Chi-Town is proving once again that its priorities are out of order…
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing backlash after renewing the city’s “Transfemicide State of Emergency” while Chicago continues to grapple with persistent gun violence that claimed six lives and left dozens wounded over the weekend.
The progressive mayor announced Sunday that his administration would continue the initiative, first declared in 2024, arguing that transgender residents still face discrimination, exclusion, and threats to their safety.
“For too many transgender Chicagoans, the sense of belonging they deserve in their city has been denied by exclusion and barriers to opportunity in spaces that should feel safe and welcoming,” Johnson wrote on social media.
The mayor said the framework would continue efforts to support LGBTQ residents while incorporating the experiences of transgender Chicagoans into city policy.
“Since declaring a Transfemicide State of Emergency, our administration has strengthened the City’s capacity to support LGBTQ+ Chicagoans,” Johnson wrote. “This framework builds on that work by centering the voices and lived experiences of trans Chicagoans to chart a path toward a safer, more connected city.”
For too many transgender Chicagoans, the sense of belonging they deserve in their city has been denied by exclusion and barriers to opportunity in spaces that should feel safe and welcoming. Since declaring a Transfemicide State of Emergency, our administration has strengthened… https://t.co/kJThl0CvHj
— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) June 21, 2026
The announcement quickly sparked criticism from opponents who argued City Hall’s priorities appear disconnected from the broader public safety challenges facing Chicago.
Critics pointed to another violent weekend in the city, where 39 people were shot and six were killed in a span of just a few days. Among the most serious incidents was a mass shooting in which gunmen opened fire on a crowd from an SUV, leaving 12 people wounded. Victims ranged in age from 17 to 47.
The renewed declaration also drew attention because the number of transgender homicide victims in Chicago remains relatively small compared to the city’s overall homicide totals.
According to reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times, 14 transgender individuals were killed in Chicago between 2016 and 2024.
By comparison, Chicago has already recorded 198 homicides this year, with the overwhelming majority of victims being men.
The term “transfemicide” generally refers to the targeted killing of a transgender woman motivated by anti-transgender bias and misogyny. City officials have argued that the designation allows agencies to coordinate resources, gather data, and provide additional support services to vulnerable populations.
Johnson’s critics, however, contend that City Hall has devoted disproportionate attention to symbolic initiatives while residents continue to face high levels of violent crime in many neighborhoods.
More over at The New York Post:
Chicago mayor slammed for declaring 'transfemicide state of emergency' – despite being a small fraction of city's 200 murders this year https://t.co/d9LRoRw7B5 pic.twitter.com/DdOiqsuZw8
— New York Post (@nypost) June 23, 2026
