a Equality Illinois joined with our partners Prairie Pride Coalition and the UP Center of Champaign County and over 400 other organizations, publishers, bookstores, and individuals to condemn the coordinated political attack on books (including LGBTQ-affirming texts) in schools across the country. We are seeing these attacks in Illinois schools and libraries. Every kid deserves […]
Happy Holidays! In this season of celebration and togetherness with family, many of our LGBTQ community remain under attack from anti-LGBTQ equality forces. In fact, just across the border in Ohio, bills are being presented to threaten the rights of trans youth to receive gender affirming healthcare and put at risk for discriminatory treatment in
#GivingTuesday #GiveForEquality Read More »
A Join us for an incredible showcase of talented Trans performers this Trans Day of Remembrance, Resilience and Resistance!
We’re excited to return LIVE! to the Hilton for the 2022 Equality Illinois Gala on February 5. Promote your cause or business in this year’s Gala program book ad!
EI 2022 Gala Program Book Read More »
Equality Illinois is starting the development of our next five-year Strategic Plan, which will go into effect July 2022. As part of this process, we are hosting virtual town halls and want to hear from YOU! Equality Illinois values the input of our community partners, stakeholders, and donors in shaping the next 5 years of our vital LGBTQ civil
Help shape the LGBTQ civil rights agenda Read More »
“Immigration is an LGBTQ issue. There are an estimated 1.3 million LGBTQ immigrants in the United States and more than 22% of are undocumented. There are approximately 128,500 same-sex binational couples that include at least one foreign born partner/spouse. In addition, the U.S. is a destination for LGBTQ asylum seekers who come seeking safety and
LGBTQ people who are caught up in the criminal legal system face unique challenges, but they should not lose their right to vote and their ability to participate in democratic life. Tell your state legislators to vote YES for the Voting in Prisons Bill. Advanced by Chicago Votes, this bill would restore voting rights to people incarcerated in Illinois
Restore Voting Rights for LGBTQ Incarcerated People Read More »
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month! From September 15th to October 15th, we will be honoring Latinx LGBTQ+ trailblazers and organizations who are doing amazing things in our community! Sylvia Rivera was a Venezuelan/Puerto Rican American trans activist. Most known as one of the inciters of the monumental Stonewall Uprising in New York City, along with her
Hispanic Heritage Month! Read More »
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
Radicalism Is Part Of Our History Read More »
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
EI supports Cook County Gender-Inclusive Documents Read More »
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.
PRIDE 2021: IL’s Got Talent WINNER! Read More »
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
THE 2021 Post-Session Legislative Update Read More »
We are excited to announce that Mony Ruiz Velasco will join Equality Illinois as its Deputy Director on July 15th.
Mony Ruiz-Velasco will join the Equality Illinois team Read More »
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
Pride 2021: Illinois’ Got Talent Finalists! Read More »
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
EI announces Pride 2021: Illinois’ Got Talent Read More »
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
2021 Virtual LGBTQ Advocacy Day Read More »
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