The Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues ( ACLGBTI ) held its 17th annual Celebrity Auction on Wed., Sept. 22, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted.
The event is one of two the council hosts each year to raise funds, which are primarily used to host the induction ceremony held in November.
Since 1991, the Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame ( GLHF ) has recognized over 200 LGBT individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the LGBT community in Chicago.
Israel Wright—he newly appointed associate director for the GLHF and a 2000 inductee—explained, "It helps coming out. It helps [ to ] take a pride in your sexuality if you can actually see other people that have done great things—not necessarily gay things, but contributions to the city of Chicago."
Attendees skimmed through the program that listed 78 donated items up for a bid. Every donation counted for the GLHF, because the main event—which is free and open to the public—has become increasingly costly every year. Last year more than 500 people attended the last induction ceremony, hosted by Mayor Richard Daley at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Amy Matheny, host of Windy City Queercast; Matthew Harvat ( also known as Circuit Mom ) ; and Catfight's lead singer, Molly Callinan, hosted the live portion of the auction.
Some items included were a private party for 25 guests at Sidetrack; a meet-and-greet with Emmy Award winner and Hannah Free star Sharon Gless; and two tickets to a Cubs game with State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz.
The highest grossing item was dinner and show for 10 people at Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook that sold for $500, with a starting bid of $150. According to Wright, the auction raised approximately $12,000.
This year 11 LGBT individuals, a friend of the community ( straight ally ) and one organization will be inducted into the GLHF. The ceremony is scheduled to take place Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Sidney Yates Gallery of the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph. Visit www.GLHallofFame.org . For video of the event, see www.QueerTVNetwork.com .
