Springfield – The following is a statement by Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), the first openly gay member of the Illinois State Senate and chair of the Senate Human Rights Committee, on the Supreme Court Decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis.
"The Supreme Court decision greenlights discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community and further puts our rights, our freedom, and our lives at risk. This is not the Supreme Court immigrants like my father envisioned as a beacon of justice for all Americans. This is not the Court that ended segregation or that just a few years ago granted the right to marry to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation.”
CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons, the first and only openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Illinois Senate, spoke out against recent attacks against the LGBTQ+ community — both local and national — along with other elected officials, community activists, business leaders and advocacy groups at a press conference today in Rogers Park.
“As the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Illinois Senate, it is important to me that we lift up community voices in response to the wave of hate and vicious attacks we’ve seen targeting LGBTQ+ communities all across the nation,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Today we bring into focus that there have already been more than 500 punitive pieces of legislation introduced in state legislatures targeting our LGBTQ+ communities this year, with nearly 100 signed into law, that bar trans youth from participating in athletics, curtail and outlaw abortion rights, outlaw gender-affirming care and discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 classrooms, and ban books containing LGBTQ+ protagonists in schools. Today our elected leaders and community members take space to stand for LGBTQ+ human rights, call out these horrendous attacks, and give community members a place to share their thoughts about what we need to do next. We are fed up and will not stand for hateful attacks on the LGBTQ+ community any longer. We are fighting back.”
The event was held in Chicago with elected officials, and leaders from local businesses and advocacy groups speaking, including: Sen. Simmons; State Representative Kevin Olickal; Alderpersons Angela Clay (46th Ward), Matt Martin (47th Ward), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward) and Maria Hadden (49th Ward); Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita; Timothy Jackson with the Aids Foundation of Chicago; Stephanie Skora with Brave Space Alliance; Missy Perkins with Paint The City; Paul Ruffino with Rattleback Records; Anthony Galloway with Lorde, Rustin & Bates; comedian, writer, and activist KJ Whitehead; Silas Leslie with the Chicago Therapy Collective; Gregory Gross with Care for Real; Hallie Borden with Milk Hand Made + Honey Bridal; Andrew Miller and Lorraine Hayes with Test Positive Aware Network; and Searah Deysach with Early to Bed/Trans Essentials.
Senator Simmons has been known to aggressively push back against transphobic comments used in floor debate on the state Senate floor. He has also secured passage of and co-led numerous bills protecting LGBTQ+ communities including a bill that protects marriage equality and access to gender-affirming care in Illinois. This press conference was a continuation of his fight for the rights of trans-youth and all members of the LGBTQ+ community, giving elected leaders and community members the space to stand for LGBTQ+ human rights, call out these horrendous attacks, and give community members a place to share their thoughts about what needs to be done next.
“Everyone deserves to live a life true to who they are,” Simmons said. “These new laws and bills across the nation are a despicable and coordinated attack on the basic human rights of LGBTQ+ and queer communities. These new laws deny millions of people the right to live their life authentically. We have seen enough and we will fight tooth and nail to build on the progress and rights LGBTQ+ communities have secured in recent years. We will never go back in the closet. No way.”
For those who missed the event, a live stream of the press conference is available on Senator Simmons‘ Facebook page.
CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons will host a press conference during the month of Pride to bring together local elected officials, LGBTQ+ community leaders, small business owners, and advocates to respond to hateful recent attacks - both local and national - against the LGBTQ+ community. The press conference will include remarks from elected officials and community members.
“The far north side of Chicago is home to a vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Yet, our community has come under vicious attack in recent months. As the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Illinois Senate, it is important to me that we lift up community voices in response to the wave of hate we’ve seen,” said Simmons (D-Chicago).
WHO: Elected officials including State Senator Mike Simmons, State Representative Kevin Olickal, Alderpersons Angela Clay (46th Ward), Matt Martin (47th Ward), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward), Maria Hadden (49th Ward), and Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita. Representatives from local businesses and advocacy organizations including Timothy Jackson with the Aids Foundation of Chicago, Stephanie Skora with Brave Space Alliance; Myles Brady-Davis with Equality Illinois, Missy Perkins with Paint The City; Paul Ruffino with Rattleback Records; Anthony Galloway with Lorde, Rustin & Bates; comedian, writer, and activist KJ Whitehead; Silas Leslie with the Chicago Therapy Collective; Gregory Gross with Care for Real; Hallie Borden with Milk Hand Made + Honey Bridal; Andrew Miller and Lorraine Hayes with Test Positive Aware Network; and Searah Deysach with Early to Bed/Trans Essentials
WHAT: Press conference on Pride Month, LGBTQ+ rights and recent attacks on the community
WHEN: Friday, June 23, 12:00p.m.-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Gerber/Hart Library & Archives, 6500 N. Clark St., second floor, Chicago. The event will also be streamed on Facebook live on Senator Simmons' account.
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General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
It is great to be back in the 7th District after a very busy, extended legislative session in Springfield! I am thrilled to share that I passed a record number of bills (23) that will have a direct impact on the daily lives of 7th district constituents and Illinoisans addressing housing, transportation, access to health care, LGBTQ+ rights, expanding human rights, and much more. It has also been an incredible honor to serve as the Chair of the Human Rights Committee, Vice-Chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, as a member of the Education Committee, and the Transportation Committee and the Appropriations - Health and Human Services Committee. It has been an extremely productive spring session. For a detailed recap on the legislation I passed, please visit ilga.gov or click here to read my Spring 2023 update!
Last night I hosted our first ever “Traveling Office Hours” event at Spiteful Brewing Tap in Bowmanville. My staff and I enjoyed connecting and chatting with so many of our neighbors! The event was such a success with nearly 50 constituents attending that we will be doing these each month all around the 7th district.
More big news - this month my district office moved from our former location at 5533 N. Broadway to our new location at 1040 W. Bryn Mawr Ave! We are at the intersection of Bryn Mawr and Kenmore, between Red Twist Theatre and Hooked on Fish. To make sure we are able to best assist you as we settle in, please reach us via phone at 773-769-1717 or at
Caption: State Senator Mike Simmons and his district staff moving into his new office location at 1040 West Bryn Mawr Ave. on Wednesday, May 31st.
Additionally, my office is holding a virtual People’s Legislative Council focused on individuals living with disabilities on Thursday, June 22 at 4PM. If you would like to know more or RSVP to either of these events, call or email at 773-769-1717 or
As we all know, the month of June is Pride Month. The LGBTQ+ community, of which I am a proud member, has so much to celebrate. Midsommarfest in Andersonville this past weekend was an incredible display of Swedish heritage and LGBTQ+ pride, and I loved every minute! I learned about new traditions, met hundreds of people, and enjoyed our local food and retail vendors. Next up, I am looking forward to hosting my annual Pride Press Conference in Rogers Park at Gerber/Hart Library on Friday, June 23.
While in celebration, it is important to simultaneously acknowledge the unprecedented opposition our LGBTQ+ community faces. Our nation currently faces the highest number of anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-reproductive rights bills ever introduced, our corporations are shrinking back from supporting us (Target and Anheuser-Busch, I’m looking at you), and books addressing LGBTQ+ topics and identities continue to be banned. Just a few weeks ago, I witnessed ignorance and threats of violence on the Senate floor against the option for businesses to provide all-gender restrooms to patrons. Now more than ever, it is time to come together. I am so proud of our local community. The northside of Chicago is seen as a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community. I strive to make that a reality for the entire state of Illinois and beyond. During these tumultuous times, hold your head high, help one another, and know that I have your back.
In closing, I welcome you to stay connected with my office. Whether it is connecting to housing, healthcare, or sharing what is important to you, please reach out. And please visit us at our new district office on Bryn Mawr. We love to help the community.
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
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