Center on Halsted's annual "Human First" gala will return Friday, May 6.
The event will take place at the Old Post Office, 433 W. Van Buren St. Cocktails will be served starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner beginning at 7 p.m.
In its 15th anniversary year, the gala will bring together the community and allies in an evening of celebration to recognize the contributions that individuals, businesses and other organizations have made to the LGBTQ+ community in Chicago.
"We are especially thrilled this year to return to an in-person event after a two-year absence," said Center on Halsted CEO Modesto "Tico" Valle in a statement. "This promises to be a major night of celebration for the entire community and our supporters as we also mark the 15th anniversary of the Center."
The gala commemorates outstanding civic leaders with the Human First Award and Community Spirit Award for contributions to the advancement of Chicago's LGBTQ movement. Honorees for Human First Awards are long-standing Center supporters including community organizer Julio Rodriquez, co-founder and board president of one of the oldest LGBTQ non-profits in Chicago, ALMA; veteran activist Mary Morten, president of the Morten Group; and longtime volunteers and leaders of the Center's "green team," Bob and Susan Sullivan.
The Community Spirit Award for corporate commitment to the LGBTQ community will be presented to William Blair.
Award-winning dance-music icon Crystal Waters returns to Chicago as the event's headline performer.
Table sponsorships, individual tickets and corporate sponsorship opportunities are available at www.centeronhalsted.org/hf/ .