Everyone was in place at Carol Moseley Braun's Jan. 4 LGBT meet-and-greet at Downtown Bar & Lounge ( including media figures from the print and television worlds ) —except the mayoral candidate herself.
However, she did make an appearance, of sorts. After some patrons waited more than two hours, event organizer Marc Loveless let attendees know that Braun would be unable to personally make the event ( apparently because of double-booking ) —but that he had her on the phone. He then put the phone up to the mic; unfortunately, the volume output was so low that only those closest to Loveless could hear what she said.
Braun said, in part, that she wanted to make Chicago a city "where everyone would have equality and opportunity and a chance to participate." She added that "Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, and we have to work together to promote and build and strengthen the neighborhoods." She also said that "it really comes down to the people and the culture. [ There should ] be a city where the culture is one of inclusion in which the people are free to live in safety and to be who they are, and whose rights are protected by the city government."
Two other Braun supporters—David Igasaki and EElizabeth Wackerland—spoke before the candidate did. Igasaki cited what he said was Braun's "impeccably progressive voting record" when she was a legislator and added that she was "a steadfast supporter of the LGBT community."
Reactions to Braun's "appearance" ranged from Loveless' optimism and spin to several attendees feeling discouraged. Loveless said that there will be a similar event with Braun in the future.
