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Welcome, beautiful humans!
Whether you’ve been with us from the very beginning, just discovered our community, or are stopping by as a proud ally, we are absolutely thrilled to have you here. This newsletter is your go-to hub for everything happening in our vibrant local LGBTQ+ community.
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Inside each issue, you’ll find updates on upcoming local events, spotlights on community members and grassroots initiatives, resources, and meaningful ways to get involved. Thank you for bringing your unique energy, voice, and heart to our community. Together, we are building a more inclusive, connected, and colorful Joliet!
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JPN Monthly Recurring Events
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2026 Charlie Palmer Award Recipients
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The Charlie Palmer Community Recognition Award
Presented by The Joliet Pride Network
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In 2021 the Award was created by Joliet Pride Network to recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations who embody the Network's mission statement. The following year, 2022, the name was changed to honor Charlie Palmer who passed away. "Joliet Pride Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting inclusion, dignity and acceptance through advocacy for members of the LGBTQ+ communty. Our organization is committed to creating safe spaces and fostering diversity. "
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The award was named after Charlie Palmer because Charlie lived our mission statement. Charlie worked tirelessly for the LGBTQ+ communty for decades. He worked for Regional Care and the Will County Health Department for many years providing education and case management for individuals with HIV/AIDS. Charlie also worked doing outreach and testing in the community for at risk individuals and to link those individuals with needed services. Charlie passed away in August 2021.
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Joliet Pride Network is honored to present this award every year at Joliet PrideFest, not just to recognize these incredible individuals and groups, but also for Joliet Pride Network's standing commitment to remembering and keeping alive those like Charlie Palmer who committed themselves to bettering our community.
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This year's recipients are Nancy Mullen and the Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet. We are honored to present the Charlie Palmer Community Recognition Award this year to Nancy and UUCJ.
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UUCJ
Since 1836, the Universalist Unitarian Church has been a part of the spiritual life of Joliet, providing a religious home for people that believe the best way to find truth is to keep an open mind.
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UUCJ's mission is to be an inclusive ministry encouraging the education and spiritual growth of it's members and the greater community.
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UUCJ had been at the forefront of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer inclusion for more than 40 years, they are a people of all sexual orientation and gender identity. UUCJ is a welcoming congregation.
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Accepting the award for UUCJ is Dorothy Brunbaugh. Dorothy and her husband Paul were integral in establishing the Community Action Alliance Network, Without Dorothy, her husband, and other members of UUCJ the Joliet Pride Network would not exist.
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Nancy Mullen
Nancy has served as the executive director of Youth Outlook for over 28 years and will be retiring at the end of this year. She has worked tirelessly and with great dedication to providing care and community to at risk LGBTQ+ youth all over Northern Illinois. Her efforts have provided exactly the type of supportive environment she was lacking while growing up.
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Nancy is also an author. Her first book, Urban Tidepool, is a memoir about surviving childhood trauma and family disfunction. The books narrative focuses on human connection, everyday heroes, and finding the light within the darkness. Her second book is due out in 2027.
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Nancy formed the speakers bureau Tidepool Communications - a group of presenters working to bring focus to topics pertaining to PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
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Due to an accident Nancy was unable to attend; accepting the award on her behalf is JPN board member Tracy Ritter.
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Monthly Gayme Night
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Thursday, October 15th @ 7pm
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The Joliet Pride Network will host its last “gayme” night at the Critical Grind Board Game Cafe in Shorewood, IL on October 15th from 7-11pm. JPN covers the $5 admission fee. Starting in November, future "gayme" nights will be held at a new location - keep an eye out for the details.
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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.
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Coffee & Conversation
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Friday, October 16th @ 7pm
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Looking for a low-key, welcoming space to connect with fellow LGBTQ+ folks in the community? Join Joliet Pride Network for Coffee & Conversation, our new bi-weekly, seriously informal gathering. We’re just going to hang out and chat about anything on your mind. It’s also the perfect spot to get information on upcoming JPN events and perhaps pick up some JPN swag.
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We’re taking these meetups on the road to give some love and support to the local businesses that have always stood by us. To make sure there’s a day/time that fits everyone’s schedule, we meet every other week, alternating days and locations:
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- Friday, 10/16 7-8:30pm @ Starbucks on W Jefferson Joliet
- Saturday, 10/31 10-11:30am @ Ten Drops in Plainfield
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Wallyball
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Saturday, October 17th @ 11am
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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!
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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.
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Community Trail Cleanup Volunteer Opportunity
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Saturday, October 24th @ 11am
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Join the Joliet Pride Network as we give back to our community and spruce up a portion of a the Joliet Junction Trail! 🌲💪
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Whether you're looking to log volunteer hours, meet great people, or just enjoy some fresh air while making a difference, we'd love to have you on the team.
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📅 When: Saturday, October 24th
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
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📍 Parking / Starting Location: TBD
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JPN Movie Night
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Tuesday, October 27th @ 7pm
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Looking for a fun, welcoming, and affordable way to connect with your community? Grab your crew and join the Joliet Pride Network every 4th Tuesday of the month for our community movie night! Movie start times are typically 7pm with admission starting at 6:30pm.
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We screen a variety of films, keeping most of our selections family-friendly so everyone from kids to adults can enjoy a great night out together. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, meet new neighbors, and share some laughs.
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📅 Event Details
When: Tueday, October 27th @ 7pm
Admission: Just $5! (And yes, that includes your concessions!🍿🥤)
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Prose & Pride Book Club
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Wednesday, October 28th @ 6pm
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Just in time for Halloween, we have a spooky book for you for October's book club. We will be reading the latest release, 'Aidan and the Alien Invasion' by local queer author Damian Serbu.
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Remember, you don't have to have read the book to attend book club! We try not to drop any spoilers during the Q&A -- we'll reveal just enough to pique your interest and perhaps convince you to pick up a copy. :-)
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About the Book
Aliens seize control of Earth, descending without warning, cutting off communication systems and crushing military resistance. Aidan and his friends flee home from Chicago to rural Michigan, but learn the aliens control the entire planet.
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Their leaders have dark intentions that Aidan and his friends uncover when they fall in with a revolutionary faction of aliens who desperately seek to save humanity. Human aid to the revolutionaries’ cause is essential but dangerous. As secrets and surprising histories are revealed, Aidan adds to his own chaos when he drifts into an unlikely romance.
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As if ADHD and dealing with young adulthood weren’t enough stress, Aidan has to navigate his role in the conflict, as well as embrace his heart’s desire with an unexpected ally.
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About the Author
Damian Serbu is an author of gay horror/speculative fiction. As David Settje, he was the Department Chair of History and Political Science at Saint Xavier University. He lives in the Chicagoland area with his husband, Paul, and dog, Mika. Mika controls his life, tells him what to write, and threatens to eat him in the middle of the night if he disobeys.
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