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Help Us Honor Nancy Pelosi
Now that 2016 is upon us, it’s time to make your plan to celebrate at the largest LGBT event of its kind in the Midwest, the Equality Illinois Gala on Saturday, February 6. Join us in celebrating our 25th Anniversary at the 2016 Gala and help us honor our Freedom Award recipient, House Democratic Leader …
Brief Filed in Reproductive Rights Case
This week, the national Equality Federation of LGBT state organizations, of which Equality Illinois is a leading member, and a coalition of 13 other LGBT, racial justice, and health equity organizations filed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down draconian restrictions on abortion providers enacted by the State of Texas in …
New LGBT Protections in 2016
Three new LGBT equality laws that were Equality Illinois’ legislative priorities in 2015 are in effect as of January 1, 2016: A ban on dangerous and ineffective conversion therapy to protect LGBT youth, Enhanced hates crimes protections that specifically include gender identity as a protected category and extends hate crime protections to LGBT community centers, …
Best Nine of 2015
Best Nine of 2015: Here are the most-liked memes from Equality Illinois this year from Instagram. Top row (l-r): Celebrating the Supreme Court decision recognizing the national right to same-sex marriage, and the White House illuminated in a rainbow in honor of the ruling. Also our statement in support of accepting refugees. Middle row: Entertainer …
EQIL PAC to host Pat Quinn
On January 14, join former Governor Pat Quinn in supporting the Equality Illinois Political Action Committee and our work to elect pro-equality candidates. Let’s defend our victories and elect pro-LGBT equality candidates in the critical 2016 elections. Together, we will ensure Illinois continues to lead the Midwest in advancing equal rights for LGBT people. TICKETS
Mariano’s Receives Business Leadership Award
Congratulations to the Mariano’s grocery chain, which will be recognized with the 2016 Equality Illinois Business Leadership Award for its outreach to the LGBT market and embrace of LGBT employees. The award will be presented at the Equality Illinois 25th Anniversary Gala at Feb. 6, 2016. From the planning stages of Mariano’s entry into the …
Equality Illinois Supports Transgender Student
The legal situation in Township High School District 211 regarding a transgender student’s equal right to access the school locker room that corresponds to her gender identity offers an opportunity for awareness and education about transgender people and the significant challenges and discrimination they encounter in life. The school district said it would allow the …
Season of Inclusion
The end of the year holidays are fast approaching, which we hope brings happiness to you and your friends and family. However, we know that some members of the LGBT community may have a hard time connecting to the season. Therefore, Equality Illinois compiled a booklet of faith messages geared at many of the themes …
#GivingTuesday
On #GivingTuesday, let’s remember those who are vulnerable and feel excluded. Equality Illinois is committed to building a better Illinois, so that every individual no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression can feel included and live equally. We want this holiday season to be happy time for the LGBT community in our …
The Death of Laquan McDonald
We at Equality Illinois are outraged and saddened by the killing of Laquan McDonald. We offer our condolences and support to his family and friends. As the advocacy voice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans, we stand in solidarity with those in Chicago and Illinois who fight for racial, economic, and social justice. We …
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Equality Illinois joins in remembering the transgender men and women murdered in the U.S. and around the world simply for being their true selves. On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, there are events in Chicago, the suburbs, and throughout Illinois. Find them here, as well as a link to the list of names of the …
‘I Am A Refugee’
Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov issues the following statement in opposition to restrictions on refugees: I am a refugee. In 1989, at age 13, I fled anti-Semitic violence and hatred in my homeland of Azerbaijan. For several months, my family and I journeyed through Russia, Austria, and Italy without a permanent place to call home. …
Equality Illinois Freedom Award to Honor Nancy Pelosi
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi’s visionary advocacy for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans as a Member of Congress, Democratic Leader and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives will be recognized with the 2016 Equality Illinois Freedom Award. Leader Pelosi will accept the recognition at the Equality Illinois 25th Anniversary Gala …
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Growing Your Family
Growing your family is an incredible experience, and we are so excited for you! For assistance in adoption and foster care, especially for #LGBT parents, you can attend this free seminar in Peoria sponsored by Equality Illinois, Familycore, Peoria Proud and the Center for Law & Social Work. While the journey for prospective parents can …
Overturn Gov. Rauner’s Child Care Assistance Cuts
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and their children and families are part of the fabric of Illinois. And many Illinois families rely on critical state-administered services such as the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Equality Illinois supports Senate Bill 570, which would restore quality, affordable child care services for tens of thousands of hard-working …
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Equality Illinois PAC Hosts David Axelrod
The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee (EQIL PAC) will host a conversation on November 17 with renowned political strategist David Axelrod about the stakes and opportunities for Illinoisans in the 2016 election. Axelrod is uniquely qualified to provide analysis about electoral and political activities and trends in Illinois and the United States. A former political …
Marriage anniversary, yet our work continues
When the Illinois legislature affirmed marriage equality two years ago on Nov. 5, 2013 we knew our work to achieve a lived equality for Illinois and the nation was not over. Today and tomorrow, LGBT leaders from 10 states convened by the Equality Federation and hosted by Equality Illinois come together to discuss expanding transgender …
25th Anniversary Year Supported by Jubilee Sponsors
To help Equality Illinois celebrate its Silver Anniversary year and the work behind its quarter century of advancing LGBT rights, four companies have agreed to become Jubilee Sponsors–BMO Harris Bank, Coca-Cola, MillerCoors and United Airlines. Their contributions will fund statewide educational and outreach activities throughout 2016 and help Equality Illinois chart its course for the …
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Equality Illinois 25th Anniversary Gala
Equality Illinois is entering our 25th year and we plan to celebrate in a big way with our 2016 Gala on Saturday, February 6, 2016, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. The Gala is the largest LGBT event of its kind in the Midwest, drawing more than 1,400 guests, including nearly 100 …
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE
Your workplace may already be LGBT-friendly, but do you and your colleagues know how to share those values with all employees? Policy on paper is important but how can employers translate that into diversity trainings or conversation about sensitivity and inclusion? Join us on Wednesday, October 28 for a workshop on DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: Trainings, …
Go Cubs Go!
Go Cubs Go! As the Cubs embark on their quest for the National League Championship, we remember that they have been great friends to their Boystown neighbors and LGBT Illinoisans, so much so that they were in the inaugural class of the National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. The relationship includes: …
Central Illinois Expansion is Underway
Equality Illinois’ expanded statewide strategy takes shape this week with the appointment of Peoria native Marcus Fogliano as the organization’s Central Illinois-based field fellow and the opening of the new Equality Illinois Springfield field office. The office, at 601 W. Monroe Street in Springfield, will be the Central Illinois base for the state’s oldest and …
LGBT History Month: Illinois Anti-Discrimination Law
LGBT History Month entry from January 21, 2005: This year marks ten years of anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Illinoisans! In January 2005, Equality Illinois advocated for and a bipartisan majority of state legislators and then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved the civil rights bill protecting LGBT Illinoisans from discrimination in the areas of …
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