Hall of Fame induction strikes joyous notes Video by CAN TV below by Matt Simonette 2017-11-09
This article shared 4116 times since Thu Nov 9, 2017
The overall mood of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame's Nov. 8 ceremony honoring its 2017 inductees was markedly different from the tone at the 2016 ceremony, noted Chicago Commission on Human Relations Commissioner Mona Noriega.
"Last year we were heartbroken, tonight you guys are raucous and yelling," Noriega said.
While the much of the raucousness did likely stem from exuberant friends and families of honorees, many participants were relieved by several progressive political victories that took place across the nation in Nov. 7 elections, providing a much-needed shot of enthusiasm for communities still reeling from events in the wake of Donald Trump's presidency. Last year's LGBT Hall of Fame inductions took place the night after Trump's election.
After a brief performance by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus on Nov. 8, Friends of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Chair Gary Chichester commented on the appropriateness of one of their selections, "Brand New Day," from The Wiz, which he said was "very fitting for tonight's start."
Chichester added, "We have learned to resist. The pendulum has begun to swing back." He further paid tribute to activist and International Mr. Leather co-founder and longtime bar owner Chuck Renslow and former Sidetrack manager Chuck Hyde, who both died in 2017. Chichester said the evening would be dedicated to their memories.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel choked up speaking about the importance of the city offering acceptance, be it for immigrants or LGBT residents, offering that, in the past year, Chicago has demonstrated that there was a place for both tolerance and inclusion. He further reflected on his own family's history, and the one-century anniversary of his grandfather's emigration: "This great city offered my grandfather an opportunity," Emanuel said.
Openly gay broadcasting personality John Hansen emceed the evening. He recalled that at one time the only public LGBT figures he knew of were on TV and named "Will" and "Jack," and added that the ceremony was not just an honor to the inductees, but a reminder that the struggles for equality are often "a long, winding, mostly treacherous road."
Two prior inductees, author and historian St. Sukie de la Croix and Pride Action Tank Executive Director Kim Hunt, presented the awards. Honorees included Actor/activist Keith Butler; police officer Kathern Caldwell; artist Greer Lankton ( 1958-1996 ); Grab publisher Mark Nagle; Walgreens pharmacist and HIV/AIDS advocate Glen Pietrandoni; community advocate Dulce Quintero; author Timothy Stewart-Winter; performer/activist Ketty Teanga ( 1947-2011 ); advocate Alicia Vega; Lavender Woman newspaper from the 1970s; Leather Archives & Museum; People like Us bookstore; Alphawood Foundation; and lawyer, activist and bar owner Ralla Klepak ( friend of the community ).
Ald. Deb Mell, 33rd Ward, read the rules for the nomination process and spoke briefly as well, remarking on the gratitude she felt to be openly lesbian in her city council post.
This article shared 4116 times since Thu Nov 9, 2017
Out and Aging
Presented By
ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Tatumn Milazzo wins NWSL honor for second consecutive week 2024-04-23 --From a press release - CHICAGO (April 23, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars defender and Orland Park, Illinois, native Tatumn Milazzo earned National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, the leag ...
Cher, Dionne among Rock & Roll HoF honorees; Mariah snubbed 2024-04-22 On April 21, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced its 2024 inductees, per an ABC press release. In the performer category, the inductees are Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter ...
Center on Halsted looks ahead to New Horizons at annual Human First Gala 2024-04-22 New Horizons was the theme of this year's sold-out Center on Halsted (The Center) annual Human First Gala April 20 at The Geraghty in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Ahead of the awards ceremony, the Center's Board of ...
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives holds third annual Spring Soiree benefit 2024-04-19 Gerber/Hart Library and Archives (Gerber/Hart) hosted the "Courage in Community: The Gerber/ Hart Spring Soiree" event April 18 at Sidetrack, marking the everyday and extraordinary intrepidness of the entire LGBTQ+ ...
Tatumn Milazzo wins National Women's Soccer League Impact Save of the Week 2024-04-17 --From a press release - CHICAGO (April 16, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars defender Tatumn Milazzo earned National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors, the league announced today. In the 32nd minute of Chicago's April 13 ...
Nominations for 30 Under 30 Awards due April 12 2024-04-08 --From a press release - CHICAGOAfter a four-year hiatus, Windy City Times has revived its 30 Under 30 Awards. Windy City Times is seeking to recognize 30 more outstanding LGBTQ+ individuals (and allies). Nominees should be 30 years or younger as ...
Australian, U.S. contestants take home honors from 2024 Puppy & Trainer Contest 2024-04-08 Photos by Joseph Stevens - The International Puppy & Trainer Contest was held in Chicago from April 4-7 at Center On Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. Pups, pets and trainers from around the world attended and competed. The event was again ...
Jeff Awards launches submission period for Impact Awards 2024-04-06 The Jeff Awards announced the opening period for applications submissions for its 2024 honors to help inspire early career artists of color in the Greater Chicagoland area. Two recipients will be selected for awards of $10,000 ...
Windy City Times receives two Lisagor nominations 2024-03-30 Chicago Headline Club has announced the finalists for its 2023 Peter Lisagor Awards on March 29. Two Windy City Times journalists were among those finalists. The Peter Lisagor Awards, according to Chicago Headline Club's website, "represent ...
The Jeff Awards announces the 50th anniversary awards for non-equity theater 2024-03-26 --From a press release - A complete list of recipients can also be found online in the Non-Equity and News and Events sections at www.jeffawards.org. (March 25, 2024 - Chicago) — Celebrating its 50th anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the ...
Former Chicago Girl Scouts CEO Brooke Wiseman to receive Luminary Award 2024-03-22 Brooke Wiseman, a now-retired nonprofit leader in the Chicago area, spent most of her career creating leadership development opportunities for girls and womenand making sure that hungry children could be fed. While leading Girl Scouts of ...
Alyssa Naeher wins National Women's Soccer League Impact Save of the Week 2024-03-20 --From a press release - CHICAGO (March 20, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors, the league announced today. Seven minutes into the eight minutes of added ...
Affinity celebrates Burning Bowl while looking toward the future 2024-03-19 On March 17, Affinity Community Services held its annual Burning Bowl ceremony even as it already sets its organizational sights on 2025. The event, titled Burning Bowl 2024 Evolution, was held at Studio Imani, 5917 N. ...
Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.
All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).
The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.