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Black-Led, Trans-Led LGBTQ+ Center

On The South Side of Chicago

Providing affirming, culturally
competent, for-us by-us resources. 

Providing affirming, culturally competent, for-us by-us resources.

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The evening before Trans Day of Visibility we are ...

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Mar 23

Open
The evening before Trans Day of Visibility we are having our “Re-Introduction” event to invite the community back into the space after 3+ months of renovations, AND to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility… eve!

We will be combining some of our favorite offerings: Vogue University, Barber shop, game night, pantry services, raffles and more!

We will start at the BSA office at 3:00 p.m. and go untill 9p.m. (schedule in Eventbrite)

Food and drinks will be provided

We will also have volunteer sign up sheets for folks to sign up for various events we need support with for the rest of the year.

Pull up with some friends and be with us in a new refreshed space with a new vibe and new vision.

Please RVP for this free event (Link in Bio) via Eventbrite to help us get enough food and for accessibility information and requests. You can also find the schedule of events.

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**Travel support available by request email Jae@bravespacealliance.org
***Masks are optional but strongly encouraged, please practice social distancing and mindfulness when interacting. Masks will be provided in the space.

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Mutha Marsha P, and the “P” is for PAY IT NO ...

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Mar 20

Open
Mutha Marsha P, and the “P” is for PAY IT NO MIND! Let this be an affirmation; against the hate, against the 425+ pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and against the mobilization to erase, and oppress the trans identity. We pay homage to the bravery and resilience of our trancestor and how that paved the way for our liberation and freedoms today! #womenshistorymonth #getbrave #lgbtq🌈 #blacktranswomen #sayhername

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The Brave Space Alliance community believes that ...

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Mar 15

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The Brave Space Alliance community believes that the next mayor of Chicago must prioritize the safety and dignity of Black trans individuals, who face disproportionate levels of violence and discrimination in the city. However, it is not enough for the next mayor to simply address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community - true progress requires a commitment to the collective liberation of all Chicagoans. These amazing LGBTQ+ orgs have intentionally come together to make sure LGBTQ+ issues are a priority in Chicago! Thank you @almachicago1989 @the_caucus @affinitycommunityservices and @life.iswork 💪🏾🫶🏾🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ #chicagomayor #lgbtq🌈 #lgbtqrights

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SAY HER NAME! CASHAY ...

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Mar 13

Open
SAY HER NAME! CASHAY HENDERSON🏳️‍⚧️💪🏾 The far right is betting on us not being able to “reignite our flame,” Friday night, we proved otherwise! In intentional collaboration with @life.iswork, and support from @chitherapycollective @hrcillinois @equalityill @wesayyepp @kyc_lgbtqcenter @its_taskforce @the_caucus @ahfsouth we showed up for our siblings in Milwaukee. The fight for trans lives and dignity doesn’t stop at the IL border and neither will our bravery!

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We will be closed today, March 10th in order to ...

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Mar 10

Open
We will be closed today, March 10th in order to travel to Milwaukee to support our trans siblings. Join us as we honor the lives of Cashay and our other trans siblings that we’ve lost to violence against the trans community. Now, more than ever we MUST support the trans community. As we face harm and violence from our legislators and those who would rather not see us alive, let alone thriving, WE have to keep US safe! #justiceforcashay #getbrave

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WE KEEP US SUPPORTED! Please join us tomorrow as ...

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Mar 9

Open
WE KEEP US SUPPORTED! Please join us tomorrow as we travel to Milwaukee to support our trans siblings and honor the life of Cashay Henderson. Link in story to register for a seat on the bus! We will board at 2 pm and take off at 3 pm sharp at @taskforcechicago

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Here at Brave Space Alliance, we are very ...

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Mar 9

Open
Here at Brave Space Alliance, we are very fortunate to have some amazing, phenomenal, and iconic woman dedicated to our mission. S/o to our board members, and our staff.🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾💪🏾🫡🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

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WE keep us fed and dignified! ...

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Mar 1

Open
WE keep us fed and dignified! 💪🏾🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🫶🏾 Our community pantry is open Monday-Friday 10 am - 4 pm 1515 E. 52nd place 3rd floor. Check out the Dignity suite or get tested while you’re here. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾Want to subscribe to liberation? Become a monthly donor to the pantry or host a pantry drive! #collectiveliberation #getbrave #chicago #lgbtq

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Our hearts are with the family of Cashay ...

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Feb 27

Open
Our hearts are with the family of Cashay Henderson. Cashay, a woman of trans experience was found murdered yesterday in her Milwaukee apartment. Cashay was born and raised and Chicago and has deep connections to our community. Like so many of our other fallen siblings, the media continues to misgender Cashay, a form of violence that we unfortunately know all too well. NO MORE! We stand in solidarity, and wholeheartedly with our family at @life.iswork and our entire community. #sayhername #justiceforcashay

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As a grantee of NIKE, Inc.’s Black Community ...

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Feb 20

Open
As a grantee of NIKE, Inc.’s Black Community Commitment, Brave Space Alliance is thrilled to join the 3rd year of this movement to advance equality at the national and local level across the US and in Chicago. Thank you @nike for continuing to celebrate and elevate the work we do. #givingback #abraverchicago

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Back again with some more icons that highlight how...

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Feb 17

Open
Back again with some more icons that highlight how Black Queer History IS Black history. Today we honor Lorraine Hansberry and James Baldwin!! Swipe to learn more about their impact on queer history!

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Guess what? The Shop is open tomorrow (2.11)!! ...

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Feb 10

Open
Guess what? The Shop is open tomorrow (2.11)!! Come get fresh for Valentine’s Day 💖💘 @thegroomingartist_ will be ready with the clippers to get you looking good 👌🏾 Come by 80 E. Pershing Road tomorrow (10am-2pm) for a free cut and good conversation!
*The Shop is open to folx of all gender expressions and identities!*
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#abraverchicago #WeKeepUsFresh

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Today we revere THE Audre Lorde.

AUDRE ...

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Feb 7

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Today we revere THE Audre Lorde. 

AUDRE LORDE (A SELF-DESCRIBED
"BLACK, LESBIAN, FEMINIST, MOTHER, POET, WARRIOR) IS WELL KNOWN FOR HER MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO RADICAL BLACK FEMINISM. HER POEMS ARE KNOWN FOR EXPRESSING OUTRAGE AT SOCIAL INJUSTICES AND ONE OF HER MOST POWERFUL QUOTES STATES, "I AM DEFINED AS OTHER IN EVERY GROUP I'M PART OF...YET WITHOUT COMMUNITY THERE IS CERTAINLY NO LIBERATION, NO FUTURE, ONLY THE MOST VULNERABLE AND TEMPORARY ARMISTICE BETWEEN ME AND MY OPPRESSION".
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What Audre Lorde quote has been most impactful to you?

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We will be closed on Tuesday (2/7) and Wednesday ...

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Feb 6

Open
We will be closed on Tuesday (2/7) and Wednesday (2/8) for a staff retreat! We will be taking some time to rest, build, and grow our connections. 

We will re-open on Thursday (2/9) and would love to see you!

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Today is Jackie Shane day, at least to us it is! ...

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Feb 6

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Today is Jackie Shane day, at least to us it is! Jackie Shane is a queer icon and soul music legend from the 60’s. Jackie became one of the first trans woman to be nominated for a Grammy in 2019 for her album “Any Other Way” in the category of best historical album. Here’s another reminder the Black Queer history IS Black history! Happy Black History Month y’all! Drop the names of your favorite Black queer icons in the comments below! 👀👀🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️💪🏾💪🏾

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Today we celebrate Bayard Rustin! Bayard "Mr....

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Feb 4

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Today we celebrate Bayard Rustin! Bayard "Mr. March on Washington" Rustin (1912-1987) was an organizer, leader, and freedom fighter. He is one of the most influential activists of the civil rights movement and organized the 1963 march on Washington for jobs and freedom. though his leadership as an openly gay man was often questioned, Rustin was a champion of advocacy and is credited with making Dr. Martin Luther king jr. into the symbol that he was.
#blackhistory #mlk #bayardrustin

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Please consider joining @chifoodpolicy for their ...

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Feb 3

Open
Please consider joining @chifoodpolicy for their 18th annual Chicago Food Justice Summit! Our very own community pantry network coordinator, Jah Brown, will be co-leading a plant medicine workshop on the 10th! Jah regularly facilitates “self-agency, self-actualization, sovereignty, and liberation” through their @brownpplfoundation and we can’t wait to learn more from them. The Food Justice Summit “will empower attendees to share meaningful knowledge, build deep relationships, and join in powerful conversations to envision our food future together”. Come out and learn how we can build better food systems. You can register at the link in our bio!

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BLACK QUEER HISTORY IS BLACK HISTORY.

...

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Feb 2

Open
BLACK QUEER HISTORY IS BLACK HISTORY. 

For Black History Month, BSA will be highlighting influential LGBTQ+ figures who have contributed to the community as cultural curators, innovators, activists, and more. Today, we honor Stormé Delarverie. An Icon, Drag King, and Activist. 
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Stormé DeLarverie "The legendary Stonewall lesbian" was a drag king, icon, and activist. It has been noted that "Despite anything else you’ve read, DeLarverie is the brave, butch lesbian who incited the Stonewall Revolution". Stormé was a drag king who toured the country and was known for her queer gender-bending fashion. It was her encounter with the police during the stonewall rebellion that galvanized the crown into action. Thank you, Stormé.
You can help us honor her by purchasing an item from our “Icons” merch collection (link in bio)!
#blackhistorymonth #stonewall

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And we are live!!!
Happy Black History Month! ...

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Feb 1

Open
And we are live!!!
Happy Black History Month! ✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 This month, we are showing that Black Queer History IS Black History and we are celebrating with a new line of merch! Purchasing this merch will not only celebrate LGBTQ+ trailblazers and icons, but will contribute to the work that we do to build and sustain queer and trans futures! The link to purchase is in our linktree.

🚨 Scroll to the end to see how you can get 15% off of a future purchase!
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#blackhistorymonth #queerhistory

bravespacealliance

⭐️ We want to start the week off right with ...

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Jan 30

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⭐️ We want to start the week off right with recognizing an amazing staff member and pillar of the Chicago Trans community, @stephanieskora! As COO, Stephanie keeps us together, makes sure we run smoothly, and brings incredible energy to the office. Keep scrolling (or see below) to learn more about Stephanie!! Thanks for all you do! We appreciate you!! 
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Q: What's your favorite item of clothing?
A: A good blazer!
Q: Why did you apply to BSA?
A: I've been at BSA since it was founded, and the same thing that called me back then is what motivates me now: the chance to work at an organization that is dedicated to Black and trans liberation, and can actually live up to its values while doing it

Q: Favorite part of your work day?
A: Favorite part of my work day is when I get into the office in the morning! The BSA office has great gam vibes these days, and it's so good to feel them before diving into the work.
Q: What song(s) do you currently have on repeat?
A: Drive, by Incubus
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Brave Space Alliance was created to fill a gap in the organizing of and services to trans and gender-nonconforming people. Currently, very few LGBTQ social services or advocacy networks exist on the South and West Sides of Chicago. Furthermore, the few trans-specific resources in the city are located in majority-white neighborhoods on the North Side, which are inaccessible geographically, and also regularly result in the hyper-policing of trans people of color who attempt to access them.

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  • OFFICES:
    1515 E 52nd Place 3rd Floor
    Chicago, IL 60615
    (872) 333-5199
  • HOURS OF OPERATION:
    Mon 9am - 5pm
    Tues 12:30pm - 5pm
    Wed 9am - 5pm
    Thurs 9am - 5pm
    Fri 9am - 3pm
    Sat 10am - 3pm
    Drop In: TBD
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Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, and designed to create and provide affirming and culturally competent services for the entire LGBTQ+ community of Chicago.

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