Longtime LGBT-rights activist Vernita Gray will receive the 12th Annual Jon-Henri Damski Award Wed., March 31, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, 6-8 p.m.
Gray's activism stretches back to the 1960s, when, as a press release put it, she "had three strikes against hershe was a woman, she was black and she was lesbian." Her perspective was shaped by influential figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., who moved into her Lawndale community.
Today, Graywho works with the Cook County State's Attorney's Officeserves on the Task Force of Aging; the LGBT advisory committee to AARP; and the National Gay and Lesbian Senior Task Force.
Gray also was a business owner, operating the popular Sol Sands restaurant for 11 years as well as a company developing audio visual materials for children. Additional affiliations include IMPACT and Mountain Moving Coffee House.
The award, known as the "Jon-Henri," is named after Chicago journalist, activist and "queer thinker" Jon-Henri Damski. He wrote for publications such as Gay Chicago Magazine and Gay Life, and eventually ended his career at Windy City Times.