The Legacy Project

HIS WAS A LUSH LIFE…
Today the Legacy Project commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the death of gay musical genius BILLY STRAYHORN (Lush Life, Take the A Train, Satin Doll) whose astoundingly beautiful songs became the standards recorded by Duke Ellington. He passed away on May 31, 1967 from esophageal cancer at age 51 in New York City, NY. His memorial on Chicago’s Legacy Walk, which was dedicated in 2015, and can be found at 3411 N. Halsted. Read more about at… http://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/billy-strayhorn and check his Video Legacy at… https://legacyprojectchicago.org/video/billy-strayhorn-video-legacy

Today the Legacy Project celebrates the birth of vastly influential poet WALT WHITMAN (Leaves of Grass, Song of Myself, I Hear America Singing), who was a key figure in U.S. literary history. He was born on May 31, 1819 in Long Island, NY. was inducted onto Chicago’s Legacy Walk in 2013 thanks to the generosity of the Highfield Group. His bronze memorial is the only one in existence that actually says he was GAY. Read more about our nation’s most famous poet at… http://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/walt-whitman

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET CHRISTINE!!!
Today the Legacy Project celebrates the birth of transgender spokesperson and entertainer Christine Jorgensen – the first person to become internationally acclaimed for having gender-confirmation surgery. Born George William Jorgensen Jr. on May 30, 1922 in the Bronx, N.Y., Christine’s transition was made public on December 1, 1952. By February 1953 she was one of the most famous women in the world. Thanks to the generosity of Col. Jennifer Pritzker and the , this amazing woman was one of the (18) inaugural inductees to the Legacy Walk in 2012. http://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/christine-jorgensen