Remembering Judy Baar Topinka
Statement by Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois
December 10, 2014
The people of Illinois today lost a true original. Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka brightened every room she entered with her engaging laugh, and LGBT Illinoisans were included in her warm embrace.
As a Republican statewide officeholder, Comptroller Topinka was a leader in supporting issues important to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans and demonstrating that equality and fairness were bipartisan concerns. She endorsed the freedom to marry during last year’s debate and civil unions before that. At the signing ceremony for the marriage bill, she even offered to serve as a flower girl at any same-sex wedding that would have her.
When Equality Illinois held its regular lobbying days in Springfield, Topinka and her office opened their doors to the delegation to make them feel that the Capitol was truly our home, too.
Equality Illinois will always remember her regular presence at our annual galas, where Comptroller Topinka regularly received rousing receptions from the appreciative crowd. She was a welcomed presence at Chicago’s Pride Parade, and many other LGBT events.
Judy Baar Topinka demonstrated that political labels should not be a barrier to reaching out to all citizens. We will miss her.
- Judy Baar Topinka, as always, earned a rousing reception from the crowd at the 2014 Equality Illinois Gala. (Photo courtesy Mystic Images Photography)
- Judy Baar Topinka with Equality Illinois co-founder Art Johnston at the Equality Illinois Tribute Reception thanking leaders who made marriage equality possible in Illinois.
- Judy Baar Topinka speaks with reporters at the Equality Illinois event prior to the 2014 Chicago Pride Parade.
- Judy Baar Topinka speaks to reporters about why Republicans should support the freedom to marry, at the Equality Illinois news conference that was part of the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality
- Judy Baar Topinka at the 2013 Equality Illinois Gala
- Judy Baar Topinka addresses the crowd at the signing ceremony for the freedom to marry legislation
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