The City Club of Chicago hosted a historic event on June 19, 2018, its first discussion of LGBTQ issues at this well-known and respected public forum, whose co-founder was Jane Addams. Led by Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson, the panel featured Tracy Baim of Windy City Times, Kim L. Hunt of Pride Action Tank, […]
Chicago City Club Hosts First LGBTQ Presentation Read More »
On the second anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Equality Illinois joins with our friends at Equality Florida to issue a call to #HonorThemWithAction. Connect with organizations that take action to dismantle anti-LGBTQ violence, hatred, and discrimination. Help make your community and your state safer, better, and more equal. There were 49 murdered
Honor Them With Action Read More »
A great way to celebrate Pride, enjoy Passion House Coffee Roasters 12 ounce bags of single origin Papua New Guinea Sigiri Estate beans. A share of the proceeds benefit Equality Illinois and our work for LGBTQ civil rights. You can find the coffee at their shop at 2631 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago or order online
A cup of coffee benefits LGBTQ civil rights Read More »
The Illinois Human Rights Act protects many people—including LGBTQ people—from discrimination in places of public accommodations. The decision issued in Masterpiece Cakeshop today by the U.S. Supreme Court does not limit the protections in our Human Rights Act. However, the Court missed an opportunity to vociferously defend the rights of LGBTQ Americans to be free
Illinois LGBTQ Civil Rights Protections Remain Strong Read More »
Monday at 5:30pm in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, Dearborn and Adams streets, join a community rally in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling allowing a Colorado baker to refuse to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. We will call on Illinois businesses and the state to understand there is no change to the Illinois
Rally Today in Support of Illinois Human Rights Law Read More »
A message from Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson: Yesterday marked the end of the spring session for the General Assembly in Springfield. While there is much to celebrate, we leave the spring session disappointed that the Inclusive Curriculum Bill to include the teaching of LGBTQ people in U.S. history is not yet headed to
Welcome to the Equality Illinois Pride Month campaign to SHOW UP. SPEAK UP! During June, we encourage you to show the colors by showing up and speaking up in many ways: • SHOW UP at a community pride event scheduled in towns throughout Illinois as well as in many schools, businesses, and faith institutions to
Show your Pride: SHOW UP. SPEAK UP! Read More »
Equality Illinois invites you to join us on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 for the Chicago opening night performance of Dear Evan Hansen. Proceeds from the sale of these tickets benefit Equality Illinois’ important LGBTQ civil rights work. “One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history,” says The Washington Post. The New York Times
Dear Evan Hansen – Chicago Opening Night Read More »
Two Illinois activists are 2018 Equality Illinois Community Pride Honorees for their strong, ongoing leadership on LGBTQ issues. Nicole Bashor, who spearheads support for political candidates in Illinois who back pro-LGBTQ policies, and Saúl Aviña Jr., who has spent a decade working on HIV treatment and prevention programs, will be recognized at the Equality Illinois
Congratulations, 2018 Equality Illinois Community Pride Honorees Read More »
Breakthru Beverage Group has expanded its commitment and partnership with LGBTQ advocacy organization Equality Illinois. Breakthru and its leadership have been long-standing supporters of Equality Illinois and the broader LGBTQ community, with a relationship dating back more than a decade. Through this yearlong commitment, Breakthru will amplify Equality Illinois’ mission to its 1,200 Illinois associates
Breakthru Beverage Grows Relationship with Equality Illinois Read More »
CALL TO ACTION: The LGBTQ Inclusive Curriculum Bill is now in the House floor as the final push for action on major legislation is underway in the General Assembly before the scheduled May 31 adjournment. There is vocal opposition to the bill. We need you to raise your voice in support of the bill and
In last week of session: Pass the LGBTQ Inclusive History Bill Read More »
Take Action Today: The Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing all people equal treatment under the law regardless of their sex, is now in the Illinois House, with a vote on ratification hopefully taken before the May 31 adjournment. Act now to tell your state representative to vote YES. In a committee hearing
Tell Illinois House: Ratify ERA Read More »
Echoing the national NO GAY? NO WAY! campaign, Equality Illinois is issuing a special invitation for the Equality Illinois Pride Kickoff Brunch to the employees of Amazon to encourage the world’s largest online retailer to locate its new HQ2 in a state such as Illinois that protects the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
Equality Illinois Invites Amazon Workers to Pride Brunch Read More »
Breaking News: On a bipartisan 34-18 roll call, the Illinois Senate passed the Inclusive Curriculum Bill on Wednesday, sending the measure calling for the inclusion of historical events and contributions by LGBTQ people to the state House. Now that it has passed the Senate, it is important to tell you state representative to vote
Illinois Senate Passes LGBTQ Curriculum Bill Read More »
Our opponents are resorting to vicious name calling when they talk to Illinois legislators about the #LGBTQ Curriculum Bill. We believe our history should be part of school curriculum so that all students will have a more thorough understanding of history. Click to email your legislators and tell them: Pass the Inclusive Curriculum Bill.
Counter opponents’ name calling against Curriculum Bill Read More »
The Inclusive Curriculum Bill will ensure that all students in Illinois would learn about the significant historical events and contributions by LGBTQ people and that they impacted all of us.
Why we need the LGBTQ Curriculum Bill Read More »
Citizen advocates from around the state were in Springfield Wednesday for LGBTQ Advocacy Day. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Illinoisans and our families and allies spread out around the Capitol complex to discuss issues such as the Inclusive Curriculum Bill, the Equal Rights Amendment, and expanding the reach of the Illinois Human Rights protections
LGBTQ Advocacy Day Promotes Curriculum Bill; Now Do Your Part Read More »
As citizen advocates plan to engage legislators on Tuesday for ERA Lobby Day, Equality Illinois proudly supports the federal Equal Rights Amendment and urges state legislators to promptly ratify it. It’s beyond time for Illinois to join the 36 other states that have ratified the amendment and for it to become part of the U.S.
It’s time, Illinois: Ratify the Equal Rights Amemdment Read More »
The 2018 LGBTQ Pride Month celebration launches on June 3 at the Equality Illinois Pride Kickoff Brunch with an appearance by Annise Parker, the former mayor of Houston and the first out mayor of a major American city, who now works to increase the number of openly LGBTQ officials throughout the country. As the keynote
LGBTQ Candidate Activist to Speak at Pride Brunch Read More »
LGBTQ Advocacy Day in Springfield is next week. Please join us. Register today for Wednesday, April 11 to talk to lawmakers about the Inclusive Curriculum Bill to teach students the historical events and contributions by LGBTQ people. There are citizen advocates driving and car pooling from all corners of Illinois or arriving on our bus
Time to Sign Up for Advocacy Day Read More »
Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 and the days leading up to it are an opportunity to show our support for the trans community. It aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting cissexism and transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans community. Unlike Transgender Day of
Transgender Day of Visibility Read More »
Your vote on Tuesday could make the difference in electing LGBTQ-supportive public officials. To learn your polling place, click HERE. To learn more about candidates endorsed for their commitments to LGBTQ equality, please click HERE. With strong headwinds on the national level against LGBTQ civil rights, it is important to vote to make sure Illinois
Vote Tuesday to Support LGBTQ-Supportive Officials Read More »
On St. Patrick’s Day, take a few minutes to vote early for the Illinois Primary. There are polling places open this weekend throughout Illinois. Find locations and hours HERE. We have seen important elections swing on a handful of votes, so your vote could make the difference in electing LGBTQ-friendly officials. With strong headwinds on
Vote Early This St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Read More »
LGBTQ Advocacy Day in Springfield is a month away, and we’re happy to announce that Affinity Community Services is a community partner and second bus pickup location for the April 11 day trip to Springfield. One of our priority issues will be the Inclusive Curriculum Bill, an initiative of Equality Illinois and the Illinois Safe
Sign Up Today! LGBTQ Advocacy Day is a month away Read More »