Top 10 local stories of 2019
ChicagoPride.com
January 3, 2020
Here’s a look back at ten of the top local stories of interest as ranked by popularity on GoPride.com from 2019.
Empire star Jussie Smollett dominated the headlines during the first month of 2019. The actor claimed he was attacked by two men "yelling racial and homophobic slurs" to get his attention before beating him, throwing bleach on him and wrapping a rope around his neck before fleeing.
In February, Smollet surrendered to authorities and was charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report.
A grand jury later indicted Smollett on 16 counts of disorderly conduct for reporting a hate crime that police claim was staged by the actor because he was "dissatisfied with his salary" on the Fox drama. The charges were suddenly dropped in March.
To this day, Smollett has maintained his innocent. In a lawsuit, the actor has accused the city of Chicago and police of malicious prosecution.
Here’s a look back at ten of the top local stories of interest as ranked by popularity on GoPride.com from 2019.
Empire star Jussie Smollett dominated the headlines during the first month of 2019. The actor claimed he was attacked by two men "yelling racial and homophobic slurs" to get his attention before beating him, throwing bleach on him and wrapping a rope around his neck before fleeing.
In February, Smollet surrendered to authorities and was charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report.
A grand jury later indicted Smollett on 16 counts of disorderly conduct for reporting a hate crime that police claim was staged by the actor because he was "dissatisfied with his salary" on the Fox drama. The charges were suddenly dropped in March.
To this day, Smollett has maintained his innocent. In a lawsuit, the actor has accused the city of Chicago and police of malicious prosecution.
1
In January, Empire star Jussie Smollett claimed he was the victim of a brutal homophobic and racist attack in Chicago.
2
In April, Chicago voters overwhelmingly elected Lori Lightfoot to lead the Windy City. Lightfoot won every Chicago ward to become not only the first black woman, but also the first LGBTQ person to hold the title of Chicago mayor.
3
The 50th annual Chicago Pride Parade will long be remembered as the milestone edition cut short by Mother Nature. “Inclement weather” cut the June 30th parade short.
4
Richard Pfeiffer, the parade’s coordinator since 1974, died on October 6th. Pfeiffer battled cancer for the past two years, according to Tim Frye, Pfeiffer’s husband of 48 years.
5
The inaugural Buffalo Grove Pride Parade stepped off on June 2nd thanks to 13-year-old Molly Pinta. The northwest suburb was turned into a sea of rainbows with about 7,500 attendees - and one protester. Pinta confirmed to GoPride.com that the parade will return in 2020!
6
The Aurora Pride parade in 2019 returned after organizers were able to raise more than the necessary $17,000 in less than 24 hours.
7
Chicago celebrated 50 years of pride with the first-ever Pride in the Park on June 29th in Grant Park. Iggy Azalea and Steve Aoki headlined the all-day music festival.
8
Jack Thompson, the reigning Leatherman of Color 2019, made history in May when he became the first Person of Color and the second trans person to ever win the coveted International Mr. Leather title.
9
Progress Bar came under fire in May after implementing a ‘no rap’ rule. The new policy was announced just days after a violent fight at the popular Boystown bar, but the policy immediately drew criticism online.
10
Jherrion Bates, known as popular drag performer GiGi Mayonaé, passed away in July, days after a serious car accident in Boystown.
