Chicago

Here's a complete list (so far) of U.S. mayors who support Freedom to Marry. The statement the group signed includes: "As mayors of great American cities, we proudly stand together in support of the freedom of same-sex couples to marry. We personally know many gay and lesbian people living in our cities who are in committed, loving relationships, who are active participants in the civic life of our communities, and who deserve to be able to marry the person with whom they share their life..."

Wrigley Field hosted it's Pride Day during a Cubs game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The event coincided with the national gay softball world series in Chicago, which brings thousands of athletes to the city. Ticket sales benefit local AIDS charities and groups advocating for GLBT people.

Chicago Blackhawks hockey player Brent Sopel [pictured] will carry the Stanley Cup in the Chicago Gay Pride Parade, along with his wife and four kids. Sopel is marching in honor of Brendan Burke, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, who was killed in a car accident two months after coming out late last year. According to the Chicago Sun Times, Blackhawks President John McDonough is rerouting the Stanley Cup from the NHL draft in L.A. to the parade.

Congratulations to Chicago Public Schools chief Ron Huberman [pictured] and his partner, Darren DeJong, on the birth of their first child, Aiden DeJong Huberman.

Friday's Chicago Sun-Times announced, "The dads are delighted."

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley selected Huberman to head the Chicago Public Schools in early 2009. Huberman, 37, replaced Arne Duncan, who was confirmed as President Barack Obama’s secretary of education.

Howard Ludwig is a straight stay-at-home dad who visited a play group hosted by The Center on Halsted. The Center provides local LGBT outreach - and started the play group for lesbian and gay parents [and their kids] three months ago.

Howard writes about his experience in the suburban Chicago news source, SouthtownStar.com.

That's the message behind a new Tourism Toronto campaign marketing the city as one of the world's top destinations for gays and lesbians.

As any marketer knows, gays are "high-value" travellers. Worldwide, the gay travel market is a $55-billion industry.