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NM Chicago, Illinois: Brave Space Allianceīrave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ community center on Chicago’s South Side.
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Endlessly supportive of women in the industry, and a staunch and thoughtful (if underappreciated) commenter on the Black Midwestern experience, your pilgrimage to Chanhassen should pay homage to his luxurious stage outfits and give you some time to bask in the afterglow of the mythical Purple One.
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Why not pay homage to the artist himself on your next trip to Minnesota? Prince’s legendary estate Paisley Park is located in Chanhassen, Minnesota and is famous for its recording studio, once utilized by the likes of Stevie Wonder and Madonna, that hosted what were arguably the best dance parties in the state - often open to the public (if you found out about them.) After his sudden passing in 2016, Paisley Park opened up as a museum of the legend’s life, a project initiated by the artist while still in residence. SA Chanhassen, Minnesota: Paisley ParkĪn icon to the world, Prince once sultrily crooned the phrase “I’m not a woman, I’m not a man, I am something that you’ll never understand.” The lyric slid into pop culture, onto the airwaves to no doubt be mouthed into many mirrors by nonbinary folks before coming out, a comfort and self-recognition. Drink names like “Citron My Face” and “Cherry Poppins” only add to The Back Door’s ample charms. The Back Door is very pointedly a “queer” bar, not just a “gay” one, and it has an overtly political vibe, as proved by the Angela Davis quote painted on the restroom wall: “Radical simply means ‘grasping things at the root.’” (In fact, during the early months of my own gender transition in 2013, it was the first LGBTQ+ nightlife space where I felt comfortable being myself.) No matter what kind of queer you are, there is something here for you, whether it’s a drag show, a karaoke party, or - my personal favorite - a coloring book night. But those who seek shall find a veritable wonderland with zebra-print walls and unicorn-themed decorations. SA Bloomington, Indiana: The Back Doorįinding The Back Door can be tricky because, true to its euphemistic name, the only entrance is in an alleyway behind another bar. The best Tuesday night I had this year started with a delicious iced chai latte at Donkey, followed by an hour of Designated Space, a weekly open mic where college kids and local artists alike read poetry that ranged from the silly to the sublime. Despite the late-night hours, no alcohol is served, so LGBTQ+ people who want a sober space have somewhere to socialize. They support a number of Ohio-focused nonprofit organizations and offer programming for the local art scene in a spacious back room. The java is award-winning, yes, but it’s Donkey’s community involvement that makes the place special. It stays open until 12:30 AM, which is a blessing to queer people like me who believe that coffee was made to be consumed at all hours. Offering “caffeine with a conscience,” Donkey Coffee is a fixture in the Appalachian college town of Athens, Ohio. If you’re planning a road trip through the queer Midwest, our writers have collected a handful of spots that’ll have you banning the phrase “flyover country” from your vocabulary forever.