The Circuit Court of Cook County has elected open lesbian Lori Wolfson as associate judge. On April 22 she goes from being a Supreme Court-appointed full Circuit Court judge to associate judge, but she will never have to run before the public to stay on the bench. The electorate that put her on the bench as an associate is the entire group of 265 or so Cook County Circuit Court judges (including her), according to legal activist Susan Darwin. By their election, she and 11 others get appointed by the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. There were 12 openings and 24 candidates.
Lakeview resident Dennis Sneyers is considering running for U.S. Congress in March 2004 for the 5th district. His next public meeting is at Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted, April 8, 7 p.m. Sneyers is active in many groups, including efforts to bring the Gay Games here, as well as numerous AIDS causes, and homeless youth issues.
State Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 2004, will hold a Community Discussion on gay and lesbian issues Sunday, April 6, 2-4 p.m. at Cocktail, 3359 N. Halsted.
The Illinois Senate passed landmark HIV prevention legislation March 24 by a vote of 30 to 24. Known as the syringe access bill, Senate Bill 880 allows adults to purchase sterile syringes at pharmacies without a prescription. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago has spearheaded efforts to pass the measure since 1999. Passage in the Senate clears the measure for consideration by the Illinois House of Representatives.
The Horizons Human First gala is April 5 at the Hyatt, with awards to The Baran Fund, Michael Bauer and Beverly Blettner. Call (773) 472-6469, ext 470.
Lambda Legal's kid's and families event benefiting Lambda's family relationships project is kid friendly, Sunday, April 6, $25 ($15 kids over 2), 2:30-5:00 p.m., North Beach, 1551 N. Sheffield Ave., (312) 663-4413.
On Saturday, April 5, the Chicago Collegiate Pride Fest, Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., 3-10:30 p.m. This year nationally known activists such as Riki Wilchins, Michelangelo Signorile, and Robyn Ochs will be speaking; $10 donation. Contact Patrick Finnessy at (312) 413-9862 or e-mail pkfinn@uic.edu; the Web site: pridefest.glbc.uic.edu .
Wed., April 9 is the national GLBT Day of Silence by teachers, students and administrators. Night of noise rally breaks the silence, 5 p.m., Thompson Center downtown, (773) 330-5353.
TYRA is a Trans Youth Resource and Advocacy drop-in center for ages 14-20, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, 925 W. Diversey, (312) 217-1120.
