Welcome to Market Days! While you may come from near or far to enjoy the music, activities, artists, booths and of course the girlz & boiz at this annual street fair, what you might not know about Chicago's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community is that we boast some of the greatest advocacy organizations around. BOI Magazine, with the assistance of ChicagoPride.com, has devoted a portion of this Market Days Program Guide to highlight some of the charities who have made significant contributions to our community. As you enjoy Market Days, be sure to visit the booths of these and other worthwhile organizations to learn more about each of them.

Howard Brown Health Center, 4025 N. Sheridan, (773) 338-1600, www.howardbrown.org
Founded in 1974 to provide testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases within the gay community, Howard Brown has become the Midwest's premier lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health care organization. HBHC provides a range of medical and behavioral health services, with sliding scale rates, to ensure that everyone receives essential healthcare needs. Howard Brown also operates the Broadway Youth Center, and four Brown Elephant resale stores in Chicago and Oak Park

Gay Liberation Network, www.gayliberation.net
The Gay Liberation Network (formerly known as the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network) was formed in response to three anti-gay bashings in Chicago's "Boystown" neighborhood in September 1998. Organizing marches and protests when warranted, this grass roots organization is steadfast in their support for LGBT civil rights and has been instrumental in raising awareness about critical issues affecting the community. The Gay Liberation Network meets at 7 pm on the first Wednesday of each month at Gerber Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville.

AIDSCARE Chicago, 212 E. Ohio, (773) 935-4663, www.aidscarechicago.org
AIDSCARE is a not-for-profit residence and service organization that assists those living with advanced HIV/AIDS in the Chicago area achieve a higher quality of life through housing, care and support services. Its Supported Living facility on the northside of the city provides multi-level support and services to the homeless living with HIV/AIDS and to those without adequate resources living with advanced AIDS. Annual fundraising events such as Dining Out For Life (in April) and Bar AIDS (in August) benefit the services provided by AIDSCARE.

Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), 5537 N. Broadway, (773) 989-9400, www.tpan.org
With beginnings in 1987, Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) is a peer-led HIV service provider and one of Chicago's oldest agencies devoted exclusively to HIV & AIDS. TPAN has had a strong commitment to peer-led programming since its inception and currently offers a wide range of services, the majority of which are provided by trained volunteers who are HIV-positive. TPAN also publishes the internationally acclaimed Positively Aware magazine.

Lambda Legal, 11 E. Adams, (312) 663-4413, www.lambdalegal.org
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered people. Opening its Chicago office in 1993, Lambda Legal became the first national lesbian and gay organization with an office in the Midwest. The Midwest Regional Office is committed to litigation and education throughout its ten state region that includes Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.

We recognize this is a partial list of the numerous organizations helping our community. These and other organizations are reaching out to Chicago and the world and they need your help and support. Consider giving a contribution or volunteer. You Can Make A Difference Today!

www.chicagopride.com/difference