Center on Halsted’s 2026 Human First Gala: Family Reunion celebrates individuals and organizations whose work has had a lasting impact on Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community and allies. This year’s theme is about celebrating the families that make up our LGBTQ+ community, including our families of origin and our families of choice.

This year, the gala will honor the Frankie Knuckles Foundation in memory of Frankie Knuckles, Windy City Times’ Tracy Baim & Owen Keehnen, and Comcast for their exceptional leadership, advocacy, and enduring contributions to our LGBTQ+ community.