The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the only national organization committed to increasing the number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) public officials at federal, state and local levels of government, honored Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley with the Local Hero Award Oct. 25 in Washington, D.C.
'Mayor Daley has been a longtime supporter of the LGBT community. We thank him for the promises he has made and kept to the community, and for the inspiration and wisdom he provides to local officials across our country who look to him as an example of leadership that protects and supports all Americans,' said Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe.
Daley was recognized, in part, because of the following achievements:
Daley offered an amendment to increase funding for HIV prevention services by $600,000.
He publicly stated his support for same-sex marriage and said, 'Marriage has been undermined by divorce. Don't blame the gay and lesbian, transgender and transsexual community.'
Daley created Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, the only government supported project of its kind, in 1991.
Daley backed the creation of the Center on Halsted.
Daley supported a measure passed by the Chicago City Council amending the city's anti-discrimination laws to add explicit coverage for transgender Chicagoans.
In 2000 Daley appointed Bill Greaves as a liaison between the city's gay community and City Hall as part of the Commission on Human Relations.
Daley is the honorary chair of the 2006 Gay Games, to be held in Chicago. 'Mayor Daley is committed to the success of the 2006 Gay Games because it is an expression of international goodwill and a celebration of the [ LGBT ] communities, which are important to Chicago,' said Bill Greaves.