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In the News - Windy City Times

LGBTQ+ Chicagoans are rallying voters in neighboring Midwest swing states


LGBTQ+ Chicagoans are appealing to voters in neighboring swing states in hopes of influencing the upcoming election.


The Nov. 5 election could have major consequences for the LGBTQ+ community, and queer people in Chicago are organizing to rally voter turnout among neighbors in key swing states like Wisconsin and Michigan. Efforts have included on-the-ground canvassing in those states, as well as at-home work like writing postcards and phone banking.

“No national election has ever been won without having [Wisconsin and Michigan] involved with regard to a Democratic win,” said longtime political activist Mary Morten, 


Morten has been working to recruit LGBTQ+ people for voter outreach through the organization Q Force, which is holding its South Side kickoff event 2-3 p.m. Sept. 21 at Bronzeville Winery, 4420 S. Cottage Grove Ave. People interested in attending can RSVP here.


The Q Force Midwest Action Group was founded in 2020 to work on get out the vote activities in Wisconsin and Michigan, Morten said. Through its efforts, LGBTQ+ people in Chicago were able to contribute to Democratic wins in both states.

Now, the organization wants to build on that momentum to ensure Democrats win again—both in the presidential election and down-ballot races that could affect the party’s numbers in the House and Senate, Morten said.


“We know from the past several elections—locally and nationally—that the queer community is a critical constituency, and it only makes sense for us to be as active as possible in any of the preparations for this election because we turn out the vote,” Morten said.


Q Force previously hosted a North Side event to get Chicagoans excited about working on this election in April at Sidetrack. Volunteers for the organization also tabled at Market Days in August, where Q Force signed up more than 1,200 people interested in getting more information on how to help out. Q Force sends updates and volunteer opportunities in its email newsletter.


Since Vice President Kamala Harris stepped up as the Democratic Party’s nominee, interest in getting involved with this election has skyrocketed, Morten said.

“People are really excited about what’s happening with Harris’ candidacy, and they want to get involved,” Morten said. 


The upcoming South Side event will build on that excitement by involving speakers like Congresswoman Robin Kelly; Alds. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) and Maria Hadden (49th); Rev. Don Abram, founder and director of Pride in the Pews; and Anna DeShawn of the Qube and E3 Radio, Morten said. Several candidates who are running for office in Michigan and Wisconsin will also be present, Morten said.


Morten said she hopes the event will help more neighbors on Chicago’s South and West sides get involved in the election.


“We have to be all-in to make this work,” Morten said. “We can’t have folks sitting on the sideline and thinking about getting involved, so we’re doing this to recruit even more helpers.”


Check out the full Windy City Times article here.



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