LAGBAC - Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association

06/19/2026

Today, LAGBAC commemorates Juneteenth, marking June 19, 1865, when freedom was finally enforced for the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas. As a legal community, we celebrate this milestone while recommitting to the ongoing fight for systemic equity and justice.

In honoring this day, we reflect on the powerful, multi-layered symbolism of the Juneteenth flag. Its red, white, and blue colors declare that Black Americans are full, rightful citizens of this nation, while the red lower half specifically honors the resilience and the blood shed by enslaved ancestors in the struggle for liberation. The single star and surrounding nova burst represent both the holiday’s Texas roots and the birth of a new freedom on the horizon. Finally, the curved arc cutting across the center symbolizes progress, momentum, and our continuous journey toward true equality.

Happy Juneteenth!
🤎🖤❤️💚💛🧡💙💜

06/19/2026

🌈🎉 Congratulations to the Alliance of Illinois Judges! 🎉🌈

The Illinois Judges Association proudly congratulates the Alliance of Illinois Judges on being selected as a Community Grand Marshal for the 2026 Chicago Pride Parade!

This well-deserved honor recognizes the Alliance's ongoing commitment to promoting equality, inclusion, diversity, and access to justice throughout Illinois. Through leadership, advocacy, and service, the Alliance continues to strengthen public confidence in the judiciary while fostering a legal community that reflects and serves all people.

We celebrate this remarkable achievement and thank the Alliance for its dedication to advancing fairness, respect, and opportunity both within the courts and throughout our communities.

Happy Pride! 🌈⚖️

06/19/2026

06/16/2026

There’s still time to sign up for our team at https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/161204! We’ll see you there!

🏳️‍🌈 Join LAGBAC at Proud to Run Chicago 2026! 🏳️‍🌈

We’re excited to announce that LAGBAC - Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association has formed an official team for this year’s Proud to Run Chicago: Pride Race 2026!

Whether you walk, jog, or run, we invite all members, allies, friends, and supporters to join us in celebrating Pride, building community, and supporting incredible LGBTQ+ organizations.

🗓️ Race Details:

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: 601 W. Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

Distances & Costs:

5K Walk – $50
5K Run – $60
10K Run – $65

(Registration fees do not include processing fees)

All participants receive a race T-shirt!

🌈 Team Info:

Sign up to race with the LAGBAC team at:

🔗 https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/161204

Just select “LAGBAC Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association” when choosing your race group during registration.

Let’s come together, move our bodies, and SHOW OUR PRIDE! We can’t wait to see you at the start line!

Visit https://www.proudtorunchicago.org/race-info to check out additional race information.

06/16/2026

This June, we’re celebrating and recognizing diverse voices in the judiciary. The following features Circuit Court of Cook County Associate Judge Nishá N. Dotson and her reflections on her career, diversity on the bench, and more. https://rebrand.ly/m49qakh

06/13/2026

SMB is pleased to co-sponsor LAGBAC - Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association's 2026 Pride Parade Judicial Reception on June 28.

The event brings together members of Chicago's legal community to celebrate Pride and support one of the nation's leading LGBTQ+ bar associations.

Learn more here: https://www.smbtrials.com/sponsors-lagbac-parade/

06/13/2026

🌈 Pride Parade Judicial Reception 2026

We invite you to the Pride Parade Judicial Reception in celebration of Chicago’s 55th Annual Pride Parade, a cherished tradition that brings together members of our legal community in the spirit of Pride, connection, and celebration.

📅 Event Details

Date: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Bug Gay Sal’s Pizza
Address: 3445 N. Halsted

Enjoy great views of the parade, delicious food, and refreshing beverages from one of the best spots on the route!

🎟️ Tickets

Judiciary: Complimentary
LAGBAC Members: $45
Non-Members: $75

Get your tickets NOW as SPACE IS LIMITED!

🔗 https://lagbac.org/product/lagbac-pride-parade-judicial-reception-3

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:

Alliance of Illinois Judges (AIJ)
Block Reid
Young Lawyers Section of The Chicago Bar Association
Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP

06/06/2026

🌈 Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 5th Annual Pride Mixer hosted by LAGBAC and Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago - IPLAC!

It was a wonderful evening celebrating Pride Month, building connections, and fostering community among LGBTQ+ legal professionals, allies, and friends. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event such a success.

06/06/2026

To kick off Pride Month, LAGBAC was a proud co-sponsor of the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) LGBTQ Section LGBTQ+ Justice Town Hall Forum Bridging Community Voices and Legal Advocacy on June 2 in collaboration with the Alliance of Illinois Judges (AIJ) and the LGBTQIA+ Committee of The Chicago Bar Association. We want to thank our President, Vince Rizzo, and his amazing team at his law firm, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, for graciously hosting.

This timely program brought together attorneys, elected officials, and community leaders to examine the current state of LGBTQIA+ rights and civil rights advocacy through a town hall forum.

Through an engaging discussion, panelists explored key issues, including access to justice, recent policy developments, and the role of legal professionals in advancing equity. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of effective advocacy strategies and how to support community-driven change.

Thank you to our phenomenal panelists Precious Brady-Davis, MWRD Commissioner and LGBTQ+ Rights Activist, Aisha N. Davis, Senior Policy Counsel at ACLU of Illinois, Antonio King, Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs for the City of Chicago – Government, Nathan Maxwell, Senior Attorney at Lambda Legal Midwest Region and Lamont Robinson, Alderman for the 4th Ward for the City of Chicago.

We sincerely thank Moderator and LAGBAC member, Marcell Taylor, and Event Coordinators LAGBAC Executive Board Member and Communications Director, Hon. Nishá N. Dotson, and CCBA President Antonio Lee.

We also thank Carrie Maxwell and the Windy City Times for their amazing coverage of the event! You can view the article at https://windycitytimes.com/2026/06/05/lgbtq-justice-town-hall-forum-focuses-on-effective-advocacy-strategies.

06/06/2026

🌈 Pride Parade Judicial Reception 2026

We invite you to the Pride Parade Judicial Reception in celebration of Chicago’s 55th Annual Pride Parade, a cherished tradition that brings together members of our legal community in the spirit of Pride, connection, and celebration.

📅 Event Details

Date: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Big Gay Sal’s Pizza
Address: 3445 N. Halsted

Enjoy great views of the parade, delicious food, and refreshing beverages from one of the best spots on the route!

🎟️ Tickets

Judiciary: Complimentary
LAGBAC Members: $45
Non-Members: $75

Get your tickets NOW as SPACE IS LIMITED!

🔗 https://lagbac.org/product/lagbac-pride-parade-judicial-reception-3

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:

Alliance of Illinois Judges (AIJ)
Block Reid
Young Lawyers Section of The Chicago Bar Association
Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP