Mayor Brandon Johnson has created what he calls the nation’s first big-city, executive-level position devoted to LGBTQ+ affairs—appointing longtime city employee and activist Antonio King to the role.
But let’s be honest about what this really is.
With an approval rating sitting at 26% and 58% disapproval, according to the University of Chicago’s Mansueto Institute, this move isn’t about bold leadership or urgent priorities—it’s about political survival. Roughly 7.5% of Chicagoans identify as LGBTQ, meaning that even in the best-case scenario, this appointment doesn’t come close to rescuing Johnson from political freefall.
Meanwhile, Chicago faces a massive budget deficit, rising crime, population loss, failing schools, and collapsing public trust. Creating a brand-new executive office at this moment sends a clear message: symbolism over solutions.
This video breaks down why this is a late-stage desperation move, why it risks alienating even Johnson’s remaining supporters, and why Chicago voters may already be looking toward 2027 with one word in mind—change.
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