Halstead lgbtq chicago
Northalsted – the heart of Chicago’s LGBTQ community
In recognition of LGBT History Month, we aspire you enjoy this history of Northalsted. This Lakeview neighborhood, known until 2021 as Boystown, has for decades been synonymous with Chicago’s LGBTQ community.
eATLAS has a walking tour of Northalsted called Bits of Boystown created by Ronnie Frey. You can purchase it here.
In 1997, Mayor Richard M. Daley declared that Boystown, a ¾ mile stretch of N. Halsted St. between Belmont Ave. and Grace St., was to be officially commended for its vital role in promoting gay culture. It was the first time an American city had bestowed such a designation on a neighborhood, elevating Boystown to the level of long-established ethnic neighborhoods like Little Italy, Chinatown or Greektown.
Prior to Boystown/Northalsted’s emergence, Chicago didn’t hold a part of town that the LGBTQ community could call its retain. There were merely pockets of compassionate enclaves. The Levee, the infamous red-light district comprising S. Dearborn Ave. between 18th and 22nd Sts., became one such place in the early 1900s. But in 1911, the city close the Levee down after a Vice Commiss
Howard Brown Health Halsted
From primary care, dental or behavioral health to sexual health testing and prevention, our Lakeview clinic offers healthcare services with the LGBTQ community’s needs in mind.
You can schedule an appointment with a provider at Halsted today using our online scheduling page. For a entire list of providers at Halsted, visit the Our Providers page.
Dental Services: Located on level four of the building, the Dr. Harrison Mackler Dental Center is a comprehensive dental center that is now accepting new patients. We accept Medicaid and most private insurance and provide a sliding scale for patients without insurance. To become a new patient, schedule your New Patient X-Rays online or on the smartphone at 773.388.1600.
Behavioral Health Services: Located on level three of the building. We accept Medicaid and most private insurance and provide a sliding scale for patients without insurance.
Patient Parking Available:
Located east on Cornelia, a few feet east of the main entrance.
The garage is open from 15 minutes before the clinic opens until the clinic closes.
To access, tug up to the overhead door and provide your mention a
The Legacy Walk highlights the lives of 40 Queer individuals who made an impact on world history and culture
For those of you visiting, those separate streetscape rainbow pylons on North Halsted have a lot of history to them! Read on, and educate yourself on a treasure found only in Chicago.
The Legacy Walk is the country’s first outdoor LGBTQ+ museum. Located in Chicago’s landmark LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Northalsted, the exhibit lines a half mile stretch of the North Halsted Street Corridor between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street, and is defined by ten sets of 25-foot-tall rainbow pylons made of decorative steel. These pylons serve as a beacon for Chicago’s LGBTQ community, with each pair of pylons anchoring a section of the exhibit.
Bronze biographical markers are affixed to the rainbow pylons, commemorating the life and work of notable Gay individuals whose contributions contain helped shape the society. Each marker measures 18 inches by 24 inches and is mounted below each bronze memorial marker. Each donor who made the marker possible is recognized on a 4-inch by 18-inch dedication plate. With forty biographical markers in total, the exhibit boasts the largest compile
Northalsted, Chicago's Proudest Neighborhood
The first officially recognized gay village in the United States, Boystown Chicago is the commonly recognized nickname for the eclectic East Lakeview neighborhood acknowledged as Northalsted that is home to Chicago's visible and active lesbian, gay, attracted to both genders and transgender community.
Northalsted, the first official gay neighborhood in the country (credit: northalsted.com)
Northalsted is situated just southeast of Wrigleyville in Lakeview. The area is bordered by Broadway Ave. on the east and Halsted St. on the west, Grace St. to the north and Belmont Ave. to the south.
The two main (north-south) avenues of Halsted St. and Broadway take charge the heart of this commercial and entertainment district. Broadway primarily offers a variety of themed shops and restaurants stretching throughout the neighborhood while Halsted caters to a lively nightlife with more than 30 different gay and lesbian bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
The neighborhood is also home to the Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ community center that welcomes over 1000 people per day. Northalsted hosts a nu
Northalsted (Boystown)
Why we love it
Northalsted (also known as Boystown) is one of the most country’s inclusive Gay communities and the oldest officially recognized gay neighborhood in the United States. It’s known for its welcoming vibe, nonstop nightlife, LGBTQ-owned businesses, and outstanding dining options. It’s also the center of some of Chicago’s most well-liked events and festivals.
Explore fond a local
Insider tips
Stroll the award-winning Legacy Walk, the world’s only outdoor LGBTQ history museum. Located on Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Grace Lane, the Legacy Walk commemorates LGBTQ+ heroes and historical events with colorful monuments.
Along the way, stop into funky boutiques, cool vintage clothing stores, and independent shops that capture the casual, funky spirit of the neighborhood — CRAM Fashion, Unabridged Bookstore, Ragstock, and Reckless Records are just a few.
Enjoy a meal at one of the many charming neighborhood restaurants: Drew’s on Halsted has American bistro fare and a popular patio, The Chicago Diner has been serving vegetarian cuisine since 1983, Ann Sather is a cozy Swedish brunch