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 …
October is LGBTQ History Month, and a coalition of LGBTQ organizations are celebrating by making tools available to school administrators, educators, youth, and families to help implement the state’s new Inclusive Curriculum Law. Today, the Illinois Inclusive Curriculum Advisory Council (IICAC) unveiled the new tools, which include professional development opportunities, a guidance document, and a …
Illinois Inclusive Curriculum Advisory Council (IICAC) Read More »
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 …
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 »
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 …
December 20, 2018 Daniel Mair Superintendent Steve Nauman President of the Board of Education Kate Williams Principal Germantown Hills School District #69 103 Warriors Way, Germantown Hills, IL 61548 Dear Superintendent Mair, President Nauman, and Principal Williams: On behalf of Equality Illinois, the statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, I write to express …
The Illinois Human Rights Act protects many people—including LGBTQ people—from discrimination in places of public accommodations. The decision issued in Masterpiece Cakeshop today by the U.S. Supreme Court does not limit the protections in our Human Rights Act. However, the Court missed an opportunity to vociferously defend the rights of LGBTQ Americans to be free …
Illinois LGBTQ Civil Rights Protections Remain Strong Read More »
Monday at 5:30pm in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, Dearborn and Adams streets, join a community rally in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling allowing a Colorado baker to refuse to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. We will call on Illinois businesses and the state to understand there is no change to the Illinois …
Rally Today in Support of Illinois Human Rights Law Read More »
A message from Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson: Yesterday marked the end of the spring session for the General Assembly in Springfield. While there is much to celebrate, we leave the spring session disappointed that the Inclusive Curriculum Bill to include the teaching of LGBTQ people in U.S. history is not yet headed to …
CALL TO ACTION: The LGBTQ Inclusive Curriculum Bill is now in the House floor as the final push for action on major legislation is underway in the General Assembly before the scheduled May 31 adjournment. There is vocal opposition to the bill. We need you to raise your voice in support of the bill and …
In last week of session: Pass the LGBTQ Inclusive History Bill Read More »
Our opponents are resorting to vicious name calling when they talk to Illinois legislators about the #LGBTQ Curriculum Bill. We believe our history should be part of school curriculum so that all students will have a more thorough understanding of history. Click to email your legislators and tell them: Pass the Inclusive Curriculum Bill.
The Inclusive Curriculum Bill will ensure that all students in Illinois would learn about the significant historical events and contributions by LGBTQ people and that they impacted all of us.
Citizen advocates from around the state were in Springfield Wednesday for LGBTQ Advocacy Day. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Illinoisans and our families and allies spread out around the Capitol complex to discuss issues such as the Inclusive Curriculum Bill, the Equal Rights Amendment, and expanding the reach of the Illinois Human Rights protections …
LGBTQ Advocacy Day Promotes Curriculum Bill; Now Do Your Part Read More »
As citizen advocates plan to engage legislators on Tuesday for ERA Lobby Day, Equality Illinois proudly supports the federal Equal Rights Amendment and urges state legislators to promptly ratify it. It’s beyond time for Illinois to join the 36 other states that have ratified the amendment and for it to become part of the U.S. …
It’s time, Illinois: Ratify the Equal Rights Amemdment Read More »
Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 and the days leading up to it are an opportunity to show our support for the trans community. It aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting cissexism and transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans community. Unlike Transgender Day of …
LGBTQ Advocacy Day in Springfield is a month away, and we’re happy to announce that Affinity Community Services is a community partner and second bus pickup location for the April 11 day trip to Springfield. One of our priority issues will be the Inclusive Curriculum Bill, an initiative of Equality Illinois and the Illinois Safe …
Sign Up Today! LGBTQ Advocacy Day is a month away Read More »
Equality Illinois Action Alert – Tell your member of Congress it’s time to act and support a bipartisan permanent legislative solution and pass the Dream Act. There are over 75,000 LGBTQ Dreamers in the United States. Ending this program is very much a life-and-death decision for these LGBTQ Dreamers. They not only face expulsion from …
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Equality Illinois honors his legacy and pledges to continue our fight for justice for LGBTQ Illinoisans and all who face inequality UNTIL WE’RE ALL EQUAL.
Three pro-LGBTQ equality laws that were legislative priorities for Equality Illinois go into effect with the new year. As of Jan. 1, 2018, laws that ban the anti-LGBTQ panic defense, modernize birth certificate changes, and encourage LGBTQ public leadership opportunities will help build a better Illinois. “Across the country, we have seen attacks on the …
Announcing: Transgender Illinoisans can begin working on the new state forms allowing them to correct the gender marker on birth certificates without requiring expensive and often unnecessary surgery, consistent with modern medical standards. The new law goes into effect Jan. 1, but the Illinois Department of Public Health forms are now online. One form is …
State Gender Marker Correction Forms Now Available Read More »
In the Sunday Chicago Tribune, nearly two dozen LGBTQ, Jewish and social justice agencies challenged the tone and substance of an editorial that supported the Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. “Comparing a same-sex couple looking to buy a cake honoring their love to Nazis seeking to buy …
LGBTQ and Jewish organizations challenge Tribune editorial on bakery case Read More »
With 27,715 respondents nationwide, the U.S. Transgender Survey conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality in 2015 included 1,082 in Illinois. As the Trump administration tries to remove protections for transgender people, the just-released findings reveal in Illinois and around the nation the need for such protections, and more. There were disturbing patterns of …
Illinois Transgender Survey Finds Disturbing Patterns and Disparities Read More »
#HireTrans is launching this week to push for more opportunities for transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals, who face high obstacles for consistent employment and advancement opportunities on the job. LEARN MORE ABOUT #HIRETRANS And plan to attend the WERQ! LGBTQ Job Fair this Friday at the Center on Halsted. More than 75 major corporations, …
Equality Illinois stands with the Dreamers. Immigrants are part of the fabric of America. Here we believe in tolerance, inclusion, liberty, and fairness. President Trump’s policy today is an absolute betrayal of American values. Click HERE to urge your member of Congress to support the Dream Act and reject Trump’s anti-DACA policy. The president’s policy …