Renae Ogletree

PrideIndex.com had planned to present Renae Ogletree

with a Special Recognition Esteem Award for a lifetime of

service to the gay community, unfortunately she died on

April 23 due to lung cancer.

Ogletree was able to enjoy her final days surrounded by in the comfort friends and family. According to her good friend and fellow 2010 Esteem Award Recipient Vernita Gray, (pictured right) Ogletree was aware of our honor, and appreciated the gesture.

Ogletree’s lifetime of service was filled with many highs

such as her 1988 induction into Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame; her involvement with Chicago’s successful bid and presentation of the Gay Games and in 2004 she escorted the future first lady Michelle Obama to benefit dinner of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project.

Ogletree was involved in many community based organizations such as Youth Pride Center, Chicago’s Black Lesbian and Gays. Chicago has lost a true soldier in the fight for LGBTQ rights.