where the cool queers will be in july.
Recovered from Pride and ready for more? Enjoy these local events.
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OK, folks! We did it! We survived Pride Month just to see this heinous mega-bill from the Trump administration almost certainly get rubber-stamped by the GOP-majority House of Representatives just in time for America’s birthday!
If you’re currently feeling those Wrath Month vibes, I can’t blame you one bit and you’re certainly not alone. Between the current political vibes, the endless heat, post-Pride exhaustion, and everything else that gets shoveled on top of it, this is clearly a tough stretch for many of us. Trust me, after what was a very bittersweet Pride Month personally, I’m right there with you.
All of this is a great excuse to tap into community resources and events—and, thankfully, there’s still plenty of queerness to go around in the western Chicago suburbs even though Pride Month is officially over, with a bit of something for everyone. I’ve even got news of a brand new monthly drag brunch happening in the area if you scroll on down for details.
As always, if I’m missing anything below or if you’re the organizer behind any of these events and you’d prefer that they not appear here for whatever reason, please reach out by emailing me at queeringtheburbszine@gmail.com or using the button below. Keep it queer out there, lovelies!
Tuesday, July 1 (6 p.m.): Guerrilla Gay Bar
This monthly queer takeover of a supportive bar in DeKalb began in February and has been going strong the first Tuesday of every month ever since. Check it out!
Class VI, 214 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb
Monday, July 7 (6 p.m.): GAYme Night
Mondays are “Pride Nights” at Critical Grind and the first Monday each month is a low-key board game night catering to local queer folks and allies. Admission costs $5.
Critical Grind Board Game Cafe, 852 Sharp Dr. #L, Shorewood
Monday, July 7 (6:30 p.m.): Cheers, Queers!
Belong: Fox Valley’s relaxed monthly meetup for queer adults and allies returns to Batavia for its July 2025 edition.
Sturdy Shelter Brewing, 10 Shumway Ave., Batavia
Tuesday, July 8 (6:30 p.m.): Book Queeries
Sycamore Library’s LGBTQ+ book club for adults will be digging into Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao this month.
Sycamore Library, 103 E. State St., Sycamore
Tuesday, July 8 (7 p.m.): OUTspoken LGBTQ+ Storytelling
Skeleton Key hosts another night of queer storytelling from community members. A portion of the night’s proceeds benefit Youth Outlook. Admission is free.
Skeleton Key Brewery, 8102 Lemont Rd. #300, Woodridge
Friday, July 11 (7 p.m.): Rainbow Roundup
This casual (18+) monthly get-together for young (ages 18-30) LGBTQ+ adults and allies is hosted by Belong: Fox Valley.
Stop N Dip, 13 Douglas Ave., Elgin
Friday, July 11 (6:30 p.m.): Tarot Spreads Master Class
Hoof + Horn is hosting this class aimed toward helping tarot practitioners of all levels learn how to nail the perfect tarot spreads. The class is led by Jacob Mayfield and costs $65. Be sure to bring your own tarot deck.
Hoof + Horn, 14 W. Downer Pl. #6, Aurora
Friday, July 11 (9 p.m.): Freakshow
Did you know Crystal Lake is hosting cool ass drag shows? Me neither! But Sobby the Clown, Lilith Towers, and Laith Eden will be taking part in this alternative drag experience that sounds like a dang good time.
Cantina 52, 52 Brink St., Crystal Lake
Saturday, July 12 (1 p.m.): Pride at the Park
Belong: Fox Valley is hosting this free all-ages event featuring music from School of Rock Geneva, a performance from the Belong Color Guard, food, balloon animals, face painting and more kid-friendly activities.
Wheeler Park, 822 N. 1st St., Geneva
Saturday, July 12 (8 p.m.): Chappell Roan vs. Sabrina Carpenter Drag Show
Martini Room in downtown Elgin is the site of a monthly drag show, hosted by Miss Moscato. This month will be a pop diva showdown featuring Kimberly Summer, Ari Blakk Diamond, and Virus Killz. Tickets cost $20 if purchased in advance, or $25 at the door.
Martini Room, 161 E. Chicago St., Elgin
Saturday, July 19 (11 a.m.): Coffee Meetup
This informal meetup for queer folks and allies in the far western suburbs takes place the third Saturday of every month.
The Greenhouse, 265 W. Peace Rd., Suite 108, Sycamore
Saturday, July 19 (11 a.m.): The Morning After Drag Brunch
Denim & Diamonds is hosting its first monthly drag brunch catered by Rent-A-Chef. Queens Moana, Keri, and Dymond will all perform. Tickets cost $50 and includes an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet.
Denim & Diamonds Saloon, 425 W. State St., Sycamore
Saturday, July 19 (1 p.m.): Coffee & CommuniTEA
The Aurora LGBTQ Advisory Board hosts this monthly casual meetup for LGBTQ+ folks at Society 57, which serves a breakfast sandwich I sometimes dream of.
Society 57, 100 S. River St., Aurora
Saturday, July 26 (11 a.m.): Drag Me to Brunch: Lady Gaga
El Jefe’s iconic monthly Drag Me to Brunch event pays tribute to Gaga in its July 2025 edition. The even will include vibrant drag performances to Gaga’s best bops. Tickets for the brunch cost $25 and a two-drink minimum purchase is required.
El Jefe - Lena y Mar, 1271 N. Lake St., Aurora
Monday, July 28 (6 p.m.): Fabulous Bingo
The fourth Monday of every month is a drag bingo event at this venue, hosted by Jolene Jett. Admission costs $10 per bingo board and half the proceeds go to charity—the other half goes to prizes. Cafe purchases required.
Critical Grind Board Game Cafe, 852 Sharp Dr. #L, Shorewood
Thursday, July 31 (7 p.m.): Rainbow Coloring
The Aurora LGBTQ Advisory Board’s PRISM peer group is hosting a free coloring night for queer folks in room S332.
Santori Aurora Public Library, 101 S. River St., Aurora
Looking for queer events in/near Chicago? Check out the Chicago Social Butterflies calendar. More highlights include:
On Saturday, July 12, Kesha and Scissor Sisters are taking over Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park with Slayyyter on the bill as well. Gayest concert lineup since Sweat tour?! I think so.
On Sunday, July 13, icon trans comedian and ghost huntress Roz Hernandez is bringing her Comedy in a Gay Bar?! tour to Hydrate in Lakeview.
The Art Institute of Chicago’s Frida Kahlo’s Month in Paris: A Friendship with Mary Reynolds exhibit also closes on Sunday, July 13, so this month is your last chance to see it.
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SONG OF THE RIGHT-NOW
I was lucky enough to catch one of FKA twigs’ shows at the Salt Shed last week and was blown away by the physicality and mood of her performance. Her commitment to the songs, the choreography, and in particular her performance on the pole was absolutely incredible. The live versions of the songs off the new Eusexua were especially intoxicating. I’ll be remembering the show for a very long time.
Setting the mood for the set was a trip hop-heavy pre-show mix that brought me back in time. I joked that it was good to see a live show finally aim toward pumping down a crowd vs. pumping us up as moody, downtempo bops were pumped through the venue’s speakers, but in all honesty hearing songs like Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” (with Elisabeth Fraser vocals) in that setting was absolutely appropriate and set the perfect vibe for the evening to proceed as I’d forgotten just how meditative the track is.
Now, it’s like I’m back in my LiveJournal emo high school era fixating on all the trip hop gods and goddesses once again. Here’s Fraser—whose voice is somehow still crystalline—singing “Teardrop” live with Massive Attack just a few years ago:
Love, love is a verb
Love is a doing word
Feathers on my breath
Gentle impulsion
Shakes me, makes me lighter
Feathers on my breath