Northwest Suburban Pride Action Fund Created

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Area LGBTQ+ residents and leaders recently announced the creation of the Northwest Suburban Pride Action Fund, a non-partisan political action committee "focused on ensuring residents of the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago will truly be represented by their local elected officials," according to a news release.

“As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and resident of the Northwest Suburbs, I know how crucial representation and support from our local officials is,” said Austin Mejdrich, founder of the NWSPAF. “The disappointing and sometimes hypocritical actions of too many of our local officials banning or tucking away symbols of support for the LGBTQ+ community is just a recent example of the need to elect true leaders in our communities."

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Debbie Smart, a trustee on the Arlington Heights Library Board and chairperson of the NWSPAF, also expressed support for the fund.

“True representation means following up our words with actions,” Smart said. “As the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to public office in Arlington Heights, I know firsthand how much change we can make when our leaders reflect the makeup and needs of our communities. I have always served with pride and encourage others to do the same.”

“LGBTQ+ people live in every town and village in the Northwest suburbs,” said Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners. “Visibility and representation save lives – and it’s powerful when our municipalities show solidarity with the community. Too often, forces stand in the way of progress, and we will continue to fight to ensure our local units of government work with the LGBTQ+ community to advance equality for all.”

In addition to its work elevating the civic voices of local LGBTQ+ residents, the NWSPAF plans to serve as a resource for LGBTQ+ people in the Northwest Suburbs.