Mayor's Pride event

“Each one of you is turning the tide,” Mayor Richard Daley said to attendees at the 19th annual Mayor’s Reception Celebrating the LGBT Community and Pride Month, which took place June 22 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Daley talked about the commitment of the LGBT community to the city of the Chicago, saying, “This community has made Chicago what it is today.” The reception, sponsored by The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA), drew 680 guests, including Alexi Gianoullias, the democratic nominee for U.S. Senate; and Jacob Meister, president and founder of TCRA.

Mayoral LGBT liaison Bill Greaves talked about how the past year has been pivotal for the LGBT community. Beth Kelly, chairperson of the Advisory Council on LGBT issues, also spoke and gave out awards to Affinity, Amigas Latinas and Onyx—three organizations for people of color that are celebrating 15 years of serving the LGBT community. Dana Starks, commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Rights, closed the ceremony, praising the strength of those gathered for “standing up and fighting for your rights.”

“When you see the city government you see a reflection of the diversity of the city,” said Starks, referring to the several city officials onstage behind him. “Thank you so much for what you do.” Text by Kristin Kowalski and photos by Kat Fitzgerald (http://MysticImagesPhotography.com) ; many more available at http://WindyCityTimes.com