“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 …
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 …
As an issue of fairness and justice to LGBTQ people, Equality Illinois supports increasing the Illinois minimum wage to $15.00. LGBTQ people should have the opportunity to provide for their families and establish economic security without burden or discrimination. Yet, our community is disproportionately affected by poverty. Research shows that members of the LGBTQ community …
Equality Illinois supports bill SB 1 – $15 minimum wage Read More »
Equality Illinois responds to the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing Trump’s cruel Trans military restrictions Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state’s civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Illinoisans, issued the following statement: Today’s Supreme Court ruling lifting two injunctions against Trump’s cruel ban on Trans military service is …
As the new Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois, I’m excited to provide my first policy report. With the new Rauner administration and a new legislature underway in Springfield and a new Congress in Washington, we got right down to work. One of our priorities is banning ineffectual and dangerous conversion therapy during this …
Report from Our New Public Policy Director Mike Ziri Read More »
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Join Equality Illinois this Sunday at an important lecture for Human Rights Month: “If Not Now, When? Pursuing Global Justice to Mend Our Broken World.” Around the globe, women, girls and LGBT people are often treated as second-class citizens, facing rampant discrimination, violence and routine violations of their human rights. They are denied access to …
In late August, the Chicago White Sox hosted an LGBT night in partnership with Equality Illinois. Anti-gay fans ranted on social media about whether the White Sox should host such a night. After reading through the disparaging comments, award-winning Chicago filmmaker Sam Ciaramitaro, decided to make this short film, Take Me OUT to the Ballpark. …
The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee (Equality Illinois PAC) today endorses the re-election of Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Jesse White and Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka in the Nov. 4 General Election. With no incumbent in the race for treasurer, Equality Illinois PAC, endorses both candidates, state Rep. Tom Cross, a Republican, and …
Equality Illinois PAC Makes Bipartisan Endorsements Read More »
The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee (Equality Illinois PAC) today enthusiastically endorses Gov. Pat Quinn for re-election. Governor Quinn’s leading role in achieving first civil unions and then marriages for same-sex couples, his open and inclusive administration, and his strong support for policies that protect LGBT students from bullying and LGBT workers from discrimination make …
The two executive orders expanding protections for LGBT workers signed Monday by President Obama set the standards by which policies, laws, and leaders should be judged, according to Equality Illinois. “President Obama’s executive orders are to be applauded for their expansive coverage,” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, who attended the signing ceremony in the White House East Room. “The President also resisted …
Breaking News from an Equality Illinois Report: More Than 5,000 Couples Enjoying Marriage Equality in Illinois Couples united in new marriages, by civil union conversions and by marriages in other jurisdictions recognized in Illinois are enjoying the benefits of Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. “Some politicians cannot state that they will defend marriage …
5,000 Couples Enjoying Marriage Equality in Illinois Read More »
Equality Illinois and scores of other statewide equality organizations throughout the United States joined forces today in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to exclude broad religious exemptions from his promised executive order prohibiting discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers by federal contractors. Even before the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision, …
THANK YOU to a million of our closest friends for a spectacular Chicago Pride Parade 2014 and for welcoming the Equality Illinois contingent so warmly. Scores of volunteers made our GET ENGAGED parade entry a great success, and players of the Chicago Sky, who joined us, added to the fun afternoon. Please take a moment …
Same-sex married couples and their children on Thursday joined with political leaders and LGBT advocates such as Equality Illinois founder Art Johnston and Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov to unveil this huge banner of Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Rauner and remind voters of his threat to veto the marriage equality bill if given the opportunity. …
Banner Recalls Rauner’s Threat to Veto Marriage Equality Read More »
Gov. Pat Quinn on June 26, 2014 signed an important strengthening of anti-bullying law in Illinois, setting in place policies and procedures to protect all Illinois school children, including LGBT youth. This significant enhancement was made possible by the hard work of parents, sponsors Rep. Kelly Cassidy and Sen. Heather Steans, and advocacy groups such …
With Gov. Pat Quinn, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, state Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka and Senate President John Cullerton leading the way, last weekend’s Equality Illinois Tribute Reception to the people who made the freedom to marry a reality in Illinois was a great success. Photographer Christine Grost captured the joy of …
As our work to eliminate discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans continues, Equality Illinois strives to make the protections as broad and as inclusive as possible. With that in mind, Equality Illinois believes the current version of ENDA – the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act – falls short because it includes a religious exemption …
Six months after the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act became law, it finally went into effect statewide yesterday, and today, marriage licenses are being issued throughout the state and couples who were joined in civil unions could start converting their status to marriages if they desire. To celebrate, Equality Illinois worked with the Museum …
The countdown to marriage is underway, getting closer to June 1, 2014, when the freedom to marry finally arrives in all 102 counties of Illinois. This joyous moment means that all loving couples who want the recognition, the respect and the rights that come with marriage for them and their children will be able to …
Designate Equality Illinois as the beneficiary of your Give OUT Day generosity and be entered into a drawing to win one of four flight vouchers, courtesy of Orbitz. Give OUT Day is a national initiative that engages hundreds of organizations and mobilizes thousands of people on a single day across the country to give in …
The Illinois Senate Education Committee today sent a strong anti-bullying bill to the full Senate, and Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest organization advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans, is calling for swift final action to send the bill to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk before the May 31 end of the spring …
Join Equality Illinois at the Chicago Sky game on June 22 to celebrate Pride. The special Pride Package includes lots of fun extras! When ordering tickets, use the special offer code EQUAL, and a portion of your tickets benefits the work of Equality Illinois and our advocacy on behalf of LGBT Illinoisans. Buy just the …