In what many commented was an unusual 20th anniversary celebration, the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame ( GLHF ) inducted 15 community leaders, businesses and groups amid anxieties about its future.
Approximately 400 people turned out for the induction, held Nov. 9 at the Chicago History Museum.
Awards were presented by former Illinois Senator and state Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch.
Those inducted were Paul Adams, Greg Cameron, Antonia "Tata" Flores, Grant Lynn Ford, Dr. Robert Garofalo, Ted Grady, Marcia Hill, Tony Jackson, Owen Keehnen, Brett Shingledecker, Jon Simmons, Good Shepherd Parish Metropolitan Community Church, Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles, Jenner & Block LLP and The Night Ministry.
Aside from inductees, much attention was on Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who arrived to the event late and departed before it was over. Emanuel has been criticized by some LGBT Chicagoans in recent weeks over proposed budget cuts that reorganized the city's LGBT council and resulted in the pending departure of LGBT liaison Bill Greaves.
Greaves has held that position for 11 years.
Emanuel thanked Greaves for his service on stage and reflected on advances made by and for LGBT Americans in the last 15 months. He pledged his support for the community before departing prior to the awards presentation.
"As the gay and lesbian community grows in strength, our city will grow in strength," Emanuel said. "I want to make sure that you know from your mayor, you are part of our family."
Greaves, whose job ends at the start of 2012, received an outpouring of praise and support.
"Bill has done an exemplary job on behalf of our community," said Beth Kelly, chair of the Advisory Council on LGBT Issues ( ACLGBTI ) . Kelly presented Greaves with a certificate of appreciation for his service.
The months leading up to the induction ceremony have been noticeably rocky for the GLHF committee. That committee, which is part of ACLGBTI, got word earlier in the year that the city had pulled all of its funding. It further learned late last month that the councils would be reorganized, leaving an uncertain future for the LGBT council, which is slated to be combined with a council on women's issues.
Additionally, while Mayor Daley had traditionally handed out the GLHF awards in past years, organizers were informed just days before the event that Mayor Emanuel, still in his first year in office, would not participating in that part of the ceremony. He did pose with each honoree ( or in some cases their representative ) , prior to the public portion of the event. Four of the awards were posthumous: Paul Adams, Antonia Flores, Tony Jackson and Jon Simmons.
Despite tensions, the evening celebrated the work of this year's inductees.
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus kicked off the night with a medley of pop songs. David Munar and Lori Cooper read the nominations.
Commissioner of the Department of Human Relations Mona Noreiga and Netsch both commented on the significance of the ceremony's 20th anniversary.
"Is there any other city in the United States that can say 'we have had [ 20 ] visions of our Hall of Fame, and this is not the end of it at all?'" said Netsch, who was inducted in 1995. "I share your pride, and I know you will be sharing your pride in the years ahead."
The event also recognized Phil Hannema for his service to GLHF, and Gary Chichester gave recognition to previous inductees that passed away this year: Roger "RJ" Chaffin, Renee C. Hanover, Ifti Nasim and Elizabeth E. Tocci.
Photos by Kat Fitzgerald ( www.MysticImagesPhotography.com )
