Concerts

There are so many ways to meet new people, but nothing is more adventurous and electrifying than calling a phone chat line. It’s exciting to think about all the new people you could meet through a phone dating line, all from the comfort of your own home. It’s a testament to how far dating has come, and how phones have enhanced our ability to make meaningful connections.

We’ve put together a new list of the top chat lines in 2023. The top 10 are in the table and the runner-ups are below.

Best Free Phone Chat Lines of 2023

RankBrandPhone NumberFree TrialBest For1.LiveLinks888-901-268860 minutesMeeting local singles2.FreeChatGirls866-995-533130 minutesBest free trial3.Local Hot Chat888-710-26255 minutesGreat singles4.Livetalk800-444-LIVE10 minutesHybrid naughty/singles5.RedHot Dateline855-933-061030 minutesLate night chat6.Vibeline866-488-080930 minutesMeeting black singles7.Fonochat866-605-301630 minutesChatting with latina singles8.Talk121855-677-054530 minutesBest early day number9.Phone and Flirt800-381-54555 minutesBest flirty line10.Desires Chat888-598-83365 minutesBest confessional line

More Chat Lines To Call

Moonlight Line: 855-677-0538Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625Lover’s Lane: 509-876-5930Adult Talk: 833-937-ADULTHowl Line: 888-655-6366Azul Line: 888-589-4999Sexy Live Connections: 800-317-4475Hollar Line: 888-650-2223Taboo Chat: 855-50-TABOOExotic Chat Line: 888-633-9453Lavalife Voice: 877-800-5282Girls Flirt Free: 800-364-4757Social Voice USA: 844-706-5518Hot Latinas Chat: 800-309-9388Latino Phone Chat: 888-702-8887Nightline: 877-834-4044Questchat: 888-889-6565Black Singlez: 800-287-3991Night Exchange: 866-917-8328Español Chat: 888-674-8887College Party Line: 888-598-3927Black Phone Chat: 800-319-7277America’s Hottest Talk Line: 206-876-56711PartyLine: 562-621-1201Grapevine Personals: 250-984-3322Metrovibe: 877-390-6677TangoPersonals: 800-810-8108MegaMates: 866-718-4930Metrochat: 206-876-56751-800-DATE-LINE: 800-DATE-LINE1800Personals: 213-687-7675Party Lines Uncensored: 712-432-4800

Chat Line 101

These toll-free numbers can be used to flirt or start a full-blown relationship with a hot local single. What’s more is that they all offer free trials, so you might even meet that special someone without paying a dime.

Rather than swiping through images on a vapid app, chat lines promote conversation and help you get to know your match on a deeper level. It’s also great for more sexual relationships too! Most chat lines follow a similar setup:

Call the number
Record a personal greeting in which you introduce yourself
Listen to other greetings to see who sounds most appealing
Send private messages through virtual mailboxes
Request to chat live with someone
Have an awesome phone chat experience

Scroll below for in-depth reviews of the best free phone chat numbers.

1. LiveLinks: 888-901-2688 – Best overall chat line

LiveLinks is the most prominent and well-known chat line in North America. For genuine connections, there’s no better line than LiveLinks. Not only has it been around since the 90s, but it’s also famous for its ability to establish all sorts of relationships, from the friendly to the romantic. Not many lines cater to such a large variety. It also implements great features, like the ability to add people you like to your Hot List. Like most lines, women chat for free. First-time male callers can enjoy a hefty one-hour trial, which is an extremely generous amount of free time that can be used to get to know a special someone.

2. FreeChatGirls: 866-995-5331 – Best for new chat line callers

FreeChatGirls is a naughty adult line where the ladies always talk for free. It’s a phone sex line without any paid operators, only real people who are just like you. This chat line is for hot like-minded individuals who want to dive into their fantasies with strangers on the phone. You are allowed a half-hour free phone chat trial, which you can use to meet up with a kinky girl on the line. Once you use up that time, you’re going to want to purchase one of their affordable memberships.

3. Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625 – Best hybrid naughty/singles number

Local Chat may appear to be on the risqué side of phone dating, but it caters to callers of all types. Whether you’re looking for something serious or spicy, Local Hot Chat delivers. The gender ratio skews female, so if you’re want to chat with a single lady, this is the number to call. The 5 minute free trial allows you to browse profiles and request connect. As soon as you talk live, you’ll have to pay. But it’s worth it. The memberships are affordable. What’s one downside? The user interface (IVR) system is a little outdated, but it gets the job done.

4. LiveTalk: 800-444-LIVE – Best for real connections

LiveTalk provides a safe and secure phone dating environment for adults over the age of 18. People come to LiveTalk when they want to meet someone who is like-minded and genuine. Locals from different cities across the U.S. flock to this newer chat line. While it hasn’t been around since the 90s like LiveLinks, it’s one of the most favored and talked about chat lines right now. This premier phone chat service does a great job of connecting folks who are truly interested in creating a bond. You will never meet anyone flaky when you call LiveTalk.

5. Redhot Dateline: 855-993-0610 – Best late night number

Redhot Dateline is a line most notable for its ability to link sexy individuals to each other for steamy phone chat. It’s a very popular line, making finding a match a seamless experience no matter when you call in. If you are seeking a little wild fun, Redhot Dateline is for you. However, if romance is more your pick, we’d suggest heading to one of the lines dedicated to dating rather than erotic chat. Redhot Dateline doesn’t shy away from its namesake; it really is red hot. The only unfortunate thing about Redhot Dateline is that the 30-minute free trial is limited. To take full advantage, you’ll need a membership.

6. Vibeline: 866-488-0809 – Best black chat line

Vibeline has long been a chat line that has attracted Black callers. But in more recent years, it has expanded into a more diverse bunch of young and trendy folks. It’s known as a pretty “hip” line, which is why it brings in a younger and more vibrant crowd. Callers on this line are looking for all sorts of relationships. Some want something serious, but many are seeking a flirty fling. Women can talk on Vibeline free of charge and men can take advantage of that sweet 30-minute free trial. These 30-minutes can be spread out over time if you’d like, which is a nice and unique touch that other chat lines usually don’t offer.

7. Fonochat: 866-605-3016 – Best latina chat line

Brought to you by the same people who created LiveLinks, Fonochat is the best Latinx chat line available for Hispanic singles in your area. It’s an exciting place where Latinx people and those looking for Latinx partners can come and be themselves. If you prefer to chat in Spanish, that’s an option for you at Fonochat (but you don’t have to if you don’t want to). Like Livelinks, Fonochat allows you to create a Hot List of potential partners. You can also send private messages to people you wish to explore a friendship or relationship with.

8. Talk121: 855-677-0545 – Best to meet local singles over the phone

Talk121 is a chat line that’s been around for a long time and has done a good job at keeping up with the tech innovations in the chat line space. It’s a great competitor in the chat line game and keeps the other lines on their toes. Thousands of people call into Talk121 on a regular basis, and they stay because the line is always very reliable. Though aged, it doesn’t feel like an outdated chat line. It’s a leader in the industry and promotes everything from friendship to long-term relationships.

9. Phone and Flirt: 800-381-5455 – Best for quick, flirty phone chat

This safe and discreet chat line is used by people who want to laugh, flirt, and have a good time. When calling Phone and Flirt, there’s an underlying expectation that you are there to have a frisky good time. That doesn’t mean that all the callers are looking for erotic chat. Some are simply seeing who can give them those chat line butterflies. Phone and Flirt is very popular for this reason, saturated with younger flirters who love how unexpected and surprising this line can be.

10. Desires Chat: 888-598-8336 – Best for confessional

Desires Chat is a leading chat line that operates solely for adults who want to share their secret desires with one another. Discretion is taken very seriously over at Desires Chat, so you should feel completely free to let your wild side out on the line. There’s a level of open-mindedness not seen on every chat line that attracts some of the most interesting callers. Get lost in conversation with one of these dreamers on the Desires Chat line. You will feel as sexy as you will liberated.

Chat Line Dating FAQHow did you judge these lines?We look at a lot of things when deciding which chat lines are best. The first are reliability and call volume. We don’t want you calling a chat line that gets little to no calls because that means your dating or chatting options are far too limited. We chose lines that get a lot of callers, even during non-peak hours of the day. They also have to have free trials so that you can enjoy a taste of their features before you even pull out your wallet. And finally, we judge these phone chat lines based on user experiences we’ve read about, like on Mr. Chat Line, heard about, or experienced ourselves.

What should I say in my chat line greeting?Your chat line greeting is what other callers will hear before they decide if they want to meet you. It’s an introduction and should sound like one. But remember, you are going after someone for a flirty or romantic relationship. You aren’t at a job interview. With that in mind, try to keep your greeting short, sweet, and interesting. Show your personality off without taking up too much time. And make sure you sound excited when you are speaking. This will attract others to you!

Are chat lines safe?Chat lines are one of the safest ways to flirt with a stranger. Again, you are virtually meeting a new friend from the comfort of your very own home. As far as physical safety, that’s pretty much taken care of! Chat lines also work very hard to make sure they are both safe and secure so that you’ll feel as comfortable as possible expressing yourself on the line. You can always change your name if you wish to remain anonymous, and no line will ever share identifying or sensitive information. Be wary of people on chat lines who try to coax information out of you that feels too personal.

What happens when the free trial is up?When your free trial is up on a chat line, we’d encourage you to try another trial! But if you love the line you’ve just called or want to spend more time with a certain phone date, you will need to purchase a time package. These are usually pretty affordable. If you want to have erotic chat, chat lines are far less expensive than traditional phone sex numbers with much longer free trials.

How likely am I to hook up because of a chat line?Calling a chat line is like going to a popular local bar. There are so many people who you’ll meet that live very close to you. Most chat line callers are calling so that they can eventually hang out in person. That common goal of connecting with new people in your area is what makes chat lines such a unique and reliable way to meet someone new to flirt with, hang out with, and hook up with.

Read More

There are so many ways to meet new people, but nothing is more adventurous and electrifying than calling a phone chat line. It’s exciting to think about all the new people you could meet through a phone dating line, all from the comfort of your own home. It’s a testament to how far dating has come, and how phones have enhanced our ability to make meaningful connections.

We’ve put together a new list of the top chat lines in 2023. The top 10 are in the table and the runner-ups are below.

Best Free Phone Chat Lines of 2023

RankBrandPhone NumberFree TrialBest For1.LiveLinks888-901-268860 minutesMeeting local singles2.FreeChatGirls866-995-533130 minutesBest free trial3.Local Hot Chat888-710-26255 minutesGreat singles4.Livetalk800-444-LIVE10 minutesHybrid naughty/singles5.RedHot Dateline855-933-061030 minutesLate night chat6.Vibeline866-488-080930 minutesMeeting black singles7.Fonochat866-605-301630 minutesChatting with latina singles8.Talk121855-677-054530 minutesBest early day number9.Phone and Flirt800-381-54555 minutesBest flirty line10.Desires Chat888-598-83365 minutesBest confessional line

More Chat Lines To Call

Moonlight Line: 855-677-0538Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625Lover’s Lane: 509-876-5930Adult Talk: 833-937-ADULTHowl Line: 888-655-6366Azul Line: 888-589-4999Sexy Live Connections: 800-317-4475Hollar Line: 888-650-2223Taboo Chat: 855-50-TABOOExotic Chat Line: 888-633-9453Lavalife Voice: 877-800-5282Girls Flirt Free: 800-364-4757Social Voice USA: 844-706-5518Hot Latinas Chat: 800-309-9388Latino Phone Chat: 888-702-8887Nightline: 877-834-4044Questchat: 888-889-6565Black Singlez: 800-287-3991Night Exchange: 866-917-8328Español Chat: 888-674-8887College Party Line: 888-598-3927Black Phone Chat: 800-319-7277America’s Hottest Talk Line: 206-876-56711PartyLine: 562-621-1201Grapevine Personals: 250-984-3322Metrovibe: 877-390-6677TangoPersonals: 800-810-8108MegaMates: 866-718-4930Metrochat: 206-876-56751-800-DATE-LINE: 800-DATE-LINE1800Personals: 213-687-7675Party Lines Uncensored: 712-432-4800

Chat Line 101

These toll-free numbers can be used to flirt or start a full-blown relationship with a hot local single. What’s more is that they all offer free trials, so you might even meet that special someone without paying a dime.

Rather than swiping through images on a vapid app, chat lines promote conversation and help you get to know your match on a deeper level. It’s also great for more sexual relationships too! Most chat lines follow a similar setup:

Call the number
Record a personal greeting in which you introduce yourself
Listen to other greetings to see who sounds most appealing
Send private messages through virtual mailboxes
Request to chat live with someone
Have an awesome phone chat experience

Scroll below for in-depth reviews of the best free phone chat numbers.

1. LiveLinks: 888-901-2688 – Best overall chat line

LiveLinks is the most prominent and well-known chat line in North America. For genuine connections, there’s no better line than LiveLinks. Not only has it been around since the 90s, but it’s also famous for its ability to establish all sorts of relationships, from the friendly to the romantic. Not many lines cater to such a large variety. It also implements great features, like the ability to add people you like to your Hot List. Like most lines, women chat for free. First-time male callers can enjoy a hefty one-hour trial, which is an extremely generous amount of free time that can be used to get to know a special someone.

2. FreeChatGirls: 866-995-5331 – Best for new chat line callers

FreeChatGirls is a naughty adult line where the ladies always talk for free. It’s a phone sex line without any paid operators, only real people who are just like you. This chat line is for hot like-minded individuals who want to dive into their fantasies with strangers on the phone. You are allowed a half-hour free phone chat trial, which you can use to meet up with a kinky girl on the line. Once you use up that time, you’re going to want to purchase one of their affordable memberships.

3. Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625 – Best hybrid naughty/singles number

Local Chat may appear to be on the risqué side of phone dating, but it caters to callers of all types. Whether you’re looking for something serious or spicy, Local Hot Chat delivers. The gender ratio skews female, so if you’re want to chat with a single lady, this is the number to call. The 5 minute free trial allows you to browse profiles and request connect. As soon as you talk live, you’ll have to pay. But it’s worth it. The memberships are affordable. What’s one downside? The user interface (IVR) system is a little outdated, but it gets the job done.

4. LiveTalk: 800-444-LIVE – Best for real connections

LiveTalk provides a safe and secure phone dating environment for adults over the age of 18. People come to LiveTalk when they want to meet someone who is like-minded and genuine. Locals from different cities across the U.S. flock to this newer chat line. While it hasn’t been around since the 90s like LiveLinks, it’s one of the most favored and talked about chat lines right now. This premier phone chat service does a great job of connecting folks who are truly interested in creating a bond. You will never meet anyone flaky when you call LiveTalk.

5. Redhot Dateline: 855-993-0610 – Best late night number

Redhot Dateline is a line most notable for its ability to link sexy individuals to each other for steamy phone chat. It’s a very popular line, making finding a match a seamless experience no matter when you call in. If you are seeking a little wild fun, Redhot Dateline is for you. However, if romance is more your pick, we’d suggest heading to one of the lines dedicated to dating rather than erotic chat. Redhot Dateline doesn’t shy away from its namesake; it really is red hot. The only unfortunate thing about Redhot Dateline is that the 30-minute free trial is limited. To take full advantage, you’ll need a membership.

6. Vibeline: 866-488-0809 – Best black chat line

Vibeline has long been a chat line that has attracted Black callers. But in more recent years, it has expanded into a more diverse bunch of young and trendy folks. It’s known as a pretty “hip” line, which is why it brings in a younger and more vibrant crowd. Callers on this line are looking for all sorts of relationships. Some want something serious, but many are seeking a flirty fling. Women can talk on Vibeline free of charge and men can take advantage of that sweet 30-minute free trial. These 30-minutes can be spread out over time if you’d like, which is a nice and unique touch that other chat lines usually don’t offer.

7. Fonochat: 866-605-3016 – Best latina chat line

Brought to you by the same people who created LiveLinks, Fonochat is the best Latinx chat line available for Hispanic singles in your area. It’s an exciting place where Latinx people and those looking for Latinx partners can come and be themselves. If you prefer to chat in Spanish, that’s an option for you at Fonochat (but you don’t have to if you don’t want to). Like Livelinks, Fonochat allows you to create a Hot List of potential partners. You can also send private messages to people you wish to explore a friendship or relationship with.

8. Talk121: 855-677-0545 – Best to meet local singles over the phone

Talk121 is a chat line that’s been around for a long time and has done a good job at keeping up with the tech innovations in the chat line space. It’s a great competitor in the chat line game and keeps the other lines on their toes. Thousands of people call into Talk121 on a regular basis, and they stay because the line is always very reliable. Though aged, it doesn’t feel like an outdated chat line. It’s a leader in the industry and promotes everything from friendship to long-term relationships.

9. Phone and Flirt: 800-381-5455 – Best for quick, flirty phone chat

This safe and discreet chat line is used by people who want to laugh, flirt, and have a good time. When calling Phone and Flirt, there’s an underlying expectation that you are there to have a frisky good time. That doesn’t mean that all the callers are looking for erotic chat. Some are simply seeing who can give them those chat line butterflies. Phone and Flirt is very popular for this reason, saturated with younger flirters who love how unexpected and surprising this line can be.

10. Desires Chat: 888-598-8336 – Best for confessional

Desires Chat is a leading chat line that operates solely for adults who want to share their secret desires with one another. Discretion is taken very seriously over at Desires Chat, so you should feel completely free to let your wild side out on the line. There’s a level of open-mindedness not seen on every chat line that attracts some of the most interesting callers. Get lost in conversation with one of these dreamers on the Desires Chat line. You will feel as sexy as you will liberated.

Chat Line Dating FAQHow did you judge these lines?We look at a lot of things when deciding which chat lines are best. The first are reliability and call volume. We don’t want you calling a chat line that gets little to no calls because that means your dating or chatting options are far too limited. We chose lines that get a lot of callers, even during non-peak hours of the day. They also have to have free trials so that you can enjoy a taste of their features before you even pull out your wallet. And finally, we judge these phone chat lines based on user experiences we’ve read about, like on Mr. Chat Line, heard about, or experienced ourselves.

What should I say in my chat line greeting?Your chat line greeting is what other callers will hear before they decide if they want to meet you. It’s an introduction and should sound like one. But remember, you are going after someone for a flirty or romantic relationship. You aren’t at a job interview. With that in mind, try to keep your greeting short, sweet, and interesting. Show your personality off without taking up too much time. And make sure you sound excited when you are speaking. This will attract others to you!

Are chat lines safe?Chat lines are one of the safest ways to flirt with a stranger. Again, you are virtually meeting a new friend from the comfort of your very own home. As far as physical safety, that’s pretty much taken care of! Chat lines also work very hard to make sure they are both safe and secure so that you’ll feel as comfortable as possible expressing yourself on the line. You can always change your name if you wish to remain anonymous, and no line will ever share identifying or sensitive information. Be wary of people on chat lines who try to coax information out of you that feels too personal.

What happens when the free trial is up?When your free trial is up on a chat line, we’d encourage you to try another trial! But if you love the line you’ve just called or want to spend more time with a certain phone date, you will need to purchase a time package. These are usually pretty affordable. If you want to have erotic chat, chat lines are far less expensive than traditional phone sex numbers with much longer free trials.

How likely am I to hook up because of a chat line?Calling a chat line is like going to a popular local bar. There are so many people who you’ll meet that live very close to you. Most chat line callers are calling so that they can eventually hang out in person. That common goal of connecting with new people in your area is what makes chat lines such a unique and reliable way to meet someone new to flirt with, hang out with, and hook up with.

Read More

An illustrated timeline of the Sober Rabbit comic strip’s title character’s journey includes Rabbit losing some years, finding sobriety, doing stand-up, and embracing recovery. Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Wasson

“Since I was a little kid, I’ve been drawing rabbits,” said Whitney Wasson.

The Chicago-based comics artist and comedian said that rabbits are cute and easy to draw, which were two ideal qualities for their early childhood doodles.

“[The drawing] could be terrible, but as long as you [make] long rabbit ears it reads as a rabbit,” Wasson said. “You can draw a rabbit very cute or you can make them deranged because of the way their noses and teeth look.”

The 1978 animated film Watership Down comes to mind. The film follows a group of animated rabbits on a bloody journey across the English countryside, and likely still lingers in the nightmares of anyone unlucky enough to have seen it during their childhood.

It was a similar schadenfreude of sending a cutesy bunny through the ringer that partially inspired Wasson’s web comic, Sober Rabbit.

“I did a drawing of a rabbit hungover on the toilet throwing up. That drawing is sort of what started the comic.”

Shelby, a character from Sober Rabbit, thinks about their cycle of drinking. Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Wasson

Started by Wasson in 2019, Sober Rabbit is a webcomic that follows the titular Rabbit and their animal friends through the recovery process. Rabbit works to find life balance after becoming sober and a life-changing accident. Brenda the Pigeon recovers from a history of disordered eating and self-image issues. Shelby the Squirrel relapsed during the pandemic.

“My dad is a bartender and bar owner, so I was in his bar as a little kid sometimes, and I would draw the regulars as characters when I was very little.” Wasson said. “My dad’s friends at the bar were very cartoonish people. There’s always like, bar archetypes you know, I know that from my experience as an alcoholic.”

In December, three years and a pandemic later, Wasson released a comic book in print, Scars and Strips Forever, which highlights panels from Sober Rabbit’s Instagram posts and more. They said it was a rare opportunity to take a holistic look inward at how the series had progressed.

“[Sober Rabbit] is grounded in reality and then has elements of fiction. But it’s still all sort of coming from and is based on what I’ve observed in recovery,” said Wasson.

Rabbit’s adventures cover subjects ranging from death and grief to disability and LGBTQ+ relationships. Sober Rabbit strips are concerned mostly with daily struggles and small victories. Wasson says that giving an honest look at the recovery process was paramount.   

“Being a person in the world and absorbing how recovery is shared in art, people tend to focus on very black and white stuff. Someone hits rock bottom, then they recover. It’s heroic or it’s tragic.”

Sober Rabbitsoberrabbit.com and at Instagram

Before Sober Rabbit, Wasson worked as a self-described “road dog” comedian from 2013 to 2018. Originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Wasson performed and produced shows across the south and midwest before landing in Chicago in 2015. Comedy was a much-needed creative release but also helped to intensify drinking habits Wasson had struggled with before picking up the microphone. 

“Stand-up is a brutal world if you’re not also consuming substances like everybody else is. It was pretty rough,” Wasson said. 

Wasson originally leaned into their drinking within their comedy, but concerns over the level of dysfunction the drinking was causing were piling up. Motivated by friends and the future of their stand-up career, Wasson got sober in 2016.

“I didn’t plan to get sober, I had to get sober,” they said. 

Wasson continued to hit the stage throughout the process. Sobriety had made doing stand-up easier to manage for them thanks to more sleep and an easier time remembering sets. Motivated by the experience, Wasson began hosting the Serenity Now!sober space-oriented comedy show in 2018 to benefit other comics and audience members also in recovery.

Whitney Wasson Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Wasson

Stand-up held Wasson’s complete focus until 2019, when an injury left them disabled.

“I was walking to a show by my old job, regular day, nothing going on,” they remember. “This woman in a sedan runs two red lights and hits me in profile while crossing the street. If she had hit me a little bit head on, I would have either gone underneath the car or over it.”

Wasson’s foot was broken, among other injuries, and a misdiagnosis meant it never healed correctly. A layoff followed shortly after, forcing Wasson fully into freelance visual arts, which they had done occasionally to support their standup.

“What the fuck do I do?” Wasson said, remembering the seismic shift in priorities.

“I basically just said to people, ‘can I draw you a podcast logo? Can I make somebody a poster? What can I do?’ I started literally just sitting there and drawing stuff.”  

Scars and Strips Forever: Selected Strips (2019-2022) by Whitney WassonSelf-published, paperback, $15, soberrabbit.bigcartel.com

Sober Rabbit, which Wasson had begun officially only a few weeks before their accident, graduated from a hobby to full-time project

“Obviously Sober Rabbit is a project about recovery, but I think it really is a rediscovering of a hobby thing, that I was like ‘oh yeah, I love doing this.’”

Wasson had already published a few zines on recovery, and the 15-page The Farewell Party, a sort of prequel comic to Sober Rabbit. Wasson describes The Farewell Party on their website as “a standalone comic about my—er—RABBIT’s teenage hijinks.”

An excerpt from Whitney Wasson’s comic The Farewell Party shows Rabbit drawn in black and white. Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Wasson

“[The Farewell Party] is sort of like a supercut of a lot of things,” they said. “Yes, there’s some exciting spicy stories to tell about me cleaning up, but my adolescence is when I became an alcoholic. I sort of have to go back and talk about it pretty hard and the emotional problems that jump-started the drinking.”

Read More

An illustrated timeline of the Sober Rabbit comic strip’s title character’s journey includes Rabbit losing some years, finding sobriety, doing stand-up, and embracing recovery. Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Wasson

“Since I was a little kid, I’ve been drawing rabbits,” said Whitney Wasson.

The Chicago-based comics artist and comedian said that rabbits are cute and easy to draw, which were two ideal qualities for their early childhood doodles.

“[The drawing] could be terrible, but as long as you [make] long rabbit ears it reads as a rabbit,” Wasson said. “You can draw a rabbit very cute or you can make them deranged because of the way their noses and teeth look.”

The 1978 animated film Watership Down comes to mind. The film follows a group of animated rabbits on a bloody journey across the English countryside, and likely still lingers in the nightmares of anyone unlucky enough to have seen it during their childhood.

It was a similar schadenfreude of sending a cutesy bunny through the ringer that partially inspired Wasson’s web comic, Sober Rabbit.

“I did a drawing of a rabbit hungover on the toilet throwing up. That drawing is sort of what started the comic.”

Shelby, a character from Sober Rabbit, thinks about their cycle of drinking. Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Wasson

Started by Wasson in 2019, Sober Rabbit is a webcomic that follows the titular Rabbit and their animal friends through the recovery process. Rabbit works to find life balance after becoming sober and a life-changing accident. Brenda the Pigeon recovers from a history of disordered eating and self-image issues. Shelby the Squirrel relapsed during the pandemic.

“My dad is a bartender and bar owner, so I was in his bar as a little kid sometimes, and I would draw the regulars as characters when I was very little.” Wasson said. “My dad’s friends at the bar were very cartoonish people. There’s always like, bar archetypes you know, I know that from my experience as an alcoholic.”

In December, three years and a pandemic later, Wasson released a comic book in print, Scars and Strips Forever, which highlights panels from Sober Rabbit’s Instagram posts and more. They said it was a rare opportunity to take a holistic look inward at how the series had progressed.

“[Sober Rabbit] is grounded in reality and then has elements of fiction. But it’s still all sort of coming from and is based on what I’ve observed in recovery,” said Wasson.

Rabbit’s adventures cover subjects ranging from death and grief to disability and LGBTQ+ relationships. Sober Rabbit strips are concerned mostly with daily struggles and small victories. Wasson says that giving an honest look at the recovery process was paramount.   

“Being a person in the world and absorbing how recovery is shared in art, people tend to focus on very black and white stuff. Someone hits rock bottom, then they recover. It’s heroic or it’s tragic.”

Sober Rabbitsoberrabbit.com and at Instagram

Before Sober Rabbit, Wasson worked as a self-described “road dog” comedian from 2013 to 2018. Originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Wasson performed and produced shows across the south and midwest before landing in Chicago in 2015. Comedy was a much-needed creative release but also helped to intensify drinking habits Wasson had struggled with before picking up the microphone. 

“Stand-up is a brutal world if you’re not also consuming substances like everybody else is. It was pretty rough,” Wasson said. 

Wasson originally leaned into their drinking within their comedy, but concerns over the level of dysfunction the drinking was causing were piling up. Motivated by friends and the future of their stand-up career, Wasson got sober in 2016.

“I didn’t plan to get sober, I had to get sober,” they said. 

Wasson continued to hit the stage throughout the process. Sobriety had made doing stand-up easier to manage for them thanks to more sleep and an easier time remembering sets. Motivated by the experience, Wasson began hosting the Serenity Now!sober space-oriented comedy show in 2018 to benefit other comics and audience members also in recovery.

Whitney Wasson Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Wasson

Stand-up held Wasson’s complete focus until 2019, when an injury left them disabled.

“I was walking to a show by my old job, regular day, nothing going on,” they remember. “This woman in a sedan runs two red lights and hits me in profile while crossing the street. If she had hit me a little bit head on, I would have either gone underneath the car or over it.”

Wasson’s foot was broken, among other injuries, and a misdiagnosis meant it never healed correctly. A layoff followed shortly after, forcing Wasson fully into freelance visual arts, which they had done occasionally to support their standup.

“What the fuck do I do?” Wasson said, remembering the seismic shift in priorities.

“I basically just said to people, ‘can I draw you a podcast logo? Can I make somebody a poster? What can I do?’ I started literally just sitting there and drawing stuff.”  

Scars and Strips Forever: Selected Strips (2019-2022) by Whitney WassonSelf-published, paperback, $15, soberrabbit.bigcartel.com

Sober Rabbit, which Wasson had begun officially only a few weeks before their accident, graduated from a hobby to full-time project

“Obviously Sober Rabbit is a project about recovery, but I think it really is a rediscovering of a hobby thing, that I was like ‘oh yeah, I love doing this.’”

Wasson had already published a few zines on recovery, and the 15-page The Farewell Party, a sort of prequel comic to Sober Rabbit. Wasson describes The Farewell Party on their website as “a standalone comic about my—er—RABBIT’s teenage hijinks.”

An excerpt from Whitney Wasson’s comic The Farewell Party shows Rabbit drawn in black and white. Credit: Courtesy of Whitney Wasson

“[The Farewell Party] is sort of like a supercut of a lot of things,” they said. “Yes, there’s some exciting spicy stories to tell about me cleaning up, but my adolescence is when I became an alcoholic. I sort of have to go back and talk about it pretty hard and the emotional problems that jump-started the drinking.”

Read More

A retired city worker, McKay worked of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) and later was an investigator at the Office of Fire Investigation. He has also served as safety director and fire marshal at Providence Hospital.

In 1995 while working at the CFD, McKay was part of a group of firefighters who challenged discriminatory hiring practices that prevented Black applicants from being hired. That effort ultimately resulted in a 2009 Supreme Court decision that ordered lower courts to provide relief for affected applicants. In 2021, McKay was involved in an effort overturn the CFD’s decision to remove a specialized fire engine with a “tower ladder” for reaching high-rise apartments from a firehouse at 79th and Stony Island. The department ultimately decided to move the fire engine to another station at 118th and Michigan, a move McKay describes as it having been improperly allocated.

“It is my intention to use the authority vested in this new citizen’s review panel to highlight and compel the city to respond quickly and effectively to instances of malfeasance and or criminal conduct when it comes to public safety in the delivery of police and fire services,” McKay told the Reader.

Democracy for America has endorsed.

Candidate questionnaire responses:

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer? Yes
Do you have experience interacting with CPD? Yes
Do you have experience working or interacting with government? Yes
Should the city hire more police officers? No
Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should stay about the same.
CPD reform: The police need significant reform.
Mental health crises: Police should accompany healthcare workers to mental health crises.

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Establishing civilian control of the police
Communicating with the department on behalf of the community

Why are you running for Police District Council?

I am running as a write-in candidate the 5th Police District in the City of Chicago.because a retired police officer, William McMahon, backed by a legal firm based in Evergreen Park, decided that the residents of the 5th district did not deserve to have the opportunity to evaluate the merits of my credentials and my overall worthiness to serve our community in the capacity of a watchdog over the quality and character of the delivery city services as they to relate to public safety in our community.

Employment status, race and mental health issues seem to determine police reaction in the 5th District. A uniform Code of Conduct of respect by the police within the 5th District should be established, similar to the Boy Scout Law!

According to the citizen Police Data Project, There are 1,834 officers in District 5 with a total of 4,645 complaints/allegations filed against the 5th district CPD, of the total 3,900 were filed by citizens 745 were filed internally by the police.

These issues can be quickly addressed by complying with the Consent Decrees issued for the Chicago Police Department and requiring mandatory basic policing Civic Classes to promote civic accountability for Police Officers, citizens attending CAPS meetings, and detainees while in custody to ensure a better understanding of civic responsibilities for all parties.

With an effective elected oversight council representing the 5th District, we will make the required decisions to eliminate police misconduct, Period!

Read More

A retired city worker, McKay worked of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) and later was an investigator at the Office of Fire Investigation. He has also served as safety director and fire marshal at Providence Hospital.

In 1995 while working at the CFD, McKay was part of a group of firefighters who challenged discriminatory hiring practices that prevented Black applicants from being hired. That effort ultimately resulted in a 2009 Supreme Court decision that ordered lower courts to provide relief for affected applicants. In 2021, McKay was involved in an effort overturn the CFD’s decision to remove a specialized fire engine with a “tower ladder” for reaching high-rise apartments from a firehouse at 79th and Stony Island. The department ultimately decided to move the fire engine to another station at 118th and Michigan, a move McKay describes as it having been improperly allocated.

“It is my intention to use the authority vested in this new citizen’s review panel to highlight and compel the city to respond quickly and effectively to instances of malfeasance and or criminal conduct when it comes to public safety in the delivery of police and fire services,” McKay told the Reader.

Democracy for America has endorsed.

Candidate questionnaire responses:

Do you have experience as an activist or community organizer? Yes
Do you have experience interacting with CPD? Yes
Do you have experience working or interacting with government? Yes
Should the city hire more police officers? No
Is CPD adequately funded? Yes: funding should stay about the same.
CPD reform: The police need significant reform.
Mental health crises: Police should accompany healthcare workers to mental health crises.

What do you consider the primary role of a police district councilor to be?

Establishing civilian control of the police
Communicating with the department on behalf of the community

Why are you running for Police District Council?

I am running as a write-in candidate the 5th Police District in the City of Chicago.because a retired police officer, William McMahon, backed by a legal firm based in Evergreen Park, decided that the residents of the 5th district did not deserve to have the opportunity to evaluate the merits of my credentials and my overall worthiness to serve our community in the capacity of a watchdog over the quality and character of the delivery city services as they to relate to public safety in our community.

Employment status, race and mental health issues seem to determine police reaction in the 5th District. A uniform Code of Conduct of respect by the police within the 5th District should be established, similar to the Boy Scout Law!

According to the citizen Police Data Project, There are 1,834 officers in District 5 with a total of 4,645 complaints/allegations filed against the 5th district CPD, of the total 3,900 were filed by citizens 745 were filed internally by the police.

These issues can be quickly addressed by complying with the Consent Decrees issued for the Chicago Police Department and requiring mandatory basic policing Civic Classes to promote civic accountability for Police Officers, citizens attending CAPS meetings, and detainees while in custody to ensure a better understanding of civic responsibilities for all parties.

With an effective elected oversight council representing the 5th District, we will make the required decisions to eliminate police misconduct, Period!

Read More