LGBT veterans' monument unveiled in Lake View Video below by Matt Simonette 2017-05-29
This article shared 2 times since Mon May 29, 2017
American Veterans for Equal Rights ( AVER ) hosted the dedication of a new granite monument honoring the service of LGBT veterans May 29.
The first LGBT veterans monument in the city, and among the first in the U.S., was unveiled on Memorial Day at the corner of Halsted and Addison streets, in front of the new Town Hall senior LGBTQ friendly apartmentsand where the old Town Hall police station was located.
The date coincided with the anniversary of the founding of Chicago's AVER chapter 25 years ago. President James Darby, co-founder of the group, spoke about the initial conversations that led to the formation of the chapter, and commended former President Barack Obama for his work toward the lifting of the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that kept LGBT servicemembers from serving openly.
Chapter Vice President and Treasurer Timothy Zylstra added, "You see what our voices together can accomplish."
Chicago Commission on Human Relations Commissioner Mona Noriega read remarks sent by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who wrote that the monument would stand as "a tribute to the sacrifice of our soldiers."
Other speakers and presenters included AVER chapter Vice President and Secretary Jean Albright; AVER member Stanley Jenczyk, who headed up the monument project; Legacy Project Executive Director Victor Salvo; Chicago Police Department 19th District Commander Marc Buslik, who noted that the Town Hall police station had a problematic history with the LGBT community, so that it was appropriate the monument be where it is; and U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley ( D-5th ) and Jan Schakowsky ( D-9th ).
"Every veteran should be remembered and honored for their service," said Schakowsky.
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy ( D-Chicago ) and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore also sent letters of congratulations. Shore's was read by her administrative assistant, Alfred Saucedo. Invocations were given by Father Christopher Meyers, Reverend Wayne Bradley and Rabbi D'ror Chankin-Gould. Center on Halsted Executive Director Modesto Tico Valle was also praised for his assistance in the project.
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Windy City Gay Chorus and Travis all performed musical selections at the dedication, which was followed by a reception inside the Center on Halsted, where Darby and his husband Patrick Bova were recognized for their work on behalf of AVER.
This article shared 2 times since Mon May 29, 2017
ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE
San Francisco's Harvey Milk School celebrates birthday of its namesake 2023-05-23 Students at the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy in San Francisco's LGBTQ Castro neighborhood took to the streets Monday, May 22, and marched on Harvey Milk Day. The day of special significance in California honors the ...
About Face Theater hosts Leppen Leadership Awards 2023-05-23 On May 14, About Face Theater presented its Leppen Leadership Awards to members of the LGBTQ+ community for their activism and service. The organization normally awards two individuals a year but decided to expand this year, ...
Lambda Legal marks 50 years with Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration 2023-05-20 Lambda Legal marked its 50th anniversary with The Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration May 19 at the Art Institute of Chicago. The event honored Windy City Times Owner and Co-Founder Tracy Baim. The celebration was named ...
Modern Military Association of America appoints interim Executive Director 2023-05-18 --From a press release - WASHINGTON, (May 17, 2023) — LGBTQ+ military nonprofit Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) announced today that nonprofit management expert Rachel Branaman, will step into the role of interim executive ...
Gloria Allen to be honored on National LGBTQ Wall of Honor on June 22 2023-05-15 The International Imperial Court System and the National LGBTQ Task Force are honoring seven legends of the LGBTQ+-rights movement as 2023 National LGBTQ Wall of Honor inductees at NYC's historic Stonewall Inn on June 22, per ...
GLAAD ceremony honors celebrities and welcomes TGNC state reps 2023-05-14 On May 13, GLAAD announced recipients for the final 18 of this year's 33 categories of the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. Maren Morris accepted GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, introduced by ...
UIC's 'lavender' graduates step out into the world 2023-05-12 On May 2, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) held its 17th annual Lavender Graduation Ceremony in front of a crowded room of queer graduates and their friends, allies and families. The event was held in ...
Lambda Legal to celebrate 50 years with Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration May 19 2023-05-05 --From a press release - Lambda Legal's Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration returns on Friday, May 19, 2023 at The Art Institute of Chicago. The event is named after Robert Bonvoulier "Bon" Foster, a Chicago attorney and civil rights leader who ...
2023 Leppen Leadership Awards announced, event May 14 2023-05-04 --From a press release - About Face Theatre has announced the return of the Leppen Leadership Awards. Now in the 28th season, About Face has been honoring community luminaries since 2001 with the Leppen Leadership Award, named for founding supporter and ...
LAMMY Awards announce host, presenters, special guests for June 9 event 2023-05-04 --From a press release - New York, NY, May 4, 2023 — Lambda Literary, the nation's premier LGBTQ literary arts organization, announced updates and additions, including host, special guests and more at the upcoming 35th Annual Lambda Literary Awards — aka ...
Tony nominations are out 2023-05-02 The 2023 Tony nominations are out. With 13 nominations, the musical Some Like It Hot led all productions, with & Juliet; New York, New York; and Shucked tying for second with nine nominations, per Deadline. Kimberly ...
GALECA to also honor achievements in theater 2023-04-26 GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announced it is expanding its mission to honor Broadway and off-Broadway productions, across various inaugural categories, beginning with the current 2022-23 theater season. ...
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 Transegender 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.