While I’m disappointed Pride Month is coming to an end, I’m so proud of everything we did in June. We raised Pride flags, fought for Pride month resolutions, helped change an antiquated local law, and made Cook County’s documents and forms gender inclusive. Here’s a look back.
JUNE 1: I was joined by Cook County commissioners and LGBTQ advocates for a Pride flag-raising ceremony at Daley Plaza to mark the beginning of Pride month. (Chicago Tribune story: Rainbow flag raised at Daley Plaza in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month, to be flown for all of June for first time). Watch the ABC 7 story below.
Earlier that morning, I attended the City of Des Plaines’s Pride flag-raising ceremony at Des Plaines City Hall. Thank you, Mayor Andrew Goczkowski and city council members, for recognizing Pride Month this year and for standing with the LGBTQ community.
It was an honor to attend the City of Des Plaines’s rainbow flag raising ceremony yesterday morning at Des Plaines City Hall.
Thank you, Mayor Andrew Goczkowski and city council members, for recognizing #PrideMonth this year and for standing with the LGBTQ community. pic.twitter.com/hdnprRjMwJ
— Commissioner Kevin B. Morrison ?️? (@KBMorrison15) June 2, 2021
The Advocate published my op-ed laying out why we desperately need more LGBTQ elected officials. You can read it here.
As the first openly LGBTQ Cook County commissioner, I know firsthand that representation matters.
To kick off #pride, I wrote an op-ed in @TheAdvocateMag laying out why we desperately need more LGBTQ elected officials – and we need them now. Check it out ? https://t.co/CsuTH2BweT
— Commissioner Kevin B. Morrison ?️? (@KBMorrison15) June 4, 2021
JUNE 6: I attended the incredible Buffalo Grove Pride Drive, where 105 Buffalo Grove homes were decorated with Pride balloons and signs (Read the Chicago Tribune story: https://bit.ly/3qGRGHp).
JUNE 11: I spoke at the first Northwest Pride Fest, part of VIDA [X], an annual conference featuring topics centered around creating communities that support and bring visibility to LGBTQ+ youth.
The event featured interactive workshops, arts and crafts, resources, vendors, drag performances, guest speakers including Fallon Fox (she/hers), dancing, and more.
JUNE 24: The Cook County Board unanimously passed my Gender Inclusive Documents and Forms Ordinance, which will help ensure transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people feel safe and welcome in Cook County. For too long, transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people have not been fully served and recognized by their government. Now, everyone in Cook County will be able to identify as their true, authentic self when filling out documents and forms and accessing critical county services. (Read the Windy City Times story: https://bit.ly/3qHH8Ic).
JUNE 30: Elk Grove Village repealed an antiquate ordinance that banned people from wearing clothes “properly belonging to the opposite sex” (Read the Daily Herald story: https://bit.ly/3w9HBDP).
This year, municipalities across the Northwest suburbs issued Pride month resolutions, boldly proclaiming that no matter who you love or how you identify, you are welcome in the Northwest suburbs. I applaud the Village of Arlington Heights, Village of Barrington, Village of Elk Grove, Village of Hanover Park, Village of Hoffman Estates, Village of Palatine, and Village of Schaumburg for issuing Pride Month resolutions (Read the Daily Herald story here).
Thank you to all who keep showing support and standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ community of Cook County.
We accomplished a lot this month, but we must all continue to make progress toward equality–no matter the month.
Happy Pride!
Solidarity,
Commissioner Kevin Morrison