![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/KevinBoyer/KevinBoyerBIO_Small.jpg) | Kevin Boyer Boyer has been a volunteer for Chicago gay groups since 1989, including with the Gay Games, Gerber/Hart Library and the gay chamber of commerce.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/LindaBubonAnnChristophersen/LindaBubonAnnChristophersen_Sml.jpg) | Linda Bubon & Ann Christophersen Bubon (left) and Christophersen founded Women & Children First in the late 1970s and both have played critical roles in the LGBT and feminist communit![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/LindaBubon/LindaBubon_Small.jpg) | Linda Bubon Bubob is co-founder and co-owner of Women & Children First Bookstore.
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DeborahBurkhart/DebBurkhart_Small.jpg) | Deborah Burkhart Burkhart is an architect, and a principal in a women-owned architectural firm. She and partner Starla Sholl support numerous LGBT groups.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RobbinBurrLisaLoudin/LisaLoudinRobbinBurr_Small.jpg) | Robbin Burr & Lisa Loudin Loudin (left) and Burr are partners who support LGBT organizations. Burr is former executive director of Center on Halsted.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RobbinBurr/RobbinBurr_Small.jpg) | Robbin Burr Burr is former executive director of Center on Halsted, leading the agency during their drive for a community center building on Halsted.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/LoriCannon/LoriCannon_Small.jpg) | Lori Cannon Lori Cannon has been a long-time supporter of the GLBT community, especially in her pioneering AIDS activism and support services.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/EvetteCardonaMonaNoriega/MonaNoriegaEvetteCardona_Small.jpg) | Evette Cardona & Mona Noriega Noriega and Cardona are one of Chicago's power couples, active on a wide range of GLBT and Latina issues, including thru Amigas Latinas.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/EvetteCardona/EvetteCardona_Small.jpg) | Evette Cardona Cardona is active in a wide range of GLBT and Latina issues.
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RobertCastilloJohnPennycuff/RobertCastillo_John_Small.jpg) | Robert Castillo & John Pennycuff Castillo and Pennycuff are partners in life and activism, seen at protests for Queer Nation, ACT UP, anti-violence, pro-marriage, and much more.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/GaryChichester/GaryAndFlag_Small.jpg) | Gary Chichester Chichester has been a gay activist since the early 1970s, serving in vital leadership positions.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/TomChiola/TomChiola_Small.jpg) | Tom Chiola Chiola made history by becoming the first openly gay person elected to major office in Illinois, when he won a judge post in the mid 1990s.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/AnnChristophersen/AnnChristophersen_Small.jpg) | Ann Christophersen Christophersen is co-founder of Women & Children First Bookstore and a critical volunteer and supporter of LGBT and feminist causes.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JimDarbyPatrickBova/PatrickBovaJimDarbyBIO_Small.jpg) | Jim Darby & Patrick Bova Bova (left) and Darby have been together since 1963. They are activists working to overturn the military's gay ban, and support numerous gay causes.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JimDarby/JimDarbyBIO_PICSMALL.jpg) | Jim Darby Darby is a Navy veteran active in the fight to overturn the military's gay ban.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/AndrewDeppeStephenWeiser/AndrewDeppeStephenWeiser_Small.jpg) | Andrew Deppe & Stephen Weiser Deppe and Weiser, partners since 1993, volunteer and support various LGBT and AIDS religious, sports and political causes.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/AndrewDeppe/AndrewDeppe_Small.jpg) | Andrew Deppe Deppe has been a founder, staff member and volunteer for many important AIDS ad LGBT groups.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/TimDrake/TimDrake_Small.jpg) | Tim Drake Long-time political activist Drake was the first openly gay candidate to win election in Illinois, as a 1980 John Anderson presidential delegate.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/BillGreaves/BillGreaves_Small.jpg) | Bill Greaves In 1995 Greaves was appointed to the City of Chicago Commission on Human
Relations’ Advisory Council on LGBT
Issues; in 2000 he became the Directo![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JeanHardisty/JeanHardisty_Small.jpg) | Jean Hardisty Jean V. Hardisty, Ph.D., was a critical activist in Chicago in the 1970s and 1980s. She also founded Political Research Associates She died in 2015.. ![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/GregHarris/GregHarris_Small.jpg) | Greg Harris Harris was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2006. He is a long-time Chicago-based activist on gay and AIDS issues.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/TedHoerlSteveScott/TedHoerlSteveScott_Small.jpg) | Ted Hoerl & Steve Scott Both Hoerl (left) and Scott are active theater professionals in Chicago, with long ties to the gay community. They have been together since Nov. 1, 1![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/TedHoerl/TedHoerl_Medium_Small.jpg) | Ted Hoerl Hoerl is an Actor-Director/ Adjunct Professor of Acting CCPA at Roosevelt University. In the 1980s he owned Opal Station, a popular gay bar.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/MarkIshaug/MarkIshaug_Small.jpg) | Mark Ishaug Ishaug is President/CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/ArtJohnston/ArtJohnston_Small.jpg) | Art Johnston Johnston is co-owner of Sidetrack bar in Chicago, and a long-time activist on GLBT and AIDS issues.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/LolaJong/LolaLaiJong_Small.jpg) | Lola Lai Jong Lola Lai Jong has been important cultural and activist pioneer on lesbian and Asian Pacific Islander LGBT issues in Chicago and internationally.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/NancyKatzJanineDenomme/NancyKatz_JanineDenomme_Small.jpg) | Nancy Katz & Janine Denomme Katz and Denomme were partners and both active on lesbian and gay issues. Katz is an associate judge, Denomme was director of the Horizons Youth Progr![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/NancyKatz/NancyKatz_Small.jpg) | Nancy Katz Katz is an Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, sitting in Domestic Relations Division.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/BillKelleyChenOoi/BillKelley_ChenOoi_Small.jpg) | Bill Kelley & Chen Ooi Kelley and Ooi were long-time partners and activists. Kelley has been fighting for gay rights since the 1960s. Kelley died in 2015.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/BillKelley/BillKelley_Small.jpg) | Bill Kelley Kelley was among Chicago's longest-serving and most important gay activists, having worked since the 1960s to secure gay rights. He died in 2015.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/BruceKoff/BruceKoff_Small.jpg) | Bruce Koff Bruce Koff, LCSW, has been a pioneering advocate for LGBT concerns in the fields of social service and mental health since 1977.
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DannyKopelson/DannyKopelson_Small.jpg) | Danny Kopelson Kopelson has been a key staff member and volunteer for numerous gay and AIDS organizations, including AIDS Foundation of Chicago.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/MichaelLeppen/MichaelLeppen_Small.jpg) | Michael Leppen Leppen is among Chicago's most important philanthropists, supporting a wide range of gay, AIDS and human-rights causes.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/MarciaLipetz/MarciaLipetz_Small.jpg) | Marcia Lipetz Lipetz has a long history of working on LGBT and AIDS causes, including as past executive director of AIDS Foundation of Chicago![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/PatLogue/PatLogue_Small.jpg) | Pat Logue Logue is an attorney with a long career working on LGBT and AIDS causes. She is now a judge.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JoeLoundy/JoeLoundy_Small.jpg) | Joe Loundy Loundy is a retired social worker and travel agent who has been a volunteer at numerous gay groups since the 1970s.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/PatMcCombs/PatMcCombsBIO_Small.jpg) | Pat McCombs McCombs has been an integral part of Chicago's LGBT community since the 1970s, when she first fought back against racial carding in the bars...![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/LarryMcKeon/LarryMcKeon_Small.jpg) | Larry McKeon McKeon had a long public service career, from serving as a police officer in Los Angeles, to being the state's first openly gay, HIV-positive rep.
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/SidMohn/SidMohn_Small.jpg) | Sid Mohn Mohn, as president of the Heartland Alliance, has been a key part of work on behalf of people with AIDS and civil-rights for the LGBT community.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/MaryMorten/MaryMorten_Small.jpg) | Mary Morten Morten has worked on a diverse range of projects in the feminist and LGBT communities.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DavidMunar/DavidMunar_Small.jpg) | David Munar Munar is an executive with AIDS Foundation of Chicago and a long-time volunteer for gay and AIDS groups, including Association of Latin men in Action.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/YasminNair/YasminNair_Small.jpg) | Yasmin Nair Nair is an academic, activist and writer, and was a member of Queer to the Left.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/MonaNoriega/MonaNoriega_Small.jpg) | Mona Noriega Noriega has been active on GLBT and Latina political and cultural issues since the 1970s.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/AchyObejas/AchyObejas_Small.jpg) | Achy Obejas Obejas is the award-winning author of Days of Awe, Memory Mambo, and We Came all the Way from Cuba So You Could Dress Like This?. She was born in Hava![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RenaeOgletree/RanaeOgletree_Small.jpg) | Renae Ogletree Ogletree has been active on a range of youth, LGBT, AIDS and other causes in Chicago since the 1980s.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JohnPennycuff/JohnPennycuff_Small.jpg) | John Pennycuff Pennycuff has been seen around town marching and protesting for a wide range of gay and AIDS issues.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RichPfeifferTimFrye/RichPfeifferTimFrye_Small.jpg) | Rich Pfeiffer & Tim Frye Pfeiffer (left) and Frye have been partners since 1971, working on a range of gay issues, including the Pride Parades.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RichPfeiffer/RichPfeiffer_Small.jpg) | Rich Pfeiffer Pfeiffer is best known as Coordinator of PRIDEChicago annual Pride Parade from the early 1970s through the present day.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/LisaPickens/LisaPickens_Small.jpg) | Lisa Pickens Pickens is a co-founder of Affinity, a group for African-American lesbians, and is active on a variety of LGBT causes.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/TonyRivera/TonyRivera_Small.jpg) | Tony Rivera Tony Alvarado Rivera was a very out teenager, winning awards for his pioneering activism. He continues to help youth now that he is out of school.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JaneSaks/JaneSaksbyHal_Baim_Small.jpg) | Jane Saks Saks is Executive Director of the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media, Columbia College Chicago.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/VictorSalvo/VictorSalvo_Small.jpg) | Victor Salvo Salvo is a designer by trade, and an activist in his down time, having been a key part of Chicago's political and AIDS activism.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/NanSchaffer/NanSchaffer_Small.jpg) | Nan Schaffer Schaffer is a political activist and philanthropist in Chicago.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/PatrickSheahan/PatrickSheahan_Small.jpg) | Patrick Sheahan Sheahean was president of the Center on Halsted's board during its critical campaign to build a new community center.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/ChrisSmith/ChrisSmith_Small.jpg) | Chris Smith Smith is co-founder of Affinity, a South Side-based group for African-American lesbians.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/TomTunney/TomTunney_Small.jpg) | Tom Tunney Tunney is Chicago's first openly gay alderman, and so much more. As a business owner he has given much to the GLBT and mainstream Chicago communities.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DickUyvari/DickUyvari_Small.jpg) | Dick Uyvari Uyvari has been a critical part of the Chicago sports scene since the 1970s. He has also played a role in the national gay bowling movement. Died: 201![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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