“Immigration is an LGBTQ issue. There are an estimated 1.3 million LGBTQ immigrants in the United States and more than 22% of are undocumented. There are approximately 128,500 same-sex binational couples that include at least one foreign born partner/spouse. In addition, the U.S. is a destination for LGBTQ asylum seekers who come seeking safety and …
LGBTQ people who are caught up in the criminal legal system face unique challenges, but they should not lose their right to vote and their ability to participate in democratic life. Tell your state legislators to vote YES for the Voting in Prisons Bill. Advanced by Chicago Votes, this bill would restore voting rights to people incarcerated in Illinois …
Restore Voting Rights for LGBTQ Incarcerated People Read More »
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month! From September 15th to October 15th, we will be honoring Latinx LGBTQ+ trailblazers and organizations who are doing amazing things in our community! Sylvia Rivera was a Venezuelan/Puerto Rican American trans activist. Most known as one of the inciters of the monumental Stonewall Uprising in New York City, along with her …
We are excited to announce that the Equality Illinois Gala is returning to the Hilton Chicago on February 5, 2022. Refer to the Save the Date above for more details. We can’t wait to see you in celebration and solidarity; it’s time to get back together, better than ever! a If you are interested in …
Apply for our 2021- 2022 Community Advisory Group! The Equality Illinois Community Advisory Group is a diverse cross-section of voices from across Illinois that informs the policy positions and initiatives we adopt and pursue in our work to secure and defend the equal and inclusive rights of LGBTQ Illinoisans. If you’re interested in serving on the group, go to the application …
Apply for our 2021- 2022 Community Advisory Group! Read More »
Radicalism is part of our history. The LGBTQ community has achieved the levels of equality we enjoy today in part because members of our community refused to play nice. The Stonewall uprising afterall was a riot. And anger – anger at powerful institutions, governments, and people – is an appropriate and understandable response to the …
Today, the Cook County Board’s Human Relations Committee will meet to consider Commissioner Kevin B. Morrison’s ordinance to make county forms and documents gender-inclusive. Read the written statement submitted by Myles Brady Davis, Press Secretary and Director of Communications, in support of the ordinance
BIG congratulations to our Pride 2021: IL’s Got Talent winning artist, Mikey Everything! 1 Also, special THANK YOU to our amazing Sponsors and fierce Host Committee members for their generosity in supporting the mission of Equality Illinois to build a more equitable state for LGBTQ people.
The 2021 spring session of the Illinois General Assembly has largely wrapped up. EI’s Policy Director Mike Ziri wants to share an update with you on the progress of several key bills that EI was leading or co-leading. Mike spent the last 3 weeks at the state capitol in Springfield, working with legislators and partners …
We are excited to announce that Mony Ruiz Velasco will join Equality Illinois as its Deputy Director on July 15th.
We are thrilled to announce the Pride 2021: Illinois’ Got Talent Finalists: Turns out, the LGBTQ community in Illinois has too much talent to fit only five finalists. Ties in two regions mean that all ticket purchasers for the event will get to vote for one of the following SEVEN finalists: From the Chicago region …
We have great news! We have extended the entry deadline for Equality Illinois’ Pride 2021 Got Talent by another week – you now have until MAY 3rd at 5pm to get those talents in!
Today is your last day to vote in local elections for important offices like school boards, city councils, and townships! You can vote until 7 p.m. If you are in line to vote at 7 p.m., stay in line. Find your voting location: https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx.
Are you an Illinois LGBTQ artist of any kind? Do you want to share your pride and your talent to win $500? Equality Illinois announces Pride 2021: Illinois’ Got Talent. We’re going to scour the state for the best LGBTQ talent Illinois has to offer. Five regional finalists will compete for a $500 cash grand prize. You’re …
With the Illinois legislative session in full swing, we want to invite you to SHOW UP! and SPEAK UP! for LGBTQ equality and inclusion during the 2021 Virtual LGBTQ Advocacy Day on May 12, 2021. While LGBTQ Advocacy Day will look different this year, we must still SHOW UP! and SPEAK UP! to make sure …
Our 30th Anniversary Gala last Saturday was an incredible success. Our deepest appreciation goes out to our sponsors, host committee members, and all our guests who joined us for the celebration! Because of their generosity of spirit, we raised the funds Equality Illinois needs year round to fight for the civil rights of LGBTQ Illinoisans! If …
Today we are able to do more for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans because our generous sponsors have stepped up to champion our community. We thank all of these organizations and companies for their continued support prioritizing LGBTQ+ communities all across Illinois. #EIGala
Bayard Rustin (1912-1987) A master strategist and tireless activist, Bayard Rustin is best remembered as the organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, one of the largest nonviolent protests ever held in the United States. It took 8 weeks to organize the march and Rustin did it without cell phones, email, or social media. …
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Equality Illinois is proud to honor Black History Month by celebrating the contributions of the Black community to the LGBTQ liberation movement. Throughout February we will be recognizing Black heroes who have made contributions to the LGBTQ movement.
This past year challenged the LGBTQ community in ways we could never have imagined, but we are proud to have worked with you to help place Illinois at the cutting edge of LGBTQ full equality. While there is much to celebrate, I hope you will take note that we: This past year we: Provided over $100,000 …