The LGBT Equality Institute on May 17 is fast approaching! This day-long event presented by Equality Illinois in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, Howard Brown Health Center, Lambda Legal, and National Immigrant Justice Center will focus on the myriad of issues that still face the LGBT community …
This is EQIL May Membership Month: Orbitz has stepped up to donate FOUR flight vouchers for travel within the U.S. lower 48 states or Canada. So, if you join Equality Illinois or renew your membership now, you will get entered into a drawing to win one of the FOUR flight vouchers. If you think the …
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Hundreds of clergy members in Illinois want to officiate at same-sex wedding ceremonies, newly possible under the freedom to marry law, and Equality Illinois helps couples connect with the faith leaders in a new pamphlet. The just-issued listing of wedding officiants answers one of the most frequent questions about the new marriage equality: Who will …
Please join Equality Illinois for a day of socializing with friends old and new, dining on delicious light bites, and sipping cocktails at the elegant Mayne Stage Theatre, 1328 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago. When: Sunday, May 4 from 3 to 6 pm The suggested event donation is $10, and there will be a cash bar and …
Equality Illinois – in partnership with Lambda Legal, the the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, the National Immigrant Justice Center and Howard Brown Health Center – is inviting activists and supporters to attend the LGBT Equality Institute this spring to discuss the myriad issues still facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans and the strategies …
Last week, the Illinois House Human Services Committee approved HB5569, The Youth Mental Health Protection Act, by a bipartisan 9 to 6 vote. The bill is now moving to the Illinois House of Representatives, and could be voted on in the next two weeks. Equality Illinois is calling on the General Assembly to protect all …
An Illinois House Committee today passed the Youth Mental Health Protection Act by a 9 to 6 vote, and Equality Illinois is calling on the Illinois House of Representatives to protect minors from the discredited so-called “conversion therapy” by passing the bill this spring. HB5569, sponsored by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, would ensure that the most …
Rep. Ron Sandack, who won his Republican primary with the help of EQIL PAC Illinoisans who believe in fairness and equality secured a decisive victory in Tuesday’s primary with a substantial boost by the efforts of Equality Illinois. Not a single lawmaker – Republican or Democrat – who voted for the freedom to marry lost …
Equality Illinois is joining the sad chorus of voices mourning the passing overnight of Vernita Gray. A fighter for LGBT equality for over four decades, including eight years on the board of Equality Illinois, Vernita made history again last November when she and her longtime partner Patricia Ewert became the first same-sex couple to wed …
The important Illinois Primary is TODAY. Supporters of marriage equality need your help. The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee endorsements are HERE. To check on your registration and polling place, click HERE.
The important Illinois Primary is Tuesday. Supporters of marriage equality need your help. The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee endorsements are HERE. To check on your registration and polling place, click HERE.
Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten (pictured left) today became the second county clerk in Illinois to issue marriage licenses to all loving, committed couples. Equality Illinois is challenging other clerks throughout the state to do the same. Clerk Hulten said his Central Illinois constituents should enjoy the constitutional right of the freedom to marry that …
U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman has just ordered Cook County to begin issuing marriage licenses immediately to same-sex couples. At the same time, there are renewed attempts in Illinois to weaken or repeal our hard-won freedom to marry. Tens of thousands of Illinois couples have been waiting for a long time, some for …
Attend an Equality Illinois Marriage Forum this month at the Chicago Urban League and Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. The forums are aimed at educating the public about SB10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, and dispelling myths and empowering same-sex couples and their families to understand and use all their state and federal …
Equality Illinois fought with you to bring marriage equality to our state. Now our affiliated political action committee is working hard to defend the pro-equality majorities in the Illinois House and Senate in the 2014 elections. Our opponents still seek ways to weaken or overturn the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The Equality Illinois …
The Equality Illinois 2014 Gala Saturday night was the biggest and most successful ever, thanks to the record crowd of 1,400 celebrants, our dedicated volunteers, all the companies and individuals who were sponsors and donated items for the Silent Auction and bought pages in the program book, and the special guests, including Gov. Pat Quinn, …
Tables have already SOLD OUT in our VIP Platinum & Premier sections. Get your tickets online today before they completely sell out.
Conquer Mt. Everest from the relative comfort of running, biking or stair-climbing without leaving home and help Chicago climber Joe Rudy realize his dream to climb the world’s tallest mountain on behalf of marriage equality. For $99 you will receive a 5-week membership to FFC Gyms and participation in the Everest Challenge to raise awareness …
The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee, in making endorsements for the March 18 Democratic and Republican primaries, notes that the endorsed candidates have helped advance LGBT issues, particularly the freedom to marry. While proud of the bipartisan nature of the endorsements, the PAC pointed out that no candidate in the GOP race for governor is …
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk will be presented with the Equality Illinois Freedom Award at the 2014 Equality Illinois Gala on Sat., Feb. 8 in the Hilton Chicago. In making the announcement today, Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest advocacy organization devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans, said the …
State Farm, a company founded in Bloomington, Illinois, that grew to become the nation’s largest insurer of homes and cars and a leader in supporting its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and customers, will receive the 2014 Equality Illinois Business Leadership Award. The recognition of State Farm by Illinois’ oldest and largest LGBT advocacy …
State Rep. Tom Cross, a candidate for the Republican nomination for Illinois state treasurer, started our Tuesday with a briefing for Equality Illinois, part of our ongoing series of meetings with opinion leaders. Cross, the former Republican leader of the Illinois House, voted for the freedom to marry last November. The breakfast briefing took place …
Chicago filmmaker Lana Wachowski will be presented with the 2014 Equality Illinois Freedom Award at the organization’s February 8th gala. A native of Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood, Wachowski made her mark in the world of imagination, most famously by writing, directing and executive producing with her brother Andy Wachowski the “The Matrix” trilogy as well as …
Two major Illinois institutions today welcomed a unique partnership, as Equality Illinois announced that Chicago-based United Airlines is becoming the Exclusive Airline for the state’s oldest and largest advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans. The partnership makes United the first choice for air travel by Equality Illinois. READ MORE