Take action: Tell your U.S. representative to support LGBTQ Illinoisans. Click the link to send a message. U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood and Randy Hultgren of Illinois are urging President Trump to sign an executive order that would allow discrimination against LGBTQ people. The proposed executive order is contrary to our laws and values in Illinois. …
LGBTQ representation and visibility are more important than ever. Click the <<<image to ask your state senator to support SB 1670 – the LGBTQ Public Service Bill. Sponsored by State Sen. Scott Bennett of Champaign, SB 1670 allows individuals applying for seats on state boards and commissions to self-identify as LGBTQ; applicants already self-identify their …
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 »
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 »
“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 …
We can’t sugarcoat this. Anti-discrimination gains LGBTQ people made during the Obama Administration, in both Illinois and nationwide, are now in peril of being wiped away by the Trump-Pence Administration and Congressional Republicans. We intend to be vigilant and fight back, and that is going to take champions like you to support Equality Illinois with …
Equality Illinois will be adopting a new strategic plan effective July 1, 2017 that will outline our civil rights agenda for the upcoming 4 years. In order to make sure our agenda is most reflective of the diverse viewpoints of the LGBTQ and allied community in Illinois, we need your input. Please take a few …
Donate on Giving Tuesday to ensure that the fight for true lived equality will continue UNTIL WE’RE ALL EQUAL! Feeling excited and empowered after more than 200 LGBTQ stakeholders and allies came together on Monday night for a Post-Election Action Forum to discuss how to react to the Trump-Pence administration, we are determined to be …
On Giving Tuesday, help keep the Trump-Pence administration in check Read More »
As part of our commitment to an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders across Illinois, Equality Illinois launched the Community Advisory Group in 2016. The 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 …
In the first months of the tenure of new Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson, he’s been on a listening tour throughout Illinois, in big cities, college towns and small hamlets, to listen to LGBTQ stakeholders, to hear your stories, and learn about your hopes and fears for the future. Today, he is publishing his …
This is the final stretch until voting begins in the all-important 2016 election for president, U.S. Senate, Congress, the Illinois General Assembly and other races. Are you ready? Passage of the state ban on conversion therapy. The end of “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the military. The Obama Administration executive order banning LGBT discrimination by …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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, …
This legislative session is a busy one for champions of LGBT equality in Illinois. With proposed legislation and a budget impasse that has the ability to significantly affect many in our community, now is the time to tell Springfield where we stand. Register for the 2016 LGBT Advocacy Day on Wed., April 13! This daylong …
It’s happened in other states, and now it’s happening in Illinois. A shameful bill, which would force transgender students to use separate school facilities from their peers, has advanced to the Illinois House Human Services Committee. We need to stop it in its tracks! Sign the petition at the link below. We’ll deliver the petition …
President Obama performed his constitutional duty by nominating Judge Merrick Garland to fill the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Join Equality Illinois in calling on the U.S. Senate to do your job and our two Senators, Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk, to carry through on their constitutional responsibilities …
This legislative session is a busy one for champions of #LGBT equality in Illinois. With proposed legislation and a budget impasse that has the ability to significantly affect many in our community, now is the time to tell lawmakers where we stand. Join us on Wed., April 13, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM for …
Check out the fresh, new format for our monthly newsletter, out today. We bring you the news of Equality Illinois and the movement for working toward a lived equality for LGBT Illinoisans. Take a look, and signup for our monthly newsletter and other mailings so you can stay informed about the issues and the events …
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 …