Marge Summit

American LGBT activist (1935–2023)
Marge Summit
Born(1935-09-03)September 3, 1935
Chicago, Illinois
DiedMay 16, 2023(2023-05-16) (aged 87)
OccupationLGBT activist
Known forCo-founded Chicago PFLAG

Marge Summit (September 3, 1935 – May 16, 2023) was an American LGBT activist.

Career

Summit was born in Chicago on September 3, 1935.[1]

Summit co-founded the city's Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) branch and launched the "Gay$" initiative.[2] Summit owned His 'n Hers, a bar-restaurant, which due to circumstances was relocated from the Addison L stop to North Broadway.[2][3][4]

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Summit's establishment provided a platform for emerging LGBTQ+ artists and was recognized for its distinctive live entertainment and burgers.[2] She also produced the record "Gay and Straight Together."[2]

Summit contributed to the documentary Before Stonewall and co-produced Crimes of Hate, both focusing on LGBTQ+ history and challenges.[2] As an activist, she participated in Mattachine Midwest and PFLAG, and alongside Frank Kellas, initiated the "Gay $ Project."[2][5]

Summit also organized AIDS awareness events and fundraisers for entities such as Chicago House.[2] As an adoptive parent, she demonstrated LGBTQ+ individuals' capability to provide loving homes.[2]

Summit was honored by the Gay Chicago and Mattachine Midwest, among others.[2]

Summit was married to Janan Lindley.[6][7] She died on May 16, 2023, at the age of 87.[2]

Recogition

  • Jon-Henri Damski Award[8]

References

  1. ^ "Chicago Icon: The Marge Summit Story, Part One of a two-part feature - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. December 20, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "MARGE SUMMIT – Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame".
  3. ^ "Chicago lesbian bars aren't dying, but becoming queer-inclusive". Chicago Tribune. July 15, 2021.
  4. ^ "Marge Summit discusses her gay bar legacy - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. October 2, 2013.
  5. ^ "Chicago Icon: The Marge Summit Story, Part Two of a two-part feature - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. December 27, 2017.
  6. ^ "CELEBRATIONS Summit and Lindley married - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. May 21, 2014.
  7. ^ "PASSAGES Janan Lindley, wife of longtime activist/former bar owner Marge Summit - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. August 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "Marge Summit honored with award named for Jon-Henri Damski - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. November 5, 2018.
  • v
  • t
  • e
1990–1999
1991
  • Ortez Alderson
  • Jon-Henri Damski
  • James W. Flint
  • Gay Chicago
  • Renee C. Hanover
  • Howard Brown Health Center
  • Judith S. Johns
  • Carol A. Johnson
  • William B. Kelley
  • Marie J. Kuda
  • Chuck Renslow
  • Adrienne J. Smith
  • Max C. Smith
  • Richard B. Turner
1992
1993
1994
  • Robert J. Adams
  • Tracy Baim
  • George S. Buse
  • James A. Bussen
  • Lori Cannon
  • John Chester
  • Chicago House and Social Service Agency
  • Samuel F. Davis Jr.
  • Adrienne J. Goodman
  • Earnest E. Hite Jr.
  • Bruce Koff
  • Ellis B. Levin
  • Lionheart Gay Theatre Company
  • Open Hand Chicago
  • Gregory A. Sprague
  • Elizabeth E. Tocci
  • Steven F. Wakefield
1995
1996
1997
  • Toni Armstrong Jr.
  • Miguel Ayala
  • Roger Chaffin
  • James C. Darby
  • Dignity Chicago
  • Ida Greathouse
  • John Hammell
  • Rick Karlin
  • Corinne J. Kawecki
  • Larry McKeon
  • David G. Ostrow
  • Mary Ann Smith
1998
1999
2000–2009
2000
2001
2002
  • Affinity Community Services
  • Evette Cardona
  • C. C. Carter
  • Jim Gates (Chicago businessman)
  • Louis I. Lang
  • Mattachine Midwest
  • NAMES Project Chicago Chapter
  • Charles Edward Nelson II
  • Mona Noriega
  • Christina Smith
  • Lauren Sugerman
2003
  • Angel Abcede
  • About Face Theatre
  • AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
  • Buddies' Restaurant and Bar
  • Tania Callaway
  • Armand R. Cerbone
  • Chicago Black Lesbians and Gays
  • R. Sue Connolly
  • Bon Foster
  • The Graham Family
  • Tonda L. Hughes
  • Patricia M. Logue
  • John Pennycuff
  • Laurence E. Spang
  • Sheron Denise Webb
  • Albert N. Williams
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010–2019
2010
2011
  • Paul Adams
  • Greg Cameron
  • Antonia Flores
  • Grant Lynn Ford
  • Robert Garofalo
  • Good Shepherd Parish Metropolitan Community Church
  • Ted Grady
  • Marcia Hill
  • Tony Jackson
  • Jenner & Block LLP
  • Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles
  • The Night Ministry
  • Brett Shingledecker
  • Jon Simmons
2012
  • Lois L. Bates
  • Chi-Town Squares
  • Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus
  • St. Sukie de la Croix
  • Sanford E. Gaylord
  • William W. Greaves
  • Keith R. Green
  • Mark Ishaug
  • David Orr
  • Proud to Run, Chicago
  • Bill Pry
  • Chuck Rodocker
  • Heather C. Sawyer
  • Laura S. Washington
  • Honey West
2013
2014
2015
  • Jean Albright
  • Fred Eychaner
  • Emmanuel Garcia
  • Stanley Jencyzk
  • Lesbian and Gay Police Association
  • Gay Officers Action League
  • Phoenix Matthews
  • Gail Morse
  • Michael O'Connor
  • Jan Schakowsky
  • Barbara Smith
  • Camilla B. Taylor
  • Lauren Verdich
2016
2017
2020–2029
2020
2021
  • Ginni Clemmens
  • Lisa Isadora Cruz
  • Lana Hostetler
  • Thomas Hunt (activist)
  • Wayne Johnson (graphic designer)
  • Otis Mack
  • PrideChicago
  • Ralphi Rosario
  • Betty Lark Ross
  • Urban Pride
  • Kirk Williamson
    2022
  • Maya Green
  • Zahara Monique Bassett
  • Matthew Harvat
  • Paul Highfield
  • Thomas (T.L.) Noble
  • Joey Soloway
  • Dan Wolf (Chicago)
  • Windy City Performer Arts
  • Outspoken (Chicago)
  • Homocore Chicago
  • Patty the Pin Lady
  • Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
  • Season of Concern Chicago