The new City Council will soon have Chicago’s highest-ever representation of lesbian, gay, and bisexual alderpeople, offering key opportunities to strengthen the city’s reputation as a beacon for LGBTQ+ rights while protecting the most vulnerable members of the community.
The number of openly LGB-identifying alderpeople in Chicago will grow from seven to nine, comprising one-fifth of the council, when members are sworn in on May 15. No openly transgender or nonbinary alderpeople have been elected in Chicago. According to The Victory Fund, Chicago now has the highest number of LGBTQ+ representatives of any city in the nation.
New to the LGBT Caucus are alderpeople-elect Lamont Robinson (4th), Jessie Fuentes (26th), Bennett Lawson (44th), and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th).
Many of the LGBT Caucus’ members rallied behind Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson throughout his campaign, and the nine aldermen said those connections will help them enact policies that strengthen Chicago’s reputation as a welcoming city for LGBTQ people. #Queer Up Politics