Despite discontent that the City of Chicago has pulled its financial support for the Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame (GLHF), the annual ceremony will remain in the city's care, at least for now.
The Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on LGBT Issues decided not to vote on a possible dissolution of the committee in charge of GLHF, resigning to keep its connection to the annual event.
City budget cuts stripped GLHF's finances in June, leaving GLHF organizers scrambling to raise funds for its Nov. 9 induction ceremony. Consequently, some have questioned if the event should keep its city ties.
The council considered separating from GLHF at its meeting in August but failed to come to a decision. The issued was raised again when the council met Sept. 28, but council members agreed that the future of GLHF remains uncertain and that no decision could be made.
Originally a city-led project, GLHF has been run by the council's Hall of Fame committee.
In 2009, however, GLHF supporters sensed possible city cutbacks and established a 501(c)(3), Friends of the Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, to raise money for the induction ceremony.
Still, GLHF can only be separated from the city if the council votes to dissolve the Hall of Fame Committee that runs it. That committee could also request that the council vote to dissolve it.
"At the moment, neither of those options seem likely," said Beth Kelly, a council member.
Over the past few months, council members have expressed reticence about breaking the tie between the city and GLHF, despite the fact that such ties have become more symbolic as the city pulled its financial support.
Those in favor of salvaging the relationship argue that GLHF's city connection gives it prestige, while others in favor of the split have asserted that the city gets credit for an event it contributes little to.
"There's something about having the tie to the city that has meaning for people getting the award," said Gary Chichester, a council member who also sits on the Hall of Fame committee.
However, while it seems likely that GLHF will remain a city entity through the end of the year, other traditions still hang in the balance.
Richard M. Daley handed out the awards during his time as mayor, but Mayor Emanuel has yet to RSVP to the event. If the mayor does not attend, the Hall of Fame committee will need to find a replacement to give out the awards.
The cost, say some, is the significance that comes with getting the award directly from the mayor.
