arthur johnston, co-founder of equality illinois
photo credit // jay shaff
Chicago, IL -
"We are a thousand strong!" roared toastmaster Arthur Johnston, co –founder of Equality Illinois, at the 2010 "Justice for All" gala Saturday evening at the Chicago Hilton.
"We are going to make a toast to equality and justice for all, and we're going to be loud!" said Johnston. The enthusiastic crowd raised their glasses to join in the champagne toast.
Founded in 1991 as the Illinois Federation for Human Rights, what is now known as Equality Illinois, the group has evolved into one of the Midwest's largest and most influential LGBT organizations.
"Equality Illinois believes in it's name. It believes in making sure everybody gets a fair shake," Governor Pat Quinn told OutWorld.TV.
Scores of politicians lined the aisles, including Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) and Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL). Almost every candidate in a contested race in the Illinois' upcoming primary was there in person to make an appeal for the LGBT vote.
"Over the years we've gotten more and more straight politicians turning out in support of the community and that's a good thing," said openly-gay Democratic Senate candidate Jacob Meister.
"I remember the first dinner we did, there were 300 people. And now we're sold out," Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia told OWTV.
Receiving "Freedom Awards" from Equality Illinois were State Senate President John Cullerton (D), Mary F. Morton, a consultant in community change, and Laura Ricketts, member of the family which now owns the Chicago Cubs.
The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Norma Reyes, City of Chicago Commissioner on Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Photo Coverage from ChicagoPride.com
View Gallery One
View Gallery Two by Frank Failing
Video Coverage
by ChicagoPride.com video partner: OutWorld.tv (Report by John Fenoglio)
"We are going to make a toast to equality and justice for all, and we're going to be loud!" said Johnston. The enthusiastic crowd raised their glasses to join in the champagne toast.
Founded in 1991 as the Illinois Federation for Human Rights, what is now known as Equality Illinois, the group has evolved into one of the Midwest's largest and most influential LGBT organizations.
"Equality Illinois believes in it's name. It believes in making sure everybody gets a fair shake," Governor Pat Quinn told OutWorld.TV.
Scores of politicians lined the aisles, including Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) and Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL). Almost every candidate in a contested race in the Illinois' upcoming primary was there in person to make an appeal for the LGBT vote.
"Over the years we've gotten more and more straight politicians turning out in support of the community and that's a good thing," said openly-gay Democratic Senate candidate Jacob Meister.
"I remember the first dinner we did, there were 300 people. And now we're sold out," Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia told OWTV.
Receiving "Freedom Awards" from Equality Illinois were State Senate President John Cullerton (D), Mary F. Morton, a consultant in community change, and Laura Ricketts, member of the family which now owns the Chicago Cubs.
The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Norma Reyes, City of Chicago Commissioner on Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Photo Coverage from ChicagoPride.com
View Gallery One
View Gallery Two by Frank Failing
Video Coverage
by ChicagoPride.com video partner: OutWorld.tv (Report by John Fenoglio)
