EqualityCon 2016 Brings Together Advocates and Experts to Discuss LGBT Issues

CHICAGO, Ill. – EqualityCon 2016, a two-day conference of LGBT champions, progressive advocates, allies, policy experts, political leaders and community groups hosted by Equality Illinois, convenes in Chicago this month to focus on issues important to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans.



EqualityCon, formerly known as the LGBT Equality Institute, will be held May 13 and 14 at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the school's Student Center East.



Speakers and panel discussions will address topics such as racial justice, transgender equity, passing laws at the federal level, protecting rights at the state level, safety in schools, finding affirmation in faith communities, guidance on financial security, and wellness and healthcare. Registration for the conference is available at http://bit.ly/EqualityCon2016.



"EqualityCon is an opportunity for advocates to sit down with experts, a chance to listen and to share, a time to learn and to educate on issues important to LGBT Illinoisans," said Patty Medairy, Director of Field Operations at Equality Illinois, which is now in its 25th year advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans.



Lead sponsors of EqualityCon 2016, presented by Equality Illinois Institute, are Lambda Legal, AFL-CIO Illinois, UFCW Local 881, and Franczek Radelet P.C., and supporting sponsors are National Center for Lesbian Rights, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, PFLAG Northern Illinois Council, Rainbow Cafe LGBT Youth Center of Southern Illinois, and Coalition of Rainbow Alliances.



The conference begins at 3:30 pm on Friday, May 13 and runs through 5 pm on Saturday, May 14. The wrap-up keynote speaker will be Nikki Nigl who is a supporter of Equality Illinois and a qualified public speaking instructor, accountability coach, relationship guru, women's empowHERment coach, life manager, weight-loss coach, and overall cheerleader. Nikki says simply: “I will make your life better and easier, and probably more fun." Learn more about her here at http://www.nikkinigl.com.



The full list of speakers and panels can be found at: http://www.equalityillinois.org/equalitycon-2016-agenda.