I was so honored to moderate this book talk with author Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, who released "Conversion Therapy Dropout" this week. Thanks to City Lit Books for having us, and to photographer Autumn Lynnette for capturing the evening!
Jake Wittich
@jakewittich.bsky.social
🌈 Managing Editor and LGBTQ+ news reporter for @windycitytimes.com 📧 Sign up for our newsletters! https://windycitytimes.com/newsletters/ 📍: Chicago
Look who stopped by to chat with my LGBTQ+ Journalism students yesterday: the incredible Tracy Baim! We had a thoughtful conversation about the her career path, the evolution of queer media, and why LGBTQ+ news outlets are still so vital today. So grateful for her time, honesty and perspective!
Is the New York Times more biased than other major US news organizations that cover the trans community? Early data from our 2026 news tracker suggests they are. Of the 10 outlets we've been tracking, NYT had the fewest stories that quoted a trans person of them all. More here:
The New York Times Quotes Trans People Less Often Than Other Major News Outlets — Assigned
Our news tracker looked at coverage of trans issues in major US outlets and found one newsroom dominates the coverage while lagging behind peers in representing the perspectives of trans people themse...
assignedmedia.org
Attorneys general in Minnesota and California have already issued public guidance pushing hospitals to resume gender-affirming care for youth. Will Illinois follow suit?
Federal ruling lifts threat to gender-affirming care, but Illinois youth access remains stalled - Windy City Times
A federal judge overturned the Trump administration’s policy that threatened to cut Medicare and Medicaid funding to hospitals providing gender-affirming care to minors—but advocates say health center...
windycitytimes.com
Whole Foods is leaving the Center on Halsted for its new location. The grocery store has anchored the COH building since it opened in 2007. The partnership played a key role by reducing construction costs and making the property more attractive to banks that would finance the building's mortgage.
Whole Foods to leave Center on Halsted building - Windy City Times
Whole Foods plans to leave its longtime location within the Center on Halsted. The grocery store at 3640 N. Halsted St. will be relocated to 827 W. Belmont Ave., at the intersection of Clark Street a...
windycitytimes.com
This is a beautiful article @windycitytimes.com @jeymccreight.bsky.social @jakewittich.bsky.social #transquake
The second after I finished posting that I looked up... And saw Jake, the reporter from @windycitytimes.com who interviewed me We had been standing on opposite street corners, on our phones, reposting the same article You can't make this stuff up 🤯 Chicago queer community come through!!!
I teared up reading this. Jake really did my story justice and understood my message, when I could have been very easily treated as "just a joke" Let's do this, y'all Time to fight for trans rights with the powers of science and whimsy combined! 🏳️⚧️ 🧬 💖 @beyondxandy.bsky.social
Windy City Times@windycitytimes.com · 4mo agoChicago scientist to launch a ‘transquake’ to counter anti-trans misinformation Chicago scientist Jey McCreight is marking DNA Day on April 25 by testing a simple, provocative question: What happens if trans people become “too powerful” all at once? It’s not a serious hypothesis. But the…
The National Trans Visibility March is coming to Chicago next year. But first, organizers are bringing the movement to Puerto Rico this October. I caught up with some of the local folks involved on the significance of this year’s march and why Chicago makes for a great host for next year.
Illinois organizers help lead National Trans Visibility March in Puerto Rico, with Chicago set to host in 2027 - Windy City Times
A national gathering of transgender advocates is heading to Puerto Rico this fall amid escalating attacks on trans rights—with several Illinois organizers helping lead the effort before it comes to Ch...
windycitytimes.com
Are you ready for the Transquake? 🫨🏳️⚧️
Chicago scientist starting a ‘transquake’ to counter anti-trans misinformation - Windy City Times
A Chicago geneticist launches a satirical “transquake” experiment and new Beyond X&Y campaign to challenge anti-trans misinformation cloaked in science.
windycitytimes.com
We were proud to accept the Community Spirit Award at the Center on Halsted’s Human First Gala on Saturday. This recognition reflects the collective work of the Windy City Times team—and the community that makes this work possible every day. 💙
CHANGE BEGINS WITH US. 🎧 HRC’s Tori Cooper unpacks HIV advocacy, trans visibility, and how our stories are changing hearts and minds on the @whatthetrans.com podcast: https://whatthetrans.com/ep152/
This is one of my articles that I'm most proud of — it's from 2023, so it's a treat to see @thebuckeyeflame.com give it some new life and new readership!
‘They’re erased’: When trans people are misgendered after death, the consequences extend beyond paper
The way people are accounted for and processed after death in regard to sex and gender remains ‘in the Dark Ages’ – often representing a loss of self that weighs heavily on the minds of trans people.
thebuckeyeflame.com
My LGBTQIA+ #townhall with the Center on Halsted is tomorrow at 5:30 pm! Register here to join: www.eventbrite.com/e/congressma...
Mike Quigley@quigley.house.gov · 4mo agoI'm having a #townhall with the Center on Halsted focusing on LGBTQ+ issues, and you're invited! Join us at the Center on Tuesday, April 7 at 5:30 pm Central. You can register at lgbtqtownhall.eventbrite.com.
Several hundred people marched through downtown Chicago today in support of transgender rights. The march followed a Rally for Trans Visibility, organized by Trans Up Front Illinois, a nonprofit that’s been on the frontlines of advocacy for trans youth. Story to come for @windycitytimes.com
I'm teaching LGBTQ+ Journalism this spring at @medillschool.bsky.social at Northwestern University! I'm SO excited to guide my students through this work that I care so deeply about. I hope you'll all keep an eye out for their stories—and say yes when they reach out for interviews!
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first — and apparently last — chief homelessness officer exits
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first — and apparently last — chief homelessness officer exits
chicagotribune.com
Thousands gathered in Grant Park and marched through downtown Chicago for the latest No Kings protest, which featured LGBTQ+ voices at every level—from organizing and emceeing to speaking and showing up in the crowd. Read more at @windycitytimes.com
Chicago’s No Kings protest weaves LGBTQ+ voices into a broader movement - Windy City Times
Longtime LGBTQ+ activist Gary Chichester has been showing up to protests for more than 50 years. On March 28, he was back in the crowd at Chicago’s No Kings rally, warning that hard-fought rights are ...
windycitytimes.com
Chicago opened its HIV grant applications before the council responsible for setting funding priorities had finalized its annual process. Health officials said they moved early to avoid funding delays—but it created a mismatch between the applications submitted and the approved funding levels.
Chicago reshuffling how $8M in HIV funding will be directed after grant process mismatch - Windy City Times
Chicago health officials are revising how roughly $8 million in federal HIV funding will be allocated after the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) released grant applications before a required...
windycitytimes.com
In Illinois’ Democratic primary, LGBTQ+ candidates found success in state and local races—but struggled to break through in federal contests.
Illinois primary: LGBTQ+ candidates secure state and local wins, stumble in federal contests - Windy City Times
LGBTQ+ candidates in Illinois primary win several state and local races but fall short in key federal contests; multiple incumbents advance.
windycitytimes.com
Sean Lewis, a nearly two-decade veteran at WGN-TV who has anchored the weekend morning broadcast since 2010, was among several reporters and anchors laid off Monday
WGN-TV lays off 8 on-air reporters and anchors Monday in massive downsizing
The ax is falling at WGN-Ch. 9, cutting a wide swath out of “Chicago’s Very Own” TV newsroom.
trib.al
From confronting AIDS stigma to building relationships with LGBTQ+ organizers, Jackson’s approach reflected a broader vision of the Rainbow Coalition that included communities often left out of political power. Read more: windycitytimes.com/2026/02/20/j... ✍️: @jakewittich.bsky.social
@columbiachi.bsky.social laid the foundation for my career by giving me real-life journalism experience and so many industry connections I still lean on today. It's a full-circle moment to now teach @windycitytimes.com's community journalism cohort back at my alma mater.
Alum Brings Hands-On Community Journalism Seminar to Campus
Journalists Jake Wittich ‘17, managing editor of “Windy City Times,” Anna DeShawn, founder of E3 Radio, and guest speakers share their expertise in a six-week program on community journalism at Columb...
colum.edu
SCOOP: Ammar Campa-Najjar’s campaign circulated a memo that Democrats say was a dog whistle against the electability of LGBTQ+ candidates running for Congress in California. www.advocate.com/politics/amm...
Democrat under fire over campaign memo implying LGBTQ+ candidates aren’t electable in key California race
Ammar Campa-Najjar’s campaign implied that LGBTQ+ candidates can’t win in a newly drawn congressional district.
advocate.com
@jakewittich.bsky.social on Chicago's new LGBTQ Director: Antonio King. Watch full interview here: youtube.com/live/fWqw1Q7... @windycitytimes.com youtube.com/shorts/N2FSG...
New Chicago LGBTQ+ Director: Antonio King
YouTube video by The Gaily Show
youtube.com
Wrote my first op-ed on a subject that is dear to me. The Pride flag at Stonewall is more than just a symbol. Its removal is an astounding move to erase our history. newsisout.com/2026/02/the-...
The Pride flag was removed from Stonewall. That matters. - News Is Out
When the Pride flag comes down at Stonewall, it sends a message. A journalist reflects on why that loss of visibility matters.
newsisout.com
Mayor Brandon Johnson surprised the Chicago LGBTQ+ Advisory Council during its quarterly meeting tonight to thank outgoing chair Jin-Soo Huh for his service.
Mayor Brandon Johnson surprised the Chicago LGBTQ+ Advisory Council during its quarterly meeting tonight to thank outgoing chair Jin-Soo Huh for his service.