Supporters in Chicago have turned a lively night of music, food and fundraising into a major boost for Black queer journalism. E3 Radio’s latest Purple Tie Affair reached its $50,000 target, helping protect independent reporting and sustain Queer News, its award-winning podcast, while also supporting wider LGBTQ+ community work.

Essential Takeaways

  • Fundraising target met: E3 Radio raised $50,000 at its 12th Purple Tie Affair.
  • Fast early response: The first live appeal brought in $10,000 within 10 minutes.
  • Journalism at the centre: Proceeds will help sustain Queer News and support Toward Pride.
  • A genuinely Chicago night: Frenchie Davis headlined, with live music, tacos, sweets and a silent auction.
  • A growing tradition: The annual event has directed more than $20,000 to local LGBTQ+ organisations since it began.

A fundraiser with real momentum

The clearest sign of the evening's impact arrived almost immediately. E3 Radio's first live appeal raised $10,000 in just 10 minutes, a response that reportedly sent the room into cheers and helped set the tone for the rest of the night.

By the close of the Purple Tie Affair, the independent outlet had reached its full $50,000 goal. For a small media organisation, that's not simply a pleasing total on a fundraising graphic. It can mean more reporting, more production time and a better chance of keeping community stories visible. Gaye Magazine reported on the event's success. [2]

The benefit took place at Sidetrack in Chicago, bringing together LGBTQ+ supporters for a concert, silent auction and a night of collective giving. The atmosphere sounds less like a formal industry dinner and more like a warm, energetic community gathering, which is probably exactly the point. [6]

Music, food and a room full of supporters

Frenchie Davis headlined the event, in what organisers described as her first performance after major surgery. That detail gave her appearance an especially personal edge, turning a headline performance into a moment of resilience as well as entertainment. [2]

Kenyotta & Kemistry also performed, while Trina Tru Luv hosted. Guests could move from the music to a taco bar serving freshly made tortillas, then finish the evening at a Ferrara candy station where they could fill bags to take home. It was a practical reminder that successful fundraising often works best when it feels generous and enjoyable, rather than worthy but sombre. [2]

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson attended and offered brief remarks affirming his support for the city's LGBTQ+ community, according to E3 Radio. The evening also honoured Otis Mack, continuing the affair's tradition of recognising people who have helped shape queer life in Chicago. [2]

Why independent Black queer media matters

E3 Radio's mission reaches beyond broadcasting music. Founded by Chicago entrepreneur Anna DeShawn, the outlet reports on LGBTQ+ politics, culture and entertainment through an intersectional lens, with particular attention to Black queer communities and other voices too often overlooked by mainstream media. [7]

That focus matters at a time when local journalism is under sustained financial pressure. Independent outlets frequently have to build several kinds of support at once, from memberships and sponsorships to events that let readers and listeners meet the people behind the work. The Purple Tie Affair puts that relationship in the room, with a direct link between donations and future storytelling. [6]

DeShawn also co-founded The Qube, a production company and platform supporting Black, Indigenous and other creators of colour, including queer and transgender voices. Her wider work gives the fundraiser a clear through-line: the evening wasn't only raising money, it was investing in who gets to tell the story. [7]

Queer News gives the campaign a lasting voice

The main beneficiary is Queer News, E3 Radio's weekly podcast covering politics, culture and entertainment. Hosted by DeShawn, the show won an Ambie Award in the DIY category in 2023, giving it recognition beyond its home community while retaining its independent character. [7]

That combination is increasingly valuable. Podcasts can offer immediacy and intimacy, but they still require reporting, editing, hosting and distribution. A successful fundraiser can help turn listener goodwill into the practical resources needed to keep a regular show sounding sharp and consistent. [7]

Some of the proceeds will also benefit Toward Pride, formerly known as Pride in the Pews. The arrangement widens the impact beyond one newsroom, connecting media support with broader community organising and LGBTQ+ advocacy. [2]

A local tradition with a bigger future

The Purple Tie Affair began in 2013, when DeShawn turned her 30th birthday into a benefit for local nonprofits. Since then, the event has raised more than $20,000 for Chicago organisations serving LGBTQ+ communities, according to E3 Radio. [2]

This year's result marks an important shift because the fundraiser also supported the outlet doing the reporting. That model feels especially relevant now: communities aren't only being asked to consume independent journalism, they're being invited to help sustain it.

Attendees also received E3 Radio's first printed LGBTQ+ business directory, adding a tangible local resource to an evening built around digital media. It's a small but telling detail. In a world of endless scrolling, a printed guide can feel surprisingly personal, like proof that the community exists both online and around the corner. [2]

A $50,000 total won't solve every challenge facing queer media, but it offers something just as important: breathing room, confidence and a visible show of solidarity. For E3 Radio, the message from Chicago was unmistakable. [2]

Support the independent queer journalism and community work that keeps local stories moving.

Source Reference Map

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