Public News Service

College students walk on the quadrangle lawn of the Foellinger Auditorium on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana. (Adobe Stock)

America’s 'culture wars' influence students' choice of college campuses

By Jon Marcus for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News Service Co…

The Violence Against Women Act has been stalled in the U.S. Senate since it expired in 2019. (nito/Adobe Stock)

Creating Space for LGBTQ Illinoisans to Discuss Domestic Violence

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and advocates want to shed more light on how Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual…

Between 2020 and 2021, the number of LGBTQ elected officials serving across the U.S. increased by 17%. (michaklootwijk/Adobe Stock)

Census Lacks Key Data on LGBTQ Communities for Redistricting

CHICAGO -- Counties, towns and school districts across the state, and the Illinois Legislature, are drawing new voting district maps, with help from …

President Barack Obama signed an order establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls in 2009. (whitehouse.gov)

IL Lawmakers to Vote on Equality Issues

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Human rights dvocates are hoping legislation that would advance the voices of women and the LGBT community will make it as …

Lawmakers are being asked to advance progressive legislation at the Capitol on Tuesday. (era.org)

Illinois Women to March on Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Women will be making their voices heard at the state Capitol Tuesday. The Illinois Women March on Springfield is being …

Although Illinois has some gender-identity protections in place, a new report says they could be at risk. (lgbtmap.org)

Report: Illinois LGBT Laws Could be Weakened

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Despite advances in recognizing and protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, a new report has …

Legislation has been filed to make it easier to change a person's gender on an Illinois birth certificate, although similar efforts have failed in the past. (sarahmirk/Wikimedia Commons)

Gender ID Bill Before Illinois Lawmakers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- State lawmakers in Illinois are being asked to support legislation that would allow a person to change the gender marker on …

Young Illinois women are hoping to raise enough money to go to Washington, D.C., later this month. (womensmarch.com)

Illinois Teens Aim to Attend Washington Women's March

CHICAGO -- There's an effort underway in Illinois to get young women more involved in the political process. The Women's March on Washington will …

Advocates say the Obama Administration has done more for the LGBT community than all other administrations combined. (whitehouse.gov)

LGBT Community Wants Candidates to Address Criminal-Justice Issues

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- With just over three weeks to go before the November 8 election, advocates backing a variety of issues are urging people to get …

An Illinois civil rights group is praising state lawmakers for advancing a bill to make birth certificate changes easier for transgender people. (iStockphoto)

IL Civil Rights Group Praises Proposed Changes to Birth Certificate Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A move to change Illinois' birth certificate law is earning praise from a civil rights watchdog. According to the American Civil …

A new report details higher rates of incarceration and discrimination among the country's LGBT youth. (iStockphoto)

Report: LGBT Youth Face Serious Discrimination in Justice System

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - New research shows LGBT people are facing higher rates of incarceration and unfair treatment in the country's criminal justice …

John Knight, director of the LGBT and HIV Project at the ACLU of Illinois, says District 211 is violating federal rules over transgender discrimination. Credit: ACLU of Illinois

ACLU: Transgender Discrimination at Illinois School Could Have National Effects

CHICAGO - A Chicago-area transgender student who identifies as female again is being denied access to a school locker room by district officials even …

A same-sex couple says they were denied access to an Illinois facility for a civil-union ceremony. <br />Credit: earl53/Morguefile

IL Human Rights Commission Rules Against B&B Rejection of Gay Couple's Ceremony

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Supporters of equal rights are celebrating a victory against discrimination in Illinois. The Illinois Human Rights Commission on …

PHOTO: A federal court in Chicago recently approved a policy that bans the use of solitary confinement of juveniles held by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

Pivotal Point: Solitary Confinement Banned for Juveniles in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The use of juvenile solitary confinement in Illinois will soon become a relic of the past. A federal judge has approved a new …

PHOTO: Illinois lawmakers are considering a ban on the practice of conversion therapy on minors. While opponents claim the legislation infringes upon a family's right to privacy, supporters say conversion therapy is unethical and linked to depression and suicidal behavior. Photo credit: Sophia Dzikas/Flickr.

Illinois Conversion Therapy Ban: Ethics vs. Privacy

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois could follow the lead of other states that have made a controversial practice aimed at "curing" homosexuality in …

PHOTO: According to a new report released by a broad coalition of organizations, LGBT women in Illinois and around the country face lower pay, frequent harassment, compromised access to health care, and heightened violence that threatens their economic security. Photo credit: Pao Doruvel/Morguefile.

Report: Women Who Identify as LGBT More Likely to Live in Poverty

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Nearly 15 percent of Illinoisans live in poverty, and a new report finds lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) women are …

PHOTO: Today is International Stand Up to Bullying Day. The observance comes on the heels of a recent study that shows bullying is seen as more of a problem for youths today than ever. Photo credit: saadandalib/Flickr.

Poll: Bullying Still Viewed as a "Not in My Backyard" Problem

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - As some Illinoisans observe today's International Stand Up to Bullying Day, a recent survey finds the majority of adults believe …

Marriage Equality in Illinois: Things to Consider after "I Do"

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Some newlywed same-sex couples in Illinois are learning there's a lot to think about after saying "I do." Bernard Cherkasov…

PHOTO: Finding safe, stable housing is among the many challenges LGBT homeless youth face in Illinois, according to a new report. The issue also was the topic of a summit in Chicago in May. Photo courtescredit: Windy City Times.

Report Shines New Light on LGBT Youth Homelessness in IL

CHICAGO – Voices are being raised about the need to break down the barriers in Illinois that keep many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender …

PHOTO: Dozens of LGBTQ teens in Illinois will gather this weekend to discuss the current issues impacting homeless youth, and brainstorm solutions with community leaders and policy makers. Photo credit: Tracy Baim/Windy City Times.

Shining a Spotlight on LGBTQ Youth Homelessness in Illinois

CHICAGO – An event this weekend in Chicago will shine a public spotlight on LGBTQ youth homelessness in Illinois. Tracy Baim, publisher of …

PHOTO: The late Representative Larry McKeon championed legislation in Illinois that paved the way for the approval of organ transplants between HIV positive individuals. A similar federal law is awaiting the President's signature. Photo courtesy of Illinois General Assembly.

Illinois Champions Approval of HIV-Positive Organ Transplants

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Advocates in Illinois are applauding legislation approved in Washington this week that could change the lives of thousands of …

March on Springfield for Marriage Equality

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - As the fall veto session of the state Legislature begins, several thousand Illinoisans will descend on Springfield today to show …

PHOTO: Chris Newlin is executive director of the National Children's Advocacy Center. About 850 CACs around the U.S. handled 267,000 child abuse cases in 2012. Courtesy of National CAC.

Focusing on Teamwork to Fight Child Abuse

CHICAGO - Professionals in child abuse investigation and treatment from Illinois and around the country are meeting this week in Huntsville, Alabama…

Bullied children are more likely to grow into adults with anxiety disorders and depression. Courtesy of: JAMA Psychiatry

New Study: Kids Don't "Outgrow" Impact of Bullying

CHICAGO - Those who think bullying is something children "grow out of" may want to think again. A new study from Duke University found that bullying …

Study: Girls and Boys Who Act Like the Opposite Sex at Risk of Abuse

CHICAGO - A new study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics concludes that boys who act like girls and girls who act like boys are at risk o…

Farewell to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

CHICAGO - "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is history. The controversial law requiring gay military members to stay closeted in order to serve expired this …

GLBT Community Responds to Obama's Pledge on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Some civil rights activists are applauding President Obama's State of the Union pledge to work toward repealing the Don't Ask…

Iowa Gay Marriage Ruling Could Set the Tone in the Prairie State

Springfield, IL – The recent legalization of same-sex marriage in Iowa is credited for helping build momentum for civil union legislation in …

Denver Convention Comes out of the Closet

Denver, CO - The Democratic National Convention is being called one of the most "open" ever, in every sense of the word. During the convention in …

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IL: LGBTQIA+ Issues