CHICAGO - Newly exposed discriminatory comments show it's deja vu in DuPage County following racist and homophobic remarks by State Rep. Amy Grant last month.
The Patch reported that voters learned that state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi ( House District 47 ) made transphobic comments on Facebook in 2016 while she was serving on the College of DuPage Board of Trustees. She called it snark, but we aren't laughing at her transphobia.
Mazzochi's comments are beyond shameful. As a leader at an institution of higher education, she was entrusted with the well-being of all students and the cultivation of affirming learning environments. Instead, she sent the exact opposite message: trans students should be stereotyped and mocked. Even worse, she posted her comments just three days after the United States Departments of Justice and Education offered guidance to schools about the fair treatment of trans students.
Contrary to Mazzochi's posts, trans people are disproportionately the victims of violence. At least 27 trans people were killed in the United States in 2016, the same year Mazzochi posted to Facebook. And 2020 has surpassed the previous five years, with at least 32 trans people killed in violent attacks in the United States.
Trans people also experience harassment and stigma in Illinois educational institutions. Eighty percent report mistreatment in K-12 schools, and 27% experience verbal, physical, or sexual harassment in colleges and vocational schools.
When Mazzochi had the opportunity last year as a state representative to support legislation that would make schools safer and more affirming for LGBTQ youth, she voted NO.
Mazzochi fails the basic test of acting in accordance with Illinois values of equality and inclusion. Since she is clearly unable to represent all of her constituents with equal care and respect, Rep. Mazzochi does not deserve re-election.
About Equality Illinois
At Equality Illinois we envision a fair and unified Illinois where everyone is treated equally with dignity and respect and where all people live freely regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We work hard to promote legislation to protect the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning ( LGBTQ ) individuals; maintain the visibility of LGBTQ issues; oppose legislation which seeks to limit the civil rights of the LGBTQ community; and expand statewide grassroots support.
