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 2023 Events
Back to School Bonfire – Friday, September 22nd | For LGBTQ+ Youth Grades 5-12th
Join us for our annual Back to School Bonfire with Pride! Come enjoy dinner, games, community building, and so much s’more as we celebrate the start of the school year. RSVP Here!
Middle School (5-8th) from 5:30-7:00PM
High School (9-12th) from 7:00-8:30PM
Primary Colors Meet Up – Friday, October 6th from 6:00-7:30PM | For LGBTQ+ Youth Grades K-4
LGBTQ+ youth grades K-4 and their families are invited to join us for a Primary Colors meetup! Build community and make new friends with other LGBTQ+ youth and families! Group will be starting with snack time at 6PM, with youth activities from 6:15-7:30. RSVP here!
Previous 2023 Events
Speak Out, Act Up! – Thursday, June 29th from 6:00-8:00PM | For LGBTQ+ Youth Grades 8-12th
Join us for this virtual event on Thursday June 29th (6-8pm) for youth to discuss the ongoing legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ people and how we can deal & fight back. We’ll offer information to get a clear picture on what’s happening, and opportunities for youth to ask questions, share, and discuss with one another. We’ll end the event with some opportunities for joy-making together.💜
This event is open to LGBTQ+ youth who recently wrapped up 8th-12th grades (from the 22-23 school year). RSVP here!
BG Pride Parade – Sunday, June 4th
Join us at Youth Services on Sunday, June 4th 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.
Primary Colors Meet Up – Friday, April 21st from 6:00-7:30PM | For LGBTQ+ Youth Grades K-4
LGBTQ+ youth grades K-4 and their families are invited to join us for a Primary Colors meetup! Build community and make new friends with other LGBTQ+ youth and families! Group will be starting with snack time at 6PM, with youth activities from 6:15-7:30. RSVP here!
Trans Youth and Family Summit – Sunday, March 5th | For Trans and Gender Expansive Youth & Family Members
This 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, navigating school supports, mental health, and more! Click here to learn more.
Pride @ Night – Friday, February 10th through Saturday, February 11th | For LGBTQ+ Youth in 8th Grade
Join us for an 8th grade overnight retreat at Youth Services! Enjoy late night fun and games, connect with high school youth leaders for guidance on entering high school, and explore what kind of leader you want to be in your community. Our event will kick off at 5:30pm on Friday night, and we’ll wrap up after breakfast together by 9:30am Saturday morning.
Primary Colors Meet Up – Friday, February 10th from 6:00-7:30PM | For LGBTQ+ Youth Grades K-4
LGBTQ+ youth grades K-4 and their families are invited to join us for our first Primary Colors meetup of 2023! Build community and make new friends with other LGBTQ+ youth and families. Group will be starting with snack time at 6:00PM, with youth activities from 6:15-7:30PM.
Pride Palentine’s Party – February 4th for LGBTQ+ Middle Schoolers
Join us from 1:00pm – 3:00pm for an afternoon of Valentine’s day treats and crafts. This event is open to LGBTQ+ youth who are currently in middle school (5th-8th grade).
Annual Events
Trans Youth and Family Summit
March 2024
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
April 2024
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!
