Woodstock Pride Newsletter

As we start off 2026, I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for an amazing 2025. Woodstock Pride continues to flourish and grow with your support. Last year, we were able to open the Woodstock Pride Community Center and started hosting more events and clubs like Queer Support Group, Second Sunday Art Club, and the McHenry County PFLAG chapter. We were able to start a queer clothing closet and a binder try-on collection. We expanded PrideFest from a Saturday-Sunday fest to a Friday through Sunday fest and were honored to display a panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt for PrideFest. We got to take part in Crystal Lake and Buffalo Grove Pride. And we grew our community impact through TransFarmAtion and the Gayla. We have awarded over $2,000 in grants for gender-affirming care to trans and gender non-confirming people of McHenry County. Despite everything, we created queer joy together. We celebrated queer love together. We supported queer lives together. And we're going to do even more in 2026.

Join us for insightful conversation and reflection the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. This month's meeting dates are January 4th and 18th, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Bring your works-in-progress and craft supplies in to the Woodstock Pride Community Center to a relaxed group setting and engage in some parallel play. The next gathering will be January 11th from 10 am to 11 am.

Despite the slick weather, we had a huge turn-out for our annual holiday potluck on December 9th at the Cherry Tree Inn. This year, the McHenry County's PFLAG division joined us. It was a beautiful celebration at the most gorgeous Inn. This is one of our favorite events of the year; it's a time to reminisce about the past year and celebrate the triumphs within our little community. The holidays can be difficult for so many of us in the LGBTQIA+ community, but this night is always a bright, shining star in these dark months. Thank you to all who showed up with food, drinks, stories, and songs. And a special thanks to Lori Bennett and her family for hosting this event each year. Your joyous support is truly a blessing.

Point of Pride: affirmation cards for trans youth: https://www.pointofpride.org/letter-writing

LGBTQIA+ Resources: https://www.woodstockilpride.com/resources

Trans-Farm-Ation Grant Application: Funds are available for gender-affirming care including (but not limited to):
- HRT (hormone replacement therapy)

- Co-pays or medical bills for doctor visits related to gender-affirming care
- Legal aid for Name Change
- Gender-affirming clothing and accessories (binders, gaffs, packets, STPs, etc.)
- Gender-affirming surgery

- Beauty products
- Laser hair removal
- Lost wages for surgical recovery
- Voice training
- Therapy
- And more!
Click here to read more and apply

🌈 Sponsorship Opportunities: Gain visibility while actively supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equality. Various sponsorship levels are available to showcase your business or organization's commitment to diversity and pride. As Woodstock Pride is now an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a portion of your sponsorship is tax-deductible.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift that celebrates love, inclusion, and community? Give the gift of Pride!

Order a personalized brick for the Wall of Pride in the future Woodstock Pride Community Center. Whether it’s for yourself, your family, or a friend, your custom brick will become a lasting symbol of support and celebration for our LGBTQ+ community and allies.

It’s a meaningful way to honor someone special—and help build a space where everyone belongs.

Learn more and order your brick here.

It's time to start prep for our biggest event of the year! PrideFest 2026 will be June 12th to the 14th. And if you're looking to make an impact, the best way is through sponsorship! Check out our sponsorship levels below and reach out to Melissa McMahon at melissapride1@gmail.com for registration details.

Do you want your pet featured in this newsletter? Send us a picture and some fun facts about your fuzzy friend at wpnewsletter002@gmail.com by the 1st Tuesday of the month.

Woodstock Pride

General Inquiries: woodstockpride@gmail.com

Website: https://www.woodstockilpride.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodstockpride/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodstockpride/

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/woodstockpride.bsky.social

Woodstock Pride Newsletter

Email: wpnewsletter002@gmail.com

Are you interested in sharing your art, poetry, or media recommendations? Or maybe you have suggestions for content to include in the next newsletter? Send us an email!

Submissions due by 1st Tuesday of the month