Subscribe to Breaking NewsRuby-Sachs: Chicago Mayor to Appoint a Homophobe
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley
Chicago Mayor Daley, part of the Daley dynasty that has ruled Chicago on and off for fifty years, has had a hard year. First, his state came under fire for widespread corruption, then his likelycorrupt parking meter privatization scheme caused outrage amongst Chicago residents and now his choice to replace an Alderman in Chicago’s Puerto Rican neighborhood has been outed as a homophobe.
But it’s hard to feel bad for Daley. His choice for Alderman is Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus, head of a Chicago megachurch that is a member of the Assemblies of God. He has had “recovering” homosexuals in to preach about the harm of sexual deviance and he has stated that he believes marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman. Finally, he opposed the Pride Campus LGBT high school proposed last year in Chicago because it wasn’t fair to virgins who were being harassed for sex by “lesbians and guys” but still wouldn’t have their own school.
De Jesus has responded to these allegations by promising to advocate for all Humboldt residents, gay or straight. And he might do just that. His personal views on homosexuality might not translate into outright discrimination.
But that’s not the point.
Endorsing hate campaigns aimed at degrading LGBT citizens and supporting the denial of civil rights to LGBT people should not be tolerated. It can not be seen as one part of an overall political campaign with good and bad elements. If an individual goes on record against the equal rights of a particular segment of the population, their political career should be over.
De Jesus is a polarizing figure with prejudices that make him unable to adequately represent the diverse Humboldt Park community. Mayor Daley, as mayor of a city with a large LGBT population, is required to eliminate candidates from political consideration if they preach against the rights of gay people. Let Daley know that De Jesus is a bad choice for Alderman. Write him at: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalPreContactUsAction.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@1178841588.1243966911@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceadehgmheemfcefecelldffhdfif.0&logObsToolBar=true&topChannelName=Dept
ee
eee
as a pastor once said on TV, you cannot be both a pastor and a politician. Religion and politics are “like oil and water”. They don’t mix well and should not try.
I am so happy to be living in Will county not Crook – I mean Cook county. Daley is an arrogant blowhard who’s only refrain seems to be – “I didn’t know about all this corruption, I am just the Mayor”…..
I agree with Randy – “What is the head of a megachurch doing on any city council? It’s one thing to be a member, but to actually be head of a church should bar you from political office at the same time.”
Do not cater to religous bigots!!!!!
As a resident of Chicago living in the land of ignorant, “Irish” and “Italian” (you’re not Irish or Italian just because 200 years ago some relation came over here on a boat) trashy Catholics who have 10 kids, an alcoholic dad, and a mom who has two crappy jobs- which is run by the most corrupt people you could find outside of Bush and his lackeys- I am not surprised. I mean, come on. Just look at our Police.
What is the head of a megachurch doing on any city council? It’s one thing to be a member, but to actually be head of a church should bar you from political office at the same time.
Can we find anyone within the Daley family whom we can out as a homosexual?
Perhaps it’s time to get that person in DC who has been outing politicians involved.
Or perhaps get the HRC to start outing conservative gays who work against us?
Respectfully yours
The Master of Light
Cleara
I can’t believe that Mayor Daley couldn’t
find someone better than this mutt.
My partner and I visit Chicago 5-9 times a year. We normally stay in the Boystown area. I was there during the last Gay Games and Mayor Daley was there in full surport. Wheather that is because he want to have the 2016 Games there is in question. But he did not seem homphobic at all. It surprise me that he would appoint anyone that holds a bias towards anyone. Shame on Daley for giving power to anyone that would hate.
Below is the letter I sent, via the above link:
It’s disheartening to learn that De Jesus will be appointed as an Alderman. The years of hate, intolerance, and ignorance should be in the past. It is time for our country to move on from such homophobic remarks and beliefs as those made by De Jesus. As Mayor of one of the nations largest cities, it should be your intent to move your legacy beyond the beliefs of such hatred as that held by De Jesus. As a former member of the Assembly of Gods, and as a gay man, I know very well the hatred, intolerance, and ignorance they have toward the LGBT community. God has in fact created all humanity as equal, and our Constitution demands equality for all Americans. As an elected official, it is your job to promote such equality. It is my hope that you will deeply reconsider your choice for Alderman, and appoint someone that enshrines the belief that all humanity is equal.
Sincerely,
Aydrian
Daley Jr is playing politics, and he’s gonna get burned. There are str8 Chicagoans who aren’t too likely to want this god-squad crap, and I haven’t said anything about the large gay population in the city. Note that Daley is doing just like another Democrat from Chicago, and perpetuating the notion that you can get minorities on your side if you pander to their presumed religiosity.
I’m moving to Chicago in August – wrote using your link, hopefully it’ll make a difference
What an embarassment for Chicago to have that kind of mess!
I wasn’t going to vote for Daley next time out, but any reservations I might have had are now completely gone.
I helped his mob father get his crook friends
elected. Really made me disillusioned with the Irish, till I met the most wonderful Scotch and Irish fellow. Sorry that his son couldn’t change spots.