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Harris receives Outstanding Leadership Award from IHA
Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris was presented the Outstanding Leadership Award at the recent Illinois Health and Hospital Association's (IHA) Leadership Summit in Lombard. Harris, who is retiring from ...
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NATIONAL Gay political contest, trans man killed, Kansas Pride, researcher dies
In New York, two gay candidates, Democrat Robert Zimmerman and Republican George Santos, are running to fill the seat vacated by Democrat Tom Suozzi in New York's 3rd Congressional District—marking the first time in U.S. history ...
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Newsom signs bill making California a sanctuary state for trans youths
On Sept. 29, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that aims to protect transgender youths and their families from bans against gender-affirming care, the Los Angeles Times reported. Senate Bill 107, by state ...
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Lightfoot forgoing property-tax increase
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that there will be no property-tax increase for Chicagoans next year. "Because our economy continues to show better than projected recovery, our city revenues continue to exceed our estimates," Lightfoot said in ...
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Girl, I Guess releases new voter guide, on election races
-- From a press release
[CHICAGO, IL September 29th] — Author and Editor Stephanie Skora released the latest edition of the widely-read Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide, featuring coverage and endorsements in political races up and down the ballot for ...
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Chicago alderperson among Victory Fund's endorsed candidates
LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ leaders to public office, has endorsed 83 more out LGBTQ+ candidates. Victory Fund has now endorsed 464 candidates running in the 2022 midterms, the most ...
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EPA launches Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) announced that it is establishing a new national office charged with advancing environmental justice and civil rights. The new Office of Environmental Justice and External ...
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New Italian prime minister has anti-LGBTQ+ record
Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni—who has rallied against "[LGBTQ+] lobbies" and so-called "gender ideology"—is set to become Italy's first female prime minister, PinkNews reported. Meloni is expected to form Italy's farthest-right ...
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Michelle Obama among those inducted into Women's Hall of Fame
Attorney/author/former First Lady and native Chicagoan Michelle Obama was among nine women celebrated on Sept. 23-25 as they were inducted into The National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. Other inductees included science-fiction ...
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City asks Bloomington LGBTQ+ bar to remove Pride artwork
The city of Bloomington, Illinois has asked an LGBTQ+ bar to remove its Pride decorations, according to Central Illinois Proud. Last month, The Bistro, hosted its annual downtown Pridefest with at least 6,000 attendees from all ...
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NATIONAL Veterans bill, Charlie Crist, Task Force honor, Elton John
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to assist LGBTQ+ veterans discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) in updating their records and accessing education, health, burial and other benefits available ...
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Coalition decries Des Plaines candidate training sponsored by anti-LGBTQ+ groups
A coalition of parents, educators and pro-LGBTQ+, pro-equity groups held a press conference Sept. 24 in front of the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago O'Hare hotel in Des Plaines to protest a school-board candidate training being held ...
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Bisexual, pansexual leaders meet with HHS officials in historic roundtable
For Bisexual Awareness Week, bisexual and pansexual community leaders met with federal agency officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Sept. 20 to discuss remedies to the health disparities facing the bisexual ...
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Indiana judge blocks state's abortion ban
On Sept. 22, an Indiana judge blocked the state's abortion ban, putting the new law on hold as abortion-clinic operators argue that it violates the state constitution, NPR reported. Owen County Judge Kelsey Hanlon issued a ...
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Update: Paddock to no longer print LGIS publications
Arlington Heights-based Paddock Publications, parent company of the Daily Herald newspaper, announced Sept. 22 that it was backing out of a deal to print materials for Local Government Information Services (LGIS) after Illinois Gov. ...
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Anti-LGBTQ+ newspapers reach area households
Several households in the Chicago and collar counties have received what are ostensibly newspapers, but are actually anti-LGBTQ+ mailers created and paid for by GOP supporters. Area media reported the week of Sept. 5 that various ...
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Report: Newsom to run for president if Biden doesn't
California Gov. Gavin Newsom—a staunch LGBTQ+ ally—is "undeniably, unequivocally" planning to run for president in 2024 if President Biden chooses not to seek a second term, two individuals with knowledge of Newsom's plans told TheWrap, Yaho ...
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Pritzker appoints Isoye to chair the Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker appointed Dr. Steven Isoye, a former educator and superintendent, to chair the Illinois State Board of Education, effective immediately. Isoye follows in the footsteps of Darren Reisberg, a member of the LGBTQ+ ...
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Lightfoot names Timmy Knudsen as 43rd Ward alderperson
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced that Timmy Knudsen—a resident of the Lincoln Park and Old Town community for nearly a decade, as well as the chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals—will serve as the new ...
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HRC Chicago dinner set for Nov. 12
The Human Rights Chicago (HRC) Dinner & Auction will take place Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park, 200 N. Columbus Dr., at 5:30 p.m., with the main program starting at 7 p.m. The ...
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ELECTIONS Republicans may control Illinois Supreme Court after November
For the first time since 1969, the Illinois Supreme Court may have a Republican majority after the November elections. Two seats are open on the court that cover large sections of the Chicago suburbs, WBEZ noted—and ...
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LGBTQ Victory Fund endorses Lightfoot
LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ leaders to public office, endorsed Lori Lightfoot for Chicago mayor. Since her historic victory in 2019, Lightfoot has remained the nation's highest-ranking out LGBTQ+ may ...
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NATIONAL Marriage bill, drag queen dies, Dutch queen visits, university sued
A bipartisan group of senators trying to pass same-sex marriage protection legislation pushed a vote until after the November election—a move the officials say increases their chances of success but avoids forcing the GOP on record ...
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Biden meets with Brittney Griner's wife
On Sept. 16, President Joe Biden met with Cherelle Griner, wife of Brittney Griner, and reassured her that he is working to gain the WNBA star's freedom, ESPN reported. Biden sat down in the Oval Office ...
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Four LGBTQ+ alderpeople among those forgoing pay raises
LGBTQ+ Alds. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward), Raymond Lopez (15th), Maria Hadden (49th) and Tom Tunney (44th) are among 17 of the 50 members of the Chicago City Council who are forgoing raises that would have hiked ...
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Gov. Pritzker adjusts COVID-19 requirements to address current needs
-- From a press release
Chicago — As part of his continuing plan to carefully unwind the state's COVID-19 executive orders, Gov. JB Pritzker updated testing requirements for school and childcare personnel, rescinding the requirement ...
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Mayor Lightfoot to present awards at Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame induction ceremony
-- From a press release
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is scheduled to present awards to 14 individuals and organizations being inducted into The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame on Oct. 11, at 6 p.m, at The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. ...
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Park district pushing change as criticisms of Chicago music festivals increase
As criticism increases over the use of public parks for large-scale events put on by private companies, leaders at the Chicago Park District are moving to change their code to mandate a board vote to sign ...
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Raoul convenes roundtable on fighting hate speech, violence
On Sept. 13, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul convened a roundtable meeting with representatives of leading civil rights organizations, places of worship and community-based groups to facilitate a conversation on ...
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Cook County chief judge elected to eighth term
Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans was elected Sept. 13 to an eighth term as chief judge. His new three-year term will begin Dec. 5. The results were announced by the Hon. ...
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Lindsey Graham proposes national abortion bill
On Sept 13, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) introduced a measure that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. It's the most significant proposal by Republicans in Congress to curtail the procedure since the ...
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Reboyras becomes latest City Council member to announce retirement
On Sept. 13, Northwest Side Ald. Ariel Reboyras announced he is stepping down at the end of his term next year—marking the 15th retirement or pending departure of a Chicago City Council member ahead of the ...
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BOOKS Kemi Adeyemi on 'Feels Right: Black Queer Women and the Politics of Partying in Chicago'
Author and University of Washington Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies Assistant Professor Kemi Adeyemi is out with a new book, Feels Right: Black Queer Women and the Politics of Partying in Chicago. The book, set to ...
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NATIONAL Protests, Respect for Marriage Act, photographer, Fla. Democrat
The Inland Empire Pride festival in Riverside, California, was disrupted when far-right extremists demonstrated outside the event venue, The Advocate reported. Violent clashes erupted between protesters and those attending the ...
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Equality Illinois announces Illinois General Assembly and county-level endorsements
-- From a press release
CHICAGO - Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organization for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans, on Thursday announced Illinois General Assembly and county-level endorsements for the November 8, 2022 General Election. "Equality Illinois ...
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Miami-Dade school board rejects LGBTQ History Month over 'Don't Say Gay' fears
On Sept. 7, the Miami-Dade School Board struck down a proposal that would have recognized October as "LGBTQ History Month" out of concern that it would violate the state's Parental Rights in Education law, known by ...
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Michigan judge invalidates 1931 abortion ban
On Sept. 7, a Michigan Court of Claims judge ruled that the state's 1931 abortion ban violates the state constitution, Yahoo! reported, based on a copy of the ruling that ABC News obtained. The ruling permanently ...
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Yet another Chicago alderperson (Brookins) is retiring
Chicago Ald. Howard B. Brookins (21st Ward) has become the newest member of City Council to announce retirement. On Sept. 7, he stated that he will retire at the end of his term, CBS Chicago reported. ...
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Maura Healey on track to become one of first lesbian governors in history
-- From a press release
Washington, DC — Tonight LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidate Maura Healey earned the Democratic nomination in the Massachusetts gubernatorial race. She is now on track to become one of the first out lesbian governors in U.S. ...
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Report: Trans activist Brady-Davis expected to run for aldermanic seat
Politico Illinois Playbook reported that Precious Brady-Davis—a longtime trans-rights activist who currently is the associate regional communications director at the environmental organization Sierra Club—is expected to run to represent the ...
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Equality Illinois endorses pro-equality candidates for statewide office
-- From a press release
Equality Illinois announced endorsements of pro-equality champions for the state's six constitutional offices, including Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for re-election and Alexi Giannoulias for Illinois Secretary ...
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Garza joins Chicago alderperson exodus
Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza—the first member of the Chicago Teachers Union ever elected to City Council and a onetime ally of Mayor Lori Lightfoot—is retiring after two terms, The Chicago Tribune reported. Overall, Garza—the daughter of ...
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Liz Truss is the new UK prime minister and has a poor LGBTQ+ record
Britain will get its third prime minister in just over three years as the ruling Conservative Party announced Sept. 5 it had chosen Liz Truss to be its new leader. Truss—who had appointed as secretary of ...
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Equality Illinois endorses 15 LGBTQ+ candidates for the general election
-- From a press release
CHICAGO - Equality Illinois announced endorsements of a record number of LGBTQ+ candidates running for the office in a general election in Illinois. "We are excited to endorse fifteen out LGBTQ+ candidates, including three incumbent state ...
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NATIONAL Convicted killer, school groups, Gloria Casarez, 'Gay Days'
A Philadelphia jury convicted Abdullah El-Amin of third-degree murder for taking the life of trans woman Mia Green, per The Philadelphia Gay News. He faces a lengthy prison term when sentenced in November. Green, 27, was ...
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Lightfoot, CDPH announce delegate agencies for 'Justice for All' initiative
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that the Chicago Abortion Fund and Planned Parenthood of Illinois have been selected as the two delegate agencies for the city's ...
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Pro-LGBTQ+ group Agenda PAC to campaign against right-wing candidates
Several elected LGBTQ+ officeholders and veteran Democratic operatives have created Agenda PAC—a national organization that will work to preserve LGBTQ+ rights by campaigning against right-wing candidates, NBC News reported. Founder ...
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POLITICS Talking with queer mayoral candidate J Saxon
With the 2023 mayoral election rapidly approaching, names such as Ald. Raymond Lopez, businessman Willie Wilson and, of course, incumbent Lori Lightfoot have proven to be some of the most recognizable so far. However, J Saxon, ...
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Biden administration announces monkeypox interventions at upcoming LGBTQ+ events
Officials from the White House, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in an Aug. 30 press release that it was working with organizers of three ...
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Bennett Lawson launches campaign for alderman of 44th Ward
-- From a press release
CHICAGO - Today, Bennett Lawson launched his campaign for Alderman of the 44th Ward. A lifelong public servant who has served the people of this ward as longtime chief of staff to Alderman Tom Tunney, Lawson ...
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Ald. Tom Tunney announces retirement from Chicago City Council
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, August 30, 2022 - After nearly two decades of dedicated public service on the Chicago City Council, 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney today announced that he will retire at the end of his term in ...
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launches Canada's first 2SLGBTQI+ action plan
The federal government unveiled what it described as a historic first as it announced a five-year, $100-million plan to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities across the country, CBC reported. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled the strategy, called "Canada' ...
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Beto O'Rourke pauses gubernatorial campaign after diagnosis
Beto O'Rourke—the onetime Democratic presidential candidate who is now running against Republic incumbent Greg Abbott to be the next governor of Texas—announced that he has been diagnosed ...
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NATIONAL Gay judge, brewery threatened, Victory Fund, AIDS Quilt
New York's highest court has designated Associate Judge Anthony Cannataro to serve as acting chief judge after Janet DiFiore steps down, Gay City News reported. Cannataro, the former administrative judge of New York City's civil court, ...
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Activists, community leaders gather for town-hall meeting in wake of Jeffery Pub hit-and-run
In the wake of the investigation and apprehension of a suspect in the vehicular deaths of three gay Black men in the third district of Chicago, a quickly assembled town hall meeting was held Aug. 25 ...
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CDPH commissioner, Jesse White both diagnosed with COVID
Chicago's top health official and one of the state's most visible elected officials have separately tested positive for COVID. Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago's Department of Public Health commissioner, has tested positive for the first time, NBC ...
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Cook County Board Pres. Preckwinkle announces additional events for 4th annual Racial Equity Week, Sept. 12-16
-- From a press release
COOK COUNTY, IL — Today, the office of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced additional events and details for the upcoming fourth annual Racial Equity Week, to be held September 12-16, 2022. This year's theme ...
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HRC PAC endorses nine additional pro-equality champions for U.S. House
-- From a press release
Washington, DC — Today, the Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) announced its endorsement of nine additional pro-equality candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives running for election in 2022. U.S. House Candidates Endorsed by HRC ...
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Equality Illinois PAC hosting breakfast fundraiser on Sept. 7
The Equality Illinois PAC is hosting the "Red, Pink, and Blue" breakfast fundraiser at 7:30 a.m. on Wed., Sept. 7, at Ann Sather restaurant, 909 W. Belmont Ave. The event will feature a panel discussion with ...
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Quigley comments on Biden's student-debt announcement
On Aug. 24, President Joe Biden said the U.S. government will forgive $10,000 in student loans for millions of debt-saddled former college students—keeping a pledge he made in the 2020 campaign for the White House, Reuters ...
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POLITICS Queer businesswoman running for alderperson in 48th Ward
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth—a queer native Chicagoan and 23-year resident of Andersonville who also describes herself as a "mother of three, tango dancer, small business owner and community organizer"—announced her candidacy for ...
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Report: U.S. has record number of LGBTQ+ elected officials
-- From a press release
Washington, DC — LGBTQ Victory Institute released its 2022 Out for America Report, the only national census of out LGBTQ elected officials in the United States. With at least 1,043 out LGBTQ elected officials currently serving, ...
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Bailey's running mate's anti-LGBTQ posts unearthed
Stephanie Trussell—Republican Darren Bailey's running mate for Illinois governor/lieutenant governor—has made controversial posts (including ones against the LGBTQ+ community) on social media, WGN-TV reported. "Stick your ...
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Penn. governor ends conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed Executive Order 2022-2 "to protect Pennsylvanians from conversion therapy," according to a press release from his office. "Conversion therapy is a traumatic practice based on junk science that actively harms the ...
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HRC endorses Pritzker, Stratton for re-election
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced its endorsements of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for re-election. A press release stated, "HRC PAC is committed to engaging its volunteers, members and supporters to ...
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Planned Parenthood organizations launch largest-ever electoral program
Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations launched the 2022 electoral program "Take Control," which represents the groups' largest ever investment in an electoral cycle, an organizational press release announced. The ...
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U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney loses to Trump-endorsed candidate
Overnight on Aug. 16, U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney—the vice-chair of the House Jan. 6 panel and one of former U.S. President Donald Trump's biggest Republican critics—lost her seat in Congress to a challenger backed by the ...
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WORLD Vietnam's pro-LGBTQ+ move, Grindr kidnappings, Taiwan event
Video below
Vietnam took a major step forward in the recognition of LGBTQ+ rights with the country's Ministry of Health stating that being gay, bisexual or transgender is not a disease and urging medical practitioners to end discrimination ...
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NATIONAL: Conn. candidate, trans study, D.C. attacks, Palm Springs Pride
LGBTQ Victory Fund-endorsed candidate Erick Russell won the Democratic primary election for Connecticut state treasurer, according to an organizational press release. With this victory, he is on track to become the first out Black LGBTQ+ person ...
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Cook County officials discuss MPV timelines
Members of the Cook County Health and Hospitals Committee gathered Aug. 8 to hear details from local health officials on the monkeypox virus' (MPV's) impact on both suburban Cook County and Chicago, and their planned responses. ...
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Big Cities Health Coalition holds monkeypox virus briefing
Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC) held a virtual monkeypox virus briefing Aug. 10 fthat ocused on local public health activities in Chicago. Speakers included BCHC Executive Director Chrissie Juliano and BCHC member and Chicago Department of ...
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Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom names first queer woman to state supreme court
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his intention to appoint Alameda County Superior Court Judge Kelli Evans to serve as an associate justice of the California Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created by Justice Guerrero's elevation ...
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Another queer candidate is part of Chicago mayoral race
In addition to incumbent Lori Lightfoot as well as Ald. Raymond Lopez and media figure DJ Doran, there is a new LGBTQ+ candidate in the race for Chicago mayor. According to their website, J Saxon "is ...
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Chicago Ald. Sophia King enters mayoral race
Chicago Ald. Sophia King (4th Ward) has officially entered the Chicago mayoral race. "I love this city. We need a Chicago that's safer AND stronger," King says in the video, according to NBC Chicago. "Let's put ...
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Drag show finally takes place at UpRising Bakery and Cafe
After a series of events that encompassed everything from vandalism to meetings with village officials to a visit from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, LGBTQ+-owned Lake in the Hills business UpRising Bakery and Cafe finally held its ...
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