Affinity Community Services

Affinity Community Services is a social justice organization serving Black LGBTQ+ people in Chicagoland, with a particular focus on Black women. It grew out of a 1995 push by Black LGBTQ community members to march in the Bud Billiken Parade on the South Side, and has spent three decades building community, advocating, and creating spaces where every part of a person's identity is welcome.

Much of Affinity's work happens in peer-led groups that meet monthly at its South Wabash office or out in the community. Trailblazers offers social, health and cultural programming for Black LGBTQ+ women, trans and nonbinary people 60 and older, and Midstreamers does the same for those 50 and up. Proud Parents brings together Black LGBTQ+ families raising children, with childcare provided. Spectrum centers masculine-of-center people of color, while 30+ and 20-somethings help younger adults make friends, learn in workshops and share resources.

Affinity also hosts intergenerational workshops and events, from a Moribayassa djembe drumming workshop to Empowered Transitions, and partnered with The Care Plan on the LGBTQ Care Fair, a free day on caregiving, Medicare, and health screenings. Its priorities include education, health, wellness and safety, as well as advocacy, organizing and civic engagement.

People can join any group by emailing its peer leads or signing up for its list. Volunteers help in the office, plan events and deliver programs, and those with an idea for a new group can apply to become a Peer Lead. Supporters can give online or join the Giving Circle of monthly donors.