CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons held his 5th annual Pride Press Conference on Wednesday at the historic Gerber Hart Library and Archives in Rogers Park, the largest independent, non-profit, LGBTQ+ library in the Midwest. As the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Illinois Senate and in a time where LGBTQ+ individuals and communities are facing unprecedented discrimination and threats to human rights, his press conference focused on LGBTQ+ mental and physical health, youth, safety, and creating safe spaces. Participants included over 45 local elected officials, advocates, business owners and organizations.
“It is so important that everyone does more than just talk about programs and policies that protect and support the LGBTQ+ community,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We must continue to push for our dreams to become a reality - where schools and their administrations are inclusive of queer youth, where queer authors thrive, and where queer people are represented in all spaces in society.”
Simmons was joined by front-line organizations who led panel discussions, including AIDS Foundation Chicago, Brave Space Alliance, Chicago Therapy Collective, Rayo Community Clinic, TPAN, and Lavender Living. Community officials, including Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, Commissioner Josina Morita, and the offices of State Representative Hoan Huynh, State Representative Kelly Cassidy, Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Alderwoman Maria Hadden, and Alderman Matt Martin attended and affirmed their commitment to working toward a society where the LGBTQ+ community is not just seen, but protected.
“I am profoundly proud to be given the gift of being an LGBTQ+ Black man,” said Simmons. “And we must continue to fight for representation in all spaces and to fervently protect our LGBTQ+ youth - my ancestors, our ancestors, have sacrificed way too much to give up hope and give way to inaction.”
As Pride events continue across Illinois, June serves as a reminder that pride first began as a protest, and requires unity, courage and ongoing action.
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