CHICAGO — Equality Illinois will present one of their annual Freedom Awards to the Chicago Urban League for spreading the message of fairness and equality. The awards are given at their annual gala earlt next year.
"We deeply appreciate all public figures and organizations who support LGBT issues. It is still another thing to be a torchbearer of freedom on behalf of LGBT families in Illinois and nationally," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois. "Equality Illinois is proud to recognize the Chicago Urban League with our 2014 Freedom Award for its stalwart leadership on marriage equality."
For nearly a century, the Chicago Urban League has opened the doors of opportunity for African Americans, other minorities and the poor, and the Chicago Urban League includes in its vision the city's diverse LGBT community.
An active partner with Equality Illinois and other organizations in the pro-marriage coalition, the Chicago Urban League committed valuable resources and talent and even the use of its headquarters to the marriage campaign. When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this summer that same-sex married couples cannot be denied federal rights, the Chicago Urban League applauded the decision "as a civil rights organization that has, for nearly a century, fought for equality for the undeserved and disenfranchised."
The Chicago Urban League is also involved with the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus and supports activities at the Center on Halsted in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood.
"The Chicago Urban League does not allow itself to be narrowly cast. Its vision of a just America and Illinois embraces all who feel the sting of discrimination. And its contributions during the marriage fight have been invaluable," Cherkasov said.
"We are honored to receive the 2014 Freedom Award," said Chicago Urban League president and CEO Andrea L. Zopp. "For nearly a century the Chicago Urban League has been a fearless advocate for educational, economic and social justice for African Americans and all who are discriminated against. At our core, we are a civil rights organization that believes in fairness and equality for all, including the LGBT community. We are grateful to Equality Illinois for bestowing this honor on us and look forward to a lasting partnership with them and all organizations who believe in opportunity and equality."