Equality Illinois has been a leader in the Nation when it comes to protecting the rights of transgender persons. As a result of our work, Illinois is one of just a handful of states where it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender identity in housing, employment and public accommodations.
When some in our State suggested dropping the protection of gender identity in order to expedite the addition of sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act, Equality Illinois stood steadfast in demanding that transgender people be protected from discrimination. As a result of our perseverance, the gay and lesbian community remained allied with the transgender community, and we won together.
Equality Illinois was among the first and the most vociferous critics of attempts to drop transgender persons from the scope of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
We will continue to defend the rights of the transgender community in the years to come. Illinois still has much work to do secure health care access and medically accurate government documents for transgender persons. Equality Illinois will remain a close ally and friend to our transgender brothers and sisters.
Transgender Training Video (Chicago Police Department)
