The Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues has named the 2004 list of individuals and organizations selected for inclusion in the world's only known municipally-sponsored hall of fame that honors members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities, announced Mayor Richard M. Daley, Commission Chair Clarence N. Wood, and Advisory Council Chair Laura Rissover.
Chosen nominees will be inducted at the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame's 14th annual ceremony, which will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St.
Those honored in 2004 are:
Roger Brown (1941-1997), artist, for his significant contributions to the Chicago School of Painting and to 20th-Century American art and for the unique and important study collection and museum he gave to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Christopher Clason (1953-1991), actor and activist, for work as a founder of Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) and for his membership in Mayor Daley's AIDS Advisory Council, during which he led the early fight for AIDS education and awareness.
Charles E. Clifton (1959-2004), educator, for work with Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) as its executive director and for being the first African American editor of Positively Aware and Positively Aware en español.
Frank Galati, 60, professor, for contributions with Steppenwolf Theater Company and as an associate director at the Goodman Theater as a writer, director, and actor. He has been honored with two Tony Awards in 1989 for best direction and best play (The Grapes of Wrath) and with nominations and awards of excellence from the Joseph Jefferson Awards and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Ralph-Paul Gernhardt, 70, publisher, for his informational phone line, a first of its kind in 1975, and for publishing a variety of LGBT publications including the co-founding of Gay Chicago Magazine in 1977.
Suzanne Marie Kraus, 55, activist, for her volunteer activities with political, social, and health-related groups where her contributions help improve the quality of life for the LGBT community. Kraus is a senior account rep for Windy City Times.
Julio Rodriguez, 45, activist, for his 17 years of contributions to the gay Latino community, including being one of the first Latino members of the City of Chicago's Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian issues, and as a volunteer in numerous other organizations.
Dr. Nan Schaffer, 50, veterinarian, for her international achievements in veterinary science and for her contributions of expertise, time, and significant financial aid to LGBT organizations. Schaffer is also a co-owner of Windy City Media Group.
Terri Worman, 48, activist, for long-range contributions focusing on the LGBT aging community, including fostering a workshop on LGBT aging at AARP's national members event in Chicago. She also organized AARP's Gay/Lesbian Film Festival as a part of the Silver Images Film Festival, bringing positive images of LGBT aging to the public at large.
Organizations: Lincoln Park Lagooners and Mulryan & York, Attorneys at Law.
Friend of the Community: PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).