CHICAGO — Fourteen people and two organizations will be inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame this year.
The honorees will be formally inducted at a ceremony held at Lincoln Park's Chicago History Museum on Nov. 12.
The honorees this year are:
• Galon Alcaraz, founder of the South Side nonprofit Affinity Community Services.
• James Alexander, co-trustee of the Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust and the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust.
• James Bennett, Midwest regional director for Lambda Legal.
• Jorge Cestou, director of programs and services for Vida/SIDA, a Hispanic-focused AIDS service organization.
• Rocco Claps, director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
• Rudolph Johnson Jr., who was a well-known bar owner who led the Northalsted Merchants Association.
• Lee Newell, who helped grow Gay Horizons, a predecessor of the Center on Halsted.
• Paté, a bartender since 1986 known to raise funds for several organizations.
• Andrew Patner, an advocate of LGBT and AIDS issues as well as a critic-at-large for WFMT Fine Arts Radio and contributing critic to the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Laura Ricketts, part owner of the Chicago Cubs, and an active supporter of several organizations. Ricketts is the daughter of Joe Ricketts, DNAinfo.com founder and CEO.
• Burr Tillstrom, an early pioneer in the television industry.
• David Zak, a theater producer and director.
• Lambda Legal, an LGBT advocacy organization.
• POW-WOW, an organization offering performance and writing opportunities to women.
Two people also are being honored as a "Friend of the Community":
• Neil Steinberg, a Chicago Sun-Times columnist.
• Brenda Webb, executive director of Chicago Filmmakers.
