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Center on Halsted

Chicago's LGBT Community Center

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Now More Than Ever...

These economic times impact everyone but particularly those in our community who were already struggling. Center on Halsted is a place of comfort and community for its clients and program participants with a diversity of needs and interests.

Thanks to the continuing and generous support of donors and volunteers, Center on Halsted can make wishes come true this holiday season for Chicago’s LGBT and ally communities.

Now, more than ever, the Center needs friends, like you, to reach out and help those less fortunate. Please, consider making a gift supporting your community and your Center.

As you gather with family and friends this season, give thanks for all you enjoy and keep Center on Halsted in your thoughts. To make a contribution to the Center click here. May this season bring you the happiness, peace and comfort you graciously extend.

Thank you!

Modesto Tico Valle, Executive Director

YOUR GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Please contact C. Nathan Harris, Director of Individual Giving for more information by phone or email at 773.472.6469 ext. 252 or nharris@centeronhalsted.org.


Welcome to Your Center!

Every day more than 1,000 visitors, participants and clients walk through the doors of Center on Halsted.  Come and experience the richness of our recreational, theatre, gallery exhibits and cultural programs.  Take a class in our Computer Technology Center or use the free wi-fi throughout the building while seated in one of our many living rooms spaces. Come, be a part of Center on Halsted.

TAKE A TOUR! Click here for more information and to register for a building tour.

Center on Halsted opened its doors April 30, 2007, and has become Chicago's premier lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) destination. Once inside, you'll find an entertainment venue, an organic grocery store, a café, more than a dozen community service partners, a technology center, a gymnasium, a theatre and a number of other unique gathering spaces to house our programs and services to the community.


Oscars 2009

Join us for Oscar Party 2009!
Click here for online ticket form and more information.


Center on Halsted's Gender Queer Cabaret

Gender Queer Cabaret

Friday, January 16, 2009
Hoover-Leppen Theatre
Performance: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, followed by a light dessert reception.

The Center’s Youth Program’s “Diva” workshops will culminate in an exciting evening of gender bending queer musical performances based on shows at the historic landmark Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Hosted by Cathy Smith
Starring: Phoenix Jade, Anastasia, Crystal, Biodun and Jay.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door. Students and seniors may purchase tickets for $3 with valid I.D.

Sponsored in part by Skyscraper Heels (LOGO)

For more information, please contact Val Newman at vnewman@centeronhalsted.org or call 773-472-6469 x227


Peace · Love · Community

Demonstration at COH

Center on Halsted learned that hatemonger Fred Phelps (godhatesfags.com) planned to demonstrate against a meeting of LGBTchange.org being hosted by Center on Halsted Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 1:45 PM.

In reaction to this news, Center on Halsted immediately mobilized over 100 allies who gathered to form a peaceful, human chain of “protection” around the Center. Center allies held signs with the messages of Peace, Love and Community. Surprised by the preparedness of the Center, Phelps group moved its demonstration to Halsted and Addison and remained only for a few short minutes.

The Center wishes to thank those who joined us in solidarity.


Transgender Model Isis From “America’s next Top Model” Meets With
Trans Community Members at Center on Halsted

On Saturday, December 6, Isis met with a large group of young people at Center on Halsted. She spoke about her life, her recent television appearance and future career plans. Those attending the gathering were pleased to have met with this young, successful transsexual role model.

Isis
Isis, transsexual contestant on “America’s Next Top Model”
meets with youth and staff at Center on Halsted December 6th.


Compliance: The Pattern of Living with HIV Art Exhibit

Compliance<Compliance<Compliance

Center on Halsted observes World AIDS Day and continues its celebration and support of LGBT artists by presenting Cal Calvird's “Compliance: The Pattern of Living with HIV.” The exhibit will be on display at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., from November 21 – January 5, 2009.

An opening reception will be held on November 21, 2008, from 6:30p – 9:30p in the Center’s second-floor “living room” space.

Inspired by the AIDS Quilt, Compliance is a graphic representation of HIV drug treatment over the course of a lifetime. The representation uses a two pill a day treatment regime over a 50 year projection. (A recent study published in The Lancet showed that an individual starting successful HIV treatment at the age of 20 would be expected to live to be nearly 70.) CDC’s historical trend analysis indicates that HIV incidence has been increasing steadily among gay and bisexual men with a disproportionate increase seen in younger men under the age of 30 and men of color. Compliance is a graphic representation of this study's findings, namely what does 50 years of treatment compliance look like?


Many-One an Art Show by Jeff Stevenson

Many-One
Modern Man, oil on canvases, 3 ft. X 9 ft.

Jeff StevensonOpening reception will be held on Friday, January 9, 2009 at Center on Halsted’s “Living Room” space on the 2nd floor from 6:30 – 9:30 PM; a $5 donation is requested. Cash bar will be available.

The exhibit will feature large scale, multiple canvases, figurative paintings.

“Art isn’t just about what we see. It also has to do with what we think.”
                                                                      - Jeff Stevenson

To see more of Jeff Stevenson’s work, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/artistjeffstevenson/


Yes We Can: John Gress On the Campaign Trial with Barack Obama

Yes We Can: John Gress On the Campaign Trial with Barack Obama

Opening reception for this photographic show will be held on Friday, January 16, 2009 at Center on Halsted’s 3rd floor gallery from 6:30 – 9:30 PM; a $5 donation is requested. Cash bar will be available.

The exhibit will feature extraordinary photographs of President-Elect Obama and his family while on the campaign trail and will remain on display until March 1.


What is being said about Center on Halsted?

"Chicago prides itself on offering the best of everything. I am proud to be part of the leadership that is giving this city a world-class community center that is good for business, good for the community and good for the environment."
-- Richard M. Daley, Mayor, City of Chicago


"Important institutions do one thing well: In a small way they help to make their region, their city or their nation better. I think Center on Halsted will help do that."
-- Dr. Lonnie Bunch, Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture


"Our community organizations are going to have an opportunity to be in proximity to each other in a way they've never been before."
-- Art Johnston, Community Leader and Owner, Sidetrack


"There is a wonderful synergy when various kinds of organizations come together."
-- Nikki Stein, Executive Director, Polk Bros. Foundation


"The new Center on Halsted adds a highly visible, publicly accessible green building to Chicago's growing collection of significant architectural landmarks. The innovative building features can be readily adopted by others in their future building projects and illustrates the strong economics for building green. There is no question that this building will serve as a model for future green buildings to come."
-- James Mann, Executive Director of Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation


"It puts its programs and its purpose as inspiration right on the street for people to see."
-- Elva Rubio


"It's going to improve the quality of life for many, many people for many generations to come."
-- Billie Jean King, Tennis Legend


"It will help all ages, but I think it's especially important for the youth; that they have a place, a safe place, to go."
-- Tom Tunney, 44th Ward Alderman, City of Chicago


"We must be bold enough to dream, naïve enough to believe and tenacious enough to make it happen."
-- Patrick Sheahan, Executive Director of Public Affairs, UBS and Board Chairman Emeritus, Center on Halsted


"It's a gift we can give that can benefit someone else."
-- Michael A. Leppen, Philanthropist and Community Leader



Rental Information

We are now taking reservations for our meeting rooms, theater, gym and other spaces available in our new building. Please see the following documents to see how we can help you.

Rental Book [General Room Rental Information]Rental Information

Reservation Application

Rental Pricing

Not-For-Profit Pricing


Approved Catering List

*These PDF Files require Adobe Reader software, available for free at www.adobe.com


Visit our Community Partners Page to learn about who is sharing our home! Partners include The Association of Latino Men for Action (ALMA), Amigas Latinas, The Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, GayCo Productions, The NAMES Project Chicago Chapter, Nothalsted Area Merchants Association (NAMA), Windy City Athletic Association, Windy City Performing Arts, Windy City Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, achurch4me? Metropolitan Community Church.

Center on Halsted - Chicago's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center


Make a Donation


Directions - Location - Parking
Directions - Location - Parking

Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid

Events

Patrician Racette
Openly Lesbian Soprano Patricia Racette, Jan 22


Trans Wellness
Trans Wellness Seminar Tickets Jan 24 | Feb 21

Oscars 2009
Oscar Party 2009, Feb 22


Save The Date


   Human First Gala
   March 21, 2009
   Hyatt Regency on Wacker

CENTER NEWS &
EVENTS CALENDAR



Calendar

2009
1/2

2008
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11/12


WEEKLY
HIGHLIGHTS


MONDAYS
Co-Ed Volleyball. Billie Jean King Recreation Hall
6pm – 9pm | $5
(18+ with ID)

TUESDAYS
SAGE: Coffee and Conversation
Noon-3pm FREE

THURSDAYS
Co-Ed Volleyball. Billie Jean King Recreation Hall
6pm-9pm | $5
(18+ with ID)

FRIDAYS
CMA Beginners Group
7pm-9pm FREE

SCA Group
7:15pm-8:45pm FREE

SATURDAYS
NA Group
11:30am-12:45pm

SUNDAYS
Sober Horizons
9:30am-11:00am

Worship Services by achurch4me / MCC
11am FREE

Pillar of Love Fellowship Church Services
1pm-3pm FREE

SCA Group
7pm-8:30pm FREE


EVENT
HIGHLIGHTS


Click on the event title for more information or visit our Events page.

01.07.2009
Women on Wednesdays: A Fun Alternative Place to Meet Women
Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, Chicago

01.09.2009
Many-One an Art Show by Jeff Stevenson
Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, Chicago

01.16.2009
Center on Halsted's Gender Queer Cabaret
Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, Chicago

01.22.2009
SingOUT Series: Patricia Racette
Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, Chicago

01.29.2009
Out at CHM Events


02.22.2009
Oscar Party 2009
Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, Chicago

04.17.2009
Transgender Aging Intensive
Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, Chicago


Resources
Addiction Help

AIDS/HIV & STD Resources