Though a few weeks have already passed since news first spread of Target's controversial $150,000 donation to MN Forward, a pro-business group that also happens to support anti-gay Minn. gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, the calls for a boycott from LGBT and other groups are still going strong. Tomorrow, as part of a national day of protest against the retail giant, activists in Chicago have planned a demonstration at the newly opened Wilson Yard location in Uptown at 11 a.m. more ›

Less than a week on the heels of his appearance at the Unite+Fight Midwest Equality Across America conference, "Don't Ask Don't Tell" activist Lt. Dan Choi made national headlines by handcuffing himself to the White House fence in an act of civil disobedience. The action, in addition to two sit-in protests at the San Francisco and D.C. offices of Nancy Pelosi, sparked a new question of what role aggressive, confrontational activism could play in LGBT communities' quest for the passage of pro-gay legislation. more ›

Obama again enraged the religious right with his recent appointment of Amanda Simpson, a transgender Chicago native who now calls Tucson home, to a position as the Department of Commerce's senior technical adviser within the Bureau of Industry and Security. Simpson, 49, is reportedly the first known transgender presidential appointee. more ›

And the funny thing is, the protesters are pro-gay. In reaction to news that President Obama will deliver the keynote address for LGBT org Human Right Campaign's fundraising gala Saturday, the Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network are planning to picket the event. They say "the time for talking is over" and want to see a little less conversation, a little more action on LGBT rights from the President. more ›

As John Edwards buckles down and tries to keep his presidential bid moving forward while his wife deals with the return of cancer, the two other major Democratic players — Hillary and Barack — have been in the news lately for their stands not just on gay marriage, but the morality of homosexuality in general. After Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Chicago Tribune that "homosexual acts between... more ›

When Chicagoist was living abroad, discussions of American politics were often the most interesting, as well as the most embarrassing. Unlike the U.S., where many people would prefer news about Brangelina to political races around the globe (or in the States, for that matter), the global media has always taken interest in American politics. This election season, the hotly contested 6th Congressional District seat has unexpectedly become an international election favorite, with reporters from Europe,... more ›

Tenth Congressional District Representative Mark Kirk is the kind of centrist legislator that, with one or two minor opinion changes, could move from Republican to Democrat - or vice versa - pretty easily. In 2001 the League of Conservation Voters rated him a 71 out of 100, and the National Taxpayers Union rated him a 59 out of 100. Pretty close to the middle, as votes go. He's a Naval Reserve Commander, and yet gained... more ›

With all the sad events this past week, Chicagoist needs a good laugh. This weekend, get your fill of giggles at Laughing Out Loud, a two-night event featuring gay and lesbian comedians in support of the Human Rights Campaign. Tomorrow night comedian Vicki Shaw opens for the "often flamboyant and irreverant actor/stand-up comic" ANT, who was interviewed in January's issue of Instinct Magazine. We recently listened to Ant's new CD, "Follow My Ass" and couldn't... more ›