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 us is closed.
If you would like to join the waiting list,
click this link:
2026 Pride Parade Registration
We will contact you once we know if the city will permit us extra spots.
Pride Planning Meetings
We had a great kick-off meeting to the Coalition's Pride planning back in April. We had over 25 people physically present at Resurrection Lutheran Church and on Zoom. 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!
Our planning meetings have continued as we develop other pieces of our Pride season including the Pre-Parade Worship Service, Parade details, and other Pride month events. The dates for our future meetings are: June 10, 17, 24. You are invited to join us for those meetings.
Our next meeting will be June 10th from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
We will be gathering in person at Broadway Methodist Church
(3338 N. Broadway)
AND Online on Zoom.
Upcoming 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
