In a column in the online edition of The Advocate magazine, Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson argues for a national ban on dangerous and ineffective conversion therapy practiced against LGBT youth. Johnson wrote in response to the lawsuit filed by a group of pastors against the new Illinois law passed and signed with bipartisan …
Equality Illinois CEO Writes: Ban Conversion Therapy Nationally Read More »
Equality Illinois condemns the lawsuit filed by a small handful of pastors against Illinois’ law protecting LGBT youth from harmful conversion therapy. The Youth Mental Health Protection Act is based on scientific consensus. The law protects patients from harmful, coercive, and fraudulent treatments that attempt to change the unchangeable. Faith leaders remain free to say …
Equality Illinois Condemns Attempt to Undermine Ban on Conversion Therapy Read More »
Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan today joined 12 other attorneys general throughout the U.S. in support of the Obama Administration’s policies that advance the equal treatment and protection of transgender Americans in workplaces and schools, a move applauded by Equality Illinois. “Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is standing firm for the equal rights of transgender …
Atty. Gen. Madigan Joins Brief Supporting Transgender Illinoisans Read More »
Forty Illinois law firms that lead the way in providing a welcoming and fair work environment for LGBT employees and engaging with the LGBT community are being recognized by Equality Illinois for “Raising the Bar” in 2016. In a growing and welcoming trend that helps spread fair and equal treatment, the annual Equality Illinois Law …
Today, U.S. Senate Republicans set an ignominious record: They’ve allowed President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court to linger for 126 days, longer than for any other nomination to the high court. When the Republicans announced their intention to prevent any consideration of Judge Garland last March, Equality Illinois said, “This …
With his selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as the Republican vice presidential nominee, Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, is demonstrating a callous disregard for LGBT Americans and our families. As a private citizen, a member of Congress and in the Indiana statehouse, Gov. Pence has rejected recognizing that lesbian, gay, bisexual …
Equality Illinois and The John Marshall Law School are launching a Gender Marker and Name Change Legal Project to help people work through the maze of county, state and federal government offices, their forms and the fees they must navigate to live their true gender identity. The program will be assisted by the Seyfarth Shaw …
New Law Clinic Will Assist Transgender Illinoisans Read More »
As we do every June, but most especially this year, it is important that the LGBT community and allies come together to celebrate LGBT Pride. The past few weeks have been remarkable; marred by tragedy and brightened by immense displays of hope, love, and support. This has been a month of celebration and remembrance from …
An Interfaith Response to the Tragedy in Orlando Read More »
The Chicago City Council stood up for the rights of transgender people Wednesday when it passed the Equal Access Ordinance, a measure supported by Equality Illinois that will ensure equal access consistent with a person’s gender identity in places of public accommodations in Chicago. The ordinance passed the 50-person council on a vote of 45-5, …
Chicago City Council Stands Up for Transgender People Read More »
In the wake of last week’s shooting in Orlando that left 49 dead and another 53 injured in a gay nightclub, leaders from the LGBT and Muslim communities in Illinois called Monday for a joint commitment to civil rights. Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal – Midwest Regional Office and the Council on American Islamic Relations-Chicago participated …
Orlando tragedy brings Illinois’ Muslim, LGBT communities together Read More »
Equality Illinois joins forces to demand that Congress make a start towards stronger protections against gun violence nationwide. “Any solutions to the problem of hate violence, including anti-LGBTQ violence, must address the alarmingly easy access that bigots have to such deadly weapons,” the letter, signed by more than 50 LGBTQ and gun anti-violence groups, says. …
Equality Illinois Calls for Hate and Terror to be Disarmed Read More »
City of Chicago officials, aldermen and event organizers are pledging enhanced safety and security measures ahead of the June 18-19 Pride Fest and the 47th Annual Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26. “Since the tragedy in Orlando, OEMC and the Chicago Police Department have met several times and we have adjusted resources and increased security …
Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson writes in the Chicago Sun-Times that the Orlando “victims deserve that we act quickly to change the world in which they were murdered.” Johnson said that three critical actions must be taken following the attack on the Pulse nightclub: 1. Demand that our leaders recognize that it was an …
Vigils in memory of the victims of the Orlando massacre at the Pulse nightclub and in solidarity with the LGBT community continue this week. If you know of a ceremony in your area, please email us at info@eqil.org, and we’ll add it to this list: THURSDAY: Joliet – 7:00 p.m. at E Jefferson and Power …
We mourn the victims of the shooting in the Orlando nightclub Pulse, a popular gay venue. While we don’t know yet the motive of the shooter, we do know we should all feel safe in our homes, schools and places of business and entertainment. Our hearts go out to the Orlando LGBT community and the …
Congratulations to Equality Illinois co-founder Art Johnston for receiving the Jane Addams Making History Award for Distinction in Social Service from the Chicago History Museum in recognition of his decades of advocacy on behalf of LGBT Illinoisans. After the presentation by Chicago Cubs co-owner and LGBT activist Laura Ricketts during a gala dinner at the …
You should not have to prove your gender identity to use facilities at a restaurant, hotel, or grocery store. But currently, in the City of Chicago, a transgender or gender non-conforming person could be asked to show proof of gender identity in the form of a government-issued ID. That’s fundamentally unfair. That is why Equality …
Contact Your Chicago Alderman-Support Equal Access Read More »
This past week, Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson announced a statewide listening tour as he assumed the leadership of the state’s oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization. Johnson said there is far more work to do to ensure equality for LGBT Illinoisans, and he wants to hear from every corner of the state to …
Congratulations and thank you to the first recipients of the Equality Illinois Super Volunteer recognition, Charlie Rice-Minoso, Charlie Jungwirth and Christine Grost. In many ways large and small, volunteers help make our work possible to continue fighting on behalf of LGBT Illinoisans and our families. Read more about these three great Super Volunteers and how …
A message from Brian C. Johnson, new Equality Illinois CEO: Today, I am both proud to begin my service and humbled to build off 25 years of amazing work to lead Equality Illinois into our next phase. Our fight for equality is far from over. From challenges facing transgender people and LGBT youth to protecting …
Equality Illinois applauds passage today of legislation ensuring pension fairness for LGBT individuals who retired from public employment prior to the civil unions law and marriage equality law. We now call upon Gov. Bruce Rauner to expeditiously sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk. Equality Illinois advocated for the bill, which allows …
A Chicago ordinance designed to protect the dignity and health of transgender and gender non-conforming people will be a clear rebuke to the actions in North Carolina and other states that want to turn back the clock. The ordinance was introduced Wednesday by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City Council’s LGBT caucus at the recommendation …
Chicago Leaders Protect Transgender Access to Facilities Read More »
EqualityCon 2016, hosted by Equality Illinois Institute, on May 13-14, 2016 at the University of Illinois at Chicago, brought together advocates and experts to discuss the state of LGBT issues and how we can advance the cause UNTIL WE’RE ALL EQUAL. We discussed the federal Equality Act with chief sponsor Rep. David Cicilline and Rep. …
Join us at EqualityCon 2016 this weekend to hear from U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, chief sponsor of the Equality Act, which would protect LGBT Americans from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federal funding, credit, and jury service. Rep. Cicilline will be the opening keynote speaker on Friday afternoon. The wrap-up keynote speaker will …
EqualityCon 2016 in Chicago is just two weeks away on May 13-14! Do not miss your chance to register for Illinois’ premier organizing and educational conference for the LGBT community and allies in our state! This is your chance to discuss the future of our movement and garner practical skills. Sessions will cover: Employment, adoption, …