Objectively, how liberal/progressive is Chicago *compared to other large American cities*? (transplants, home)

[TheTimidBlueBars]

A family member who moved out to Seattle about a decade ago was telling me earlier tonight that he was considered a firebrand liberal by his social circle in Chicago, but is considered pretty conservative in Seattle. That sounded strange to me, since AFAIK Cook County goes at least as strongly Democratic in elections as King County, WA and the majority of urban counties in the country.

Is Chicago... less culturally liberal than coastal cities, somehow? I'm trying to figure out what he meant by this.

[emathias]

As far as your friend goes, it depends on who his social circle was here. There's a lot of variety her.

Also, in general, Chicago and Midwest Progressivism is different from West Coast or Easy Coast liberalism.

The West Coast liberalism is more focused on individual rights in their expression of liberalism, something I call "Frontier liberalism," whereas the Midwest and Chicago especially have a more Bohemian influence that focused more on equality between groups and minimising power differentials. The East Coast is closer to Chicago style. To be sure, Chicago style still wants individual rights, too, but it's not the first focus.

I think that's a big part of the reason than, for example, Illinois was the first state to decriminalize sodomy, and the first St Patrick's Day parade to allow gays and lesbians to March with them, back in the 1989s. It's just been in the past few years that that's been allowed in Boston and New York, which many people (mistakenly) before to be more liberal than Chicago. Chicago liberals want groups to do be able to enjoy equal participation. Seattle wants individuals to have e equal pay and to be left alone. It's kind of hard to fully explain in a forum post, but I grew up near Portland and still visit my brother in Seattle, so know both Chicago and the West Coast politics pretty well.

[smegmatite]

wanna see people get mad say you're a Trump supporter in town... LOL! I hope you're wearing a bullet proof vest!

[treemoni]

I wouldn't call Chicago progressive. Chicago is only progressive compared to its super conservative Midwest brothers and sisters. Chicagoans are provincial, but it's a "live and let live" type existence. We are diverse yet tribal. I think Chicago is the best representation of America...and I'm not just saying that because it's home. New York is more a city of immigrants, which makes sense because it is a port city. Chicago has immigrants and home grown southerners who migrated North. I really can't think of any other city with the diversity (racial, social and economic) as Chicago.

[MSchemist80]

I'd call Chicago regressive in terms of politics.

[TBideon]

Try being openly gay in the vast majority of south and west side neighborhoods. Chicago transplants may be liberal leaning but much of the city is anything but progressive.

[SubconsciousMe]

Originally Posted by TBideon

Try being openly gay in the vast majority of south and west side neighborhoods. Chicago transplants may be liberal leaning but much of the city is anything but progressive.

I have been openly gay from the west to the south to the north without issue.

[treemoni]

Originally Posted by TBideon

Try being openly gay in the vast majority of south and west side neighborhoods. Chicago transplants may be liberal leaning but much of the city is anything but progressive.

Are you speaking from experience? I've read plenty of stories from black gay males who are NOT welcome in the "liberal" North side.

[personone]

Chicago seems more "Democratic" as opposed to pure "Liberal" if that makes sense. Just my opinion based on subjective feel.

[treemoni]

^^^

I think you're right. I'm not actually sure I even believe in this whole "liberal" thing. I know what conservatism is, but a lot of people who claim they are "liberal" are something else. To me, "liberal" and "progressive" means you believe in equal rights for all. And honestly, a lot of these so-called liberals are worse than conservatives. I don't really like labels, but I think we need to find a new one for this group of people. They are elitists more than anything.