State Rep. Greg Harris, state Sen. Don Harmon and Tracy Baim—publisher and executive editor of Windy City Media Group—received the Oak Park Area Leadership Award at the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association's (OPALGA) annual awards gala at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park Oct. 25.
The awards were bestowed on Harris, Harmon and Baim for the work they did to secure marriage equality in Illinois in 2013.
Rebekah Levin, one of the founding members of OPALGA, provided words of welcome and shared a little about the history of the organization and initiatives they've engaged in over the years. A video showcasing OPALGA's achievements with recollections from various members of the organization followed Levin's remarks.
OPALGA co-chair Colette Lueck presented Harris, Harmon and Baim with their OPAL awards while the special recognition beneficiaries were presented by OPALGA co-chair Bob Zimmer. About 180 people attended the affair.
"Most of us, I suspect, never in our lifetime believed that we would gain the right to marry," said Lueck. Lueck said that it took many different voices including Harris, Harmon and Baim to achieve marriage equality in Illinois and "for that we thank you and we honor you."
"OPALGA has been one of my most favorite organizations to cover over the last 25 years ... it's just a phenomenal organization," said Baim upon receiving her award. Baim also spoke about the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality—of which she was lead organizer—and thanked all of the people who helped make it happen.
In his remarks, Harmon said it was an honor to share this award with Harris and Baim and noted the advances that have been made in the Illinois legislature regarding LGBT equality over the past decade. Harmon also encouraged everyone to get out and vote. "All of the things we've done over the last decade are wonderful and precious and at risk ... it's not about us politicians protecting our careers, it's about protecting the strides we have made."
Harris praised the work that OPALGA has done for the past 25 years. Harris also mentioned that he met a lawyer the previous evening who handled the second same-sex adoption in Illinois which happened to be Lueck and her partner Marge's case.
Zimmer noted that the proceeds from the gala—which included both a silent and live auction—will benefit the OPALGA Education Scholarship Fund, The Lakeside Pride Marching Band uniform fund and the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest—which will soon be the home to OPALGA's archives. More than $6,000 was raised for the student scholarships.
Among the attendees was openly gay Tanzanian LGBT activist James Ouma, who was just released from police custody this past Monday. This was the ninth time that Ouma was arrested and jailed for his LGBT activist work. Ouma praised OPALGA for the work they've done over the years and hopes that one day LGBT people in Tanzania will not be persecuted for who they are.
Complimentary photos were provided by Chicago Photopress photographers J Geil and David Kindler. Food Obsession in Oak Park provided the food and drinks while Marion Street in Oak Park supplied the champagne.
See www.opalga.org for more information.
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