Early Voting for the March 20 Illinois primary continues, including at many locations this weekend. Click to find convenient locations and hours in all 102 Illinois counties plus municipal election authorities. Remember, some cities such as Chicago have their own election authorities. EARLY VOTING INFO
SHOW UP. SPEAK UP! LGBTQ Town Halls in March will connect communities throughout the state with political and civic leaders to discuss advancing policies for LGBTQ constituencies. Please join in the discussions at an event near you in Carbondale, Chicago, Belleville, Peoria, and Springfield. March 6 | 6pm – LGBTQ+ Forum with Candidates for State …
“Outrageous and offensive” and an “…effort to politicize curriculum in order to advance biased beliefs…” That’s how a right-wing anti-equality organization recently described the Inclusive Curriculum Bill introduced in Springfield this month. The bill ensures the inclusion of the roles and contributions of LGBTQ people in curriculum in Illinois. Tell your elected leaders that our …
Want to know why we fight for LGBTQ equality? “It is the daily practice of our equality that helps Illinois become the state she is destined to be – fully equal and accepting of all,” says Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois. Please take a few minutes to watch Brian’s recent comments at the …
The Illinois Inclusive Curriculum Bill is introduced in the state legislature, an initiative of Equality Illinois and the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance and sponsored by state Sen. Heather Steans of Chicago and state Rep. Anna Moeller, of Elgin, so students will learn about the significant historical events and contributions by LGBTQ people. Some examples: The …
Inclusive Curriculum Bill Introduced to Teach LGBTQ History Read More »
It’s time for the Equality Illinois Show Up. Speak Up! 2018 Agenda. Your Equality Illinois team is on the case in Springfield and working to ensure that LGBTQ issues are included in this election across the state. We are asking you to join us in this work and make sure your voices are heard. · …
Tonight, a full house of nearly 1,500 people is expected at the 2018 Equality Illinois Gala to hear about the successes and ongoing challenges of building a stronger Illinois in the face of national headwinds against LGBTQ civil rights. The gala, which benefits the yearlong statewide LGBTQ civil rights work of Equality Illinois Institute, will …
Tonight – Sold Out Gala to Feature Bipartisan Support for LGBTQ Rights Read More »
Equality Illinois Action Alert – Tell your member of Congress it’s time to act and support a bipartisan permanent legislative solution and pass the Dream Act. There are over 75,000 LGBTQ Dreamers in the United States. Ending this program is very much a life-and-death decision for these LGBTQ Dreamers. They not only face expulsion from …
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Equality Illinois honors his legacy and pledges to continue our fight for justice for LGBTQ Illinoisans and all who face inequality UNTIL WE’RE ALL EQUAL.
In one week, join the Women’s March Chicago: March to the Polls in Grant Park. On January 20, women and allies will come together in downtown Chicago to celebrate the spirit of the resistance efforts over the past year and unite to focus on the 2018 elections and beyond. The January 21, 2017 Chicago march …
In less than a month, more than 1,200 LGBTQ Illinoisans and allies gather on Feb. 3 for the Equality Illinois 2018 Gala, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ soirée. Now is the time to lock in your tickets and seating at eqil.org/2018gala. The gala benefits the ongoing LGBTQ civil rights work of Equality Illinois. The celebration at …
Lock in your tickets for Feb. 3 Equality Illinois 2018 Gala Read More »
Three pro-LGBTQ equality laws that were legislative priorities for Equality Illinois go into effect with the new year. As of Jan. 1, 2018, laws that ban the anti-LGBTQ panic defense, modernize birth certificate changes, and encourage LGBTQ public leadership opportunities will help build a better Illinois. “Across the country, we have seen attacks on the …
Announcing: Transgender Illinoisans can begin working on the new state forms allowing them to correct the gender marker on birth certificates without requiring expensive and often unnecessary surgery, consistent with modern medical standards. The new law goes into effect Jan. 1, but the Illinois Department of Public Health forms are now online. One form is …
State Gender Marker Correction Forms Now Available Read More »
Now is the time for Illinois to build on the state’s tremendous progress in the fight against HIV. New HIV cases in Illinois dropped by nearly 28% over the decade from 2006-2015, and Illinois has nearly eliminated mother-to-child HIV transmission. In the City of Chicago, there have been fewer than 1,000 new HIV cases annually …
In the Sunday Chicago Tribune, nearly two dozen LGBTQ, Jewish and social justice agencies challenged the tone and substance of an editorial that supported the Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. “Comparing a same-sex couple looking to buy a cake honoring their love to Nazis seeking to buy …
LGBTQ and Jewish organizations challenge Tribune editorial on bakery case Read More »
On Dec. 6, 2017, the five Democratic candidates for governor met in a historic statewide forum in that was the first ever in Illinois to focus solely on LGBTQ issues. The candidates–Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Bob Daiber, businessman Chris Kennedy, anti-violence activist Tio Hardiman, state Sen. Daniel Biss, and businessman J.B. Pritzker–all agreed …
Replay: LGBTQ Forum with the Democratic Candidates for Governor Read More »
For her activism on behalf of her fellow transgender youth, Jazz Jennings will be honored at the 2018 Equality Illinois Gala as the first recipient of the Spotlight Award. The presentation of the Equality Illinois Spotlight Award will be made at the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ formal celebration, to be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 …
Equality Illinois to Honor Transgender Youth Activist Jazz Jennings at Gala Read More »
Sign up today HERE because in just one week the Democratic candidates for governor meet in the first LGBTQ Forum for statewide candidates ever in Illinois. Your presence and visibility in Chicago’s historic Second Presbyterian Church on Dec. 6 will display the strength of LGBTQ Illinoisans, our families, and allies. Seating in the church is …
It is a critical time for LGBTQ Civic Leadership, and Equality Illinois Institute needs your support here in Illinois. On GIvingTuesday, Can you make a one-time tax-deductible donation today in the amount of $10, $25, $50, or even $100? This is the kind of work we do: On November 4 and 5, 50 community advocates …
Your #GivingTuesday Gift Builds LGBTQ Civic Engagement Read More »
HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Equality Illinois! We are so thankful to all of you! From the donors who make possible our work fighting for LGBTQ civil rights to the volunteers who help us, from LGBTQ organizations throughout Illinois to the allied organizations in the state with whom we share a common purpose of allowing all Illinoisans …
Dr. Kathleen Robbins, a member of the Equality Illinois Community Advisory Board, has been appointed to the Illinois Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness and Prevention. The appointment, made by Illinois Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady, is recognition of the prevalence and impact of sexual violence on transgender people. Kathleen is an …
EI Advisory Board Member Appointed to State Panel Read More »
Click HERE to attend the Forum on Dec. 6 Register to attend the Illinois LGBTQ Forum: The Democratic Candidates for Governor, on Wed., Dec. 6 in Chicago. Participants include state Sen. Daniel Biss, Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Bob Daiber, anti-violence activist Tio Hardiman, businessman Chris Kennedy, and businessman JB Pritzker. We want to …
Attend the LGBTQ Forum: The Democratic Candidates for Governor Read More »
The statewide civic power of LGBTQ Illinoisans will be featured at the state’s first Illinois LGBTQ Forum: The Democratic Candidates for Governor, which will include statewide viewing sites. Organized by Affinity Community Services, the Association of Latinos/as Motivating Action (ALMA), the Equality Illinois Institute, and Pride Action Tank, the forum will take place on Wednesday, …
Candidates Forum To Air At Statewide Watch Events Read More »