The Equality Illinois 2017-2018 boards of directors, which include six new board members, who, together with the board veterans, represent the diverse LGBTQ community in Illinois as well as allies. The new members of the two boards, for Equality Illinois and Equality Illinois Institute include Sheila Simon, the former Illinois lieutenant governor, who is now […]
New EI Board Members Add LGBTQ Diversity & Allies Read More »
Everyone should unite in expressing disgust at the racist, anti-Semitic, xenophobic, misogynistic and homophobic messages spewed at the white nationalist gatherings in Charlottesville this weekend. Contrary to the “many sides” of responsibility for the hate, bigotry and violence suggested by Donald Trump, there are only two sides: Those on the wrong side of history by
Reacting to Charlottesville Read More »
Equality Illinois is at the Illinois State Fair for the 6th year in a row, this year seeking support for our brave and patriotic troops, including transgender members of the military. Fairgoers who stop by the Equality Illinois booth during the State Fair, which runs now through Aug. 20 in Springfield, will be able to
Fighting transgender military ban at the Illinois State Fair Read More »
Equality Illinois is recognizing 51 law firms in Illinois, a 25 percent increase from last year, for leading the way in 2017 in providing a welcoming and fair work environment for LGBTQ employees and for supporting the LGBTQ community. The recognition results from the annual Equality Illinois Law Firm Survey, which found that more law
51 Law Firms, 25 percent more than before, embrace LGBTQ inclusivity in Illinois Read More »
By rejecting the brave military service of transgender Americans, President Trump’s policy by tweets is an outrageous about face of the trend of creating a military where courageous Americans of all identities and backgrounds are encouraged to serve. Our military is strongest when it reflects the full diversity of our American community and when all
Trump Transgender Military Ban Condemned Read More »
Equality Illinois and AIDS Foundation of Chicago are excited to announce 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. The free event, featuring non-stop music, beach games and a Bid Whist card tournament, public health awareness, and civic engagement, will
Fahrenheit Chicago-Pride South on the Lake Read More »
Tell Gov. Rauner to sign the LGBTQ panic defense ban. Just click the link below to send him a message and add your name to the thousands of Illinoisans who support the bill. Today is the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. LGBTQ people, especially transgender people like Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, fought
Ask Gov. Rauner to sign LGBTQ Panic Defense Ban Read More »
Join Equality Illinois and Cradles to Crayons Chicago this Saturday for Proud Families Service Day, an opportunity during Pride Month for families of every stripe to show their support for local kids living in need. Together, youth and adults inspect, sort, and package all new and like-new donations into customized “KidPacks”. Anyone age six and
Proud Families Helping Kids in Need Read More »
It’s time to let Gov. Bruce Rauner know that we want him to sign HB1785, the bill that will allow transgender Illinoisans to have a birth certificate that matches their gender identity. The right-wing opponents are already hard at work spreading lies about the bill, and we need YOU in every corner of Illinois to
Tell Gov. Rauner: Sign the bill to help transgender Illinoisans Read More »
As Pride Month began one year ago we were looking ahead to joyous celebrations. Then on June 12, 2016 the Pulse nightclub in Orlando was targeted for a vicious hate crime resulting in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. “Pride Months will always be changed; we must never forget the 49 innocent lives, overwhelmingly
Our Pride Message: Be visible. BE POWERFUL Read More »
A measure to modernize Illinois law allowing people to change the gender marker on their birth certificate, helping transgender Illinoisans live their true lives, House Bill 1785, passed the Senate Wednesday night 32-22. Having previously passed in the House, the bill now goes to Gov. Rauner for his signature, and we ask him to act
Bill to help transgender Illinoisans get correct birth certificates goes to governor Read More »
JUST NOW – Victory on a ban on LGBTQ Panic Defense! The Illinois General Assembly completed action Wednesday on a bill that prohibits a defendant from using the sexual orientation or gender identity of the victim as a defense against a murder charge. Prohibiting the use of the so-called panic defense was an initiative of
Legislature Bans LGBTQ Panic Defense Read More »
As you line up your calendar for Pride Month, please consider joining the Equality Illinois contingent at the 48th Annual Chicago LGBTQ Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25. Our motto this Pride season is “be visible, BE POWERFUL,” and there’s nothing more visible than marching past a million of your closest friends. Sign up today!
March with Equality Illinois at Pride Read More »
On Memorial Day, Equality Illinois remembers all who served our nation and made the ultimate sacrifice. A monument honoring LGBTQ veterans is being dedicated today at 1pm at Halsted and Addison streets in Chicago. The local chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER Chicago Chapter) is behind the effort, but it is several thousand
Honor LGBTQ veterans on this Memorial Day Read More »
Equality Illinois is hopeful that the General Assembly will act in its final days of the spring session to pass bills advancing LGBTQ civil rights, as well as passage, finally, of a responsible budget with adequate revenues to fund essential programs for all Illinoisans. EI Director of Public Policy Michael Ziri and our advocacy team
Equality Illinois Urges Action on LGBTQ Civil Rights Agenda Read More »
The Illinois House voted Thursday afternoon to modernize the state’s birth certificate law to help transgender Illinoisans, sending the bill to the Illinois Senate. >>>Call to Action: With less than a week until the legislature’s scheduled adjournment, your state senator needs to hear from you TODAY. Click here to send your senator a message of
House passes birth certificate bill; urge your senator to act Read More »
Equality Illinois is pleased to announce that Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza, an advocate for LGBTQ Illinoisans, will join us as a guest speaker at our Pride Kickoff Brunch taking place on Sunday, June 4. We are also proud to recognize Kelly Suzanne Saulsberry, Director of Policy & Outreach for the Chicago Commission on Human
Pride Kickoff Brunch Read More »
Our LGBTQ Public Service Bill passed the Illinois House on a bipartisan 95-12 vote Wednesday afternoon. The next step is the Governor’s Desk, and we are calling on Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign the measure. Thank you to state Rep. Will Guzzardi and state Sen. Scott Bennett for their leadership. The legislation (SB 1670), one
LGBTQ Public Service Bill Sent to Governor Read More »
Join Equality Illinois and Cradles to Crayons on Proud Families Service Day, an opportunity during Pride Month for families of every stripe to show their support for local kids living in need. Together, youth and adults inspect, sort, and package all new and like-new donations into customized “KidPacks”. Anyone age six and above can volunteer
Proud Families Service Day Read More »
Before joining Equality Illinois, our Mike Ziri served as an out elected official in Springfield, where he learned about the importance of public officials being visible and proud and what that means to advancing equality and inclusion for LGBTQ people. Because when we are visible, we are POWERFUL! Now there is a bill before the
Be Visible, Be Powerful – Build LGBTQ Leadership Read More »
Equality Illinois needs your help so LGBTQ Illinoisans can be visible and powerful. With the help of supporters like you, our team has spent much of this year working on issues in Springfield and across the state. Can you please help support this work by making a one-time donation of $10, $25, $50, or $100?
Be visible. Be POWERFUL! Read More »
Take action: Tell your U.S. representative to support LGBTQ Illinoisans. Click the link to send a message. U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood and Randy Hultgren of Illinois are urging President Trump to sign an executive order that would allow discrimination against LGBTQ people. The proposed executive order is contrary to our laws and values in Illinois.
Tell your U.S. Rep: Don’t Discriminate Read More »
On a strong bipartisan roll call, the Illinois Senate voted 46-4 on Thusday to help increase LGBTQ representation on a myriad of state boards and commissions. The measure now goes to the House. Senate Bill 1670 is an Equality Illinois initiative and sponsored by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign). It is designed to encourage the
LGBTQ Public Service Bill Advances Read More »
LGBTQ representation and visibility are more important than ever. Click the <<<image to ask your state senator to support SB 1670 – the LGBTQ Public Service Bill. Sponsored by State Sen. Scott Bennett of Champaign, SB 1670 allows individuals applying for seats on state boards and commissions to self-identify as LGBTQ; applicants already self-identify their
Build LGBTQ Presence on State Boards Read More »