James De Lise, author at Chicago Reader

Where the bars (actually) are

by James De Lise June 16, 2022August 10, 2022

Celebrate how far we’ve come and brace yourself for the work to be done by enjoying libations and liberation at some of these Chicago gems: Berlin 954 W. Belmont berlinchicago.com Welcoming everyone since 1983, Berlin is an inclusive venue for dancing, drinking, and drag. Big Chicks 5024 N. Sheridan bigchicks.com Visit Big Chicks for Sunday […]

illustration of a lion standing on 2 hind legs wearing a vest and jean shorts at a bar. The lion is pointing right toward a zebra sitting at the bar with drink in one hoof and waving back at lion. Zebra is wearing an orange sweater. A lonely otter sits on a stool between them, staring at a phone that has a broken heart emoji in a word bubble above it

City Life

Where the bars are

by James De Lise June 14, 2022August 10, 2022

Are rainbow-festooned events full of glitter, sequins, and boas signs of progress? Strides made by LGBTQ+ people are increasingly under fire in the forms of violence, rhetoric, and quasi-legal attacks on the rights of the community. Has the LGBTQ+ community unwittingly played a role in this by seeking assimilation? Some might say that the idea […]

Get your Best of Chicago tickets! Line-Up Announced >>