This year's Legends Lunch All Stars Awards celebrated and honored the lives and resilience of trans-people and survivors of HIV. It saw an array of talented performers and honors distributed to transgender and HIV activists and supporters from across the city.
The event, hosted by TransActions, the Chicago Department of Public Health and EASE ( Educate, Advocate, Support, Empower ) was a part of World AIDS Day and took place on December 1 at the Mayne Stage Theater in Chicago.
The emcee for the afternoon was Center on Halsted Youth Outreach Coordinator Precious Davis. TransActions founder ( and the event's principal organizer ) Joy Morris, Chicago Department of Public Health Community Engagement Officer Bruce Edwards and SHARP ( Southside HIV Resource Providers ) Co-Chair Sherman Bryant joined her.
"Our lives have purpose," Davis said. "We are human beings." Her words were emphasized with a sobering reminder of the names of murdered trans-people from across the world. Performers Sheri Payne, Kamil Leontyne and Jolizza then opened the festivities with musical acts that had the audience cheering along.
In her opening remarks, Morris—who had put together the event from her hospital bed—wished the audience a "happy HIV birthday." Bryant, who was diagnosed in 1994, said he had found a purpose in giving back to the community. "Living with HIV has taken my whole life to a new level," he said. "It's given me hope and I continue to conquer all my dreams."
The Living Legends award was presented to Chicago House CEO Rev. Stan Sloan for his work with the trans community. In accepting the award, Sloan hoped that, now Illinois has seen civil equality for LGBTQ people, there could be more of a focus on trans-related issues. "The time is coming, very soon, when it is going to be OK to be any type of LGBTQ," he said.
This year's Outstanding Transgender award winner was Howard Brown Medical Case Manager Trisha Lee Holloway for her work that led to the Trans Life Center at Chicago House, the first trans housing program in Chicago. "I do [this work] for the community," she said. "For the women out there who are struggling and need help."
Compassion awardees included AIDS Foundation of Chicago Senior Vice President of Programming Dr. Simone Koehlinger and TPAN ( Test Positive Aware Network ) Case Management Supervisor and Total Care Portal Coordinator Kevin Bernal. Koehlinger has spent more than 20 years leading teams and coalitions to enhance community health as well as coordinating LGBT health related projects. Morris recognized Bernal for "the extra mile he goes to make sure his clients are well taken care of."
Bryant presented the EASE Awards to HIV and transgender activist Gloria Allen, School of Opulence Headmaster Tommy Sampson and AIDS Foundation of Chicago Director of Special Projects Roman Buenrostro. "We live in a society in which we are finally being recognized," Allen said. "But we still have so much work to do and it's a long road ahead." Other EASE awardees were Lindsey Savage and Keith Green.
Edwards presented the Chicago Department of Public Health Hope and Spirit Awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to raising awareness, educating and advocating for individuals living with HIV in Chicago. Recipients were non-profit consultant in HIV/AIDS prevention and motivational speaker Diana Beasley, South Side Help Center Executive Director Vanessa Smith, Chicago Recovery Alliance Founder and Director Dan Biggs, along with Bryant and Sloan.
The Legends Lunch saw the relaunch of Morris' campaign for a Worlds AIDS Day telethon. "As long as I have breath and am above ground, I'm going to do something to fight for the rights of people with HIV," Morris said. Under the call to action "The World is Waiting, Where is the Cure?," Morris hopes to raise millions of dollars in revenue in the fight against HIV.
The event also included emotionally charged performances from Davis, Morris, Edwards, Amelia Black and Precious Diamond. Not present but receiving an award were Windy City Times reporter Kate Sosin, Chicago Women's AIDS Project Executive Director/Founder Catherine Christeller, nurse/ordained minister Claudine Jackson and Howard Brown nurse practitioner John Stryker.
