Brian C Johnson
Tell us about yourself and what you do for a living?
I serve as the CEO of the LGBTQ+ civil rights group Equality Illinois. Every day I get to fight to make sure Illinois is a more equitable and affirming state for LGBTQ+ people.
How long have you been living in Illinois, and what influenced your decision to live where you do now.
I’ve lived in Illinois for nine years. I came to Illinois to move in with my then-boyfriend (now husband). We met on a layover in O’Hare. I was waiting for my plane to board and fired up my OKCupid dating app to kill some time. I “swiped right” on his profile and forgot about it until two days later when OKCupid matched us. Once we began emailing, it became clear he was someone pretty special. A year later I had moved to Chicago to move in with him.
Brian C Johnson (Photo by Nathalie Rock)
What are your favorite places to go for a cocktail and/or dinner?
Our favorite family restaurant is Lady Gregory’s in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. Great food, a wonderful drink menu, and amazing service, all with an Irish flair. My favorite place for an after-work cocktail is the Dearborn in the heart of Chicago’s Loop. Upscale without being stuffy, and definitely a see-and be-seen establishment for Illinois politicos.
The Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette (Photo by Nejdet Duzen)
What cultural attractions are a must see for visitors?
Stroll the shops and restaurants of Uptown Normal, stop for a visit at the majestic State Capitol in Springfield, check out the Legacy Walk in Chicago’s east Lakeview neighborhood detailing the history of the LGBTQ+ community, wonder at the beauty of the Bahá’i House of Worship in Wilmette, and take in an exhibit at the DuSable Black History Museum named for Chicago’s founder Jean Baptiste Point du Sable.
Street Murals Pilsen Chicago (Photo courtesy of the Illinois Office of Tourism)
A friend is coming to visit you for the first time. Please describe the perfect weekend.
Start in Chicago with happy hour drinks at the Dearborn in the Loop followed by dinner at Lady Gregory’s in Andersonville. Wake up on Saturday morning for a long run along the Lake Michigan lakeshore. Take in an afternoon Cubs game at Wrigley Field followed by some improv at Second City. Before you leave on Sunday, stroll through the shops and art galleries in Pilsen. If you have more time, drive down to Springfield to take a tour of Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
What are the best places to truly enjoy the natural beauty of the area?
You can’t miss the Shawnee National Forest just northeast of Cape Girardeau, MO.
Lake Michigan (Photo by Anthony Ricci)
What is your favorite time of year in Illinois and why?
Summer! There are few people happier than Illinoisans in the summer. We have survived the long winter and now get to spend three months frolicking outside.
What locally made product would you suggest visitors bring back for their family and friends?
Any Asutra product, but especially the Mist Your Mood Lavender & Chamomile Spray. Partly owned by Venus Williams, Asutra’s products are found in major retailers across the country but they are made right in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Field Museum North Entrance (Photo by Illinois Office of Tourism)
Please finish this sentence: Don’t leave Illinois without…
…checking out one of the museums in Chicago’s lakefront Museum Campus (the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium or the Adler Planetarium).
