Resilience, history and legends headline TaskForce Vogue for Good fundraiser
Tue. October 20, 2026 4:22 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
photo credit // michael oboza
Celebrating three decades of grassroots care and ballroom culture on Chicago's West Side
CHICAGO, ILL. -
By Michael Oboza, Special to GoPride.com
At a time when intersectional human rights are threatened, visibility, safe space and community are vital.
Founded in 1990, the Austin community organization TaskForce Prevention and Community Services improves the well-being of LGBTQ youth of color and families by providing healthcare and education, along with referrals to medical, shelter and social services.
TaskForce recently held its annual Vogue for Good award ceremony, honoring the brilliant culture of vogue and stellar leadership in Chicago's West Side LGBTQ community.
According to TaskForce Assistant Director of Communications Hannah Pewee, "This year is our third time hosting this event. We started it back in 2024 as a way to celebrate vogue, honor our community and spotlight our work as a 36-year-old organization."
Spinning a genre-bending mix of Detroit techno, UK Garage, Chicago house, funk, soul, disco and R&B, well-known DJ Viti Grrl kept the crowd dancing.
With "tens across the board," members of Figure 8 delivered a standout vogue runway performance.
Originating during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s, vogue is a century-old underground cultural form of dance and performance created by Black and Latine LGBTQ communities. Black and Latine LGBTQ creatives carry on the New York ballroom culture that began in the 1960s through the 1980s, competing and representing their different chosen family houses today.
Notable attendees included ALMA scholarship alumnus and previous board member David Gauna; Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee and AIDS Foundation Chicago President and CEO John Peller; Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee and E3 Radio Founder and CEO Anna DeShawn; Wico Strategies Founder and CEO Eric Wilkerson; AIDS Foundation Chicago Director of Individual and Planned Giving Sacha Urban; Northwestern University Impact Institute Director of Community Engagement Jill Dispenza; AIDS Foundation Chicago Chief Programs Officer Simone Koehlinger; Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee and veteran Joey McDonald; and Chicago vogue legends Meechy and Aaliyah.
TaskForce Executive Director Dr. Christopher Balthazar welcomed the festive crowd to the event.
"We can talk about numbers," Balthazar said. "The numbers are important."
"We can talk about 650 HIV tests provided this year so far, the 127 young people participating in our employment and leadership programs, the thousands of people we reach every year, or 53,000 pounds of food we distribute to those experiencing food insecurity."
"But behind every one of those numbers is a person."
"A young person who got their first job, someone who learned their HIV status, found compassionate support, clear information and a pathway to care. A young person came through our doors and found a place they could belong. And someone came to us for basic needs and was treated with dignity."
Balthazar reminded the crowd about the importance of the fundraiser by highlighting the organization's purpose beyond the event.
"TaskForce's next chapter is about ensuring the next generation has not only somewhere to turn, but somewhere to belong, grow, lead and thrive."
Balthazar acknowledged Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson before introducing the Vogue for Good Legacy Award honorees, starting with Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee and the city of Chicago's first appointed LGBTQ+ Affairs Director, Antonio King.
Dr. Cynthia Tucker received the Dr. Lisa Henry-Reid Legendary Award, which honors advocates, their influence and transformative change in the community. Sidney Thomas received the Dr. Margo Bell Icon Award, recognizing leaders with decades of work and transformative impact.
Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Keith Green received the Antonio King Stars Award, celebrating leaders and advocates recognized for their steadfast commitment to the community.
At a time when intersectional human rights are threatened, visibility, safe space and community are vital.
Founded in 1990, the Austin community organization TaskForce Prevention and Community Services improves the well-being of LGBTQ youth of color and families by providing healthcare and education, along with referrals to medical, shelter and social services.
TaskForce recently held its annual Vogue for Good award ceremony, honoring the brilliant culture of vogue and stellar leadership in Chicago's West Side LGBTQ community.
According to TaskForce Assistant Director of Communications Hannah Pewee, "This year is our third time hosting this event. We started it back in 2024 as a way to celebrate vogue, honor our community and spotlight our work as a 36-year-old organization."
Spinning a genre-bending mix of Detroit techno, UK Garage, Chicago house, funk, soul, disco and R&B, well-known DJ Viti Grrl kept the crowd dancing.
With "tens across the board," members of Figure 8 delivered a standout vogue runway performance.
Originating during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s, vogue is a century-old underground cultural form of dance and performance created by Black and Latine LGBTQ communities. Black and Latine LGBTQ creatives carry on the New York ballroom culture that began in the 1960s through the 1980s, competing and representing their different chosen family houses today.
Notable attendees included ALMA scholarship alumnus and previous board member David Gauna; Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee and AIDS Foundation Chicago President and CEO John Peller; Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee and E3 Radio Founder and CEO Anna DeShawn; Wico Strategies Founder and CEO Eric Wilkerson; AIDS Foundation Chicago Director of Individual and Planned Giving Sacha Urban; Northwestern University Impact Institute Director of Community Engagement Jill Dispenza; AIDS Foundation Chicago Chief Programs Officer Simone Koehlinger; Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee and veteran Joey McDonald; and Chicago vogue legends Meechy and Aaliyah.
TaskForce Executive Director Dr. Christopher Balthazar welcomed the festive crowd to the event.
"We can talk about numbers," Balthazar said. "The numbers are important."
"We can talk about 650 HIV tests provided this year so far, the 127 young people participating in our employment and leadership programs, the thousands of people we reach every year, or 53,000 pounds of food we distribute to those experiencing food insecurity."
"But behind every one of those numbers is a person."
"A young person who got their first job, someone who learned their HIV status, found compassionate support, clear information and a pathway to care. A young person came through our doors and found a place they could belong. And someone came to us for basic needs and was treated with dignity."
Balthazar reminded the crowd about the importance of the fundraiser by highlighting the organization's purpose beyond the event.
"TaskForce's next chapter is about ensuring the next generation has not only somewhere to turn, but somewhere to belong, grow, lead and thrive."
Balthazar acknowledged Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson before introducing the Vogue for Good Legacy Award honorees, starting with Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee and the city of Chicago's first appointed LGBTQ+ Affairs Director, Antonio King.
Dr. Cynthia Tucker received the Dr. Lisa Henry-Reid Legendary Award, which honors advocates, their influence and transformative change in the community. Sidney Thomas received the Dr. Margo Bell Icon Award, recognizing leaders with decades of work and transformative impact.
Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Keith Green received the Antonio King Stars Award, celebrating leaders and advocates recognized for their steadfast commitment to the community.