Sidetrack Chicago

3349 N. HALSTED • CHICAGO

Outspoken

OUTspoken!
LGBTQ+ Storytelling at Sidetrack

Join us for OUTspoken LGBTQ+ Stories, our monthly storytelling event celebrating uniquely personal stories from a cross-section of the LGBTQ+ community. OUTspoken is usually held on the first Tuesday of each month at Sidetrack. This October it will be the second Tuesday of the month (October 8) to accommodate our Vice Presidential Debate Viewing Party on Tuesday, October 1.

Doors to MainBar open at 6pm
Stories begin at 7pm

Typically there will be 6 storytellers and one intermission.

Sidetrack is open daily: Weekdays 3pm-2am, Saturday 1pm-3am & Sunday 1pm-2am. No cover. 21+

IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING OUTSPOKEN AND REQUIRE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, PLEASE EMAIL
INFO@OUTSPOKENCHICAGO.COM

Rave Reviews for OUTspoken!

“The room was abuzz after.
People introduced themselves to the storytellers,
hugged them, and thanked the emcees…
It was truly great to be a part of it,
even just as an audience member.”

-Parker Stockman Chicago Literati

“Consistently great stories…and it’s ground-breaking.”

–WBEZ Afternoon Shift

OUTspoken is now a Podcast – ON THE MIC: OUTSPOKEN LGBTQ+ STORYTELLING at Sidetrack! Since its inception, we have recorded all audio from the stories each month and have created a podcast around these stories.

Check out all our episodes of ON THE MIC: OUTSPOKEN LGBTQ+ STORYTELLING at Sidetrack available on:

PODBEAN:
Click here

SPOTIFY:
Click here

STITCHER:
Click here

Everyone has a story. Interested in telling yours?

Contact our Curator Archy Jamjun at
info@outspokenchicago.com

Storytellers

Jean Kim-Snyder
November storyteller Jean Kim-Snyder is a licensed Trauma Therapist specializing in working with marginalized populations, especially Asian Americans and LGBTQ+ folx. Jean identifies as a Progressive Christian who believes ALL are made in the Image of God. She has been married for 28 years and has two young adult children—her daughter, Esme, and son, Christian. Jean does her part to combat the oppressive forces of hustle culture by napping, snacking, and sending goofy Instagram reels to her co-worker, Charlie (who also happens to be her dog). Hear Jean’s story Tuesday, November 5, at OUTspoken at Sidetrack....
Stan Mitchell
November storyteller Stan Mitchell serves as a Teaching Pastor at The Village in Atlanta, GA. and Austin New Church (UMC) in Austin, TX. He is the Pastor Emeritus of GracePointe Church in Nashville, TN, having served as its Lead Pastor from 2003 through 2019. In 2015, GracePointe made the move to the full affirmation and celebration of LGBTQ+ people. He currently spends his vocational time as a speaker, LGBTQ+ advocate, and consultant within the Progressive Christian movement. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School. Hear Stan’s story Tuesday, November 5, at OUTspoken at Sidetrack....
Jennifer Ould
November storyteller Jennifer Ould moved to Chicago from North Carolina 20 years ago and found home here. She has a Master of Divinity degree and, in addition to her day job at a progressive and inclusive seminary in Evanston, she’s a sunshine, cider, and bourbon lover who runs, shows up for protests, believes in subversive goodness, and messes with her conservative evangelical family and friends’ social media feeds by advocating for justice and inclusion of all kinds. She’s told stories at Story Lab, Loose Chicks, and Gilead Chicago, a “queer, storytelling bar church” that meets on the Northside to...
Vince Amlin
November storyteller Vince Amlin is a writer and pastor of two Chicago churches: Bethany United Church of Christ in Ravenswood and Gilead Church Chicago, meeting at a bar near you. Hear Vince’s story Tuesday, November 5, at OUTspoken at Sidetrack....
Helen Shiller
November storyteller Helen Shiller was the Alderman of the 46th Ward from April 1987 to May 2011. She served as the Chair of the City Council’s Committee on Human Relations’ Subcommittee on Domestic Violence. Helen fought for the passing of the human rights ordinance, recycling programs and city responsibility for public health and safety in the Chicago Public Schools. She initiated and passed a tough anti-apartheid ordinance in 1990, and her budget amendment tripled the city’s AIDS budget a year later. Before same-sex marriage was legal, she co-sponsored the domestic partners’ ordinance extending benefits for unmarried couples. She now...
Shandee Ewert
October storyteller Shandee Ewert is a Minnesota native, a fast walker, and a nacho aficionado. Recently, she made a new acquaintance laugh, which surprised them because, “People who work in Human Resources aren’t usually funny.” Between explaining HSAs and surprising people by possessing a sense of humor, Shandee enjoys playing in queer sports leagues, trying to learn Spanish, picking up new hobbies only to abandon them a month later, and hanging out with the love of her life, a mini goldendoodle named Lemon Basil Butter Noodle. Hear Shandee’s story Tuesday, October 8, at OUTspoken! LGBTQ+ Storytelling at Sidetrack....