Last month, Chicago’s Pride Parade drew thousands of Illinoisians to Boystown, Chicago’s main queer neighborhood. The feeling of celebration in Boystown was palpable during the parade; onlookers stood in crazy, colorful outfits as they embraced their community. Visitors and locals alike danced and cheered as floats played familiar LGBT icons like Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan and Troye Sivan. Voices of protest were raised against the continued discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community, and one word filled the air: acceptance.
Post-parade, attendees gathered at various nightclubs and bars, with lines stretching around street corners and across sidewalks as everyone frantically tried to get into their favorite local spots. Scarlet, Hydrate, Sidetrack — to name a few — all attracted a crowd. Despite the over hour-long wait for most of the bars and nightclubs, attendees still rallied, dancing in line and continuing the fun of the morning. The vibes were immaculate as the community celebrated themselves and each other.
But as fun as Boystown is during Pride, this “gayborhood” is a haven for queer culture year-round, even without a parade to celebrate it.
What are colloquially known as “gayborhoods” began forming post-World War II, as queer people began migrating to city centers and forming communities where they could safely express their sexuality. These communities still exist in cities all around the world but are threatened by increasing housing costs and continued gentrification, as these communities tend to be more ethnically diverse than their neighbors.
Chicago’s Boystown, even outside of the month of June, is home to many members of the queer community. With queer shops, nightclubs and tons of queer street art, there are plenty of indications that members of the LGBTQ+ community are Boystown’s primary inhabitants. Though these neighborhoods are viewed today as places for people to have fun and embrace queer culture, the importance of these spaces for the LGBTQ+ community is difficult to express.
It’s easy to feel all the love during pride, but the fact remains that LGBTQ+ lives are threatened every day. Having a space to celebrate the community, along with a sense of safety, is vital for queer people.
More than that, pillars of gay culture are able to thrive there, with queer art and nightlife flourishing with vibrancy. Without these spaces, queer people are forced to exist in spaces obviously not tailored to them and their culture.
This is clear when stepping into any club in Boystown. Hydrate, one of Boystown’s most popular nightclubs, is a clear queer space. The music, the dancers, the attendants and the overall energy leave no doubt that this club is made for queer people. And those in attendance do not have to worry about putting their sexuality on display or being threatened by the judgments of others — everyone is simply allowed to be themselves.
Neighborhoods in cities all around the world have spaces for specific groups and cultures — whether that be Chinatown or Little Italy, it isn’t uncommon for people of similar backgrounds to flock together. For any culture, the importance of having a space to celebrate and embrace their identity is infinite, and queer culture is no exception.
“Gayborhoods” need to be respected, accepted and celebrated year-round, even outside of Pride month. Queer people come to Boystown not only to celebrate pride, but to comfortably exist in a space that celebrates them.
What's Your Reaction?
