On Tuesday, April 25, thousands of people, including LGBTQ Illinoisans, will come together as Illinois Women March on Springfield and take action for civil rights and a responsible budget. Equality Illinois is proud to be a coalition partner for this inspiring and impactful event. Please join us! We will rally and lobby for legislative initiatives …
Two important pro-LGBTQ bills are under consideration in Springfield. Legislators need to hear from you on BOTH bills, and we’ve made it easy for you to send them a message. <<Click the image to urge your legislators to modernize the Illinois birth certificate law so transgender Illinoisans can live with dignity and to support the …
Ask Your Legislators to Pass Bills That Help LGBTQ Illinoisans Read More »
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit made the right decision Tuesday that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in matters of employment regardless of the worker’s sexual orientation. In Illinois, we know the power of such protections because our Human Rights Act already prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual …
U.S. Court Protects Workers Regardless of Their Sexual Orientation Read More »
Shannon Minter, the Legal Director of The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), one of the nation’s leading advocacy organizations for LGBTQ people, is the keynote speaker for EqualityCon 2017, hosted by Equality Illinois Institute. Minter was lead counsel for some of the plaintiff same-sex couples in the 2008 landmark California marriage equality case which …
Equality Illinois’ Anthony Charles Galloway joined many other organizations at 2:40 PM Wednesday to tell Congress not to repeal the Affordable Care Act, because the Republican alternative would deny health coverage to 24 million Americans. Call 866-246-9371 to tell your member of Congress to vote NO on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Watch …
The bill to modernize the Illinois birth certificate law passed the Illinois House Human Services Committee Wednesday morning by a 7-4 vote. Thank you to Rep. Greg Harris, and Equality Illinois’ coalition partners the ACLU of Illinois, Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Howard Brown Health, and Lambda Legal. And a special thank …
LGBTQ Americans find themselves in a position we haven’t been in for nearly a decade: fighting against an administration that wants to turn back the clock on LGBTQ rights. This sadly signals to others that it is permissible to try to stop the progress we’ve all fought so hard to achieve locally and nationally. To …
‘Spring to Action’ Agenda Focuses on Local Events Read More »
Illinois organizations fighting for the civil rights of LGBTQ Illinoisans respond at a news conference to President Donald Trump’s decision to rescind Department of Education and Department of Justice guidance clarifying the civil rights of transgender students. Groups speaking include Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal – Midwest Regional Office, Illinois Safe Schools Alliance and ACLU of …
Equality Illinois, other LGBTQ champions, respond to Trump transgender student policy Read More »
Equality Illinois condemns the decision of the Trump administration to tear up the 2016 federal guidance protecting the civil rights and equal treatment of transgender youth in our public schools. “We are outraged the Trump Administration would choose to target transgender children for discrimination. Rescinding the guidance letter sends a terrible message and invites personal …
Equality Illinois Condemns Trump Administration’s Anti-Transgender Policy Read More »
With the Trump administration reportedly poised to act against transgender students, Equality Illinois is calling on Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Tammy Duckworth and Illinois House members to stand against discrimination in our schools. In a letter sent to the state’s congressional delegation, Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson says that the proposed rescinding of …
Equality Illinois Urges Congress to Protect Transgender Students Read More »
Equality Illinois announces its 2017 legislative agenda, a package of bills to advance the civil rights protections of LGBTQ Illinoisans in the criminal justice system, improve representation on public boards and commissions and assist transgender Illinoisans. Our robust agenda includes banning so-called “gay panic defense” and ”trans panic defense” in murder cases, ensuring non-discrimination in …
“We live in scary times,” Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson told the crowd Saturday night at his first gala as CEO. And with that preamble, Johnson issued a call to action for the 1,200 people at the Equality Illinois 2017 Gala and the millions of other Illinoisans who support justice, fairness, and equality for …
From a U.S. senator to gala celebrants to volunteers, the Equality Illinois 2017 Gala Saturday night was filled with love for LGBTQ Americans and the many communities we intersect that have come under attack from the new administration, including refugees and immigrants, women, and people from all races, nationalities and religions. Thank you to everyone …
Gala Celebrants Send Messages About LGBTQ Equality Read More »
The excitement is building for the Equality Illinois 2017 Gala on Saturday night at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. You can still join the fun by clicking the link to purchase tickets today. The important work of Equality Illinois advocating for the civil rights of LGBTQ Illinoisans is funded by events such as the gala. When …
Excitement Building for Equality Illinois Gala Saturday Night Read More »
State Rep. Greg Harris has introduced legislation to modernize the state’s birth certificate law to allow transgender Illinoisans to correct the gender marker on their birth certificate without surgery. Consistent with modern medical standards, the bill recognizes that people who are transgender and intersex should make their own decisions about the most appropriate course of …
New Birth Certificate Law Would Aid Transgender Illinoisans Read More »
Equality Illinois statement from Brian C. Johnson, CEO: President Trump’s continuation of LGBTQ federal and contractor workers’ rights leaves many concerning, unanswered questions. We are deeply aware of the many ways the Trump administration could still roll back equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans. And we, as advocates for the LGBTQ community, …
Questions Remain As Trump Retains LGBTQ Workers’ Rights Read More »
The Equality Illinois 2017 Gala this Saturday will feature individuals who have benefited from the work of the state’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, recognize those who have fought for equal rights and cared for our community, and offer a vision for the ongoing fight to improve the lived equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, …
Gala to Offer Vision for LGBTQ Rights During Challenging Times Read More »
A statewide coalition of organizations that work with LGBTQ Illinoisans is calling on the Illinois General Assembly to reject discriminatory legislation that would isolate and stigmatize transgender and gender non-conforming youth by forcing them to use separate restrooms and locker rooms from their peers in schools. House Bill 664 is sponsored by State Rep. Tom …
On this Inauguration Day, LGBTQ civil rights protections should not be at risk with the change in administrations, but that’s the reality we face. Equality Illinois, working with our supporters in Congress and allied organizations fighting for equality and justice, will resist at every turn. Stay abreast of our work here on our website or …
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there is no more fitting thought at this time in our history than the inscription written on the side of his memorial in Washington, DC: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” Equality Illinois joins the nation today in pausing to remember Dr. King.
Equality Illinois is denouncing a new attempt by anti-LGBTQ forces in the Illinois General Assembly to discriminate against same-sex married couples. Legislation introduced in the Illinois Senate would establish a license to discriminate for individuals, organizations, non-profits, and businesses who refuse to serve LGBTQ people. If it became law, Senate Bill 64 would neutralize the …
As the 100th Illinois General Assembly convenes its two-year session on Wednesday, Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson and Director of Public Policy Michael Ziri are on the case in Springfield representing LGBTQ Illinoisans. Brian and Mike are working with our legislative allies and alongside partner organizations to make sure no pernicious bills become law …
As President Obama returns home to Chicago to give his farewell address tonight, we in Illinois’ LGBTQ community reflect back to his early political days, when he attended events such as the Equality Illinois 2004 gala and listened and learned about the challenges we face. From this two-way conversation that continued through the President’s two …
We’ve entered into a new year and are excited about many new things, such as our 2017 Equality Illinois Gala taking place in just ONE MONTH from today! Join us, commemorate with us, and help us take equal rights for #LGBTQ Illinoisans to a new and exciting level. To get excited, watch the video below. …
Join the excitement at the Equality Illinois 2017 Gala Read More »
In the aftermath of the election, so many in the LGBTQ community were at a loss. Equality Illinois suggested deepening our commitment to building bridges and not putting up walls by publicly and proudly supporting groups most under attack by the Trump campaign rhetoric. We established donation pages so that the LGBTQ community of Illinois …