The Illinois Human Rights Act protects many people—including LGBTQ people—from discrimination in places of public accommodations. The decision issued in Masterpiece Cakeshop today by the U.S. Supreme Court does not limit the protections in our Human Rights Act. However, the Court missed an opportunity to vociferously defend the rights of LGBTQ Americans to be free …
Illinois LGBTQ Civil Rights Protections Remain Strong Read More »
Monday at 5:30pm in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, Dearborn and Adams streets, join a community rally in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling allowing a Colorado baker to refuse to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. We will call on Illinois businesses and the state to understand there is no change to the Illinois …
Rally Today in Support of Illinois Human Rights Law Read More »
As citizen advocates plan to engage legislators on Tuesday for ERA Lobby Day, Equality Illinois proudly supports the federal Equal Rights Amendment and urges state legislators to promptly ratify it. It’s beyond time for Illinois to join the 36 other states that have ratified the amendment and for it to become part of the U.S. …
It’s time, Illinois: Ratify the Equal Rights Amemdment Read More »
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Equality Illinois honors his legacy and pledges to continue our fight for justice for LGBTQ Illinoisans and all who face inequality UNTIL WE’RE ALL EQUAL.
In the Sunday Chicago Tribune, nearly two dozen LGBTQ, Jewish and social justice agencies challenged the tone and substance of an editorial that supported the Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. “Comparing a same-sex couple looking to buy a cake honoring their love to Nazis seeking to buy …
LGBTQ and Jewish organizations challenge Tribune editorial on bakery case Read More »
As we celebrate Labor Day, we are grateful that LGBTQ Illinoisans are protected against discrimination in the workplace. Equality Illinois spearheaded the successful effort to outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ Illinoisans with the passage of an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act in 2005. However, there is no federal law barring employment discrimination on the …
Celebrating Protections Against Workplace Bias on Labor Day Read More »
Everyone should unite in expressing disgust at the racist, anti-Semitic, xenophobic, misogynistic and homophobic messages spewed at the white nationalist gatherings in Charlottesville this weekend. Contrary to the “many sides” of responsibility for the hate, bigotry and violence suggested by Donald Trump, there are only two sides: Those on the wrong side of history by …
With the Trump administration reportedly poised to act against transgender students, Equality Illinois is calling on Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Tammy Duckworth and Illinois House members to stand against discrimination in our schools. In a letter sent to the state’s congressional delegation, Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson says that the proposed rescinding of …
Equality Illinois Urges Congress to Protect Transgender Students Read More »
Equality Illinois statement from Brian C. Johnson, CEO: President Trump’s continuation of LGBTQ federal and contractor workers’ rights leaves many concerning, unanswered questions. We are deeply aware of the many ways the Trump administration could still roll back equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans. And we, as advocates for the LGBTQ community, …
Questions Remain As Trump Retains LGBTQ Workers’ Rights Read More »
A statewide coalition of organizations that work with LGBTQ Illinoisans is calling on the Illinois General Assembly to reject discriminatory legislation that would isolate and stigmatize transgender and gender non-conforming youth by forcing them to use separate restrooms and locker rooms from their peers in schools. House Bill 664 is sponsored by State Rep. Tom …
Equality Illinois is denouncing a new attempt by anti-LGBTQ forces in the Illinois General Assembly to discriminate against same-sex married couples. Legislation introduced in the Illinois Senate would establish a license to discriminate for individuals, organizations, non-profits, and businesses who refuse to serve LGBTQ people. If it became law, Senate Bill 64 would neutralize the …
In the aftermath of the election, so many in the LGBTQ community were at a loss. Equality Illinois suggested deepening our commitment to building bridges and not putting up walls by publicly and proudly supporting groups most under attack by the Trump campaign rhetoric. We established donation pages so that the LGBTQ community of Illinois …
This Sunday we pause for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. We memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The day is also a statement that we as a community must recommit ourselves to the fight against transphobia. The disheartening list of people who lost their lives in 2016 can be found …
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 »
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 …
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 …
LGBT History Month: Illinois Anti-Discrimination Law Read More »
Today in Washington, the historic Equality Act was introduced in the U.S. Congress, a much needed, first-ever comprehensive nationwide civil rights bill that will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans from experiencing discrimination. Read about the bill here. Illinois has demonstrated that LGBT-inclusive civil rights protections are effective and can be applied nationally. We …
Historic LGBT Equality Act Introduced in Congress Read More »
Equality Illinois denounces new laws in Indiana and under consideration in other states allowing the use of religious beliefs to discriminate and refuse service to LGBT people and other minorities, and rejects comparisons to the religious freedom law in Illinois. In acting as if the new law is a benign effort at ensuring religious freedom, …
Equality Illinois today called for the resignation of Warren Township High School District 121 Board member Liz Biondi for suggesting that the search for a new school superintendent exclude gay or lesbian candidates, thereby violating the clear Illinois law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. At a public meeting of the board …
Equality Illinois Calls for School Board Resignation Read More »
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 …