Breaking News: The Illinois Senate today unanimously approved HB 3552, 49-0. Under this bill, a person’s last instructions regarding his or her gender identity must be respected by funeral directors (including pronouns, chosen name, and appearance). Thank you to Sen. William Delgado and Rep. Will Guzzardi for standing up for the rights of transgender Illinoisans. …
Gender Identity Funeral Instructions Bill Passes Read More »
On this Memorial Day, Equality Illinois salutes the ultimate sacrifice paid by too many of America’s warriors–some while publicly denying their true selves in order to serve–so that we may all strive to #LIVEequal.
It’s Give OUT Day – you’ve got 24 hours to participate in the largest day of LGBT philanthropy! Donate $35 or more TODAY to receive a #liveEQUAL tee shirt and be entered to win a pair of United flight vouchers. One year ago, many in our community feared that progress in our movement would slow down, but Equality …
The Illinois Senate unanimously passed House Bill 3930 on Wednesday, which enhances hate crimes protections for LGBT Illinoisans. Thank you to Sen. Daniel Biss, the measure’s chief sponsor! Next step: review and approval by the Governor. Please call Governor Rauner at (217) 782-0244 and urge him to sign HB 3930. Authored by Equality Illinois, HB …
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Your valuable past support allowed us to grow our mission last year, to truly build a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and social justice through education, advocacy, and protection of the rights of the LGBT community. Help us continue our work by donating at least $35 during May Membership Month, and be entered into …
As the U.S. Supreme Court convenes Tuesday to hear the cases on marriage equality, Illinois couples and families who are already protected under our state’s freedom to marry are as interested and concerned as people living in the state’s where that freedom is not yet recognized. Whether states must recognize the same-sex marriages performed in other …
The legislature is working on Gov. Rauner’s proposed budget, which calls for drastic funding cuts in programs that protect the health and safety of Illinoisans. Equality Illinois is part of the Responsible Budget Coalition, which is committed to preserving vital services for Illinois families and communities. We must fight against poverty, ensure access to health care and …
Advocates from across Illinois visited the state Capitol this week to discuss a broad agenda of bills that directly impact the #LGBT community across our state, from HB217 ending harmful conversion therapy to a budget that protects vital services for all LGBT Illinoisans. This year, we are working on more than 25 pieces of legislation …
Equality Illinois denounces new laws in Indiana and under consideration in other states allowing the use of religious beliefs to discriminate and refuse service to LGBT people and other minorities, and rejects comparisons to the religious freedom law in Illinois. In acting as if the new law is a benign effort at ensuring religious freedom, …
Equality Illinois is holding our annual LGBT Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 15 at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. It’ll 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 ineffective and dangerous conversion therapy, and saving important …
A letter from mental health, medical and academic organizations in Illinois strongly supporting the Illinois Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act is a significant statement that explains the dangers of harmful and ineffective efforts to force LGBT youth to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Equality Illinois, the state’s largest advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and …
The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee (Equality Illinois PAC) today reminds voters of its endorsement of the re-election of Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The Equality Illinois PAC also recommends votes for Ald. James Cappleman (46th Ward) and candidate Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) in Chicago and Springfield Alderman Cory Jobe (6th Ward). In reiterating the endorsement of …
We are happy to announce that our special guest on the first day of the LGBT Equality Institute on Friday, March 20 will be Ms. Amanda Simpson, Executive Director of the Army Office of Energy Initiatives and the first openly transgender woman U.S. Presidential appointee. Don’t miss your chance to hear Ms. Simpson, or any …
Tell your legislators and Gov. Rauner to support a ban on conversion therapy! Every major medical and mental health association agrees, conversion therapy is ineffective and dangerous. Young people who face rejection because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression are more likely to have high levels of depression, more likely to engage …
Announcing Frank: An Evening with Barney Frank Join Equality Illinois, Center on Halsted, The Book Stall, and Windy City Media Group on March 25 as we welcome former Congressman Barney Frank and hear him speak about his new memoir, Frank. The evening will include a live interview and a Q&A with the audience all of which …
The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee (Equality Illinois PAC) is endorsing the re-election of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the February 24 municipal election. The Equality Illinois PAC also endorses the re-election of four incumbent LGBT aldermen in Chicago and Springfield. “Mayor Emanuel has been a leader on LGBT issues in Chicago, and that’s why …
Happy Valentine’s Day from Equality Illinois. We’re excited to be celebrating tonight at the 2015 Equality Illinois Gala at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. With the gala falling this year on Valentine’s Day, we highlight the significance that this first full year of marriage equality holds for LGBT Illinoisans. Valentine’s Day used to be a day …
Mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual LGBT Equality Institute, presented by Equality Illinois, a two-day conference March 20-21 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago bringing together our state’s LGBT community and allies, progressive advocates, civic leaders, and community groups to discuss issues that affect us all. Join us to discuss the future of our movement, garner …
The contributions made by the Illinois business community toward the work of Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans, continue at a robust pace, fueled by a shared belief that fairness and inclusiveness are not only the right thing to do but are also good business practices. …
As the new Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois, I’m excited to provide my first policy report. With the new Rauner administration and a new legislature underway in Springfield and a new Congress in Washington, we got right down to work. One of our priorities is banning ineffectual and dangerous conversion therapy during this …
Report from Our New Public Policy Director Mike Ziri Read More »
Illinois native Lea DeLaria, a groundbreaking performer who was the first out comedian to appear on a late-night talk show and whose numerous stage and screen appearances include her standout role of prison inmate Big Boo in the hit Netflix series “Orange is the New Black,” will be honored with the Equality Illinois Freedom Award. …
Equality Illinois on Tuesday announced an initiative to pass legislation banning ineffectual and dangerous conversion therapy during this new term of the Illinois General Assembly in order to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children State Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago introduced the bill on Friday. House Bill 217, the Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act, would …
Marriage equality could become a national reality later this year after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ordered a hearing on the issue. The court announced it is taking cases from four states where the wishes of same-sex couples to marry are thwarted by state laws. In its order, the court asked two questions: 1) …