Celebrating Pride on the South Side at Our 3rd Annual Skate Party

Spirituality ProgrammingBlack LGBT(Q)+ Caucus

Jun 18

Chicago’s Black LGBTQ+ Pride event of the summer is back! On Saturday, June 8, Lighthouse Foundation proudly hosted our highly anticipated 3rd Annual Pride Skate Party at the Martin Luther King Jr. Skate Rink on the South Side of Chicago. Once again, the event was a tremendous success, selling out and bringing together over 200 people for a night of free roller skating, bowling, food, and fun.

The Pride Skate Party is more than just an event; it celebrates Black LGBTQ+ visibility, empowerment, and joy. As Lighthouse Foundation’s biggest event of the year, the Pride Skate Party invites Black LGBTQ+ Chicagoans to build community and connect in a safe and welcoming environment. This year, attendees showcased their skating skills to popular Black LGBTQ+ beats, enjoyed friendly bowling competitions, and stayed energized with delicious food throughout the night – all of which was offered at no cost.

One attendee shared, "I learned about the importance of skating within Black Chicago culture and how it has been suppressed. I also learned how to skate better – I didn't fall!”

Another attendee expressed appreciation for the event's atmosphere. "The environment and the people were all incredibly nice and welcoming! It was refreshing being in a pride space that allowed attendees to unwind, have fun, and feed our inner child rather than having performative activism at the forefront. It felt genuine."

At Lighthouse Foundation, we are committed to creating safer spaces for both our Black and LGBTQ+ identities. Our spirituality programming introduces healthy life practices and fosters a sense of community and belonging. The Pride Skate Party is a perfect example of how we bring our mission to life, providing a joyful and empowering experience for all who attend.

We are proud to announce that this event was powered by the Chicago Department of Public Health, highlighting our ongoing commitment to promoting health and wellness within our community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable night. We look forward to continuing to build a strong and supportive community for Black LGBTQ+ individuals in Chicago. Join our newsletter at bit.ly/lighthouseemail to stay tuned about next year's party and get ready to skate with us again next year!