LGBTQ Victory Fundthe only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public officecondemned Chicago aldermanic candidate Felix Cardona Jr. for a pattern of anti-LGBTQ attacks in Chicago's 31st Ward.
According to a press release, Cardona and his team have lodged homophobic comments about Colin Bird-Martinez, Victory Fund's endorsed candidate. Furthermore, the fund has said that Cardona has illegally benefited from Maranatha USA/Maranatha Word Revivala tax-exempt, anti-LGBTQ religious organization with political activity around the globe.
"I was told that he pretends to be Latino by taking his 'wife's' last name, which is funny considering his husband's name is Joshua," resident Unmbreen Qadeer-Salvador is quoted in the press release.
"The 31st Ward is a majority Latinx ward with traditional Catholic values. Every door that I knock has been a coming-out process, as I do not hide my sexual identity," said Colin Bird-Martinez in the release. "I believe that my race can show that LGBTQ+ candidates do not need to fit the classic politician mold."
LGBTQ Victory Fund Political Director Sean Meloy added,"Colin is a dedicated affordable housing advocate with the skills necessary to tackle Chicago's biggest challenges. That he's never stooped to dirty tactics or tried to hide his sexual orientation speaks volumes about his credibility and commitment to service."
Bird-Martinez would be the first Black openly LGBTQ alderman on the Chicago City Council if elected.
In the Windy City Times questionnaire, Bird-Martinez's answers received an "A" while incumbent Milagros "Milly" Santiago scored a "B+." Cardona did not answer the survey.
On Feb. 24, Cardona's campaign reached out to Windy City Times. Campaign manager Cameron Rich emailed that he thought the campaign had returned the questionnaire.
Regarding the Victory Fund's comments, Cardona officially stated, "First and foremost, I am an ally and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. Let me be clear: I do not tolerate any sort of prejudice or hate on my campaign. I take this accusation personally. I have many close family members and friends that identify as LGBTQ+ who know me to be a supporter and ally. That will continue as 31st Ward Alderman."