THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

In honor of Gay and Lesbian History Month, Windy City Times has asked various local individuals to reflect throughout the month on Chicago's LGBT-related history.

Tom Gertz, Ed.D., DACS: I served on the board, as president and vice president of Mattachine Midwest from 1967 to 1973. This was prior to and around the beginning of the gay liberation movement.

In addition to keeping Mattachine Midwest going, I was involved in public speaking on homosexuality to community groups and organizations. Another important program of Mattachine Midwest was the 24-hour crisis line, where individuals could phone for help as well as get referrals to 'gay-friendly' professionals like physicians, lawyers, counselors, etc.

My experience in Mattachine Midwest opened the doors for me to become a sexologist. From my many public speaking engagements, I realized the need to educate not only the general public but, specifically, individuals in the helping professions.

Personally, I went on to get my Doctor of Education in human sexuality and became certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Sexologists ( ACS ) . Today, I serve as president and executive director of ACS. In addition, I have served on the board of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors Therapists, and I organized the Sixth World Congress of Sexology, held in Washington, D.C., in May 1983.

Needless to say, my work in the homophile community, as we referred to it in the late '60s, gave me direction for the rest of my life. Thank you for that experience.