Photos from the Rocks and Black pride weekend by Andrew Davis and Chuck Kramer
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By Andrew Davis
The LGBT African-American community celebrated its own during Windy City Black Pride 2006, which took place in various venues all over Chicago.
Among the events were a vendor fair that promoted everything from candles to condoms as well as an awards ceremony. The latter event honored a range of individuals and organizations that have made amazing contributions to the Black LGBT community, including Pat McCombs and Vera Washington ( as Executive Sweet, Inc. ) , Chicago Ald. Shirley Coleman, Test Positive Aware Network, Tut, Shelton Watson ( ADODI ) , Lois Bates and Frank Walker, a youth mentor who also received one of Windy City Times' '30 Under 30' honors recently. Also included were tributes to Ron Lee and Robert Ames, two well-known individuals within the community who recently passed away.
Bates, a trans-woman who was honored for her activism, drew laughs when she said that there were 'two boys, two girls and me' when she grew up. However, her parents drew admiration and a standing ovation when Bates pointed out how supportive they have been all along.
Other events that took place included an entertainment festival, poetry slam, workshops and a worship service.
The aim of Windy City Black Pride is to build awareness of and pride in the diversity of the Black LGBT community. The Pride organization is the central resource to bring together LGBT people of African descent in the city of Chicago and through out the Midwest.