Hundreds of people attended a memorial for Larry McKeon June 14 at Truman College, paying tribute to the life of the first openly gay and first openly HIV-positive state representative in Illinois. An Army veteran, former police officer and former Chicago mayor’s liaison to the GLBT community, McKeon died May 13 at age 63 of a stroke. Among the speakers was Chicago Mayor Richard Daley (pictured at top with State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz), who emotionally spoke of his friendship with McKeon. Ald. Tom Tunney also was passionate in his memories of his friend. Other speakers included State Rep. Greg Harris, who took over McKeon’s House seat when he retired, and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a colleague and friend. There were dozens of politicians paying tribute to McKeon, along with a diverse group of gay and non-gay constituents and friends. Text by Tracy Baim, photos by Israel Wright
McKeon's life honored at memorial
