Category: Queer Politics, Culture, and History

The Chicago Ordinance on Human Rights, which banned discrimination against gays and lesbians and other minorities, was passed on December 21, 1988.  Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville, recently organized a panel discussion to mark the occasion.

Five years ago, the Cook County Clerk’s Office established a domestic-partnership registry, with John Pennycuff and Robert Castillo being the first to register.  Since then, 1,500 couples have registered for domestic partnership benefits, with the most recent (as of Oct. 1) being Jim Konold and Tim Hackett.

Illinois Governor  Rod Blagojevich recently cut spending at state agencies.  Among the hardest-hit was the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse [DASA], which lost 21 percent of its budget.

TPAN (Test Positive Action Network) celebrates its 21st anniversary this year.  To mark the occasion, it will honor 21 organizations and individuals “who have made outstanding contributions to TPAN and to the HIV/AIDS community,” according to its press release about the event, called “Aware Affair: Superheroes.” Among those named “superheroes” is Columbia College Chicago, for its “leadership and dedication.”  Specifically, the institution is being recognized for its AIDS-focused theme during the initial year of the Critical Encounters learning initiative.

The LGBTI Health Summit came in the thick of very intense national conversations around health care, especially at various Town Halls across the country.  Despite the national spotlight on an issue that clearly has the attention of more than the approximately 50 million uninsured, the gay community’s response to the health crisis has been relatively muted.