News Item

Illinois Governor Gives Equality Bill Priority Push as it Goes to Senate

November 18, 2003

As Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich put the Human Rights Bill on the front burner of this fall's session, the nation's transgender community is intently monitoring the possible upcoming vote, hoping for a positive vote for equality. Meanwhile, conservative groups are doing what they can to derail legislation that would guarantee equality to all citizens, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents.

"Civil rights and equal rights are the hallmark principles of what our country is about," the governor said in a statement supporting the proposed bill. "And as we move forward with a progressive agenda in the veto session, I think we need an agenda of reform and compassion and fairness. And that's why I think it's important for us to move also and dedicate ourselves to finally passing Senate Bill 101, the Human Rights Bill, a bill that will end discrimination in employment and housing for gays and lesbians."

Senate Bill 101 (SB 101) will add "sexual orientation" to its statewide non-discrimination laws, covering employment, citizenship, education and other constitutional guarantees. The bill will also cover Illinois' transgender residents per the bill's definition. Sexual Orientation as a category is defined in part as "having or being perceived as having a gender-related self-identity, appearance, expression, or behavior, whether or not traditionally associated with the person's designated sex at birth."

Concerned Women for America (CWA) were lobbying in the state capitol, handing out flyers saying "STOP THE HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA," and encouraging lawmakers to vote down the bill

"To equate homosexuals - who as a group enjoy a markedly higher standard of living, higher salaries and have attained significantly higher levels of education than other population groups - with those who have faced real injustice is an outrage," said Peter LaBarbera, CWA Senior Policy Director.

"LaBarbera's comment is just a ploy to divert attention, not to mention amazingly hypocritical," said Vanessa Edwards Foster, chair of the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC). "You could make the same claims regarding higher standards of living and higher salaries about conservative Christians. That's never stopped them from pushing for legislation expanding the rights of conservative Christian America."

Foster pointed out that the claims of higher salary and living standards are "patently false. It's just the opposite when it comes to the transgender community - yet they also ridicule the bill for including crossdressers."

"The critics of this bill don't give a flip about living standards. Their goal is to hold onto their 'right' to legally discriminate against some people," Foster added. "It's an agenda to treat different people disparately."

If the bill garners the necessary 30 votes to pass the Senate, it will go on to the House for the 2004 session in January.

Previously, Illinois House representatives were loath to risk political backlash as former Senate President Pate Philip had refused to consider the bill each year it was introduced. Now with the likelihood of the bill's passage, many wonder if they will show the political courage to vote for the bill. In a recent news report, Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois expressed concern that some of the 60 votes needed-may no longer be there.

Doubtlessly, those opposing the bill will try to capitalize on any lack of cohesion among the House or Senate members. "The truth is that SB 101 has more to do with normalizing homosexual practices and providing a basis for pro-homosexual and pro-transsexual lawsuits than with correcting real violations of civil rights," said CWA's LaBarbera in a recent news release.

"The increased lawsuit claim is a commonly used hot-button," commented NTAC's chair, Foster, "but they never mention that it's a totally baseless claim. This bill is purely about treating every Illinois citizen equally. Opponents of this legislation will use any argument available to hide behind - even religion - if it will allow them to continue using their prejudice," Foster added. "Some people don't give up their bigotry easily."

The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition urges the Illinois Senate to pass this important legislation, and for the Illinois House to follow suit. The governor has promised to immediately sign the bill once it passes the legislature.

"I happen to be a Democrat, at a time when we have a Democratic governor, a Democratic House, and a Democratic Senate," said Gov. Blagojevich in a quest to unite both political parties on equality for all. "These…things don't always exist, and so I believe we ought to seize the opportunity and invite men and women of good will in the Republican Party who believe in equal rights to join us and finally pass the Human Rights Bill, that has been languishing in the legislature.

"I think it's time we finally act on that," the governor finished.