Tag: gay

CBS2
— Trump Slams Virginia Restaurant That Kicked Out Sarah Sanders (DIERSEN: Democrats do not kick Rauner out of their restaurants because he has taken actions against those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/06/25/donald-trump-sarah-sanders-kicked-out-red-hen-restaurant/
— New Contender Sam McCann Enters Governor’s Race
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/06/25/mccann-governors-race/

ABC7 & NBC5
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats use illegals to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Trump.
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/durbin-visits-chicago-kids-making-cards-for-children-separated-from-parents/3651257/
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Durbin-Cards-to-Give-to-Children-Separated-From-Parents-at-Border-486469761.html

NBC5
— Trump to Attend Groundbreaking of Wisconsin Foxconn Factory Taiwan-based Foxconn is perhaps best known for assembling Apple iPhones in China – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Trump-to-Attend-Groundbreaking-of-Wisconsin-Foxconn-Factory-486494081.html
— Where to Watch Fireworks for Independence Day in Chicago: FROM THE LIST: Tuesday, July 3: Wheaton — Graf Park, 1701 Manchester Road, dusk (DIERSEN: DuPage Republicans will have a booth at this event.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Where-to-Watch-Fireworks-for-Independence-Day-in-Chicago-486301491.html

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Chicago bar bans MAGA hats (DIERSEN: Democrats would never ban Rauner hats because of the actions that Rauner has taken against those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/chicago-bar-bans-maga-hats

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— It’s official: GOP Sen. McCann files to run for governor in ‘Conservative Party’ – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/downstate-gop-sen-mccann-seeks-to-run-for-gov-as-conservative-party-candidate/
— Trump lashes out at restaurant that booted Sanders – AP (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps are extremely intolerant. They not only do not tolerate, they want to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/donald-trump-red-hen-restaurant-sarah-huckabee-sanders/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Illegal immigration will dramatically increase because “Border Protection halts prosecution referrals to keep adults, children together.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/immigration-border-protection-halts-prosecution-referrals-separating-families/
— Pfleger plans to shut down Dan Ryan on July 7 by marching on roadway – Mitch Dudek (DIERSEN: I drove my 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint and then my 1968 Oldsmobile 442 on the Dan Ryan 1966-1968 when I commuted to classes at UIC from my parents’ home in Crete.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pfleger-plans-shut-down-dan-ryan-july-7-marching-on-roadway-protest-gun-violence/
— The question in November: ‘What kind of country do we want to be? – Jesse Jackson (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps want America to be anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/the-question-in-november-what-kind-of-country-do-we-want-to-be/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Let’s take the high road, though Sarah Huckabee Sanders had it coming.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/sarah-huckabee-sanders-had-it-coming-restaurant-kicked-out/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump to Maxine Waters: ‘Careful what you wish for,’ after she calls for harassment of his Cabinet
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-maxine-waters-trump-20180625-story.html – Avi Selk and John Wagner
— Aurora hits quarter century as a casino town – Steve Lord
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-casino25-st-0624-story,amp.html
— Trolls attack restaurants named Red Hen after Trump’s press secretary denied meal – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-red-hen-confusion-20180625-story.html
— Pfleger to lead July 7 anti-violence protest that will shut down stretch of Dan Ryan Expressway – Elvia Malagon (DIERSEN: I drove my 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint and then my 1968 Oldsmobile 442 on the Dan Ryan 1966-1968 when I commuted to classes at UIC from my parents’ home in Crete.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-protest-gun-violence-dan-ryan-20180625-story.html
— When using village credit cards, Glenview officials often fail to properly track meal purchases, records show – Alexandra Kukulka
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/glenview/news/ct-gla-village-credit-cards-tl-0628-story.html
— With McDonald’s moving HQ to Chicago, Oak Brook’s 22nd Street restaurant will close Saturday – Chuck Fieldman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-brook/news/ct-dob-mcdonalds-restaurant-closing-tl-0628-story.html
— Women-only space gives senior-level men their moment post-#MeToo – Heidi Stevens
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/stevens/ct-life-stevens-monday-evolve-her-involve-him-0625-story.html

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Is your next electricity rate hike being cooked up in secret at the ICC? Lawsuit says yes. – STEVE DANIELS
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180625/NEWS11/180629911/is-your-next-electricity-rate-hike-being-cooked-up-in-secret-at-the
— Once a Trump fave, Harley now feels the trade war pinch – Bloomberg
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180625/NEWS05/180629907/once-a-trump-fave-harley-now-feels-the-trade-war-pinch

DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps crow about their success in using illegals to promote hatred against Trump.
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2018/06/25/residents-rally-in-woodstock-to-decry-trump-policies-push-for-family-reunification/aaa63s0/

BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE
— Williamson County voters to decide on gun sanctuary status
https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/County-voters-to-decide-whether-to-become-a-gun-13023909.php

96.7 THE EAGLE
— GOVERNOR RAUNER IS AGAINST THE LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN ILLINOIS
http://967theeagle.net/governor-rauner-is-against-the-legalization-of-recreational-marijuana-in-illinois/

CHICAGO READER
— Time to yank Trump’s wretched name off his tower—or make him pay more taxes – Ben Joravsky (DIERSEN: To this day, my critics/opponents in Wheaton remain furious that I cited building code violations, construction defects, storm water problems, and unrecorded easements in 915 Cove Court in Wheaton to get a reduction of the home’s assessed valuation from the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board. To this day, my critics/opponents a) are terrified of, b) glorify and praise, c) pander to, d) are operatives for, and/or d) are dupes for the home’s builder. Republican candidates tell me that he tells them that he does not want to give them any money or any campaign sign locations until the Milton Township Republican Central Committee, the DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and the Illinois Republican Party gets rid of me.)
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2018/06/25/time-to-yank-trumps-wretched-name-off-his-tower-or-make-him-pay-more-taxes

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
— More Synthetic Cannabinoids Cases – Melaney Arnold
https://www2.illinois.gov/IISNews/16899-More_Synthetic_Cannabinoids_Cases_Release.pdf

CHRONICLE ILLINOIS
— Black lawmakers lash out at Rauner – Kevin Beese
http://chronicleillinois.com/government/black-lawmakers-lash-out-at-rauner/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— RAOUL BLASTS ANONYMOUSLY-REPORTED ANTI-GAY COMMENTS MADE BY RAUNER-BACKED CANDIDATE 18 YEARS AGO
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/06/raoul-blasts-anonymously-reported-anti-gay-comments-made-by-rauner-backed-candidate-18-years-ago-.html
— FOUR MORE IL GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES COULD BE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/06/four-more-il-gubernatorial-candidates-could-be-on-november-ballot.html
— PETITION TO OUST MAXINE WATERS EMERGES ON WHITEHOUSE.GOV SITE
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/06/petition-to-oust-maxine-waters-emerges-on-whitehousegov-site.html
— AFTER REVELATIONS IRS WAS URGED TO RUIN TEA PARTY GROUPS, ILLINOIS LEADER CALLS ON TRUMP TO OUST INSTIGATOR
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/06/after-revelations-irs-was-urged-to-ruin-tea-party-groups-illinois-leader-calls-on-trump-to-oust-inst.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Gov. Rauner and JB Pritzker both attended Equality Illinois’ Pride Parade reception on Sunday. (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the future looks bleak for those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform. To promote LGBTQ activity is to dump those voters who support the traditional family plank in the IRP platform. To promote abortion is to dump those voters who support the right to life plank in the IRP platform. To promote illegal immigration is to dump those voters who support the immigration plank in the IRP platform. Ever-increasingly, Rauner seems to promise that if he is reelected, he will drive those who support the aforesaid planks out of the IRP once and for all, that is, that he will destroy the IRP once and for all. If Rauner is reelected, he will dump those who support the aforesaid planks. If Rauner is not reelected, he will blame those who support the aforesaid planks.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/06/25/close-but-no-cigar/
— Fact checkers and opinion checkers (DIERSEN: What are your fact checking qualifications? While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports. I worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880. My other fact checking qualifications include my becoming a Forensic Accountant in 1997, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, and a CPA in 1979.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/06/25/fact-checkers-and-opinion-checkers/
— Raoul slams Harold in new online ad (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, those who promote LGBTQ activity make it clear that they will destroy you if you do not promote LGBTQ activity.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/06/25/raoul-slams-harold-in-new-online-ad/
— Sam McCann round-up
https://capitolfax.com/2018/06/25/sam-mccann-round-up/

BLAZE
— Former Obama adviser David Axelrod slams left for praise of Sarah Sanders’ restaurant ejection – Sarah Tylor
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/06/25/former-obama-adviser-david-axelrod-slams-left-for-praise-of-sarah-sanders-restaurant-ejection

JUDICIAL WATCH
— Judicial Watch Files House Ethics Complaint Against Maxine Waters For Inciting Violence and Assaults on Trump Cabinet (DIERSEN: In Illinois, in your county, in your township/ward, in your municipality, and in your precinct, how soon, if not already, will anti-Trumps tell everyone to harass all Republicans, and especially Republicans who are precinct committeemen/captains, township/ward/county party organization officers, Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee members, the IRP national committeeman and committeewoman, activists, candidates, elected officials, major donors, political consultants, etc.? To avoid harassment, how many of the aforesaid will dump Trump and dump Trump’s supporters if they have not already done so?)
https://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-files-house-ethics-complaint-against-maxine-waters-for-inciting-violence-and-assaults-on-trump-cabinet/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rep. Maxine Waters addressed a rally in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 23, telling a crowd: “If you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them! And you tell them that they are not welcome, anymore, anywhere.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Fu3g1MGHY In today’s letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics co-chairman, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton writes: “In encouraging individuals to create “crowds” who will “push back” on President Trump’s Cabinet members at private business establishments and in seemingly trying to prevent these Cabinet officials from obtaining basic necessities without fear of assault and violence, Rep. Waters seems to be violation of House rules, specifically: “A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House shall conduct himself at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House. [House Rule 23, clause 1.]” We hereby request that the Office of Congressional Ethics conduct a preliminary investigation into whether Rep. Maxine Waters violated House Rules in encouraging attacks on Cabinet officials. “Rep. Maxine Waters incited violence and assault against members of President Trump’s Cabinet,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “It is urgent that the House ethics quickly act to hold her accountable for this dangerous incitement.”)

DAILY CALLER
— SARAH SANDERS BEGINS PRESS BRIEFING WITH BLISTERING MESSAGE TO RESTAURANT THAT KICKED HER OUT – Benny Johnson
http://dailycaller.com/2018/06/25/sarah-sanders-blistering-message-kicked-out-of-restaurant/
— MAXINE WATERS PRAISED VIOLENT LA RACE RIOTS AS ‘DEFINING MOMENT’ FOR RESISTANCE – Justin Caruso
http://dailycaller.com/2018/06/25/maxine-waters-race-riots/
— PRO-CHOICE REPUBLICANS WRITE THEIR OWN OBITUARY, BLAME TRUMP – Grace Carr
http://dailycaller.com/2018/06/25/pro-choice-republicans-blame-trump/

GOPUSA
— Maxine Waters calls for attacks against entire Trump administration (DIERSEN: Democrats do not attack members of the Rauner Administration because of the actions that Rauner has taken against those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=48753
— Do Christians Have a Future in LGBTQ America? (DIERSEN: From what I see, if you live and/or work in a precinct, municipality, township/ward, county, or state that is anti-Trump, the more of the following groups that you are a member of, the bleaker that your future looks: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=48498
— Restaurant owner who booted Sarah Sanders cites ‘moral’ grounds — this is tolerance? (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps are extremely intolerant. They not only do not tolerate, they want to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=48746
— Rep. Barbara Lee accuses Trump of ‘criminalizing’ alien lawbreakers
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=48750
— Banks, corporate America threaten Second Amendment, gun industry says
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=48765
— Has the West the Will to Survive? – Patrick J. Buchanan
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=48636

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
— Conservative on a Budget – Carmen Diaz (DIERSEN: Are you on a budget? I have been on a budget big time since 1997 when my income dropped 59%, or by $73,461/year in today’s dollars. In today’s dollars, my GAO salary was $125,325/year, but my Civil Service Retirement System pension is only $51,864/year, or just 41% of that.)
https://www.leadershipinstitute.org/news/?NR=13963&utm_source=mailchimp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=careers_services&utm_content=june2018_budget_blog

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Decapitated Animal Carcass Placed on DHS Official’s Porch – JACK CROWE (DIERSEN: Democrats do not place decapitated animal carcasses on Rauner’s porch because of the actions that Rauner has taken against those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dhs-official-animal-carcass-burned-decapitated-porch/
— Border Patrol Commissioner Suspends Prosecution of Adults Who Cross Border with Children – JACK CROWE (DIERSEN: Of course, anti-Trumps ever-increasingly encourage citizens of foreign countries to use children to get into America illegally.)
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/illegal-immigrant-families-prosecution-suspended-border/

THE HILL
— Restaurant’s Sanders snub snowballs into partisan fight – JUDY KURTZ AND AMIE PARNES (DIERSEN: Democrats do not snub Rauner supporters because of the actions that Rauner has taken against those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/393997-restaurants-sanders-snub-snowballs-into-partisan-fight
— House barrels toward immigration vote despite Trump tweets – JORDAIN CARNEY AND JULIEGRACE BRUFKE
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/393885-this-week-house-barrels-toward-immigration-vote-despite-trump-tweets

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Americans cheer that “Border Officials Suspend Handing Over Migrant Families to Prosecutors.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/us/politics/border-officials-suspend-handing-over-migrant-families-to-prosecutors.html

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— Federal employees have the right to refuse illegal orders at the border – Louis Clark (DIERSEN: While some of my superiors in the federal government were reluctant to enforce the orders that they were given to waste my career and to get rid of me, none of them refused to carry out those orders. I should write a book about a) my GAO superiors who forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, gave me unfair performance expectations and appraisals, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; my Democrat IRS superiors who did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors who forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968. All of the aforesaid disapproved of one or more of my demographics, especially that I was a draft avoider.)
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Federal-employees-have-the-right-to-refuse-13023515.php

FORTUNE
— Rep. Maxine Waters Tells Supporters to Harass Trump Cabinet Members – MCKENNA MOORE (DIERSEN: In Illinois, in your county, in your township/ward, in your municipality, and in your precinct, how soon, if not already, will anti-Trumps tell everyone to harass all Republicans, and especially Republicans who are precinct committeemen/captains, township/ward/county party organization officers, Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee members, the IRP national committeeman and committeewoman, activists, candidates, elected officials, major donors, political consultants, etc.? To avoid harassment, how many of the aforesaid will dump Trump and dump Trump’s supporters if they have not already done so?)
http://fortune.com/2018/06/25/rep-maxine-waters-tells-supporters-to-harass-trump-cabinet-members/

FORBES
— Trump’s Executive Branch Restructuring: What If The Federal Government Is Beyond Streamlining? – Clyde Wayne Crews Jr. (DIERSEN: During the mid-1990s, Newt Gingrich streamlined GAO. The agency got rid of its employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. The agency is just a shell of what it once was.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/waynecrews/2018/06/25/trumps-executive-branch-restructuring-what-if-the-federal-government-is-beyond-streamlining/#3822320f52f7

CATO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: The more of the following that you are, the more that you oppose E-Verify: anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.cato.org/blog/house-republicans-consider-e-verify-mandate-part-compromise-bill-what-will-happen-when-e-verify

DAILY MAIL
— Don’t be duped into legalizing dope – PETER HITCHENS
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-5878595/PETER-HITCHENS-Billys-plight-awful-dont-duped-legalising-dope.html

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— What drives you away from activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc.? For me, it is when they promote the following:
– dependency on government,
– dependency on charity,
– LGBTQ activity,
– abortion,
– mass/illegal immigration,
– diminishment of First Amendment rights,
– diminishment of Second Amendment rights,
– booze, gambling, pot, and other vices,
– patronage,
– political affiliation discrimination,
– reverse discrimination,
– age discrimination,
– religious discrimination,
– national origin discrimination,
– union bashing,
– American nameplate car bashing, and
– government employee/retiree bashing.
http://www.gopillinois.com

FACEBOOK
— Advertiser Help Center: National issues of public importance
https://www.facebook.com/business/help/214754279118974

ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
— Practical Advice for Employers on Increased Immigration Enforcement (DIERSEN: What percent of low-paid restaurant employees are in America illegally?)
https://mailchi.mp/illinoisbic/o3qsu7jkdr-811561?e=1d387c0f46

WINDY CITY TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, those candidates who promote LGBTQ activity make it clear that if elected, they will use the power of government to destroy those individuals, organizations, and companies that do not promote LGBTQ activity.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Raoul-for-AG-attacks-opponent-on-anti-gay-views/63316.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chicago promotes LGBTQ activity. What does your municipality promote? To promote LGBTQ activity is to reject the traditional family plank in the Illinois Republican Party platform.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Mother-Nature-shines-on-49th-Pride-Parade-/63312.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans and out-of-towners lined the streets of Lakeview and Uptown for the 49th annual Chicago Pride Parade the afternoon of June 24. Police officials did not yet have attendance figures at the time of publication, but estimates have suggested the crowd measured about one million spectators for the last several years. Those spectators could not have asked for better weather on June 24; after several days of rain and clouds in Chicago, sunny skies returned for Pride weekend and temperatures remained in the 70s for the afternoon of the parade. Community organizations, city agencies, educational and religious institutions, labor unions and LGBT groups from major corporations were among those taking part. Organizers were limited to 150 parade entries, and kicked off from the corner of Broadway and Montrose Avenue shortly after noon. The final float crossed the starting point at about 2:45 p.m. The parade was headed up by members of Scouts for Equality, an organization working to ensure that precepts of equality are carried out within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), which, at least in units not affiliated with non-affirming faith-based organizations, no longer discriminates against LGBT adults. Cate Readling, vice-president of membership of the BSA’s Pathway to Adventure Council, noted that BSA had recently begun admitting girls as well. “We’re all official now,” Readling said. The Scouts were followed up by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who briefly spoke alongside Alds. Tom Tunny (44th Ward) and James Cappleman (46th). In his remarks, Emanuel spoke of the city’s “inclusivity” and “belief in equality and tolerance.” With both federal midterm and state gubernatorial elections in November, and a city election in early 2019, politicians were out in full force. J.B. Pritzker (D), who is challenging incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) in November, said, “We’re [at] a time when Donald Trump has put rights at risk. He has stood up against trans rights and LGBTQ rights, and he stood against children by putting them in detention, children who are here emigrating with their families, separating them. At a time when it feels like government has become an instrument of immorality, I think we need a governor who will stand up for the LGBTQ community and the immigrant community and not be silent in the face of Donald Trump’s attacks.” “We’ve got to stand together so we can all stand for the planet,” said Cameron Davis, formerly President Barack Obama’s “Great Lakes czar,” who is running for a commissioner’s post for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). “It doesn’t get any simpler than that.” Sean Casten, a Democrat who is running against incumbent Peter Roskam (R) in the 6th Congressional District, added, “We are going to come through this horrible time, because there is more love in the world than there is hate, and today we can stay focused on that.” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said, “I think it’s important in these times that those of us who are despised minorities in our own country stick together. So I always try to come to this parade and I’m encouraged by the warm reception that I get.” Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) said that the parade is “not just a celebration but our annual call to arms to defend all required acceptances in our own communities. So I’m glad to be here with our brothers and sisters, making that call for acceptance one more time.” State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) said, “LGBT people got their rights when we stood up and fought up and fought back against oppression at Stonewall. This country, under Trump, is seeing oppression unlike what we’ve seen before, not only for LGBT people, but for our immigrant communities and people of color [as well]. We need to stand together in solidarity.” Other politicians who either attended and/or sent delegations included U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-6th), Robin Kelly (D-2nd) and Jan Schakowsky (D-9th); Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs; state Comptroller Susana Mendoza; Democratic state Reps. Kelly Cassidy, Sara Feigenholtz and Juliana Stratton (running with Pritzker); City Clerk Anna Valencia; and Deb Mell was among several other aldermen marching. Mayoral candidates included Lori Lightfoot (marching with her wife), Paul Vallas, Dorothy Brown, Gary McCarthy and Ja’Mal Green. MWRD Board President Maryana Spyropulos and MWRD Commissioners Debra Shore and Kari Steele also attended, as did Cook County Commission candidate Kevin Morrison and Berwyn School Board Member Julia McAleer-Forte. Orlando “El Fenomeno” Cruz, the first openly gay active professional boxer, was grand marshal. Educational institutions participating included Nettelhorst School; Chicago Waldorf School; Francis W. Parker School & Catherine Cook School; Elmhurst College; Rush University; Truman College and other City Colleges; University of Illinois at Chicago; University of Chicago; and Northwestern University. Among local consulates participating were Australia (for the first time), Ireland, Great Britain, Canada and Israel. Advocacy organizations and agencies included American Veterans for Equal Rights (carrying their large American flag), ACLU of Illinois, Asians and Friends Chicago, La Casa Norte, Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus, PFLAG, Night Ministry, Lambda Legal, Equality Illinois, Planned Parenthood, Chicago Gender Society (marching with Heels & Hardhats), The Legacy Project, LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Howard Brown Health, TPAN, Project VIDA; Thresholds, About Face Theatre, Windy City Performing Arts, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Center on Halsted, ForeskinPride.org, AARP of Illinois, the National Gay Pilots Association, Human Rights Campaign, Mercy for Animals and the Obama Foundation. Lakeside Pride had dozens of its members performing during the parade. Also working hard were ROTC, Chicago Spirit Brigade and the Second City Outlaws dancing cowboys. There were three motorcycle groups this year, but not Dykes on Bikes: Bikes & Mics, Chicago Gay Bikers and Organized Chaos all powered through the route. Gay Liberation Network’s large contingent was largely focused on Palestinian rights for their entry. Both professional and amateur sports teams and organizations were represented, among them Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Fire, Chicago Dragons, Chicago Smelts, Chicago Gay Hockey Association and Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association. Local businesses included Sidetrack, Roscoe’s, Balloons by Tommy, Evanston Subaru in Skokie, Broadway in Chicago, GRAB and Goose Island Beer. Dozens of area churches took part in Chicago Welcoming Churches’ entry, shouting, “God is love” as they traversed the parade route. Persons from Chicago-area synagogues also marched together. Labor Unions and trade organizations included Chicago Women in Trades, Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers, Chicago Teachers Union, United Here Local 1 and SEIU Illinois. Among corporations represented by their LGBT groups were MB Financial Bank, Discover Financial Services, Bank of America, ComEd, Anheuser-Busch, Gap, Bloomingdales, Salesforce, Macy’s, Boeing, American Airlines, United Airlines, Hyatt Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Facebook, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Chipotle, WGN, Fox 32, ABC 7, NBC 5, Univision, Deloite, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, AT&T, Comcast, T-Mobile and Pepsico. MWRD Commisioner Debra Shore, shortly before the parade started, commented on how the LGBT community cuts across every sector of society, especially in terms of “race, class and gender,” adding, “That’s why it’s so important for us to stand up for others and for them to see us stand together in all our diversity.”)