F Newsmagazine - The School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Art, Culture, and Politics

“Born This Way,” a song by Lady Gaga, has become a major cultural reference during Pride celebrations. Its lyrics, which include the line, “there’s nothing wrong with loving who you are,” could be heard playing throughout the parade. (Photo by Emily Rich)

Boystown got its name because of the influx of gay men residing there in the 1970s and 80s. By 1980, according to the US census, 16% of the neighborhood was African-American. (Photo by Emily Rich)