CHICAGO HOUSE SPEAKER SERIES LUNCHEON

CHICAGO HOUSE SPEAKER SERIES LUNCHEON

On October 15, the Chicago House celebrated the sixth annual anniversary of the Chicago House Speakers Series Luncheon. The event, presented by BMO Harris Bank, was held at the Hilton Inn Chicago and provided an afternoon of speakers and discussions regarding issues of race, gender and economic disparity in the LGBTQ Community. 

The Chicago House and Social Services Agency assists individuals who are disenfranchised by HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ marginalization, poverty, homelessness, and/or gender non-conformity. The organization assists these individuals by providing housing, employment services, medical linkage and retention services, HIV prevention services, legal services and other supportive programs. The Chicago House Speaker Series is specifically aimed raising awareness among the community of the challenges of Homelessness and AIDS. The Speaker Series educates guests about the diverse programming the Chicago House provides to individuals struggling with these specific issues and it also inspires donors and the media to give back to a great cause. 

The event has attracted a star-studded speaker lineup in the past, with previous speakers including the Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kenneth Cole, Whoopi Goldberg, Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Former President Bill Clinton. This year's event was no exception with Emmy nominated actress Laverne Cox, Oscar winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and NBA player Jason Collins all attending as keynote speakers. 

As a proud transgender woman of colour Laverne Cox, best known for her Emmy nominated performance in Orange is the New Black, is an all-around advocate for the LGBTQ community. On the show, Cox plays a transgender woman of color serving time in a woman's prison and because of the success of the series, issues that trans women face in America's prison system have been brought to the public light. Cox has also been working on two documentaries that explore the importance of recognizing transgender issues.

In 2009, Dustin Lance Black won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his screenplay for Milk, which depicted the life of civil rights activist Harvey Milk. Although Milk is what he is best known for, Black's social rights activism goes far beyond the one film. In addition to social activism inspired screenwriting for both film and television, Black also held a seat on the founding board of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER).   

Jason Collins is best known as the first openly gay NBA player. Collins is currently centre for the Brooklyn Nets. Collins' 'coming out' announcement  and the support he received from fellow athletes afterwards was a huge step in raising awareness and gaining recognition for LGBTQ athletes. In his announcement he discussed the hardships he had faced in coming out and he has been a great role model for LGBTQ athletes.

These three prominent figures all came together under the moderation of the Former White House LGBTQ Liason Gautam Raghavan to discuss important issues facing the LGBTQ community. The Speaker Series for not only educating raising awareness among the community but also for engaging the community to support those in the LGBTQ community suffering from issues of race, gender and economic disparity.  Photos and written by Will Knight Photography llc.

http://willknight.smugmug.com/CORPORATE-Special-Events/Chicago-House-2014/


                                                          

http://willknight.smugmug.com/CORPORATE-Special-Events/Chicago-House-2014/

Podcast Host: [Former Commander with the Chicago Fire Department, Acting Assistant Director of OEMC]** With a remarkable career spanning 31 years in the Chicago Fire Department, Will Knight, has exemplified dedication and leadership in emergency response. As the Acting Assistant Director of OEMC, he has played a pivotal role in managing and coordinating emergency operations, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. **Spokesman, Press Person and Liaison Extraordinaire:** Having served as a spokesman and liaison with the Mayor's office, Will Knight brings a unique perspective on city governance and public relations. His experience in effectively communicating critical information and representing the city's interests adds depth to his understanding of community needs.

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