Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of Antonio King as Chicago’s first Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs. This move makes Chicago the largest city in the United States to create an executive-level position focused on advancing equity for LGBTQ+ residents.
According to Mayor Johnson, “I am proud to welcome the city’s first-ever Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs and solidify my administration’s commitment to supporting, partnering with, and investing in Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. Antonio has decades of experience at the City, which equips him to leverage the power of the Mayor’s Office to better serve LGBTQ+ Chicagoans. I am honored to work with him and deepen my administration’s commitment to our LGBTQ+ residents. This is important now more than ever, as the community faces increasing attacks from the Trump administration.”
As Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs, King will oversee initiatives and programs that serve this community. He will also ensure that businesses owned by members of the LGBTQ+ community receive equitable support and coordinate efforts across various city departments. In his role within the Mayor’s Office of Health and Human Services, King will collaborate with policy teams to develop plans aimed at strengthening protections and opportunities for LGBTQ+ residents.
King expressed gratitude for his appointment: “I am honored by Mayor Johnson’s appointment and very appreciative for his continued support of the LGBTQ+ community in Chicago. I’m looking forward to bringing not only visibility and accessibility for the LGBTQ+ community—being sure to include our trans siblings, LGBTQ+ youth, and aging LGBTQ+ adults—but providing the administration with the community’s feedback and positions while formulating the LGBTQ+ policy plan which will be instrumental to building upon the support the City provides the LGBTQ+ community.”
Previously, King served as an outreach liaison at Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), where he focused on HIV/AIDS education and prevention. During his time there, he led several health initiatives targeting wellness among LGBTQ+ individuals. He also established partnerships with health organizations, social service agencies, cultural groups, and businesses.
King organized events such as Chicago’s first Mayoral Roundtable with LGBTQ People of Color and helped host city-wide gatherings like “50th Stonewall Anniversary” Pride Reception. He has supported local businesses in accessing city services and grants.
In addition to his public health work, King was a founding member of Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus and managed programs at Howard Brown Health aimed at outreach in Black and minority communities.
For over twenty years, King participated in Continental Pageantry System events in Chicago that provided platforms for self-expression within the LGBTQ+ community.
In recognition of his advocacy efforts, King was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2024.
