PRIDE 2017
REACHING OUT OPALGA combines social good, fun | PAGE A3
NEW LEGISLATION Expanding LGBTQ rights |
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LGBTQ ACTIVISM Confronting the Age of Trump |
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48TH ANNUAL PARADE Guide to Pride Weekend |
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June 21, 2017
PRIDE 2017
New Bills Aim to Keep Illinois LGBTQ-Friendly SB 1761 passed the Senate in April. Harmon notes that the use of the panic defense is rare, Contributing Reporter but the bill is important. “This bill is as much a statement of principal as it is a solution to handful of newly introduced bills in Illinois illustrate the competing interan immediate problem. This is a simple way ests at work in the state when it comes of saying that Illinois stands for principals of to LGTBQ protections. equality and social justice.” Senator Harmon co-sponsored SB 1785 passed the Senate in two bills aimed at expanding May and modernizes the Illinois LGBTQ rights in Illinois and says law allowing people to change the that this is a part of his job that gender marker on their birth cerhas perhaps gained importance in tificate. Harmon notes that this the era of a new president. bill has a direct effect on his conHarmon co-sponsored SB 1761, stituents and people throughout an initiative of Equality Illinois, Illinois. which curtailed the use of a panic “This was easy to sponsor. We defense in murder cases. The panic were following the lead of other defense is premised on the argustates here, and the birth certifiDON HARMON ment that a defendant accused of cate bill has a direct impact on a violent crime against another constituents and families that I person could justify their actions by blaming know. We had a transgender page in the Senate the victim’s sexual orientation or gender iden- this year who testified on behalf of the bill, tity for the violent reaction. Equality Illinois which was really something to see a young labels the panic defense “rooted in the stigma- person be able to do. I thought of the famitization of LGBTQ people.” lies I know raising transgender children, and
BY LACEY SIKORA
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Senator Senator Senator Senator
Don Harmon Don Don Harmon Don Harmon President Pro Tempore President Pro Tempore President Pro Tempore President Pro Tempore 6933 W. North Ave. 6933 W. North Ave. 6933 W. North Ave. 6933 W. North Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 Oak Park, IL 60302 Oak Park, IL 60302 Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 848-2002 (708) 848-2002 (708) 848-2002 (708) 848-2002 329 Capitol Building 329 Capitol Building 329 Capitol Building 329 Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 Springfield, 62706 Springfield, ILIL 62706 Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-8176 (217) 782-8176 (217) 782-8176 (217) 782-8176 www.donharmon.org www.donharmon.org www.donharmon.org www.donharmon.org
dharmon@senatedem.ilga.gov dharmon@senatedem.ilga.gov dharmon@senatedem.ilga.gov dharmon@senatedem.ilga.gov
it seems obvious that their vital paperwork should reflect who they are.” Marianna Merola, who along with Levander Smith, co-chairs the Democratic Party of Oak Park’s newly-formed LGBTQ Call to Action group, says the two bills should be an easy way to get bi-partisan support for LGBTQ issues. “These things really do make a difference. The Panic Defense is not something I’ve ever been impacted by, but it shows that we won’t accept bigotry in Illinois.” Along with introducing bills that offer protections, Harmon opposes those that would erode rights for the LGBTQ community, such as SB 64, which would permit discrimination against LGBTQ people under the guise of religious freedom, and HB 664 which would force transgender students to use separate locker rooms and bathrooms at school. “As a politician, I keep doing what I’ve been doing for years in Springfield. I can call out the fallacies of arguments and make sure that people making them are never in a position to do harm to the people we represent. This depends on having a progressive majority.”
Proud to Serve
MARIANNA MEROLA
“These things really do make a difference. The Panic Defense is not something I’ve ever been impacted by, but it shows that we won’t accept bigotry in Illinois.”
Representative Representative Representative Representative
Camille Lilly Camille Lilly Camille Lilly Camille Lilly 5755 W.Division Division St.St. 5755 W. Division St. 5755 W. St. 5755 W. Division Chicago, IL60651 60651 Chicago, IL 60651 Chicago, IL Chicago, IL 60651 (773) 473-7300 (773) 473-7300 (773)(773) 473-7300 473-7300 282-S Stratton 282-S Stratton 282-S Stratton 282-S Stratton Office Building Office Building Office Building Office Building Springfield, IL62706 62706 Springfield, IL 62706 Springfield, IL Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-6400 (217) 782-6400 (217)(217) 782-6400 782-6400 statereplilly@yahoo.com statereplilly@yahoo.com statereplilly@yahoo.com staterepcamilleylilly@gmail.com
WWW.OAKPARKDEMS.ORG WWW.OAKPARKDEMS.ORG WWW.OAKPARKDEMS.ORG WWW.OAKPARKDEMS.ORG 1243 WOODBINE, SUITE 101 1243 WOODBINE, SUITE 101 1243 WOODBINE, SUITE 101 1243 WOODBINE, SUITE 101 OAK PARK, ILLINOIS 60302 OAK PARK, ILLINOIS 60302 OAK PARK, ILLINOIS 60302 OAK PARK, ILLINOIS 60302 (708) 386-0090 (708) 386-0090 (708) 386-0090 (708) 386-0090 DPOP@DONHARMON.ORG DPOP@DONHARMON.ORG DPOP@DONHARMON.ORG DPOP@DONHARMON.ORG
PRIDE 2017
June 21, 2017
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OPALGA in the Community: Outreach for Social Good BY LACEY SIKORA
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Contributing Reporter
or OPALGA board member Mike Rosanova, bringing together OPALGA and the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) was a natural decision. “I’ve been volunteering for the GFCD for a number of years, and I suggested that it would be a good place for people to get involved. GFCD supplies the Oak Park Food Pantry, and OPLAGA is tied into the Oak Park community and social organizations. Face-to-face community building is very important, as is giving back to the community.” The GFCD supplies local food pantries, and reaches at-risk populations such as refugees, new and expecting mothers, homeless populations MIKE ROSANOVA and Title 1 children who receive food assistance during the week from Chicago Public Schools. Each volunteer session ends with a member of the GFCD volunteer team telling volunteers how many people will benefit from the hours their group put in. Rosanova notes that volunteering for the GFCD is valuable for multiple reasons.
WILLIAM CAMARGO | Staff Photographer
OPALGA marching in the July 4 parade in Oak Park in 2016. “It’s a way to combine social good and fun. youth than their straight peers, Rosanova When you volunteer there, you have fun, and says this is another part of the appeal of the fun is a great motivator. One of the payoffs for partnership with the GCFD, which provides OPALGA is that it contributes to the feeling food assistance to homeless populations. that this is a good group and that you’re glad “Studies show the percentage of homeless to be a part of it. That’s youth who are LGBTQ is what Pride is all about. It’s way out of proportion to the what identity is all about.” number of LGBTQ kids in Rosanova notes that fosthe population. There are tering identity is key for the estimates that approximateLGBTQ community. “Doing ly 40 percent of homeless things like volunteering youth are LGBTQ.” contributes to quality of life While volunteering for and helps you form an identhe GCFD offers OPALGA tity, which is important for members an important LGBTQ people. A critical sense of community and — Mike Rosanova part of identity for LGBTQ team building for thempeople is finding other peoselves, Rosanova notes that ple like yourself and getting together in a the ability to help those in their community social group.” who are struggling is another important piece As the faculty advisor for the Gay Straight of the work. Alliance at Triton College, Rosanova notes “Everyone comes away amazed at the feelthat the issue of identity is a large part of ing of giving back to the community, which OPALGA’s work with students at both Triton is an important part of the psychology of and Oak Park River Forest High School’s Gay volunteering, but it’s also very important that Straight Alliance. the volunteers understand that what they are Noting that rates of suicide and homeless- doing has real results and real importance to ness are significantly higher among LGBTQ people.”
“There are estimates that approximately 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBTQ.”
PROVIDED
Mike Rosanova (standing, left) and other OPALGA members sorting cabbage at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
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PRIDE 2017
June 21, 2017
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LGBTQ Activism in the Age of Trump we need to mutually aid each other.” Bob Personnet of OPALGA is chairing a Contributing Reporter newly-created advocacy committee and sees the need for local action even when Oak Park and surrounding communities hen President Donald are not areas of concern. Trump was elected in “Oak Park and the surroundNovember, the reverberaing areas are safe, but beyond tions were felt even in solthat what do we do? Equality idly blue state Illinois. After eight Illinois has announcements for years of a having someone in the LGBTQ organizing and mobilizaWhite House who was committion around the nation. It’s really ted to protecting LGBTQ rights, about education right now. If you many in the LGBTQ community get complacent, it will cost you.” feared that not only would they The Democratic Party of Oak lose ground on issues yet to be Park (DPOP) has also changed resolved, but that the very proBOB PERSONETT its approach to LGBTQ concerns tections they had fought so hard in the wake of the election. to win might be in jeopardy. “ ak Park and Marianne Merola and Levander For State Senator Don Harmon, the effects of the election have the surrounding Smith are chairing a newlyformed LGBTQ Call to Action been pronounced. He remarks, areas are safe, committee as part of DPOP’s Call “Without a doubt, Donald Trump has given license to people to say but beyond that to Action for Human Rights. The LGBTQ Call to Action or do things they wouldn’t norwhat do we do? group was formed in direct mally say or do.” response to the election, and “We are lucky in Illinois that Smith and Merola note the we have a strong democratic group is happily accepting new majority, and we can stop antiLGBTQ bills from passing. We all need to be members who are interested in the cause. careful in the age of Trump to ensure that we Speaking of DPOP as a whole, Merola notes all stay united. When a group is under attack, that members have been very galvanized by
BY LACEY SIKORA
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Photo by Jaclyn McGoey
OPALGA participating in A Day in Our Village in Oak Park on June 4.
PRIDE 2017 the Trump presidency. “It’s always been an active group, and now, it’s active on steroids.” Meetings became standing room only at the Oak Park Public Library as more people sought to become active in local politics. Smith and Merola agree that within Oak Park, they have not seen LGBTQ protections losing ground, but say that the national mood is more concerning. Says Merola, “People really do feel more emboldened to discriminate against LGBTQ issues and people. Trump hasn’t issued a Gay Pride month proclamation. He got rid of the bathroom bill in schools that protected transgender students. He’s pandering to his LEVANDER SMITH base.” Noting that some of these moves are symbolic and some have more teeth, Merola and Smith emphasize that the key is getting the community engage and join in them in their calls to politicians and their postcard campaigns. Smith notes that DPOP has a table at the Oak Park Farmers Market every Saturday and welcomes people to sign up for DPOP’s newsletter, the Progressive, on the website www.dpop.org. “We are looking for gay and straight people of all ages and all races who want to get involved. We want everyone if they are passionate, committed and interested in these issues.”
June 21, 2017
“People really do feel more emboldened to discriminate against LGBTQ issues and people. Trump hasn’t issued a Gay Pride month proclamation. He got rid of the bathroom bill in schools that protected transgender students. He’s pandering to his base.” — Marianee Merola
PROVIDED
Levander Smith and Marianne Merola marching with DPOP in the River Forest Memorial Day Parade.
Don’t miss our Annual Bake Sale at the Oak Park Farmers Market • Sat., July 22nd
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We meet on the 4th Sunday First United Church of Oak Park: 848 Lake Street, Oak Park (at Kenilworth) 3 pm - 5 pm
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708.386.3016 www.pflag.org www.oakpark-pflag.blogspot.com
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PRIDE 2017
June 21, 2017
Chicago 48th Annual Pride Parade
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Chicago Pride Weekend consists of a two-day festival and our world-famous parade. The two-day festival takes place along Chicago’s famed Halsted strip on Saturday, June 17, 2017 and Sunday, June 18, 2017. The parade takes place over a four-mile route on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
Stage acts and event for the festival The parade kicks off at noon on Sunday, June 25, 2017, at Montrose Avenue and Broadway in Uptown and ends near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park. Pride Month in June is the culmination of Chicago’s vibrant LGBT community. The energy in the city peaks on Pride Weekend, which falls on the last weekend of June each year in commemoration of the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. On Pride Frida and Saturday thousands will gather along Halsted for the two day festival. Stages of music, exhibitors, great food and drinks are available to enjoy. In the evening the revelers will pour into Boystown clubs and party into the wee hours of the night. On Sunday the roar of the crowd heralds the start of the Pride Parade, a dazzling cavalcade of diversity. The streets are lined 12 people deep as 750,000 people cheer the contingents on and enjoy the show, culture and experience! For the liveliest viewing spots head to the Boystown section of North Halsted Street, between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street. If you are seeking a less crowded area to view the parade, look for your viewing spots near the beginning of the route along Broadway between Montrose Avenue and Sheridan Road or further along Broadway between Belmont Avenue and Diversey Parkway.
How did Pride begin? The annual Pride Celebration commemorates the rebellion of LGBT patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village in response to a routine police raid on June 27, 1969. The following year, a “GayIn” that took place on June 27, 1970 that was the early progenitor of the current Pride Celebration. Since 1972, the event has been held every year, Since its modest beginnings, Chicago Pride has grown to be one the largest and most well-known Pride events in the world. Pride has come to symbolize several things: the long history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer dignity, the freedom of all people to meaningfully and proudly express their sexual and gender identities, and the commitment of LGBT people to combating oppression.
Before anything else, we are all human. It’s time to embrace diversity. Let’s put aside labels in the name of love. Rethink your bias at lovehasnolabels.com
Do I need a ticket to get into Pride? There is no fee to attend the Pride Fest or watch the Parade. A voluntary donation is requested at the entry gates to Pride Fest. This donation goes back to community support programs.
Is there an age limit for entry into Chicago Pride? The Pride Fest and Parade are open to people of all ages.
Where can I stay near Pride events? Hundreds of thousands of people from outside Chicago come to the city for Pride each year. Find information on local lodging.
Where can I find parking? To ease the parking and traffic congestion around the Chicago Pride Parade route, we have teamed up with Parking Panda, the nationwide leader in online parking reservations. Locations within easy walking distance to the parade route are extremely limited and expected to sell out so we recommend that purchase your Chicago Pride Parade parking passes now! Apart from Pride, Chicago is also known for its world-class public transportation system, so please consider familiarizing yourself with the CTA (for transportation within the city) and with METRA and Pace (for transportation from the suburbs into the city). To find routes from anywhere in the Chicagoland area to Pride Fest and the Parade visit transitchicago.com.
Are pets allowed? Yes, pets are allowed, including, of course, service animals assisting people with accessibility needs. We do, however, strongly recommend leaving pets at home since both the Parade and Festival are noisy, crowded, and hot. Pets can sometimes be very startled by the crowds and sounds of Pride. In busy areas, it may be difficult to navigate with pets who will be walking on the ground given the high number of stomping feet moving through the crowd. — CHICAGOPRIDE.GOPRIDE.COM For more information, visit online at Chicagopride.gopride.com
PRIDE 2017
June 21, 2017
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June 21, 2017
PRIDE 2017
oak park area lesbian & gay association
Proudly representing the LGBTQ Oak Park area community for almost 30 years! Join us! We warmly welcome new members who are interested in having friends, social activities, opportunities to give back and/or engage in LGBTQ activism. Our diverse membership and array of yearly activities provide plenty of opportunities to socialize, laugh, belong, and engage.