Affinity Community Services

Nearly twenty years ago, Affinity Community Services was born out of the desire of out black lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals to bring visibility to their presence on the south side of Chicago and to the presence of black people within LGBT communities. Through the efforts of an ad hoc committee and supporters, the group successfully petitioned to march in the Bud Billiken Parade, a south side institution and, at the time, the largest parade in the United States. After that accomplishment, members of the committee thought there should be an organization to continue social justice work on behalf of black LGBT communities in Chicago. Affinity Community Services was born as a result of their hard work as well as the courage and sustained efforts of other groups before them. Affinity is a social justice organization that works with and on behalf of black LGBT communities, queer youth, and allies to identify emergent needs, create safe spaces, develop leaders, and bridge communities through collective analysis and action for social justice, freedom, and human rights. Affinity envisions a society where being your authentic self is not a liability and differences are fully embraced. Today our work centers on health and wellness, civic engagement, immigrant rights, and leadership development. Because our work has always been intersectional, building bridges across communities is a key component of everything we do.