Chicagoland
racism

Racist poster found in Evanston

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

EVANSTON — A racist poster has been seen in Evanston, the liberal suburb just north of Chicago. Local news site Evanston Now reported that the poster promoting the American Identity Movement was found on a traffic signal box at the corner of Chicago and Main streets in the southeastern part of the city on Friday morning. The Southern Poverty Law Center said on a March 12 blog post that American Identity Movement is the new name for Identity Evropa, a fast-growing far-right group that became infamous after the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally. They classify the group as a white nationalist group. Flyers for the group were found along the route of Chicago’s South Side Irish Parade back in March.

Chicagoland

Evanston Pride Fest coming on Thursdsay

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

EVANSTON — Evanston, the suburb immediately north of Chicago, will be joining the growing list of Illinois communities holding Pride celebrations tomorrow night. From the Facebook event:
Let’s keep the Pride celebrations going past the month of June! The City of Evanston is hosting an inaugural Evanston Pride Fest on Thursday, July 25, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Fountain Square South Plaza. Pride Fest will occur in coordination with the Thursday Night Live! event hosted by Downtown Evanston.

Chicagoland

Evanston library to host STI screening with Howard Brown

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

EVANSTON — The Evanston Health and Human Services Department, Howard Brown Health and the Evanston Public Library (EPL) are working together to provide STI screening in this Chicago suburb. From the Daily Northwestern:
Starting Jan. 14, individuals will be able to walk in to EPL’s main branch in downtown Evanston on the second Monday of every month between 3 and 7 pm without an appointment scheduled. Evonda Thomas-Smith, the director of the Evanston Health and Human Services Department, said she helped to advocate for the services’ implementation. She added that the city also partners with Evanston Township High School and the GYT: Get Yourself Tested campaign every year to screen for STIs.

Chicagoland

Study: Young black gay men have higher HIV rates but fewer partners

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

EVANSTON — A new Northwestern Medicine study found that young black gay men are 16 times more likely to have HIV than young white gay men, despite more frequent testing and being less likely to have unsafe sex. MedicalXpress reported that the study was published in the Journal of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes. From MedicalXpress:
“We have known from prior studies that this paradox exists—black young MSM engage in fewer risk behaviors but have a much higher rate of HIV diagnosis,” said senior study author Brian Mustanski, professor of medical social sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and director of the Northwestern Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing. “Our study illuminates how HIV disparities emerge from complex social and sexual networks and inequalities in access to medical care for those who are HIV positive.” “Their social and sexual networks are more dense and interconnected, which from an infectious disease standpoint makes infections transmitted more efficiently through the group,” Mustanski said.

Statewide

Nobody Is Above the Law protests pop up across Illinois

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

CHICAGO — Protest over the firing of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session and Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker taking over supervision of the Mueller investigation were planned across the state on Thursday. While protests nationally were coordinated by MoveOn.org, Illinois actions were organized by local groups and individuals. Protestors are concerned that Whitaker, who had criticized the Mueller investigation as a witch hunt, will shut the investigation down before it can issue a report and further charges. Here’s a listing of the protests we know of, organized by region. We’ll add more as we learn of them.

Statewide

Study: Diabetes risk higher among LGBTQ teens

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

EVANSTON — A Northwestern Medicne study released this week found that LGBTQ teens were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than heterosexual teens. The study, reported by Northwestern News Service, is among the first to examine how health behaviors linked to minority stress – the day-to-day stress faced by stigmatized and marginalized populations – may contribute to the risk of poor physical health among LGBTQ youth. The study also found that LGBTQ youth were more likely to be obese, to engage in less physical activity and be more sedentary. “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning youth may not only be at risk for worse mental health but also worse physical health outcomes compared to heterosexual youth,” lead study author Lauren Beach, a postdoctoral research fellow at Northwestern University’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, told Northwestern News Service. Some of the key findings from the study include:

On average, sexual minority and questioning students were less likely to engage in physical activity than heterosexual students.

Chicagoland

Black Lives Matter signs stolen, damaged in Chicago north ‘burbs

By |

EVANSTON — Black Lives Matter signs have been getting stolen or damaged in Chicago’s northern suburbs, a TV station reported Wednesday. From ABC7:
Police in Evanston and Skokie are investigating and homeowners are disturbed. “Black Lives Matter” signs are a common sight in front yards throughout the north suburbs, but what’s becoming more prevalent is a disturbing trend. The theft or vandalism of those signs has happened to Corrie Wallace six times in the past year. “It’s really troubling, ’cause now I wake up every morning I look outside to see if my sign is still there,” Wallace said.