A special Asians and Friends ( AFC ) gala was held May 7 at the Hotel Allegro.
The event was billed as the 25th anniversary of Asians and Friends, a Chicago LGBT Asian community group. However, the night not only celebrated AFC's silver anniversary, but highlighted multiple personal anniversaries as well.
"For a long time I think gay, lesbian, transgendered and bi relationships have been pushed to the side," stated gala organizer AngelAbcede. "Well, we wanted to show with this event that loving GLBT relationships have been prospering for a long time and will continue to prosper."
Abcede was at the gala celebrating his own 25th anniversary, along with his partner, Bob. They were joined by dozens of other couples, bringing the event's attendance up to around 125 patrons. The John Hall Dancers and the Red Line Choir provided the evening's entertainment.
Part of the proceeds from the night's festivities went to the School Street Arts Movement, an AIDS awareness non-profit group that specializes in educating schools about the disease. Text and photos by Chasse Rehwinkel
