THE LEGACY PROJECT is proud to announce a joint-event with Dignity/Chicago to raise the final $5000 needed to ensure a bronze memorial plaque honoring the sacrifice of Fr. Mychal Judge becomes part of the LEGACY WALK — the only outdoor LGBT historical museum walk in the world.
"Dignity/Chicago is proud to lead this nation-wide campaign to raise the funds needed to secure this honor for Fr. Judge" said Martin Grochala, who is spearheading the effort. "We are grateful for the support of Dignity/New York, Dignity/USA, and so many members and friends and family who recognize the importance of including Fr. Judge among the many historically significant figures on the Legacy Walk."
"It has long been our desire to see Fr. Judge enshrined on the Legacy Walk," said Victor Salvo, Legacy Project Executive Director. "Indeed this installation was conceived to celebrate people who have been denied their rightful place in history. Given his astounding sacrifice on 9/11, there is only one reason why Fr. Mychal Judge is not a household name. We respectfully recognize the conflicts and difficulties his being gay may pose for some people. But the Legacy Project is committed to making sure that LGBT youth are no longer denied opportunities to know about the real, complex lives of people like themselves — who were, first and foremost, utterly human in their struggles and sacrifices, but left an indelible mark on the world we share."
The campaign to fund a plaque for Fr. Judge began in the spring of 2013. Thus far about half of the needed $10,000 has been raised for the fall dedication. This event is free, but attendees will be asked to "dig deep" to make sure that 2014 is the year Fr. Judge joins the Legacy Walk. The party is being hosted by Dr. Ibrahim Zabaneh, president of Dignity/Chicago on March 1, 2014, at his home from 4p — 6p. To RSVP please contact Dignitychicago@gmail.com .
DIGNITY/CHICAGO is a chapter of Dignity/USA, and shares its mission to work for respect and justice for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in the Catholic Church and the world. As independent organizations created to support LGBT Catholics and our families and friends, DignityUSA and Dignity/Chicago envision and work for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and, as beloved persons of God, participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society. We minister through education, advocacy and worship and believe that same-sex relationships are loving, life-giving and life-affirming. We open our doors to all and welcome you to join us.
THE LEGACY PROJECT IS THE WORLD'S ONLY OUTDOOR MUSEUM WALK AND YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM DEDICATED TO COMBATING ANTI-GAY BULLYING BY CELEBRATING LGBT CONTRIBUTIONS TO HISTORY AND CULTURE. The half-mile long LEGACY WALK installation was dedicated in Chicago, IL in October 2012 and grows incrementally each year. The Legacy Walk and its companion education initiative have been internationally recognized for taking LGBT history "to the streets" and tying it directly to youth service. Major papers on the Legacy Project were presented at conferences in Athens, Greece and Barcelona, Spain in July 2013, and our work was featured in the prestigious international Journal of Museum Education. To date over fifty newspaper articles and/or television/radio features have highlighted its work, including CNN, NPR, NBC, CBS, WTTW, WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, Windy City Times, The Advocate, and the Huffington Post.
The Legacy Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
THE LEGACY PROJECT
3018 N. Clybourn, Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
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