Starting TODAY, early voting expands across Illinois ahead of the March 17 primary! Find your early voting location HERE! Head to the Illinois State Board of Elections to check your registration status and make sure it is up to date. If you are not registered to vote, you can register to vote in person at …
To achieve full, lived equality for all LGBTQ+ people, Equality Illinois is committed to endorsing and supporting pro-equality candidates who will fight for civil rights and social justice. Equality Illinois proudly endorses the following candidates for the Illinois Primary Election on March 17, 2020.
Join Equality Illinois and team Pizer for a day of action on Saturday, February 29th at 11:00 am! We will be knocking doors, making calls, and texting voters! Let’s get ready to hit the streets and tell voters why Yoni Pizer is the right choice to represent the 12th House District! Feb 29, 11:00 AM …
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 …
Meet the 2019-2020 Equality Illinois Community Advisory Group! The Community Advisory Group contributes to Equality Illinois’ understanding of the many issues that LGBTQ Illinoisans experience every day. And, at a time when many LGBTQ individuals are feeling isolated, anxious, and frustrated about policymaking, Equality Illinois is dedicated to ensuring our policy agenda is developed through …
Today the U.S. Supreme Court will hear three cases about LGBTQ employment discrimination that will determine if federal law protects LGBTQ people. The Supreme Court will consider how Title VII’s ban on workplace sex discrimination protects LGBTQ people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. No one who is well-qualified, talented, …
Starting with the 2020-21 school year, students in Illinois public schools will learn about LGBTQ contributions in history. The Inclusive Curriculum Bill is the initiative of Equality Illinois, the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, and The Legacy Project! Thank you to our fierce legislative champions, State Representative Anna Moeller, 43rd District and State Senator Heather Steans! …
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 …
Equality Illinois Institute with presenting sponsors Howard Brown Health and The Reva and David Logan Foundation are excited to invite you to Fahrenheit Chicago 3 on August 23-25, 2019! Fahrenheit Chicago is a “party with a purpose” for LGBTQ Illinoisans, centering the experiences and rich community assets of the Black and Latinx LGBTQ community. We …
Equality Illinois has been selected to staff the gates at this year’s Northalsted Market Days and we are rounding up the troops! We need 50 volunteers per day. This is a great opportunity for you, your friends, and family to Show up, SPEAK UP! on behalf of LGBTQ Illinoisans. Northalsted Market Days is the largest …
Equality Illinois is proud to endorse SB 7, the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act. LGBTQ people use cannabis at more than double the rates of non-LGBTQ people according to data from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health sponsored by the US Department of Health & Human Services. The criminalization of cannabis use …
EI supports SB 7, the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act Read More »
LGBTQ Advocacy Day is just 6 days away! This is a great opportunity to meet with fellow supporters of LGBTQ equality and let your voice be heard on issues that affect us all. We must SHOW UP! and SPEAK UP! to support our allies and champions in the Illinois State Capitol and make sure that …
Fahrenheit Chicago 3 events are free and open to the public. However, participants can upgrade to a VIP experience for $15. This upgrade entitles a person to craft cocktails, beer, and an opportunity to enter into a special raffle! SECURE YOUR VIP TICKET TODAY! Fahrenheit Chicago 3 is a “party with a purpose” for LGBTQ …
This legislative session is a busy one for champions of LGBTQ equality in Illinois. On the national level we are seeing a really big rise in anti-LGBTQ sentiment, particularly from the administration in Washington. Seeing that happen in Washington, we have to SHOW UP! and SPEAK UP! to support our allies and champions in the …
Get excited, Chicago! Sunday March 31, 2019 is the most REAL, BEAUTIFUL, and NECESSARY holiday of the year! TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY 2019! Join us for a special celebration in honor of International Trans Day of Visibility! Enjoy an evening of music, drag, comedy, burlesque, spoken word and powerful speeches. The Chicago Therapy Collective is …
Equality Illinois is pleased to have Priya Parrish, serve as the guest speaker at next month’s Network for Equality! Priya Parrish is a Managing Partner at Impact Engine, a venture capital and private equity investment firm focused on companies that generate positive outcomes in education, health, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. Prior to joining Impact …
Equality Illinois’ premier LGBTQ networking event, Network for Equality, is taking place Thursday, April 11, 2019 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. This fun event serves as a space for LGBTQ people and allies to come together, network, and build community. The funds raised support the work of Equality Illinois, the 501c4 arm of our organization working …
A statement from Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state’s civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people, released the following statement following results of Tuesday’s municipal election in Chicago: “While we wait for every vote to be counted, we are incredibly thrilled with the votes that have come …
Lori Lightfoot advances to the April 2 run-off election! Read More »
We have achieved great progress towards LGBTQ equality through engagement in the electoral process. Let’s keep Chicago a welcoming and affirming city. Let’s vote for LGBTQ equality. In Chicago, there’s still time for you to have your say in who should be your next pro-equality Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and Alderman. Standing up for …
At a time when anti-equality forces seek to establish licenses to discriminate against civil rights protections in state legislatures and courts across the country, we are proud to live in a state with strong LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination protections in the Illinois Human Rights Act. Yet, when LGBTQ Illinoisans travel outside of our great state, our rights and …
SAVE THE DATE! Equality Illinois’ premier LGBTQ networking event, Network for Equality, taking place on Thursday, April 11, 2019 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at MillerCoors Roofscape. This fun event serves as a space for LGBTQ people and allies to come together, network, and build community. For sponsorships or additional information, please reach out to Melissa Benge …
As an issue of fairness and justice to LGBTQ people, Equality Illinois supports increasing the Illinois minimum wage to $15.00. LGBTQ people should have the opportunity to provide for their families and establish economic security without burden or discrimination. Yet, our community is disproportionately affected by poverty. Research shows that members of the LGBTQ community …
Equality Illinois supports bill SB 1 – $15 minimum wage Read More »
ARE YOU AN EMERGING LEADER? Equality Illinois is seeking a select, powerful, active group of young professionals to become the next generation of LGBTQ leaders. Equality Illinois envisions a fair and unified Illinois where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and where all people live freely regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or …
BREAKING: The Inclusive Curriculum Bill (HB 246) just passed the Illinois House Education School Curriculum Committee! The vote was 13-7. Thank you to sponsor State Rep. Anna Moeller! The bill, which is an initiative of Equality Illinois, The Legacy Project, and Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, will include the contributions of LGBTQ people in the history …
Chicago opening night performance of Dear Evan Hansen on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, has SOLD OUT! Proceeds from the sale of these tickets benefit Equality Illinois’ important LGBTQ civil rights work. “One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history,” says The Washington Post. The New York Times calls DEAR EVAN HANSEN “a gut-punching, …