The Chicago City Council stood up for the rights of transgender people Wednesday when it passed the Equal Access Ordinance, a measure supported by Equality Illinois that will ensure equal access consistent with a person’s gender identity in places of public accommodations in Chicago.
The ordinance passed the 50-person council on a vote of 45-5, and it has the support of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
“You should not have to prove your gender identity to use a bathroom in a restaurant, hotel or store. The existing law has the effect of humiliating transgender and gender non-conforming people, many of whom have been unable to correct the gender markers on their IDs. Chicago’s current law is fundamentally unfair,” said Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois.