Humankind Initiative

09/04/2026

If you are free on Saturday and/or Sunday, PLEASE stop by Bold and Curvy Boutique and support her amazing store. They have always stood up for trans rights, no matter what.

Read the comments--we have someone willing to match all donations made at the Pride Mixer on SATURDAY to Humankind Initiative (up to $250).

This is what community is all about. Support her store. Support the Community. Support doing the right thing ❤️

09/03/2026

RIP. Your Legacy will live on in all those you paved the road for.

RIP Gloria Steinem (1934-2026)

09/02/2026

Hey, everyone!

Don't forget to jump on these opportunities before it is too late!

Camp Blood Moon: Season 2 (our Murder Mystery Campout at Camp Tuckabatchee )is on Saturday, September 26th! Tickets are $60--the link is in the comments below!

ALSO, you still have time to save $27 on your 6th Annual Ottawa Family Pride Fest Vendor registration! The link to register is in the comments--use coupon code EARLYBIRD before October 1st and save $27 for 2027!

Everything you participate in with Humankind Initiative helps us help the LGBTQ+ Community, so thank you for your support ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩵🩷🤍🤎🖤

09/01/2026

We hold space tonight for the lives lost to gun violence in Tucson.

The hate needs to stop. This vicious cycle needs to end. Please. ❤️‍🩹🏳️‍🌈

We are heartbroken by the loss of Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33, who were shot and killed outside Venture-N, a longtime LGBTQ+ bar in Tucson, Arizona.

We are holding space for their families and friends, for everyone at Venture-N, and for Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community as they grieve this devastating loss.

Police are investigating the killings as a hate crime. The suspected shooter, 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, is dead, and police say there is no indication of an ongoing threat.

But what investigators found afterward is especially chilling.

Police say Ceesay was carrying a note containing the names of several LGBTQ+-associated businesses in Tucson. Mayor Regina Romero said investigators believe he intended to cause additional harm.

For more than 40 years, Venture-N has been a gathering place for Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community — a place where people could find friendship, chosen family, belonging and community.

LGBTQ+ spaces have always been about more than bars, clubs, bookstores and community centers. They are places where people who have sometimes been rejected by families, churches and communities can walk through the door and know they belong.

No one should have to wonder whether being visibly LGBTQ+, gathering with other LGBTQ+ people, or walking into a place flying a rainbow flag might make them a target.

To our LGBTQ+ family in Tucson and everywhere: We see you. We love you. We stand with you.

And we will continue working toward a world where LGBTQ+ people can gather, celebrate, love and simply live their lives without fear. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

09/01/2026

Our Book Club starts this upcoming Sunday, September 6th!

We will meet every first Sunday of the month at 1pm at The Center (1660 N 2501st Rd in Ottawa) to discuss that month's book selection, as well as to chat about anything else you may have been reading! If you are looking for a book club centered around diverse, inclusive, reads, this is the one!!

In between meet ups, you can chat in our book channel on Discord. Share some great recommendations with everyone and fund your next great read to add to your endless TBR.

We will pick the first selection at our first meeting, and you can join in at any time. Hope to see you there!

09/01/2026

It's a busy week for HumanKIND!

Trans Support Group meets at The Center on Wednesday, Sept 2, at 6 pm.

LaSalle County Pride Bowling starts Friday, Sept 4, at 6:30 pm, at The Alley in Ottawa. Sign up with a team or individually! Link in the comments.

D&D campaign continues on Saturday, Sept 5, at 1 pm. Message us for a link to the Discord server to get details.

NEW!!! Book Club starts Sunday, Sept 6, at 1 pm. This is the first meeting, so we'll be discussing what we like to read and figuring out what we'll read for next month. Also coming up with a clever/cool name besides "book club."

There's so much to do and opportunities to get involved. Check the calendar below for more upcoming events. See you soon!

08/30/2026

Are you ready to compete for the best Scarecrow in the County? Or even the Most Haunted Yard?

Humankind Initiative has been passed the torch on the Ottawa Scarecrow Competition, and we are making it bigger than ever! All submissions will be displayed in front of the home/location of the Competitor and we will have a digital map so everyone can drive around and enjoy them all and place their votes. (those who cannot display them at home will be displayed in Washington Park in Ottawa). Folks will also be able to view all submissions on our website if they can't drive around and see them all.

Prizes will be awarded to the winners in all categories. If you would like to sponsor a prize, get in touch with us!

If you want to compete, go to https://forms.gle/iV3bAAcxBJvrLmvu6 and register. or follow the link in the comments below. This is open to any family/individual, school, business, or organization/nonprofit in LaSalle County!

08/26/2026

Have you bought your tickets for our spookiest fundraiser of the year yet?

Join us for the Annual Camp Blood Moon Murder Mystery Campout at Camp Tuckabatchee on Saturday, September 26th!

Head to Camp, pitch your tent, and jump into the midst of this year's story as you try to solve the mystery unraveling around you. Will you find the murderer by the end?

Head home after the interactive show, or stay and enjoy a night of camping with a big breakfast in the morning! Ages 18+ for this show, please.

Go to https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/camp-blood-moon-season--2 to get your tickets and save a space!

08/26/2026

We are in the middle of Worldwide "Be Kind to Humankind" Week and (in case you didn't know about this) each day of the week offers something you can try to focus on.

Today is Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday. So, while you make your way through the day, try to help however you can. Pick up litter you see; offer someone a ride that needs it; volunteer for a Community event/project; help someone with yard work. Big or small, help wherever you can!

Here are the rest of the focus points for the week--imagine if we all tried to make these a daily part of EVERY week throughout the year.

Monday--Motorist Consideration (practice patience!)
Tuesday--Touch a Heart (show a little love)
Wednesday--Willing to Lend a Hand
Thursday-- Thoughtful Thursday (be mindful & considerate of those around you)
Friday--Forgive your Foe (forgive others, alleviate the anger)
Saturday--Speak Kind Words (the impact is massive)
Sunday--Sacrifice Our Wants for Other's Needs

Get out there and make a difference. Today, and every day.

08/24/2026

A big thank you to this great group that marched yesterday at the Ottawa Debate Days Parade. We celebrated 250 years of LGBTQ+ American History and I was so happy that, at a parade not dedicated to Pride, that we handed out as many rainbow flags as we did.

Hope is alive. Allyship is strong, and so is this Community. Don't forget to VOTE ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩵🤍🩷🤎🖤