Chicago Queer History Walking Tours: AFABs and Femmes

The Historian John D’Emilio argues that queer women’s social spaces and practices developed in very different ways to queer men’s because of decreased access to capital, social power, and public space. That difference often obscures the lives of queer women in the historic record. This week we’ll work to uncover the contributions of women, fems, and AFABs to Chicago Queer history. Follow in the steps of artists, lawyers, performers, and gender creatives who called Chicago home and helped shaped the city we live in today.

When: Saturday, June 7, 1 pm
Start: Fountain of the Great Lakes, South Garden of the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S Michigan Ave)
End: 2nd Story Bar (157 E Ohio St #2)
Distance: apx 2 miles

The University of Illinois Chicago Gender and Sexuality Center presents a series of Chicago Queer History Walking Tours for Summer 2026. Tours are conducted by Daniel Williams, a political science professor who’s been bringing the details of Chicago’s queer past to life on social media. Follow him on Instagram @Daniel.Edward.Williams
All walking tours are free, with tips gratefully accepted, but not expected.