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Alderman Backtracks on Gay Quota for City Contracts by Joseph Erbentraut
EDGE ContributorWednesday Aug 12, 2009 Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney (of the 44th Ward) caught the eye of the media late last month when he reopened the contentious issue of establishing a special set-aside category for LGBT business owners seeking contracts with the city. The law would create a special category akin to those for minorities and women.
Tunney, who first introduced the idea unsuccessfully six years ago, mentioned the issue of adding a special category for LGBT persons during a Budget Committee meeting on July 28. According to a Chicago Sun-Times story, Corporation Counsel Mara Georges said the idea was "certainly something we can look at." Mayor Daley has also voiced his support previously.
Oddly enough, the city’s own LGBT business owners have greeted the idea with mixed reactions. Though many owners contacted by EDGE declined to comment, those who did remained unsure on what the idea fully entailed and asked questions regarding how one could prove LGBT identity to qualify for set-asides.
Ralph, co-owner of His Stuff, a clothing boutique with stores in East Lakeview and Andersonville doesn’t believe sexuality has anything to do with owning a business. "I don’t believe getting through the city’s red tape is different for any color, race, religion or sexuality," he told EDGE. "Of course, it would be great to have a shoo-in or golden ticket, but I don’t necessarily think I should have one based on sexuality. I need equal rights, but I don’t think I need extra rights or privileges."
Topper Hull, co-owner of Skinstinct, a clothing boutique with locations in Andersonville and the Gold Coast, also had mixed views on the city adding a special category for gay-owned businesses. He believes that "everyone has equal opportunity."
He does, however, also acknowledge that LGBT businesses such as his own do face unique challenges.
"The businesses still face criticisms and discrimination even if they are given additional support through the city," Hull said. "The bottom line is that I think it could be a great program. The city has been so behind the GLBT community for so many years that by setting aside some funds or programs to support small, GLBT-owned businesses, it only furthers the message that Chicago is open to everybody."
Bennett Lawson, spokesman for Tunney, declined EDGE’s request for an interview. Lawson acknowledged that the media had seized on the issue much faster and greater than expected.
He also emphasized that the gay business set-asides were simply an idea at this point. He said Tunney was still in the "very preliminary" stages of gathering information on the topic.
"We haven’t had any formal meetings or research on it yet, but it’s something that [Tunney] wants to look into," Lawson said. "We’re just starting to talk to groups--the business groups and the gay and lesbian groups--to see if there is a pattern of discrimination they’ve faced and see what documentation is out there to see if this is something that needs to be addressed."
According to Lawson, at this point there is no specific timeline for the idea’s next steps. Should Chicago introduce a category for LGBT business owners, it would likely become the first U.S. municipality to do so.
Joseph covers news, arts and entertainment and lives in Chicago.
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