Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

ELECTIONS Ald. Pat Dowell talks congressional run, Brittney Griner, LGBTQs
by Andrew Davis
2022-06-26

This article shared 1979 times since Sun Jun 26, 2022
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


At the beginning of this year, Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush (D-1st District) announced that he was retiring from federal office. Almost immediately, several people announced their intentions to succeed him. (The total number is now at almost 20 individuals.)

One of those individuals is Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell, who has led the city's 3rd District since 2007. She initially planned to run for Illinois secretary of state, but has now focused her efforts on representing Illinois' 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Dowell recently talked with Windy City Times about this run, the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and self-reflection.

Windy City Times: Why did you switch from running for secretary of state to running for Congress?

Ald. Pat Dowell: I'm really proud of my track record being alderman since 2007. I was actually thinking about something else I could do to contribute. When I didn't see any African Americans step up to run for secretary of state, I decided this was an opportunity where I could still contribute. There were things in [that] office that I was still interested in: voting rights, the library system, small-business development and helping nonprofits. It was more than just driver's licenses, stickers and titles.

But I saw that I was not going to be able to get support from the Cook County Democratic Party—which I had been involved in since 2008 as a committeeman, and where I've served on the executive board. I came in second in that race because the person who eventually was slated and who I support [Alexi Giannoulias] came in with millions of dollars, compared to the few hundreds of thousands I had raised. It appeared the window was closing for me in that race, but I was still going to run against the party.

But who knew Bobby Rush would suddenly announce that he wasn't running for another term? I thought, "Aha! This is probably a seat I'm better suited for because it deals with policy. And it's a seat where I can contribute my talents in terms of working on economic development, affordable housing—all the issues I care about."

And also, it seemed like divine order. They say when the Lord closes one door, he opens another. I made a quick pivot.

WCT: It seems like there are 300 people running for this office. [Dowell smiles.] So what separates you from all the other candidates when a lot of you seem to have similar issues and goals?

PD: Well, I am one of probably two people in this race with actual legislative experience. I have a real track record you can see. I have the experience of developing consensus among different points of view. There are people in the race who are Republican, Democratic Socialists, progressives and others; I can build consensus among those views—a skill some of the other people in this race don't have.

And I'm ready on day one to be a congresswoman; it would take some of these others a lot of time to learn to function in a legislative body. They don't have the experience of knowledge.

WCT: What do you think are your biggest advantage and disadvantage in this race?

PD: I would say name recognition and having a campaign team in place would be advantages in this race. I have campaign experience, having run in six elections. I know what it takes on the ground to get your message out. Being a budget chair, I know how to put a budget together and find hidden expenditures.

The disadvantage is that people are really cynical about government. They feel government officials don't deal with their interests or deliver on their promises. I am an action-oriented and results-driver person; I think I've proven that in the 15 years I've served as alderman. I mean what I say, and I deliver results.

WCT: Back in the day, you worked with Mayor Harold Washington, correct?

PD: Yes. I was very young in my professional career and I had an opportunity to serve in Mayor Harold Washington's office. Unfortunately, it was during his second administration [when he passed away]. I was actually one of the economic development assistants in the mayor's office during his second term. We worked on some very interesting projects. But he didn't finish his term and I ended up back in the Department of Planning of Development as a deputy commissioner.

WCT: The centennial celebration for him was in April. What was he like?

PD: He was one of the smartest men I ever met. When I had an opportunity to meet him—when I worked under [professor of urban planning and public administration] Dr. Robert Mier—he was funny, very friendly and smart as a whip. You never knew how he would come at you with questions so it was very important to be prepared. You know how they say, "Never let 'em see you sweat?" I always went in there sweating, but able to answer the questions.

WCT: I noticed you included LGBTQ+ issues on your website. What do you think is the biggest problem the community faces?

PD: I think we're all under attack by the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade. [NOTE: This interview was conducted a couple days before the U.S. Supreme Court officially overturned the case.] Maybe the LGBTQ+ community isn't as aware of this, but the face is that we could go down a slippery slope from controlling a woman's body. The next thing will be controlling other things that are important to us, like the chance for people to live their lives the way they want. So many issues could be wiped away or attacked.

WCT: It's interesting looking at all of this anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

PD: Yes—and we're seeing all these attacks, especially on the trans community, across the country. It's going to be very important for the various communities under attack to work together and fight back against this draconian attitude.

I think another issue that's important is the increased level of hate crimes against the community. I can see there's been an increase. I get notified of every hate crime that happens in my ward—and in the last month, I was notified of three! I don't know if it's happening more or if they're being reported more, but it's a concern.

WCT: And I thought of our upcoming interview when I saw news about Brittney Griner, as you're a former college basketball player yourself. I've seen people say that if this were an NBA player like LeBron James who was being held, he'd be out by now. Do you agree?

PD: I don't know if that is the case. We're dealing with an evil dictator in Putin, and he's trying to make a statement about his leadership and Russia's goals in its war with Ukraine. And I'm not convinced that if a male ball player was being held, he'd be treated differently. If it was a famous actor or athlete, male or female, the same situation would be occurring.

WCT: And you could even make the argument that if it were someone super-famous like LeBron James, Russia would try even harder to hold on to him because he's a [bigger bargaining chip].

PD: Yes. Brittney is one of the biggest names in the WNBA, though, and has made a name for herself and the sport. Putin knows of her because of who she is.

WCT: These last two years have tested people and provided plenty of time for self-reflection. What have you learned about yourself?

PD: Interesting question... I'm an only child so, coming up, I wasn't around a lot of people in my home; I had a very solitary life. I was a bookworm and loved to cook, although I usually wasn't around the hustle and bustle of a large family.

I think during the pandemic I realized that, when [required] to be quarantined, I could actually live this way. I can be in the house and be alone while functioning at a high level. I learned that I am able to adapt.

I also learned that having the company of my dog, Toots, was very important. She's not just an animal, but a member of the family.

Also, life is really short and there are some things I have on my bucket list that I want to do—such as going to Ghana and perhaps building a house.

WCT: Is there anything you want to add about yourself or your campaign?

PD: One thing I'd like the LGBTQ+ community to know about my campaign is that my campaign manager and a higher-up in my finance community are from the community. And I was an alderman who supported the first openly gay Black man who's a member of the Illinois General Assembly: Lamont Robinson. I thought his voice was needed.

I'm a friend of the community—and I've been one for a long time. In my years as chair of the Human Relations Committee, we passed several important pieces of legislation that were important to the community.

And on day one, I'm ready to fight for issues that are important to you and your readers.

Dowell's campaign website is www.illinoisfordowell.com .

The Illinois primary election is Tuesday, June 28.


This article shared 1979 times since Sun Jun 26, 2022
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Thailand parliament passes landmark marriage bill 2024-03-27
- On March 27, Thailand's parliament approved a marriage-equality bill by an overwhelmingly large margin—a landmark step that moves one of Asia's most liberal countries closer to legalizing same-sex unions, media ...


Gay News

Kara Swisher talks truth, power in tech at Chicago Humanities event 2024-03-25
- Lesbian author, award-winning journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher spoke about truth and power in the tech industry through the lens of her most recent book, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, March 21 at First ...


Gay News

Wyoming is latest state to ban gender-affirming care for minors 2024-03-24
- On March 22, Wyoming became the latest state to prohibit gender-affirming care for minors, The Hill noted. In doing so, it joined 23 other states that passed laws restricting or banning the treatment. Legislators in both ...


Gay News

Chicago alder proposes renaming street after Obama 2024-03-22
- Openly gay Black Chicago Ald. Lamont Robinson has proposed renaming Columbus Drive after former U.S. President and city resident Barack Obama, media outlets noted. The street stretches through the Loop from East Grand Avenue to DuSable ...


Gay News

Congressional Equality Caucus on FY24 bills passing the house 2024-03-22
--From a press release - WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), released the following statement after the House successfully passed the final funding bills for Fiscal Year ...


Gay News

WORLD Uganda items, HIV report, Mandela, Liechtenstein, foreign minister weds 2024-03-21
- It turned out that U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Senior LGBTQI+ Coordinator Jay Gilliam traveled to Uganda on Feb. 19-27, per The Washington Blade. He visited the capital of Kampala and the nearby city of ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Va. marriage bill, AARP, online counseling, Idaho items, late activist 2024-03-21
- Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed bills protecting same-sex marriages at a state level, surprising some, WRIC reported. The bills—passed out of both chambers along mostly party lines—will require clerks ...


Gay News

LGBTQ+ candidates Marcelino Garcia, Precious Brady Davis win primary elections to keep MWRD seats 2024-03-21
- Marcelino Garcia and Precious Brady-Davis, the two openly LGBTQ+ incumbents in the race to keep their seats on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), won their primary elections and will move on to the general this ...


Gay News

Small LGBTQ+ candidate pool nevertheless scores some important victories March 19 2024-03-20
- Relatively few openly LGBTQ+ candidates were running in the March 19 Illinois Primary Election. But there were some significant contests in play at the local, state and federal levels. Openly gay Ald. Ray Lopez (15th Ward) ...


Gay News

Gay Irish prime minister to step down 2024-03-20
- In a surprise move, openly gay Irish Prime Minister (or Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar has announced his resignation, citing "personal and political, but mainly political reasons," according to CNN. Varadkar said he felt he was no longer ...


Gay News

Chicago's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council sets a new course 2024-03-18
- Chicago's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council held its first meeting of the calendar year on Feb. 28 at City Hall in the Loop under the leadership of the recently appointed chair Jin-Soo Huh. The LGBTQ+ Advisory Council is ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Missouri measure, HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, judge, Texas schools 2024-03-15
- In Missouri, a newly proposed law could charge teachers and counselors with a felony and require them to register as sex offenders if they're found guilty of supporting transgender students who are socially transitioning, CNN noted. ...


Gay News

PASSAGES: Former Chicago Commission on Human Relations chair Clarence Wood 2024-03-13
- LGBTQ ally and former Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) Chair and Commissioner Clarence N. Wood died March 5. He was 83. Wood was born April 14, 1940, in Alabama. While primarily raised in Alabama, Wood ...


Gay News

Longtime LGBTQ+-rights activist David Mixner dies at 77 2024-03-12
- On March 11, longtime LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activist David Mixner—known for working on Bill Clinton's presidential campaign but then splitting from him over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT)—died at age 77, The Advocate reported. ...


Gay News

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund remembers co-founder David Mixner 2024-03-12
--From a press release - Today, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker released the following statement on the passing of LGBTQ+ civil rights activist and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund co-founder David Mixner: "Today, we lost David Mixner, a founding ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.