Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame


The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame is an institution founded in 1991 to honor persons and entities who have made significant contributions to the quality of life or well-being of the LGBT community in Chicago. It is the first city-sponsored hall of fame dedicated to LGBT people, organizations and community in the United States.

About

The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame was created in June 1991. The hall of fame is the first "municipal institution of its kind in the United States, and possibly in the world." The first ceremony took place during Pride Week and was held at Chicago City Hall. Mayor Richard M. Daley hosted the ceremony and afterwards, photos of the inductees were displayed in city hall. Clarence Wood, of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations did not want to continue city sponsorship of the hall of fame after its first year. However, the city continued to sponsor the hall of fame after the first year.
It currently has no physical facility but maintains a website, which allows anyone to visit the Hall of Fame at any time. In 2016, the name of the Hall of Fame was changed to LGBT Hall of Fame.

Inductees

Inductees of the Hall of Fame can be any individuals or organizations who have contributed to the LGBTQ community in Chicago. Mayor Richard M. Daley said that the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame "honors individuals and organizations within the LGBT communities who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and work to enrich and unify our city."
NameBirth–DeathYearArea of achievement
1991Actor and activist.
1991Columnist and Chicago journalist.
1991Founder and owner of Miss Gay Continental Pageant.
'1991LGBT news.
1991LGBT attorney.
1991Health center serving LGBT community.
1991Friend of the community.
1991Midwest AIDS Project coordinator.
1991LGBT activist and board member.
1991Historian and archivist who worked to preserve LGBT culture.
1991Cofounded Gold Coast, a gay bar.
1991One of the first out lesbian psychologists.
1991Gay rights activist.
1991Co-founder of Funders Concerned About AIDS.
199230 years of commitment to LGBT community.
1992Businesswoman.
1992
1992Founded Chicago's Society for Human Rights.
1992Helping African American LGBT people.
1992LGBT hotline, support groups.
1992LGBT athletics.
1992Lawyer defending LGBT civil rights.
1992LGBT social service agency.
1992Helped form health clinics and the AIDS Action Project.
1992One of the first openly gay artists.
1992Organized athletic activities in Chicago.
1992Dancer and choreographer.
1992Friend of the community.
1992Openly gay cartoonist and AIDS activist.
1992LGBT advocate.
1993Committee formced to promote a positive image of LGBT African Americans.
1993Founded Mattachine Midwest.
1993Psychologist and LGBT rights advocate.
1993Community group organizer.
1993Worked on LGBT outreach to the African American community.
1993Founding director of Windy City Gay Chorus.
1993LGBT activist.
1993Choreographer.
1993Fought to stop violence against women.
1993First openly-gay person to be ordained in the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ.
1993
1993Friend of the community.
1993Activist and volunteer.
1993Businesswoman, fund-raiser and activist.
1993Co-founded HIV/AIDS clinic. Openly gay physician.
1993Fought anti-gay employment discrimination.
1993Businesswoman.
1993Political activist.
1993LGBT Community leader.
1994Leader of the Chicago chapter of NAMES.
1994Journalist and photographer.
1994LGBT activist, actor and minister.
1994
1994Friend of the community.
1994LGBT leader.
1994Agency that provides care and housing for people with HIV and AIDS in Chicago.
1994Entrepreneur and attorney.
1994Friend of the community.
1994Co-founder of Image Plus.
1994LGBT social services advocate.
1994Friend of the community.
1994Theater performing LGBT works.
1994In-home meal program for persons living with AIDS.
1994LGBT researcher.
1994Gay bar owner.
1994LGBT leader.
1995Therapist and social worker.
1995LGBT activist.
1995Activist involved in the Pride parades in Chicago.
1995LGBT journalist.
1995Running club for LGBT people.
1995Helped open the first shelter for women who were victims of domestic violence.
1995LGBT activist.
1995Friend of the community.
1995Video artist.
1995Direct-action organization supporting LGBT individuals.
1995LGBT activist in religious communities.
1995Community leader.
1995Founded AIDS Legal Council.
1995
1995Columnist documenting LGBT lives.
1996LGBT educator and writer.
1996Pride series in theater starting in the 1980s.
1996LGBT supporter and leader.
1996Largest LGBT archives in the Midwest.
1996Physicist, AIDS and LGBT activist.
1996Openly gay politician.
1996Inventor of Chicago House music.
1996Early drag performer and costume designer.
1996Documented African American lesbian experiences, LGBT leader.
1996Pakistani LGBT poet.
1996LGBT activist.
1996LGBT activist.
1996Student LGBT organizer.
1997LGBT educator and musician.
1997Student LGBT activist.
1997LGBT businessman.
1997Co-founder of Veterans for Equal Rights.
1997Local chapter for LGBT Roman Catholics.
1997AIDS activist.
1997Lawyer working on behalf of LGBT people and people living with HIV/AIDS.
1997LGBT community activist.
1997LGBT volunteer.
1997First openly gay Illinois state senator.
1997Leader in gay men's health.
1997Friend of the community.
1998Co-founder of People Like Us Books.
1998First openly gay person elected to public office in Illinois.
1998Political and LGBT community organizer.
1998Writer, educator, librarian, author of first critical study of lesbian literature.
1998Writer on LGBT issues.
1998Community activist.
1998Spokesperson for LGBT rights.
1998Friend of the community.
1998Friend of the community.
1998Chicago broadcast serving the LGBT audience.
1998LGBT and health care activist.
1998LGBT volunteer.
1998LGBT activist.
1998LGBT activist.
1998Founder of Chicago's Project VIDA.
1999Owner of Chicago's oldest Lesbian bar, Lost & Found.
1999Leader in the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force and chair of Chicago's Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian Issues.
1999Advocate for people with HIV/AIDS.
1999Choreographer who uses LGBT themes in his work.
1999LGBT activist.
1999Playwright and supporter of LGBT rights.
1999Community organizer.
1999Friend of the community.
1999First program to provide services for LGBT women with cancer and their families.
1999Friend of the community.
1999Community organizer in LGBT and Jewish communities.
1999Literary and music critic who brought awareness to LGBT community.
1999Friend of the community.
1999Advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS.
2000Local chapter of ACT UP.
2000Group supporting LGBT Latinos.
2000Founder of transGenesis.
2000Writer who incorporated gay characters in his work.
2000Organization helping students and staff in schools.
2000Volunteer in LGBT organizations.
2000Professor and writer.
2000First openly lesbian judge in Illinois.
2000LGBT fundraiser.
2000LGBT and African American organizer.
2000Friend of the community.
2000Community organizer.
2000LGBT community leader.
2001Health professional involved with HIV/AIDS prevention.
2001LGBT organizer.
2001Choral group active since 1983.
2001Dancer and choreographer raising money for HIV/AIDS.
2001Friend of the community.
2001With his partner, Robert Maddox, he was an openly gay businessman and owner of Male Hide Leathers store.
2001With his partner, Frank Goley, he was an openly gay businessman and owner of Male Hide Leathers store.
2001Businessman and fundraiser.
2001HIV/AIDS educator.
2001Philanthropist and fundraiser.
2001LGBT political organizer.
2001Helped foster lesbian culture.
2001Friend of the community.
2002Organization serving black LGBT women.
2002LGBT organizer.
2002Writer, poet and performer.
2002Community leader and owner of gay bar, Little Jim's.
2002Friend of the community.
2002First gay rights organization in Chicago.
2002NAMES is an AIDS Quilt custodian.
2002HIV/AIDS activist.
2002LGBT activist.
2002LGBT activist.
2002Out lesbian helping women involved in construction and manufacturing trades.
2003Dancer, writer and LGBT and HIV/AIDS activist.
2003LGBT Theater in Chicago.
2003Organization providing funds and free legal assistance to people affected by HIV.
2003Neighborhood and community business.
2003Chef and community organizer.
2003Worked to help LGBT people through psychology and therapy. Wrote official guidelines for psychotherapy with LGBT clients.
2003Coalition of activist groups for both people of color and LGBT people.
2003Helped LGBT charities.
2003Lawyer and LGBT activist.
2003Friend of the community.
2003Health professional aiding lesbians.
2003Opened the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund in Chicago.
2003LGBT activist.
2003Created dental clinic for low-income people with HIV positive status.
2003DJ playing music for many occasions.
2003Journalist, writer and award-winning editor of GayLife and Windy City Times.
2004Painter and muralist.
2004Created Test Positive Aware Network.
2004HIV/AIDS activist.
2004Actor and professor emeritus at Northwest University.
2004Writer and activist.
2004LGBT activist.
2004Social group that has raised money to fight HIV/AIDS and homophobia.
2004Law firm of Mary M. York and Rosemary Mulryan.
2004Friend of the community.
2004Advocate for Latinx LGBT people.
2004Veterinarian and philanthropist.
2004LGBT community organizer.
2005Transgender actor.
2005Working with LGBT youth.
2005LGBT activist.
2005LGBT historian.
2005Organization fighting against inequality in Illinois.
2005Friend of the community.
2005LGBT activist and lawyer.
2005Writer and LGBT activist.
2005Helped create an LGBT friendly church at St. Martin's Episcopal Church.
2005Friend of the community.
2005Social service advocate.
2005Photographer and LGBT activist.
2005Director, playwright and producer who helped raise money to fight HIV/AIDS.
2005Organization to help those who are HIV positive to have a community.
2006Literary couple made up of Margaret Anderson and Jane Heap.
2006Literary couple made up of Margaret Anderson and Jane Heap.
2006LGBT friendly Jewish synagogue.
2006Drag performer.
2006LGBT friendly mayor of Chicago.
2006Meeting play for LGBT people in Chicago.
2006Lawyer and LGBT advocate.
2006First openly gay man to be a major U.S. university president.
2006LGBT Latinx community advocate.
2006LGBT volunteer.
2006Organization that allows activists to host events, donates goods and services.
2006Bar that has been supportive of the LGBT community.
2006Leader in LGBT sports in Chicago.
2007Group serving and supporting LGBT veterans.
2007David Blatt and David Moore are physicians who have helped LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities.
2007David Blatt and David Moore are physicians who have helped LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities.
2007Friend of the community.
2007Helped start domestic partner benefits at American Airlines.
2007The Gay Games were held in Chicago in 2006.
2007LGBT volunteer.
2007LGBT community leader.
2007Founding publisher of Windy City Times.
2007LGBT activist.
2007Drag performer.
2007African American LGBT ensemble performing from 1996 to 2001.
2007Gerber/Hart librarian.
2007LGBT community activist.
2007Friend of the community.
2007LGBT community activist.
2008Community activist and Chicago icon.
2008LGBT sports community leader.
2008First lesbian chorus in the US.
2008Former president of the Gerber/Hart Library.
2008Leader in the LGBT sports community.
2008Friend of the community.
2008Friend of the community.
2008Early supporter of Gay Chicago Magazine, owner of Dugan's Bistro.
2008Founder of Chicago Gay Liberation.
2008Drag entertainer and health advocate.
2008Supporter of LGBT organizations in Chicago.
2008Artist and co-founder of Common Threads.
2008Chef and co-founder of Common Threads.
2008LGBT organization leader.
2009Organization that helps people with HIV/AIDS.
2009Helps support aging LGBT people.
2009Founder of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
2009Promoting liaisons between the Chicago police and the LGBT community.
2009Leader in non-profit organizations in Chicago.
2009Leader in LGBT organizations.
2009Volunteer in LGBT organizations.
2009Friend of the community.
2009Journalist, activist and writer.
2009Leader in LGBT social activism.
2009Founder of Amiguitas and student LGBT activist.
2009Leader in LGBT musical institutions.
2009Friend of the community.
2009Artist and founder of Homofrecuencia.
2010Playwright focusing on LGBT people.
2010Fighting for the civil rights of LGBT people.
2010Organization for gay men of Asian descent to network and raise money for various causes.
2010Documenting LGBT history in Chicago.
2010Journalist and businessman who co-founded Gay Chicago Magazine.
2010LGBT community activist and musician.
2010Organizer and fund raiser in LGBT communities.
2010One of the oldest LGBT institutions in both Chicago and the US.
2010Writer who has focused on LGBT communities.
2010LGBT community leader in the Latinx community.
2010Writer and political activist.
2010Volunteer in LGBT communities.
2010Liaison between LGBT communities and Chicago police.
2010CEO of Chicago House and chaplain at St. Gregory's Episcopal School.
2010Professor and mentor to LGBT people in the John Marshall Law School.
2011Co-founder of Chicago for AIDS Rights.
2011Cultural arts leader who has focused on LGBT issues.
2011One of the creators of Dykes on Bikes in Chicago.
2011Co-founder of GayLife in Chicago.
2011Physician who has helped LGBT people in Chicago.
2011The first church for LGBT people in the Midwest.
2011Helped underwrite events for nonprofits.
2011Leader in the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association.
2011Openly gay Chicago musician.
2011Law firm advocating for LGBT communities.
2011Writer and historian documenting the LGBT community.
2011LGBT instrumental ensembles.
2011Organization reaching out to youth on the streets.
2011Co-founder of People Like Us Bookstore.
2012LGBT activist and minister.
2012Openly gay square-dancing club.
2012Part of the city of Chicago's public health department.
2012Collector of LGBT history in Chicago.
2012Activist and writer in the LGBT community.
2012Early authority on HIV, advocate for the LGBT community.
2012Social worker helping to prevent the spread of HIV.
2012Local and national leader in the LGBT community.
2012Friend of the community.
2012Running group that raises money for LGBT causes.
2012Advocate for LGBT youth.
2012Lawyer serving the LGBT community.
2012Journalist who writes about LGBT and minority communities.
2012Transgender singer and comedian.
2013Activist and human-rights advocate.
2013Philanthropist in the LGBT community.
2013LGBT religious community leader.
2013Immigrant and LGBT community advocate.
2013First openly gay cabinet member in Illinois.
2013LGBT community leader.
2013Supporting LGBT people with legal representation in the Midwest.
2013LGBT community leader and activist.
2013Performer and activist in LGBT communities and AIDS groups.
2013LGBT writer and journalist.
2013Performers of Writers for Women on Women's Issues.
2013Philanthropist for the LGBT community in Chicago.
2013Friend of the community.
2013Puppeteer.
2013Friend of the community.
2013Running LGBT theater in Chicago.
2014co-founder of Joffrey Ballet.
2014Historian of LGBT communities and people with AIDS.
2014Political activist for LGBT rights.
2014LGBT advocate.
2014First openly transgender sports writer in the US.
2014Lawyer and LGBT advocate.
2014
2014LGBT activist.
2014Openly lesbian commissioner and political organizer.
2014Chicago theater project.
2014Physician working to fight AIDS.
2014Friend of the community.
2014Friend of the community.
2014Journalist, author and activist.
2014Friend of the community.
2015LGBT community leader.
2015Philanthropist in the LGBT community.
2015LGBT journalist and youth mentor.
2015Volunteer in the LGBT community.
2015Organization formed to support LGBT police officers in Chicago.
2015Organization formed to support LGBT police officers in Chicago.
2015Leader in the LGBT community.
2015Advocate for the civil rights of LGBT people.
2015Leader in the LGBT community.
2015Friend of the community.
2015LGBT activist.
2015Lawyer working for the LGBT community.
2015LGBT activist.
2016Filmmaker who highlights African American LGBT perspectives.
2016President of Chicago chapter of TransLatin@Coalition.
2016LGBT and Latina activist.
2016
2016Openly gay physician.
2016Friend of the community.
2016Executive director of the Pride Action Network.
2016Author.
2016Graphic artist.
2016Co-founder of Hell in a Handbag Productions.
2016Co-founder of the Association for Latin Men for Action.
2016First man serving on active duty in the Chicago Police Department to come out as gay.
2016Diverse LGBTQ bar.
2016Artist and illustrator.
2016Organization helping LGBTQ Latinas.
2016
2017Starred as Kevin in Kevin's Room.
2017LGBT activist and Chicago police officer.
2017Latina performer also known as "Miss Ketty."
2017Transgender artist.
2017LGBT publisher.
2017Pharmacist and HIV/AIDS treatment advocate.
2017Community activist.
2017Historian and author.
2017LGBT activist.
'2017One of the earliest lesbian publications in the US.
2017A “community archives, library, and museum of Leather, kink, fetish, and BDSM history and culture.”
2017Exclusively gay bookstore in Chicago.
2017Friend of the community.
2017Lawyer representing the LGBT community.