RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Marie J. Kuda, 76, a leader in the LGBT movement in Chicago, recognized for her invaluable contributions to Chicago's cultural, historical and political life as an independent scholar, publisher, lecturer, archivist, writer and grass-roots activist has died from heart failure; and,
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Tom Tunney; and,
WHEREAS, Marie was born in Chicago in 1939 and grew up in the Kenwood Community; and,
WHEREAS, Marie was inducted into the first class of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 1991, in recognition of her work as historian, archivist, writer, lecturer, and publisher to promote and preserve positive images of lesbians and gay men; and,
WHEREAS, Marie founded Womanpress, a small press dedicated to lesbian literature, where she edited and published works that have been essential reading in lesbian literature; and,
l
WHEREAS, Marie organized the first gathering of the Lesbian Writers Conference held in Chicago; and,
WHEREAS, as a literary mentor and an active voice in the Chicago writing scene, Marie compiled a lifelong personal poetry and literature collection and,
WHEREAS, Marie's collection of more than 100,000 documents, letters, buttons, matchbooks and other ephemera was used by WTTW for its "Out and Proud in Chicago" documentary, by the book "Out and Proud in Chicago," by the Chicago History Museum, and by hundreds of other researchers and authors; and,
WHEREAS, as an activist, in and out of organizations, Marie worked tirelessly to effect those changes which will ensure equality under the law for all, including lesbians, gays, transgender individuals, biscxuals and more. Her love for and commitment to Chicago are evident in her efforts to archive local history for later study; and,
WHEREAS, Marie's life goal was to share positive information on LGBTs as historical and creative individuals, and to actively promote LGBT rights by working for social and political equality; and,
WHEREAS, Marie's organizational affiliations included the City of Chicago's Committee on Gay and Lesbian Issues, Mattachine Midwest, Gerber Hart Library, the Tavern Guild of Chicago, Chicago Gay Alliance, the Windy City Athletic Association, Chicago Lesbian Liberation, the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the 47th Ward Gay and Lesbian Association, Chicago's Lesbian Agenda, and Moby Dykes; and, she wrote for most Chicago-based LGBT media over the tears including the Mattachine newsletter, the Paper, Chicago Gay Crusader, GayLifc, Outlines and Windy City Times; and,
WHEREAS, on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 2 p.m., a celebration will be held at Touchc bar, so all can remember her lifetime of good ideas, her legacy of major efforts, her mcntorship and her friendship; and,
WHEREAS, the part that Marie played in the gay movement cannot be determined solely on her awards and achievements but on her work conveying positive image of the LGBT culture and the influence she had on many others; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 5th day of October 2016, do hereby honor the life and memory of Marie J. Kuda and extend our heartfelt condolences to her friends, including Shirley Rissmann and Marilyn Blackman; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the friends of Marie J. Kuda as a sign of our sympathy and good wishes.
