Hollywood Beach

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  “The gay beach in Chicago! Where "the grinder grid comes to life" as my friend Ben Trotter once said. Hollywood Beach is sort of a spiritual successor to Belmont Rocks which was one of the few places for gay men to be openly queer/cruise in public in the 70s and 80s. Hollywood is less of a cruising spot and more of a place to socialise outside of nightlife and enjoy the sun in the summer, in addition to being more gender inclusive. You can be comfortable in a thong or topless on the beach compared to most family-dominated beaches. The southern half of the beach is queerer than the northern half - look for the rainbow lighthouse on the end of the pier and follow it. Or just follow your ears because there’s usually gay music being played on like 17 different speakers.”