![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/MiguelAyala/MiguelAyala_Sml.jpg) | Miguel Ayala Ayala was co-founder of the Whitney Young Pride GSA, the first in the Chicago area, and active in Chicago youth causes and mainstream political campai![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/MichaelBauer/MichaelBauer_Small.jpg) | Michael Bauer Bauer is a political activist on the local and national scene.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/BillBergfalk/BillBergfalk_Small.jpg) | Bill Bergfalk Bergfalk has supported gay organizations since the 1970s as a volunteer and donor.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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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/PatrickBova/PatrickBovaBIO_PIC_SMALL.jpg) | Patrick Bova Bova and partner Jim Darby have been together since 1963. They are activists working to overturn the military's gay ban, and support numerous gay caus![](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/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/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/SusanCatania/SusanCatania_Small.jpg) | Susan Catania Catania served as a Republican state legislator and was among the first to back gay-rights protections.![](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/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) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/SusanaDarwin/SusannaDarwin_Small.jpg) | Susana Darwin Darwin is a legal activist fighting on women's choice and LGBT issues.![](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/KarenDixon/KarenDixon_Small.jpg) | Karen Dixon Dixon is an attorney and political activist in Chicago.![](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/MurrayEdelman/MurrayEdelman_Small.jpg) | Murray Edelman Edelman was an activist in Chicago in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including with the Chicago Gay Liberation movement.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](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) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/HannahFrisch/HannahFrisch_Small.jpg) | Hannah Frisch Frisch was active in University of Chicago Gay Liberation in the early '70s. She also attended meetings of Chicago Lesbian Liberation. ![](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
Relations’ Advisory Council on LGBT
Issues; in 2000 he became the Directo![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RolandHansenBillBergfalk/RolandHansenBillBergfalk_Small.jpg) | Roland Hansen & Bill Bergfalk Hansen (left) and Bergfalk have been partners since 1984, and both have supported gay organizations since the 1970s.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/RolandHansen/RolandHansen_Small.jpg) | Roland Hansen Hansen's volunteer work has included Gerber/Hart Library, the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, Windy City Athletic Association, and more![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](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) |
![](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) |
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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/ArtJohnstonJosePena/ArtJohnstonPepePena_Small.jpg) | Art Johnston & Jose A. Pena Johnston and Pena are co-owners of Sidetrack bar, which has been much-honored for its contributions to GLBT and AIDS charities. ![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](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) |
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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/JulieKruse/JulieKruse_small.jpg) | Julie Kruse Kruse is a former Illinois lobbyist on a range of women's, LGBT and progressive causes. She is now based in Washington, D.C.![](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/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/DebMellChristinBaker/DebMellChristinBaker_Small.jpg) | Deb Mell & Christin Baker Mell and Baker are active in gay-rights and political causes. Mell runs unchallenges for a state rep post in the 2008 general election.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DebMell/DebMell_Small.jpg) | Deb Mell Mell is expected to become the state's first openly lesbian representative the fall of 2008. She runs unchallenged in the election.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/JillMetz/JillMetz_Small.jpg) | Jill Metz Metz has practiced law since 1978, with many gay clients. She has volunteered with numerous gay organizations.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/CarlosMockBillRattan/CarlosMockBillRatton_Small.jpg) | | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/CarlosMock/CarlosMock_Small.jpg) | Carlos Mock Mock is a writer and activist, donating his time and money to many gay, AIDS and Latino causes.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](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) |
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![](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) |
![](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/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/CharlotteNewfeld/CharlotteNewfeld_Small.jpg) | Charlotte Newfeld Newfeld is an ally of the community, having support numerous gay-rights efforts and gay candidates for office.
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![](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) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DonNowotnyCarlMcDowell/CarlMcDowellDonNowotny_Sml.jpg) | | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DonNowotny/DonNowotny_Small.jpg) | Don Nowotny Don Nowotny is active on gay political issues. ![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](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) |
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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) |
![](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) |
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![](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) |
![](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/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) |
![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/NanSchafferKarenDixon/NanSchafferandKarenDixon_Small.jpg) | | ![](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) |
![](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) |
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![](images/spacer.gif) | ![](photos/DebraShore/DebShore_Small.jpg) | Debra Shore Shore became the first open lesbian elected to countywide office in Illinois, as a commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. ![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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![](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/CocoSoodek/CocoSoodek_Small.jpg) | Coco Soodek Soodek is a partner with the law firm Bryan Cave and has supported numerous gay and lesbian causes.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
![](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) |
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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/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/DonnaWeems/DonnaRoseWeems_Small.jpg) | Donna Weems Weems is a cultural and political activist and long-time Chicagoan who recently retired to Mexico.![](images/biographies/readmore.gif) | ![](images/spacer.gif) |
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