No, it hasn’t really seemed like it yet, what with relatively balmy weather for most of the fall, at least by Chicago standards, but the holiday season is in full swing, with all the parties, dinner traditions and gift-giving.

Life isn’t perfect for GLBT folks in Chicago but we do have a lot to be thankful for. We have made steady progress toward equality here, with strong state and local laws against discrimination, and we can look forward to continuing that progress in the New Year, with equal rights for gay and lesbian couples on the horizon.

We also are blessed with strong community organizations, groups that help us be healthier, celebrate our diverse cultures and reach out to the more marginalized members of our GLBT family.

It’s important then, this time of year, when each of us makes out our gift lists that we remember our community organizations. It doesn’t have to be a lot—a $25 check goes a long way for many of these groups.

Perhaps you’re concerned about GLBT rights. Then write a check to Equality Illinois, our statewide advocacy group. Equality is fighting this year for the rights of GLBT couples, and you can be part of that fight by helping them out this holiday season. Go to eqil.org.

Illinois Gender Advocates is a statewide advocacy group that works to end discrimination based on gender identity. They could use your help for their education and advocacy efforts. Find them at genderadvocates.org.

Perhaps you support more direct advocacy. Then send a check to the Gay Liberation Network. GLN has been challenging politicians and homophobia for years, often on a shoestring. In the past year, they’ve brought leading gay rights activists from Nigeria and Russia to Chicago. Few groups would get more out of your gift. Go to gayliberation.net.

You can also support the community in other ways. This year, we celebrated the opening of the finest GLBT community center in the country, the Center on Halsted. Its programs include activities for youths and seniors, as well as sports leagues, theater and special community events. The Center could use your support to maintain and expand those programs. Go to centeronhalsted.org.

No GLBT community in the United States has a better healthcare organization than the Howard Brown Health Center. It provides top-notch, GLBT-sensitive care for our community, turning no one away, and conducts groundbreaking research. Go to howardbrown.org.

Despite advances, HIV/AIDS still hits gay men harder than any other group in the United States. Chicago’s many community-built organizations continue to battle this epidemic and provide much-needed care.

One of those groups is Vital Bridges, which provides food and other services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Go to vitalbridges.org to find out more. You can also drop off a check or gift of groceries at the agency’s Groceryland food pantry at 5543 N. Broadway.

Chicago House is an innovative group that provides housing, employment services and more for people living with HIV. Go to chicagohouse.org.

Test Positive Aware Network has long been a pioneer in providing education and outreach about HIV/AIDS. Find them at tpan.com. Better Existence with HIV is another group that educates people, particularly youth, about HIV/AIDS. Go to behiv.org.

And don’t forget the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, which gives out millions of dollars in grants to community-based HIV/AIDS programs. Find them at aidschicago.org. Other HIV/AIDS groups that do vital work include VIDA/Sida (phone 773-278-6737) and Project VIDA (projectvida.org).

There are many more worthy GLBT community groups—Amigas Latinas (amigaslatinas.org), the Association of Latino Men for Action (almachicago.org), Affinity Community Services (affinity95.org), the Chicago Gay Black Men’s Caucus (lovethybrotha.com) and others.

The point is that we are blessed with lots of worthwhile causes right here in our own GLBT community. They deserve your support. Make this holiday season a little more personal and give to at least one of them. After all, it’s like giving yourself a present.