Equality Illinois

The Equality Illinois Institute focuses on the educational and charitable aspects of the mission. EI's initiatives extend throughout every sector of Illinois life, reaching individuals and organizations both in the LGBTQ community and society at large, across the private, public and non-profit sectors.

The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee (PAC) promotes candidates for public office who will advocate for and support legislation that advances full equality for LGBTQ individuals and families.

The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.{{cite web|title=Equality Illinois - Mission and Accomplishments|url=http://www.equalityillinois.us/our-work-2/accomplishments-mission/|publisher=Equality Illinois|access-date=9 January 2014}}

• Equality Illinois works with legislators in Washington, D.C., and in Springfield, as well as leaders at the local level to ensure that the LGBTQ community has a voice at the table when major decisions are made. Equality Illinois is a 501(c)(4) organization and has educational and political action affiliate organizations.{{cite web|title=Gay activists to lobby for state gay marriage law|date=22 October 2013|url=http://wgntv.com/2013/10/22/gay-activists-to-lobby-for-state-gay-marriage-law/|publisher=WGN|access-date=16 January 2014}}
• The Equality Illinois Institute, a 501(c)(3) educational organization affiliated with Equality Illinois, focuses on the educational and charitable aspects of EI's mission. Through the Equality Illinois Institute, Equality Illinois continues to educate the public about the need to secure the rights of all Illinois citizens, couples, and families. EI's work reaches individuals and organizations both in the LGBTQ community and the general public across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.{{cite web|title=Equality Illinois holds public forums to discuss new marriage laws|url=http://dot429.com/articles/3531-equality-illinois-holds-public-forums-to-discuss-new-marriage-laws|publisher=dot429|access-date=16 January 2014}}{{cite news|last=Duncan|first=Dustin|title=Same-sex marriage law discussed in Carbondale|newspaper=The Southern Illinoisan|date=13 December 2013}}
• Equality Illinois PAC, a non-partisan state political action committee affiliated with Equality Illinois, fights aggressively every election cycle to recruit, support, and elect candidates who will stand up for our rights in Springfield and beyond. Equality Illinois PAC supports candidates for state, county, and local office who believe that every citizen has a basic right to equal treatment under the law regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.{{cite web|title=Equality Illinois Rolls Out 'Fight Back for Marriage' Campaign|url=http://www.progressillinois.com/news/content/2013/06/17/equality-illinois-rolls-out-fight-back-marriage-campaign|publisher=Progress Illinois|access-date=16 January 2014}}

• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Marriage_Rights-5.pdf Marriage Rights in Illinois]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Equality-Illinois-DOMA-FAQ-Sep13-Update.pdf Equality Illinois DOMA FAQs]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2012CivilUnionsReport.pdf Civil Union Report: Separate Not Proven to be Equal]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Equality-Illinois-Names-Change-Toolkit.pdf Name and Gender Marker Changes Tool Kit]
• [https://issuu.com/eqil/docs/equality_illinois-raising_the_bar_2/1 Raising the Bar 2016]
• [http://issuu.com/eqil/docs/law_firm_best_practices?e=2971291/2913204 The Law Firm Best Practices Manual]
• [http://issuu.com/eqil/docs/mpg_2015.web Equality Illinois 2015 Marriage Planning Guide]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/Rauner6Months/ The Rauner Administration at Six Months]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Season-of-Inclusion-Brochure.pdf Season of Inclusion 2015 Brochure]
• [http://issuu.com/eqil/docs/eqil_corporate_best_practices/1 Corporate Best Practices: A Guide to LGBTQ-Inclusive Workplaces in Illinois]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/EQIL-Adoption-Guide_01.15.pdf Growing Your Family: A Guide for Prospective LGBTQ Parents]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Marriage_Equality-Tax-Flyer.pdf Tax Implications of Marriage Equality]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/LGBTQ-Religious-Officiants-List-5.27.pdf LGBTQ Supportive Religious Officiant List 2014]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EI-Know-your-Rights-Safe-School-Brochure.pdf Safe Schools]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EI-Know-your-Rights-Transgender-Brochure.pdf Transgender Issues]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EI-Know-your-Rights-Employment-Brochure.pdf Employment]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EI-Know-your-Rights-Employment-Brochure.pdf Immigration]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EI-Know-your-Rights-Post-DOMA-QA.pdf Marriage Recognition at the Federal Level]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EI-Know-your-Rights-Health.pdf Health Services]
• [http://www.equalityillinois.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EI-Know-your-Rights-Housing-Brochure.pdf Housing]

Equality Illinois was formerly called the Illinois Federation for Human Rights,{{cite news |last1=Breslin |first1=Meg Sherry |title=CHILDREN'S ACTIVIST LANA HOSTETLER |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-02-10-9902100216-story.html |access-date=30 November 2022 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=February 10, 1999}} and Lana Hostetler cofounded it.{{cite news |title=Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame announces 2021 inductees |url=https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Chicago-LGBT-Hall-of-Fame-announces-2021-inductees/70954.html |access-date=30 November 2022 |publisher=Windy City Times |date=July 19, 2021}}

Equality Illinois is now the Midwest's largest and most influential LGBTQ civil rights organizations.{{cite web|title=Equality Illinois|url=http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?item=242&todo=view_item|publisher=Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame|access-date=18 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109182647/http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?item=242&todo=view_item|archive-date=9 January 2014|url-status=dead}} Among its accomplishments are:

• Promoted, lobbied for and won passage of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act in 2013, which gave same-sex couples in Illinois the right to marry.

• Promoted, lobbied for and won passage of the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (civil union law) in 2010, which promises the same benefits, obligations and responsibilities of marriage (under state law). The major benefits include hospital visitation, healthcare decision making, inheritance and probate rights;{{cite web|title=Equality Illinois sets date for Civil Unions Lobby Day|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/whats-a-boy-to-do/2010/03/equality-illinois-sets-date-for-civil-unions-lobby-day/|publisher=chicagonow.com|access-date=18 October 2012}}

• Promoted, lobbied for and won passage of the Youth Mental Health Protection Act (conversion therapy ban) in 2015, banning the harmful practice of conversion therapy to be used on minors in the state of Illinois. The practice of gay conversion therapy was harshly criticized by Illinois mental health experts in March 2015 when a group of experts released a letter saying efforts to force LGBTQ youth to change are harmful and ineffective and urged state action to stop it.{{Cite web|url=https://www.equalityillinois.us/issue/conversion-therapy-ban/|title=Conversion Therapy Ban « Equality Illinois|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-31}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=217&GAID=13&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=83875&SessionID=88|title=Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB0217|website=www.ilga.gov|access-date=2019-05-31}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4006675/illinois-bans-gay-conversion-therapy-on-minors/|title=Illinois Bans Gay Conversion Therapy for Minors|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=2019-05-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.equalityillinois.us/about-us/press-releases/letter-supports-therapy-ban/|title=Mental Health Experts Support Therapy Ban « Equality Illinois|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-31}}

• Worked in coalition with partner groups to advance and pass the Safe Schools Act, which was signed into law in June 2010;{{cite web|title=Gov. Pat Quinn Signs Safe Schools Act|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrBYAXg3XRE|publisher=You Tube|access-date=18 October 2012}}

• Promoted, lobbied for and won passage of amendments to the Human Rights Act in 2005, prohibiting discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity;{{cite web|title=Catherine Sikora|url=http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?item=240&todo=view_item|publisher=Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame|access-date=18 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109184728/http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?item=240&todo=view_item|archive-date=9 January 2014|url-status=dead}}

• Developed a ground breaking "Get Out the Vote" campaign, Vote Naked Illinois, which received extensive media coverage statewide and around the globe. The campaign led to over 75,000 mail-in votes in the 2010 election in Cook County/City of Chicago alone.{{cite web|title=Illinois Votes Naked|date=21 September 2010|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/21/illinois-votes-naked-nude_n_733277.html|publisher=Huff Post Chicago|access-date=16 October 2012}}
• Registered thousands of new Illinois voters, and developed a strong network of over 17,000 human rights supporters throughout Illinois and beyond;
• Educated and informed citizens of Illinois and members of the General Assembly, and worked to raise awareness of issues confronting LGBTQ individuals in the community and workplace;{{cite web|title=Equality Illinois Lobby Day|url=http://www.thevitalvoice.com/news/50-latest-news/604-equality-illinois-lobby-day-is-april-25|publisher=The Vital Voice|access-date=16 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506204359/http://www.thevitalvoice.com/news/50-latest-news/604-equality-illinois-lobby-day-is-april-25|archive-date=6 May 2012|url-status=dead}}

• Equality Illinois also joined with three other organizations to launch the Fair Illinois initiative dedicated to opposing an anti-gay marriage advisory referendum proposed for the November 2006 ballot. This massive undertaking involve the review of more than 345,000 individual petition signatures, a challenge met entirely by volunteers. After months of challenges, fairness finally won out in September 2006.{{cite web|title=Illinois - Gay marriage referendum off the ballot!|url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/07/05/224851/-Illinois-Gay-marriage-referendum-off-the-ballot|publisher=Daily Kos|access-date=14 November 2012}}

• Expanded statewide grassroots support for LGBTQ issues and initiatives, individually, as well as in partnership with religious institutions and other community organizations;
• Targeted information and services to populations that have been disenfranchised, such as women, minorities and youth;
• Assisted businesses in development of welcoming and inclusive workplace policies;{{cite web|title=Thirty-seven Illinois Law Firms Top Equality Illinois Corporate Responsibility Survey|url=http://www.eqil.org/cmsdocuments/Raisingthebar2012REVISED2.pdf|publisher=Equality Illinois|access-date=16 October 2012}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|title=Group Honors Law Firms That Promote Equality|url=http://www.gtlaw.com/portalresource/lookup/wosid/contentpilot-core-1602-11808/pdfCopy.name=/Chicago%20Daily%20Law%20Bulletin%20-%20Firm%20-%20Group%20honors%20law%20firms%20that%20promote%20equality%20%28Unlimited%20linking%20and%20printing%29.pdf|newspaper=Chicago Daily Law Bulletin|date=July 30, 2010}}
• Conducted polls and surveys of public attitudes on civil rights issues;{{cite news|title=Report: Many Difficulties For Couples In Civil Unions One Year Later|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/06/01/report-many-difficulties-for-couples-in-civil-unions-one-year-later/|newspaper=CBS Chicago|date=June 1, 2012}}
• Worked to educate the media and encourage public discussion about these issues.{{cite news|last=Hinz|first=Greg|title=Trib vet snags gay gig|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120131/BLOGS02/120139939/tif-group-wants-more-reform-trib-vet-snags-gay-gig-latino-builders-sign-up-rahm|newspaper=Crain's Chicago Business|date=Jan 31, 2012}}

{{cite web|title=Equality Illinois PAC|url=http://www.elections.il.gov/campaigndisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?id=9792|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=18 October 2012}}{{cite web|title=Equality Illinois|url=http://www.eqil.org/|access-date=28 October 2013}}{{cite news|title=Gay marriage supporters rejoice in Chicago|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/11/05/gay-marriage-supporters-rejoice-in-chicago/|access-date=21 November 2013|newspaper=The Chicago Tribune|date=November 5, 2013}}{{cite web|title=Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame|url=http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?item=242&todo=view_item|publisher=Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame|access-date=21 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109182647/http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?item=242&todo=view_item|archive-date=9 January 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=LGBT/Queer Studies and Services Institute|url=http://lgbtq.illinoisstate.edu/community-resources/|publisher=Illinois State University|access-date=21 November 2013}}{{cite web|title=Equality Illinois PAC Endorses Gov. Pat Quinn|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/mayor-of-boystown/2010/08/equality-illinois-pac-endorses-gov-pat-quinn/|publisher=Chicago Now|access-date=21 November 2013|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109181843/http://www.chicagonow.com/mayor-of-boystown/2010/08/equality-illinois-pac-endorses-gov-pat-quinn/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Illinois Unites for Marriage Coalition|url=http://www.illinoisunites.org/about/|publisher=Illinois Unites for Marriage Coalition|access-date=21 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119020205/http://www.illinoisunites.org/about/|archive-date=19 November 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Momentum for Same-Sex Marriage Brings Together New Illinois Coalition|date=20 December 2012|url=http://www.aclu-il.org/momentum-for-same-sex-marriage-brings-together-new-illinois-coalition/|publisher=American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois|access-date=21 November 2013}}{{cite web|title=Illinois Unites for Marriage Coalition|url=http://www.illinoisunites.org/|access-date=9 January 2014}}{{cite web|title=Marriage Equality Coalition to Kick Off Statewide Campaign Next Week|url=http://www.progressillinois.com/quick-hits/content/2013/07/31/marriage-equality-coalition-kick-statewide-campaign-next-week|publisher=Progress Illinois|access-date=9 January 2014}}{{cite web|title=Join the Illinois Unites for Marriage Coalition for a Phone Bank|url=http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/join-the-illinois-unites-for-marriage-coalition-for-a-phone-bank|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412033747/http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/join-the-illinois-unites-for-marriage-coalition-for-a-phone-bank|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 12, 2013|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|access-date=9 January 2014}}{{cite web|title=Illinois Unites issues plan for marriage equality|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/42574324|publisher=Chicago Pride|access-date=9 January 2014|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109174414/http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/42574324|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Same-sex marriage group says 3,000 expected at Wednesday at UIC Forum bill signing|url=http://voices.suntimes.com/import/chicago/same-sex-marriage-group-says-3000-expected-at-wednesday-at-uic-forum-bill-signing/|publisher=Chicago Sun Times|access-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109175037/http://voices.suntimes.com/import/chicago/same-sex-marriage-group-says-3000-expected-at-wednesday-at-uic-forum-bill-signing/|archive-date=9 January 2014|url-status=dead}}

In 2012–2013, Equality Illinois played a significant role advocating for same-sex marriage in Illinois. The organization partnered with Lambda Legal and ACLU of Illinois to create the Illinois Unites for Marriage coalition to push for the bill. The same-sex marriage bill passed the legislature in 2013 and was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn on Nov. 20, 2013.

The Equality Illinois Gala, annually the largest LGBTQ event of its kind in the Midwest, is held every winter to celebrate the previous year's achievements for the Illinois LGBTQ community. The 2019 event celebrated Equality Illinois’ 25th Anniversary Jubilee Year and was expected to draw more than 1,400 guests, including nearly 100 public officials and many community VIPs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.equalityillinois.us/about-us/press-releases/nancy-pelosi/|title=Nancy Pelosi « Equality Illinois|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-31}}

The Equality Illinois Freedom Award is given annually at the Equality Illinois gala to celebrate exemplary allies of the Illinois LGBTQ community. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will accept the recognition at the Equality Illinois 25th Anniversary Gala on February 6, 2016. Past Freedom Award winners include Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, state Rep. Greg Harris, the late state Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch, the late state Rep. Mark Beaubien Jr., state Sen. Heather Steans, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, the Chicago Urban League, entertainer Lea DeLaria, the TransLife Center of Chicago House and filmmaker Lana Wachowski.{{Cite web|url=https://www.equalityillinois.us/2015/01/eqil-honors-lea-delaria-with-freedom-award/|title=EQIL Honors Lea DeLaria with Freedom Award « Equality Illinois|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-31}}

In 2005 Equality Illinois was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.{{cite web |url=http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?page=inductees&todo=year |title=Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame |access-date=2015-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017032241/http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?page=inductees&todo=year |archive-date=2015-10-17 }}

Equality Illinois' new logo was unveiled on January 14, 2016. The modern, bright logo represents refreshed vigor for the work of the next quarter century. The new slogan–UNTIL WE'RE ALL EQUAL–summarizes the LGBTQ organization's mission to "build a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and social justice through education, advocacy and protection of the rights of the LGBTQ community."{{Cite web |url=http://www.equalityillinois.us/our-work-2/accomplishments-mission/ |title=Mission & Accomplishments « Equality Illinois |access-date=2014-01-09 |archive-date=2014-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109180540/http://www.equalityillinois.us/our-work-2/accomplishments-mission/ |url-status=dead }} In the wake of high-profile successes, the organization retooled their organization to build an Equality Illinois that is ready for the next phase of the movement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.equalityillinois.us/new-look/|title=New Look « Equality Illinois|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-31}}

{{Portal|LGBTQ|Illinois}}

• LGBT rights in Illinois
• LGBT history in Illinois
• Same-sex marriage in Illinois
• List of LGBT rights organizations

{{reflist|30em}}

{{official website|http://equalityillinois.org}}

{{EqFed}}

{{LGBT in the United States}}

{{Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame}}

Category:LGBTQ political advocacy groups in Illinois

Category:1991 establishments in Illinois

Category:Organizations established in 1991

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Chicago

Category:Equality Federation