Chicago hosts gay-oriented events and festivals and has an unbelievable nightlife geared toward LGBTQ culture. Some of the best Chicago neighborhoods for gay people boast sprawling green spaces, lakefront access, a thriving food and drink culture and a welcoming environment. The state even has an LGBT Chamber of Commerce to help a business become certified as a diverse supplier or find a supplier.
If you’re LGBTQ and looking for an apartment, consider one of these gay-friendly Chicago neighborhoods.
Northalsted
Photo courtesy of Choose Chicago
Until September 2020, Northalsted was more commonly known as Boystown and situated around Halsted from Belmont Avenue to Grace Street. Truth be told, it’ll likely be called Boystown for the foreseeable future as some residents don’t feel the new name really makes sense.
The Boystown name was secured in the ’90s thanks to a weekly column called “Boys Town,” which ran in the gay newspaper Outlines, according to a WBEZ piece on the neighborhood. The area in the East Lakeview neighborhood is the largest Chicago gay neighborhood and the first officially-recognized gay village in the United States.
Hundreds of thousands descend upon this neighborhood for its annual Pride Parade, which it began hosting in 1971, and Market Days, a large two-day street festival. You feel and see the rainbow pride all around you as you step into the area, starting with the street signs down Halsted Street decorated in colorful, rainbow hues.
It’s also home to a dense population of the city’s most LGBTQ-friendly nightclubs and bars. Unfortunately, this neighborhood can be a bit pricey due to all the amenities, but if it’s in your budget, it’s worth it as you’re within walking distance of great entertainment and dining, as well as near the Lakefront path.
Andersonville
Credit: Abel Arciniega Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
Located on the north side of the city, Andersonville is a quaint neighborhood with tree-lined streets and a quiet vibe. If Northalsted street is better known as Boystown, Andersonville is known for its large lesbian population, but the area welcomes all members of the LGBTQ community.
Among one of the most popular spots along busy Clark Street is Women and Children First, a massive independent book shop well-stocked with feminist and kid books and currently owned by two self-proclaimed intersectional, trans-inclusive feminists.
Uptown + Edgewater
Photo credit Megy Karydes
Uptown, and Edgewater to its north, are great options for those who want more budget-friendly rent options but still live near Northalsted or Andersonville. They’re close to Lake Michigan and home to lots of smaller restaurants serving a wide range of world cuisines, whether it’s Ethiopian, Thai or Vietnamese.
Clubs like Le Nocturne, which feature Queer Fridays, weekly entertainment that includes drag queens to DJs and health centers including Howard Brown Health, which provide health services to the LGBTQ community and its allies, help residents feel at home in Uptown.
And if you’re looking for a gay-friendly beach in Chicago, it would have to be Kathy Osterman Beach in Edgewater. Locals call it Hollywood Beach but it’s officially named after Kathy Osterman since she was a Chicago politician who championed and fought for gay rights in the 1980s. Edgewater also has the Edgewater Theater District, a group of 22 local theaters that put on more than a thousand performances annually.
Pilsen
Photo credit Megy Karydes
Located on the South Side, Pilsen has a laid-back vibe and generally, pretty affordable Chicago apartments. As one of the most historic areas in the city, Pilsen has gone through several renaissances over the years and is currently home to a large Latino population.
At one time, it was also home to the only gay Latino teen radio show in the nation. Pilsen is minutes away from the Loop and a short transit or bike ride away from Greektown, Wicker Park and Little Italy.
Wicker Park
City of Chicago Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
Home to everything eclectic, artistic and fashion-forward, Wicker Park may not be a burgeoning gay neighborhood by definition, but it’s naturally welcoming to a diverse population.
As one of the most popular Chicago neighborhoods, Wicker Park is lined with trendy coffee shops, hip boutique shopping and some of the city’s best dining options. Its namesake park features a doggie area for your four-legged friends and a summer farmers market hailed as one of the best in the area.
Logan Square
Photo credit Megy Karydes
Logan Square has changed a lot within the past 10 years, and gentrification has contributed to rent rates increasing in this once sleepy neighborhood. A mixture of single-family homes, so-called “3 flats” and larger apartment buildings, Logan Square also has a robust nightlife, restaurant and independent retail scene.
Milwaukee Avenue runs through Logan Square, making it easy for those with two or four wheels to navigate the city, and it has its own subway stop. If that weren’t enough, several bus routes service it, and it’s close to the Kennedy Expressway.
South Side
Photo credit Megy Karydes
Many neighborhoods throughout the South Side are welcoming. Organizations like Brave Space Alliance, the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, was created to help provide programming and services for LGBTQ individuals on the South and West sides of the city.
Whether it’s providing a safe space for support groups to meet or help finding a job by connecting to their job board, Brave Space Alliance wants to make sure everyone has access to various resources available throughout the city.
For those who want to keep up with LGBTQ news, Windy City Times is the best local source, and the Chicago Sun-Times has a dedicated section for updates focusing on Chicago and nationally, as well.
Chicago welcomes its LGBTQ neighbors
Chicagoans tend to be welcoming to their neighbors, and there are often a number of ways you can meet fellow LGBTQ friends and allies throughout Chicago. In addition to living in a neighborhood that feels welcoming and safe, locals can meet up with friends at a gay-owned shop, club or restaurant, attend events like the Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival or party with your closest thousand friends at a Pride Parade.
