By Gary Barlow

Staff writer

Larry McKeon, the former police officer who served for 10 years as Illinois’ first openly gay state legislator, was remembered last week as a courageous leader who impressed friends and foes with his dignity and graciousness.

“Larry McKeon was a trailblazer for LGBT Americans, an officer who served our great city of Chicago honorably and a friend of mine,” said U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Chicago), who worked alongside McKeon in the Illinois Legislature. ”He will be remembered for his personal and political courage and his outspoken efforts as a champion of progressive causes in Springfield.”

McKeon died in Springfield May 14 after suffering a stroke. He was 63.

The tall, gravel-voiced lawmaker stayed in Springfield in 2006 after retiring from the Legislature. He had served his district on Chicago’s North Side since 1996. During that time, McKeon earned a reputation as a legislator who not only fought for GLBT rights but also championed healthcare, AIDS funding, immigration causes and alleviating homelessness.

“The more his colleagues knew him, the more they accepted him for who he was and later respected him for his role not as a gay legislator, but as a civil rights leader,” said Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago).

McKeon was not only open about being gay, he also brought attention to the AIDS epidemic by talking publicly about his own battle with HIV/AIDS. His partner, Ray Korzinski, had succumbed to the disease in 1991. Twelve weeks later McKeon learned he was HIV-positive as well.

That didn’t stop him from contemplating a bid for the Legislature.

McKeon had moved to Chicago after a stint in the Army and a distinguished career in the Los Angeles Police Department, where he advanced to the upper echelons of command. In Chicago he taught criminal justice at Roosevelt University, then became director of information services at United Charities of Chicago.

But it was in public service that McKeon made his most notable mark, becoming Mayor Richard M. Daley’s GLBT community liaison and director of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council on LGBT Issues before winning his bid for state representative.

“He really blazed the way,” said McKeon’s successor in the Illinois House, Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago).

McKeon’s high point in the Legislature came in early 2005, when the Legislature voted to add sexual orientation and gender identity to Illinois’ non-discrimination law. While other advocates also played major roles in securing passage of the bill, legislator after legislator stood on the House floor during the final debate on the bill and said knowing McKeon had helped them to understand the need to protect the rights of GLBTs.

“I’m proud to vote for this bill,” Rep. Charles Morrow (D-Chicago) told his colleagues in the House. “I stand by Larry McKeon not because he’s gay. I stand by Larry McKeon because he’s a man. …Larry, you’re a friend and I’ll never forget you. You’ll always be a friend.”

When he retired, McKeon talked fondly about having time to write and travel the country in his RV.

“I’m not going away,” McKeon said at the time. “I expect to be very visible in the community. …But I’ll be working five or six months a year and traveling in my Winnebago motor home with my two greyhounds.”

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), who worked closely with McKeon on GLBT rights legislation and other issues, noted at the time that McKeon’s retirement marked the end of a historic career in Springfield.

“There will never be another first openly gay elected official in the General Assembly,” Feigenholtz said. “It gives one pause.”

Funeral plans last week were not released. The Illinois House was scheduled to remember McKeon May 20. Harris said friends are planning a public memorial in Chicago for McKeon in June.