LGBTQ+ News Chilli Pepper, a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and one of the first celebrities to raise awareness of the AIDS crisis, has died Chilli Pepper, a celebrated performance artist who was one of Chicago’s most famous drag performers for more than 40 years and a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and causes, has died. Chilli Pepper was crowned Miss Gay Chicago in 1974, and was the first Miss Continental in 1980. In a 2017 intervie By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Transgender News “She wanted to be loved and respected.” A family is asking for the murder of a Black trans woman to be investigated as a hate crime after she was shot dead in Chicago A family is asking for the murder of a Black trans woman to be investigated as a hate crime after she was shot dead on a Chicago street. Redd, 25, known to friends and family as Barbie, was pronounced dead at the scene after beiong shot multiple times in the back after a lone gunman […] By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Sport 2024 World Gay Boxing Championships announced for Chicago with two LGBTQ+ trailblazers Following its triumphant inaugural event earlier this year at Sydney World Pride, the World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC) will make its return in 2024. The event has this week been announced that it will be held at Strong Hands Gym in Chicago, coinciding with Chicago Pride on Thursday, June 20, 20 By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Arts SPOTLIGHT ON: Divina de Campo Brian Butler talks to a non-binary performer who knows exactly where they’re going By Brian Butler • 4 min read
Photo: Human Rights Campaign General News 37th trans person killed in the US this year Brianna Hamilton, a Black trans woman, was found dead in Chicago, making her the 37th trans person to have been killed in the US in 2021. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Chicago Drag Queens create Valentines cards for LGBTQ+ elders The Chicago Black Drag Council recently partnered with Our Art of Giving to create 200 Valentines Day cards for older LGBTQ+ people. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Two trans Americans killed Tyianna “Davarea” Alexander, a 28-year-old black trans woman, and Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín, a trans man living in Puerto Rico, are the first American trans people to have been killed in acts of violence this year. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Trans woman killed on Christmas day Courtney Eshay Key, a 25-year-old black trans woman, is the 43rd known trans person to have been killed in the US this year after she was shot dead in Chicago. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Features & Longread Illinois Office of Tourism renew Gay Star News partnership Gay Star News (GSN) and Illinois Office of Tourism renew partnership, now in second year, to deliver campaign welcoming LGBT+ tourists to the American state. The new campaign will take a pioneering new direction in having a dedicated page delivering exclusive Illinois content on the GSN website. By Besi • 2 min read
Arts PREVIEW: Eastbourne audiences spoilt for choice this Spring Eastbourne Theatres Spring brochure for 2016 features top West End musicals including Blood Brothers, Priscilla, Chicago and Thriller Live. Willy Russell’s classic Blood Brothers plays at the Congress Theatre from January 18-23, Pricilla Queen Of The Desert rolls into town from March 14-19 and the M By Contributor • 2 min read
