Chicago's queer community is strong, colorful, active, and political. Pilsen hosted this year's Dyke March which drew  more than 1000 particpants. Howard Brown Health Centers provide a myriad of health and social services for queer individuals and families.  About Face Youth Theater provides professional-quality theater training to queer and allied youth, helping them develop and perform their narratives.  Congregation Or Chadash provides a respectful and affirmative home for queer and allied Jews.  Hundreds of other organizations focus on the needs and accomplishments of every facet of the queer community.

With such a large and diverse community, it's no surprise that folks are protesting the recent slew of discriminatory legislation and ballot initiatives. Thousands of queer and allied folks will participate in the Chicago Against Proposition 8 rally tomorrow, November 15, from 12:30 to 3:30 in Federal Plaza at Dearborn and Adams.

Brian Normoyle puts it well:

Last Tuesday a very narrow majority of voters decided to make history again: California is now the first state in the nation to take away a currently existing civil right from a group of citizens. This national embarrassment by way of constitutional amendment is made all the more painful and unjust by the manner in which it was passed: the subjection of individual rights to a popular vote. Really? In America? In California!?

Please join us on Saturday as we fight for human rights!

The Chicago Foundation for Women does a lot of important work in the city, disbursing funds to woman-focused non-profits large and small. They've put out a call for women to share their stories about accessing abortion and reproductive health services, to be presented in a Vagina Monologues-style event coming up this January. Check out the program description here. 

Hat tip to Viva La Feminista.

Have a story from your election day or campaign experience?  Share your comments below.

Photos from campaign work or election day celebrations? Post them to Chicago Studies Flickr Stream.

Find your Chicago polling place at the Chicago Board of Elections.

"Curiosity did not kill this cat" is what author, activist, actor, radio and television pioneer and Chicago legend (and UofC Law Alum) Studs Terkel claimed as his epitaph.  Studs died at his home on the North Side on Friday.

Studs Terkel's page has "Conversations with America", a collection of interviewed for his books and his radio program.

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I grew up with Studs on the radio and have seen and learned much about Chicago by reading his books, listening to him talk, and hearing him listen.