Tag Archives: Equality Illinois

Reception: The Legacy Wall at Illinois Wesleyan University

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Legacy Wall

From musicians to engineers, scientist and activists, The Legacy Wall is a portable display that lists the achievements and life stories of 125 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people throughout history.

Do not miss your chance to see the display at the Ames Library on Illinois Wesleyan University’s Campus from February 1 – 13. At which point it will relocate to Illinois State University’s Milner Library from February 15 – 27.

Illinois Wesleyan University and McLean County Not in My Town would like to invite you to their opening reception! The reception will be held at the Ames Library on Sunday, January 31st, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with hor d’oeuvres and non-Alcoholic drinks provided by the university.

Please RSVP for the Opening Reception here: http://tinyurl.com/Legacy-Reception-IWU

RELATED LEGACY WALL EVENTS:

Thursday, February 11th, 7 p.m., Ames Library
Unspoken Histories of Queer People of Color
Enrique Faulkner, Illinois Wesleyan University, Assistant Director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Monday, February 15, 7 p.m., Prairie Room in the Bone Student Center
Bayard Rustin: Black Gay Quaker Thinker and Civil Rights and Labor Activist
Carlos Figueroa, Ithaca College

Thursday, February 18, 7 p.m., Main floor of Milner Library
Woman in Blue: Union Army Private Albert D.J. Cashier of Illinois – The life of transgender Civil War veteran Albert Cashier
Librarian Bill Kemp, McLean County Museum of History

Thursday, February 25, 7 p.m., Main floor of Milner Library
Barbara Gittings: Gay Pioneer – Interview
Tracy Baim, Windy City Times Publisher and Executive Editor

 

Holiday Happy Hour at Guido’s Bar & Grill on December 17th

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EQIL

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Please join us in this season of inclusion by attending the Holiday Happy Hour at Guido’s Bar & Grill (2 East Main St., Champaign) on December 17th.

This is an opportunity to mingle with folks in the community. There will be a cash bar and light shacks, provided by the Up Center of Champaign County! Equality Illinois is excited to partner with the Up Center on this social event. A $5 donation is suggested. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/Season-of-Inclusion-CU

Contact me at mfogliano@eqil.org with questions. Thank you!

Best Regards,
Marcus Fogliano

11/12 at 6pm: Beyond Marriage Equality – panel and discussion

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https://www.facebook.com/events/1502793540047360/
On June 26th 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guarantees the right for same sex couples to marry. This was hailed as a huge civil rights win for LGBTQ individuals, and celebrations lasted for weeks. But is it the ONLY issue that LGBTQ individuals care about? And why does it continued to be considered THE issue for LGBTQ folks by mainstream media and society?

Join the LGBT Resource Center and the University YMCA for BEYOND MARRIAGE EQUALITY, a panel and discussion, on November 12th to hear the panelists engage in critical perspectives about the fight for marriage equality, and present other crucial issues affecting LGBTQ individuals.

Moderator:
Leslie K. Morrow, Director, LGBT Resource Center and Doctoral Student, Education, Policy, Organization & Leadership

Panelists:
Mike Ziri, Director of Public Policy for Equality Illinois
Siobhan Somerville, Ph.D., Associate Professor, English, Gender &
Women’s Studies, African American Studies
David Luis Glisch-Sanchez, Ph.D, Visiting Assistant Professor, Latina/o Studies
Rico Kleinstein Chenyek, Graduate Student, Institute for Communications Research and Medical Scholars

Celebrate 25 years of Equality Illinois at the Gala

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Equality Illinois is entering our 25th year and we plan to celebrate in a big way with our 2016 Gala on Saturday, February 6, 2016, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago.  The Gala is the largest LGBT events of its kind in the Midwest, drawing more than 1,400 guests, including nearly 100 public officials and many more community VIPs.
You have helped create all the successes and milestones of our movement over the last quarter century and we want to celebrate with you at one of the most anticipated, elegant and fun society events of the year. Make sure to get your tickets now – we are offering special anniversary discounted pricing through November 15th.

EQIL

BREAKING: New LGBT protections become law in Illinois

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Moments ago, legislation to protect LGBT youth by prohibiting so-called “conversion therapy” became law after being signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.  Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in Illinois will now be protected from discredited and dangerous efforts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Known as “conversion therapy,” these efforts are extremely harmful to the physical and mental well-being of young people. 

The governor also signed a bill allowing Illinoisans to specify their gender identity in binding funeral and burial instructions. Legislation to address burial instructions is necessary because of past situations where a person’s gender identity was disrespected by family members or funeral directors.     

These victories would not have been possible without the support of Equality Illinois members. Thanks to ongoing support, calls and notes to lawmakers and the governor, and thousands of petition signatures, our members helped us push these bills through the Illinois legislature with bipartisan support and ensure that they became law.   

Despite the approval of these bills, we remain focused on ensuring a fully-funded, fair, and responsible state budget to protect vital services for the most vulnerable Illinoisans, including homeless youth and individuals living with HIV/AIDS.  

Let’s keep moving forward, 

Mike Ziri
Director of Public Policy
Equality Illinois