestyle. While I cannot in good conscience insert my raw opinion either way into the matter as I have a personal stake with both sides, I do feel my unique position allows me an opportunity to bring in a third perspective that until now has remained fairly silent over this unfortunate situation.

2010 NORTHALSTED MARKET DAY PHOTOS

Did you make it to Market Days this year? No? Thanks to the advanced technology of my digital camera you can now experience all the Boystown fun via my blog. Check out the pictures below!

LOLLAPALOOZA VS. MARKET DAYS: One Event To Rule Them All

This weekend, two MASSIVE local events converge on the same weekend. In Boystown, you have the Northalsted Market Days Street Fair giving you all the gay you need and more! Then downtown, Lollapallooza will drive the rich loop residents mad for three days straight. Which will be the one event to rule them all?

FOX News is 'Fair and Balanced' With a Biased Prop 8 Poll

Fox News releases biased internet poll in response to Prop 8 Decision.

'Stonewall Uprising' Showing at Music Box Theater

This weekend, in addition to the Northalsted Market Days and Prop 8 victory celebrations, the Chicago premier of Stonewall Uprising, a documentary by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner examining the turbulent events of the Stonewall Riots, will take place August 6-12 at The Music Box Theatre.

New Wilson Yard Target Store Open!

You know that giant crater that sat on the corner Montrose and Broadway for like 10-12 years? Yeah, its not there anymore. I'll give you a moment to mourn the loss of said crater...Ok, feel better? Great! Because I have great news! Instead of that trendy crater to admire on your morning CTA commute you now have an awesome new Target store where that crater used to be! In fact, the Wilson Yard Target Store is having its GRAND OPENING today!

Lieutenant Dan Choi FIRED Under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

One year ago, after announcing on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show that he was gay, LT. Dan Choi quickly rose to celebrity as a vocal opponent of the U.S. Military's discriminatory policy known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Now, one year later, he has been issued an official honorable discharge for that admission.

My Market Days Preparedness Kit

Time flies during the summer months here in Chicago! It seems like just yesterday I was watching the stanley cup whiz by on a float of hot, gay hockey players. Well, get ready LGBT community, in just a little over a week Boystown will be turned upside down again. That's right, the second half of Boystown summer pride and revelry, aka Market Days, is coming up. Are you ready?

Time To Move the Gayborhood...Again. (Before It Moves You!)

Someone once said that if we do not learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it. Too Cliche? Too bad! Because its painfully true. I'm looking your way, Boystown. In a recent article by SkylineNewspaper.com, writer Megan Cottrell highlights the fears of some Lakeview/Boystown residents that will be forced to move as a result of the dramatic decreases in affordable housing in the area. Rainbow pylons and gay bars aside, is it getting time to move the gayborhood again? Or have the pylons cemented the community in one place?

Top Ten Celebrity Sex Tapes

Sometimes, the best judge of someone's celebrity is not in their acting/singing talent or what kind of work they've done, its in how good their sex tape was/is. Everyone who's anyone has a sex tape. Check out who made my list for ten best celebrity sex tapes.

It Pays to Be Gay at Google!

Have you ever heard of the "gay tax?" Google Has, and they intend to do something about it! In a post to the official Google Blog, the search engine behemoth of a company has announced two new benefits for its gay and lesbian employees

Big Gay Welcome Wagon Blogger Discusses the Pride Parade on the Feast of Fun

ChicagoNow.com's Big Gay Welcome Wagon blogger Ryan Justice joins Fausto & Marc of the Feast of Fun podcast to talk about the sights and sounds of the 41st Annual Chicago Gay Pride Parade.

After 25 Years, Larry King Live Will End This Year

According to a statement posted to his blog, Larry King followed Oprah and Tyra's lead by announcing that he will be calling it quits this year.

ABC7 Coverage of the 41st Annual Chicago Gay Pride Parade

For those who had to work or who just couldn't make it, here is ABC7's coverage of the 41st Annual Gay Pride Parade on Sunday (in its entirety). It was a great parade this year filled with drag queen, scantily clad men/women, and of course, the Stanley Cup!

Lady Gaga Joins BP Boycott

Remember the days when we didn't have a dirty, oil-soaked Gulf coast? Unless you've been living under an oil covered rock the last two and a half months, you may have missed that we are dealing with the largest environmental disaster in US History. Now, Lady Gaga is joining other celebrities in boycotting BP.

41st Annual Chicago Pride Parade Photos

Suddenly, the skies parted and God said, "Let the gays have sunshine for their pride parade!" Sure the day started out gloomy, but sure enough, it was a beautiful day for the 41st Annual Chicago Gay Pride Parade in the long run! So what were the highlights you may ask? All the usuals, drag Queens, scantily clad men/women, rainbows, and, oh yeah, THE STANLEY CUP!

Bailiwick Chicago's Production of "F@$king Men" a Must See For Gay Men

On one hand, the male sex drive influences us towards some fairly impulsive actions. But on the other hand, we are humans longing to find that one person to call our own. Right in time for Pride, Bailiwick Chicago's production of Fucking Men takes a profound look at these impulses and desires gay men experience, and how sex is the catalyst that drives us in either direction.

Is There a Chicago Gay Pride Fest Revolution Brewing?

This weekend marks the 41st Chicago Gay Pride Parade and celebration. Boystown is all a flutter getting ready. Everyone is getting in on the act. After all, this weekend marks the 41st Annual Cash Cow as well.

The Stanley Cup Has Pride, Not Prejudice

Despite their embarassing homophobic "gay" photobomb and sexist Tribune Cover, the 'Hawks still have gay fans in the Chicago Gay Hockey Association who invited the Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup to make a Chicago Pride Parade appearance...which they just accepted!

Las Vegas, NV Wal-Mart Forces Gay Man to Wear Identifying Clothing

You may have noticed the recent "Walmart? Yes!" advertising campaign in the CTA and other places around Chicago. With the controversial store on the south side again in the news, and Mayor Daley pushing it hard, it seems this store may be an inevitablility. However, in Nevada, a recent act of blatant discrimination and lack of action on the part of its Human Resources may make you think twice about this retailer in our city.

Fake President Obama, As Played By Rachel Maddow, Addresses the Nation

Like many, Rachel Maddow was semi-disappointed in President Obama's speech regarding the environmental disaster. So, to correct the errors in his speech, she re-wrote and gave his speech. Stating what actually needs to be done.

Music Monday: The Paper Tongues

Happy Music Monday! This week's music comes to us from a Charlotte, NC band that has been enjoying some mainstream success as of late. With their two most recent singles, "Ride to California" and "Trinity," I know I've become a fan!

No More Wire Hangers! Christina Crawford Turns 71 Today!

On June 11th, 1939 Joan Crawford's adopted daughter turned was born, making her 71 today. Back in 1981, Paramount Pictures released the film based on Christina's book "Mommie Dearest" chronicling her childhood with famous Hollywood actress, Joan Crawford.

What Has the Human Rights Campaign Done For You lately?

While walking to the bus stop on my way home, I was stopped by an HRC (or Human Rights Campaign) worker with a clipboard and asked if "I had a minute for gay rights." I stopped for a second and responded "I have a lifetime for LGBT rights, but not for the HRC. The HRC does not speak for me."

DJ Earworm's Mash-up gets the Flashmob Treatment

Everyone loves a great flashmob. Everyone should also love DJ Earworm's yearly mashup of each year's hits. I have just the remedy for you! This past weekend in Lexington, KY park, HOBY (Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership program) gave this awesome mash-up the flashmob treatment. For those of you who don't know what a flashmob is, its where seemingly random people in a public area begin a random act in unison (usually choreographed to music), then quickly dispersing as if nothing happened.

Music Monday: I Fight Dragons

Chicago area band "I Fight Dragons" pays homage to classic 8-bit video games through music.

Disabled and Trans-gendered Man From New Mexico Named International Mr. Leather 2010

With the Black & Blue Ball at the House of Blues, International Mr. Leather 2010 will come to an end until next year. Every memorial day, this competition and market take over a hotel downtown for the event. This year was held at the Hyatt just off of Michigan Avenue. Tyler McCormick, a disabled trans-gendered man from was named International Mr. Leather 2010.

Music Monday: Neon Trees

This week for Music Monday, I bring you Neon Trees. They are climbing the charts and broke the iTunes Top 100 with "Animal. The video makes me want to have a Alice in Wonderland style tea party in Gotham City, I'm not sure why. Random, yet awesome.

Big Gay Welcome Wagon on ChicagoNow Radio

It goes without saying to tune in on Saturday mornings from 9am-12am to listen to ChicagoNow Radio on WGN 720AM. But this Saturday, you're in for a special treat! I'll be sitting down with Hosts Alex Quigley and Amy Guth from 10-10:30am talking about this blog!

Is Anyone Legitimately Shocked By American Idol "Shocking" Finales Anymore?

In whats being called another American Idol "shocking" win, local Chicago area paint store employee has captured the title of American Idol last night. But is this really shocking?

Let's Hold Dan Savage Accountable, Shall We?

Crate & Barrel had a $100,000 Ultimate Wedding contest in which couples competed via online voting to win, get this, a $100,000 Ultimate Wedding! A gay couple, Gregory and Jonathan came in second! Finally some acknowledgement of our relationships! Dan Savage then took it upon himself to misinterpret the description of their relationship in his blog.

Music Monday: Dan Black

Every Monday is "Music Monday" on the Big Gay Welcome Wagon Blog. This week's music is by Dan Black, an up and coming artist who is awesomely fantastic, and fantastically awesome.

In Response to Hillbuzz.org's Racist Blog Post...

On 5/23, a long rant was posted on HillBuzz.org in reference to local Boystown eatery Pie Hole Pizza-Joint closing soon. While I'm not one to get too involved in Boystown politics, it occured to me that racist viewpoints like these are the reasons why.