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). 

  • At the state level, I have aggressively pushed back against transphobic comments used in floor debate on the state Senate floor.  
  • Nationally there have already been more than 500 pieces of legislation introduced in state legislatures in 2023, 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. 
  • This press conference will give elected leaders and community members 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.

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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