Equality Illinois

This past weekend Equality Illinois CEO Channyn Lynne Parker spoke at the Trans Day of Visibility Rally in downtown Chicago. “Every single person here, as God is my witness, is worth it!” -CLP Thank you to our community leaders from @transupfrontil @indivisiblechicago @life.iswork @chitherapycollective and many more for organizing and coming together! #TDOV #equality #illinois

Our community is under attack, and we need your voice now more than ever!

On May 21, 2026, LGBTQ+ Illinoisans and our allies will come together in Springfield to advance equality and send a clear message to our elected officials: our lives are worth protecting.

Join us and bring your friends. Register today by clicking on the link in our BIO. #Equality #Illinois #LGBTQ #AdvocacyDay2026

Today, the Supreme Court handed down an 8–1 decision in Chiles v. Salazar, striking down Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors. On International Transgender Day of Visibility. Let that land. Equality Illinois is clear: we reject this ruling. This is not a close call. Conversion therapy is not a debate. It is a discredited, dangerous practice that has been condemned by every major medical and mental health organization in this country. The Court’s decision does not change that. It speaks to how states may regulate these practices, not to whether they cause harm. They do. They always have. In Illinois, the law has not changed. Conversion therapy remains illegal. It is consumer fraud. It is medical malpractice. Practitioners who engage in it face real professional consequences. Nothing about today’s decision alters that reality for Illinois families. To every parent, provider, and young person in this state: you are protected. And to the young people this ruling puts at risk in other states, we see you. Your life is not a policy debate. Your existence does not require a defense. On a day set aside to celebrate the visibility, dignity, and full humanity of transgender people, we refuse to be moved. LGBTQ+ youth deserve to be affirmed, supported, and safe. That is not a political position. It is a moral one. We are not disheartened. We are determined. Channyn Lynne Parker CEO #scotus #equality #illinois

Join us for a celebration of community! Get your tickets in the link in our bio!

Last month @taskforcechicago_official held an LGBTQ+ Townhall to discuss the issues affecting our community on the West side of Chicago! Thank you @senlakesiacollins for participating, always showing up and standing firm on protecting your LGBTQ+ constituents. #EqualityIllinois #TownHall #TaskForce #LakesiaCares

Six months in, and the work is clearer than ever: build stronger systems, respond in real time, and make sure LGBTQ+ Illinoisans—no matter where they live—are seen, protected, and heard. From Pekin to Peoria, Carbondale to Rockford, this movement belongs to all of us. And right now, it needs all of us. We’re facing real pressure—but we’re still showing up. And we’re asking you to do the same. ➡️ Join our Capitol Club ➡️ Show up for Advocacy Day on May 21, 2026 ➡️ Use your voice. Share. Speak. Act. Scan the QR code to read my full statement Because no movement moves without its people. Equality Illinois has always been worth showing up for. It still is. Join us.

This message is for the Illinois General Assembly... ⁠ ⁠ If you aren't the Illinois General Assembly, take action by ⁠ ⁠ --> filing a witness slip as a Proponent of HB4410 via the link in our bio ⁠ --> Emailing your elected officials through our action center at bit.ly/saveILadap (also linked in our bio!) ⁠ ⁠ @the_caucus @equalityill @bravespacealliance @life.iswork @howardbrownhealth @gcapnow @gris_golden_rainbows @gris_golden_rainbows @odhcil #hivcare #saveHIVfunding #healthcareforall #saveADAP [AFC Communications, Policy, and Advocacy work is not supported with federal funds.]

The Senate Executive Committee has scheduled HB 5095 for a committee hearing this week. HB 5095 will ensure that the Illinois Secretary of State’s current self-attestation process for gender marker corrections on driver’s licenses is established in state law. This bill will further guarantee that the Illinois Secretary of State’s self-reported gender marker information remains confidential, similar to medical records, and can only be released by court order. This bill is necessary to keep our community safe amid the continued attacks on trans and gender-diverse people. Submit a witness slip supporting this. The deadline is 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6.

Progress is under attack! Link in our Bio to read full statement.

“The Court has spoken. So have we. I dissent. Equality Illinois dissents. Illinois dissents.” We will always stand for democracy, fairness, and the right of every community to be heard. The work continues. Read our full statement here: https://www.equalityillinois.us/2026/04/clp-i-dissent-statment/

🌈 Big news at Equality Illinois! We’re thrilled to welcome three incredible new leaders to our team: ✨ Alma Rosa Aguila, Senior Director of Development and External Relations ✨ Kylan L. Durant, Senior Director of Strategic Operations ✨ Aces Lira, Director of Public Policy Their experience, passion, and commitment to LGBTQ+ equality will help lead our next chapter of impact across Illinois. Visit the link below to learn more about our newest team members and the important work ahead: https://www.equalityillinois.us/ei-is-growing/ #EqualityIllinois #LGBTQEquality #Illinois #NonprofitLeadership #CommunityImpact

🚨We need you to take action for Illinois' AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)! Illinois ADAP ensures that Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS have access to life-saving medications which in turn prevent further HIV transmissions via viral suppression. ⁠ ⁠ If the Illinois General Assembly does not increase funding for ADAP and HIV services, an estimated 7,000 people living with HIV won’t have medicine in 2027. Funding ADAP is the fiscally responsible choice AND will protect the health of all Illinoisans.⁠ ⁠ ➡️Take action at bit.ly/saveILadap or via the link in our bio. YES, you can submit as many times as you want! ⁠ ⁠ ⏰️We have until May 31 to make our voices heard: Tell the Illinois General Assembly to increase funding for ADAP and HIV services by $7.4 M! ⁠ ⁠ [AFC communications, policy, and advocacy work is not supported with federal funds.] #saveADAP #savehivfunding #hivfunding #adap #hivcare