“Frank: An Evening with Barney Frank” will take place Wed., March 25, 7-9 p.m., at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. The Center, The Book Stall and Equality Illinois are hosting the event as the former Congressman will speak about his new memoir, Frank.
Windy City Times was originally a sponsor of the event, and Publisher Tracy Baim was set to do the live Q&A portion with Frank. However, the paper and Baim cancelled when it was learned that a reception was being held just prior to the public program, with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, two weeks ahead of the April 7 runoff election. Emanuel’s team had declined a request by WCT to do a forum with mayoral candidate Jesus Garcia on LGBT issues, saying there was no time in the schedule.
“The proximity of the events creates the appearance of an endorsement by WCT of a candidate,” said Baim. “It also creates very bad optics on this race, when the campaign said there was no time for a public debate on LGBT issues.”
The book event is free. Reserve a seat through community.centeronhalsted.org/BarneyFrank.