State Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago, announced that he has created a new position at his 13th District office and named longtime AIDS and gay activist Laird Petersen, 47, as chief of staff.
'I have known Laird and his work for over 25 years, and he brings a new energy and level of service to the constituents that the 13th District serves. I am pleased to have someone of such a high caliber managing our local office,' McKeon said in a statement. McKeon added that his 'top priority for the last 10 years has been constituent services, and Laird is uniquely qualified given his experience working with state and local government and community agencies.'
Petersen has been affiliated, in one way or another, with many community-based organizations such as the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the Illinois Federation for Human Rights ( Equality Illinois ) and Horizons Community Services ( now The Center on Halsted ) . In addition, he has served on local, regional and national HIV prevention and advocacy planning organizations. Petersen is a lifelong Chicagoan who lives with his partner, Joe Price, in Andersonville.
In addition, McKeon has also appointed Kathleen Henning as a constituent services representative. 'Kathy is a long-time resident in the 47th Ward and is known to many constituents through her volunteerism with many community-based organizations and we are fortunate to have her join our staff, ' McKeon stated.
McKeon, who is currently battling cancer, is serving his fifth term as a state rep.
Ind. Governor Under Attack
The conservative organization Advance America is mounting an attack on Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels for having banned discrimination against gay and transgender people in state civilian employment, according to a release from Indiana Equality.
On April 26, Daniels issued his administration's EEO Policy Statement. Part of that statement prohibits state civilian employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity. In part, the policy reads that 'sexual orientation and gender identity shall not be a consideration in decisions concerning hiring, development, advancement and termination of civilian employees.'
In mid-July, Advance America launched an attack on Daniels, saying the policy provides 'recognition and special rights for the homosexual lifestyle.' The Advance America Web site quotes various right-wing spokespersons claiming that the policy 'paves way for quotas for homosexuals, transvestites.'
Indiana Equality is urging individuals to contact Daniels to express their support for his decision, ( 317 ) 232-4567.
