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POLITICS GOP candidate Irvin called Trump an 'idiot,' backed LGBTQ+s
GOP gubernatorial candidate and current Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin has dodged talking about former U.S. President Donald Trump (and many other topics)—but recently revealed records show how Irvin reportedly felt ...
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Police officer enters Chicago mayoral race
Longtime Chicago police officer Frederick Collins has jumped into the Chicago mayoral race—and it's not his first. Collins also ran for mayor eight years ago. His 2014 interview with Windy ...
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WORLD Eswatini ruling, Toronto deaths, Greece, blood donations
The High Court in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) rejected an appeal for legal recognition by the local LGBTQ+-rights group Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities, citing "laws … prevailing in the kingdom" ...
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NATIONAL New York synod, Danica Roem, legal action, Pride news, PFLAG
The Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS), the regional body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, announced Christopher Vergara as its newly elected vice president, according to a press release. Vergara is the first openly gay ...
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PASSAGES Urvashi Vaid dies, The National LGBTQ Task Force releases statement
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC……Legendary attorney, LGBTQ activist, and author Urvashi Vaid, known for her extensive career an advocate for LGBTQ rights, women's rights, anti-war efforts, immigration justice and many other social causes ...
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Pro-choice coalition to rally May 14 in Chicago's Union Park
-- From a press release
'Rally for Abortion Justice,' part of a nationwide 'Bans Off Our Bodies' day of action will takes place in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. on Saturday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. The crowd may be 25,000 strong according to organizers. ...
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Gov. Pritzker signs legislation addressing rise in organized retail thefts
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — On May 13, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker joined Attorney General Kwame Raoul, lawmakers, advocates and law-enforcement officials to sign legislation designed to combat a nationwide rise in coordinated retail thefts. "This new law represents ...
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State rep joins Chicago mayoral race
On May 12, Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner announced his candidacy for Chicago mayor, stating, "We cannot wait a day longer for a safe and just Chicago for all of us," The Chicago Tribune reported. Buckner ...
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Lightfoot, City Clerk Valencia announce partnership with UN Women
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and City Clerk Anna Valencia announced a partnership with UN Women's Global Flagship Program, Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces. The initiative responds to sexual violence against women and girls ...
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Lightfoot announces a 'Justice for All Pledge' based on equity and access
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined reproductive justice leaders to announce the Justice For All Pledge, in response to the leaked draft opinion by the majority of the Supreme Court of the United States ...
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NATIONAL Rainbow flagpole, Washington Blade, Don Lemon, Black leaders
Four years after the Trump Administration abruptly nixed plans to bring a rainbow flag to federal land adjacent to NYC's Christopher Park, the Biden Administration is planning to install a permanent flagpole at the park, Gay ...
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COVID Indoor masking 'strongly recommended' for Chicago as numbers rise
With COVID-19 cases continuing to gradually increase, Cook County and the City of Chicago moved from "Low" into the "Medium" COVID-19 Community Level, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced in a press release. In ...
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Mayor names Bally's at Tribune Publishing Center for Chicago's sole casino license
-- From a press release
CHICAGO —Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced May 5 that the City has selected Bally's Corporation to be the recipient of its sole casino license and the developer to create a world-class casino-resort and entertainment experience in ...
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LGBTQ+ woman appointed as White House press secretary; GLAAD comments
On May 5, President Biden announced Karine Jean-Pierre has been promoted to be assistant to the president and White House press secretary, according to a White House media release. Jean-Pierre will step into the press secretary ...
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Todd Connor falls short in Indiana state Senate bid
Onetime Chicago resident Todd Connor lost his bid to represent Porter County in the Indiana state Senate. State Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, edged Connor and Ron Meer in the May 3 primary election, The Shelbyville News ...
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Brittney Griner gets new designation; Black LGBTQ+ group responds
The United States is now saying lesbian WNBA player Brittney Griner is wrongfully detained in Russia, NPR reported. The shift in language indicates the United States will work more aggressively to secure her release. The State ...
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LGBTQ+ lawmakers in 16 states have or will introduce laws to protect trans kids
Equality California, California state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), LGBTQ Victory Institute and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California announced the national, queer-led rollout of trans refuge state legislation in 16 ...
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Leak of U.S. Supreme Court abortion opinion stirs local reactions
The U.S. Supreme Court has reportedly voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that Politico obtained. The 98-page draft opinion overturns ...
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Abortion decision leak sounds 'fire bell' for LGBTQ+ activists
In an unprecedented development, a purported draft of what is believed to be the U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming ruling on abortion indicates not only that the court is poised to overturn its long-standing decisions protecting the ...
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DoJ files suit challenging Alabama's trans youth law
The U.S. Justice Department (DoJ) filed a complaint alleging that Alabama's controversial law banning gender-affirming care for youth is unconstitutional, according to AL.com. In the complaint filed in federal court ...
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HRC holds Greater New York Dinner; Hochul, Schumer among speakers
On April 30, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hosted its Greater New York Dinner at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, per a press release. The event featured speeches from HRC Interim President Joni Madison, who used ...
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NATIONAL Campus Pride, HIV and the military, IVF suit, Billie Jean King
Campus Pride—along with 36 other national/regional organizations such as GLSEN, PFLAG National and TransAthlete.com—requested that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) incorporate non-binary students into ...
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Okla. governor bans non-binary gender identities on birth certificates
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill explicitly barring the use of non-binary gender markers on state birth certificates—a ban experts say is the first of its kind in the nation, according to an NPR item. ...
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Georgia guv signs anti-LGBTQ+ measures; Kansas has pro-LGBTQ+ result
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law legislation curbing talk of so-called "divisive concepts" (including discussions about race) in the state's classrooms and barring transgender athletes from participating on school ...
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POLITICS U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis speaks about accomplishments, ageism in politics
U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis has represented Illinois' 7th Congressional District since 1996 and is campaigning to retain his seat in the June 28 primary. He recently spoke with Windy City Times about his previous accomplishments ...
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POLITICS Ald. Raymond Lopez talks mayoral run, Lightfoot, Fox News
"I'm in." With that short statement on Twitter, Chicago Ald. Raymond Lopez announced his attempt to become the city's next mayor. A fierce critic of current Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Lopez (who, like Lightfoot, is part of ...
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Biden-Harris administration reports on efforts to support global LGBTQ+ rights, HRC applauds result
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, has commended the release of a report from the Biden-Harris ...
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Equality Illinois endorses 95 pro-equality candidates for June 28 primaries
-- From a press release
"Equality Illinois is excited to announce our primary election endorsements today as we continue to make our state fairer and more just for LGBTQ+ people," said Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois. "In recent years, ...
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Quigley decides not to run for Chicago mayor
Congressman Mike Quigley has ruled out a run for mayor of Chicago in 2023, according to ABC 7 Chicago. In an April 28 press release, Representative Quigley cited his work as the co-chair on the House ...
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Calls to free Brittney Griner increase after prisoner release
As some people celebrate the April 27 announcement that Texas Marine veteran Trevor Reed would be released from a Russian prison, there were others urging the U.S. government to continue working behind the scenes—particularly regarding the ...
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LGBTQ+ and allied organizations rally against bigotry and hate
A statewide coalition of LGBTQ+ and allied organizations held a press conference and rally April 27 in Chicago's Federal Plaza in response to the wave of nationwide bigotry and hate against the queer and trans community, ...
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Kansas lawmaker makes anti-trans comment; Victory Fund responds
A Kansas state lawmaker has complained publicly about having to share women's restrooms with a "huge" transgender colleague who she described as a potential threat to young children who visit the Statehouse, CBS News reported. Republican ...
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Planned Parenthood Illinois Action announces endorsements for 2022 election
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—The Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA), the non-partisan political and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, proudly announces its endorsements for the June primary election. ...
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VIEWS Biden, Democrats must end Title 42 now
The Biden Administration should honor its commitment to immediately end Title 42 restrictions which were imposed by former President Donald Trump, to deny asylum seekers their basic, protected rights. It would be a mistake for Democrats ...
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Ehrlich, Mojica among latest Victory Fund-endorsed candidates
LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed 37 more out LGBTQ candidates, a media release noted. Victory Fund has now endorsed 274 candidates running in the 2022 ...
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State Rep. Kelly Cassidy endorses gay Cook County Commissioner candidate McClinton
-- From a press release
Chicago (Roseland)—Jaylin D. McClinton (he/him/él) announced today that Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy is endorsing his campaign in the race for Cook County Commissioner in the 5th District. "I am ...
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Preckwinkle, Britton launch 'Cook County Unites Against Hate'
-- From a press release
(Cook County, IL) —Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined 14th District Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton to launch a new campaign to show Cook County is a welcoming place for all: "Cook County United ...
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French President Macron defeats Le Pen, is re-elected
French President Emmanuel Macron comfortably won re-election to a second term on April 24, defeating far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ candidate Marine Le Pen in a runoff. The second five-year term for the centrist spared France and Europe from ...
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NATIONAL Missouri lawmaker, Michigan controversy, gymnasts, Julius' Bar
A lawmaker in Missouri delivered an intense condemnation of one of his Republican colleagues over an effort to keep transgender athletes out of youth sports, HuffPost reported. State Rep. Ian Mackey (D), who is gay, issued ...
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Pro-LGBTQ+ rally rescheduled for April 27 at Federal Plaza
Weeks after a pro-LGBTQ+ rally in the Loop was disrupted, the event has been rescheduled for Wed., April 27, at Federal Plaza, 219 S. Dearborn St., at 5:30 p.m. The past few months have been extremely ...
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HRC condemns Florida Gov. DeSantis for signing 'Stop WOKE' Act
-- From a press release
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — condemned Governor Ron DeSantis for signing ...
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Florida legislature passes anti-Disney bills in wake of 'Don't Say Gay' fight
On April 21, the Florida legislature passed a pair of bills aimed at Disney—weeks into the company's feud with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis over its objections to a new law (the "Don't Say Gay" statute) that ...
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Event examines crystal-meth use among Black gay and bi men
An event that analyzed crystal-meth use in the Black gay/bi community took place April 19 at the space Chez, 247 E. Ontario St. After introductory remarks from individuals such as Illinois state Rep. Lamont Robinson (who ...
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Cook County state's attorney expunges 15,000+ cannabis convictions
-- From a press release
CHICAGO - On Friday, April 22, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) will present 214 additional cannabis cases to be automatically expunged, bringing the total to 15,191. The Cannabis Expungement Project nears an end following ...
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Florida advises against gender-affirming care for minors; LGBTQ+ groups respond
On April 20, Florida's department of health said children younger than 18 years old should not be permitted to receive any form of gender-affirming care, including medications like puberty blockers and hormones and "social gender transition" ...
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Mayor Lightfoot, candidate Willie Wilson raise questions with gas giveaways
Both Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and businessman/mayoral candidate Willie Wilson are involved in new situations involving gas giveaways. Lightfoot is tweaking her proposed gas-card giveaway yet again in an attempt to mollify opposition and pave the ...
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WORLD Conversion therapy, director attacked, killings, Rwanda, Grag Queen
Thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies across the United Kingdom recently protested the British government's refusal to ban anti-trans conversion therapy, Xtra Magazine noted. On April 10, demonstrators gathered at 10 Downing Street, the office of ...
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NATIONAL N.J. governor, scorecard, Maryland ban, Air Force, outbreak
New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the state's Department of Education to review LGBTQ-inclusive sex-education standards set to start in the fall amid conservative attacks over the policy, the Los Angeles Blade noted. The order ...
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Kansas governor vetoes anti-trans sports bill
On April 15, Democratic Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill that would have banned transgender athletes from girls' sports and another that would have required schools to let parents challenge classroom curriculum — a measure ...
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POLITICS Congressional candidate Kina Collins on running again, addressing systemic issues
Gun-violence prevention and healthcare advocate Kina Collins is once again running against longtime Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Danny Davis in the June 28 primary for a seat in the U.S. Congress. She recently spoke with Windy ...
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POLITICS Mojica announces endorsements from local LGBTQ+ leaders
Former high-school principal Fernando "Sergio" Mojica announced more than a dozen endorsements from prominent local LGBTQ leaders. Mojica is one of seven people running to replace retiring Rep. Greg Harris in Illinois' 13th District, and would ...
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Willie Wilson joining Chicago mayoral race again
Entrepreneur and previous Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson announced April 11 that he will also be part of the 2023 race to lead the city. According to Politico, Wilson, a business owner and McDonald's franchisee, has ...
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WORLD Conference canceled, Catholic event, India bills, Gertrude Stein
The United Kingdom canceled its first-ever international LGBTQ+ conference after a boycott by more than 100 organizations, the BBC reported. "Safe To Be Me" was scheduled to take place in London in June to promote LGBTQ+ ...
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NATIONAL Ukrainian rally, travel ban, Brooklyn bar, Virginia measure
A group of LGBTQ Ukrainians and their supporters held a rally in front of the White House on April 3, The Washington Blade reported. ...
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Former Chicago alderman charged with bribery
Former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis is facing federal bribery charges—three years after it was revealed he wore a wire to help the feds in their cases against Ald. Ed Burke and former House Speaker Michael Madigan, ...
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'In Chicago We Believe' targets anti-LGBTQ+ legislation with ad campaigns in Orlando, Dallas and Phoenix
On April 7, World Business Chicago launched the new advertising campaign "In Chicago We Believe." According to a press release, "the campaign promotes the city's long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, not just as a ...
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Lightfoot announces April 12 Harold Washington centennial celebration
On April 7, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced an event to celebrate Chicago Mayor Harold Washington on what would be his 100th birthday, according to a press release. This centennial celebration ...
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HRC, Kentucky's Fairness Campaign praise Kentucky Gov. Beshear for vetoing anti-trans sports legislation
-- From a press release
FRANKFORT—Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Kentucky's Fairness Campaign praised Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for vetoing Senate Bill 83, legislation that would deny transgender students in Kentucky the opportunity ...
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POLITICS Gay media owner to run for Chicago mayor
Dennis J. "DJ" Doran—the openly gay owner of the LGBTQ+-focused Aequalitas Media—is planning a run for Chicago mayor. Doran, a Lake View resident, has acknowledged he is an outsider—but he also believes that designation is an ...
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Out gay alderman announces bid for Chicago mayor
Chicago Ald. Raymond Lopez, D-15th Ward, has announced his bid to be mayor, according to POLITICO. The Southwest Side alderman is one of the first candidates to get in—doing so even before Lightfoot has announced her ...
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Haymarket Center to honor state Rep. Greg Harris at gala
Retiring Illinois state Rep. (and Majority Leader) Greg Harris, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, will be one of the honorees at the Haymarket Center Gala. The event will take place Saturday, April 9, at the ...
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VIEWPOINT On A Scale of 1 to 10: Sex, Religion, Power, Politics--A Public Meditation
QUESTION: "On a scale of one to 10, how faithful would you say you are, in terms of religion?"—U.S Sen. Lindsey Graham (R), South Carolina RESPONSE: "… there's no religious test in the Constitution under Article ...
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NATIONAL Prop 8, Disney, Andy Warhol, transgender judge
The videotaped trial of the 2010 U.S. court case challenging California's ban on same-sex marriage should not be released to the public, defenders of the since-overturned state Proposition 8 told the U.S. Supreme Court in a ...
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Brave Space Alliance honored in Illinois State Senate
-- From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — April 1, 2022 — On March 31, 2022, the 13th annual International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), Brave Space Alliance (BSA) was successful in raising awareness of the inequity of services, funding and ...
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Gov. Pritzker lauds legislation to strengthen Illinois' response to military sexual violence
-- From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — In a nation-leading effort to protect survivors of military sexual violence and hold perpetrators accountable, the Illinois National Guard worked closely with state Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tony ...
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Simmons measure passes Senate, would allow pharmacists to provide HIV testing, PrEP and PEP medications
-- From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — To allow more people to access HIV preventative care easier, Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is leading a measure to allow pharmacists to provide HIV tests and preventative medications to help reduce new ...
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Biden-Harris administration advances equality, visibility for trans Americans
-- From a White House Fact Sheet
The Biden-Harris Administration has recognized Transgender Day of Visibility, an annual celebration of the resilience, achievements, and joy of transgender people in the United States and around the world. ...
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Pro-LGBTQ+ groups sue Florida over 'Don't Say Gay' law
On March 31, organizations filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law that forbids classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, per ABC News. ...
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Race Forward launches H.E.A.L. Together, event talks anti-CRT, book bans, silencing of LGBTQIA movements
-- From a press release
NEW YORK — Before an audience of over 850 attendees, Race Forward and partners kicked off their much-anticipated H.E.A.L. (Honest Education Action & Leadership) Together initiative. The campaign promotes equitable ...
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DeSantis signs Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill
On March 28, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis banned public-school teachers in from holding classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity after signing the controversial "Parental Rights in Education" ...
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Michigan House candidate plans to introduce 'Don't Say Gay' bill if elected
A Republican candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives announced that, if elected, he would introduce legislation modeled on a Florida measure known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, according to Michigan Advance. Jon Rocha, a ...
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Pres. Biden announces steps to make it easier for LGBTQ+ Ukrainians to enter U.S.
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — has welcomed the announcement from President Joe Biden ...
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WORLD Religious leaders, Canadian monument, Sri Lanka, Ukrainian clinics
More than 150 senior religious leaders from around the globe have committed to protecting LGBTQ+ people in faith communities, according to PinkNews. A "revolutionary" set of safeguarding principles were set out by the 2022 conference of ...
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NATIONAL Seattle center closing, Pride news, LGBTQ judge, verbal altercation
In Seattle, after more than 50 years of providing mental health and general wellness services in the city, Seattle Counseling Service announced it will shut down May 6, according to Capitol Hill Seattle (CHS) and the ...
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National LGBTQ Task Force honors 45th anniversary of historic Carter White House meeting with LGBTQ activists
-- From a press release
Washington, DC……On March 26th, 1977, a group of gay and lesbian activists met with members of the Carter administration in a historic first. President Carter's Assistant Margaret "Midge" Costanza coordinated ...
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