Come hear our CEO Brian C. Johnson talk about the future of LGBTQ+ civil rights! In an era of “Don’t Say Gay” and anti-trans legislation sweeping the country, come hear how Illinois can be at the vanguard of the march toward full equality for LGBTQ+ people. Space is limited and RSVPs and are piling in …
Equality Illinois is hosting a Pride Kickoff Brunch June 4th and we hope you will join us in supporting them! This year our honoree will be Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris, the first LGBTQ+ person to serve as a legislative leader in the Illinois General Assembly. We hope to see you there!
We are excited that Network for Equality – our premier LGBTQ+ networking event – is BACK Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Can I count on you to buy a ticket to this impactful LGBTQ networking event?
BIG NEWS! On National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day(5/16/22), Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 3490 into law to disrupt disparities for LGBTQ+ older adults and older adults living with HIV. The new law creates the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ+ Aging; establishes an LGBTQ+ Older Adult Advocate within state government; and requires state-funded aging services providers to …
Durante un viaje reciente a México, nuestra Directora Adjunta, Mony Ruiz-Velasco tuvo una conversación con elle Dr. Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo en el podcast de Legaton. En el episodio conversan sobre los derechos de las comunidades LGBTQI+ en EUA y México. (During a recent trip to Mexico our Deputy Director Mony Ruiz-Velasco sat in …
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
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 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 …
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. …
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 …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2020 EQUALITY ILLINOIS APPLAUDS PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION’S SUCCESS IN DIVERSIFYING REPRESENTATION ON STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS While there is more work to do regarding representation of LGBTQ, women, and BIPOC leaders, Illinois’ State Boards and Commissions are moving closer to reflecting the vibrant diversity of our state CHICAGO – Equality Illinois applauds …
2019 was one of the most productive legislative sessions for LGBTQ rights in Illinois history! Equality Illinois has been in awe of the power of our community and the courage of our allies so much over the past year. While we worked on many bills last session, we are most inspired by the impact two …
Our number one priority is the health and safety of Our LGBTQ Community During this time of uncertainty surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), one thing is without question: We will navigate through this challenging time, together! As Equality Illinois continues to hear about the surge in needs and challenges our LGBTQ community is experiencing in …
During Women’s History Month, we will honor women who have broken barriers and push our society forward. Today’s #wcw is Bamby Salcedo. As the founder of the TransLatin@ Coalition in Los Angeles, Mexico-born Bamby Salcedo not only advocates for the needs of trans Latinxs who have immigrated to the United States, but also speaks about …
Today we pause to remember the known and unknown Trans people around the world who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence. The majority of the known victims have been black and brown trans women. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We MUST stand firm and unite against bigotry, hatred, and prejudice! Until we are …
The Illinois Equal Restroom Access Bill is now law! The Equitable Restroom Access Bill will require that all single occupancy restrooms in public accommodations and public buildings in the state be gender-neutral. This will provide trans and gender non-conforming Illinoisans, parents of opposite gender children, seniors with opposite gender caregivers, a safer and more affirming …
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!!! SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!! President Obama named him one of four Democrats who represented the future of the Democratic Party and the New York Times ran a column saying that he could be the nation’s “first gay President.” South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, a rising national star among Democrats, will be the keynote speaker at …
With the civil rights of LGBTQ Americans under attack by the Trump Administration and the urgent need to continue our pro-equality progress in the City of Chicago, LGBTQ Chicagoans need to know where the candidates for mayor stand on the many issues of interest and importance to our lives. LGBTQ community organizations Affinity Community Services, …
On National Coming Out Day, when we should be celebrating the full diversity of the LGBTQ community in Illinois, Equality Illinois is extremely disappointed in the unbelievable lack of LGBTQ representation among the more than 400 appointments made by Governor Rauner to state boards and commissions during Fiscal Year 2018, the civil rights organization for …
Seventeen leading civil rights organizations in Illinois are urging Gov. Bruce Rauner, in a letter sent to him on Tuesday, to sign legislation that would ban employment discrimination in all workplaces. The measure, House Bill 4572, which passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support in May and is currently on the governor’s desk, would make …
Among larger Illinois communities, Naperville ranks last, scoring only 42 out of a possible 100 points, and Chicago is first in the state with 100 points in the 2017 Municipal Equality Index, the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy and services. While local officials in Naperville say it is a …
Municipal Equality Index ranks Chicago first, Naperville last Read More »
This week, the national Equality Federation of LGBT state organizations, of which Equality Illinois is a leading member, and a coalition of 13 other LGBT, racial justice, and health equity organizations filed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down draconian restrictions on abortion providers enacted by the State of Texas in …