The Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame held its first fundraiser, dubbed "Spring Fling," on April 13 at The Baton Show Lounge in Uptown.
Billed as "a special evening of glamour and glitz," the event featured an award-winning line up of performers, including Toni Valentino, Joan Jullian, Dena Cass, Jordin Larue, Angel Saez and Jackie Couture, with radio personality, entrepreneur and 2022 Hall of Fame inductee Otis Mack serving as host. The event also featured a photo booth courtesy of Rick Aguilar Studios, as well as a raffle.
The Hall of Fame is the first such organization launched and maintained by a city in the world. By inducting members annually, according to its website, "The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame is both a historic event and an exhibit. Through the Hall of Fame, residents of Chicago and the world are made aware of the contributions of Chicago's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and the community's efforts to eradicate homophobic bias and discrimination."
More than 300 individuals, organizations, businesses, and allies, dubbed "friends of the community," have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. That list of inductees is far-reaching, ranging from such well-known personalities as Jane Addams, Lorraine Hansbury, Patrick Dennis, and Billie Jean King to local activists, politicians and agencies.
The Hall of Fame is privately funded through donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. See chicagolgbthalloffame.org .
