Today, we want to say that our hearts and our support are with the brave protesters fighting for needed change across the state and the country. We recognize that Pride (and so many LGBTQ rights in the US) would not exist if it hadn’t been for brave queer people (specifically, Black and brown trans women) who stood up for the whole community and demanded change. We hope to honor their spirit through our Can’t Stop Our Pride event. For all those reasons, we are moving Can’t Stop Our Pride to June 20 to give space to the situation at hand and to allow us time to ensure that we are including appropriate messages and the right voices in this broadcast.
Fifty-one years ago this month, LGBTQ patrons of the Stonewall Inn rose up against police brutality. Led by people of color, and trans women of color in particular, their rage fueled a protest that lasted for days. We must never forget that, at its core, Pride is a police protest.
m
As we watch the protests and riots in our country, it is our duty as LGBTQ people to honor those from historically marginalized communities who continue to push back against the police injustices they experience. It is our duty to stand with our LGBTQ African-American siblings and demand better from the police.
Our FABULOUS host committee is excited to be a part of our historic statewide virtual pride event, Can’t Stop Our Pride: One Day, One Illinois!
Can’t stop Our Pride will include family Storytime, a interfaith service, cooking and mixology classes, intimate conversations with LGBTQ leaders in cities across the state, and a DJ afterparty!
On Saturday, June 13th, Equality Illinois will host Illinois’ first Statewide Pride. The theme of the Virtual Pride event will be “Can’t Stop Our Pride: One Day ● One Illinois. This virtual event will be broadcast on Equality Illinois’ YouTube channel from Noon until 5PM and will feature elected leaders, community leaders, performers, chefs, activists, and many others.
We know telling and sharing stories of impact matter. You have moved hearts and changed minds by sharing your stories and experiences with policymakers and the public.
Now, as part of the coalition advocating for state legislation to ensure paid sick days in Illinois, we want to hear from you: how has the absence of paid sick days (for yourself or to take care of a member of your family) impacted your life recently?
The Illinois Healthy Workplace Act (currently SB 471) will ensure workers in Illinois can access paid sick days. This critical legislation affirms workers who need to care for their own healthcare needs and the healthcare needs of their families, including chosen families.
Please share your story with us!
If you haven’t yet contacted your state representative in support of this bill, you may do so now.
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 key bills will have. The Inclusive Curriculum Act will ensure that Illinois young people will learn about the rich contributions of LGBTQ people to our shared history. With the Equal Access Restroom Act, we have helped Illinois move one step closer in ensuring that public spaces are safe and affirming for our trans siblings.
This came on the heels of nearly 10,000 Illinoisans stepping up and taking a pro-equality civic action with Equality Illinois. We contacted legislators, we signed up to vote, and we supported pro-LGBTQ public leaders.
None of this would have been possible without you. As our supporters, our partners, and our public officials, you have made sure Illinois is one of the most LGBTQ inclusive states in the country.
Thank you! On behalf of the over 400,000 LGBTQ Illinoisans who rely on us to advocate fiercely for them, thank you!
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 response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have put together a list of online resources.
Please let us know any helpful resources that you find by clicking our “Share With Us” button.
As we all learn how to navigate our lives during the COVID-19 pandemic; this should not and will not stop us from working toward equality for all. It is important that we keep each other informed and do our best to support each other.
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 and fights for the rights and safety of those living with HIV and AIDS. In 2016, the Obama Administration invited her to speak at the White House United State of Women Summit, where she spoke out about ways to help prevent violence against women. She continues to speak and work with LGBTQ Latinxs and win awards for her advocacy and community work.
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 an early voting location, or on election day at your polling
location.
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 – 4:00 PM
Yoni Pizer HQ , 3221 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Thank you so much for joining us at Saturday night’s historic Gala. We were honored to recognize Tracy Baim with our Freedom Award and the Rainbow Cafe with our Organization Award. Our deepest appreciation goes out to the sponsors, table hosts, volunteers, and inspiring speakers who all made the night so special.
Equality Illinois Director of Public Policy Michael Ziri joins Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot at the Equality Illinois Gala on Feb. 1, 2020
We hope you were inspired by the remarks by Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot and by the path forward for Equality Illinois this upcoming year set out by CEO Brian C. Johnson.
Want to relive some of the magic or experience it if you were unable to make it to the Hilton Chicago? Check out our impact video HERE, and search the hashtag #EIGala on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more of the fun.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and more than 70 other elected officials and candidates will be among the 1,500 participants at the Equality Illinois 2020 Gala on Saturday that will honor Rainbow Cafe of Carbondale, Illinois and Chicago Reader Publisher Tracy Baim. Some of the world’s most recognizable corporate and brand names are among the sponsors of the event, including presenting sponsor United Airlines.
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 all equal and safe to exist in the world without harm.
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 the
consistent and ongoing engagement of many voices, perspectives, and lived
experiences.
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, and
hardworking should have to live in fear of being fired or denied a job or
promotion because of who they are or whom they love. That’s why a majority of
Americans from all walks of life support these protections.
We are proud of ACLU of Illinois’ John Knight for arguing one of the key cases in front of the Court today.
To learn more listen to Lambda Legal’s Director of Constitutional Litigation Camilla Taylor and Equality Illinois’ Director of Public Policy Mike Ziri talk with The 21st Show and Illinois Public Media about the impact the ruling could have on the community.
The Illinois Equality Council is a collection of Illinois businesses who champion LGBTQ equality in the workplace and beyond
The Annual Convening of the Illinois Equality Council is an opportunity for members to network with like minded champions, engage in professional development, and connect with senior Illinois leaders.
Click HERE to learn more about the Illinois Equality Council.
ABOUT US: Equality Illinois is a nonprofit 501c4 organization that seeks to build a better Illinois by educating and advocating on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) equality. Founded in 1991, Equality Illinois is the only statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization In Illinois and one of the largest state-based LGBTQ equality organizations in the country. In the past year alone, our work and our leadership has been highlighted in The Washington Post, USA Today, L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, and on NBC 5, Fox, and CNN.
Equality Illinois values the roles Illinois businesses have played in advancing LGBTQ equality. From their support of marriage equality to their opposition to anti-LGBTQ public policies, many Illinois businesses have been leaders in promoting LGBTQ equality in the workplace and beyond.
To honor this commitment, Equality Illinois has launched the Illinois Equality Council to allow businesses the opportunity to deepen their commitment to LGBTQ equality and to promote their support of LGBTQ equality more broadly.
The Annual Program run October 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020. To learn more or join, download the commitment form, register online, or contact Myles Brady Davis at mylesbradydavis@eqil.org.
ABOUT US: Equality Illinois is a nonprofit 501c4 organization that seeks to build a better Illinois by educating and advocating on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) equality. Founded in 1991, Equality Illinois is the only statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization In Illinois and one of the largest state-based LGBTQ equality organizations in the country. In the past year alone, our work and our leadership has been highlighted in The Washington Post, USA Today, L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, and on NBC 5, Fox, and CNN.
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!
Thank
you to our amazing partners, the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance and the Legacy
Project!
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 experience!
Thank you to Governor JB Pritzker for signing SB 556 and to Senator Melinda Bush and State Representative Sam Yingling for leading the charge in the Illinois General Assembly.
Special thanks to our partners at the Chicago Restroom Access Project for their leadership in developing public policy regarding conversion of gendered single-stall restrooms to all genders.
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 have many free and fun events planned for you that weekend.
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 street festival in the Midwest and Chicago’s hottest summer celebration, August 10-11, 2019.
The weekend long festival features an all day lineup of live music on 4 stages, 200+ unique vendors, arts, crafts, food and drink, DJ’s and dancing, sponsor booths, and more!
The Emerging Leaders Circle is a dynamic group of young professionals, 35 years or younger, who have been identified as the next generation of leaders. As a donor, you are investing in the vital work of Equality Illinois – statewide campaigns that promote fair treatment for LGBTQ citizens of Illinois. Your membership in the Emerging Leaders Circle is a partnership with Equality Illinois and an investment in our joint fight for equality.
As an Emerging Leaders Circle member, you have unique access to the decision makers within Equality Illinois. You’ll receive exclusive informational updates, access to private events throughout the year, and opportunities for discounts on select events and activities. The Emerging Leaders Circle is much more than a donor group. It is a nucleus of support, influence and leadership that works relentlessly for equitable change.
