YOU are invited to submit questions for the Illinois LGBTQ Forum: The Democratic Candidates for Governor. Four weeks from today on Wednesday, Dec. 6, State Sen. Daniel Biss, Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Bob Daiber, anti-violence activist Tio Hardiman, businessman Chris Kennedy, and businessman JB Pritzker will sit down with a coalition of organizations […]
Submit Your Question for the LGBTQ Forum Read More »
Equality Illinois seeks to build the policy and political power of LGBTQ Illinoisans by linking qualified lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people to openings on key state boards and commissions. The Boards and Commissions Initiative seeks to enhance the visibility and public leadership of LGBTQ Illinoisans on the important state boards and commissions that
LGBTQ Boards and Commissions Project Read More »
Among larger Illinois communities, Naperville ranks last, scoring only 42 out of a possible 100 points, and Chicago is first in the state with 100 points in the 2017 Municipal Equality Index, the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy and services. While local officials in Naperville say it is a
Municipal Equality Index ranks Chicago first, Naperville last Read More »
The Equality Illinois PAC is endorsing 32 incumbent legislators in its first round of endorsements as the state heads into the 2018 election cycle. The Equality Illinois PAC is the only statewide political entity dedicated to defending and securing the rights of LGBTQ Illinoisans though engagement in the electoral process. READ MORE
Equality Illinois PAC Makes First 2018 Endorsements Read More »
At Equality Illinois, our hearts swell with love at the bravery we are seeing from so many people sharing #metoo. We are sorry we live in a world where the #metoo campaign even has to exist, and we promise to be vigilant in working with you to eradicate sexual harassment and assault.
With 27,715 respondents nationwide, the U.S. Transgender Survey conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality in 2015 included 1,082 in Illinois. As the Trump administration tries to remove protections for transgender people, the just-released findings reveal in Illinois and around the nation the need for such protections, and more. There were disturbing patterns of
Illinois Transgender Survey Finds Disturbing Patterns and Disparities Read More »
TAKE ACTION!!! Equality Illinois stands in firm opposition to the guidance document issued today by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions that would allow discrimination against LGBTQ people. Take action here to oppose the Trump administration anti-LGBTQ policy: tinyurl.com/RejectLicenseToDiscriminate. Using all the tools at our disposal, we will forcefully respond and defend the civil rights of
Reject the Trump Administration License to Discriminate Read More »
The Equality Illinois Community Advisory Group is beginning its second year of work, now 35 members strong, including LGBTQ individuals and allies from across the state who engage with us in the policy development and agenda building necessary to secure and advance LGBTQ equality, social justice, and intersectional action in Illinois. Members come from all
Community Advisory Group Begins Second Year Read More »
United Airlines is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2018 Equality Illinois Gala, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ formal celebration, to be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Hilton Chicago. Gala information, including tickets, is at equalityillinois.org/2018gala. The Gala is the single-largest fundraising event for the Equality Illinois Institute, which funds the ongoing educational and
United Airlines is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2018 Gala Read More »
BREAKING NEWS: Governor Bruce Rauner protects reproductive rights of Illinois women and signs House Bill 40. Thank you, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, ACLU of Illinois, Personal PAC, and countless advocates across Illinois for your leadership in ensuring access to reproductive healthcare for all women in Illinois, especially the bill’s sponsors state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz and
Breaking News: Gov. Rauner Signs Bill Protecting Reproductive Rights Read More »
The Equality Illinois Freedom Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate remarkable vision, courage, and leadership in the effort to achieve full equality for LGBTQ individuals in Illinois, will be presented to Jim Bennett at the 2018 Equality Illinois Gala. The gala will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 in the Hilton Chicago. Gala information,
EI Gala to Salute LGBTQ Rights Activist Jim Bennett Read More »
TAKE ACTION–Now that House Bill 40 protecting women’s reproductive rights is on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk, Equality Illinois urges him to sign it. And we ask YOU to send your own message of support for HB40 to the governor at http://tinyurl.com/SIGNHB40. All Illinoisans should be able to make the most fundamental decisions about their body
Tell Gov. Rauner: Sign HB40 to protect women’s reproductive health Read More »
The Equality Illinois Business Leadership Award, given annually to organizations that demonstrate remarkable vision, courage, and leadership in the effort to achieve full equality for LGBTQ individuals in Illinois, will be presented to Planned Parenthood of Illinois at the 2018 Equality Illinois Gala. The gala will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 in the
Equality Illinois Gala to Honor Planned Parenthood of Illinois Read More »
LGBTQ and allied groups met with Gov. Bruce Rauner Tuesday morning to discuss challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Illinoisans that might find remedy in actions by the state. The issues discussed during the meeting at Equality Illinois included healthcare and human services, youth and schools, housing, immigration, LGBTQ cultural competency of
Gov. Rauner Meets with LGBTQ and Allied Leaders Read More »
#HireTrans is launching this week to push for more opportunities for transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals, who face high obstacles for consistent employment and advancement opportunities on the job. LEARN MORE ABOUT #HIRETRANS And plan to attend the WERQ! LGBTQ Job Fair this Friday at the Center on Halsted. More than 75 major corporations,
#HireTrans Campaign Launches Read More »
Performances of two blockbuster Broadway shows coming to Chicago this fall will benefit the ongoing LGBTQ civil rights work of Equality Illinois. Cameron Mackintosh presents the new production of Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables, direct from an acclaimed two-and-a-half-year return to Broadway. Equality Illinois benefits from Les Misérables tickets
Two blockbuster Broadway shows benefit Equality Illinois Read More »
REGISTER TO ATTEND Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Illinoisans will have an opportunity to hear directly from the Democratic candidates for governor about the issues that impact our lives at a candidate forum in Chicago on Wednesday, December 6, a coalition of organizations that serve and advocate for LGBTQ Illinoisans announced Thursday. You
LGBTQ Forum: The Democratic Candidates for Governor Read More »
Equality Illinois stands with the Dreamers. Immigrants are part of the fabric of America. Here we believe in tolerance, inclusion, liberty, and fairness. President Trump’s policy today is an absolute betrayal of American values. Click HERE to urge your member of Congress to support the Dream Act and reject Trump’s anti-DACA policy. The president’s policy
Equality Illinois Stands with the Dreamers Read More »
As we celebrate Labor Day, we are grateful that LGBTQ Illinoisans are protected against discrimination in the workplace. Equality Illinois spearheaded the successful effort to outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ Illinoisans with the passage of an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act in 2005. However, there is no federal law barring employment discrimination on the
Celebrating Protections Against Workplace Bias on Labor Day Read More »
On the same day last week that President Trump rolled back rights for transgender Americans, two new civil rights advances for LGBTQ Illinoisans became law. One week earlier, a third new LGBTQ-affirming policy became law in Illinois. These bills were all part of the Equality Illinois 2017 Legislative Agenda. We need your help to continue
Illinois Scores Unprecedented LGBTQ Legislative Victories Read More »
Criminal defendants who kill LGBTQ people can no longer be acquitted by claiming a panic defense–that they were provoked by a fear of the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity–under a new law signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner that was part of the 2017 legislative agenda of Equality Illinois. “This new law ensures LGBTQ people
Panic Defense Ban Becomes Law Read More »
Legislative sponsors, Equality Illinois, and ACLU of Illinois are celebrating the signing by Governor Bruce Rauner of House Bill 1785, modernizing the Illinois Vital Records Act and allowing transgender and intersex individuals to change the gender marker on their birth certificates without undergoing gender reassignment surgery. Thank you to Gov. Rauner and the sponsors state
Birth Certificate Bill Signed Read More »
Two public health advocates who work to improve the lives of LGBTQ Illinoisans will be honored Sunday at Fahrenheit Chicago–Pride South on the Lake, an end-of-summer, daylong beach party this Sunday that will feature entertainment, games, civic engagement, and health outreach. The two honorees are Anne Carmack of the CORE Foundation and Serette King of
Fahrenheit Chicago To Honor Two Health Advocates Read More »
At a time when federal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans are being rolled back at the federal level, a bill to encourage public service by LGBTQ Illinoisans has been signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. The LGBTQ Public Service Bill is an initiative of Equality Illinois, the state’s civil rights organization for
LGBTQ Public Service Bill Signed Read More »
Non-stop entertainment from top rap artists, R&B and house singers, drag performers, and DJs will be featured at Fahrenheit Chicago–Pride South on the Lake, an end-of-summer beach party of fun, music, and social networking for LGBTQ Illinoisans, their friends and families. International queer rap artist Cakes da Killa, whose debut album drops this fall, and
Fahrenheit–Pride South on the Lake Announces Entertainment Lineup Read More »