2013 Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run

Ho! Ho! HO!:
Saturday, December 7th Boystown will be filled once again with skin-Santas, horny reindeer and other ho-ho-ho hunks running through the chilly streets at the 3rd Annual Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run raising funds for the Center on Halsted.

Organizers Karl Sponholtz and his partner Jeff Colgan held their first event in 2011 in Andersonville and, after only two weeks of planning, 50 runners (both male and female) and 150 supporters came out on a brisk 28 degree day to raise $3,000 for Vital Bridges. Year two was moved to Sidetrack in Boystown and more than doubled participation. This year, they're returning to Sidetrack and also teaming up with the Center on Halsted.

There is a $25 minimum to run. After sign-in and registration, the whole group will join together for a chorus of "Jingle Balls". The runners then split into two groups (team "naughty" runs clockwise while team "nice" goes counterclockwise) and head out to run the mile along Halsted, Belmont, Broadway and Addison, clad only their holiday attire.

Costumes in the past have ranged from simply speedos or bikinis, Santa hats and running shoes to garland-laced harnesses, red peek-a-boo union suits, reindeers in drag, strategically placed bows and more. Check out photo coverage from last year’s run.

Not a runner? Join the throngs (That’s throngs not thongs!) of supporters and official Santa Warmers cheering the runners on. After the run participants and supporters regroup back at Sidetrack for warming up an revelry.

Interested participants can register as individuals or as teams online at mostfabuloussantaspeedorun.com or bring donations with them to Sidetrack on December 7th. Registration begins promptly at noon, with "Jingle Balls" slotted for 1:30 p.m. and the run itself starting at 2 p.m.

Shrinkage!
Chilly Billy

Make A Difference|Facebook|Email Bill

Giving Tuesday inspires support of LGBT non-profits ALL month long!

World of Chocolate

Sweets for the sweets:
HAPPY HOLIDAY’S! You can tell it’s that time of year when the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) throws its annual World of Chocolate gala.

This year’s theme, Decadence Defined - promises to be quite the celebration; all to benefit the life changing work of the AFC.

General Admission and VIP tickets will be available at the door for $150 and $225 respectively. The will call and box office will be located at Union Station, just inside the 500 West Jackson Boulevard entrance. For security purposes, tickets are required for entry.

General admission ticket holders will enjoy sweet and savory chocolate samples from thirty of Chicago's finest culinarians in the Great Hall at Union Station. Guests will also enjoy an open bar and light buffet.

Red Ribbon VIP admission ticket holders will also enjoy the sweet and savory chocolate samples, open bar and light buffet in the Great Hall of Union Station. Additionally, VIP ticket holders will be granted access to the private World of Chocolate VIP Lounge; hosting exclusive chocolate samples, champagne bar and views from the top.

All will be encouraged to vote for their favorite Chocolatier! Upon your arrival, you will receive a guide map for your decadent journey. The guide includes a ballot to vote for your choice to win the 2013 People's Choice Award. View a list of Featured Culinarians .

World of Chocolate has partnered with the folks at Uber to get guests home safely! Download the iPhone or Android application and sign up using promo code WOC2013.

New Uber users will receive $20 off their first ride. Uber will donate $5 back to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago for any rider who uses Uber to get to or from World of Chocolate.

XOXO!
Bill Pritchard

Make A Difference|Facebook|Email Bill

Giving Tuesday inspires support of LGBT non-profits all month long!

You’re Invited!

Merry Birthmas:
Having a birthday on the day before Christmas has always been a bit sucky. My Sainted Parents always went out of their way to separate the two days, but it was still a bone of contention with my siblings. They were (Perhaps still are.) bitter that they couldn’t open their presents on the night of December 24th like everyone else seemed to do.

At almost forty-four, I’m well past the personal bitterness over combined gifts and “Merry Birthday” cards. I’m just happy to have time with my folks and friends on my birthday. My friends at Wang’s Cocktail Lounge, in Chicago have gone out of their way to celebrate my birthday, with all my Chicago friends.

I hope you’ll join us December 19th for a night of libations, music and must see cuties!

In lieu of gifts, we will be taking cash donations to my charity, Interfaith House, a community home in West Chicago helping ill and injured homeless adults restore their health, rebuild their lives and regain self-sufficiency.

Arrange to call in gay to work, the next day and join us.

Cheers!
Bill Pritchard

Make A Difference|Facebook|Email Bill

Illinois governor to sign marriage equality bill Nov. 20

Life is such drag!

Night of a Hundred Drag Queens:
The 21st annual Night of 100 Drag Queens returns, benefiting Equality Illinois Wednesday, October 23, and Thursday the 24th.

The theme of this year’s nights is "100 Shades of Drag," playing off the sexiness of "50 Shades of Grey," while throwing a different angle on it by adding colors. Expect a two-night extravaganza of color, glitter and music.

Night of 100 Drag Queens began over twenty years ago. Over the years it has grown from a single night, single stage event to its current format of two simultaneous stages over the course of two nights, featuring both amateur and professional drag performers.

Night of 100 Drag Queens begins at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday October 23 and Thursday October 24 with two tiers of tickets available for both nights. General Admission tickets for $15 gain show-goers access when the doors open at 8 p.m. VIP tickets get you in at 7 p.m. for an hour reception including some champagne, a teaser performance or two and a chance to get preferred seating. VIP tickets are available for $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door.

More information, including a list of the performers and links to buy tickets, is available online

Cheers!
Bill Pritchard

Make A Difference|Facebook|Email Bill

Chris Christie drops gay marriage appeal

The ABC’s of Hillary

Hillary Rodham Clinton:
The Reverend Stan Sloan and Jeremy Hilborn have done it once again! The Annual Chicago House Speakers Series was a great success, featuring former Secretary of State (And hopeful presidential candidate) Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Speaking extemporaneously from notes, she was quick to joke about the size of the audience being bigger for her than it was for her husband, President Bill Clinton, five years earlier. What seemed more like a fire side chat, she spoke clearly from the heart.

"Legal discrimination and homophobia have no place in the modern world," Clinton told the crowd of 1,800 people gathered. She went on to admonish the audience saying, "We all have our own obligation to find ways to serve”. So popular was the speaker; tickets for this event sold out long ago.

Clinton, was the 67th United States Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, serving under President Barack Obama. She was previously a U.S. Senator for New York and a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.

Chicago House provides permanent, community-based housing, support services, and prevention outreach to individuals and families struggling with HIV and AIDS. In the past, the Annual Speaker Series has featured former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, award-winning actor Whoopi Goldberg, and designer Kenneth Cole.

The event was hosted by community friend, David Viggiano. At the end of the luncheon, Viggiano wanted to “address the elephant in the room”, asking Mrs. Clinton a question submitted by a six year old. “Will you run for president?” After a minute of thunderous applause, Mrs. Clinton indicated she was enjoying her time as a citizen and didn’t feel a rush to think about the future. (She didn’t say no!)

I’m pretty sure Hillary Clinton could get up and recite the alphabet, and still motivate and inspire a room. According to the Rev. Stan Sloan, Chicago House's CEO, the Speakers Series Luncheon has raised nearly two million dollars to date.

An inspiring time!
Bill Pritchard

Make A Difference|Facebook|Email Bill

Desmond Tutu speaks out on gay rights