Celebrating its 21st year, the Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame will induct 12 people and three organizations this November, according to an announcement Friday. The Hall is perhaps the nation’s only LGBT hall of fame recognized by government.
“It’s impressive to realize that, even after 21 years, there are still important figures from the past and an ever-growing list of current Chicagoans whose accomplishments and community contributions merit being honored by the Hall of Fame,” said Israel Wright, executive director of the Friends of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, in the release.
The 2012 nominees will be honored and inducted at the organization’s annual public ceremony on Monday, Nov. 12 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.
Nominations were submitted by the public and were reviewed by a panel of former inductees. The names were then released by the Friends organization, a non-profit, which took over operations of the Hall in 2012 in cooperation with the city’s Commission on Human Relations, according to the release.
Nominees to the Hall are made up of three categories: individuals, organizations or friends of the community, and represent all sexual minorities in the community, according to the group.
“We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from Chicago individuals and organizations,” said Gary Chichester, co-chairperson of Friends, in the release. “The Hall of Fame is a needed and historically significant institution, and we look forward to ongoing help from our benefactors to maintain and strengthen it.”
The 2012 inductees are: Minister Lois L. Bates (1970-2011); St. Sukie de la Croix, 60; Sanford E. Gaylord, 47; William W. Greaves, 61; Keith R. Green, 35; Mark Ishaug, 48; Bill Pry, 64; Chuck Rodocker, 63; Heather C. Sawyer, 48; and Honey West, 51.
Organizations honored are: Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus, Chi-Town Squares and Proud to Run, Chicago.
This year, the Hall will induct two friends of the community, Cook County Clerk David Orr, 67, and Laura S. Washington, 57.
More information about Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame can be found on its website.
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