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Say it isn’t so:
Seems like just yesterday I was ringing in the New Year with my Best Friend Isaiah and Bosom Friend David! Where in the heck did summer go? Mind you, I can’t complain. We’ve had a very fun summer of parties, travel, and festivals. It’s just difficult to grasp winter already.

Market Gays: Thanks goes to all our team members at ChicagoPride.com for their wonderful efforts over Market Days. I especially want to thank Michael Livingston, Brian Decker, Matthew Inawat, Danny Bernardo, Lucas Chen, Andy Masters, Anthony Meade, Arthur Cheney and Andrew Moran for busting their buns at the ChicagoPride.com booth! You can see the photo’s here.

Instagram:
Speaking of photos, are you on Instagram? ChicagoPride.com is and we would love to post your photos! Simply use the hash tag’s #boystown, #chipride, or #chicagopride and your photo will populate to the front of our site. Check out our Instagram today

THANK YOU!:
I want to say a very special thank you to my friend Michael Livingston. (See photo above) Michael has given so much of his time and treasure to the success of ChicagoPride.com and the GoPride Network. Many of the branding items you’ve seen over the years have been at his hand. Michael is moving on to new opportunities and goes with my full recommendation and praise. He’s worth his weight in gold and I heart him more than friends!

Cheers damn it!
Bill Pritchard

MaD|ChicagoPride.com|PrideLA.com|PrideDC.com|Facebook|Twitter|Email Bill

Gay Day OUT in the Park at Six Flags Chicago

Blog This:
Sometimes I have the time. Other times, I don’t. It would seem that June, July, and August are the busiest times of the year for me. I’m not complaining, mind you. With all of the ChicagoPride.com tenth anniversary work and 2012 Pride activities; I did manage to squeeze a vacation in there.

So Long:
As many of you probably figured out by my Facebook and Twitter feeds; my best friend Isaiah moved to New York at the end of June. I can’t begin to say how happy I am for him. This has been a dream of his for quite some time. Sure, it sucks a bit to not have him around, but nothing has really changed, other than his geographical location.

Thanks to so many of you for looking out for me. The goodbye was perfect and with the exception of a small thunderstorm and a few tears. I was happy the big day came and went. A special thank you to Spence, Roan, et al, for filling that day with laughter!

Italy:
I’ve been a big fan of the Italian people since my first love, all those years ago. He was a terribly sweet guy and cute as could be. True to form, the Italian people on my visit to Rome, Elba, and Livorno, Italy were so kind! This was a real vacation, but I really learned a lot. You can’t help but to learn when you travel internationally.

Resolution:
I’ve not ever heard of a mid-year resolution, but I’ve made a few. For one, I would really like to write more. I’m not the best writer in the world, but I enjoy doing it. Also, I would like to do things that my brain often times says I can’t. Nothing stupid of course but perhaps I could be more open than usual. Finally, I think I would enjoy a boyfriend. It’s been a while since I’ve had one. Although I really love dating, so who knows?

Here's to you!
Bill Pritchard

MaD|ChicagoPride.com|PrideLA.com|PrideDC.com|Facebook|Twitter|Email Bill

Amy & Freddy Cabaret Show August 16th

KISS This!:
One of the highlights of my year is when my friends Angi Taylor and Brotha Fred at Chicago’s 103.5 KISS FM invite me to come on-air the Friday before Pride weekend starts.

We have such a blast talking about Pride and all the events taking place. It’s especially encouraging to see such great support for equality and community from Fred and Angi! They are so damn sweet to reach out to me every year and shed light on the LGBT cause!

Angi, Brotha Fred, the KISS FM Beat Freaks and DJ Maurice Halsted joined ChicagoPride.com June 14th as we hosted our 10th Anniversary Party at Hydrate Nightclub. It made the evening even more special for us!

Of course ChicagoPride.com and Chicago’s 103.5 KISS FM have been partners for years, through PRIDE Raido; streaming on all the GoPride Network sites.

Take a listen to the fabulous show here:

Special thank you to KISS FM morning Producer MJ for being so sweet and such a good sport! (And damn fine! #hadtobesaid)

Make your Pride plans with ChicagoPride.com’s 2012 Pride Guide. Remember you can also see the parade online with Gay Chicago TV and ChicagoPride.com’s live stream; providing a front row seat to the 2012 Chicago Pride Parade

As much fun as Pride can be, we ought not to forget why we celebrate it! Many individuals have fought for our rights to equality. As corny as it sounds, it is those make a difference people we should be proud of. It is equality we should be celebrating. We may have more to achieve, but we can all agree; we’ve come a long way in our community!

Proud!
Bill Pritchard

MaD|ChicagoPride.com|PrideLA.com|PrideDC.com|Facebook|Twitter|Email Bill

2012 LGBT Pride Parade LIVE Stream

Time to celebrate:

ChicagoPride.com is turning 10 this year and we want to celebrate! In a day where so many start and end weblogs, websites, and media outlets; ChicagoPride.com has been a source of community connection for a whole decade.

To me that spells relationships. We have partnered with so many of you over the years, in reaching out across the Midwest to make a difference. That has be so rewarding for us, but enjoying to watch as well.

Please come join us this Thursday, June 14th as we host a Reception from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (Includes a hosted bar by 4Rebels Vodka and “live” red carpet coverage by Gay Chicago TV.) At 8:00 p.m. Special guest host Angi Taylor from the “Brotha Fred” morning show on 103.5 KISS FM joins me as the party continues with entertainment from the 103.5 KISS FM Beat Freaks; a performance by the cast of the laugh-out-loud musical Avenue Q, and Hydrate’s DJ Phil DaBeatz.

Guests will have an opportunity to win exciting prizes including free airfare for two from Orbitz.com to anywhere in the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), a Kindle Fire and many other exciting gifts. This year’s tantalizing Bud Boyz competition finalists will make their first public appearance during the party.

I hope to see you there!
Bill Pritchard

MaD|ChicagoPride.com|PrideLA.com|PrideDC.com|Facebook|Twitter|Email Bill

Gay Chicago Rewind

Click!:
Chicago Lost and Found is a not-for-profit organization committed to art education and inspiring creativity throughout the city of Chicago. They re-purpose materials with no value or which would otherwise become landfill and transforms it into unusual art and functional furnishings.

Sales from the creations assist in generating funds to provide hands-on art education anywhere there is a need. Simply put, they take trash and turn it into treasure; all the while teaching folks the importance of art, creativity, and making a difference in their community.

Well, Chicago Lost and Found is hosting their Big Picture Soiree May 24th here in Chicago at The Victor; (311 N. Sangamon) raising needed support for education in the community through the visual arts.

This event promises to be an over the top soiree in who’s-who attendance. Top Chef Dale Levitski of Boystown’s newest dining establishment, Frog N Snail will be on hand presenting tasty eats; with Patrón providing the open bar for the evening.

There’s even spectacular entertainment provided by cabaret duo Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen; with Chicago’s Cyon Flare adding to the fun.

Tickets are just $30 (Before May 18th) or $40 at the door.

Cheers to the arts!
Bill Pritchard

MaD|ChicagoPride.com|PrideLA.com|PrideDC.com|Facebook|Twitter|Email Bill

More about Chicago Lost and Found