GLBT High School Plans Postponed Again

Proponents of a proposed “gay friendly” high school in Chicago have yet again postponed presenting their proposal for a vote, stating they wanted to take another year to finalize plans.

The proposed school has been the subject of a great deal of pressure from both ministers and gay activists.  The “Social Justice Solidarity High School” planners have already changed the name of the school and they have widened the focus to create a school that would be one of the nation’s largest, with the goal of serving any student who has been a victim of bullying and harassment.

The proposal was pulled Tuesday night, only hours before a scheduled vote that was to be held today on the school’s creation, however, according to the planners, the school’s projected opening date remains fall 2010.

“The proposal has changed since the Oct. 8 public hearing, and the design team is taking an additional year to finalize the proposal.”

Proposed School for GLBT Students Expands Mission

From the Chicago Tribune:

Organizers behind a plan to develop Chicago’s first public high school catering to gay and lesbian students have changed the name and broadened the focus of the school to include all disenfranchised groups of students, according to officials.

The revised plan is expected to be voted on Wednesday by the Chicago Board of Education. It comes after religious leaders, some gay rights activists and Mayor Richard Daley expressed concerns that developing the proposed School for Social Justice’s Pride Campus would segregate gay youths. If the school is approved, it will be named the Social Justice Solidarity High School when it opens in 2010.

“While the school will be open to all students, its special mission will be to provide a haven where students can feel safe and valued for who they are,” reads the mission statement of the proposed school.

Mom in Real Life: Straight Mama in a Gay City

We got into the city around 11:30 with the protest starting at 12:30. I drew a heart and peace sign on Diana’s cheeks, while I drew a heart on one cheek and wrote “4All” on the other. We were some of the first people there. I shoved some food in my mouth and burned myself gulping coffee. I realized something surprising as I got ready to unroll my sign.

I was nervous.

See dear readers, I have no experience with the LGBT community. I have never met a gay man in real life (at least none that were out). My aunt is a lesbian, but she doesn’t date and if she has any gay friends I have never met them. I wasn’t there for a friend or family member, I was just there because I thought it was wrong.

Read the rest by clicking here.

Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame Inductees

Today, Novemeber 13th, Chicago will place their new inductees into the Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.  The first is Jand Addams (1860–1935).  Jane was the 1931 Nobel Prize winner (she was the first U.S. woman to win a Nobel), for her pioneering work in founding Hull House in 1890, which created a lasting model for social change and diverse thought. Also included are:

Suzanne Arnold, 52, for her long-term work in the local and national lesbian and gay sports community.

Kevin G. Boyer, 45, for his service to the LGBT communities, including co-creating national Gay and Lesbian History Month

Michal Brody, Ph.D., 60, and activist and author, for her work as a founding member of the groundbreaking Chicago Gay Liberation group in 1969.

Sam Coady, 43, for his long-term contributions to the LGBT sports community.

Eddie Dugan, 1944-1987, who contributed greatly to the LGBT nightlife in Chicago.

Murray Edelman, Ph.D., 65, a founder of the Chicago Gay Liberation group.

Stephan Jones, ?-1980, Entertainer and health advocate.

Joe La Pat, 1943-2008, for his contributions to Proud to Run, Stike Against AIDS ,Chicago House, and Gay Games.

Jesus Salgueiro and Art Smith, both 47, an openly gay couple who created Common Threads, and international children’s chairity.

Guy Warner, 66, for his work with the Mattachine Midwest.

Previous inductees include Lorraine Hansberry, Billie Jean King and Jeanette Howard Foster.

To find out more, visit glhalloffame.org!

Jennifer Hudson’s Family Murdered, Boy May be Found

As reported earlier:

Darnelle Donerson, the 57 year-old mother of Jennifer Hudson was found dead earlier today in her home on the South Side of Chicago.

Officer John Mirabelli of the Chicago Police Department stated officers were called to the 7000 block of Yale Avenue in the neighborhood of Englewood, where just before 3 p.m. they discovered two unresponsive adults—one male, one female—who had apparently been shot to death.

Various reports are claiming that the other victim was Hudson’s older brother, Jason Hudson.

UPDATE:

Now there are reports that a white vehicle fitting the discription at the crime scene has been found with the body of a young boy inside.  Hudson had offered a $100,000 reward for her nephews return.

You’re in our thought Jennifer!

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