The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 was signed into law October 28th by President Obama. The Act extends federal hate crime law to cover attacks based on sexual orientation and is the first significant expansion of federal criminal civil rights laws in more than ten years. Specifically, the…
LGBT students face harassment and discrimination on a daily basis. Students in many schools in Illinois and across the United States have established gay-straight alliances. Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are formed and led by students who see them as a group that provides a safe place to meet as well as addresses issues of discrimination, tolerance,…
The school year is well underway for junior high and high school students. For LGBT youth and their families, school can be frightening, intimidating and dangerous. Several organizations support and advocate for LGBT junior and senior high school youth. While Chicago has numerous resources, it’s important to note the resources available throughout Illinois. According to…
Illinois is among several states that have laws which explicitly allow same-sex couples to adopt. The Illinois Adoption Act states that “a reputable person of legal age and of either sex” may petition to adopt a child. 750 ILCS 50/2. Illinois appellate courts have interpreted the Adoption Act to permit same-sex couples or lesbian or…
No. As of this writing, Illinois law does not allow two people of the same sex to marry. Even if that same-sex couple travels to and marries in a state or country that allows same-sex marriage, their marriage will not be legally recognized in Illinois. Although the state of Illinois prohibits same-sex marriage, other governmental…
A bill to legalize marriage between two adults of the same sex was introduced Thursday in the Illinois Senate by State Senator Heather Steans. This marks the first time such a bill has been up for consideration in the Senate. SB2468, known as the Equal Marriage Act, would provide for state recognition of same-sex marriage,…