CHICAGO — Every Saturday at 1 p.m., a growing number of Chicagoans gather just outside the Art Institute of Chicago for something unique: a free walking tour uncovering stories of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ past — stories often left untold in textbooks or city plaques.
Led by political scientist Daniel Williams, the tours have gained popularity online for their mix of academic depth and unexpected history, including tales of drag queens from the 1890s, crossdressers, and women who defied gender norms across decades of Chicago life.
“There is a popular narrative that LGBT people are new, something we just invented. If we look at the historical data, even just here in Chicago, that’s clearly not the case,” Williams told WGN-TV.
Queer History That’s Local and Personal
The tours are curated from archived newspapers, court transcripts, and police records, offering participants a factual and often surprising look into how LGBTQ+ Chicagoans have shaped neighborhoods for over a century.
“One of my favorite things to hear from people is, ‘Oh, I walk by there every day,’ or ‘I live in that neighborhood and had no idea this history was here,’” Williams said.
Each tour explores a different location and theme, from historic bars and protest sites to quiet corners where forgotten lives played out — all contextualized within Chicago’s changing political and cultural landscapes.
Educating While Walking Together
More than a history lesson, the tours are also a community experience. Williams says the goal is not just to inform, but to strengthen connection through shared heritage.
“If you don’t know your history, if you don’t know your heritage, you can be manipulated by other people into thinking whatever they want,” he explained. “Getting historically accurate pieces of information out into the public counters falsehood.”
The program is sponsored by the Gender and Sexuality Center at UIC, and updates about themes and routes are posted through Williams’ official site and Instagram page.
Participants Say It’s Eye-Opening and Empowering
Many attendees come away feeling more rooted in the city.
“Getting to know these stories that happened a long time ago… it just reminds me that we’re not alone and we’re a community,” said Camden Morris of Edgewater, who joined a recent tour.
Have you walked with Daniel Williams or discovered queer history in your own neighborhood?
Share your experience or photos at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — and help document the stories that deserve to be remembered.
