Dignity/Chicago presented the annual John Michie Award for community service to Alderman James Cappleman and his partner, Richard Thale, during an anniversary mass for the organization May 22 at the Broadway United Methodist Church.
Dignity/Chicago celebrated 39 years serving LGBT Catholics in Chicago since its founding in 1972. The Chicago chapter of the umbrella organization DignityUSA was the fourth of its kind in the country, giving LGBT-affirming Catholics a public venue to celebrate their spirituality. Dignity/Chicago's annual anniversary mass and award ceremony recognizes, "individuals or organizations that show hospitality and service in our community," said Chris Pett, Dignity/Chicago's board president. "Richard and James certainly meet and exceed that criteria."
The award was established to honor the memory of John Michie, a member of Dignity/Chicago who was known for his hospitality. It was created after Michie passed away in the 1980s. Awardees have included both individuals and organizations that have helped to make Chicago a more welcoming city for LGBT people.
Pett presented the award to the Cappleman, Chicago's second openly gay city council member, and Thale.
"Both have shown [not only] a long-term commitment as members of Dignity/Chicago," said Pett, "but also a dedication to the larger Chicago community through their work to improve life for residents in the Uptown neighborhood."
Both Cappleman and Thale served on the Dignity/Chicago board in the 1990s and have been active in Uptown community organizing since the late 1990s.
Cappleman has been on the board of directors for the Uptown Chicago Commission (UCC), a not-for-profit neighborhood organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for all Uptown residents. He just finished serving his second term as the board president. Cappleman has helped form block clubs, organize service projects, and create open access to necessary information for residents throughout the 46th Ward.
He formerly worked in quality improvement research at ACCESS Community Health Network and published a book for individuals with chronic illness titled, Asking the Right Questions to Get the Health Care You Need.
Thale, Cappleman's partner of 19 years, is chair of the 23rd Police District's Court Advocacy Committee and a CAPS facilitator for Beat 2312.
Dignity/Chicago holds a weekly Roman Catholic Mass at 5 p.m. on each Sunday at Broadway United Methodist Church. For more information about Dignity visit www.dignity-chicago.org or www.dignityusa.org .