Chicago is the third largest city in the USA, renowned for its history and architecture. Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837. It rapidly became a major transportation hub, as well as the business, financial, and cultural capital of the midwest.

The city is regarded as one of the ten most influential cities of the World and the home of American food.

Bizaarly Chicago was split up into community areas in the 1920s and this subdivision can be identified to this day. The North Side has a large gay and lesbian community. Two North Side neighbourhoods in particular, Lakeview and the Andersonville area of the Edgewater neighbourhood, are home to many LGBT businesses and organisations. The area adjacent to the North Side intersection of Halstead and Belmont is a gay neighbourhood known to Chicagoans as Boystown.

Boystown can be identified by its tall posts boasting massive rainbow flags. Nearby you can wonder into Greek Town on South Halsted, "Little Italy" on Taylor Street, just west of Halsted, "Chinatown" on the near South Side, "Little Seoul" on and around Lawrence Avenue, a cluster of Vietnamese restaurants on Argyle Street and South Asian (Indian/Pakistani) on Devon Avenue.

Chicago has not been built for tourists but the train lines are relatively easy to use and cabs are pretty cheap.

It is worth having a walk along the coast oft he big lake up to Navy Pier - there's a lot of life and entertainment in this area but extremely touristy.  The best event of the year is the Taste of Chicago which is a festival of the cities food. There are many festivals and events in Chicago to keep you occupied from commercial to more niche.

Chicago is reasonably friendly but it must be noted that due to the subdivision created in the 20th Century the city is still split and many move about in their own social circles.

Gay venues are spread across the city with areas hosting several bars on one street so there is no need to stay in Boystown if you fancy somewhere different.

Boystown is quite a young area with a lot of energy and charisma - it is certainly a place to spend at least one night.

Chicago has more freedom than much of the USA but it is worth being aware of your surroundings if out of Boystown. It most be noted that it is illegal in the whole of the States to perform full frontal nudity - even in the gays bars.

There has always been a strong gay movement in Chicago.