Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez hosted her 5th annual LGBT pride celebration and awards June 18 at Center on Halsted.
Honorees were Officer Jose Rios, activist Dalila Fridi and Chef Art Smith ( who could not attend, so his husband Jesus Salgueiro accepted ). Smith received the Vernita Gray Lifetime Achievement Award. Vernita Gray's widow Pat Ewert and her mother Fran presented the honor to Salgueiro With Salgueiro were three of four children he and Smith adopted the previous week.
MC for the evening was Dean Richards. Ray Koenig, State's Attorney LGBT Advisory Council chair, welcomed the audience of more than 100 people.
Cecelia Horan, president of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, presented a scholarship from her group to Gavin Quinn.
Walgreens, a sponsor of the event, was represented by Tom Sondergeld, an openly gay employee. He is senior director of health and well being.
Windy City Times: State's Attny LGBT Pride Event 2014: www.youtube.com/watch .