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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING CHICAGO’S HISTORIC LEGACY WALK
WHEREAS, The Legacy Walk is a dynamic outdoor LGBT history exhibit in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood; and,
WHEREAS, Along the half mile of the North Halsted Street Corridor, between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street, ten pairs of 25'-tall decorative "Rainbow Pylons" define the nexus of Chicago's LGBTQ community; and,
WHEREAS, Affixed to the pylons are a series of bronze memorial plaques commemorating the life and work of notable lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender individuals whose achievements have helped shape the world - but whose contributions, sexual orientation or gender identity have been overlooked, minimized or redacted entirely from most historic texts; and,
WHEREAS, presently there are forty bronze markers on the Legacy Walk - the largest collection of detailed bronze biographical memorials in the world - and every year on National Coming-Out Day (October 11th) new plaques are added; and,
WHEREAS, Collectively the Legacy Walk serves as an "outdoor classroom" for students who participate in the Legacy Project Education Initiative (LPEI) to boost LGBTQ youth self-esteem and confront the ignorance which fuels anti-Gay bullying; and,
WHEREAS, The Legacy Walk was recently declared a Historic Landmark by the City of Chicago Commission on Landmarks.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that during Pride Month 2019, the Cook County Board of Commissioners commends the work of the Legacy Project - especially its founder Victor Salvo and its board of directors - for creating an iconic installation celebrating the lives and stories of LGBTQ people throughout history.
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