ChicagoPride.com and Boi Magazine are committed to make a difference in
Chicago and around the world! Making a difference starts with daily choices;
little moments of care, peace, patience, self-control, gentleness and kindness.

It's our desire to challenge, inspire, and promote the lifestyle and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of individuals, entities, and communities around the world. Now there is a new year's resolution!

Making a difference means being different! How many times do we comment that
people are all "the same" in our community? DARE to be different! That's what I say! It's not too difficult. It is perhaps harder to accept others differences that make it so difficult to rise to this challenge.

Making a difference means bringing a significant change in or effect on a situation. There's a real sign of mission! Looking at your life today can you honestly say that you are helping to provide significant change or effect? Before you answer that, be sure to keep in mind that we are our own worst critic.

I have had the opportunity to listen to world changers, life challengers and people that truly make a difference and they also question themselves and their
accomplishments. There is no real way to measure this change or effect. We can look at a healthy choice, a positive step or a job well done as clues. We can also see a life flourishing or a friend growing out of pain as a sign too. I guess the best sign is something that I think we tend to ignore most of the time, our hunch. There are two make a difference events that you can participate in to start your New Year off right. They are the Equality Illinois' Justice for All Gala on January 27th at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. Equality Illinois' mission is to secure, protect and defend the basic civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the state of Illinois. Tickets are still available for the annual gala at www.equalityillinois.org.

Also, Chicago Takes Off to benefit Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) on February 10th at the Park West.TPAN empowers people living with HIV
through peer-led programming, support services, information dissemination, and
advocacy. They also provide services to increase HIV knowledge and sensitivity, and to reduce the risk of infection. Event details at www.tpan.org.

For more information you can find inspiring blogs, challenging articles and make a difference events at:www.ChicagoPride.com/Difference.