On June 1, Cook County commissioners held a flag-raising event at Daley Plaza to celebrate Pride Month.
Among those who spoke were openly gay Commissioner Kevin Morrison. In part, he said, "By raising the rainbow flag, we are sending a clear message: No matter who you love, you are welcome in Cook County. You are celebrated. You are equal. And you deserve to have pride in who you are.
"Today, I am thinking about all the young LGBTQ people in Cook County, and I am thinking about the message this flag raising sends to them. I am thinking about them because I was one of them. Growing up in Elk Grove Village, I never thought I would get the opportunity to serve my community as an elected official simply because I was in the LGBTQ community."
"Now, I'm proud to be the first openly LGBTQ Cook County commissionerand I'm proud of the work we're doing to ensure LGBTQ equality in Cook County. In 2019, we amended the county's Human Rights Ordinance to make it easier for transgender people to use restrooms and other facilities based on their gender identities. And later this month, the county board will vote to approve my ordinance to make the county's documents and forms gender-inclusive.
"We still have work to do to advance LGBTQ equality, but we're taking necessary steps forward for the LGBTQ community."