Honoring the Legacy of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project at Howard Brown Health
At Howard Brown Health, we are proud to announce an upcoming tribute that will honor the legacy of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project (LCCP). In late Spring 2025, we will unveil a tribute wall on the third floor of our Halsted Clinic (3501 N Halsted), celebrating the incredible impact of LCCP and its contributions to our community.
Founded in 1990 by a group of passionate individuals, LCCP emerged as a vital resource for women with cancer and their families of choice. At a time when healthcare settings often lacked inclusive care, LCCP created a space for lesbians to find support, solidarity, and care. From direct services to peer groups, LCCP’s work not only provided care, but also created a community that lifted one another through grief, loss, and the triumphs of beating cancer. In 2007, LCCP merged with Howard Brown to expand the agency’s ability to serve LGBTQ+ women and their families.
The tribute wall will be a lasting memorial located in the waiting area of our Halsted Clinic. This will be a space for reflection and recognition of the individuals and families who shaped LCCP and contributed to its lasting impact on healthcare equity and community-building.
Tracy Baim, a Chicago-based LGBTQ+ journalist, editor, author, and filmmaker is leading the project. “LCCP was so important to us finding community together,” shares Baim. “When it started at the Cheetah Gym, LCCP was a space to support one another through grief and loss and celebrate when we beat cancer. It’s important that we remember and name the people who helped build that supportive community.”
In addition to memorializing those connected to LCCP, the tribute wall will be a reminder of the broader contributions lesbians have made to the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. All donations up to $50,000 will be matched by an anonymous donor and all gifts will support access to care at Howard Brown.
“Honoring LCCP at Howard Brown Health Halsted gives us an opportunity to look back on some of the lesbians who helped our community age alongside one another,” said Katie Metos, Vice President of External Relations, “Lesbians have always been a backbone to the Queer community.”
We invite our community to participate in this tribute. For gifts of $500 or more, your name and the name of your honoree will be included on the donor wall. If your loved one wasn’t directly connected to LCCP, we offer other ways to honor them. All gifts, regardless of size, will ensure that you and your honoree are recognized in our annual report and on a dedicated webpage celebrating LCCP.
This tribute wall is a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the work that has been done, honor those who were part of it, and ensure that the spirit of LCCP continues to inspire future generations. We encourage everyone to be part of this lasting memorial.
For more information on how to contribute and participate, please visit donate.howardbrown.org/lccp.
Together, let’s honor this incredible legacy and ensure it continues to inspire our community members for many years to come.