The Legacy Project will host major events in October.
On Saturday, Oct. 15, 1-5 p.m., the organization will host the "Legacy Walk 10th Anniversary" event—a free public induction of three individuals to its Legacy Walk that's in the Northalsted/Boystown section of North Halsted Street. Those people are Dr. Alan L. Hart, a transgender medical researcher in infectious diseases; gay Chicago AIDS activist and political cartoonist Daniel Sotomayor; and Jose Sarria, a political pioneer and founder of the Imperial Court.
Each induction ceremony will last 20-25 minutes. Attendees will be able to take pictures of the new memorial after the ceremony, before everyone moves southward to the next site for the next induction.
The event will start at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., with a dedication reception ($25 admission) following the inductions at the nightspot. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/legacy-walk-dedication-phase-x-tickets-405501986357.
Then on Friday, Oct. 21, the organization will host "Landmark: Legacy Project [Un] Gala" at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St., 5:30-9:30 p.m.
This event will feature a 90-minute "cocktail hour," a four-hour open bar, gourmet food stations, a VIP-studded multimedia ceremony and award presentations—followed by entertainment from nationally acclaimed openly gay comic Matteo Lane.
Award recipients include the Hon. Thomas Chiola (retired), who will receive the Highfield Award for Philanthropy; Sidetrack co-owners Art Johnston and Pepe Pena, who will receive the Cannon Award for Community Advocacy; Dr. Gerri Spinella, who will receive the Keehnen Award for History/Education; Jenniphre Zias, recipient of the Maxwell Award for Volunteer Service; and Illinois state Rep. Greg Harris, who will receive the Living Legacy Award for Historic Achievement.
Lane is a New York-based comedian who is originally from Chicago. Before starting stand up, he lived in Italy, where he was an oil painter and opera singer. He is currently developing an animated series Kickass Drag Queen, together with Bob the Drag Queen, Gary Sanchez and Unicorn Island Productions, and co-hosts the podcast "Inside the Closet" together with Emma Willmann.
Tickets are $175 (early-bird admission)-$350 each; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/legacy-landmark-2022-un-gala-tickets-401990774227.
According to its website, The Legacy Project illuminates and affirms the lives of LGBTQ+ people to honor their experiences and accomplishments; to collect and preserve their contributions to world history and culture; to educate and inspire the public and young people; and to assure an inclusive and equitable future.
