The deadline to nominate individuals, businesses, organizations, and allies to the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame is on May 31 at midnight. Nominations may be made online at www.chicagolgbthalloffame.org/nominate. The goal is to honor people and entities that have made significant contributions to the quality of life or well-being of the LGBT community in Chicago or the city at large.
To allow everyone to take advantage of the nomination process, paper documents may also be downloaded at the same site. Whether a paper download or online, the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame suggests that nominators review the nomination criteria carefully and be certain the provide enough documentation to support the nomination.
Rick Karlin, co-chair of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame said, "We often have very worthy nominees do not make the cut because the nominators didn't provide enough information or nominated someone in the wrong category. If nominations come in early enough the Hall of Fame can collaborate with individuals to make their nominations stronger. Our goal is to be inclusive as possible, and we strongly encourage the transgender population and POC to help us honor individuals from those communities."
The nominations are reviewed by a committee comprised of current Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame members, after which a slate of inductees is chosen. The ceremony for inductees will be held in October 2022 at the Chicago History Museum.
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame is the first city-sponsored hall of fame dedicated to LGBT people, organizations, community organizations, and allies in the United States. It was founded in 1991 as the Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame.
The first Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame ceremony took place during Pride Week and was held at Chicago City Hall. Mayor Richard M. Daley hosted the ceremony and afterward, photos of the inductees were displayed in City Hall. The city ceased providing staffing and support to the Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2016 under then-mayor Rahm Emanuel, while still working with the organization. At that time, it was rechristened the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and has since been supported and maintained by the Friends of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, with approval from, and the cooperation of, the City of Chicago. The Hall of Fame has no physical facility but maintains a website that allows anyone to visit the Hall of Fame at any time.
For more information, email inquiry@chicagoLGBThalloffame.org, visit the organization's website chicagolgbthalloffame.org, its Facebook page, facebook.com/groups/56108152083/ or on Twitter @LGBTHallofFame.
