CONSENT CALENDAR
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, in January, 1981, the Midwest Gay and Lesbian Archive and Library was brought into existence as a joint project ofthe Gay Academic Union-Chicago Chapter, Gay Horizons, and the Chicago Gay and Lesbian History Project to preserve and make accessible the history and culture ofthe LGBTQ communities in Chicago and the Midwest in order to advance the larger goal of achieving justice and equality; and
WHEREAS, spearheaded by Gregory Sprague, who headed the History Project, the organization achieved independent status on Nov. 30, 1981, when it was incorporated by the State of Illinois as a not-for-profit corporation; and
WHEREAS, in April, 1981, the name ofthe organization was changed to Gerber/Hart to honor two Chicago pioneers in the LGBTQ movement: Henry Gerber, founder ofthe Society for Human Rights, the first known gay rights organization in 1924; and Pearl M. Hart, a lawyer and community activist who focused on immigrant and childrens' rights and was referred to as the "Guardian Angel of Chicago's Gay Community" for her diligent fight against police harassment; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Gerber/Hart has moved multiple times and currently resides at 6500 N Clark in the 40th Ward, and it has grown to be one ofthe largest independent LGBTQ history and culture library and archives in the United States, serving the research and recreational reading needs for all in Chicago, and beyond, with a library collection of over 40,000 items and over 160 archive collections; and
WHEREAS, Gerber/Hart provides a wide range of programs, exhibitions, and digital/recorded content related to items in its collections and on other topics in LGBTQ history and culture in support ofthe belief that knowledge of LGBTQ history, in all its diversity and complexity, fosters understanding and constructive change in society; and
WHEREAS, in current times, we find ourselves continuing to fight against the same bigotry that oppressed our LGBTQ siblings in decades past and the stories of struggle, accomplishments, and solidarity archived at Gerber/Hart are especially vital in that fight, now therefore:
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled here on this 27th day of April, 2022, do hereby thank and pay tribute to Gerber/Hart Library and Archives for their over 40 years of groundbreaking and empowering work for the LGBTQ community, for the City of Chicago, and the larger Midwest Area.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy ofthis Resolution shall be prepared and provided to the 40th Ward Office, to be presented to Gerber/Hart Library as a token of our esteem and love.
Andre Vasquez, Jr. Alderman, 40th Ward
Mayor Lori Lightfoot City of Chicago
Susan Sadlowski-Garza Alderperson, 10th Ward
Nicole Lee
Alderperson, 11th Ward
Raymond Lopez Alderperson, 15th Ward
Michael Rodriguez Alderperson, 22nd Ward
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Alderperson, 35th Ward
Tom Tunney Alderperson, 44th Ward