We are excited to announce that the Equality Illinois Gala is returning to the Hilton Chicago on February 5, 2022. Refer to the Save the Date above for more details. We can’t wait to see you in celebration and solidarity; it’s time to get back together, better than ever! a If you are interested in …
Apply for our 2021- 2022 Community Advisory Group! The Equality Illinois Community Advisory 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 of LGBTQ Illinoisans. If you’re interested in serving on the group, go to the application …
Apply for our 2021- 2022 Community Advisory Group! Read More »
Radicalism is part of our history. The LGBTQ community has achieved the levels of equality we enjoy today in part because members of our community refused to play nice. The Stonewall uprising afterall was a riot. And anger – anger at powerful institutions, governments, and people – is an appropriate and understandable response to the …
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
BIG congratulations to our Pride 2021: IL’s Got Talent winning artist, Mikey Everything! 1 Also, special THANK YOU to our amazing Sponsors and fierce Host Committee members for their generosity in supporting the mission of Equality Illinois to build a more equitable state for LGBTQ people.
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 excited to announce that Mony Ruiz Velasco will join Equality Illinois as its Deputy Director on July 15th.
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 …
We have great news! We have extended the entry deadline for Equality Illinois’ Pride 2021 Got Talent by another week – you now have until MAY 3rd at 5pm to get those talents in!
Today is your last day to vote in local elections for important offices like school boards, city councils, and townships! You can vote until 7 p.m. If you are in line to vote at 7 p.m., stay in line. Find your voting location: https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx.
Are you an Illinois LGBTQ artist of any kind? Do you want to share your pride and your talent to win $500? Equality Illinois announces Pride 2021: Illinois’ Got Talent. We’re going to scour the state for the best LGBTQ talent Illinois has to offer. Five regional finalists will compete for a $500 cash grand prize. You’re …
With the Illinois legislative session in full swing, we want to invite you to SHOW UP! and SPEAK UP! for LGBTQ equality and inclusion during the 2021 Virtual LGBTQ Advocacy Day on May 12, 2021. While LGBTQ Advocacy Day will look different this year, we must still SHOW UP! and SPEAK UP! to make sure …
Our 30th Anniversary Gala last Saturday was an incredible success. Our deepest appreciation goes out to our sponsors, host committee members, and all our guests who joined us for the celebration! Because of their generosity of spirit, we raised the funds Equality Illinois needs year round to fight for the civil rights of LGBTQ Illinoisans! If …
Today we are able to do more for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans because our generous sponsors have stepped up to champion our community. We thank all of these organizations and companies for their continued support prioritizing LGBTQ+ communities all across Illinois. #EIGala
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. …
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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 …
The countdown to the big day is on! Enjoy the Gala on February 6 while supporting LGBTQ-owned restaurants with a special custom meal from your choice of Illinois restaurants. You can pre-order your Gala feast for delivery or pickup directly from Lady Gregory’s, The Birdcage or Wilde Chicago. We are proud to promote these LGBTQ businesses who need our …
What’s for dinner during the Gala? We have some ideas! Read More »
As the Illinois General Assembly navigates the remaining 24 hours of the 101st General Assembly in Springfield, Equality Illinois applauds the bold leadership of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus in their work to eliminate systemic racism and advance long overdue and long delayed equity and justice for Black Illinoisans, including Black LGBTQ Illinoisans. We know …
A villa in Tuscany! A trip to the Grammys! A private Sing-A-Long with a Broadway Star! Equality Illinois 30th Anniversary Gala Silent Auction is open! Register now for our silent auction and browse all of the exciting packages. The silent auction will remain open until the end of the Gala on February 6, 2021, 8PM Central time. If …
EI 30th Anniversary Gala Silent Auction is open! Read More »
On February 6th, Equality Illinois is hosting our 30th Anniversary Virtual Gala, presented by Molson Coors Beverage Company. Called the “who’s who of Illinois politics” by ABC News, the Equality Illinois Annual Gala is one of the preeminent LGBTQ equality events in the country. This year’s historic virtual gala promises an evening of entertainment, fun, and nostalgia. …
Equality Illinois 30th Anniversary Virtual Gala Trailer! Read More »