Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association
Since its inception in 1989, OPALGA has become one of the largest community based, multipurpose lesbian and gay membership organizations in Illinois.
OPAL Gala…a smashing success
On Saturday, November 13 the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association held its annual Oak Park Area Leadership (OPAL) Gala. The event, held at the 19th Century Club was attended by more than 200 guests. Guest were first greeted with champaign in the reception area and then moved on to the ballroom for appetizers, food stations, drinks and dancing. Award winners were presented with Oak Park Area Leadership awards. For more details on the recipients, see story below.
View pictures of the event on our Facebook page or Trib Local
Visit the Wednesday Journal site for additional photos!
OPAL Winners Announced
Two local institutions were honored at OPALGA’s annual benefit gala: The Oak Park Public Library and Oak Park River Forest High School’s gay straight alliance group, A Place for All, each received an Oak Park Area Leadership award.
The OPAL awards are given annually by OPALGA to recognize outstanding contributions to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered community in the Oak Park area. Recipients are selected by a committee of past award winners. Nominations are solicited from the broader membership of OPALGA.
The Oak Park Public Library was selected as an award recipient in recognition of the institution’s long history of creating and maintaining collections of materials by or for sexual minorities. This includes the first major Transgender Resource Collection in a US library.
A Place for All has a history dating back 14 years as a group which has supported, inspired, and guided, gay, lesbian and questioning students and their allies. About 30 students are currently members of the organization.
OPALGA is proud to recognize the leadership of the library and the local gay straight alliance. The groups were honored at the OPAL Gala, Saturday, November 13.
Annual Fall Membership Meeting
On Tuesday, November 16 all members and prospective members are invited to OPALGA’s annual fall membership meeting. The meeting will include an announcement of the board of director and nominating committee election results, a short business meeting and finance update. This will also be an opportunity for all members to share their thoughts and ideas for 2011 planning. Light refreshments will be served. Location is the Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM. For more information, email info@opalga.org.
About Us
Since its establishment in 1989, OPALGA ( the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association) is one of the largest community-based, multi-purpose lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered membership organizations in Illinois. Boasting membership not only from Oak Park, River Forest, Berwyn, Forest Park and Brookfield but also from surrounding suburbs and Chicago proper. An ever growing number of “organizations and businesses” are joining OPALGA as organizational members who wish to keep abreast of LGBT community activities.
Diverse from its inception, OPALGA has strived to provide leadership and direction in three separate arenas; group-based support for person’s questioning or exploring their sexual orientation, political activism to promote and insure non-discrimination in the community and cultural expression unique to the LGBTQ community. To that end, the organization has been an important presence to countless individuals who have sought shelter and support, creative expression allowing their voice to be heard or a launching pad to initiate public reform.
Join us on Facebook
If you have a Facebook account, you can keep up with OPALGA via the OPALGA Facebook group. Click this link to find us:
If you have any trouble with the link, just search for “OPALGA” on Facebook. Make sure you look for the group named just OPALGA (not “Opalga at Oakpark Il").