Pride came to me in many different forms during the week of the Gay Games. As I stood with a diverse group of colleagues in Soldier Field and watched out and proud athletes stream onto the field, I felt tremendously honored to be present and a witness to the culmination of months of work.
Sitting in the stands, I was keenly aware of the momentous events unfolding in front of me. Chicago was making LGBT history…and we are not through yet! Mayor Richard M. Daley’s remarks at the opening ceremonies reminded us all of the next historic moment in our city… the opening of YOUR LGBT Community Center at Center on Halsted!
I was on my feet cheering when Mayor Daley said, ‘I’m proud that Chicago has been in the forefront when it comes to meeting the needs and aspirations of the members of the gay and lesbian community… with substantial city financial assistance, we’re constructing the Center on Halsted, the first community center of its kind in the Midwest for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. I’m proud to be honorary chairperson of its capital campaign, along with Billie Jean King. Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community deserve to have the City of Chicago standing on their side, and it will continue to do so, as long as I am Mayor.’
As the Gay Games wrap up, Center on Halsted is honored to lead the next phase of LGBT focused history in Chicago. When our new building, rising up at Waveland and Halsted, opens it doors in 2007, we’ll ‘light the torch’ as the next LGBT cultural, educational, social, recreational and social service destination. Starting with the Gay Games, Center on Halsted will take the next step to bring our community together in a way never before experienced!
Thank you to each individual who contributed to Gay Games VII!! At Center on Halsted, we empathize with your efforts as you too have been ‘bold enough to dream it, naive enough to believe it and tenacious enough to make it happen!’ We’re proud of your hard work and excited to carry on Chicago’s tradition of unwavering support to the LGBT community.
Sincerely,
Robbin Burr, Executive Director