LPL Supports Our Community

The Lincoln Park Lagooners (LPL) was founded in 1976 as social club, offering Chicago's emerging LBGT community its first official alternative to the nightlife in Chicago, and has become an organization which promotes and encourages friendship, camaraderie and allowed one an opportunity to form lasting and meaningful relationships. From what started as a group of friends playing volleyball near the Lincoln Park Lagoon, LPL quickly became the surrogate family and support group that has historically been important to our community.

LPL has an early track record of raising funds for our community dating back to the 1970's, with huge social events held at the Aragon Ballroom and the Broadway Armory. These events, attended by thousands, were the first of their kind and the precursor to many of the circuit parties and ballroom benefits of today. With the onset of the AIDS pandemic in the early 1980s LPL responded to our community's needs with various fund-raising events. Over the years, LPL has contributed thousands of dollars to many charities and organizations spanning a whole spectrum of GLBT causes, groups, centers, and other groups trying to make a difference.

Now in our 26th year, LPL has grown and evolved over the years, but still continues to offer Chicago's LBGT community a wide variety of activities from its outdoor and athletic roots to all sorts of social and friendship producing events. Some of these current activites include: several camping trips and a whitewater rafting trip each year; sponsorship of a CMSA softball team; Chicago's only non-sports organization to host its own ABC sanctioned bowling league; a winter ski trip; a game night; annual membership party; holiday party; and several other get-togethers throughout the year. LPL continues its charitable fund-raising efforts as part of its social activities and events.