Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - Center on Halsted a win for true rainbow coalition

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - Center on Halsted a win for true rainbow coalition
Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times
July 9, 2007

The Center on Halsted is billed as the nation's most comprehensive center for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender individuals. And the LGBT community will be the primary beneficiaries of this attractive new $20 million facility, the only one in the Midwest. But by all accounts, the 65,000-square-foot structure and its full assortment of social service, cultural enrichment and recreation programs have drawn heartening support from all sexual, ethnic and demographic sectors in the city and beyond.

It's hard to imagine a more uplifting example of a broad-based coalition at work. Fund-raising for the center, which officially opened last month, drew more than 2,000 donors, with individual contributors having a dramatic impact along with various foundations, corporations, the North Halsted Merchants' Association and federal, state and city governments.

At a time when people are seeking out places such as libraries to be community gathering spots, the center has the potential to become extraordinarily meaningful. Kids kicked out of their homes for embracing homosexuality will be given shelter, guidance and help with their housing situation. There are not only health services and anti-discrimination programs, but also sports activities and film and theater offerings and real estate seminars. Long may the center thrive.