LGBTQIA+ Resources

Community Centers & Advocacy Organizations

  • Brave Space Alliance – www.bravespacealliance.org – The first Black- and trans-led LGBTQ+ center on Chicago’s South and West Sides
  • Center on Halsted – www.centeronhalsted.org – Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community center, offering programs, events, and health services
  • Equality Illinois – www.equalityillinois.us – Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, policies, and protections in Illinois
  • Illinois Safe Schools Alliance – www.ilsafeschools.org/
    Advocates for safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ+ youth in Illinois
  • Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD) – www.themasgd.org – Supports and advocates for LGBTQ+ Muslims through education and community-building
  • ALMA (Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action) – www.almachicago.org – Advocates for the rights and cultural affirmation of the Latinx LGBTQ+ community
  • Invisible 2 Invincible (i2i) – invisible2invincible.org – Community-based organization supporting LGBTQ+ Asians & Pacific Islanders in Chicago

Youth & Family Support

  • Buffalo Grove Pride (Pinta Pride Project) – www.pintaprideproject.com – Hosts family-friendly LGBTQ+ events and support groups in the Buffalo Grove area
  • LGBTQ+ Center at Kenneth Young Center –www.kennethyoung.org/services/lgbtq-center – Drop-in center for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 11-24) offering support, events, and training
  • COLAGE Illinois Chapter – colage.org – Supports and connects people with LGBTQ+ parents through peer networks and leadership programs
  • Free Mom Hugs – freemomhugs.org – A national movement providing love, support, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community
  • JCFS Response for Teens – www.jcfs.org/response/counseling/educational-support-groups – Provides counseling, outreach, and education for teens in a safe, inclusive environment
  • Moving Traditions (Tzelem Chicago) – www.movingtraditions.org/tzelem-chicago – Support group for LGBTQ+ Jewish teens in grades 7-12
  • MaineStay Youth & Family Services – mainetown.com – Offers counseling, prevention programs, and support for families and youth

Health & Mental Health Services

Education & Leadership Programs

Camps & Social Groups

  • Camp Indigo Point –www.campindigopoint.org – Week-long summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth, offering traditional activities and community-building
  • Chicago Gender Society – chicagogender.org – Social and educational organization for the transgender community and allies
  • Aces & Aros – acesandaros.org – Helps connect asexual and aromantic individuals through community groups worldwide

History, Culture & Media

Awareness & Visibility

  • ACE Week – aceweek.org – Annual awareness campaign focused on asexuality, community-building, and advocacy
  • Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago (BQAC) – bqachicago.org – Provides education, resources, and support for bisexual and queer individuals

Contact Your Representatives

Write Postcards to State Legislators

Write to your Illinois state senator and representative about protecting and expanding LGBTQI+ rights.

Look up your state senator and state representative here:
https://ilenviro.org/legislator-lookup/

We encourage you to personalize them with your own experiences and thoughts. Why are LGBTQIA+ rights important to you? What further protections are needed? You can also provide your own message.

Illinois General Assembly Highlighted LGBTQ Bills
School Board Training on LGBTQ Inclusivity (HB2381/SB98)

Includes LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the topics covered in the required 4-hour training for
every voting member of a school board. Lists information that must be included in the
LGBTQ+ inclusivity training. Requires the State Board of Education to develop a training
program in collaboration with individuals or organizations that affirm LGBTQ+ people
and have recognized expertise in supporting LGBTQ+ young people or adopt a training
program previously developed by such individuals or organizations.

  • House Sponsors: Rep. Laura Faver Dias, Marcus C. Evans, Jr., Maura Hirschauer, Lilian Jiménez, Joyce Mason, Yolonda Morris, Kelly M. Cassidy, Janet Yang Rohr, Kevin John Olickal, Nabeela Syed, Anne Stava-Murray and Maurice A. West, II
Healthcare Transparency Act (HB2904/SB1679)

Provides that the Department of Public Health shall identify reproductive health care
services, LGBTQ health care services, and end-of-life health care services that are or
may be subject to denial of care for nonmedical reasons in the State and develop a
clear and simple disclosure form for the purpose of conveying to patients and to the
public which of the identified health care services are and are not generally available.

  • House Sponsors: Rep. Dagmara Avelar, Kelly M. Cassidy, Laura Faver Dias, Maura Hirschauer, Hoan Huynh, Theresa Mah, Nicolle Grasse and Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez
  • Senate Sponsors: Sen. Omar Aquino, David Koehler, Graciela Guzmán, Mary Edly-Allen, Mike Simmons, and Karina Villa
Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act (HB3315/SR0010)

Condemns the practice of conversion therapy on any population as unethical and
fraudulent. Asserts that no licensed professional operating in the State of Illinois should
engage in this practice, whether with minors or adults, as it violates the ethical
standards of professional behavioral healthcare. Personal decisions regarding gender
and sexuality need to be respected.

  • House Sponsor: Rep. Rita Mayfield
  • Senator Sponsor: Sen. Mary Edly-Allen