CHICAGO BLACK GAY MEN’S CAUCUS – Chigo LGBT Hall of Fame

Contents:

• CHICAGO BLACK GAY MEN’S CAUCUS
• THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985
• CHIGO BLACK GAY MEN'S CC

CHICAGO BLACK GAY MEN’S CAUCUS

Chigo Black Gay Men’s Cc, has, for s seven years bridged gaps between tradnal health provirs and nontradnal provirs (club/party, fah, bs) that serve black men who have sex wh men. The Cc provis an array of HIV preventn servic to black MSM of all ag and subgroups Chigo and beyond, cludg youth, multiple-partner MSM, MSM who are not gay-intified, and MSM terted such issu as mental health and sexual addictn.

It has quickly tablished self as a rource hub for creative and vg HIV-preventn programmg among black gay and bisexual men, which is evinced by creasgly well-attend meetgs and special events as well as the numbers of webse hs and requts for technil assistance. In the summer of 2005, party promoters, bar and bathhoe owners, ernment reprentativ, muny lears, health provirs and Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men nvened at what was formerly the Ramada Inn on 47th Street and South Lakhore Drive to addrs a dire need. The report shared fdgs om a survey that found 46% of the Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men who participated were livg wh HIV.

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

“That was kd of a natnal wake-up ll to Black gay men and the HIV we had missed the boat wh this populatn, ” said Keh Green, -founr and current vice board chairman of the Chigo Black Gay Men’s Cc and Assistant Profsor at Loyola Universy. In a large nference room at the Ramada Inn, upwards of 50 people om var sectors listened to speech, reviewed the CDC data and then closely llaborated to intify and fill gaps outreach to Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men lolly. That’s when the ia of an anizatn led by and dited to Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men surfaced.

The Chigo Black Gay Men’s Cc (CBGMC) was found the same year to ntue HIV preventn, build muny and nurture lears who uld sta the movement. Sixteen years later, the Cc—a Gettg to Zero Illois partner and 2021 AIDS Run & Walk Chigo CommunyDirect team—remas an sential anizatn advancg health equy for all Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men. “CBGMC’s legacy has always been s unique role HIV preventn and tn across the Black gay muny, ” said Craig W.

CHIGO BLACK GAY MEN'S CC

9, 2005, the Cc has also anized Love Ft, an annual tn and entertament event held Jackson Park that’s provid a safe and fun space for Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men to be, get tted and fd other rourc that support their well-beg. In addn, the Cc has ntually hosted annual storytellg events, an annual World AIDS Day event and retreats that brg together Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men to discs the issu facg them and their muni. Some of those  are tailed the Cc’ novative Prospery Project, a muny-rmed needs asssment and strategic plan based on terviews wh 200 Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men.

By addrsg the social termants of health through programmg and more, the Prospery Project is helpg end the HIV epimic and advance health equy by equippg Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men wh all of the rourc that impact their well-beg. Te to s ial missn, the Cc has also supported the velopment and growth of lears across the natn who ensure there are Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men posns of power and fluence advotg for their well-beg. Thanks to novatns like the Cc Corps— the Cc’ membership work for Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men Chigo— hundreds of others are ntually offered accs to trag, rume-buildg and more to support them beg advot for themselv and their muny.

Remag a voice for Black gay, bisexual and same genr lovg men. The Cc changed the narrative for Black gay, bisexual and same-genr lovg men Chigo by advotg for their meangful volvement and mandg safe, affirmg spac.