PFLAG National Celebrates the Heartland, Honoring Illinois Leaders in LGBT Equality with First Chicago Event

CHICAGO, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PFLAG National will honor three Illinois leaders in the movement for LGBT equality at its PFLAG National Celebrates the Heartland event on Thursday, June 2 at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in downtown Chicago. PFLAG National is the nation's strongest organization dedicated to empowering families, friends, and  lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to achieve equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

This year's honorees come from diverse backgrounds, each working in a different sector of their communities to advance the cause of LGBT equality.

ILLINOIS STATE REPRESENTATIVE GREG HARRIS is the only openly gay member of the Legislature and openly presents himself as a person living with AIDS. His legislative priorities include LGBT and HIV issues, and he worked tirelessly to pass the Illinois civil union bill into law. KIM L. HUNT is the Executive Director of Affinity Community Services, a social justice organization that works with and on behalf of Black LGBTQ communities, queer youth, and allies. OFFICER JOSE RIOS is the Chicago Police Department LGBT Liaison and Vice President of The Lesbian Gay Police Association - Gay Officers Action League of Chicago

Jody Huckaby, Executive Director of PFLAG National says, "Our field events are a great opportunity to spotlight the power of our grassroots network. Our three honorees are leaders in this movement for equality, truly proving that before change can occur at a national level, it must start at home."

The PFLAG National Celebrates the Heartland event will be hosted by actor/comedian HAL SPARKS (QUEER AS FOLK, TALK SOUP).  

Click to learn more about the PFLAG National Celebrates the Heartland event, or visit www.pflag.org/chicago.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is the nation's foremost family-based organization committed to the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Founded in 1973 by mothers and fathers, PFLAG has 200,000 members and supporters in more than 250 chapters throughout the United States. To learn more, please visit www.pflag.org.

SOURCE PFLAG National