Joliet Pride Network

LGBTQ+ Bowling Social League
2026-03-22 17:30 - 20:00, 2026-03-08 17:30 - 20:00, 2026-03-01 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Lucky Strike, 735 Center Blvd, Romeoville, IL, United States

March Wallyball
2026-03-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Annerino Community Center, 201 Recreation Dr, Bollingbrook, 60440, United States
Joliet Pride Network is Proud to sponsor Wallyball every third Saturday of the month from 11am – 1pm at the Annerino Community Center in Bolingbrook. The event is free to attend, it isn’t a competitive game, and is just a lot of fun!
Join us to meet new friends, create community, and play wallyball! Similar to volleyball except it is played on a racquetball court and you can use the walls. There is no expectation that you have played before or that you are athletic. This is a fun social game for all skill levels. Come on your own or grab a friend and have some fun. The best part, there are no fees because the game is on us.

Trans Up Front Light the Way Soiree
2026-03-21
Save the Date: Light the Way Soiree
Join us as Trans Up Front Illinois celebrates our first birthday at the Light the Way Soiree—an evening dedicated to community, reflection, and hope. This special celebration brings us together to honor what we have built in our first year, uplift the incredible community that made it possible, and look ahead to a bright future.
As we mark this milestone, we’ll celebrate the impact we’ve made and share our vision for continuing to support and advocate for transgender and gender-diverse youth across the state of Illinois. We can’t wait to gather with you, reflect on how far we’ve come, and light the way forward—together.
Interested in joining the host committee or volunteering?Email us at contact@transupfrontil.com for more information.

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
2026-03-20
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD) is observed annually on March 20 (the first day of spring) to promote HIV testing, prevention, and treatment within American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. First held in 2007, this initiative aims to reduce stigma, honor those affected, and address disproportionate infection rates through culturally appropriate, community-led action.

March Gayme Night
2026-03-19 19:00 - 22:30 | Critical Grind, 852 Sharp Dr. Unit L, Shorewood, IL, 60404, United States
The Joliet Pride Network hosts a regular “gayme” night at the Critical Grind Board Game Cafe in Shorewood, IL on the third Thursday of the month from 7-9pm. The “gayme” night is an event designed to promote inclusion, dignity, and acceptance by providing a safe and friendly environment for the local LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Attendees gather to play various tabletop games, fostering community and social connection.

Youth Outlook’s Joliet/Lockport Drop-In Center
2026-03-17 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-03-10 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-03-03 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-02-24 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-02-17 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-02-10 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-02-03 18:30 - 21:00
Joliet Pride Network sponsors the Joliet/Lockport Drop-In Center run by Youth Outlook. This partnership ensures that LGBTQ+ youth in the Joliet area have consistent access to a safe, welcoming, and affirming space.
Youth Outlook’s Joliet/Lockport Drop-In Center

What Happens: Guided by trained staff and volunteers, the drop-in sessions include:

Group discussions focused on topics like identity, self-esteem, mental health, and healthy relationships.
Recreational activities such as games, movies, and art projects.
Guest speakers and educational activities.
A confidential and safe environment to simply hang out.

Age Range: The drop-in centers typically welcome LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 12–20.
Cost: There is no cost to attend.
Schedule: The Joliet/Lockport Drop-In meets weekly, generally on Tuesdays from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, though meeting locations may change and are not publicly advertised to ensure youth safety (participants are usually notified via email).

Illinois Primary Election
2026-03-17 06:00 - 19:00
Don’t forget to turn out and vote!

Bayard Rustin’s Birthday
2026-03-17
On this day in 1912, Bayard Rustin was born. A Black gay innovator, Rustin is known for being the architect of the 1963 March on Washington, and for working with other civil rights leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
#HappyBirthdayBayard

National LGBT Health Awareness Week
2026-03-16 - 2026-03-20
National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week, typically the third week in March,is an annual observance led by the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health to raise awareness about unique health disparities, advocate for inclusive care, and promote equitable health for LGBTQ+ individuals by uplifting community voices, providing education, and encouraging action against discrimination. It highlights issues from mental health challenges to HIV/AIDS, aiming to foster informed dialogue and better health outcomes for all LGBTQ+ people.
#LGBTHealthAwarenessWeek
#LGBTHealth

First Joliet Pride Network Book Club
2026-03-15 13:30 - 15:30 | Tazza Cofee, 2296 Essington Rd, Joliet, IL, 60435, United States
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new book club! If you love reading, community discussion, and supporting LGBTQ+ voices, this is the space for you.

Our first gathering will be a chance to connect, share some coffee, and dive into our very first selection.

WHEN: Sunday, March 15th

TIME: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

WHERE: Tazza Coffee, 2296 Essington Rd, Joliet

OUR FIRST BOOK: “American Teenager: How Trans Kids are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era” by Nico Lang. This powerful work offers a vital look at the lives, resilience, and joy of trans youth across the country.

SPECIAL OFFER: Thanks to our supporters, we have 25 FREE copies of the book to give away! The first 18 people to contact us at health@jolietpridenetwork.org will receive a copy to get started.

March JPN Board Meeting
2026-03-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Realty Executives Success, 700 W Jefferson St, Shorewood, IL, 60404, United States
Monthly board meeting.

National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
2026-03-10
In the United States, about 23% of people living with HIV are women and, in 2021, women made up 20 percent of new diagnoses, according to CDC data. The highest number of new diagnoses were among women ages 25 to 44. Advances in testing, treatment, and prevention have resulted in progress toward the nation’s goal to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.

Game of Tones
2026-03-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Critical Grind, 852 Sharp Dr. Unit L, Shorewood, IL, 60404, United States
Thursday, March 5th is Game of Tones Music Bingo! Prizes will be provided by Joliet Pride Network. This event is free to participate, with cafe purchases. 7pm – 9pm. Make sure your phone is charged and join us for a fun event of music bingo, with a twist.

Zero Discrimination Day
2026-03-01
Zero Discrimination Day is an annual global observance on March 1st to promote equality, inclusion, and dignity for all, fighting discrimination based on income, sex, age, health status (like HIV), occupation, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and more, urging people to stand for compassionate, just societies and change discriminatory laws. Led by UNAIDS, it encourages actions like sharing stories and using the butterfly symbol to inspire transformation and awareness, highlighting that everyone’s rights are essential for health and well-being.
#ZeroDiscriminationDay
#ZeroDiscrimination

Joliet Pride Network Hangout
2026-02-24 18:30 - 21:00 | Casa Catrina, 50 E Jefferson St, Joliet, IL, United States
A group of us from the JPN family are getting together to hang out at Casa Catrina tomorrow at 6:30pm. They’re a newly opened local business and we’d love to support them!

Come spend some time with us, hear about our upcoming events and plans or just chat and chill. Everyone is welcome

February Wallyball
2026-02-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Annerino Community Center, 201 Recreation Dr, Bollingbrook, 60440, United States

February Gayme Night
2026-02-19 19:00 - 22:30 | Critical Grind, 852 Sharp Dr. Unit L, Shorewood, IL, 60404, United States
The Joliet Pride Network hosts a regular “gayme” night at the Critical Grind Board Game Cafe in Shorewood, IL on the third Thursday of the month from 7-9pm. The “gayme” night is an event designed to promote inclusion, dignity, and acceptance by providing a safe and friendly environment for the local LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Attendees gather to play various tabletop games, fostering community and social connection.gau

Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week
2026-02-15 - 2026-02-21
Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week happens every year during the first full week after Valentine’s Day. It’s a time to shine a spotlight on aromanticism – a spectrum where people experience little or no romantic attraction, no matter their sexual orientation.
#AromanticAwareness #AromanticAwarenessWeek

JPN Monthly Movie Night-Wuthering Heights
2026-02-13 18:30 - 21:00 | Regal Theater Bolingbrook, 1221 W Boughton Rd, Bolingbrook, IL, 60440, United States
🎬 JPN Monthly Movie NightJoin us for a special Valentine-themed screening of Wuthering Heights (2026)!
Experience the dark romance of Emily Brontë’s classic tale, full of passion, obsession, and haunting moors… Reimagined for a new generation. 🌹🌑
❤️ Wear red and/or black to celebrate Valentine’s vibes📸 We’ll have a mini photo setup for anyone who wants a souvenir🎟️ Private theater opens at 6:00pm • Screening starts at 6:30pm
🍿 Concessions provided by JPN
Come for the film, stay for the atmosphere, and celebrate Valentine’s with community.
Rated R
Wuthering Heights (2026) A romantic, atmospheric adaptation of Emily Brontë’s beloved novel, tells the story of Catherine and Heathcliff and their deep, complicated connection. Set against sweeping moorland landscapes, the film explores love, longing, and the choices that shape our lives, creating a beautifully haunting Valentine-season watch.

National Freedom to Marry Day
2026-02-12
National Freedom to Marry Day, observed annually on February 12, is an unofficial U.S. day started by Lambda Legal in 1998 to advocate for same-sex marriage equality, celebrating love and promoting equal marriage rights for the LGBTQ+ community through events like tying ribbons and raising awareness, though it’s now observed alongside the ongoing fight for full LGBTQ+ inclusion.
#FreedomToMarry
#LGBTMarriage

February JPN Board Meeting
2026-02-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Realty Executives Success, 700 W Jefferson St, Shorewood, IL, 60404, United States

National Black HIV/AIDS Day
2026-02-07
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is observed annually on February 7th to highlight the significant, disproportionate impact of HIV on Black communities in the U.S., focusing on increasing HIV education, testing, prevention (like PrEP), and treatment access while fighting stigma and promoting resilience. It serves as a critical call to action during Black History Month to unite and end the epidemic through empowerment and community involvement, encouraging everyone to know their status and support affected individuals.
#NBHAAD
#NationalBlackHIVAIDSAwarenessDay
