THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Chicago, IL On Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010 at 11 a.m. CDT a wreath laying ceremony will be held to commemorate our LGBT Veteran's and Service Men and Women of the Armed Forces at Space Park, located at 815-817 W Roscoe, Chicago, IL 60657.

The Memorial Day ceremony is also the platform for making history in Chicago as an announcement will be made for a project scheduled to begin in June 2010 to erect a monument in honor of our LGBT Service men and women in Space Park. The laying of the wreath will be symbolic both in acknowledging respect to our LGBT Veteran's as well as marking the location of the proposed art project. The event, organized by Chicago native and LGBT activist Stephen Crawford, in cooperation with The Lake View Citizens' Council and Triangle Neighbor's Association, will be conducted by the American Veterans for Equal Rights Chicago Chapter.

Speakers at the event will include a number of guests such as Rick Garcia - Director of Policy for Equality Illinois; members of the American Veteran's for Equal Rights Chicago Chapter: Jim Darby - President, Ed Wosyloas - Board Member, and Bill Beaman — Secretary, and travis — Treasurer, along with Stephen Crawford - Coordinator of the event and monument project. Other guest speakers are expected to be added to the program later this week. Members of the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus will perform our National Anthem. This is a free event at Space Park. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the event to show support and pay our respect to the LGBT Veteran's and current service members of the Armed Forces.

The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to vote by week's end on an amendment to the defense spending bill that would end "don't ask, don't tell" and the full House could also vote on a similar measure this week. In a statement released by Equality Illinois member Rick Garcia, Director of Policy spoke out about the significance of this Memorial Day service and the plans to build a monument in honor of our LGBT military personnel.

"With the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the balance, it is time to demonstrate our support for our LGBT Service Members now, more than ever. This historical moment in Chicago should stand as a symbol throughout the nation for the courage these brave men and women display to protect their country, despite not having full and equal rights under the law. They are heroes among heroes and we should fight for the rights of all in the LGBT community that are willing to sacrifice their own lives to protect ours."

Depending on the decisions of the House of Representatives, this Memorial Day event will either be a day of celebration or a call to action. It is more important now than ever before for everyone, LGBT and straight allies alike, to show our public support and solidarity for this significant cause.

For further information or interviews, please contact Stephen Crawford at HumanElementCoalition @Gmail.com or by phone at 312-857-8432. Information is also posted on the Lake View Citizens' Council website at www.Lakeviewcitizens.org .

ABOUT SPACE PARK:

Space Park, located at 815-817 W Roscoe, Chicago, IL opened in Spring 2010 to provide an urban sanctuary to Lake View residents. The park is owned by NeighborSpace and managed by Triangle Neighbors' Association, a branch of Lake View Citizens' Council ( LVCC ) . Triangle Neighbors raised $1.5MM to acquire the two lots and build the community garden park.

ABOUT LAKE VIEW CITIZENS' COUNCIL

The LAKE VIEW CITIZENS' COUNCIL ( LVCC ) is a non-profit civic organization serving the Lakeview community on the north side of Chicago, Illinois. Its boundaries ( roughly Lake Michigan on the east, the north branch of the Chicago River on the west, Diversey Parkway on the south, going south on Lakewood Avenue until it meets the Chicago River, and Irving Park Road on the north ) are approximately those of the original township of Lake View founded in the early 1800's and annexed by the City of Chicago in 1903. LVCC has been bringing together residents, businesses and community institutions since 1952. www.lakeviewcitizens.org .