The program for this Saturday’s LGBT Equality Institute in Springfield will bring together experts and activists who will focus on the services, programs and issues central to Illinoisans outside of Chicago. Springfield Mayor James O. Langfelder will welcome the participants at the 10 am opening session. The conference will also feature state Sen. Andy Manar […]
LGBT Institute Brings Experts and Activists Together 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 today recognized 42 Illinois law firms for “Raising the Bar” and leading the way in providing a welcoming and fair work environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees and engaging with the LGBT community. The findings of our annual survey include: – For the FOURTH year in a row, 100% of
42 Law Firms Honored for ‘Raising the Bar’ Read More »
Today, Governor Bruce Rauner signed legislation adding gender identity and LGBT community centers to existing Illinois hate crimes protections This bill was a major initiative of Equality Illinois during the spring legislative session. Thank you, Gov. Rauner, and the legislative sponsors Representative Sam Yingling, State Representative Kelly Cassidy, and Senator Daniel Biss, for helping to protect LGBT Illinoisans. READ MORE
Enhanced Hate Crimes Law Signed Read More »
July marks Governor Bruce Rauner’s first six months in office. How have the Administration’s actions impacted LGBT Illinoisans? We’ve been tracking developments. Equality Illinois analyzed the governor’s appointments, executive directives, community outreach, legislative action, and the state budget. READ OUR REPORT
Gov. Rauner’s Administration at Six Months Read More »
We see transgender equality issues more and more in the spotlight…but what does that mean for you? Join us this Wednesday morning, when we will discuss the current state of protections for transgender individuals under federal and state law, and how this may affect your workplace policies, benefits, and rights. This session is part of
Transitioning from Good to Great Read More »
Our work is not done! Today, Equality Illinois launched “Corporate Social Responsibility and LGBT Equality: A Program to Build an Inclusive Workplace Culture,” which includes a new guide and a series of training sessions. Legal advances have been crucial in creating a fairer world for those who identify as LGBT, but there are many additional
Corporate Social Responsibility Read More »
More than 10,400 same-sex couples have married in Illinois since marriage equality arrived in the state, according to a new Equality Illinois analysis of state records. For these families, the widely anticipated U.S. Supreme Court decision on marriage equality is as important as in states where there is no freedom to marry. They may enjoy
10,400 Couples Wed in Illinois Await Court Decision Read More »
On this Memorial Day, Equality Illinois salutes the ultimate sacrifice paid by too many of America’s warriors–some while publicly denying their true selves in order to serve–so that we may all strive to #LIVEequal.
A Special Memorial Day Read More »
As the U.S. Supreme Court convenes Tuesday to hear the cases on marriage equality, Illinois couples and families who are already protected under our state’s freedom to marry are as interested and concerned as people living in the state’s where that freedom is not yet recognized. Whether states must recognize the same-sex marriages performed in other
Marriage Cases Important to Illinois Couples Read More »
The legislature is working on Gov. Rauner’s proposed budget, which calls for drastic funding cuts in programs that protect the health and safety of Illinoisans. Equality Illinois is part of the Responsible Budget Coalition, which is committed to preserving vital services for Illinois families and communities. We must fight against poverty, ensure access to health care and
Pass a Responsible Budget Read More »
Advocates from across Illinois visited the state Capitol this week to discuss a broad agenda of bills that directly impact the #LGBT community across our state, from HB217 ending harmful conversion therapy to a budget that protects vital services for all LGBT Illinoisans. This year, we are working on more than 25 pieces of legislation
2015 Legislative Agenda 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,
Illinois LGBT Protections and Religious Freedom Read More »
A letter from mental health, medical and academic organizations in Illinois strongly supporting the Illinois Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act is a significant statement that explains the dangers of harmful and ineffective efforts to force LGBT youth to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Equality Illinois, the state’s largest advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
Mental Health Experts Support Therapy Ban Read More »
Tell your legislators and Gov. Rauner to support a ban on conversion therapy! Every major medical and mental health association agrees, conversion therapy is ineffective and dangerous. Young people who face rejection because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression are more likely to have high levels of depression, more likely to engage
Sign Petition Against Conversion Therapy Read More »
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 »
Equality Illinois on Tuesday announced an initiative to pass legislation banning ineffectual and dangerous conversion therapy during this new term of the Illinois General Assembly in order to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children State Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago introduced the bill on Friday. House Bill 217, the Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act, would
EQIL Initiative to Pass Conversion Therapy Ban Read More »
Marriage equality could become a national reality later this year after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ordered a hearing on the issue. The court announced it is taking cases from four states where the wishes of same-sex couples to marry are thwarted by state laws. In its order, the court asked two questions: 1)
Supreme Court To Consider Marriage Equality Read More »
There are children in need of loving, permanent homes, and prospective LGBT adoptive parents who can give that to them. Equality Illinois is partnering with The Cradle to offer information about how to start the adoption process. Attend a forum on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 in Chicago’s Loop. The forum will provide an overview of
Growing Your Family Read More »
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 »
Today, we pause on the Transgender Day of Remembrance to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia and bring attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community. There are memorial events today and through the weekend in Bloomington, Brighton, Chicago, Joliet, Palatine, Peoria, Rockford, and Springfield. Find an event
Transgender Day of Remembrance Read More »
One year ago today – The Illinois General Assembly passed marriage equality. Since then, the federal appeals court that covers Illinois has ruled in favor of the freedom to marry, a decision that the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed to stand. Equality Illinois stands ready to ensure that there are no efforts to weaken the
Celebrating One Year Ago Read More »
Equality Illinois is turning purple today to join GLAAD on #SPIRITDAY against bullying. State law in Illinois and federal policies strive to make our schools safe for all students, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender-related identity or expression. Still, parents, the school community and government create the tone and share the responsibility for actively
Turning Purple for Spirit Day Read More »
VICTORY! Congratulations to our neighboring Midwestern states of Indiana and Wisconsin from your friends in Illinois, another MARRIAGE EQUALITY STATE. Same-sex marriages should begin shortly in Indiana and Wisconsin, as well as in Oklahoma, Utah and Virginia, after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeals of cases that overturned bans on the freedom to
Supreme Court Expands Marriage Equality Read More »
Marriage equality cases are some of the first items being considered by the Supreme Court on Monday as justices return from their summer break. Before the court are seven petitions asking the court to take up marriage equality cases involving five states. Included is the 3-0 majority opinion of the U.S. Court of Appeals in
Waiting to Hear from the Supremes Read More »