Unsung Chicago LGBT Heroes

The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame — this year being rechristened the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame — is the only municipally supported institution of its kind in the nation. “There’s nothing like this,” says Mary Morten, cochair of the Hall of Fame board and herself a member. The Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian Issues established the hall in 1991 to honor the volunteer and professional achievements of LGBT people, their organizations, and their straight allies, the latter in a category called Friend of the Community. The hall was financially supported by the city for many years; in 2010 the city ceased providing funds due to budgetary considerations, but it continues to offer backing in other ways. A new group of members is inducted each year; this year’s class will be inducted in a ceremony November 10 at the Chicago History Museum. Click through to meet 25 members — LGBT heroes you might not know but should — and to learn more about the hall and see the full list of members, visit GLHallOfFame.org.