Celebrating 30 years as a GLBT social-service agency, Horizons Community Services held its 14th annual Human First Awards Saturday at the Hyatt Regency. More than 900 people attended the largest Human First gala to date.
Chicago socialite Beverly Blettner, gay political fundraiser Michael Bauer, and the Baran Fund, which has given out millions to GLBT and AIDS groups, were given Human First awards.
Blettner has raised millions of dollars for a wide range of causes, from literacy to theatre, healthcare to Brookfield Zoo. In 1987, she chaired Show of Concern, the first community-wide major donor event in Chicago for AIDS-related causes. The event netted more than $1.3 million. She told the crowd that AIDS has been omnipresent in her life—she has lost several friends to the disease. Blettner was also an original board member of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
Bauer thanked his parents in receiving the award. They had survived the Holocaust, unlike many other relatives. 'From my father, I learned what's right and wrong, and that I have an obligation to speak out,' he said. He also thanked his partner of 21 years, Roger Simon, and mentioned that the late Dr. Ron Sable and Tom Stoddard were his mentors.
Also addressing the crowd were Horizons acting Executive Director Tico Valle, board President Dave Helverson, and Patrick Sheahan of the Center on Halsted board.
Event co-chairs were Jody André and Phil Palmer, and table captain co-chairs were Martin Gapshis and Suellen Long.
Entertainment was provided by singing sensation CeCe Peniston. MCs were Darlene Hill and Mark Saxenmeyer of Fox News Chicago.
Photos by Tracy Baim
