Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame Celebrates 20th Year, Inducts 15

By Joseph Erbentraut in News on Sep 17, 2010 6:00PM

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues announced this week the names of 11 individuals and four organizations that will be inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame later this year.

The roster of the hall's 2010 class - set to be inducted Wednesday, November 10 in a free, open-to-public ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center - is impressive and diverse, marking the 20th annual celebration of LGBT Chicagoans' achievements. Chicago holds the distinction of the only known city in the world with its own government-sponsored gay and lesbian hall of fame.

Among the individual inductees are renowned lesbian playwright Claudia Allen, Homolatte founder and musician Scott Free, writer and performer E. Patrick Johnson, Pullitzer Prize-winning journalist Achy Obejas, Chicago Police Department LGBT liaison Jose Rios and Chicago House CEO Rev. Stan Sloan. Asians & Friends Chicago and International Mr. Leather will be inducted as organizations, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and Chicago History Museum will also be honored as friends of the community.

The Hall of Fame has been staunchly supported by Mayor Daley through the years, and Daley himself was inducted into the hall in 2006. "Chicago is a city of many faces, and the LGBT community is an important part of that diversity," Daley said of the event. "The community is thriving and moving forward, helping to build a strong social and economic foundation for Chicago."

Leading up to the induction, the Hall of Fame is hosting a silent auction fundraiser at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, next Tuesday, Sept. 21, beginning at 7 p.m. For a full list of the 2010 inductees and more information on their achievements, click here.