Forte Chicago

Who’s ready to save opera?!

We’re done with racism, sexism, and fatphobia. Change is good.

These rad & local folks are already making a difference:
J’nai Bridges - Ryan Opera Center Alum
Alexis Enyart- Orchestra & opera conductor
Adrian Dunn -

Do you know more folks who are changing opera as we know it? Please tag them in the comments!

Finale from The La La Lady Show, November 2017

Happy Bastille (and National N**e) Day!
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Living in a patriarchy during a global pandemic is especially hard for those who are stuck at home right now with their abusers. For those who need it, here’s some advice from Battered Women’s Support Services:

“While people are encouraged to stay at home, you may feel isolated from your friends and family. Even if you are isolated, try to maintain social connections online or over the phone, if it is safe to do so, and try to stick to your daily routines as much as possible. If you need to plan around leaving, call our crisis line (604-687-1867) during a safe time, text 604-652-1867, or send us an email at [email protected] “
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Some Chicago resources:

Connections for Abused Women and their Children: 773-278-4566

Between Friends: 800-603-4357

Center on Halsted LGBTQ Violence Resource Line: 773-871-2273

For more Chicago-specific domestic violence and mental health resources, check out these websites:

http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/resources/chicago-and-illinois-domestic-violence-agencies-and-organizations/

https://the-network.org/get-help/
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For some other patriarchy smashing resources, check out this great list from the Stanford Women’s Community Center:
https://wcc.stanford.edu/resources/feminist-websites-blogs-and-resources

Stop calling the police.
Divest from the Police and invest in your community.

www.formyblock.org is a great place to start.

Check your impulse to call the police on someone you believe looks or is acting “suspicious.” Is their race, gender, ethnicity, class, or housing situation influencing your choice? Such calls can be death sentences for many people.

Who to call instead of the police:

Illinois Helpline for Substance Abuse - 833-2FINDHELP

Illinois Domestic Violence - 1-877-863-6339

Illinois Hate Crimes - 312-744-4874

Illinois Poison Control - 1-800-222-1222

Chicago Youth Services - 847-353-1500

Chicago Housing Authority - 312-935-2600

Chicago Crisis Intervention - 847-697-2380

Trevor Project LGBTQA+ Crisis Hotline - 1-866-488-7386