Purpose of the Coalition
The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a collaboration of more than 100 churches and other ministries in the Chicago metropolitan area which welcome and affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We have two goals:
- To spread the message of our members' LGBTQ-inclusion across the Chicago metropolitan area, mindful that a positive message about sexual and family diversity is a gift to all people.
- To connect the leaders, members, and guests of our partner churches for fellowship and education, enabling support and resource-sharing for the practices of faithful welcome.
Welcome
Registration to march with the Coalition is closed.
Pride Planning Meetings
We had a great kick-off meeting to the Coalition's Pride planning back in April. Thank you to all who participated in that initial planning meeting.
At that meeting we chose the Coalition's theme for 2026:
Free + Beloved,
That Includes You!
Join us in our next two planning meetings as we discuss final Pride day details. We will discuss needs for snack donations, volunteer spots, and other important logistics for the day of the parade and for the Pre-Parade Worship Service. The dates for these meetings are: June 17 and 24.
Our next meeting will be June 17th from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
We will be
gathering in person at Broadway Methodist Church
(3338 N. Broadway)
AND Online on Zoom.
Our Partners' Pride Month Events
Pride in Park
Ridge, June 5
Join Pride in Park Ridge on Friday, June 5th in Hodges Park, Park Ridge for an evening of fun
for the whole family! Click the link above for more info!
All Ages Pride Party, June 6
Join us at Trinity United Methodist Church (605 W. Golf Road, Mt Prospect),
6:00–8:00 p.m, on Saturday, June 6th
Pack your own picnic, yard games, and a campfire with s’mores!
Buffalo
Grove Pride Fest, June 7
Join us in Buffalo Grove on Sunday, June 7th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring
the theme “Shine with Pride: Illuminating Resilience.” The parade will start at Buffalo
Grove and Thompson Blvd, head South on Buffalo Grove Road, and turn West on Deerfield Pkwy.
The Pride Picnic at Mike Rylko Park will immediately follow.
Many of our partner churches have events open to the public, if you are looking for places to connect with others, we recommend these events. Please Note: these events are not hosted by the Coalition.
If you or your church have an upcoming event you'd like to publicize through the Coalition, please send us the information at info@chicagowelcomingchurches.org.
Photos from Chicago's 2025 Pride Celebration
