State Rep. Deborah Mell, D-40th District, held her largest fundraising event of the year at Chief O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant, 3471 N. Elston, on Oct. 22.
The event was designed to not only raise money for Mell's re-election attempt, but also to fund events and programs she plans to hold in her district for the upcoming year.
One of very few openly gay politicians in Illinois, Mell discussed how being an open lesbian in the state House was not as challenging as she initially feared.
"I don't feel a lot of discrimination down in the house," Mell said. "There are a couple of representatives that are definitely, fully anti-gay, so I stay away from them as much as I can. But, I've been treated great down there; it's been a little surprising. I welcome everyone to start running."
Although the event had no stated attendance or monetary goal, it did attract a number of high-ranking community leaders, including openly gay State Rep. Greg Harris, 13th D.
"Deb has been a great colleague to work with in Springfield," said Harris. "She's been a passionate supporter for marriage equality legislation and it's great to have another openly gay person in the house to put a human face on the day-to-day struggles that gays and lesbians face."
At the event, Mell did not officially address the attendees; instead, the state rep opted to discuss issues important to hersuch as marriage equality, education funding and reducing prison recidivismsin a more personal style by mingling with patrons throughout the night.