Congratulations Illinois!  Today is the first day that civil union licenses are available in Illinois.  The Chicago Tribune has posted a few short videos to document the day. When I watch these videos, I see such a mix of emotions in the people involved.  I see clerks super happy to finally be able to treat [...]

GenderQueer Chicago has launched an initiative to have friendly Chicago businesses identify themselves to trans customers.  Talk about turning the bathroom meme on its head.  It’s positive, it’s proactive, it puts the lie to the bathroom meme…I think I like this idea!  What say you, transfolk? CHICAGO- In an unprecedented effort to make the city [...]

Update 2: The IL Senate passed the CU bill by a vote of 32-24-1. The bill now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature.  Reactions below the fold. Update: Equality Illinois is doing some live coverage of the debates on their Facebook page. On the heels of passage of the civil unions bill (“Illinois [...]

Update: Just as I posted this diary, the news came out that the IL House of Representatives has passed the civil unions law!  On the the Senate!  Gov. Patrick Quinn has promised to sign the bill into law. From Equality Illinois: We did it! The Illinois House of Representatives passed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection [...]

Illinois State Senator Heather Steans has just popped the question, according to Phil Reese over at Bilerico.  Emphasis mine. State Senator Heather Steans became the first Illinois Senator to introduce a marriage equality bill – SB2468 the Equal Marriage Act – in that chamber. … Representative Greg Harris had already introduced a similar bill earlier [...]