Community members and politicians were among those who gathered at the corner of Broadway and Aldine as the street was dedicated to the memory of merchant and activist Dewey Herrington, also known as the "Mayor of Broadway."
Herrington and his partner, Walter Kogelis, were proprietors of the store Pass the Salt and Pepper, a gift shop at 3337 N. Broadway, and were some of the first merchants to open on the street just as Lakeview was becoming a largely gay neighborhood. Herrington, who died in 2008, was also a founder of the North Broadway Merchants Association, which later merged into the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce.
Ald. Tom Tunney called Herrington "a trailblazer in terms of LGBT rights" and spoke of the "emotional connection" Herrington had with the neighborhood. He also noted that Herrington and Kogelis were at the forefront of local activism for gay marriage.
"What we recognize most is his charm, support and determination," Tunney said.
Former Ald. Bernie Hansen, who was accompanied by his wife, Annette, joked, "Not only was Dewey the Mayor of Broadway, he was the deputy alderman for some time and he let me know it."
Danny Kopelson introduced a performance of America the Beautiful by Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, of which Herrington was a co-founder. Kopelson said that particular piece was meant to evoke the group's performance at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans.
"We had no idea how we'd be received—it was a very different time," Kopelson said, adding that Herrington helped win the crowd over. "Dewey sang two amazing solos. He had this beautiful gospel voice and could just belt it out. … For a lot of those people in that audience, was their first exposure ever to a gay chorus, let alone so many gay men in one place. It was one of the proudest moments in our history."
Maureen Martino, executive director of Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, discussed Herrington's AIDS advocacy, which became a high priority for him shortly after his twin brother Melvin died of the disease.
"He made it a crusade of his to get people involved," she noted. "He knew that it is everybody's responsibility to move the community."
Martino added that she had considered bringing Herrington's scooter, which he used to zip around the route of the Pride Parade each year, but couldn't.
"He was the head parade monitor," added Chicago Pride Parade organizer Richard Pfeiffer. "He was up and down the parade route, doing everything."
Tunney and Kogelis unveiled the sign together. When the cover became stuck, Tunney climbed on a ladder to remove it and designate the street The Honorary Dewey Herrington Way.
Kogelis said he was so moved by the presentation that he had trouble finding the right words to describe how he was feeling.
"I'm really proud. It was an honor to be his partner, and it's fitting that this street will be named after him," he said.
