Politicians Show Support For Gay Community At Pride Parade

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- There were plenty of politicians marching in Sunday's Pride Parade in Chicago.

In this election year, many candidates and incumbents put on their rainbow pins, stickers, shirts and, in one case, a sequin skirt and marched along Broadway through Uptown, Boys Town and Lake View.

Lori Lightfoot said it's very special for her- showing how far we've come in a short period of time. The first openly gay candidate for mayor of Chicago marched with her wife and child.

“It gives me incredible pleasr and honor to be amongst so many and recognizing that we’ve come a long way in a short period of time that allows me to be here with my wife and our child,” Lightfoot said.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker says he remembers marching in the parade 25 years ago, when it was really more of a protest.

“There were not a lot of politicians who were marching with the LGBTQ community,” he said. “So it feels like great progress.”

He says many of the politicians who are participating today are a little late to the party but it's great to see so many marching.

The man he's challenging, Republican Governor Bruce Rauner, didn't march but did attend the same pre-parade reception hosted by Equality Illinois.