One of the most interesting dynamics to emerge in the Democrat primary for Senate in Illinois is the shake out of support in the GLBT community. This is important because, well, the gays vote like hell.
First, so that the Hynes partisans who read this don’t go nuts, let’s stipulate a few things.
Dan Hynes has a solid history of building a profile in the GLBT community in Chicago and has strong name recognition. He supported the passage of HB101 and SB101, which would have added sexual orientation to the Illinois Human Rights Act. He is supported by Mike Bauer, a prominent GLBT politico, which means that Hynes, through Bauer, could attract the support of many of the GLBT party regulars. I don’t doubt that on issues important to the GLBT community that come before the Congress, Hynes would do the right thing.
That said, much more is going on. Rumblings are beginning to be heard throughout the community about Hynes’ downstate strategy, which involves largely aligning himself with the Poshard-wing of the party, which has a long history of virulent anti-gay positions. Indeed, the lack of support from these downstate democrats has been central to keeping the Illinois Human Rights Act from being amended. In addition, as the race has unfolded, Hynes has been virtually absent from the GLBT community. He made a showing on Pride Day, but didn’t do much before and hasn’t done much since. Hynes is now being openly questioned in the community and the gay press about how much he really has done over the years for the GLBT community, and whether he has been happy to have GLBT support only when, and if, it has suited him. Fair or not, the perception among many in the GLBT community is that Hynes would rather not, for now, at least, be seen or heard.
On the other hand, Hull and Obama have made significant strides in the community. The word is that Obama has the support of Alicia Obando, openly gay Alderman Tom Tunney’s right hand in the lakefront’s 44th Ward office. Obama has been holding receptions and house parties in the community and talking up his substantial support over the years of GLBT issues, on which he is extraordinarily thoughtful, articulate, and passionate. He is a co-sponsor of SB101, has helped organize lobbying for the bill, and compares the fight for GLBT rights with the struggle for black civil rights. Obama has been able to attract a number of GLBT volunteers, who add to the numbers already working hard for him. He has received very favorable coverage in the Chicago Free Press, the most widely read GLBT paper in Chicago.
Hull, too, has been working hard in the community. Hull has the support of Vernita Gray, the most prominent African-American GLBT activist and a member of State’s Attorney Dick Devine’s staff. Hull also has the support of Ellen Myers, from Jesse White’s office, Mike McHale, also from Devine’s office and the president of Equality Illinois. Hull has been talking up in the community his support of women’s issues over his life-time, his active philanthropic support of GLBT causes, and his understanding and support of GLBT issues. Hull has also held numerous receptions in the community: for example, he underwrote the reception on the first day of the Cook County Domestic Partner’s Registry and was the only candidate to attend; and he held a party on Halsted in the heart of the GLBT community on National Coming Out Day that attracted over 200 people. The Chicago Free Press has also written very favorably about him.
The net result of their work and the publicity is that within the GLBT community, which makes up a significant block of the liberal lakefront voters, Hull and Obama are building strong "buzz" and volunteer support, which could translate into impressive, and much needed electoral results for both.