Gender Nightmares! - This Weds.

With fall rolling around and all things spooky coming out, we're thinking about what terrifies us...

What's your biggest gender fear?

Join us for a safe space meeting on Gender Nightmares!

Weds. (Sept. 28)
Access Living- 115 W. Chicago
7:00p.m. -8:15 sharp

GqC is open to anyone wishing to talk or think about gender, with the exception of researchers and reporters, who can e-mail genderqueerchicago@gmail.com with inquiries.

Akon's New Genderqueer Artist - Jeffree Star

So, I've been following Jeffree Star's music for a while now, that being about two years. My stance on JStar's lyrics is still a bit mixed, but I appreciate not only JStar's presence in the music scene, but also the fact that JStar has managed to grab the attention of a well-known label started by artist Akon, Konvict Muzik. Mostly because Jeffree Star is in no way gender-conforming.

I agree with Prophet on this comment (which I found here: http://www.carltonjordan.com/2011/09/25/akons-genderqueer-new-artist-jeffree-star-leaks-2-songs/): "It’s just a shame that the stronger lyrics have been traded in for a less-distinctive sound, leaving Jeffree to lose his unique identity amongst Akon’s generic production."


One of my favorite Star lyrics is from a remix JStar did of the Black Eyed Peas' Boom Boom Pow. It goes as follows:

You're a queer when I turn you on,
into the future faggotron,
Harder, quicker, mother****er,
makes the boys extra longer.

That verse came a long while before Akon decided to sign JStar to his label, and since then JStar has become... "Less stronger," to quote Prophet.

I'm really excited to see Star thrive in the music scene; this is where JStar's meant to be, and I can only hope that Star continues to flaunt their* gender-variance should they* make it "big."

* I use "they/them" because I have no way of knowing how Jeffree Star identifies, which I love. I've seen Star referred to as he and she, and because I don't want to validate some sources more than others, I will use "they/them" until JStar comes out with and official statement in regards to their gender identity.

- Noa

Health & Healthcare: A Safe Space Discussion

Though lots of other folks and institutions may want controlling interests, thankfully we are in charge of and responsible for our own bodies and health. Maintaining good health and managing health issues are an incredibly personal decisions. Choosing a trustworthy, respectful healthcare provider can be a challenge. What are your mainstays for good self-care and daily health maintenance? What experiences have you had with healthcare providers? Join us for a safe space discussion of how we define and maintain our health.

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

7:00-8:15pm

Gerber/Hart Library (1107 W. Granville)

Safe space meetings are strictly closed to researchers and reporters in their professional capacities. Meetings are open to anyone else wanting to talk and think about gender! For more info, give us a shout at genderqueerchicago@gmail.com!

Queerly Mass'd

This is a space for queer folks and allies to meet and find a cycling community. We love a spectrum of genders, ages, identities, and bikes and welcome you to ride! Wear your glitter, cycling drag, or whatever makes you feel fabulous and fierce.

Pace will be leisurely, and the ride will be 5-10 miles. We aren't setting a route ahead of time, but won't venture too far North or South.

Let's help build a bike scene we want to see in Chicago! Suggestions? Concerns? Want to help? We'd love to hear from you.

MEET UP: Friday, Sept 23, 6PM AT NW CORNER OF DIVISION & CALIFORNIA
RIDE: 6:30PM

Bingo to Benefit Queer Youth in Need of Homes

What: Drag queens, $5 margaritas, and Bingo

When: 9pm, Monday, Sept. 26th

Where: Hamburger Mary's, 5400 N Clark

Why: The LGBTQ Host Home Program at UCAN is an innovative community-based approach to moving Chicago's LGBTQ youth beyond life on the streets. Host Home Volunteers step forward and open their homes to a 18-24 year old for a year. Both receive on-going supportive services necessary for the youth to focus on pursing education and vocational opportunities as they work towards a permanent transition from homelessness to independence.

Name Change Mobilization

From the Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois (TJLP):

We are very excited to announce the September Name Change Mobilization event! During this event, attorneys and trained volunteers will help transgender and gender non-conforming folks file petitions to change their names legally at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago. Volunteers will then provide follow-up support services to accompany folks to their court dates and help them navigate the subsequent name change processes at the Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Office, Department of Vital Records, etc. Our goal is simple: we want to help as many people as possible legally change their names as part of our long-term goal of gender self-determination for all, free of government limitation.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The court has changed the process for FEE WAIVERS. If you or someone you know needs a fee waiver you will need to come before 11am as the court is only accepting petitions for fee waivers between the hours of 10:30 am and 12 noon. Please bring documents proving your income status such as Tax returns, SSI letter, FAFSA financial aid award, link card, Public Aid documents, etc. If you do not have any documentation of your financial status we can discuss alternative methods of proving income.

Here are the details for the September mobilization:

When: September 30th

Time: 9am - 1pm (due to the hours to file Fee Waivers we will no longer be at the Daley Center past 1 pm)

Where: The Daley Center, 50 W. Washington, rm 1202 (12th Floor)

Do not fear! If you cannot attend this month's Mobilization, this is an ongoing project of TJLP and will reoccur on the last Friday of every month with the next mobilization on October 28th. We send many thanks to those with the financial means to donate to TJLP and help make this event possible!

If you have questions regarding the Name Change Mobilization or know of anyone that would like to participate by either getting their name legally changed or by volunteering to help folks change their names legally, please let us know! Our contact information for the event is namechange@tjlp.org, 773-272-1822 (phone/text).

Genderfunnies: A Safe Space Discussion

Our experiences with gender can range from adventurous to disastrous to absolutely hilarious. Lighten up and share your "genderfunnies" at our upcoming safe space meeting!

Wednesday, September 14th

7-8:15pm

Access Living (115 W. Chicago)

Genderqueer Chicago is an inclusive community, and all people interested in talking about gender are welcome. Researchers and reporters are forbidden from attending in their professional capacities but can e-mail organizers atgenderqueerchicago@gmail.com.

Gun Hill Road: Opening in Chicago Next Week

Gun Hill Road opens in Chicago on Friday, September 16th at Landmark Century Centre Cinema (2828 N. Clark). Watch the trailer below or check out the film's official website for more information.

Gun Hill Road, writer/director Rashaad Ernesto Green's first feature film is an intricate, dramatic portrait of a family divided told with sensitivity, gentle humor, and a deep understanding of the environment that shapes its people. After three years in prison, Enrique (Esai Morales, La Bamba) returns home to the Bronx to find the world he knew has changed. His wife, Angela (Judy Reyes), struggles to hide an emotional affair, and his teenage son, Michael (Harmony Santana), explores a sexual transformation well beyond Enrique's grasp and understanding. Unable to accept his child, Enrique clings to his masculine ideals while Angela attempts to hold the family together by protecting Michael. Still under the watchful eye of his parole officer (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.), Enrique must become the father he needs to be or, once again, risk losing his family and freedom. Can a father's fierce love for his family overcome his street-hardened ideas about manhood and end the vicious cycle controlling his life?

VISIBILITY: A Safe Space Discussion

We've all had experiences with visibility in one way or another. Consider how visible you are in and because of your gender and what your relationship to that visibility is. That could mean that your gender is incredibly visible and you don't want it to be, or that it isn't and you wish it were more visible. Has your gender's visibility changed as you have? Has your differing level of visibility changed your relationship to the concept itself? Do you have differing levels of visibility at different points, and is this something that you control consciously? Join us for a safe space discussion on how we present and how we're read and what that means to us.

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

7:00-8:15pm

Gerber/Hart Library (1107 W. Granville)

Safe space meetings are strictly closed to researchers and reporters in their professional capacities. Meetings are open to anyone else wanting to talk and think about gender! For more info, give us a shout at genderqueerchicago@gmail.com!

Want to facilitate a meeting?

Maybe you've been going to Genderqueer Chicago meetings for a while now and you know the drill: you've memorized the working agreements and you have all kinds of ideas for new topics we can discuss. Even if you don't feel ready for full-time organizing, you can still be a guest facilitator at one of our upcoming safe space meetings!

If you're interested in being a guest facilitator, email us at genderqueerchicago@gmail.com with a meeting topic and we'll figure out which meeting you'll facilitate. If you're nervous, don't worry--the organizing team will back you up!