About 150 people attended the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA) annual gala celebration at the Nineteenth Century Club Nov. 3.
Following a buffet dinner, OPALGA co-chairs Rebekah Levin and Greg Raub welcomed everyone ahead of the evening's program.
Raub introduced the elected officials in attendancestate Sen. Don Harmon; state Rep. Camille Lilly; Ald. Marge Paul of Berwyn; and Oak Park Village trustees John Hedges, Ray Johnson, Adam Sulzman and Bob Tucker. Oak Park Village Trustee Colette Lueck was unable to attend; however, Raub acknowledged the work she has done for OPALGA this past year.
The Gay, Lesbian and Supporting Sailors (GLASS) at the Great Lakes Naval Base, Lambda Legal and Scouting for All shared the event's proceeds. These organizations were chosen because they embodied this year's gala theme of "Taking Action," Levin said.
Formed in February, GLASS was the first on-base LGB group the military recognized following the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." This past May, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of 16 same-sex couples who are seeking full marriage equality in Illinois. The mission of Scouting for All is, according to the organization's website, "to advocate for the full inclusion of youth and adult leaders regardless of their spiritual beliefs, gender or sexual orientation."
HM3 Richard Dumbrique and HN Nikole Steeves represented GLASS. Two of the couples involved in Lambda Legal's caseRobert Hickok and Brian Fletcher and Julie Barton and Patricia Garciarepresented that organization. (Garcia was out of town so she was unable to attend the gala). Scouting for All was represented by Rob Breymaier, who returned his Eagle Scout medal this past July to protest the Boy Scouts' ban on gay scouts and gay and lesbian scout leaders.
Ted Korbos and Oak Park Temple each received this year's Oak Park Area Leadership (OPAL) award in recognition for their work in promoting positive change within the LGBT community. Paul presented Korbos with his award and Betsy Ritzman presented the award to Oak Park Temple. Annika and Andy Rothbaum accepted the award on behalf of the temple. Rabbi Max Weisswho was also in attendancechose them to accept the award because of their involvement with LGBT initiatives at the synagogue.
To close out the evening, Raub mentioned that state Rep. Greg Harris may bring the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act to the floor for a vote during the lame-duck session of the Illinois general assembly. He also made note of the upcoming OPALGA, 16th Street Theater, Circle Theater and the Oak Park Festival Theater collaboration of the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Broadway Impact's play "8" that will take place March 10, 2013.
The event featured a silent auction; guests were also treated to a photo booth and dancing.
See www.opalga.org for more information.