* Background is here if you need it. I posted this on Saturday…
The tweet provoked a quick response from the mayor’s office, which denied the claim. They eventually sent me this email chain which showed that at least one person from the advisory council was kept in the loop.
* Today…
A press release was issued from the Mayor’s Press Office on May 10, 2024. The Mayor’s Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Affairs was listed as a signatory to the joint statement. While advisory council chair Jin-Soo Huh did provide input on technical parts of the statement, there was no explicit agreement for the advisory council to sign on to the letter. Having the advisory council join a statement requires review and input from the full advisory council, which did not take place. As soon as the press release was sent, Huh reached out to the Office of Community Engagement and the Mayor’s Press Office asking for a correction to be sent. This request was denied.
As members of the advisory council, we are disappointed that the initial changes to the Pride Parade were made by the City without consulting the LGBTQ+ community given the significance of this event. While we understand that there are logistical and safety considerations due to festivities after the Pride Parade, selectively enforcing an ordinance without any community engagement is unacceptable. No decisions should be made about us without us. While we are glad that our advocacy in a short time frame did lead to more groups being able to participate in the parade, we are disappointed that the Pride Parade will have fewer entries and a shorter route compared to prior years.
The LGBTQ+ community is a resilient one and we know that Pride will be a celebratory event. We look forward to celebrating with fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Respectfully,
Members of the Mayor’s Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Affairs
Maliyah Arnold
Dr. Christopher Balthazar
Donald Bell
Miguel Blancarte, Jr.
Robert Castillo
Stefanie Clark
Starr De Los Santos
Anna DeShawn
Jin-Soo Huh
Kim L. Hunt
Mony Ruiz-Velasco
Sanjeev Singh
Stephanie Skora
- NIU Grad - Monday, May 13, 24 @ 3:27 pm:
Not a great look for anyone, here.
- Um, no - Monday, May 13, 24 @ 3:32 pm:
Is there any constituency that the Mayor hasn’t upset by buffoonery, poor communication and outright non-truths?
Oddly, the Progressive’s own this guy’s candidacy. What a monumental cluster this Administration is at all times. Perhaps the only consistent trait.
- Henry Francis - Monday, May 13, 24 @ 4:42 pm:
This administration can’t even handle a parade, how in the hell will they be able to handle the DNC?
- Proud Papa Bear - Monday, May 13, 24 @ 5:32 pm:
We owe hundreds of millions of dollars on a stadium renovation for a lousy team. Let’s give them more for a new stadium.
The LGBTQ+ community has a wildly successful celebration that’s one of the greatest annual events in Chicago. Let’s stifle it.
- Leslie K - Monday, May 13, 24 @ 5:37 pm:
Sigh. This decision could be defended, but not the way it was handled. If MBJ is trying to alienate everyone, he’s doing a great job.
- low level - Monday, May 13, 24 @ 7:28 pm:
They literally cant get out of their own way.
- Shytown - Monday, May 13, 24 @ 7:54 pm:
I see many early Brandon Johnson supporters on this list…
- Frida’s boss - Monday, May 13, 24 @ 9:11 pm:
So they’ve now screwed up the Pride Parade.
4 weeks ago they cancelled the Englewood Back to School parade. 61 straight years.
2 weeks ago Cinco de Mayo parade cancelled.
How hard is it to handle a parade?
Maybe they should