Focused on connecting youth and families with each other and external resources through large and small events, prideCONNECT offers fun opportunities to create new friendships and relationships with supportive adults.
Upcoming Events
Tree Decorating Party – December 2nd | LGBTQ+ Youth & Families
Join us for treats & decorating our rainbow tree on Friday, December 2nd from 4:30-6:00pm. RSVP here.
Pride Youth Program Holi-gay Party – December 14th | All Pride Members (current, former, and alum)
Join us on Wednesday, December 14th from 5:30-7:30pm for this year’s Pride Youth Program Holi-gay Party! All Pride Members (current, former, and alum) are invited to join us for a night of festivity and fun – and for the first time we are opening our Holiday Party to parents & family members of current Pride participants as well for this all ages event! We’ll have holiday treats, activities, games, and most importantly, time to catch up and wish each other well! RSVP here today!
Winter Warming Virtual Game Night – December 21st | LGBTQ+ and Allied Youth in Grades 5-8
Join us on Wednesday, December 21st from 4:00-5:30pm for a virtual game night. RSVP here!
Recent Events
Primary Colors Meet Up – November 4th | LGBTQ+ Youth Grades K-4th and families
LGBTQ+ youth grades K-4 and their families are invited to join us at Youth Services (3080 W Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL) on November 4th for a Primary Colors Meet Up! Build community and make new friends with other LGBTQ+ youth and families! Optional family dinner available 5:00-5:45pm, then youth-only activities from 5:45-7:00pm. RSVP HERE!
Want to bring a friend? Have them register here too!
Please email abbey.casagrande@ysgn.org or call (847) 724-2620 EXT. 130 if you have any further questions.
Out of the Closet – Clothing Swap – November 5th | Trans and gender expansive youth grades 7-12
Trans and gender expansive youth grades 7-12 can bring old clothes and take home new ones on Saturday, November 5th at prideLEAD’s Out of the Closet Clothing Swap! Stop by between 1:00PM-4:00PM at Youth Services in Glenview to donate clothes, browse the selection for a new style, and enjoy other activities like our Project Runway contest.
Haunted Homecoming – October 29th | LGBTQ+ and allied youth grades 9-12
Join prideLEAD Sat. October 29th (5:00PM-8:00 PM) as they BOO-gie down at the Haunted Homecoming! LGBTQ+ and allied youth grades 9-12 can enjoy crafts, treats, and a Halloween-themed Homecoming Court Competition @ Youth Services in Glenview
Middle School Fall Fest – October 15th | LGBTQ+ Youth Grades 5th – 8th from 3:00PM to 5:00PM
Join us at Youth Services on Saturday, October 15th from 3-5pm for our second annual Pride Fall Fest! We’re doing it even bigger & better this year, with more games, carving pumpkins, fall snacks & beverages, and a hay bale maze! This event is open to LGBTQ+ youth grades 5-8. RSVP here.
Bringing a friend? Have them RSVP too!
Primary Colors Meet Up – October 7th | LGBTQ+ Youth Grades 1st-4th and families
LGBTQ+ youth grades 1-4 and their families are invited to join us at Youth Services (3080 W Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL) on October 7th for a Primary Colors Meet Up! Build community and make new friends with other LGBTQ+ youth and families! Optional family dinner available 5:00-5:45pm, then youth-only activities from 5:45-7:00pm.! RSVP here.
Want to bring a friend? Have them RSVP too!
Please email abbey.casagrande@ysgn.org or call (847) 724-2620 EXT. 130 if you have any further questions.
Back to School Bonfire – August 27th | 5th-8th graders (5:30-7pm) 9th-12th graders (7-8:30pm)
Meet new friends heading into a new school year of Pride programming, reconnect with old ones, or bring a buddy with as we eat, play games, make s’mores, and celebrate the end of summer! RSVP here.
Want to bring a friend? Have them RSVP too!
Please email august.hupp@ysgn.org or call (847) 724-2620 EXT. 146 if you have any further questions.
Pride Banner Decor Party – June 1st
Help us decorate our banner Weds, June 1st from 4:00-5:30PM for this year’s BG Pride Parade we’re marching in. This event is open to LGBTQ+ youth who are rising 6th-12th graders. RSVP here.
BG Pride Parade – June 5th
Join us at Youth Services on Sunday, June 5th in the morning for coffee, donuts, and a group ride over to the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade where we’ll march together in celebration of Pride Month. This event is open to LGBTQ+ youth and families of all ages. RSVP here.
A MidSpring Night of Noise – May 27th
Join prideLEAD on Saturday, May 27th from 7:00-9:00PM for our 6th annual Night of Noise Celebration! NON celebrates the end of the Day of Silence through a talent show, games, music, food, and fun. Our theme this year is based on Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”! Feel free to participate in the theme by dressing up as anything related to the play, or bringing your best fairy, cottagecore looks.
Decor Party – Fri, April 1st (4:30-6:00PM) (Volunteer Hours Available!)
Calling all 8th-12th graders! Join us to help us make this year’s Trans Youth & Family Summit beautiful. We will be crafting some decor while enjoying some pizza, good music, and community together!
Speak Up, Act Out – April 7th (HS) or 8th (MS)
We’re holding space for participants in Pride to discuss, demystify, and process the ongoing legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ youth across the country. We know that in scary and stressful times, our best guard is the strength and support we find in community! So join us for a virtual discussion on how we deal and how we fight back – space for youth in grades 8-12 on Thursday, April 7th (6:30-8:00pm), and space for youth in grades 5-7 on Friday, April 8th (4:00-5:30pm).
Annual Events
Trans Youth and Family Summit
April 3, 2022
The Trans Youth and Family Summit is an opportunity for trans and gender expansive youth and their family members to learn, connect, and hear from speakers on a variety of topics including transition-related health care, advocacy, mental health, and more! Registration typically goes live in January of each year.
Night of Noise
May 27, 2022
Our annual Night of Noise celebration is a youth-led celebration of LGBTQ+ identities for 8th-12th graders. Held the Saturday after Day of Silence, we break the silence together with an open mic and celebrate with games and fun!
