where the west suburban queers will be this pride month.
Lock in for local queer events almost every single day in June.
Queering the Burbs is a distillation of pop culture, politics and queerness published twice weekly by Joe Erbentraut. If you like what you see, please consider subscribing (many posts are free!), liking or sharing this piece, checking out Joe’s new zine, or buying Joe a coffee.
I have to admit something: Compiling the below list you’re about to read nearly killed me.
OK, that is not true, but can we all just admit that 36 LGBTQ+ events in and near the far west Chicago suburbs is a lot of events? I’m really not complaining though. This is a great problem to have. Everywhere you turn in June, you’ll find opportunities to celebrate the queer community in many incredibly different ways. Of course, you’ve got the area’s main parades—on June 7 in Elgin and June 8 in Aurora—but you’ve also got a little bit of everything else in the listings that follow.
The wildest part is that this is just the start of it. Windy City Times has compiled a list of 27 suburban Pride events happening this month including our friends over in Woodstock, Rockford, Buffalo Grove, and many more.
But if you’re looking to stay farther out west, you’ve got plenty of options. I’ve even caught wind of events happening in Wheaton as well as in Rochelle this June.
Whatever your speed is this Pride, I hope you have a fabulous month, even if your idea of celebrating Pride Month is as simple as taking a nice nap or eating a delicious sandwich. You deserve whatever your heart desires, boo!
As always, 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.
Sunday, June 1 (12 p.m.): Queer Variety Show
Critical Grind is hosting an all-ages variety show featuring a lineup of artists performing music, comedy, lip-syncing, and more. Tickets cost $15 at the door for any attendees 15 years or older.
Critical Grind Board Game Cafe, 852 Sharp Dr. #L, Shorewood
Monday, June 2 (4 p.m.): St. Charles Pride Fest
The St. Charles Equity and Inclusion Commission is hosting a Pride Fest featuring karaoke, a food truck, photo ops, and tables featuring local businesses and resources. The Pride Fest will coincide with the St. Charles Pride Flag raising.
St. Charles Municipal Building, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles
Monday, June 2 (6 p.m.): GAYme Night
This is a low-key space for gaming enthusiasts to play board games and meet some fellow queer folks and allies. This event takes place each first Monday of the month. Admission costs $5.
Critical Grind Board Game Cafe, 852 Sharp Dr. #L, Shorewood
Monday, June 2 (6:30 p.m.): Cheers, Queers!
Belong: Fox Valley’s relaxed monthly meetup for queer adults and allies is celebrating its 2025 Pride edition in St. Charles.
Alter Brewing + Kitchen, 12 S. First St., St. Charles
Monday, June 2 (6:45 p.m.): Batavia Pride Flag Raising
Batavia will be raising a Pride flag outside of City Hall in honor of Pride Month with a short program before its June 2 City Council meeting.
Batavia City Hall, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia
Tuesday, June 3 (Time TBD): Geneva Pride Flag Raising
Geneva’s Pride flag raising accompanying its Pride Month proclamation will be taking place on June 3 this year.
Geneva City Hall, 22 S. First St., Geneva
Tuesday, June 3 (6 p.m.): DeKalb Pop-Up Gay Bar
This informal queer meetup launched in February and returns for its Pride Month edition.
Class VI, 214 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb
Wednesday, June 4 (6 p.m.): Queerly Beloved: A Celebration of the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement
The Elgin Human Rights Commission is hosting this event celebrating the LGBTQ+ people with a “When I Was Little” panel, resource fair, memorial performance, and candlelight tribute.
Heritage Ballroom, Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin
Friday, June 6 (11 a.m.): Aurora Pride Flag Raising
Aurora will be officially raising its Pride flag in honor of Pride Month.
One Aurora Plaza, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Friday, June 6 (6:30 p.m.): LGBTQ+ in Myth and Folklore
Hoof + Horn is offering a unique class led by shop witch Adrian celebrating Pride Month by exploring the long legacy of LGBTQ+ heroes and villains in folklore and mythology. The class costs $23.
Hoof + Horn, 14 W. Downer Pl. #6, Aurora
Friday, June 6 (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.
Mod Pizza, 845 S. Randall Rd., St. Charles
Friday, June 6 (7 p.m.): ArtBar: Pride Art Show
ArtBar and the Aurora LGBTQ Advisory Board are partnering to present a Pride Art Show opening on June 6.
Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora
Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7 (8 p.m.): Jen Kober
Queer comedian Jen Kober is performing two shows on the Paramount Theatre’s Copley stage. She’s been featured on many popular shows including American Horror Story, Hacks, and The Righteous Gemstones. Tickets cost $36.
Copley Theater, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Saturday, June 7 (11 a.m.): Elgin Pride Parade & Festival
Elgin’s Pride Parade kicks off at Prairie and Grove and the festivities continue after the parade with a market, food, and more at Festival Park.
132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin
Saturday, June 7 (6 p.m.): Pride at the Plaza
The Aurora LGBTQ Advisory Board is hosting Pride at the Plaza, an event with live music, drag performances, food trucks, beverages, face painting, and more. The $5 suggested donation supports the Denee Mallon Scholarship Fund.
Millennium Plaza, 21 S. Stolp Ave., Aurora
Saturday, June 7 (8 p.m.): Elgin Pride Official After Party
Martini Room in downtown Elgin is hosting the official afterparty for the Elgin Pride Parade, hosted by Miss Moscato. The lineup of performers includes RuPaul’s Drag Race star Orion Story, plus Gina D’Licious, Sativa Diamond, and Mark Love. Tickets start at $25 with VIP packages going for $40.
Martini Room, 161 E. Chicago St., Elgin
Sunday, June 8 (12 p.m.): Aurora Pride Parade
Aurora’s Pride Parade begins at noon and kicks off at Benton and Broadway. Follow the link to view the parade route.
E. Benton St. & S. Broadway, Aurora
Sunday June 8 (12 p.m.): Pride Extra-vaganza
Hoof + Horn is celebrating the Aurora Pride Parade with this event centrally located on the parade route featuring Annie Hex’s tarot readings and yours truly offering my wares, including the first IRL opportunity to purchase my new zine, Queering the Burbs #02, and other aggressively queer merchandise.
Hoof + Horn, 14 W. Downer Pl. #6, Aurora
Sunday, June 8 (1 p.m.): Aurora Pride Official After Party
DJ Katie B will be on the decks at this family-friendly Aurora Pride Parade after party featuring music, food and drinks, and drag from performers including Keri Traid, Marilyn Doll Traid, Aleyna Couture, Zelina Azul, and Destiny Valero.
Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora
Sunday, June 8 (2 p.m.): Pride Celebration
Brother Chimp is holding its own after party for the Aurora Pride Parade, featuring live music from Cheryl Rodey and Fernando’s Street Kitchen’s food truck will also be on hand. $1 from each pint of the brewery’s Pride Beer sold will go to Youth Outlook.
Brother Chimp Brewing, 1059 Orchard Rd., North Aurora
Sunday, June 8 (5 p.m.): Pride Drag Show
Zelina Azul, Keri Traid, and Aleyna Couture will also be performing at Aurora Tap House after the Aurora Pride Parade.
Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Pl., Aurora
Monday, June 9 (6 p.m.): PFLAG Geneva/Tri-Cities June Panel
Our local PFLAG chapter will be hosting a speaker panel featuring three dear friends of this newsletter: Beverly Trafton, Annie Hex, and Scott Naylor. The event is also offering a Zoom link for folks wishing to join remotely.
Location available upon RSVP
Tuesday, June 10 (6:30 p.m.): Book Queeries
Sycamore Library’s LGBTQ+ book club for adults will be discussing Tomorrow Will be Different by Sarah McBride this month.
Sycamore Library, 103 E. State St., Sycamore
Thursday, June 12 (9 p.m.): Queens of the Midwest
Denim & Diamonds is hosting a drag show in honor of Pride Month featuring a talent lineup of performers. Tickets start at $17.85 in advance or $20 at the door.
Denim & Diamonds Saloon, 425 W. State St., Sycamore
Friday, June 13 (7 p.m.): Annie Hex’s Queer Prom
Annie Hex is putting on her last Queer Prom (at least for now) in Batavia. The show will feature drag by Skater Gaytor and Sobby the Clown, DJ sets, performances from Annie Hex, and music from Rhiannon Hammer. Tickets cost $33.
Sidecar Supper Club, 12 N. River St., Batavia
Saturday, June 14 (6 p.m.): River Light FC Pride Match
River Light Football Club is hosting a Pride Match and is also sponsoring a special jersey spotlighting Belong: Fox Valley. Proceeds from the jersey benefit Belong’s work. Tickets to the match cost $10.
Aurora University Spartan Complex, 1000 S. Edgelawn Dr., Aurora
Tuesday, June 17 (6 p.m.): Will & Harper Screening
DeKalb County Pride is hosting a free screening of this documentary highlighting the close friendship of comedian Will Ferrell and trans woman Harper Steele. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion.
Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd. St., DeKalb
Friday, June 20 (6 p.m.): Queering the Burbs Zine Release Party
I’ll be reading essays from my new zine, Queering the Burbs #02, in celebration of its release, as well as both Pride Month and the summer solstice. Rhiannon Hammer will be providing music and NMV will be offering their delicious treats. Zines will be available for purchase and I’ll even sign ‘em!
New Moon Vegan, 119 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia
Saturday, June 21 (11 a.m.): Drag Me to Brunch: Love is Love
El Jefe’s Pride edition of its iconic Drag Me to Brunch event will include vibrant drag performances to iconic Pride anthems. Tickets for the brunch cost $25 and a two-drink minimum purchase is required.
El Jefe - Lena y Mar, 1271 N. Lake St., Aurora
Saturday, June 21 (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
Sunday, June 22: Rainbow Magic
Jacob Mayfield will lead this immersive workshop celebrating Pride Month with an exploration of the beauty and symbolism of the rainbow in both folklore and LGBTQ+ history, and how you can integrate this knowledge into magical work. The workshop costs $53.
Hoof + Horn, 14 W. Downer Pl. #6, Aurora
Monday, June 23 (6 p.m.): Fabulous Bingo
The fourth Monday of every month is a drag bingo event at this venue, and Pride Month is no different. Jolene Jett hosts, admission costs $10 per bingo board, and half the proceeds go to charity—the other half goes to prizes.
Critical Grind Board Game Cafe, 852 Sharp Dr. #L, Shorewood
Wednesday, June 25 (7 p.m.) : Gender Peers
This new monthly meetup from Belong: Fox Valley is geared toward trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse folks 18+ and will be facilitated by the brilliant Beverly Trafton.
Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 102 S. 2nd St.
Friday, June 27 (7:30 p.m.): Express Yourself Fashion Show
Paula’s Couture Consignment will host a Pride Month fashion show complete with music and lights.
Peg Bond Center, 151 N. Island Ave., Batavia
Friday, June 27 (8 p.m.): Rocky Horror Picture Show
The incredibly queer cult classic will be screened with the Irrational Monsters live shadow cast. Tickets cost $22.50 and prop kits will also be available for $7.
Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd. St., DeKalb
Saturday, June 28 (1 p.m.): A Book Club
The Aurora LGBTQ Advisory Board’s new monthly book club’s Pride Month edition features Lev A. C. Rosen’s Lavender House: A Novel.
Yellow Bird Books, 34 S. Stolp Ave., Aurora
Saturday, June 28 (6:30 p.m.): PRIDE’s Multigenerational Formal
The event will include dancing, snacks, games, and crafts with a $5 suggested donation.
Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore
Looking for Pride Month queer events in/near Chicago? Check out the Chicago Social Butterflies calendar and the Windy City Times Pride Month guide. You’ll also find a bunch of family-friendly Pride events taking place in Chicago in June. More highlights include:
On Saturday, June 7, queer icons Grace Jones and Janelle Monae play Ravinia in a collab with QUEEN.
The Slo ‘Mo Rodeo honoring the Black, brown, femme, and queer roots of country music will be held Saturday, June 14 at Sleeping Village.
On Tuesday, June 17, queer artist Perfume Genius headlines a show at the Vic Theatre.
The Chicago Pride Parade steps off from Sheridan and Broadway at noon on Sunday, June 29.
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SONG OF THE RIGHT-NOW
My incredible pal Rhiannon just turned me on to the music of Norwegian pop duo Smerz, who just put out a new record today. Leave it to the Scandinavians to slay some synth pop music, because I’m loving this album. Enjoy the track “Feisty” below.
So here we go again, it's not so easy
But I enjoy myself, I'm feeling breezy
I spin around, 'round, 'round, 'round
My shoes are high and my hair is falling down
Have I mentioned my new zine, Queering the Burbs #02, yet? Sorry, I’m bad at promoting things, but the zine is almost here and is now available for pre-sales! Thank you for all the support and love, I’m so excited for all you folks to read this one.