CHICAGO, IL — More than thirty-five LGBTQ+ community leaders are united in their support for Brandon Johnson for Mayor in Chicago's runoff election, representing the city's business, philanthropic, academic, civic, and health equity communities and are hosting a community gathering and fundraiser for the candidate on Saturday, March 25 at Sidetrack, an LGBTQ+ enclave in Chicago's 44th Ward. Sidetrack is owned by lifelong LGBTQ+ activist & Founder of Equality Illinois Art Johnston and his husband Pepe Pena.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris says "I am proud to support Brandon Johnson for Mayor because of his proven record of building coalitions and achieving results for all Chicagoans. Brandon will be a strong ally for the LGBTQ+ community and will always fight for our rights."
"Our city's mayor makes decisions each day that will impact the lives of over 146,000 LGBTQ+ Chicagoans and Commissioner Johnson recognizes the importance of our collective voice and is committed to uplifting us all" says Eric Wilkerson, Founder/Principal of Wilkerson + Company and Campaign Board Member at the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.
Mary Morten, President of the Morton Group & inductee to the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame says "Individuals from historically marginalized communities lead with compassion, empathy, and a deep desire to learn about their constituent's lived experiences and Commissioner Johnson demonstrates this exact style of leadership."
Mayoral Candidate Brandon Johnson states: "It is the duty of the mayor to ensure that Chicago keeps the promises its made to LGBTQ people, and commits to further investment. We will make sure that there is always someone at the table in my administration who is focused on the needs of some of our most vulnerable Chicagoans. We will fully fund this department, along with the entire Office of Gender Equity, within my first year as mayor. A token investment in the community is insufficient, and LGBTQ people have been underrepresented in municipal infrastructure for far too long."
Precious Brady-Davis, a prominent trans activist declares: "Black Trans People are disproportionately impacted by violence at alarming rates. I have full confidence Brandon Johnson will be a vehement advocate who will ensure our lives are protected by addressing the systemic root causes of violence which creates countless barriers and challenges for individuals in our community to survive and thrive."
Community leaders included are Former House Majority Leader Greg Harris, Senator Mike Simmons, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, Commissioner Samantha Steele, Chirag Badlani, Jim Bennett & Terry Vanden Hoek, Elizabeth Blasius & Alex Ensign, Precious & Myles Brady-Davis, Jolynn Brown & Lynn Perryman, Cathy Cohen & Beth E. Richie, Willard Dumas, Carter Harms, Justin L. Hill, Zach Huelsing & Jon Lehman, Brian C. Johnson, Arthur Johnston & Pepe Pena, Laura McAlpine & Jeanne Kracher, Mary F. Morten & Willa J. Taylor, Mona Noriega & Evette Cardona, Renauda Riddle, Mony Ruiz-Velasco & Denise Poloyac, Jane Saks & Emma Ruby Sachs, Eric D. Wilkerson, & Mike Ziri.
