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He has served on the Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues and sat on the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame Committee from its inception in 1991 (co-chairing it since 1992).Īs a co-founder and president of the Chicago Gay Alliance between 19, Chichester helped to create Chicago’s first lesbian and gay community center. In 1971 he co-founded the Chicago Gay Alliance, which created Chicago’s first gay and lesbian community center. He has provided more than 30 years of commitment and work to the gay and lesbian communities. It dovetails with Couleé’s work with Goose Island in the beer space, too.Photo by: Israel Wright INDIVIDUAL | Inducted 1992īesides having been a Chicago pioneer in the renascent gay and lesbian rights activism of the early 1970s, Gary Chichester has for more than 20 years been an indefatigable organizer of events and fundraising for gay and lesbian causes. Her hope is that other marginalized individuals can see her experience and realize that this is a space that will be welcoming to them. Throwing out a first pitch was never something Couleé had on her bucket list-because she didn’t know she could put it on there, she said.
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“Actions are what matter, and a lot of times people who have shared experiences know how to take the proper actions to pull those more marginalized people in their community up,” Couleé said. In this era of social justice awakening, many people say the words “Black Lives Matter” and “Trans Lives Matter” but don’t take any action to back up those sentiments-or don’t know how to. “And that’s what I love so much about being a part of this process with Goose Island.”īecause it is a trans-, Black-led organization, Brave Space Alliance “are really operating out of their own experiences,” Couleé said, which “provides a more enriched sense of support for the people who really do need those resources.” “Anytime I give any suggestions they’re always there and they’re always open, and I feel like as a queer, Black person, feeling heard is one of the most validating feelings that an individual can have,” Couleé said. As with this year’s partner the Brave Space Alliance, it was essential that Couleé felt supported in whatever organization she chose to work with-and Goose Island gave that support completely, she said. Proceeds from sales of the first Shea Coul-Alé benefited TransTech, an organization that seeks to empower trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people and allies with practical, career-ready skills. “I saw a response from people in different communities, different walks of life, who I wouldn’t have expected to otherwise pay attention to me, and that was what I really really enjoyed,” Couleé said. The presale for the first edition of Shea Coul-Alé-with its cotton candy-colored, iridescent label-sold out in less than an hour in 2020. Her takeaway? “It’s so crazy that it just might work.” “One of the reasons why I wanted to jump into this partnership, I was like, ‘Beer is not really a space that we’ve seen drag queens or gender non-conforming individuals go into,’” Couleé said. But when Goose Island approached Couleé about teaming up, she realized what a powerful opportunity it could be. And the more that sports teams and associations allow the LGBTQ community to know that this is a safe space for them, I think you’ll see us here more often.” “We can all come together and root for our home team and have that be the main focus. “Any and every time I’ve come to a sporting event I’ve always been caught up in the feeling of cheering for your team, and that doesn’t know any kind of racial gender or sexuality type lines,” she added. on September 29, with drag queen Shea Couleé on hand to throw out the first pitch. 3 has been canceled, but the White Sox held a Pride game. The Chicago Pride Parade scheduled for Oct.