Chicago LGBTQ advocates document serious life risks for trans homeless youth
By Ariana Puzzo Medill Reports “The average life span for a black trans woman is 35-years-old,” said Mariah Emerson, the public relations manager for Center on Halsted. “It’s a reality and it’s a disproportionate access to health [and] it’s disproportionate access to housing.” It is understood that disproportionate access here means a lack of access […]
Chicagoans rejoice at LGBTQ mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot’s historic victory
Ariana Puzzo Medill Reports Cheers erupted as supporters embraced each other on election night whenever the statistics showed mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot in the lead as the top voter-getter in a field of 14 candidates. The former federal prosecutor made history when she, along with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, became the candidates for […]
Chicago mayoral candidates criticize “the Chicago way” and vow to eliminate corruption
By Ariana Puzzo Medill Reports “We have candidates on this stage right now who are not corrupt,” said attorney and mayoral candidate John Kozlar. He and others took swipes at accusations that have surfaced during the race for mayor and aldermen. “The people who got us in this mess are not going to be the […]
Chicago mayoral candidates demand voter access and equity for upcoming election
By Ariana Puzzo Medill Reports “If we’re going to get the confidence of the people of Chicago, what we have to do is do everything legitimate,” said the former Chicago police superintendent and mayoral candidate Garry McCarthy. The opposite is done in Chicago to promote voter turnout in some areas, McCarthy said at Monday’s mayoral […]
Eleven Chicago mayoral candidates stress LGBTQ issues and positions
By Ariana Puzzo Medill Reports Eleven Chicago mayoral candidates stressed the importance of an LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum in city schools and the elimination of workplace discrimination. They spoke at a public forum on Saturday at the Second Presbyterian Church, one of several mayoral forums on city policies. LGBTQ community organizations invited the candidates to speak so […]
Youth-led Chicago women’s rally gathers a warm reception despite snow and frigid cold
By Ariana Puzzo Medill Reports More than 1,100 Facebook users responded to Jazmine Cruz’s call to march for gender equality Saturday despite the absence of a Women’s March in Chicago this year. Some 300 people showed up for the rally that also focused on human rights, health care, social justice, and empowering women and girls. […]
Annual anti-abortion rally “dignifies life” – Abortion-rights advocates protest
By Ariana Puzzo Medill Reports Anti-abortion advocates pushed for the overturn of Roe v. Wade during a rally at the Chicago Federal Center Plaza on Sunday to say human life should be protected from conception. Abortion-rights advocates marched in protest across the street to defend the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling. The event took place […]