Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley was among those inducted into the city's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame last week at the Cultural Center. Daley, inducted as a 'Friend of the Community,' also spoke passionately about the inclusion of GLBTs in all facets of the Chicago community. He also spoke with pride about his role as honorary co-chair of the Center on Halsted and Gay Games VII projects. #1-Mayor's GLBT liaison Bill Greaves, Hall of Famer Renae Ogletree, Mayor Daley, Hall of Famer Gary Chichester, and Hall of Famer Rev. Juan Reed. # 2-2006 Hall of Famer Dick Uyvari ( right ) with his partner Joe La Pat. Photos Steve Becker, beckermedia.com for Roosevelt University________
The Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues inducted nine individuals and four establishments into its Hall of Fame Nov. 14. The event took place at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph.
At the 15 previous Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, Mayor Richard M. Daley has participated in the awards presentation. This year, he received an award as a friend of the community. Among other things, he has financially aided the Center on Halsted; supported Horizons Youth Services programs; and was honorary co-chair of the 2006 Gay Games which took place in Chicago.
Past Hall of Famers vote on the new inductees each year, based on nominations submitted by the public.
Among the other honorees were:
Individuals
Margaret Anderson -1973) and Jane Heap -1964), partners and free-thinking literary figures, for founding, editing, and publishing the avant-garde magazine The Little Review, which featured works by some of the most influential modern American and English writers between 1914 and 1929.
Jacques Cristion -2003), dancer, costume designer, and dressmaker; for more than 31 years of hosting and performing in the annual Halloween drag ball on the South Side, which created a community of gay men and lesbians that continues today.
Jill M. Metz, 54, lawyer and activist, for nearly three decades of work in developing domestic relations law for same-sex couples, producing LGBT arts events, lobbying for human rights, and serving the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, of which she is now board president.
Charles R. Middleton, Ph.D., 62, historian, educator, and (as Roosevelt University's current president) the first openly gay man to head a major U.S. university, for the inspiration his professional achievements have provided and for his active support of sexual-minority interests in academia and in society.
Edward Negron, 36, activist and substance-abuse counselor, for years of dedicated service as a volunteer, mentor, leader, and advocate in the LGBT, Latino, and recovering communities.
Laird Petersen, 49, currently state Rep. Larry McKeon's chief of staff, for 25 years of volunteer and professional contributions to Chicago's LGBT communities, including fund-raising and administrative work to support social service, HIV/AIDS, and political organizations.
Dick Uyvari, 62, athlete, real estate investor, and philanthropist, for 27 years of dedicated service to the LGBT sports community as a bowler, tournament director, leader, fundraiser, and sponsor.
Organizations
Congregation Or Chadash, for 30 years of service to Chicago's LGBT Jews and their friends, families, and partners, both as a voice for sexual-minority concerns in the city's Jewish community and as a Jewish voice in sexual-minority communities.
Sidetrack, for 25 years not only as an innovative, nationally known, and world-class music-video bar but also as an unparalleled backer of LGBT organizations and efforts of all stripes, ranging from social to social service to sports to cultural to political.
Star Gaze, a women's bar that for eight years has been a contributing and supportive member of the LGBT communities, with consistent commitment without qualification to LGBT organizations and individuals.
Friends of the Community
Marigold Bowl -2004) and the Fagenholz Family, for being early advocates for diversity after WWII and for establishing, in the mid-1970s, gay bowling leagues that were some of the first openly gay social organizations in Chicago and that were followed by additional gay and lesbian leagues, the annual Chicago Pride Invitational bowling tournament, the Strike Against AIDS benefit, and support for DirectAID, Howard Brown Health Clinic, and Season of Concern.
The deadline for nominating the next class of inductees is July 15, 2007. For more information, see www.glhalloffame.org .