Windy City TimesWeekly news from the LGBTQ world
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2024-03-28T17:14:36-00:00Windy City Times montage of this week in photos
https://www.windycitytimes.com
https://www.windycitytimes.com/images/system/montage/2024-03-27/current.jpgtext/html2024-02-14T17:14:50-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWS Mike Johnson: The smiling face of Christian tyranny
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Mike-Johnson-The-smiling-face-of-Christian-tyranny/76644.html
Mike Johnson wants to rewrite the constitution to make the United States a Christian nation. James Michael Johnson, Republican from Louisiana's Fourth District, is the 56th speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He wastext/html2024-02-06T23:05:08-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comVIEWS Parents, not legislators, should be making decisions about medical options for children
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Parents-not-legislators-should-be-making-decisions-about-medical-options-for-children/76607.html
No matter the medical issue, when it comes to kids, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said something last December that every lawmaker in the country should realize when it comes to medical decisions for children. "Were Housetext/html2024-01-02T17:17:04-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWS Is the Pope Catholic? Francis faces opposition in steps toward LGBTQ+ inclusivity
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Is-the-Pope-Catholic-Francis-faces-opposition-in-steps-toward-LGBTQ-inclusivity/76514.html
The recent change in Vatican policy allowing priests to bless same-gender couples has provoked an unprecedented backlash against Pope Francis and his openness to LGBTQ+ people—a backlash that some fear might devolve into a schism intext/html2023-12-04T18:12:36-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comBring Chicago Home: Guess who's saying no again
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Bring-Chicago-Home-Guess-whos-saying-no-again/76447.html
Chicago is ushering in an era of change with a new progressive mayor with a vision to invest in communities long ignored and a significant increase in like-minded city council members. We are excited to seetext/html2023-11-29T00:14:52-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroePope Francis's community of transwomen
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Pope-Franciss-community-of-transwomen/76424.html
It's a rare opportunity to meet the pope. It's even rarer if you're a transgender Catholic. However, on Nov. 19, in Torvaianica, Italy, a community of transwomen, many of them sex workers, were welcomed and seatedtext/html2023-10-26T19:55:02-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaBanning the Banning of Books: Illinois and California lead the way
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Banning-the-Banning-of-Books-Illinois-and-California-lead-the-way/75679.html
In June, at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation banning book bans in Illinois public libraries. This legislation, initiated by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, passed the Illinois House andtext/html2023-10-23T16:09:10-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comBrian C. JohnsonOPINION Renewing state's Invest in Kids program is investing in anti-LGBTQ+ hate
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/OPINION-Renewing-states-Invest-in-Kids-program-is-investing-in-anti-LGBTQ-hate/75662.html
In February 2020, Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield warned transgender students in the Diocese's educational system that they "may be expelled from the school" if they live their lives authentically. Lansing Christian Schooltext/html2023-08-29T11:52:50-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comGilbert Baker Foundation reacts to death of shop owner who flew the rainbow flag
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Gilbert-Baker-Foundation-reacts-to-death-of-shop-owner-who-flew-the-rainbow-flag/75445.html
In response to the murder of Laura Ann Carleton over flying the Rainbow flag in her shop in California, the Gilbert Baker Foundation released the statement below. Facebook refused to post the statement as it did not "...meet their standards."text/html2023-07-03T22:40:01-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT U.S. higher education under siege; freedom of inquiry and speech at risk
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-US-higher-education-under-siege-freedom-of-inquiry-and-speech-at-risk/75246.html
The Covid pandemic threw a harsh spotlight on higher education in America, exposing forces eating away at the foundations of college and university learning, calling into question the traditional purposes of such education in our post-modern,text/html2023-06-19T16:00:20-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comGuest essay by Florida mom Nicole Pejovich: What's Happening to Florida's Public Schools?
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Guest-essay-by-Florida-mom-Nicole-Pejovich-Whats-Happening-to-Floridas-Public-Schools/75181.html
A queer Florida parent answers questions about recent laws, how Floridians are coping, and how you can help Books pulled from school library shelves by the dozens. All evidence of inclusivity stripped from classrooms. The politicallytext/html2023-06-12T17:14:53-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comJeffery M. Leving VIEWPOINT For divorced parents, transgender children's health can present tricky dilemmas
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-For-divorced-parents-transgender-childrens-health-can-present-tricky-dilemmas/75145.html
Over the last few months, issues impacting individuals who identify as transgender and non-binary are getting a lot of attention in the media and among some politicians. Sadly, because it's become a political issue; a lottext/html2023-05-20T19:50:59-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT War in the 21st Century: mercenaries, private military companies, private armies
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-War-in-the-21st-Century-mercenaries-private-military-companies-private-armies/75042.html
In 2022, $407 billion of the Pentagon budget—representing half of that year's funding —were obligated to private contractors, of which a significant number were Private Military Companies (PMCs) involved intext/html2023-05-04T19:35:53-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLeslie RobinsonVIEWPOINT Telling the world about my mental health disorders
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Telling-the-world-about-my-mental-health-disorders/74956.html
Over the years, coming out as a lesbian hasn't been that hard for me—because I was always too busy hiding something else. Confessing queerness can be a breeze compared to revealing mental illness. But I declinetext/html2023-03-31T22:11:59-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT German bishops endorse blessings of same-sex couples: Ancient rituals retturn
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-German-bishops-endorse-blessings-of-same-sex-couples-Ancient-rituals-retturn/74810.html
This March, at a national meeting of leaders of the German Catholic Church (referred to as a synod), a document titled Blessing Ceremonies for Couples who Love Each Other" received overwhelming support: 176 votes in favor,text/html2023-03-14T17:04:25-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comMatt SimonetteEditorial: In praise of Drag Story Hour
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Editorial-In-praise-of-Drag-Story-Hour/74741.html
Drag Story Hours have really come to the fore in our political consciousness in the last few years, as the radical right has strategically targeted events raising the visibility of individuals who are gender-nonconforming, transgender ortext/html2023-03-07T16:21:34-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeVIEWPOINT The scrutiny of Kamala Harris
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-The-scrutiny-of-Kamala-Harris/74714.html
President Biden had a cancerous lesion successfully removed from his chest last month, which was just now reported. At 80, questions continue about Biden's fitness to serve a second term. But questions also abound concerning Vicetext/html2023-03-01T21:35:46-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT Patriarch Kirill: Darth Putin's Altar Boy
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Patriarch-Kirill-Darth-Putins-Altar-Boy/74694.html
Christianity—based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who preached love as the most important expression of religion—has often been co-opted and distorted to support wars, persecutions andtext/html2023-02-16T16:44:16-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNew York Times publishes transphobic column one day after an open letter condemning anti-trans coverage, HRC responds
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/New-York-Times-publishes-transphobic-column-one-day-after-an-open-letter-condemning-anti-trans-coverage-HRC-responds-/74642.html
WASHINGTON This morning, the New York Times published yet another opinion piece attacking the transgender and non-binary community. The piece, "In Defense of J.K. Rowling" was written by Pamela Paul and was published merely one daytext/html2023-02-08T20:33:45-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comMatt SimonetteOpinion: LGBTQ+ candidates are there as Chicago politics prepare to shift
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Opinion-LGBTQ-candidates-are-there-as-Chicago-politics-prepare-to-shift/74616.html
The exhausting Chicago election cycle continues. Once the midterm and gubernatorial races were resolved this past November, the Windy City was already midstream in campaigning for the 2023 municipal elections Feb. 28 (with runoffs April 4).text/html2023-01-25T23:38:57-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT The FBI, Loaves of Bread, Corruption, and Reform
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-The-FBI-Loaves-of-Bread-Corruption-and-Reform/74570.html
When I was 13 years old I used to ride shot gun with my uncle A. on his Italian bread truck deliveries. My job was to enter the store with him and remove the old, stale loaves of bread while hetext/html2023-01-02T15:21:24-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLetter to the Editor: Pope Benedict XVI passes away
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Letter-to-the-Editor-Pope-Benedict-XVI-passes-away/74519.html
The Rainbow Sash Movement mourns the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Dec. 31 in the Vatican. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, known most recently as the pontiff who renounced the papacybut who was situated squarelytext/html2023-01-01T21:15:00-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT It's The End...again and again and again ...
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Its-The-Endagain-and-again-and-again-/74516.html
Jesus thought the end of the world would occur during his lifetime.* As Jesus hanged dying on the cross, he had to deal with the fact that the world had not ended. Paul thought he understoodtext/html2022-12-31T14:53:20-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comDignity USA: LGBTQ+ Catholics recall Pope Benedict XVI's reign as causing LGBTQ+s tremendous damage
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Dignity-USA-LGBTQ-Catholics-recall-Pope-Benedict-XVIs-reign-as-causing-LGBTQs-tremendous-damage-/74512.html
Dec. 31, 2022. The passing of former Pope Benedict XVI "marks what is, hopefully, the end of a long, painful era for LGBTQIA+ Catholics, our families, and the entire church," said Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director oftext/html2022-12-19T23:51:39-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comMatt SimonetteOPINION Remember the youngest victims of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/OPINION-Remember-the-youngest-victims-of-anti-LGBTQ-discrimination/74491.html
On Dec. 13, the Ohio State Board of Education voted 10-7 in favor of a non-binding resolution opposing proposed changes to the federal government's Title IX protecting LGBTQ+ students. It was just one more blow fortext/html2022-12-09T15:41:01-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRespect for Marriage Act passage important step but not equity says LGBTQIA+/ally Catholic group
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Respect-for-Marriage-Act-passage-important-step-but-not-equity-says-LGBTQIA-ally-Catholic-group/74460.html
Dec. 8, 2022. DignityUSA, the nation's foremost organization of Catholics working for justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in our church and society, is pleased that both houses of Congress have now passed thetext/html2022-11-18T13:26:17-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT What are the most banned books: take a guess
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-What-are-the-most-banned-books-take-a-guess/74368.html
The Latin word for book is liber. It is also the Latin word for "free," as in not a slave but a person who enjoys freedom (liberty). The word library means a home for books, a place of liberation, a sacredtext/html2022-11-18T13:12:06-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeVIEWPOINT The geopolitics of being Brittney Griner
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-The-geopolitics-of-being-Brittney-Griner/74367.html
WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was arrested a week before Russia invaded Ukraine. On Feb. 17, the Russian Federal Customs Service detained Griner at Sheremetyevo International Airport for allegedly transporting cannabis-derivedtext/html2022-11-01T22:03:34-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comGUEST EDITORIAL The Workers' Rights Amendment is a vote for equality
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/GUEST-EDITORIAL-The-Workers-Rights-Amendment-is-a-vote-for-equality/74301.html
It is the American Dream: Work hard and you can achieve a middle-class life. This narrative is a broken bargain for too many in today's workforce. A far worse bargain exists for the LGBTQ+ community, especiallytext/html2022-10-21T14:53:18-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT The cults of Jesus, Putin and Trump
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-The-cults-of-Jesus-Putin-and-Trump/74229.html
Originalist Christian nationalism. They say politics makes strange bedfellows. There is none stranger than the curious linking of Jesus to the cults of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in the faith and politics of an alarmingtext/html2022-09-28T11:02:25-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER A concerning change at the Art Institute
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-A-concerning-change-at-the-Art-Institute/74065.html
I have a fond, reverent remembrance of the first time I encountered Felix Gonzalez-Torres' "Untitled" (Portrait of Ross in L.A.) at the Art Institute nearly a decade ago. I was encouraged by a nearby guide totext/html2022-09-21T12:04:19-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER Vote 'yes' for the environment
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-Vote-yes-for-the-environment/74012.html
Concerned about climate change? Interested in protecting our precious resources of breathable air, drinkable water, and native habitat? Want to create jobs while mitigating local flooding? Here's a way: in the upcoming midterm election, vote YEStext/html2022-09-08T15:58:26-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT The art of citizenship 2022, or night sweats of a classical humanist get worse …
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-The-art-of-citizenship-2022-or-night-sweats-of-a-classical-humanist-get-worse-8230/73920.html
Ten years ago this September, I published my first op-ed for Windy City Times: The art of citizenship 2012, or night sweats of a classical humanist. I wrote this op-ed because of the serious damage beingtext/html2022-07-28T15:33:30-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comMark S. KingVIEWS Can gay men dial back sex until our monkeypox vaccinations?
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Can-gay-men-dial-back-sex-until-our-monkeypox-vaccinations/73647.html
Years from now, there will be gay men who made it through a case of monkeypox who will have the scars up and down the shaft of their penis to prove it. Let me repeat that. Scars. On their cock. Fortext/html2022-07-20T12:40:01-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT Now, they're gunning to take away our vote
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Now-theyre-gunning-to-take-away-our-vote/73593.html
It took them 50 years to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe. It might take them only two years to get the court to take your vote from you. In addition to all the efforts to make voting difficulttext/html2022-07-07T12:25:56-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comJohn PellerVIEWPOINT Nothing is more American than a 4th of July parade
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Nothing-is-more-American-than-a-4th-of-July-parade/73513.html
Nothing is more American than a 4th of July parade. And tragically, nothing is more American than a mass shooting with a high-powered rifle. Our hearts go out to the families of the seven victims oftext/html2022-06-30T23:40:35-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comVIEWS How same-sex couples can ensure parenting rights if Supreme Court reverses Obergefell
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-How-same-sex-couples-can-ensure-parenting-rights-if-Supreme-Court-reverses-Obergefell/73478.html
After the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade last week, many are now wondering if the court would go after same-sex marriage next. Justice Samuel Alito, in his majority decision, wrote that nothing in itstext/html2022-06-28T02:24:01-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comBrian C. JohnsonVIEWS Workers' rights are LGBTQ+ rights
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Workers-rights-are-LGBTQ-rights/73452.html
June usually marks a joyous month for the LGBTQ+ community and our allies as we reflect on the decades of hard work that our community and movement have put into securing and promoting our civil rights.text/html2022-06-26T02:35:45-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comHow Coming Out in the 1970s Helped Me Make Brave, Life-changing Decisions
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/How-Coming-Out-in-the-1970s-Helped-Me-Make-Brave-Life-changing-Decisions/73436.html
As a child growing up in Wyoming in the 1960's, I did not know any actual person who was gay. I knew exactly one fact about gay people, a fact universally accepted but never talked about: Gay people were strange. Eventext/html2022-06-18T11:38:40-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWS The gay general at Valley Forge
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-The-gay-general-at-Valley-Forge/73376.html
Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben was born on Sept. 17, 1730, in Magdeburg, Germany. Son of a military father, Friedrich joined the Prussian army considered the most advanced professional army in Europe at thetext/html2022-06-04T12:41:07-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comJoey McDonald VIEWS Introductory speech at the IML/IMBB 2022 contest
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Introductory-speech-at-the-IML-IMBB-2022-contest/73264.html
Note: International Mr. Leather (IML) 2022 and International Mr. Bootblack (IMBB) 2022 took place May 26-30 in Chicago. At the culminating contest on May 29, Chuck Renslow Charitable Foundation Presidenttext/html2022-06-02T20:18:52-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER Homophobia on The Maze Jackson show
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-Homophobia-on-The-Maze-Jackson-show/73255.html
NOTE: Maze Jacksonwho hosts"The Most Dangerous Social-Radio Show in Chicago" on weekday mornings at WBGX 1570AMis the husband of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District President and Cook County assessor candidate Karitext/html2022-05-24T22:37:16-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWS Another 'Handmaid's Tale,' or sex and the supreme Catholics
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Another-Handmaids-Tale-or-sex-and-the-supreme-Catholics/73189.html
Amy Vivian Coney Barrett was confirmed as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 26, 2020. Barrett is only the fifth woman ever to serve on the Court. She is also the sixth Catholictext/html2022-05-22T18:11:41-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comBen Finzel'LGBTQ Rights on the Line: The Role of Communicators Advocating for Equality' event preview
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LGBTQ-Rights-on-the-Line-The-Role-of-Communicators-Advocating-for-Equality-event-preview-/73168.html
Celebrating, honoring and acknowledging Pride Month is more important this year than ever (and it should be celebrated all year, not just during one month). The expected Supreme Court ruling that will undermine the right totext/html2022-05-06T19:57:09-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comChristopher PettVIEWS Dignity/Chicago celebrates 50 years of ministry
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Dignity-Chicago-celebrates-50-years-of-ministry/73072.html
It was 1972 and it was dangerous to be gay or lesbian. One could be arrested, publicly humiliated or fired from one's job. Even finding safety in the emerging bar scene was hazardous. Added to thattext/html2022-04-26T16:04:17-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comCongressman Jesus "Chuy" GarcíaVIEWS Biden, Democrats must end Title 42 now
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Biden-Democrats-must-end-Title-42-now/72994.html
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 Democratstext/html2022-04-23T11:49:06-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWS The closing of civil society: Russia and the U.S., or fear the queer!
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-The-closing-of-civil-society-Russia-and-the-US-or-fear-the-queer/72971.html
Putin's invasion of Ukraine has made manifest the fragility of civil society in Russia and the strength of civil society in Ukraine. It has also once again focused an intense spotlight on our own civil society.text/html2022-04-07T19:44:14-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTERS A difference in opinion about Vatican document
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTERS-A-difference-in-opinion-about-Vatican-document/72861.html
I am responding to DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burks, who issued a press release that Windy City Times published. A newly released document from the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education could trigger a new wave oftext/html2022-04-05T19:35:41-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeVIEWPOINT Mixed reactions to Will Smith's slap
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Mixed-reactions-to-Will-Smiths-slap/72843.html
By now, everyone has seen or heard about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars for making a tasteless and misogynistic joke about his wife's short hair resembling Demi Moore's buzzcut in the 1997 movietext/html2022-04-03T21:43:12-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWPOINT On A Scale of 1 to 10: Sex, Religion, Power, Politics--A Public Meditation
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-On-A-Scale-of-1-to-10-Sex-Religion-Power-Politics-A-Public-Meditation/72830.html
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 Articletext/html2022-03-29T20:47:02-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLitesa WallaceVIEWPOINT For Elise, I promise to advocate to ban the trans/gay panic defense
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-For-Elise-I-promise-to-advocate-to-ban-the-trans-gay-panic-defense/72780.html
Elise is dead. We don't yet know how or why. But Elise is dead, and my heart is breaking. Trans activist Elise Malary was an inspiration for me. She was the driving force behind the legislationtext/html2022-03-15T15:32:46-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWS Putin's war and anti-queer Christian nationalism
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Putins-war-and-anti-queer-Christian-nationalism/72650.html
'Don't Say Gay' bill clears Florida Senate awaiting signature of Governor Ron De Santis (March 08, 2022). Texas attorney general Ken Paxton issues legal opinion classifying gender-affirming medical care fortext/html2022-02-20T15:25:24-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comNick PatriccaVIEWS Bannon, the Catholic vote and our democracy
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Bannon-the-Catholic-vote-and-our-democracy/72433.html
"I don't want anybody to take their eye off the ball for what we do every day... We're taking down the Biden regime." Stephen K. Bannon speaking to reporters as he turned himself over to federaltext/html2022-02-15T12:51:38-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER Love is the road to healing
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-Love-is-the-road-to-healing-/72382.html
I am writing this letter to the editor in response to the press release that was printed in the present online issue of Windy City Times. The press release ("Program for LGBTQ people/families pushed by Archdiocesetext/html2022-01-26T17:06:12-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comGerald E. Harmon, MDVIEWPOINT: FDA must lift discriminatory blood-donor policy
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-FDA-must-lift-discriminatory-blood-donor-policy/72218.html
With the nation's blood supply at its lowest point in a decade, and the American Red Cross declaring its first-ever national blood crisis earlier this month, it is time for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)text/html2022-01-20T21:46:23-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Stephen Thurston IIVIEWPOINT Who is my neighbor?
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Who-is-my-neighbor/72179.html
The notion of functioning as a Good Samaritan is one that transcends any particular faith tradition. The idea of humans treating humans in a humane way sounds so simple, yet history and modernity are replete withtext/html2022-01-20T19:12:45-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comFailure to enact Freedom to Vote is a blow to vulnerable groups
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Failure-to-enact-Freedom-to-Vote-is-a-blow-to-vulnerable-groups/72175.html
From Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund: "The failure to enact the Freedom to Vote, John R. Lewis Act is a profound blow to our Democracy. The inability to ensuretext/html2022-01-19T13:06:06-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comVIEWS Trans women passing the torch
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Trans-women-passing-the-torch/72160.html
I am writing this letter to the editor to compliment Windy City Times on its recent article "Passing the torch: How generations of trans women approach activism, advocacy," by Max Lubbers. The article highlights how thetext/html2022-01-18T14:49:38-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comTwo join races for state office, Personal PAC comments on threats to reproductive rights
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Two-join-races-for-state-office-Personal-PAC-comments-on-threats-to-reproductive-rights/72151.html
Chicago, IL Today, following the news that anti-choice extremists Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne would run as Republicans for governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, Personal PAC President and CEO Terry Cosgrove released the followingtext/html2022-01-10T16:24:24-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comMartha MillerVIEWS Hoarders
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Hoarders/72100.html
One TV program that I alternately love and hate is Hoarders. The producers send a team of psychologists, organizers and laborers into a person's home and they all work (and argue) about cleaning the place uptext/html2022-01-08T22:56:57-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comWayne BesenVIEWPOINT For LGBTQ community, the movement behind Jan. 6 is an existential threat
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-For-LGBTQ-community-the-movement-behind-Jan-6-is-an-existential-threat/72089.html
The stakes could not be higher. The LGBTQ movement has succeeded beyond our wildest dreams in democratic societies worldwide. Where we have had access to freedom of speech and assembly, remarkable advances have followed. This istext/html2022-01-08T13:12:54-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER Continue the dialogue on racism
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-Continue-the-dialogue-on-racism/72084.html
I am writing this letter to the editor about the article that appeared on the Windy City Times website titled "A look at Northalsted/Boystown bars since 2020 town hall on racism," written by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni. Also,text/html2021-12-28T14:58:48-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER Remembering Archbishop Tutu
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-Remembering-Archbishop-Tutu/72026.html
Archbishop Desmond Tutu passed away in Cape Town, South Africa, on Dec. 26 at the age of 90. In 1984, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts to bring about a peaceful transition to a society withtext/html2021-12-16T19:55:41-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeVIEWS Remembering our sister-friend bell hooks
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Remembering-our-sister-friend-bell-hooks/71963.html
bell hooks died on Dec. 15, 2021, at 69, in Kentucky. As a Black Appalachian, bell hooks was inarguably one of the nation's prominent feminist scholars and authors, and a friend to everyone she met. Lasttext/html2021-12-13T13:53:48-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeVIEWS Will Smollett's hoax affect public perception of hate crimes?
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Will-Smolletts-hoax-affect-public-perception-of-hate-crimes/71936.html
Former Empire actor Jussie Smollett was recently found guilty on five of the six counts of felony disorderly conduct for concocting an elaborate racist and homophobic assault against himself. Each Class 4 felony count can landtext/html2021-11-24T23:16:07-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER TO THE EDITOR Thanksgiving is a time to reflect
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR-Thanksgiving-is-a-time-to-reflect/71817.html
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for a God that created us and loves us. The sins of racism, sexism, ageism and classicism are neoclassic examples of how we have fallen short. We have cometext/html2021-11-20T19:15:41-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comKayleigh PadarVIEWS Young people need to listen to LGBTQ elders' intergenerational experiences
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Young-people-need-to-listen-to-LGBTQ-elders-intergenerational-experiences-/71784.html
For one of my first Windy City Times assignments, I was lucky enough to spend nearly three hours interviewing longtime LGBTQ+-rights activist Michael O'Connor. As queer individuals living in Chicago in 2021, we had plenty intext/html2021-11-19T22:21:08-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comHenry RoachVIEWS Reporting on queers of color needs to investigate absence as much as presence
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Reporting-on-queers-of-color-needs-to-investigate-absence-as-much-as-presence/71777.html
Earlier this month, I pitched a Windy City Times article that sought to explore how role playing games (RPGs), such as Dungeons & Dragons, enable queer people of color (QPOC) to explore their gender and sexualitytext/html2021-11-19T22:14:08-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comMax LubbersVIEWS In defense of the word 'lesbian'
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-In-defense-of-the-word-lesbian/71776.html
When I decided to come out to my mom, I wanted to wait until I could say the word "lesbian" out loud. But as I sat her down, I tripped over the long string of letters. "Mom, I'm gay," I blurtedtext/html2021-11-19T22:07:59-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comCris Villalonga-VivoniVIEWS Google and Chicago's segregated LGBTQ+ community
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Google-and-Chicagos-segregated-LGBTQ-community-/71775.html
I was a little baby queer when I moved to Chicago last year. I come from a traditional, cookie-cutter Connecticut town where Vineyard Vines and Sunday school were the standards. So, for a LatinX queer person whotext/html2021-10-13T13:45:41-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comThe Rev. Irene MonroeOP-ED The Black church was one of R. Kelly's enablers
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/OP-ED-The-Black-church-was-one-of-R-Kellys-enablers/71523.html
The long-awaited justice for R. Kelly's survivors finally came last month when a New York federal jury found him guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. For nearly 30 years, underage Black girls and their families havetext/html2021-10-08T17:24:26-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comVIEWS Finding the Crossroads
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Finding-the-Crossroads-/71483.html
The first time I saw a psychic, I was 19 and my friend Sandy and I drove to Jacksonville to see an old woman who read cards. We were young and it was fun going to her old house where atext/html2021-09-02T13:13:59-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER TO THE EDITOR Opinion: The parade must go on
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR-Opinion-The-parade-must-go-on/71241.html
I am responding to the letter from Tim Frye, the current 2021 coordinator of Chicago's Pride Parade, about the cancellation of the event that was scheduled for Oct. 3. I agree that this decision takes intext/html2021-07-28T20:26:57-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comJeff Graham, Executive Director, Georgia Equality VIEWS U.S. Senators: It's time to act against anti-LGBTQ discrimination
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-US-Senators-Its-time-to-act-against-anti-LGBTQ-discrimination/71023.html
Georgia has had the eyes of the nation on it for some time now. It's just over five years since people across Georgia braced themselves as lawmakers sent sweeping anti-LGBTQ legislation to the desk of then-Governortext/html2021-07-03T20:44:21-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comOP-ED Foreign drug pricing puts America's most vulnerable patients last
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/OP-ED-Foreign-drug-pricing-puts-Americas-most-vulnerable-patients-last/70859.html
It's no coincidence that American companies led the charge to develop COVID-19 vaccines. Numerous policies from strong patent protections to a welcoming immigration system help ensure that the world's smartest scientists cantext/html2021-06-28T21:06:55-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comOp-Ed: Elevating 'T' in LGBTQ: State government, transgender equity in 21st century
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Op-Ed-Elevating-T-in-LGBTQ-State-government-transgender-equity-in-21st-century/70823.html
In recent decades, our laws, pop culture and morality have shifted dramatically for same-sex couples. Our LGBTQ+ neighbors are interwoven into the fabric of our communities now more than ever. We celebrate this recognition and indeedtext/html2021-05-31T23:39:11-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeVIEWPOINT Tulsa Race Massacre reparations would begin the healing
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Tulsa-Race-Massacre-reparations-would-begin-the-healing/70589.html
When HBO's 2019 Watchmen series opened with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and HBO's 2020 Lovecraft Country series closed with scenes from the riots, most Americans had never heard of the event even Tulsans. On May 19,text/html2021-05-28T12:09:51-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comIllinois Holocaust Museum makes statement on anti-Semitic attacks
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Illinois-Holocaust-Museum-makes-statement-on-anti-Semitic-attacks/70573.html
Dear Museum Community, At Illinois Holocaust Museum, we are appalled at the recent rise in worldwide anti-Semitic incidences. We cannot stand by while Jews and synagogues are violently attacked, including in Skokie, New York, Los Angeles,text/html2021-05-20T22:02:48-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER A matter of race
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-A-matter-of-race/70526.html
I applaud Mayor Lori Lightfoot's courageous statement on only giving one-on-one interviews to journalists of color. She obviously wants to see a public dialogue on this matter. White privilege is a topic we must look attext/html2021-05-19T20:52:53-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLee LynchThe Amazon Trail Notes from a Homebody
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/The-Amazon-Trail-Notes-from-a-Homebody/70515.html
's finally here. The end of total lockdown. Am I ready? Absolutely not. I like my burrow. I don't wanna play with others. We've fashioned a comfortable little routine. Week days, work. Evenings, spend time alonetext/html2021-04-15T16:08:16-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comIllinois Latino Agenda issues statement on shooting of Adam Toledo
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Illinois-Latino-Agenda-issues-statement-on-shooting-of-Adam-Toledo/70296.html
On March 29, 2021, 13-year-old Adam Toledo was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer. Since the shooting, there have been different narratives formed of who Adam Toledo was. Various media have made allegations sayingtext/html2021-04-13T11:54:16-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroePastor Donnie McClurkin's struggle with sexuality mirrors the Black church's
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Pastor-Donnie-McClurkins-struggle-with-sexuality-mirrors-the-Black-churchs/70282.html
The most significant factor that keeps the Black church on the down low are closeted, homophobic ministers. Pastor Donnie McClurkin a three-time Gospel Grammy winner and the former poster boy fortext/html2021-04-10T12:40:10-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLee LynchThe Amazon Trail, How to Write a Book
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/The-Amazon-Trail-How-to-Write-a-Book/70271.html
I'm not giving away any secrets here. Not saying it's simple or that anyone can do it if they send $25.00 to Post Office Box 1,2,3. Nope, it's a personal journey and every story has a story. Here's mine, about thetext/html2021-03-31T02:19:09-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comGloria Allen aka “Mama Gloria”OP-ED The closet doors are opening
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/OP-ED-The-closet-doors-are-opening-/70205.html
(NOTE: The International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31.) I recently learned that according to a new report, the number of people in this country who identify as LGBTQ has increased by 60% since 2012.text/html2021-03-30T15:25:50-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeOP-ED: An AAPI hate crime we dare not say
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/OP-ED-An-AAPI-hate-crime-we-dare-not-say/70203.html
On March 16, Robert Aaron Long killed eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent. Long's action has not yet been classified as a hate crime because the motive, he stated, was his sextext/html2021-03-18T14:39:21-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER The Vatican's words and actions do not echo love
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-The-Vaticans-words-and-actions-do-not-echo-love-/70141.html
The LGBTQA community is responding with shock, anger and frustration at the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith statement concerning same-sex unions. Many in our community can't understand why Pope Francis would allow such atext/html2021-02-13T21:10:46-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLee LynchThe Amazon Trail Covid 19 Pioneer
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/The-Amazon-Trail-Covid-19-Pioneer/69981.html
Now that President Biden and Vice President Harris are in office, I've been able to have my first Covid 19 vaccine shot. It was no big deal. I went to our county fairgrounds expecting to be injected through my car window,text/html2021-02-07T01:17:18-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER Federal anti-discrimination protection? Inevitable
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-Federal-anti-discrimination-protection-Inevitable/69940.html
=The astute can predict the future with more than a modicum of confidence by examining history. Nate Silver did this last year at fivethirtyeight.com, as did Vegas oddsmakers, in predicting the victory of President Joe Biden over dertext/html2021-01-26T15:10:27-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeOP-ED Gorman's inauguration poem has Black women talking
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/OP-ED-Gormans-inauguration-poem-has-Black-women-talking/69865.html
Amanda Gorman mesmerized a nation with her inauguration poem "The Hill We Climb." The beauty of her presence and the power of her words captured a country battle-scarred and looking for a lifeline. "After four yearstext/html2021-01-25T13:03:53-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLetter: Greed overrides common sense
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Letter-Greed-overrides-common-sense-/69857.html
Jeffrey Sanker, founder of the White Party concept decades ago, is now at the center of brewing online civil war in the gay community. It was reported by some online LGBTQ media news outlets such astext/html2021-01-20T15:16:01-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER: Unnecessary legislation
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-Unnecessary-legislation/69826.html
To the Editor: At a time when Illinois lawmakers should be supporting healthcare heroes who are working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic, we instead receive unwelcome new legislation that will drive up the costs of practicingtext/html2021-01-08T14:39:28-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comChristopher T. Conner, PhDOP-ED: New Year's Eve circuit parties go on despite COVID-19 travel concerns
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/OP-ED-New-Years-Eve-circuit-parties-go-on-despite-COVID-19-travel-concerns/69760.html
This past New Year's Eve, thousands of gay men flocked to Mexico to attend a New Year's eve "White Party" hosted by long time party promoter Jeffrey Sanker the host of the annual white party in Palmtext/html2020-12-28T19:18:38-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeOPINION Where do we go from here redux?
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/OPINION-Where-do-we-go-from-here-redux/69724.html
The year 2020 has been a stressful one. With George Floyd's death as an inflection point about race and racism in America, an unprecedented presidential election and social unrest during an ongoing pandemic with a risingtext/html2020-11-26T21:43:40-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comVIEWS Taking care of your mental health during a COVID holiday season
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWS-Taking-care-of-your-mental-health-during-a-COVID-holiday-season/69607.html
This holiday season is unlike any before, and it leaves many people feeling unsure about how to get into the holiday spirit. It's not unusual for many people to find this time of year overwhelming, buttext/html2020-11-14T22:20:09-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLee LynchThe Amazon Trail: Rats fleeing a sinking ship
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/The-Amazon-Trail-Rats-fleeing-a-sinking-ship/69553.html
I've heard the idiom "like rats fleeing a sinking ship" often lately, and while the metaphor is apt for what's going on in the United States, at our house it's even more befitting. Merriam Webster notes,text/html2020-11-09T15:09:15-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeVIEWPOINT Harris stands on shoulders of giants
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Harris-stands-on-shoulders-of-giants/69529.html
The struggle to get President-elect Joe Biden to the finish line first with 270 electoral college votes was unquestionably an epic battle. However, Biden's battle wasn't a century-long one like women finally winning the right totext/html2020-11-03T02:21:10-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLilly WachowskiLilly Wachowski: Refuse Fascism, at the Ballot Box and in the Street
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Lilly-Wachowski-Refuse-Fascism-at-the-Ballot-Box-and-in-the-Street-/69510.html
In a rare, public and political statement, filmmaker Lilly Wachowski (co-creator of The Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta, Sense8) published this personal essay on the literary website, LitHub.com, calling on people to "Refuse Fascism, at thetext/html2020-10-29T15:38:38-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comRev. Irene MonroeVIEWPOINT Is Pope Francis' support of civil unions just lip service?
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINT-Is-Pope-Francis-support-of-civil-unions-just-lip-service/69482.html
Pope Francis has expressed support for civil unions in the Catholic Church. Once again, the pontiff has sent shockwaves across the globe to 1.3 billion of his followers with another LGBTQ- affirming statement. However, this onetext/html2020-10-22T12:09:41-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER Thank you, Pope Francis
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-Thank-you-Pope-Francis/69446.html
I never thought I would live to see the day when a pope would endorse civil rights for LGBTQ couples. Praise God for His Grace. Also, the many Roman Catholic individuals and organizations who worked sotext/html2020-10-22T12:06:59-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER TO THE EDITOR Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR-Nomination-of-Amy-Coney-Barrett-/69445.html
Women-Church Convergence, a coalition of Catholic-rooted organizations including DignityUSA, deplores the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. We have serious concerns about the judgment of any nomineetext/html2020-10-13T19:18:33-00:00https://www.windycitytimes.comLETTER TO THE EDITOR Lambda Legal responds to nomination of Judge Barrett
https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR-Lambda-Legal-responds-to-nomination-of-Judge-Barrett/69402.html
Lambda Legal sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee urging its members to oppose Judge Amy Coney Barrett. The rushed confirmation hearings began today for President Trump's nominee to fill the seat of the late