• Sign In
  • CITY
  • SCHOOLS
  • ART & LIFE
  • PUBLIC SQUARE
  • SPORTS
  • BUSINESS
  • FOOD
  • CALENDAR
  • PHOTOS
  • NEWSLETTER
  • DONATE
  • About us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Mobile app
  • Submit a letter
  • Environment
  • Reparations
  • Evanston History
  • Weddings
  • Obituaries
  • Evanston 101
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Skip to content
  • About us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Mobile app
  • Submit a letter
  • Environment
  • Reparations
  • Evanston History
  • Weddings
  • Obituaries
  • Evanston 101
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Evanston RoundTable

Evanston RoundTable

Evanston's community newspaper since 1998

  • Sign In
Sign In
  • CITY
  • SCHOOLS
  • ART & LIFE
  • PUBLIC SQUARE
  • SPORTS
  • BUSINESS
  • FOOD
  • CALENDAR
  • PHOTOS
  • NEWSLETTER
  • DONATE
Posted inArt & Life

An evening with Billy Porter

Avatar photo by Submitted November 8th, 2021November 8th, 2021

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Sign up for our free newsletter to have Evanston news delivered directly to your inbox every weekday!


“Unprotected: An Evening with Billy Porter,” will be held on Tuesday, November 9, beginning at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The event is free and open to the public, suitable for ages 12 and up. Registration is required.

It’s easy to be yourself when who and what you are is in vogue, but growing up Black and gay in America has never been easy. Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic Emmy-winning performance in the celebrated TV show Pose; before he was the groundbreaking Tony and Grammy Award-winning star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots; and before he was an acclaimed recording artist, actor, playwright, and director, Porter was a young boy in Pittsburgh who was seen as different, who didn’t fit in. At five years old, Porter was sent to therapy to “fix” his effeminacy. He was endlessly bullied at school, sexually abused by his stepfather, and criticized at his church. Porter came of age in a world where simply being himself was a constant struggle.

Billy Porter’s debut memoir, Unprotected, is the life story of a singular artist and survivor. It is the story of a boy whose talent and courage opened doors for him, but only a crack. It is the story of a teenager discovering himself, learning his voice and his craft amid deep trauma. It is the story of a young man whose unbreakable determination led him through countless hard times to where he is now; a proud icon who refuses to back down or hide. And it is the story of a man who finally is at peace to reveal truths that have haunted him for countless years. In Porter’s own words: “The truth is the healing.”  

Porter is the first openly gay Black man to be nominated and win an Emmy Award in any lead acting category. As a director, among other shows, Porter helmed the revival of Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog at Boston’s Huntington Theatre, where he was awarded the Elliot Norton Award for Best Director.   

Porter will be in conversation with Jamal Jordan, a multimedia artist and occasional professor whose first book, Queer Love in Color, was just released. He has worked with VICE news, NBC News, and The New York Times.  

The November 9 webinar is sponsored by Family Action Network (FAN), in partnership with Evanston Township High School D202, Baker Demonstration School, Beacon Academy, Bennett Day School, Catherine Cook School, Chiaravalle Montessori School, Christ Church Winnetka, Compass Health Center, Connections for the Homeless, Countryside Day School, Evanston Scholars, Foundation 65, Francis W. Parker School, Fusion Academy, Glencoe D35, Kenilworth D38, Lake Bluff D65, Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools, Latin School of Chicago, Magnetar Capital, Mindful Psychology Associates, Near North Montessori School, New Trier High School D203, New Trier Parents’ Association, North Shore Country Day, Regina Dominican High School, Rogers Park Montessori School, Roycemore School, School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University, Science & Arts Academy, Stevenson High School D125, The Family Institute at Northwestern University, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Parents’ Association, Wolcott College Prep, Woodlands Academy, and Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.).  

The event will be recorded and available later on FAN’s website and YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.familyactionnetwork.net.  

Support the RoundTable!

As a financial supporter of the RoundTable, your contribution throughout the year powers our work covering all the vital news that matters in Evanston! Please consider making an additional gift!

$
$
$

Your contribution is tax-deductible. We appreciate your support!

Give now and double your impact!

From now until December 31, new monthly donations and one-time gifts will be matched by the NewsMatch collaborative fundraising campaign. Please consider a gift to support our work in 2024! Your donation may qualify you for a great gift - click here to learn more.

$
$
$

Your contribution is tax-deductible. We appreciate your support!

Latest News

  • Two young physicians specialize in long-distance love December 1st, 2023
  • A fridge not too far December 1st, 2023
  • Rice Children’s Center accepting donations for annual holiday store December 1st, 2023
  • Latest news from Evanston: Your Friday daily digest December 1st, 2023
  • Equity panel pulls controversial draft resolution on Israel-Hamas war December 1st, 2023

Trending

  • Equity panel pulls controversial draft resolution on Israel-Hamas war
    Equity panel pulls controversial draft resolution on Israel-Hamas war
  • Concert opponents sue city over Ryan Field approval
    Concert opponents sue city over Ryan Field approval
  • Beekeeper feels stung, even in decision that goes her way
    Beekeeper feels stung, even in decision that goes her way
  • Evanston's Best: Specialty food stores
    Evanston's Best: Specialty food stores
  • Residents object to commission's proposed Gaza cease-fire resolution
    Residents object to commission's proposed Gaza cease-fire resolution
  • Beaver spotted at Northwestern’s lagoon
    Beaver spotted at Northwestern’s lagoon
  • Buying a Christmas tree in Evanston: From big-box stores to local firms
    Buying a Christmas tree in Evanston: From big-box stores to local firms
  • Letter to the editor: Transparency is first step in healing divide in Evanston
    Letter to the editor: Transparency is first step in healing divide in Evanston
  • Returning seniors hope to make a splash for Evanston boys swim team
    Returning seniors hope to make a splash for Evanston boys swim team
  • Evanston's Best: Pizza
    Evanston's Best: Pizza
Evanston RoundTable
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • RSS
  • Home
  • City News
  • Schools
  • Art & Life
  • Public Square
  • Food and Dining
  • Sports
  • Community Calendar
  • Reports & Analyses
  • Obituaries
  • Podcasts and video
  • Reparations
  • Evanston History
  • Our mission
  • About us
  • Advisory Committee
  • Board of Directors
  • Donate
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Get the newsletter
  • Read us on your mobile device
  • Submit a letter to the editor
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • Evanston RoundTable privacy notice

The Evanston RoundTable is the community’s leading source of news about local government, schools, civic and artistic activities, and other important issues facing our city. We seek to foster civic engagement and empower people to address complex issues facing our diverse community, promoting a better understanding and appreciation of people of all races, ethnicities, and income levels.

Evanston Roundtable
1514 Elmwood Avenue
Suite 2
Evanston, Illinois 60201
847.864.7741

© 2023 Evanston RoundTable Media NFP. Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic Evanston RoundTable privacy notice
I don't have an account I already have an account

Sign In

We've recently sent you an authentication link. Please, check your inbox!

Sign in with a password below, or sign in using your email.

Get a code sent to your email to sign in, or sign in using a password.

Enter the code you received via email to sign in, or sign in using a password.

Sign in with your email

Lost your password?

Try a different email

Send another code

Sign in with a password

OR

By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.

Close