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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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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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We're Doing Something A Little Different This Month!
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Join us on Tuesday, October 27, at the beautiful Rialto Square Theatre, a beautiful venue and a place we’re proud to call home!
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Doors open 30 minutes before the movie. Come say hi, meet our community, and check out our upcoming events at the JPN Welcome Table!
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Admission: $5 per person
Screening: Hocus Pocus
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Location: Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
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Please note: This is not a private theatre event. The theatre will remain open to other patrons, but JPN will have a designated seating section for our group.
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The theatre will have a bar and concessions available for purchase, including freshly popped popcorn.
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Have questions about parking? Please message us in advance, and we’ll be happy to help!
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About the Movie:
Hocus Pocus
A teenage boy named Max and his little sister move to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.
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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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