A ward to the wise

The following is a letter to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley about 26th Ward Alderman Billy Ocasio's possible replacement, the Rev. Wilfredo De Jesús of New Life Covenant Church.

Dear Mayor Daley:

As one of the first and oldest openly gay Latino organizations in the city as well as a Hall of Fame Inductee, the Association of Latino Men for Action ( ALMA ) is writing to you to express our concerns about a recent situation that has come to our attention from many of our members who live in the Humboldt Park/26th Ward regarding Alderman Billy Ocasio recommendation for his successor. Ocasio has always been a good ally to ALMA and the Latino LGBTQ community. However in the case of his recommendation of the Rev. Wilfredo De Jesús, the board of ALMA and many other Latino LGBTQ leaders have some serious concerns with the minister's possible appointment, especially given what we have heard to be his public views on LGBTQ issues. ALMA, as a non-profit, is not in a position to endorse any candidate regardless of whoever makes a recommendation, but as an organization with a mission to promote and protect the rights of Latino LGBTQ individuals, we believe that all individuals seeking public office need to ensure that they will do the same—regardless of their own beliefs.

We would welcome any opportunity to meet and hear directly from any candidates being considered or who are considering being the next alderman of the 26th Ward. We have many members and allies in the ward, and we would like to hear from all the candidates about their views on LGBTQ issues. We feel that before you, as mayor, make an appointment you should be made aware of how the Latino LGBTQ and the gay community at large feel or think about potential candidates' views on our issues. As mayor, you have been a tremendous supporter of both the Latino and gay communities so we trust that you will understand and take our concerns into account when making your decision. We want to make sure the Latino LGBTQ community of the 26th Ward and all the residents of Chicago will have their basic civil rights protected, and that the person who represents the ward in the city council represents all of his or her constituents.

If you would like to discuss this further, you can have someone from your staff contact us at info@almachicago.org or 773-661-0926. Again, thank you, mayor, for your consideration and support in this matter.

Sincerely,

ALMA Board,

ALMA members

Supporters and residents of the Latino LGBTQ community of the 26th Ward

Shirts hurt

A letter to Chi-city Tees:

I am the owner of a Chicago-based special-events firm just west of the Loop, and one of my employees and several clients have sent me your Web site over the past two days. As the owner of my own company, I am truly shocked at your company's blatant discrimination against the Chicago LGBT community, both on the north and south sides of the city. I know it's supposed to all be in fun, ( albeit tasteless ) , but I hope you would seriously consider removing this T-shirt from your Web site. Why target any one group? The North Side Cubs fan base is also populated with Jews, Muslims, African Americans, etc., and I don't see shirts discriminating against any of them. Why do you think this is any more appropriate? And your company's product description when you click on this item is even more disturbing.

I am asking you to please reconsider the marketing and sale of this T-shirt. I am embarrassed for your company and for putting all Sox fans in the category of homophobes and close-minded South Side drunks. It's 2009, right? I truly hope this T-shirt has been a bust for your company. It really should be.

Respectfully,

Ted Grady