Chicago LGBTQ+ Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2026
The 35th annual induction ceremony honored 13 individuals, two organizations and three friends of the community at Chicago History Museum.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in LGBTQ+
The Chicago LGBTQ+ Hall of Fame held its 35th annual induction ceremony at Chicago History Museum, celebrating 13 LGBTQ+-identified individuals, two LGBTQ+-identified organizations and three friends of the community. The event was open to the public and followed a reception with performances by members of the Lakeside Pride Band.
Why it matters
The Hall of Fame recognizes people and entities nominated by the community for significant contributions to LGBTQ+ life in Chicago. Its honorees span public office, the legal profession, health care and philanthropy, reflecting the breadth of that community's work in the city.
The 35th annual class totals 18 honorees across individual, organizational and friend-of-the-community categories. Brad Balof's fundraising for Center on Halsted exceeded $3 million, while Dodd has contributed to more than 500 affirming community events.
The players
Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum is a major cultural institution in Lincoln Park that hosted the 2026 induction ceremony at its 1601 N. Clark St. location.
Lamont J. Robinson
Lamont J. Robinson is the Chicago alderman for the 4th Ward who previously represented constituents in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Michelle Wetzel
Michelle Wetzel is the CEO of Bonaventure House, an organization that provides HIV/AIDS support, and co-founded the AIDS Pastoral Care Network in Michigan.
The details
Inductees were recognized in an award presentation delivered by a group of named presenters after a reception at Chicago History Museum on November 5, 2026. The honorees include Ald. Lamont J. Robinson (4th Ward), who previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives, and Ray Koenig III, the first LGBTQ+ president of the Chicago Bar Association.
Timeline
1991: The Chicago LGBTQ+ Hall of Fame is founded to honor community-nominated contributors.
1980s: Michelle Wetzel shifts her advocacy toward HIV/AIDS support at Bonaventure House.
November 5, 2026: The reception and 35th annual induction ceremony are held at Chicago History Museum.
Culture Shift
The 2026 class continues the Chicago LGBTQ+ Hall of Fame's community-nomination model, which the organization established at its 1991 founding to honor local contributors. The honorees' work across politics, law, health care and philanthropy shows how LGBTQ+ advocacy in Chicago has moved into mainstream civic institutions over three decades.
Chicago residents interested in the honorees' work can attend public events such as the open ceremony held at Chicago History Museum. The class also shows which local organizations, including Center on Halsted and Bonaventure House, are active in the city's LGBTQ+ community.
The takeaway
The induction shows that Chicago's LGBTQ+ community nominates and honors its own leaders across public service, law and health care. Residents seeking to support this work can look to the organizations named in the class, such as Center on Halsted and Bonaventure House.
Further reading
For more on the community behind this recognition, explore LGBTQ+ coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Windy City Times.
