LGBTQ Spaces Are Disappearing
Pride flag in Urbana in June 2021. Reginald Hardwick/Illinois Newsroom
Physical spaces for people in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community are disappearing throughout the country and have been for decades. With nearly 40% of gay bars closing around the U.S. in recent decades, including many here in Illinois, many bookstores, coffee shops and other gathering spots designed to be a safe place for queer people to find community and support are also becoming less and less common.
The 21st spoke with guests about what is lost and where younger generations are finding support and community.
Guests:
Tatyana Chante (they/them/theirs), Mutual Aid Coordinator + Makeup Room/Den Supervisor, Brave Space Alliance
Jaz Routon (they/she), Uniting Pride of Champaign County Board Member
Victor Salvo (he/him/his), Founder and Executive Director, The Legacy Project
��WE’RE OPEN��
— BraveSpaceAlliance (@BraveSpaceChi) April 30, 2021
BSA is excited to open back up for our community starting this Monday, May 3. We have a variety of programming and resources available and we’re so excited to finally have the space we dreamed of for BIPOC LGBTQIA+ folks. Take a look below for more information. pic.twitter.com/UNymSmhEMA
IN HONOR OF #AAPIHeritageMonth, today the Legacy Project celebrates the birth of influential gay civil rights and AIDS activist KIYOSHI KUROMIYA. learn more about Legacy Nominee #KiyoshiKuromiya at… https://t.co/PAORIoWwPq pic.twitter.com/sq5iajFh48
— The Legacy Project (@lgbt_legacy) May 9, 2021
Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi
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