Center on Halsted will host its annual Human First Performance & Gala on Saturday, May 18 at 5 p.m. at Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. Human First recognizes the contributions of individuals, businesses and other organizations to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community in Chicago.
Headlining this year’s Human First gala will be Chicago-born singer, songwriter and musician, Chaka Khan. DJ Matthew Harvat will follow.
This year’s Human First Award recipients are Sarah Schmidt & Julie Matthei; and Jonathan ‘Yoni’ Pizer & Brad Lippitz, who have each actively participated in the advancement of the marriage equality movement; and Richard Turner, who has been active in AIDS/HIV and LGBTQ issues for decades.
The Community Spirit Award will go to Allstate Insurance Company, which supports agencies nationwide around the issues of domestic violence and financial literacy, and which has been a supporter of Center on Halsted programs.
Co-chairing this year’s event are Charles A. Schrock, Chairman, president and CEO of People Gas’ parent company, Integrys Energy Group and Laura Ricketts, director, Chicago Cubs and Chairperson of the Board, Chicago Cubs Charities. Tennis legend Billie Jean King is honorary co-Chair along with Maria C. Bechily, Amina Dickerson, Anne L. Kaplan, and Abby O’Neil & Carroll Joynes.
The celebration welcomes 1,000 guests each year and is the largest LGBTQ-focused gala in Chicago. Guests include civic leaders, local, state and federal elected officials, corporate and foundation sponsors, and major donors of Center on Halsted as well as members of the LGBTQ community and its allies.
Visit www.centeronhalsted.org/hf for tickets and pricing.