The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame held its annual Celebrity Auction Sept. 20 at the Boystown nightspot Sidetrack, but the fundraiser did not draw the large crowds or generous bids it has in years past.
Still, the night was not without excitement as many came to celebrate the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which went into effect the same day.
Among those present celebrating was Tammy Duckworth, Iraqi war Purple Heart recipient and 8th Illinois District Congressional candidate. She was also U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ) Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Duckworth posed for pictures community members, who lined up to meet her.
Wayne Johnson of NBC Chicago, David Boyer from Touché leather bar and Velicity Metropolis, the drag queen from Hamburger Mary's, were the auctioneers.
The prize item of the evening was a replica of the plaque that will be installed on Halsted Street honoring gay Vietnam War veteran Leonard Matlovich as part of the Legacy Project. Veterans Patrick Bova and Jim Darby took home the coveted plaque after a fierce bidding war.
Another popular item was a set of two tickets to the next Equality Illinois gala, which went for $550. A party at Sidetrack also took in a sizable bid.
Other items, however, did not fare as well.
While more than 100 people attended the event, just 76 people purchased bidding paddles this year.
Many opening bids had to be lowered repeatedly before people bid on them. One gift basket was pulled until later because it failed to produce a single bid the first time around.
Some blamed the weak economy for the poor turnout while others noted that crowds this year may have been diverted to a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal party downtown. Some also said that the premiere of popular TV show Glee at the bar that night distracted from the event.
In total, organizers estimated that approximately $8,000 was raised. That total does not include costs of putting on the event, which have yet to be calculated.
The fundraiser is the second of two held annually to raise funds for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, scheduled this year for Nov. 9 at the Chicago History Museum.
