Illinois LGBT Advocacy Day Will Reach Out to Legislators, April 15

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality will descend on the Illinois state capitol, April 15, to lobby legislators on a host of critical issues before the state legislature and Gov. Bruce Rauner this spring at the annual Equality Illinois LGBT Advocacy Day.

"This will be a great opportunity to talk to lawmakers about legislation that affects the LGBT community," said Patty Dillon, Director of Field Operations for Equality Illinois, the state's largest LGBT advocacy organization. "Our agenda includes strengthening hate crimes legislation, protecting LGBT youth from conversion therapy, and saving important funding for public services in the state budget."



Equality Illinois maintains a permanent bipartisan lobbying team in Springfield working with Mike Ziri, Equality Illinois Director of Public Policy, in talking to legislators and policy makers in the executive agencies about LGBT issues.



"While we at Equality Illinois can talk to officials about legislation, nothing conveys the real and personal impact policies have on people than for citizens to visit with lawmakers themselves and share their stories," said Ziri. "The small group meetings and one-on-one sessions we can have on LGBT Advocacy Day really bring home how important these issues are."



Buses will leave from locations in the Chicago area the morning of April 15 for the day trip to Springfield. Equality Illinois is also urging supporters throughout the state to form their own car pools to drive to Springfield that day. The program will include lunch and training once the buses and cars arrive in Springfield followed by meetings with lawmakers. After the advocacy day wraps up, the participants can share stories and results of their meetings at a reception at Club Station House in Springfield.



Information and registration for the buses can be found at tinyurl.com/LGBT-advocacy-bus. Drivers can sign up for the program at tinyurl.com/LGBT-advocacy-day. People can share their plans to participate in LGBT Advocacy Day at #LGBTadvocacy.