LGBT Advocacy Day Will Reach Out to Legislators
SPRINGFIELD (March 26, 2015) – With critical issues before the state legislature and Gov. Bruce Rauner this spring, LGBT Illinoisans and allies will participate in the annual Equality Illinois LGBT Advocacy Day in Springfield on April 15.
“This will be a great opportunity to talk to lawmakers about legislation that affects the LGBT community. Our agenda includes strengthening hate crimes legislation, protecting LGBT youth from conversion therapy, and saving important funding for public services in the state budget,” said Patty Dillon, Director of Field Operations of Equality Illinois.
As the state’s largest and most effective civil rights organization advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans, Equality Illinois has a permanent bipartisan lobbying team here in Springfield working with Mike Ziri, our Director of Public Policy, talking to legislators and policy makers in the executive agencies about these issues.
“While we at Equality Illinois can talk to officials about legislation, nothing conveys the real and personal impact policies have on people than for citizens to visit with lawmakers themselves and share their stories,” Ziri said. “The small group meetings and one-on-one sessions we can have on LGBT Advocacy Day really bring home how important these issues are.”
Buses will leave from locations in the Chicago area the morning of April 15 for the day trip to Springfield. Equality Illinois is also urging supporters throughout the state to form their own car pools to drive to Springfield that day. The program will include lunch and training once the buses and cars arrive in Springfield followed by meetings with lawmakers. After the advocacy day wraps up, the participants can share stories and results of their meetings at a reception at Club Station House in Springfield.
Information and registration for the buses can be found at tinyurl.com/LGBT-advocacy-bus. Drivers can sign up for the program at tinyurl.com/LGBT-advocacy-day. People can share their plans to participate in LGBT Advocacy Day at #LGBTadvocacy.