CHICAGO — The Chicago Department of Public Health ( CDPH ) today named Antonio King the new LGBTQ Community Liaison to lead the department's outreach efforts with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning ( LGBTQ ) community. This role ensures continuity and support for community members across all programs and through ongoing implementation of Healthy Chicago 2.0, the city's four-year plan to improve health equity throughout Chicago.
"To effectively improve the health of LGBTQ residents, we must work directly with the community on the health issues that have the greatest impact to them," said CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita, M.D. "Antonio is a committed public servant, and Chicago's residents and service providers alike will benefit from his experience in and commitment to LGBTQ health."
King has served CDPH for more than a decade, most recently supervising the Partner Services program at the Lakeview STI Specialty Clinic. In this position, King oversaw the linkage to care process for partners of patients newly diagnosed with syphilis and/or HIV, including members of Chicago's LGBTQ community. Antonio has over 20 years of experience in HIV/AIDS health education and prevention beginning as a volunteer in 1989 with community based organizations, MOIP ( Minority Outreach Intervention Project ) and the Kupona Agency, in Chicago.
"I am ecstatic to be leading our efforts in ensuring that the LGBTQ culture and concerns are represented and highlighted in Healthy Chicago 2.0 and throughout CDPH," said King. "This new opportunity will allow me to do even more in addressing and improving the health needs of our diverse LGBTQ communities."
In his new role, King will work directly with members of Chicago's LGBTQ community, both promoting CDPH initiatives within the community and also ensuring LGBTQ voices and concerns are heard in the department. King will work to update CDPH's LGBTQ Community Action Plan, guarantee LGBTQ issues continue to be addressed through Healthy Chicago 2.0 and ensure CDPH continues to provide services in a culturally competent and affirming manner.
"Antonio's expertise and wealth of experience has already made him a key addition to the LGBTQ community," Said Tom Tunney, Alderman of the 44th Ward and chair of the Chicago City Council LGBT Caucus. "I'm confident that Antonio will help CDPH build on their success of working with and for Chicago's LGBTQ community."
Born and raised in Chicago and also a CPS Graduate, King has been an active promoter in the female impersonation and male entertainment scene for 18 years, including his role as the award-winning promoter for the Dream Girl Continental Pageantry. King is also a professional singer, having performed in numerous choral aggregations and touring regionally in a number of productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz and Dream Girls. In these roles, King continues to advocate for LGBTQ representation throughout the city's vibrant arts and entertainment industry.
