Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx continued the office’s tradition of hosting an LGBTQ Pride Celebration. The 8th annual event took place June 26 at Center on Halsted.
Kim Hunt, executive director of Pride Action Tank, received the Vernita Gray Lifetime Achievement Award, named after longtime lesbian activist, and state’s attorney employee, Vernita Gray.
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who was in Springfield working on state budget issues, was honored for her LGBTQ work, including as a former staffer at the state’s attorney’s office. Cassidy staffer Pat Ewert accepted the award—Ewert is also the widow of Vernita Gray.
Judge Colleen F. Sheehan of the Juvenile Justice Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County was also honored, including for her work on creating a restorative justice court.
LGBTQ & Hate Crimes Specialist Angelica D’Souza was recognized by Foxx for her Windy City Times 30 Under 30 honor the previous week. Longtime state’s attorney staffer Matt Jannusch spoke about his work as part of the office’s LGBT+ Employee Resource Group.
Judge Cecilia Horan, president of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association presented their annual scholarship, to Daniel Stell. Tom Sondergeld, senior director of health and well-being for Walgreens, which sponsored the event, also addressed the crowd,
WGN-TV’s Dean Richards was MC for the program, for the seventh time in 8 years. Mytyme Jazz ZSoul Funk entertained the crowd.
