THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

On July 30, Affinity Community Services celebrated 10 years of preventing isolation and providing services to the Black lesbian and bisexual women's community. The event was a smashing success! The success of Jazz 'n July this year is attributed to a variety of factors, particularly the acquisition of key sponsorship. Although we acknowledged all of our sponsors and funders at the event, we inadvertently left the name of one of our major sponsors out of our program book. We wanted to take time today to not only thank this sponsor but to acknowledge the long-term support she has given to Affinity over the years.

When others have chosen not to support Affinity through sponsorship, she was there. When most media outlets selected not to cover the organizing efforts of the Affinity, she ensured that the work we do on behalf of Black lesbian and bisexual women was covered. This coverage has been a critical mechanism for communicating one of the core principles of our mission—'visibility in organizing' and for this we are grateful! Her support was instrumental in introducing the community to our work at its inception in 1995, and continues to play a vital role in supporting our growth. Her efforts serve as a reminder to her readership locally and nationally that the LGBT community exists and organizes throughout the city of Chicago. We thank her for being a Partner in Justice!

The Board of Directors of Affinity Community Services, extends the most sincere expression of: THANKS TO TRACY BAIM AND WINDY CITY NEWS MEDIA FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND GENEROSITY OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS.