The Legacy Project

IN HONOR OF …
Today the Legacy Project commemorates the death of gay poet, fiction writer, and educator MANUEL RAMOS OTERO (The Story of the Woman and the Sea, La novelabingo). Considered one of the most important openly gay Puerto Rican authors of the century, Otero also founded the short-lived publishing house El Libro Viaje. He died of AIDS-related complications at age 42 on October 7, 1990 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Read more about this Legacy Walk Candidate for Induction at… https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/manuel-ramos-otero

HER INFLUENCE IS INCALCULABLE …
Today the Legacy Project commemorates the death of le***an author RADCLYFFE HALL, whose seminal novel The Well of Loneliness has never been out of print since its initial publication in 1928. This groundbreaking literary achievement has probably influenced the lives of more le***ans than any other book ever written. Hall died of colon cancer on October 7, 1943 at age 63 in London, England. Read more about this Legacy Nominee at… https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/radclyffe-hall

AS SEEN ON THE LEGACY WALL…
Today the Legacy Project recognizes the Official (Roman Catholic/Eastern Orthodox) Feast Day of SAINTS SERGIUS AND BACCHUS, whose 4th century record of martyrdom describes them as lovers who were executed for being closeted Christians. The two men are among a number of “Paired Saints” whose joint martyrdom forever joined them in death as they were in life. Sts. Sergius and Bacchus remained the Patron Saints of the Byzantine Army for 1000 years. Read more about these fascinating religious icons at… https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/saints-sergius-and-bacchus

Today the Legacy Project commemorates the death of SYLVIA BEACH. Beach – an influential U.S. expatriate, bookseller, publisher, founder of the Paris bookstore Shakespeare and Company – was first publisher of James Joyce’s groundbreaking novel Ulysses. She died on October 5, 1962 at age 75 in Paris, France. Read more about Legacy Nominee at… https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/sylvia-beach

FAREWELL TO AN INCANDESCENT WOMAN…
Today the Legacy Project commemorates the death of le***an businesswoman and senior activist RUTH ELLIS (Living With Pride: Ruth C. Ellis @ 100). Ellis and her partner operated a social sanctuary for African American youth known as “The Gay Spot” for 27 years out of their Detroit home. She passed away on October 5, 2000 at age 101 in Detroit, MI. Ellis was honored with a plaque on Chicago’s Legacy Walk in 2013, thanks to the generosity of . Read more about at… https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/ruth-ellis

HE SAVED THOUSANDS OF LIVES…
Today the Legacy Project celebrates the birth of transgender physician, medical researcher, and novelist DR. ALAN L. HART – who championed the radiological diagnosis of tuberculosis decades before epidemiological testing became available, saving millions of lives. His bronze memorial on the Legacy Walk can be found at 3511 N. Halsted. Hart was born on October 4, 1890, in Halls Summit, KS. Read more about 2022 Legacy Walk Inductee at… https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/alan-l-hart, check out his classroom video at https://legacyprojectchicago.org/video/dr-alan-l-hart-video-legacy

Today the Legacy Project celebrates the birth of novelist, essayist, playwright, and politico GORE VIDAL (The City and the Pillar, Myra Breckinridge, Burr, Palimpsest, Lincoln) – who won a National Book Award, National Book Critics Circle Award, was a candidate for both the U.S. House and Senate, and co-founder of the U.S. Peace Party with Dr. Benjamin Spock. He was born on October 3, 1925 in West Point, N.Y. Read more about the fascinating life of Legacy Nominee at https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/gore-vidal

THE GREATEST AMERICAN PATRIOT YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF…
Today the Legacy Project celebrates the birth of DR. MARGARET “MOM” CHUNG – the first American-born Chinese female to become a physician. Dr. Chung garnered national attention for her support of active-duty soldiers, and for lobbying for the creation of the U.S. Women’s Naval Reserve (the WAVES). One of the most famous women of her time, this 2012 Inductee to the Legacy Walk was all but scrubbed from history when it was revealed after her death that she was le***an. She was born on October 2, 1889 in Santa Barbara, CA. Thanks to the generosity of , you can visit her bronze memorial on the Legacy Walk at 3342 N. Halsted. Learn more about at… https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/margaret-chung

SHE LOWERED THE BOOM!!!
Today the Legacy Project commemorates the death of filmmaker DOROTHY ARZNER (The Wild Party, Craig’s Wife, Christopher Strong, The Bride Wore Red). Arzner directed some of Hollywood’s biggest leading ladies, was the first woman to direct a talking film, is credited with inventing the boom microphone, and was the first woman to join the Directors Guild of America. She passed away on October 1, 1979 at age 82 in La Quinta, CA. Read more about Legacy Nominee … https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/dorothy-arzner

Today the Legacy Project commemorates the death of Renaissance philosopher and writer FR. MARSILIO FICINO. The man who was first to propose the existence of the human soul, and coined the term “platonic love,” is credited with bridging the divide between Antiquity and Christianity, which allowed the Renaissance to flourish. He died on October 1, 1499 at age 65 in Careggi, Italy. Read more about at… https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/marsilio-ficino