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And, Illinois has become a beacon of hope to other GLBT people throughout our country. Our victory gives others hope as they face anti-gay initiatives and try to move forward to secure protections for LGBT citizens.
What next?
Within minutes of the passage of the bill, reporters and others asked, "What's next, what will Equality Illinois be doing now?"
Equality Illinois will continue to do what it has done in the past. Equality Illinois will continue to defend and protect the gains our community has made. Equality Illinois will continue to work to legislatively secure equal protections for GLBT Illinoisans, and Equality Illinois will continue to educate the larger community on issues of importance to GLBT people.
Defend and Protect our Community
On the first day of the new session of the Illinois General Assembly, a constitutional amendment to ban the recognition of same-sex marriages was introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives. Equality Illinois worked to kill similar legislation last session and we will fight this proposed amendment to make sure that it is not passed. We also anticipate that there may be other anti-gay legislation introduced this session.
Opponents of the non-discrimination bill have vowed to challenge the bill's constitutionality in court. We are confident that the bill will withstand constitutional muster, but we will have to fight to make sure that this hard-fought gain is not challenged or revoked.
Securing Equal Protections
While the passage of the non-discrimination bill is an astounding and important victory, we recognize that GLBT people still do not have equal protection and equal treatment in many areas of our lives. Over the coming years, Equality Illinois will be promoting specific pieces of legislation that protect our lives, our relationships and our families. Working in conjunction with GLBT legal groups, we will identify areas where legislation is needed and we will aggressively work to make sure that GLBT people in Illinois are treated fairly and equitably in every area under the law.
Educating the Larger Community
Equality Illinois will continue to speak out on a range of issues facing GLBT people in Illinois in the hope of educating and enlightening the larger community. We will continue to partner with Lambda Legal Defense, the ACLU and local GLBT organizations by holding educational forums throughout the state of Illinois on protecting the rights of same-sex couples and GLBT families. It will be an arduous and time-consuming educational process, but we have begun and are committed to seeing the day when our relationships and our families are sufficiently protected in Illinois.
Thank You
Thank you for your support of Equality Illinois. We celebrate a great victory in Illinois because of you. Those of you who financially contribute to Equality Illinois, those of you who volunteer with us to register voters, canvass key legislative districts, work for our pro-gay candidates, participate in our lobby days and in contacting your legislators with emails, calls and visits made this victory possible
Be proud. Be happy.
And, be vigilant in our continuing effort to ensure that GLBT Illinoisans are treated fairly and equitably in every area of our lives.
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