Antonio King is a familiar face within the LGBTQ community and Chicago's Department of Public Health, where he has worked for 21 years. The combination makes him Mayor Johnson's choice for a newly created job as director of LGBTQ + affairs: an executive level position that the mayor promised the LGBTQ community he would appoint during his term.
"What this position will do is one, it will focus on creating the mayor's LGBTQ policy plan. We will focus on many different things within the community. Because, we're not monolithic," King said.
The 63-year-old says he plans to develop policies focusing on LGBTQ youth and homelessness, high school bullying and LGBTQ aging adults.
"If you don't have children, or you're not married, or not a spouse, going into a senior home or another living situation, many of us go back into the closet because you're afraid for your safety. You're afraid for your finances. You're just afraid," King said.
SEE ALSO: 2026 LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame inductees announced at Center on Halsted in Chicago
King's new job does not come with a budget or a staff. He plans to tap into resources from other city departments.
"Some of them have budgets that are community-driven. They have budgets that can help to enhance programming. We can plug in some LGBTQ enhancements in there, or support those things that are already happening," King said.
Some of the mayor's critics question the timing of the appointment. Petitions for next year's mayoral race begin in five months.
"Antonio is a great man. He was a great advocate in public health, but I just don't understand this close to the end of his term. Why now? Is this simply to shore up some votes in the lakefront to say that he's supportive of LGBTQ folks?" 15th Ward Ald. Ray Lopez said.
Lopez, a member of the LGBTQ community, says the mayor has not done enough on gay and lesbian issues. He calls the appointment a political ploy. King disagrees.
"I think he already had our voting block; I think that what he's doing is securing the promise he made to bring this position to fruition. Had it been last year, those naysayers would have had something to say about it, as well," King said.
The mayor's office says the timing of King's appointment has nothing to do with next year's election. The position was placed in last year's budget, and over 150 applicants applied for the job before King was chosen.