Jake Wittich
@jakewittich.bsky.social
🌈 Managing Editor and LGBTQ+ news reporter for @windycitytimes.com
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📍: Chicago
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📍: Chicago
Pinned
Jake Wittich
@jakewittich.bsky.social
· Nov 17
I'm still on cloud nine after being honored this weekend with the Journalist of the Year award from the Chicago Journalists Association.
It meant the world to be honored at the ceremony, where Tracy Baim was keynote and Jim Williams of CBS News Chicago received the Lifetime Achievement award.
It meant the world to be honored at the ceremony, where Tracy Baim was keynote and Jim Williams of CBS News Chicago received the Lifetime Achievement award.
Reposted by Jake Wittich
I appreciate the @glaad.bsky.social nomination for this story, which is part of my larger series on detransition
Detransition is rare, but it’s driving anti-trans policy anyway
Many people who detransition are still gender non-conforming — and their experiences are more complex than gender-affirming care bans suggest.
19thnews.org
January 7, 2026 at 5:47 PM
I appreciate the @glaad.bsky.social nomination for this story, which is part of my larger series on detransition
January 7, 2026 at 4:25 PM
For your weekend listening: I filled in as guest host on @thegailyshow.org and dug deep into how transgender people are covered in the news.
I was joined by @petrinkae.bsky.social of the @transjournalists.org Association for a thoughtful, data-driven conversation about trends in trans coverage.
I was joined by @petrinkae.bsky.social of the @transjournalists.org Association for a thoughtful, data-driven conversation about trends in trans coverage.
New Tool Tracks Media Coverage of the Transgender Community
YouTube video by The Gaily Show
www.youtube.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:12 PM
For your weekend listening: I filled in as guest host on @thegailyshow.org and dug deep into how transgender people are covered in the news.
I was joined by @petrinkae.bsky.social of the @transjournalists.org Association for a thoughtful, data-driven conversation about trends in trans coverage.
I was joined by @petrinkae.bsky.social of the @transjournalists.org Association for a thoughtful, data-driven conversation about trends in trans coverage.
it's disheartening to have seen so many of my friends and colleagues take buyouts all while the ex-CEO was making $900,000 in a year.
Ex-CEO of Chicago Public Media saw $900,000 payout in 2024, IRS filings show
Compensation for Matt Moog rose as the company slashed jobs at the Chicago Sun-Times and at WBEZ.
chicago.suntimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:18 PM
it's disheartening to have seen so many of my friends and colleagues take buyouts all while the ex-CEO was making $900,000 in a year.
Reposted by Jake Wittich
News: On Day 2 of Cmdr. Gregory Bovino’s chaotic return to Chicago earlier this month, a CBP supervisor dialed 911 as a convoy of federal vehicles sped north on Lake Shore Drive.
Records capture CPD, OEMC coordination with the feds as they headed to Evanston.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/a...
Records capture CPD, OEMC coordination with the feds as they headed to Evanston.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/a...
‘Help is on the way’: Audio captures Border Patrol, 911 dispatchers before CPD response
On the second day of Cmdr. Gregory Bovino’s brief, chaotic return to Chicago earlier this month, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol supervisor dialed 911 as a convoy of federal vehicles sped no…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:50 PM
News: On Day 2 of Cmdr. Gregory Bovino’s chaotic return to Chicago earlier this month, a CBP supervisor dialed 911 as a convoy of federal vehicles sped north on Lake Shore Drive.
Records capture CPD, OEMC coordination with the feds as they headed to Evanston.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/a...
Records capture CPD, OEMC coordination with the feds as they headed to Evanston.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/a...
I'll be live, filling in as guest host on @thegailyshow.org today at 2 p.m. CT on AM950 Radio.
I'm bringing on @petrinkae.bsky.social, founder of the @transjournalists.org Association, to discuss their newest tool, the Trans News Initiative.
Tune in here: www.am950radio.com/category/pod...
I'm bringing on @petrinkae.bsky.social, founder of the @transjournalists.org Association, to discuss their newest tool, the Trans News Initiative.
Tune in here: www.am950radio.com/category/pod...
December 30, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I'll be live, filling in as guest host on @thegailyshow.org today at 2 p.m. CT on AM950 Radio.
I'm bringing on @petrinkae.bsky.social, founder of the @transjournalists.org Association, to discuss their newest tool, the Trans News Initiative.
Tune in here: www.am950radio.com/category/pod...
I'm bringing on @petrinkae.bsky.social, founder of the @transjournalists.org Association, to discuss their newest tool, the Trans News Initiative.
Tune in here: www.am950radio.com/category/pod...
Where you live in Chicago can shape how long you live—especially for LGBTQ+ people.
Chicago’s life expectancy gap is nearly 20 years between neighborhoods, rooted in decades of segregation and structural inequity. Experts say these disparities may hit queer Chicagoans even harder.
Chicago’s life expectancy gap is nearly 20 years between neighborhoods, rooted in decades of segregation and structural inequity. Experts say these disparities may hit queer Chicagoans even harder.
Where you live in Chicago can shape how long you live—especially for LGBTQ+ people - Windy City Times
Coming of age as a trans woman on Chicago’s West Side, Zahara Bassett used to spend hours traveling across the city just to access basic services. “It was two trains and a bus,” Bassett said, describi...
windycitytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Where you live in Chicago can shape how long you live—especially for LGBTQ+ people.
Chicago’s life expectancy gap is nearly 20 years between neighborhoods, rooted in decades of segregation and structural inequity. Experts say these disparities may hit queer Chicagoans even harder.
Chicago’s life expectancy gap is nearly 20 years between neighborhoods, rooted in decades of segregation and structural inequity. Experts say these disparities may hit queer Chicagoans even harder.
I recently joined John Parker on @thegailyshow.org to talk about how I approach community journalism, why LGBTQ+ media still matters, and how @windycitytimes.com has been evolving digitally.
If you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes thinking behind this work, here’s the conversation:
If you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes thinking behind this work, here’s the conversation:
LGBTQ Journalism in the Age of MAGA
YouTube video by The Gaily Show
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I recently joined John Parker on @thegailyshow.org to talk about how I approach community journalism, why LGBTQ+ media still matters, and how @windycitytimes.com has been evolving digitally.
If you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes thinking behind this work, here’s the conversation:
If you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes thinking behind this work, here’s the conversation:
Reposted by Jake Wittich
You'll probably recognize your faves in my top ten, including @joyurcaba.bsky.social, @oriion.bsky.social, @transvestigations.bsky.social (from @erininthemorning.com), and @hencarnell.bsky.social.
And in the bottom five you'll find @theatlantic.com, @nytimes.com, and @wsj.com of course.
And in the bottom five you'll find @theatlantic.com, @nytimes.com, and @wsj.com of course.
Are you a fan of trans journalism? Are you an enjoyer of ranked lists? If you are either of those things, or both, we've got the end of year feature for you.
Read our list of the best ten and worst five examples of journalism on trans issues of 2025.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Read our list of the best ten and worst five examples of journalism on trans issues of 2025.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
The Ten Best (and Five Worst) Pieces of Trans Journalism of 2025 — Assigned
The trans community has been plagued with a surplus of news in 2025. Here’s Assigned Media’s list of the best and worst of journalism on this beat.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 16, 2025 at 11:47 AM
You'll probably recognize your faves in my top ten, including @joyurcaba.bsky.social, @oriion.bsky.social, @transvestigations.bsky.social (from @erininthemorning.com), and @hencarnell.bsky.social.
And in the bottom five you'll find @theatlantic.com, @nytimes.com, and @wsj.com of course.
And in the bottom five you'll find @theatlantic.com, @nytimes.com, and @wsj.com of course.
Reposted by Jake Wittich
Are you a fan of trans journalism? Are you an enjoyer of ranked lists? If you are either of those things, or both, we've got the end of year feature for you.
Read our list of the best ten and worst five examples of journalism on trans issues of 2025.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Read our list of the best ten and worst five examples of journalism on trans issues of 2025.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
The Ten Best (and Five Worst) Pieces of Trans Journalism of 2025 — Assigned
The trans community has been plagued with a surplus of news in 2025. Here’s Assigned Media’s list of the best and worst of journalism on this beat.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Are you a fan of trans journalism? Are you an enjoyer of ranked lists? If you are either of those things, or both, we've got the end of year feature for you.
Read our list of the best ten and worst five examples of journalism on trans issues of 2025.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Read our list of the best ten and worst five examples of journalism on trans issues of 2025.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Reposted by Jake Wittich
last week’s @thegailyshow.org conversation with @jakewittich.bsky.social, lot of ground covered
www.youtube.com/live/b4rGUoH...
www.youtube.com/live/b4rGUoH...
LGBTQ Journalism in the Age of MAGA
YouTube video by The Gaily Show
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
last week’s @thegailyshow.org conversation with @jakewittich.bsky.social, lot of ground covered
www.youtube.com/live/b4rGUoH...
www.youtube.com/live/b4rGUoH...
Winter and the holiday season can be a difficult time for many—especially LGBTQ+ people—so I chatted with the Chicago Department of Public Health about what kinds of resources are available.
Chicago officials spotlight free mental health resources to ease holiday stress - Windy City Times
As the holidays and winter set in, many Chicagoans experience heightened stress, grief and loneliness—pressures that can be especially intense for LGBTQ+ people navigating family rejection, isolation ...
windycitytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Winter and the holiday season can be a difficult time for many—especially LGBTQ+ people—so I chatted with the Chicago Department of Public Health about what kinds of resources are available.
A Cook County jury has awarded a gay couple a $104 million verdict in a 2016 I-90 crash case—including $24 million recognizing the couple’s civil union, a rarity in catastrophic-injury litigation.
Gay couple wins $104M in I-90 crash case - Windy City Times
A Cook County jury has awarded a gay couple a $104 million verdict in a 2016 I-90 crash case—including $24 million recognizing the couple’s civil union, a rarity in catastrophic-injury litigation. The...
windycitytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
A Cook County jury has awarded a gay couple a $104 million verdict in a 2016 I-90 crash case—including $24 million recognizing the couple’s civil union, a rarity in catastrophic-injury litigation.
I'm proud to have contributed to this guide on Using History to Report on Systemic Racism from the @raceandequityproject.org!
Shoutout to @loganjaffe.bsky.social and @laurakt540.bsky.social for sharing their knowledge and leading this helpful session.
Shoutout to @loganjaffe.bsky.social and @laurakt540.bsky.social for sharing their knowledge and leading this helpful session.
The Investigative Project on Race and Equity hosted a virtual training this fall on “Investigating History for Reparative Storytelling.”
The session gave reporters tools to weave history into accountability reporting and to uncover how systemic racism shapes today’s news.
✍🏼 tinyurl.com/4mebwzm9
The session gave reporters tools to weave history into accountability reporting and to uncover how systemic racism shapes today’s news.
✍🏼 tinyurl.com/4mebwzm9
December 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I'm proud to have contributed to this guide on Using History to Report on Systemic Racism from the @raceandequityproject.org!
Shoutout to @loganjaffe.bsky.social and @laurakt540.bsky.social for sharing their knowledge and leading this helpful session.
Shoutout to @loganjaffe.bsky.social and @laurakt540.bsky.social for sharing their knowledge and leading this helpful session.
Reposted by Jake Wittich
Chicago officially updated the status of the Mpox outbreak.
@windycitytimes.com Managing Editor @jakewittich.bsky.social brings you the details.
For the full story: youtube.com/live/VJGwOca...
youtube.com/shorts/uHPyE...
@windycitytimes.com Managing Editor @jakewittich.bsky.social brings you the details.
For the full story: youtube.com/live/VJGwOca...
youtube.com/shorts/uHPyE...
Is Chicago's Mpox outbreak over?
YouTube video by The Gaily Show
youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Chicago officially updated the status of the Mpox outbreak.
@windycitytimes.com Managing Editor @jakewittich.bsky.social brings you the details.
For the full story: youtube.com/live/VJGwOca...
youtube.com/shorts/uHPyE...
@windycitytimes.com Managing Editor @jakewittich.bsky.social brings you the details.
For the full story: youtube.com/live/VJGwOca...
youtube.com/shorts/uHPyE...
Reposted by Jake Wittich
NEW: People moving brazenly to Texas to run for political office is nothing new. But now a confluence of events, from redistricting to dysfunctional infighting on the right, has everyone from the ShamWow Guy to Mark Teixeria moving to Texas to run for congress: www.chron.com/culture/arti...
They're not from Texas. But they want to represent you in Congress.
"Texas has always been a land of political reinvention."
www.chron.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:28 AM
NEW: People moving brazenly to Texas to run for political office is nothing new. But now a confluence of events, from redistricting to dysfunctional infighting on the right, has everyone from the ShamWow Guy to Mark Teixeria moving to Texas to run for congress: www.chron.com/culture/arti...
Where Did Anti-Trans Laws Start? How a Forgotten Houston Ordinance Turned Into a Massive, Nationwide Culture War thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
Where Did Anti-Trans Laws Start? How a Forgotten Houston Ordinance Turned Into a Massive, Nationwide Culture War
In fighting for bathroom bills in Houston, Texas conservatives provided a blueprint for the rest of the country.
thebarbedwire.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Where Did Anti-Trans Laws Start? How a Forgotten Houston Ordinance Turned Into a Massive, Nationwide Culture War thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/04/a...
Reposted by Jake Wittich
BREAKING: Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans & intersex people, memo says. A DOJ memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) do not align with Trump’s Jan. 20 anti-trans executive order, @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports.
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people
A Department of Justice memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act do not align with Trump’s executive order
prismreports.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:30 PM
BREAKING: Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans & intersex people, memo says. A DOJ memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) do not align with Trump’s Jan. 20 anti-trans executive order, @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports.
Reposted by Jake Wittich
ICYMI from me yesterday: a DOJ memo shows that the Trump Administration plans to roll back prison rape protections for queer and trans people, including in youth detention facilities. More here 👇🏼
BREAKING: Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans & intersex people, memo says. A DOJ memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) do not align with Trump’s Jan. 20 anti-trans executive order, @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports.
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people
A Department of Justice memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act do not align with Trump’s executive order
prismreports.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM
ICYMI from me yesterday: a DOJ memo shows that the Trump Administration plans to roll back prison rape protections for queer and trans people, including in youth detention facilities. More here 👇🏼
Reposted by Jake Wittich
Hey all, please join us for an AMA on Reddit this Friday about federal immigration enforcement in the Chicago area! Sun-Times reporters Cindy Hernandez, Tina Sfondeles and Jon Seidel — who have covered ICE and DHS operations, court proceedings, and more — are here to answer your questions!
December 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Hey all, please join us for an AMA on Reddit this Friday about federal immigration enforcement in the Chicago area! Sun-Times reporters Cindy Hernandez, Tina Sfondeles and Jon Seidel — who have covered ICE and DHS operations, court proceedings, and more — are here to answer your questions!
Reposted by Jake Wittich
New from me: The DOJ plans to dismantle protections for trans and intersex people in federal, state, and local prisons, jails, and youth detention facilities, according to a government memo obtained by Prism.
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people
A Department of Justice memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act do not align with Trump’s executive order
prismreports.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:20 PM
New from me: The DOJ plans to dismantle protections for trans and intersex people in federal, state, and local prisons, jails, and youth detention facilities, according to a government memo obtained by Prism.
Reposted by Jake Wittich
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people, memo says
my friend @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports for @prismreports.org
my friend @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports for @prismreports.org
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people
A Department of Justice memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act do not align with Trump’s executive order
prismreports.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people, memo says
my friend @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports for @prismreports.org
my friend @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports for @prismreports.org
Reposted by Jake Wittich
I’m fortunate to get to speak with super high profile people & everyday people from all walks of life.
My conversation with Rev. Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf, who came out to her New York congregation as trans in the most graceful way, will stay with me for a long time.
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
My conversation with Rev. Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf, who came out to her New York congregation as trans in the most graceful way, will stay with me for a long time.
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
December 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
I’m fortunate to get to speak with super high profile people & everyday people from all walks of life.
My conversation with Rev. Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf, who came out to her New York congregation as trans in the most graceful way, will stay with me for a long time.
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
My conversation with Rev. Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf, who came out to her New York congregation as trans in the most graceful way, will stay with me for a long time.
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
This was a fun interview to do. It had me feeling nostalgic for my college days of closing out Berlin Nightclub and then wandering to Clarke's Diner down the street.
Read more about author Erik Piepenburg's history of queer restaurants on @windycitytimes.com.
Read more about author Erik Piepenburg's history of queer restaurants on @windycitytimes.com.
‘Dining Out’ traces a century of queer restaurants—starting in Chicago - Windy City Times
When Erik Piepenburg thinks of the late-night Chicago diners where he came of age, he remembers the chatter, the flirting and the food that always arrived hot. In the ‘90s, Piepenburg lived in Northal...
windycitytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:34 PM
This was a fun interview to do. It had me feeling nostalgic for my college days of closing out Berlin Nightclub and then wandering to Clarke's Diner down the street.
Read more about author Erik Piepenburg's history of queer restaurants on @windycitytimes.com.
Read more about author Erik Piepenburg's history of queer restaurants on @windycitytimes.com.
Chicago's long-awaited LGBTQ+ Affairs Director could be hired by the end of this week.
My latest for @windycitytimes.com
My latest for @windycitytimes.com
Chicago mayor’s office nearing hire for LGBTQ+ affairs director - Windy City Times
Mayor Brandon Johnon’s office is close to hiring the city’s long-awaited LGBTQ+ affairs director. The position, which the administration first announced June 2024, has been delayed for months as the m...
windycitytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Chicago's long-awaited LGBTQ+ Affairs Director could be hired by the end of this week.
My latest for @windycitytimes.com
My latest for @windycitytimes.com