Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Calls for Submissions
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame has announced a call for nominations for the 2022 Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Those wishing to may nominate individuals, organizations, businesses, or "Friends of the Community" up until May 28, 2022. All steps of the nomination process are available on the Hall of Fame's website. Nomination criteria and nomination forms, both downloads and online submissions are available at www.chicagolgbthalloffame.org/nominate.
The Hall of Fame recognizes the professional and voluntary achievements of LGBT people and their community and civic contributions. This is a unique tribute to dedicated individuals and organizations whose services have improved the society in which we all live. The Hall of Fame is both a historic event and an exhibit that conveys to the residents of Chicago the many contributions of Chicago's LGBT community to the quality of life in the city. The Hall of Fame is the nation' only known municipally supported effort of its kind.
Induction into the Hall of Fame symbolizes that the recipient has made either a single, far-reaching contribution or significant long-term contributions to the quality of life of Chicago's LGBT community. The Hall of Fame also recognizes "friends of the community" and LGBT organizations and businesses that have made similar contributions to Chicago's LGBT community.
Anyone can nominate an individual, organization, or business for the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. The goal is to honor people and entities that have made significant contributions to the quality of life or well-being of the LGBT community in Chicago or the city at large. The nominations will be reviewed by a committee comprised of current Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame members, after which a slate of inductees will be chosen. The ceremony for inductees will be held in October 2022.
Kathy Caldwell, the board's co-chair stated, "It is important to continue to recognize the achievements of Chicagoans, past, and present, especially since so many of the community's original movers and shakers have passed on. We need to ensure that their achievements are not forgotten."
From its founding in 1991 until 2016, the Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame relied on staff support from the City of Chicago. The first Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame ceremony took place during Pride Week and was held at Chicago City Hall. Mayor Richard M. Daley hosted the ceremony and afterward, photos of the inductees were displayed in City Hall. The city ceased providing support for the Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2016 under then-mayor Rahm Emanuel. At that time, it was rechristened the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and has since been supported and maintained by the Friends of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, with approval from, and the cooperation of, the City of Chicago. The Hall of Fame has no physical facility but maintains a website that allows anyone to visit the Hall of Fame at any time.
For more information, email inquiry@chicagoLGBThalloffame.org, visit the organization's website, chicagolgbthalloffame.org, or its Facebook page.