Avondale official who called

Avondale official who called for 'gay' ban loses job

Updated 11:50 AM CDT, Thu October 24, 2013

A city official in a Chicago suburb has been fired after saying he wanted to ban "gay" people from the area.

Michael Braun, the mayor of Avondale, was speaking at a village board meeting earlier this month when he made the comments.

"I am going to make a motion to make Avondale a gay-free zone," Braun said, according to the Daily Herald.

The motion was not seconded and the board voted to table the discussion.

Braun said he was not suggesting that gay people should be "kicked out" of the area, but rather that the village should not welcome them as residents.

"I am not advocating that we should kick anyone out," Braun said. "I am advocating that we should not welcome them as residents."

The comments sparked outrage in the community and Braun was subsequently fired by the village board.

"The village board finds the statements made by Mayor Braun to be in conflict with the values of the Village of Avondale and the values of the people of Avondale," the board said in a statement.

Braun issued a statement saying he was sorry for his comments and that he had been "misunderstood".

"I am sorry for the harm and offense that my comments may have caused," Braun said. "I was not trying to say that I am against any particular group of people."

Braun's comments have been widely condemned by local and national leaders.

"This is a clear example of rhetoric that is hurtful and discriminatory," said a statement from Equality Illinois, a gay rights group based in Chicago.

"We urge the village of Avondale to take a clear stance against discrimination and to ensure that all residents feel welcome and included."

Avondale is a small village with a population of just over 1,000 people.

Phoenix New Times — 2025-11-27

Avondale official who called for 'gay' ban loses job

More News