Jackie Lynn on Rick Garcia

Jackie Lynn on Rick Garcia


Is our advocacy organization really thinking this is a Gala Celebration , When we leave those out who made it possible ?

I came to Chicago to be a part of this community because of its embracement to all. We have shown other cities , counties and states what equality is all about. The foundation of this movement was started on a darkened street in Chicago . A neighborhood crushed and rotting into near ghetto status . A vision of creating a safe space for society’s cast away gay and lesbian community . A few bars became social gathering places , then a few stores , the neighbor hood started to build its self up from the inside out. "The Lesbians cleaned it up and the Gays made it fabulous "as I have been told ..An advocacy group was formed by four concerned dedicated people that had a vision of a future without prejudice . A vision that encompassed this small community but sought rights for the entire state . With this in mind the community grew , prospered and has become what it is today. Halsted street is no longer a poverty area with deteriorating structures . Its no longer a place where you have to worry about being safe . Our rights have been expanded statewide thanks to that small group of four’s vision. Recently we have seen one of those founding people from that advocacy group railroaded out of the organization. We saw a erosion of the foundation of progress and success take place . To many people that read this publication the his name might of been familiar , The name might of been read in the news about ruffling someone’s ego. Rick Garcia is that person. Rick was a founder of Equality Illinois . One of the group of four that gave unconditional dedication to a movement from the ghetto of discrimination to the acceptance of society today . As the dream became larger , so did the organization , This community expresses its gratitude every year in February at a function called the Gala the annual fund raising event for Equality Illinois . This year they celebrate 20 years of progress , 20 years of solid growth , 20 years of fears and 20 years of tears . This is to be a gathering of our community , all the people who care for our rights , all the people that have seen the hardships of being who they are and celebrate progress from the darkness of the past.
This year is a special year for Equality Illinois , not only a year marking but a year of great progress from many years of dedication , frustration , humiliation and procrastination. The goal of allowing Gay and Lesbian couples to become legal partners . It’s a few steps away from being the ultimate goal of legalized gay marriage But its a dressed down version . Civil Unions is the more palatable plate for society today . A monumental move by this state , creating a pathway for success for the other States to follow . This years Gala will celebrate this massive undertaking and success . However one person will be missing , one major person involved in twenty years of hard work , sacrifice , dedication will be left at home . That one person is one of the founders of EI, recently , untimely fired just days after Civil Unions cleared the hurdles of the Illinois house and Senate. His reward for 20 years " Your Fired " ... Sad to say a Gala is meant to be a celebration of hope and progress . A gala is meant to be the gathering of community , the sharing of heartfelt gratitude of vision of hope. Honoring those who gave and built our community as we see it today.
　
　
I ask you all when you partake in this celebration of progress and accomplishments this year to honor those people who are not there . To give thanks to Rick and the others who may not be a popular name in the eyes of new management . Give a few minutes of your time to express your sincere dislike for not honoring those who really made this dream become reality . We owe this to Rick Garcia for his lifetime of dedication to OUR COMMUNITY in THIS STATE . There is not any GLBT legislation that does not have Rick Garcia’s sweat , tears , and unconditional drive in it as well as some distinct stiletto foot prints . Let the Gala begin , but give credit where credit is due. Shame on Equality Illinois for not honoring the work of Rick Garcia , Shame on you for showing the community the dark side of inner politics and deception in our gemstone of advocacy in Chicago ......Rick Garcia , Thank you for being a foundation of hope for our community , Thank You for seeking legislation that is all inclusive in this state . Thank You for your unconditional support of the trans community in Chicago . For without your vision of hope and your desire for freedom from bondage of society we would still be living in those darkest times of discrimination and hatred here in Illinois ...


Jackie Lynn