Mark your calendars for the 2002 city Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame Tuesday, Oct. 15, 5:30 p.m., Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph.
Individuals inducted this year: Amigas latinas co-founder Evette Cardona; writer C.C. Carter; Little' Jim's owner Jim Gates; activist Charles Edward Nelson II; Lambda Legal Defense Midwest Director Mona Noriega; Affinity's Board President Christina Smith; and Chicago Women in Trades Executive Director Lauren Sugerman.
Organizations: Affinity Community Services; Mattachine Midwest; NAMES Project, Chicago Chapter; Friend of the Community: State Rep. Lou Lang.
The Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian Issues named the 2002 inductees to the world's only known municipally sponsored gay and lesbian hall of fame. The announcement was made by Mayor Richard M. Daley, Commission Chair Clarence N. Wood, and ACGLI Chair Laura Rissover.
"Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Chicagoans have contributed substantially to development of the city," said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "The Hall of Fame is important because it proclaims their achievements loud and clear for everyone to acknowledge and appreciate," the Mayor concluded.
New members will be inducted at the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame's 12th annual ceremony Oct. 15. The event will be free and open to the public.
The Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame was established in 1991 under the auspices of ACGLI, with continuing support from the CHR and from Mayor Daley.
Those inducted fall into one of three categories: individual, organization, or friend of the community. Potential nominees comprise members of Chicago's entire sexual-minority community, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Chicagoans, past, present, living, and dead, as well as those who have supported or assisted the community. A committee of prior inductees makes each year's selections from nominations submitted by members of the public.