Windy City Times shines the spotlight on outstanding young people blazing trails into the future of Chicago's LGBT community.
PATRICK ANDREWS
Patrick, 24, is an accomplished actor, having most recently starred opposite Tracy Letts and Fran Guinan in Steppenwolf's American Buffalo, which Amy Morton directed. This past fall he created a critically acclaimed portrayal of the emcee in Cabaret at Drury Lane Theatre. In his five years in Chicago he has established himself in the artistic community, moving fluidly between storefront theatres and major regional houses. As an ensemble member at American Theatre Company and an artistic associate at About Face Theatre, he engages in dialogues surrounding gender and sexuality; performs; develops new works; curates; and serves as a teaching artist. Patrick recently choreographed David Cromer's Cherrywood, and is currently developing movement for About Face Youth Theatre's revolution, Queertopia: The Anti-Violence Project.
Did you know? Armed with glitter and fake blood, his queer-electronic-f*ck band, DAAN, is clearing a path for world domination.
JAY VERY
Pushing 28, Jay—as the SAGE coordinator at Center on Halsted—facilitates programs dedicated to LGBTQ-identified older adults. He is a certified HIV tester and ran a series of HIV-positive support groups for older adults. He has presented at universities on LGBT topics, specializing in Transgender 101s, and presented at the National LGBTQI Health Summit. Jay also stages performance art at several venues, enjoys composing music, and illustrating comics that describe his transgender experience.
Did you know? Jay created his first comic when he was 5, called "The Tangled-Up Scarf: Tales of an Imaginary Friend."
MEGHAN PERGREM
Meghan is a 24-year-old queer organizer and community educator. She currently works for the Broadway Youth Center ( BYC ) as a program assistant for its drop-in program, and co-organizes the center's peer advocate program, a collective for LGBTQA youth of color engaging in popular education and leadership skills. Upon completing her bachelors in Gender, Sex, and Sexuality at Antioch College in Ohio, Meghan served as the community manager of Non-Stop Liberal Arts. In Chicago, she has engaged in youth organizing through After School Matters, Affinity Community Services and BYC. Her work centers around rape-culture awareness, sexual wellness and gender identity.
Did you know? Meghan loves puppies, girls and the color gray.
JORGE MENA
Jorge, 22, is double-majoring in anthropology and Latin American/Latino studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Born in the state of Jalisco in Mexico, Jorge moved to the United States at the age eight. Jorge is also a queer immigrant-rights activist and a slam poet. He has made it his mission to bring attention to the LGBT population within the undocumented community as a co-founder of the Immigrant Youth Justice League.
Did you know? This summer, Jorge aims to learn how to salsa dance and ride a bike.
GREGG KATZ
Gregg, 27, is a director at a financial services firm. After graduating cum laude from NYU, Gregg returned to Chicago in 2006. Outside of work, Gregg runs the Chicago chapter of the Financial Services Industry Exchange ( FSIX ) , a networking group for LGBT financial professionals. Gregg is involved in local and national politics, sitting on the board of an influential political group.
Did you know? Gregg recently made second-round tryouts to appear on Jeopardy! and expects to hear back imminently.
BECKY HEINE
Becky Heine, 28, provides linkage to care case management for HIV+ young people as part of a national research project. She works at Howard Brown Health Center and, as a case manager, Becky coordinates medical care, helps young people meet their needs by linking them to resources and provides ongoing social support. She aims to create an environment where young people feel empowered to ask questions and dialogue about their health, safety, and well-being while getting connected to and maintaining their medical care.
Did you know? Becky LOVES to give presents, and she makes almost every gift she gives by hand ( and virtually never keeps them secret ) .
