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neighborhoods stake a claim from one edge of Chicagoland Chicagoland of edge one from claim a stake neighborhoods

beyond Lakeview, particularly as our LGBTQ friends and and friends LGBTQ our as particularly Lakeview, beyond

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to acknowledge programs that happen IN the community. community. the IN happen that programs acknowledge to

what happens within walls, but truly it’s also important important also it’s truly but walls, within happens what

You see, the work of Center on Halsted is not just about about just not is Halsted on Center of work the see, You

several of our long-term community and cultural partners. partners. cultural and community long-term our of several

or shared resources. We’re pleased to highlight, in this issue, issue, this in highlight, to pleased We’re resources. shared or

whether that be in the form of programmatic collaborations collaborations programmatic of form the in be that whether

work is dependent upon opportunity and partnerships, partnerships, and opportunity upon dependent is work

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visit us at centeronhalsted.org and 3656 North Halsted Chicago, Illinois 60613 COMMUNITY

OUR COMMUNITY NEWSZINE SPRING 2018 HUMAN FIRST HONOREES Left to Right: Tom Klein, David Gitomer, Victoria Raymont, Marcia Lipetz and Colleen Connell

Night and Day OUT at the Museum OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

The Chicago History Museum has a long- established reputation for reaching out to the NOW PLAYING community, to be a “welcoming museum.” When Gary Johnson took the helm as its new president in REFASHIONING 2005 among the first phone calls he got was from GENDER IDENTITIES the late arts critic Andrew Patner. His question for Out at CHM looks at how fashion impacts Johnson: was that welcoming environment going perception of identity, how clothing is used to continue for the LGBTQ community? Was the to shape and redefine gender identities. OUT at CHM series of events and exhibitions going to continue as a central attraction for the museum? Johnson’s answer: “Absolutely yes. It’s one of the Center on Halsted has a long-standing role in OUT most meaningful programs we have.” at CHM — both in exhibition planning and as a OUT at CHM is also a long-running attraction for program venue. “Ours is a true partnership,” says the museum, now in its fifteenth year. “I inherited Johnson. “We help each other. We share a goal — OUT at CHM from my predecessor, Lonnie Bunch,” to create something permanent.” Johnson remembers. “He saw the need for the Johnson adds a personal note of pride that CHM community to collaborate on its stories.” The has “moved with the times.” As the father of two museum recently sent Bunch, founding director LGBTQ children he says, “OUT at CHM lets me of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African hold my head high. And I have Center on Halsted American History and Culture, a thank you card for to thank.” creating OUT at CHM and allowing museum goers to understand not just the history, but the constant chicagohistory.org/event/chm- reinvention of the LGBTQ community in Chicago. refashioning-gender-identities Top: Out in Chicago installation and Gary Johnson. Johnson points to the names on the card: “None Bottom: Lonnie G. Bunch, III, Founding Director of the of them were among the original group — those National Museum of African American History and there at the invention of OUT. I think it demon- Culture and founder of Out at CHM. Photo by Lauren Gerson. strates that unstoppable energy behind OUT.”

visit us at centeronhalsted.org ONTRANSGENDER ONCOLLABORATION ONGIVING Human First ITʼS THE MOST…

If you listen to this year’s Human First Gala co-chairs two words keeps popping them.” As Roy traces the years since that first involvement with the community, up: The Most. The most fun. The most important. The most visible. The most… he sees changes: “The neighborhood is changing and that makes Center on like a giant family reunion. “I always meet someone new who’s fascinating. Halsted an absolute necessity, vital part of the community. It brings people Then I introduce them to the old friends I see at Human First every year,” says together.” Mary Anderson. Her co-chair Roy Wesley adds his own mosts: “the most Adding to the team chairing the Gala are Angela Barnes and Bob Sash, both powerful, the most visible event to show the vitality of Center on Halsted.” An Invitation from the Dance members of Center on Halsted Board of Directors. Both also share a passion for GREG CAMERON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOFFREY BALLET Both Roy and Mary bring years of experience and perspective to their roles as the work of Center on Halsted – Bob lending his deep knowledge of tax and co-chairs. Both were volunteers with Horizons Community Services, an finance and Angela as an advocate for the homeless in Chicago. Greg Cameron, Executive Director of the Joffrey Ballet, is a firm believer in organization that is now Center on Halsted. “I was a young attorney, just two making connections. “Since my first job as a Cultural Affairs intern for the City Human First, and all who support the gala, ensures that Center on Halsted can years out of school and working with young people at the drop in clinic. It was of Chicago, everything has been about partnerships and collaboration,” he says. continue to fill that most necessary community role. Continuing Your Legacy of Support my first time being a real lawyer,” remembers Mary. “I learned so much from For the Joffrey that focus on connections has meant accessibility, with GEORGE MCDONALD PLANNED GIVING DONOR programs focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion — whether that means “A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life race, gender or age. “If we are accessible and relevant to our audiences, we will when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.” be sustainable. Then we can take more steps forward,” says Cameron. Some of D. Elton Trueblood, a noted 20th-century Quaker author and theologian. those steps forward have included ensuring Joffrey events include an American Sign Language Interpreter or producing large font program materials for the This quote, in a very profound and succinct manner, speaks directly to the company’s newly interpreted and updated Nutcracker ballet. meaning of Center on Halsted and our work each and every day. We all create and promote programs, designed to support our LGBTQ community and allies, Being a good partner with every community is a clear focus at the Joffrey. But in ways that we may never see. But, we all play a role in ensuring that long-term that can also require looking inward to develop insights and understanding. To success. As donors who help Center on Halsted in our work, whether that be ensure that the company and staff could be an informed and sensitive partner by making financial contributions, volunteering your time, or introducing your with the transgender community, they reached out to Center on Halsted where friends and colleagues to our important work, I am sure you want to see our Director of Trans Relations and Community Engagement Vanessa Sheridan success go well beyond your own years. responded to the invitation. “She brought us a very productive and thoughtful conversation,” remembers Cameron. In turn, the Joffrey has recommended this "My journey as a single gay man of a certain age from the isolating suburbs to resource from Center on Halsted to other organizations, along with their own that repurposed iconic building in "Boystown" seemed serendipitous from the volunteers and committee members. “She helped us understand what get go. The first time I opened that now familiar door of Center on Addison was millennials are already fluent in when it comes to gender and sexual identity. a year and a half ago. I was immediately welcomed and invited to one of the Now we can be a confident partner.” bi-weekly hot lunches — now I am a regular. And that is what collaborations are all about. My life continues to be enriched by Todd's amazing programming — taking Honoring those who do the most Left: Greg Cameron at the press conference announcing Joffrey’s new production of classes, going on field trips, attending the Gay Pride Parade viewing party, and This year’s Human First honorees clearly take their places among the most and Lesbian American Medical Association. For more than 25 years Gitomer The Nutcracker, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, which premiered in 2016. even being Santa at the Christmas party. I am so grateful for this unexpected but dedicated contributors to the community. facilitated the HIV/AIDS Peer Support Group at Howard Brown Health Center. most appreciated "Third Act", and wanted to do something, to say thank you. Victoria Raymont Marcia Lipetz "Giving back is also a way to keep growing; it makes Victoria Raymont is an international marketer and trusted consultant to senior Marcia Lipetz has been a driving force in Chicago’s philanthropic, nonprofit and Community Events spring/summer 2018 your world larger by forming a link between what you executives and trustees in healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and academic communities for 35 years. Much of her focus has been on the consumer products throughout the nation. She has contributed time and Alphawood Foundation which provides crucial funding for LGBTQ cultural, Chicago Hate Crimes Summit Thursday, May 10 have and what you give away. You can create your own energy to organizations that improve the lives of senior members of the LGBTQ health and community-based organizations. She also served as the first The Matthew Shepard Foundation and Center on Halsted present a summit aimed legacy… Do it!" community. In addition to serving as a pro bono consultant to Horizons she is a full-time Executive Director of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Marcia is a at erasing hate. former board member and board chair of Center on Halsted. Victoria also has former Vice Chair of the Board of Center on Halsted and is a member of the Making a planned or estate gift to Center on Halsted is the perfect way for you served as a board member of SAGE and of the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. She is now an independent consultant for Chicago Community Fundaiser Thursday, May 10 to “plant a shade tree” for those in our community who will follow. This type Alzheimer’s Association. philanthropies. Presented by the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Center on Halsted. of generosity also allows you to balance your financial goals and charitable interests, along with important tax benefits. There are a wide variety of planned David Gitomer & Tom Klein American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (Colleen Connell) An Evening of Music and Conversation with Well-Strung Wednesday, June 20 giving opportunities, ranging from a straightforward bequest from your estate Dr. Thomas Klein and David Gitomer have been partners for more than 25 years The ACLU of Illinois has been an ardent supporter of LGBTQ and HIV-related The night before they make their Ravinia debut, Well-Strung — Edmund Bagnell, first to more sophisticated mechanisms such as charitable trusts. and share a long-time advocacy for the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities. issues for decades, believing that rights should not be limited based on a violin; Christopher Marchant, second violin; Daniel Shevlin, cello; and Trevor Wadleigh, Klein was a co-founder of the AIDS unit at St. Joseph Hospital and a member of person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status. The organization viola — join us for a night of conversation and music. The New York Times recently said To learn more about how you can help support Center on Halsted through a the AIDS Research Alliance of Chicago. He is a past board member of Center on has advocated both in the courts and through legislation to support inclusive Well-Strung is a "…talented quartet of men who sing and play instruments… brilliantly planned gift, please contact Michael Anderson, Chief Development Officer. Halsted and currently serves on the board of the Unicorn Foundation, whose policies that strengthen rights for LGBTQ individuals. fuses pop and classical music from Madonna to Beethoven." For information on the 773.472.6469 x488 goal is relief and cure of HIV/AIDS. He also contributed to the success of Test June 21 Ravinia concert, visit Ravinia.org. Join us on for the Human First Gala, April 21, 2018 at The Geraghty and [email protected] Positive Aware Network. Tom continues as an active member of the Gay hear more about these most amazing honorees. Conspirare & Matthew Shepard, A Musical Remembrance Wednesday, August 15 Composer/pianist Craig Hella Johnson and members of his Austin-based Conspirare ensemble discuss and preview their milestone work, Considering Matthew Shepard, which makes its Midwest premiere at Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall on Sept. 12. Center on Halsted Open Daily 8am - 9pm LGBTQ Violence State of Illinois AIDS/ Creative/Art Direction Human First Marking the 20th anniversary of the shocking murder of Shepard, a gay college student by Richard Cassis Photography by centeronhalsted.org 3656 North Halsted Resource Line HIV & STD Hotline in Wyoming, this fusion oratorio includes passages from his own journal. For information Chicago, IL 60613-5974 773.871.care (2273) 1.800.aid.aids for sparcinc.com Liz Sung at lizsungproductions.com on the September 12 Ravinia concert, visit Ravinia.org. 773.472.6469 phone (243.2437) Writing by M.A. Rood for 773.472.6643 fax 1.800.782.0423 (tty) The M.A. Rood Company For information on all events visit centeronhalsted.org. 773.661.0910 (hiv testing & prevention program) CENTER ON HALSTED.ORG SPRING 2018 ADVANCING THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT