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 2023-02-22
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Equality Illinois signals readiness for anti-discrimination battles at 2023 gala
by Matt Simonette
2023-02-05

This article shared 2601 times since Sun Feb 5, 2023
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


LGBTQ+ Chicagoans and their supporters gathered the evening of Feb. 4 for the 2023 edition of the Equality Gala. Speakers included Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Equality Illinois CEO Brian Johnson and Equality Florida CEO Nadine Smith, who was bestowed with Equality Illinois' Spirit Award for her work in fighting anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in the Sunshine State.

Smith said that, despite the rampant sentiment against the community that is so prominent in her state's political milieu, LGBTQ+ residents there are "fine" and prepared to battle for their rights. Smith warned, however, that such local discrimination may portend challenges to LGBTQ+ communities nationwide.

"I'm here to remind you that the Florida fight is our fight collectively, [and] I'm here to tell you that we're going to win," she said.

"Buckle up, because we are not going anywhere," said Johnson. "…Playing defense is not enough."

Equality Illinois' CEO began his remarks with nods to historical LGBTQ+ Illinoisans, among them activists Jane Adams and Henry Gerber, and Albert Cashier, who was born a female but served in the Civil War living as man. Contemporary scholars believe that Cashier was indeed a transgender man.

"We are not new," Johnson said. "Our demands for justice are not new."

Lightfoot also called for vigilance against the radical right, warning that, "We are never out of their sights."

Lightfoot acknowledged the dozens of politicians who had just walked through in procession—a traditional part of the gala—and noted that, "Not that long ago, not that many of them would have been brave enough to come here tonight."

She further encouraged cohesion in the LGBTQ+ community, explaining that, "We fight by being united. We fight by making sure that no one is left behind."

The mayor added: "In Chicago, we say gay."

Lightfoot's comment was in retort to Florida's anti-LGBTQ+ Don't Say Gay legislation, championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Smith remarked that her governor seemed to be running to be "the next Confederate president of the United States."

While Smith warned that political fights lie ahead, she also emphasized throughout her speech that the community would win those fights.

"The attacks on us right now, no matter how painful [they] feel…are paving the way for a victory that will stun us all," she said.

The evening's presentation also included a remembrance for Elise Malary, a prominent transgender-rights and anti-racism activist, who lent her efforts to numerous local causes and organizations, among them Equality Illinois. Malary died in 2022.

Accompanied by Mike Ziri, Equality Illinois' director of public policy, activist Channyn Lynne Parker (an Equality Illinois board member) said, "Day in and day out, [Malary] extended justice, even when she was not the recipient of the grace she extended to others."

Parker's remarks were prepared by Myles Brady Davis, Equality Illinois' director of Communications, who had given birth to a second child the day of the gala.

Politicians and public officials taking part in the evening included U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth; U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen; Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle; and Cook County Board Commissioners Donna Miller and Kevin Morrison.

Also attending were Illinois Department of Human Rights President Jim Bennett; Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch; former Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris; state Reps. Robin Kelly, Lamont Robinson, Jr., Ann Willians and Kelly Cassidy; former state Rep. LaToya Greenwood; and state Sens. Sara Feigenholtz and Mike Simmonds.

Other political figures included Alds. Tom Tunney, Andre Vasquez and Maria Hadden; Judge Jill Rose Quinn; Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering; Illinois Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation Mario Treto, Jr.; State Comptroller Susana Mendoza; State Treasurer Mike Frerichs; and Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton, among numerous others.

Additional presenters and speakers that evening included Adam Collins, Justin DeJong, Reyna Ortiz, Toi Hutchinson, Luis Roma, Butch Trusty, Mony Ruiz-Velasco and Zahara Bassett.

As is tradition each year, Equality Illinois Co-Founder Art Johnston offered his toast to the crowd: "To full equality and justice for all."


This article shared 2601 times since Sun Feb 5, 2023
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Baldwin leads 22 colleagues in calling on FDA to end discriminatory blood donation policy
2023-03-24
--From a press release - WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has headed up a group of 22 colleagues in sending a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf expressing support for the agency's ...


Gay News

Affinity renews Burning Bowl tradition
2023-03-23
On the afternoon of March 19, Affinity Community Services held Burning Bowl 2023 Renewal: And Still We Rise at the Pavilion at the Dan Ryan Woods. ...


Gay News

Mayoral candidate forum centers BIPOC LGBTQ+ issues, Vallas declines to participate
2023-03-23
Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson participated in a March 22 virtual LGBTQ+-focused forum co-hosted by Affinity Community Services (Affinity), Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) Chicago ...


Gay News

Utah bans conversion therapy
2023-03-23
On March 22, Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill that bans licensed professionals from practicing conversion therapy—the discredited practice that attempts to turn LGBTQ+ people heterosexual—on minors, Q ...


Gay News

ELECTIONS 2023 Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson discusses religion, LGBTQ+ issues, holistic approach
2023-03-22
Chicago mayoral candidates Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas seem to have little in common. Johnson, a Cook County commissioner, has embraced a more progressive platform that employs everything from a more holistic approach to crime to ...


Gay News

More than thirty-five LGBTQ+ leaders endorse Brandon Johnson for mayor of Chicago
2023-03-22
--From a press release - CHICAGO, IL — More than thirty-five LGBTQ+ community leaders are united in their support for Brandon Johnson for Mayor in Chicago's runoff election, representing the city's business, philanthropic, academic, civic ...


Gay News

Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Diplo and more to headline Lollapalooza on Aug. 3-6
2023-03-21
--From a press release - (Chicago—March 21, 2023) Lollapalooza has unveiled a powerhouse lineup for the 2023 edition, featuring first-time headliners Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish along with Red Hot Chili Peppers, ODESZA, Lana Del Rey, Karol G, who will make ...


Gay News

N.Y. attorney general hosts Drag Story Hour
2023-03-21
On March 19, New York Attorney General Letitia James—along with a coalition of advocacy organizations and elected leaders—hosted a first-of-its-kind Drag Story Hour Read-A-Thon for families in New York City, per a press release from her ...


Gay News

Kentucky lawmakers pass anti-trans youth bill; governor plans to veto measure
2023-03-20
In Kentucky, Republican lawmakers passed a bill that bans minors from receiving gender-affirming care, lets educators refuse to refer to trans students by their preferred pronouns and would not allow schools to discuss sexual orientation or ...


Gay News

WORLD German bishops, trans woman's death, Hungary, human-rights event
2023-03-18
Germany's Catholic bishops voted (38 to nine, with 11 abstentions) to adopt formal ceremonies for the blessing of same-sex relationships, defying the Vatican and testing church unity on what has become one of the most contentious ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Ritchie Torres, N.J. towns, Karine Jean-Pierre, Tennessee items
2023-03-18
New York Congressman Ritchie Torres has talked about his own struggle with depression and the importance of mental health in the wake of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.)'s recent hospitalization for clinical depression, The Washington Blade ...


Gay News

'Spring Fling' at The Baton on Thursday, April 13 to benefit Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame
2023-03-17
--From a press release - The Baton Show Lounge (4713 North Broadway, Chicago) has been entertaining folks for 54 years and will host a special "Spring Fling", an all-new show to benefit the Chicago LGBT of Fame on Thursday, April 13 ...


Gay News

Johnson and Vallas to take part in LGBTQ+-focused candidate forum March 22
2023-03-17
Affinity Community Services (Affinity), Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) Chicago, Brave Space Alliance, Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus, Life is Work and Task Force Chicago are co-hosting a virtual ...


Gay News

Major national LGBTQ+ groups condemn Oklahoma House censure motion against Rep. Mauree Turner
2023-03-16
--From a press release - Last week, Oklahoma Representative Mauree Turner was the target of a censure motion by Republican leaders — a blatant attempt to silence the first openly non-binary U.S. state legislator. The motion passed on a party line ...


Gay News

ELECTIONS 2023: 48th Ward candidate Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth speaks about her run-off race
2023-03-15
Note: The following interview is part of Windy City Times' ongoing coverage of LGBTQ+ candidates in the 2023 Chicago municipal elections. The run-off election takes place Tuesday, April 4. Following the Feb. 28 primary election—where 10 ...


 




Copyright © 2023 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives. Single copies of back issues in print form are
available for $4 per issue, older than one month for $6 if available,
by check to the mailing address listed below.

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 Transegender 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.