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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/SamBezanis/SamBezanisBIO_Small.jpg) | Sam Bezanis Bezanis has donated his design services to many gay, AIDS and mainstream civil-rights groups, including the ACLU.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DavidBlattDavidMoore/DavidBlattAndMoore_Small.jpg) | David Blatt & David Moore The work of partners in life and business Blatt and Moore has been critical to the survival of many of their clients with HIV and AIDS.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/PhilBurgessJimNutter/BurgessandNutterBIO_Small.jpg) | Phil Burgess & Jim Nutter Nutter (left) and Burgess have been a couple since 1976; they donate and volunteer for a range of gay and AIDS groups.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/PhilBurgess/PhilBurgessBIO_Small.jpg) | Phil Burgess Burgess donates and volunteers for a range of gay and AIDS groups.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](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) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RobertCastillo/RobertCastillo_Small.jpg) | Robert Castillo Castillo has been active for many years on a wide range of gay, AIDS and Latino issues.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/ArmandCerbone/ArmandCerbone_Small.jpg) | Armand Cerbone Cerbone has been an advocate and activist on GLBT mental and physical health issues for several decades.![](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/MichaelCook/MichaelCook_Small.jpg) | Michael Cook Cook is former executive director of Howard Brown Health Center, and he has been active on gay legal and health issues for many years.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/TerryCosgrove/TerryCosgrovebyHalBaim_Small.jpg) | Terry Cosgrove Cosgrove is an openly gay man heading one of the top organizations working in the U.S. for a women's right to choose, Personal PAC of Illinois.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/GladysCroom/GladysCroom_Small.jpg) | Dr. Gladys Croom Croom, Psy.D., has worked on gay and lesbian mental health issues for many years. She was also active in Yahimba and Literary Exchange.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JanDeeJanetGutrich/JanDeeJanetGutrich_Small.jpg) | Jan Dee & Janet Gutrich Jan Dee (left) and Janet Gutrich have been partners since Dec. 17, 1994. They support LGBT and AIDS causes as individuals and through their businesses![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](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) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JeanDurkinPaulaWalowitz/JeanDurkinPaulaWalowitz_Small.jpg) | Jean Durkin & Paula Walowitz Durkin (left) and Walowitz are partners, and were married in Canada soon after it became legal to do so. They are cultural activists.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JeanDurkin/JeanDurkin_Small.jpg) | Jean Durkin Durkin works on the needs of women in the shelter community.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/FerdEggan/FerdEggan2007_TBaim_Small.jpg) | Ferd Eggan Eggan was a long-time Chicago and Los Angeles AIDS activist. He died in 2007.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/SanfordGaylord/SanfordGaylord_Small.jpg) | Sanford Gaylord Gaylord is an actor, creative activist and writer based in Chicago. He was a co-founding member of A Real Read.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/TomGertz/TomGertzByHalBaim_Small.jpg) | Tom Gertz Gertz was active in the Mattachine Midwest chapter in the late 1960s and early 1970s.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/LauraGoring/LauraGrimes_Small.jpg) | Laura Goring Laura Goring and partner Lawrence Goring work on lesbian healthcare and transgender issues.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/LawrenceGoring/LoganGrimes_Small.jpg) | Lawrence Goring Lawrence Goring and partner Laura Goring work on lesbian healthcare and transgender issues. ![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DebbieGould/DebbieGould_Small.jpg) | Debbie Gould Debbie Gould participated in ACT UP/Chicago for 6 years and was a founding member of Queer to the Left.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/VernitaGray/VernitaGray2007_Small.jpg) | Vernita Gray Gray has been active on gay rights since the late 1960s. She has been part of a wide range of groups and works on anti-violence issues.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/BillGreaves/BillGreaves_Small.jpg) | Bill Greaves In 1995 Greaves was appointed to the City of Chicago Commission on Human
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Issues; in 2000 he became the Directo![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JessicaHalemRedTremmel/JessicaHalemRedTremmel_Small.jpg) | Jessica Halem & Red Tremmel Halem and Tremmel spent many years in Chicago working on a variety of LGBT causes, including cultural activism. They away moved for work in '08.
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JessicaHalem/JessicaHalem_Small.jpg) | Jessica Halem Halem is former executive director of the Lesbian Community Cancer (now Care) Project, and a standup comic. She is a long-time feminist.![](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/TondaHughes/TondaHughes_Small.jpg) | Tonda Hughes Hughes is a researcher looking at lesbian health issues, and is active on LGBT issues in Chicago.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](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/CatJefcoatBonnieWade/CatJefCoatBonnieWade_Small.jpg) | Cat Jefcoat & Bonnie Wade Jefcoat (left) and Wade are a young power couple, both working for GLBT rights in community agencies.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/CatJefcoat/CatJefcoat_Small.jpg) | Cat Jefcoat Jefcoat works with the Lesbian Community Care Project, now housed within Howard Brown Health Center.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/ChrisJohnson/ChrisJohnson_Small.jpg) | Chris Johnson Christine Johnson is a co-founder of Metis Press, Publisher of Lesbian Feminist Literature, and a founding member of the national Women In Print netwo![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/CorinneKawecki/CorinneKawecki_Small.jpg) | Corinne Kawecki Kawecki and partner Maureen Sweeney have been active in support of LGBT causes for many years, including with the Lesbian Community Cancer Project.![](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/DebLakeTerriPease/DebLakeTerriPease_Small.jpg) | Deb Lake & Terri Pease Lake and Pease have been partners since Oct. 10, 1998. Lake is a minister and author, Pease is a domestic violence and trauma consultant.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DebLake/DeborahLake_Small.jpg) | Deb Lake Rev. Lake is the executive director of Sankofa Way, creating new approaches to addressing oppression.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/NancyLanoue/NancyLanoue_LCCP_Small.jpg) | Nancy Lanoue Lanoue co-founded the Womyn's Gym in the 1980s, later to become Thousand Waves. She co-founded the Lesbian Community Cancer Project.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JoeLaPatDickUyvari/DickUyvariJoeLaPat_Small.jpg) | Joe LaPat & Dick Uyvari Uyvari (left) and La Pat are supporters of gay sports and community groups, as well as numerous AIDS causes.![](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/LynnellLong/LynnellLong_Small.jpg) | Lynnell Long Long is a writer, performer and poet who was part of A Real Reed and a columnist writing on intersex and gender-identity issues for BLACKlines newspap![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/AmyMaggio/AmyMaggio_Small.jpg) | Amy Maggio Maggio has worked and volunteered for AIDS and gay organizations in Chicago since the 1980s.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](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) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/SharonMylrea/SharonMylrea_Small.jpg) | Sharon Mylrea Mylrea is a former board member of Lesbian Community Cancer Project who supports gay political and health causes.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JimNutter/JimNutterBIO_Small.jpg) | Jim Nutter Nutter and partner Phil Burgess are a long-time couple supportive of various gay and health issues.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/SusanODell/SusanODell_Small.jpg) | Susan O'Dell O'Dell has been on the frontlines of counseling for the LGBT community since the 1970s.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](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/MaryPatten/MaryPatten_Small.jpg) | Mary Patten Mary Patten is a visual artist, videomaker, writer, educator, occasional curator, and long-time community/political activist. ![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JimPickett/JimPickett_Small.jpg) | Jim Pickett Picket is an HIV-positive activist and athlete. He is director of public policy for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.![](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) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RaymondRodgers/RaymondRodgers_Small.jpg) | Raymond Rodgers Rodgers is a deaf gay man who opened the first gay-deaf-owned interpreter service in the U.S, Deaf Communication By Innovation.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JulioRodriguez/JulioRodriguez_Sml.jpg) | Julio Rodriguez Rodriguez is a critical activist working on LGBT, AIDS, Latino and anti-violence issues, including as a founder of ALMA.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](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/StarlaSholl/StarlaSholl_Small.jpg) | Starla Sholl Sholl is a social worker in full-time private practice, with a large LGB clientelle. She has volunteered with several LGBT groups.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/MaxSmith/MaxSmith_Small.jpg) | Max Smith Max Smith has been a gay activist since the 1970s, including on media, health and political issues.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DavidStienecker/DavidStienecker2008NYC_Small.jpg) | David Stienecker David Stienecker was a critical 1960s and early 1970s Chicago activist who fought back against police harassment.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/LaurenSugerman/LaurenSugerman_Small.jpg) | Lauren Sugerman Sugerman is one of the co-founders of Chicago Women in Trades, a critical support for women entering non-traditional trades jobs.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/KevinTindell/KevinTindell_Small.jpg) | Kevin Tindell Tindell is a change management consultant and minister. He and his partner are raising two sons. Tindell is active in Black gay and spiritual groups.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RichardTurner/RichardTurner_Small.jpg) | Richard Turner Turner has been active on local and national GLBT and AIDS issues for decades.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](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) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/TicoValle/ModestoTicoValle_Small.jpg) | Tico Valle Valle has been a volunteer and staff member of a range of gay and AIDS groups, and serves as executive director of the Center on Halsted.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/BonnieWade/BonnieWade_Small.jpg) | Bonnie Wade Wade works for the rights of GLBT youth in a variety of ways, including as a staff member of Teen Living.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/SteveWakefield/SteveWakefield_Small.jpg) | Steve Wakefield Wakefield spend many years in Chicago working for and heading up various gay and AIDS agencies.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/PaulaWalowitz/PaulaWalowitz_Small.jpg) | Paula Walowitz Walowitz is a performer, singing out lesbian music since the 1970s.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/VeraWashington/VeraWashingtonBIO_Small.jpg) | Vera Washington Washington is an HIV/AIDS counselor, party promoter through Executive Sweet, and longtime worker on LGBT youth issues.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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