Events
Meetings
Chi-Town Gender Alliance hosts a meeting once a month, typically on the 3rd Saturday. They are currently hybrid in person/Zoom meetings. This gives our members the option of being able to meet in person or take advantage of the safety and convenience of Zoom meetings. Meetings start at 7:00pm with a social hour. At 8:00pm we have a few announcements and then go into the program. Programs vary from month to month and typically include a guest speaker on a topic relevant to our community. After the program, people on Zoom can socialize more while members at the meeting may go out for a drink.
Location:
K2N Crest
1010 Jorle Blvd, Suite 320
Oak Brook, IL
Parking is in the rear of the building. Enter through the door by the parking lot and take the elevator to the 3rd floor. We have a large meeting room there and also a large screen TV so we can see everyone on Zoom.
CTGA Night Out
Chi-Town Gender Alliance has Night Out socials twice a month on the second and last Saturday of each month. CTGA Night Out normally starts at 7:00 pm. On the second Saturday of every month we gather at the DoubleTree hotel in Oakbrook at the 1909 Lounge (formerly called Foxes). We have dinner, drinks, conversations, camaraderie, and a lot of fun. The only cost is whatever you order.
On the last Saturday of each month we gather at various restaurants and bars in the Chicago suburbs. In addition to dinner, drinks, and conversation, sometimes the Last Saturday CTGA Night Out includes an activity such as dancing to a live band. Depending on the venue, there might be a cover charge or a food & drink minimum. Check the Upcoming Events for more info.
Girl’s Gathering Online
Our Girl’s Gathering Online is a social gathering on Zoom. These gatherings are drawing t-girls from across the country. At the start we have introductions and then just chat. There is usually a suggested topic to think about in advance, but discussions can cover a lot of other topics, too. Our Girls Gathering Online starts at 7:30 pm central time (8:30 pm eastern, 6:30 pm mountain, 5:30 pm pacific).
Formal Dinner Dance Events
Chi-Town Gender Alliance typically hosts formal dinner dance events once or twice a year (usually in the spring and/or fall). Think of it as the prom you didn't get to attend as your feminine self! Includes a full meal, cash bar and a dance floor with a DJ or band. These events are typically held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oakbrook and require a ticket purchase in advance. Check the Upcoming Events for more info.
Parades
As part of Pride Month in June, Chi-Town Gender Alliance has participated in various parades, including the annual Chicago Pride Parade and the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade. We highly encourage walking (or riding on the float) with us at these parades. It’s an unforgettable experience!
If you are interested in joining us for any of our events, or have any additional questions, contact us at Chi.ChapterChicago@yahoo.com or call us at 708-383-1677.
Upcoming Events
Online Support Group
See your CGSA friends across the US in the comfort of your home in this Zoom only event. To RSVP, email: ChiTownGenderAlliance@gmail.com
CGSA Night Out
Join us at the DoubleTree hotel in Oakbrook at the 1909 Lounge. We have dinner, drinks, conversations, camaraderie, and a lot of fun. The only cost is whatever you order.
CGSA Social
Come have fun with all of our sisters with dinner and drinks. The only cost is whatever you order.
CGSA Picnic
Everyone is welcome at our annual picnic. It is at a Forest Preserve shelter and will have a large spread of food. CGSA will bring a grill, hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, buns, condiments, plates, napkins and water. Please bring side dishes, deserts, snacks and appetizer and your favorite beverage. Alcoholic drinks are allowed.
CGSA Monthly Program & Speaker
Delaney Beh (they/them) a nonbinary Christian pastor, theologian, and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion will speak about their University of Chicago Divinity School Master's Thesis "A Case for Gender Non-Conforming Space in the Church through an Analysis of Its History”. As a Pastor for one of many open and affirming places of worship in the Chicago area, Delaney is committed to creating spaces where faith and gender can be explored with honesty, compassion, and hope.
This is an exciting and informative program not to be missed! We encourage everyone to invite interested friends and family knowing that all are welcome and that zoom attendance is available.
CGSA Meeting
A look backward and forward with Gloria Wright talking about the history of Chicago Gender Society and Chi Town Gender Alliance.
Summer Soirée
Join us for our Summer Soirée at the Embassy Suites in Lombard.
This is a fabulous opportunity to share an evening of fun and friendship with two legacy Chicago organizations, Chi-Town Gender Alliance and the Chicago Gender Society, as we come together to celebrate and support the Chicago area transgender community.
Our event will also be recognizing the Kristal Larson and the Lake County LBGTQ+ Center for their work in supporting our community.
Our evening activities include a full buffet dinner, cash bar and cocktail hour, music and dancing to a DJ followed by a A Parisian Fashion Show Afterparty, so Haute Couture should be on full display! Everyone and all genders are welcome to participate in the Fashion Show.
Click here for tickets and hotel reservations.
Girl’s Gathering Online
See your CTGA friends across the US in the comfort of your home in this Zoom only event. We are changing the day only in July because of the Fourth of July holiday. To RSVP, email: ChiTownGenderAlliance@gmail.com
Chicago Pride Parade
We will have a float in the parade. This will be a very memorable experience being in front of huge enthusiastic crowds along the parade route. Parade starts at 11:00 am. Allow lots of time to get there. All are welcome to be in the parade with us. If you plan to join us, let Lynn know at lynnderson6647@gmail.com.
We are Entry Number 102. We will be meeting at our float located on the south side of W. Sheridan St., between N. Pine Grove Ave & N. Lake Shore Dr.
Last Saturday CTGA Night Out
This will be a casual get together. We will have dinner, drinks, conversations, camaraderie, and a lot of fun. The only cost is whatever you order.
CGSA Social
Come enjoy an evening with all of our sisters and brothers for dinner and drinks.
CGSA Monthly Program & Speaker
Karen Perta, an Assistant Professor from Elmhurst University who conducts research on gender-affirming voice training, will be sharing her insights about transgender voice training and specialized voice apps. Karen is highly credentialed with degrees in Communications, Speech and Language and earned her PhD. From Ohio State University. Dr. Perta has been a voice-specialized medical speech-language pathologist for 15 years.
7:00 doors open, 7:30 CDT on Zoom with program starting at 8:00
CTGA Night Out
Join us at the DoubleTree hotel in Oakbrook at the 1909 Lounge. We have dinner, drinks, conversations, camaraderie, and a lot of fun. The only cost is whatever you order.
White Sox Pride at the Park
Watch the Sox play the Atlanta Braves at an evening dedicated to uplifting and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Tickets are $28 when purchased with the link below. Online ticket sales are only through Wednesday, June 3.
Buffalo Grove Pride Parade
CTGA and CGS will be marching in the 8th annual family friendly parade. This year's theme is "Flower Power: Let Love Bloom". This will be a great experience being with many supportive people. We will have the honor of carrying a large transgender flag made for Pinta Pride. After parade will be the Buffalo Grove Pride picnic including concert by Beyond the Blonde.
We are entry #98 (second to last) and meeting on Buffalo Grove Road just south of Aptakisic Road. Get there by 10:45 if you plan to march with us. There is plenty of street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Girl’s Gathering Online
See your CTGA friends across the US in the comfort of your home in this Zoom only event. To RSVP, email: ChiTownGenderAlliance@gmail.com
CGSA Nomination Meeting
Members of the new Chicago Gender Support Alliance (from merging CTGA and CGS) gather to nominate 5 Board members.
Last Saturday CTGA Night
Enjoy Manhattan's excellent American cuisine, then get energized by Little Giant playing the rock & pop hits of the 1960’s to early 1970’s
CTGA Meeting
This will be a important meeting where there will be a discussion and vote to have Chi-Town Gender Alliance merge with Chicago Gender Society. After the vote, Silas Leslie will speak to us about improving LGBTQ+ mental health. Meeting starts at 7:30pm (30 minutes earlier than usual).
CTGA Night Out
Join us at the DoubleTree hotel in Oakbrook at the 1909 Lounge. We have dinner, drinks, conversations, camaraderie, and a lot of fun. The only cost is whatever you order.
Girl’s Gathering Online
See your CTGA friends across the US in the comfort of your home in this Zoom only event. To RSVP, email: ChiTownGenderAlliance@gmail.com
Last Saturday CTGA Night
This will be a casual get together at the Embassy Suites in Lombard. We will have dinner, drinks, conversations, camaraderie, and a lot of fun. The only cost is whatever you order. Meet in the bar.
CTGA Meeting
Marg Produ will explain to us being intersex, both from her personal experiences and research she has done.
Starts at 7:00 in person, 7:30 CST on Zoom
CTGA Night Out
Join us at the DoubleTree hotel in Oakbrook at the 1909 Lounge. We have dinner, drinks, conversations, camaraderie, and a lot of fun. The only cost is whatever you order.
Girl’s Gathering Online
See your CTGA friends across the US in the comfort of your home in this Zoom only event. To RSVP, email: ChiTownGenderAlliance@gmail.com
Saturday CTGA Day Out
Join us to show support for both the Transgender Day of Visibility and the No Kings Rally in Buffalo Grove. Bring transgender flags and signs to show what you believe in. We will have some flags too. Lunch optional at noon at nearby restaurant.
CTGA Night Out
Join us at the DoubleTree hotel in Oakbrook at the 1909 Lounge. We have dinner, drinks, conversations, camaraderie, and a lot of fun. The only cost is whatever you order.
Girl’s Gathering Online
See your CTGA friends across the US in the comfort of your home in this Zoom only event. To RSVP, email: ChiTownGenderAlliance@gmail.com
Fourth Saturday CTGA Night Out
Fourth Saturday Night Out this month is at Ballydoyle Irish Pub in Downers Grove. Enjoy dinner with friends, then listen and dance to high-energy original & cover songs from the '60's thru today by Valius.
CTGA Meeting
We have a very special guest speaking at our February 21 programming meeting, Kristal Larson who is Transgender and the Executive Director of the Lake County Illinois LGBTQ+ Center. Kristal is also the first openly transgender elected official in Lake County Illinois. Kristal will provide background on her center, her networking and advocacy work and how she has led the growth of her center’s service offerings and community impact.
As CTGA and CGS are working to come together with greater focus on providing more active support to the gender diverse community, we are looking forward to learning from Kristal to help us plan our future. As this is an important time for us, we strongly encourage all members from both CTGA and CGS as well as allies who support our collective vision and mission to attend.
We hold our meetings at a private business office space in Oak Brook. For those unable to attend in person we will also provide a zoom link to attend virtually. In person social time starts at 7 pm, zoom starts at 730 and the formal meeting begins at 8 pm. If you have any questions or would like a zoom link, please email us at ChiTownGenderAlliance@gmail.com
CTGA Night Out
Join us at the DoubleTree hotel in Oakbrook at the 1909 Lounge. We have dinner, drinks, conversations, camaraderie, and a lot of fun. The only cost is whatever you order.