Chicago's Pride Month celebrations are legendary, spreading LGBTQ+ culture, history and community at the best gay bars, the top drag brunches and, of course, the annual Pride Parade. (This year's parade festivities kick off on Sunday, June 29 at 11:00 a.m. with "United in Pride" as the 2025 theme.)
But a far more everyday way of honoring the historic legacy and continuing vibrancy of Chicago's queer and trans communities is by simply hopping on a CTA train—yes, the annual eight-car, rainbow-hued Pride Train is back on the city's Red Line tracks during the whole month of June, this time sporting a snazzy new design.
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Expect to see multi-hued vertical waving bars on the train’s cars, with the words “Ride with pride!” emblazoned on the sides. Bookending each train, black and brown stripes represent LGBTQ+ people of color, with transgender and classic Pride flag colors filling in the middle. But it doesn’t stop there: On the inside of each car, passengers can read not only inclusive and supportive affirmations, but also facts about local LGBTQ+ history, which is a new addition for this year.
The first major transit agency to publicly support the queer community with a Pride Train, this beauty has been chugging along since 2017. “The CTA is excited to continue the tradition of celebrating the LGBTQ community with the unveiling of the 2025 Pride Train and Pride signature Ventra Card designs,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen, in an official release. “CTA stands ready to take you to all the fun events that Pride month has to offer.”
Along with the festive choo-choo, the transit authority's Pride festivities include a special-edition Ventra Card, featuring triangles in a rainbow pattern that cover the entirety of the card. You can purchase one here. Happy Pride!