Illinois Amendment would add Gender Identity to Hate Crime Law

via Chicago Phoenix, by Tony Merevick

Illinois Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (14th Dristrict) introduced an amendment to the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961, which would add protections for gender identity, military status and immigration status to the state’s hate crimes law.

HB4725, filed in the General Assembly Feb. 3, is the result of efforts among Illinois lawmakers and local LGBT activists, including members of The Civil Rights Agenda, who authored the bill.

“As a member organization of the LGBTQ Immigration Coalition and as an organization that works with many transgender individuals that have experienced crimes motivated by hate and discrimination, as well as an organization that fought for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and is committed to the needs of LGBT service members and veterans, we recognized that hate crimes protection in Illinois must be expanded,” said TCRA Executive Director, Anthony Martinez.

“One of my personal goals as an activist in the LGBT community is to ensure the expansion of trans rights in Illinois and throughout the nation,” Martinez told Chicago Phoenix.

Transgender women make up 44 percent of all LGBT murder victims, according to a July 2011 study by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs.

The study also found a 13 percent increase in anti-LGBT hate crimes in 2010, and suggests that many more go unreported. More than half of survivors of hate crimes did not report it to the police, said the same study.

“Many of the transgender folks who come to us, especially transgender women, say that they don’t feel comfortable reporting an assault because they think they are either going to face police harassment,” said Martinez.

“Or they are not going to be seen as a victim but as the person who brought on the attack.”
In addition, the NCAVP study found that over 60 percent of victims say they were met by “indifference, abusive or deterrent” when reporting a hate crime.

This response was most common among transgender people of color, according to the study.

If the amendment is passed, crimes against victims because of their gender identity, military status or immigration status will be, “accorded weight in favor of imposing a term of imprisonment or may be considered by the court as reasons to impose a more severe sentence,” according to the bill summary.

Rick Garcia, a longtime local activist, played a vital role in developing the new legislation. Months ago, Garcia approached June Latrobe, the public policy director at Illinois Gender Advocates, about whether or not gender idenity was included in the Illinois Hate Crimes Act.

After further discussions with Rocco Claps, the director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights, they approached newly-appointed Rep. Cassidy with a plan for an amendment, according to Garcia.


Read the rest

Illinois Looking Towards Marriage Equality

via HuffPost Gay Voices, by Waymon Hudson

A group of Illinois legislators and civil rights organizations has started holding meetings to strategize on moving from civil unions to full marriage equality for LGBT couples.

Illinois state representatives Greg Harris, Deb Mell, Ann Williams, Kelly Cassidy, and Sara Feigenholtz, and state senator Heather Steans, as well as groups like Equality Illinois, Log Cabin Republicans, the ACLU, Lambda Legal, The Civil Rights Agenda, and the Human Rights Campaign, are looking at how to move forward legislatively on marriage rights for same-sex couples.

Representative Greg Harris told the Windy City Times that the legislation wouldn't be introduced until 2013 at the earliest, and he gave some insight into how difficult it could be: "I do not delude myself into thinking this will be an easy process.

But we need to take the first step. We have to be ready to stand up and defend the gains that we've made and to look toward the next steps."

The road ahead for marriage equality in the state does indeed look difficult, but not impossible.
Among the strongest opposition is the highly influential and politically powerful Catholic Church.

In September the Catholic Conference of Illinois announced the formation of a "Defense of Marriage" department, whose sole purpose is to fight any future attempts to legalize same-sex marriage in the state.

The stated goal of the department is to protect the "stature of the nuclear family -- which provides love, stability and confidence to children, as well as organization to society."

The "Defense of Marriage" department has already started throwing out incendiary (and scientifically unfounded) claims about the "dangers" of marriage equality:

"The effects [of same-sex marriage] are evident in the performance of children in school, in truancy and crime rates, and in an ailing culture that too often values feeling good over self-giving, and individuality over the common good."

The Catholic Church's hostility toward equal rights for LGBT people in the state has indeed been ratcheting up. We've seen the drawn-out legal battle between Catholic Charities and the state of Illinois over the organization's state-funded adoption and foster care contracts, and their refusal to grant those services to same-sex couples in civil unions, which ended in a loss for the church.

This has led to a growing tension between the church hierarchy and advancing civil rights.

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago recently compared the city's gay pride parade to the Ku Klux Klan, sparking outrage, protests, and an eventual half-apology from the cardinal.

Even Pope Benedict himself has continued the attacks on marriage equality, saying this week that gay marriage was a threat to the traditional family that undermined "the future of humanity itself."

With well-organized and well-funded opposition like this, pushing for legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry will be difficult.

But there are concrete examples that can be used to educate the public and legislature about the basic unfairness of the separate and unequal status that civil unions create for gay couples in the state.

The previously mentioned fight between Catholic Charities and the state over the $30 million in taxpayer dollars that Catholic Charities received from the state of Illinois for foster care and adoption services was based on excluding same-sex couples in civil unions.

There was also the case of the Springfield, Ill. Joint Labor/Management Insurance Committee deciding not to cover health benefits for the civil-union partners of city employees.

The committee used the different relationship status of same-sex couples and married heterosexual couples to carve out the exemption to civil-union spouses.

They cited the benefits for same-sex couples being too costly, which is an argument that would never be accepted when applied to a more universally understood institution like full marriage.

Public outrage eventually made them change their decision and cover all couples equally.


Read the rest

Tomorrow in Illinois - Get Your Civil Unions On

via ChicagoPride.com, by Kevin Wayne

County clerk offices around Illinois will open early Wednesday to accommodate civil union registrations

Wednesday, June 1, will become a landmark day for gay rights in Illinois as the state's civil unions law takes effect, allowing both same-sex and heterosexual couples to enter into civil unions granting them many rights already afforded married couples.

Read the rest.

AFC Urges Governor, General Assembly to Reverse Decision in the Interest of Public Health

via AIDS Foundation Chicago

On April 15, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced plans to restrict access to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to new applicants with incomes at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($32,670 for a single individual) beginning in July.  The current limit to qualify for Illinois ADAP is 500 percent of federal poverty ($54,450 for a single individual).

“This is a sad day for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Illinois,” said David Ernesto Munar, President/CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC).  “The new policy will keep ADAP out-of-reach for hundreds of individuals who have nowhere else to turn for help.  Many will simply forgo treatment, at great risk to themselves and their partners.”

Jointly funded by the federal and state governments, ADAP provides HIV medications each month to more than 4,200 Illinoisans who have no other means to afford their lifesaving medications, which can cost $18,000 or more per year.

All current program recipients, including those with incomes between 300-500 percent of poverty, will continue to receive ADAP services, provided they meet other eligibility criteria and reapply for the program every six months.  Stemming spiraling costs that threaten continuity of care for existing program clients motivated the changes, state officials said. 

The announcement comes on the heels of two years of financial pressure on the program.  Record numbers of people with HIV became eligible and joined ADAP as a result of the economic downturn, high unemployment, and losses of private health insurance.  Illinois has struggled to keep its program solvent in the face of inadequate federal funding.  Nationally, nearly 8,000 people with HIV in 11 states are on ADAP waiting lists.

In 2009, Gov. Quinn redirected an additional $7 million, including portions of the state’s HIV prevention, housing and care budgets, toward ADAP to avoid financial collapse.  With pressure from state lawmakers to achieve even greater savings in government services to close the historic budget gap, public health officials forecast a $1.8 million shortfall for ADAP in 2012 without cost-containment measures.  In addition, Illinois received nearly $5 million this year in one-time supplemental federal funding because the state’s caseload grew so significantly.   However, slower growth to date means Illinois may not receive this funding  next year.

“We’re fully committed to continuing to work closely with the General Assembly, Governor Quinn, IDPH, and federal lawmakers to identify additional funds that will allow unrestricted ADAP access for Illinoisans who desperately need HIV medications to survive and thrive,” said John Peller, AFC Vice President of Policy.

While unsupportive of the service reductions, AFC recognizes that absent additional state and federal funding, ADAP officials were left with few options to safeguard services for existing ADAP clients.   
However, one aspect of the cost-cutting plan that is particularly concerning to AFC is the decision to redefine eligibility criteria rather than institute a waiting list. 

“No one wants to see an ADAP wait list in Illinois but if service cuts are unavoidable, a waiting list is preferred to new eligibility criteria,” Munar said.  “A waiting list keeps alive hope that the program can be stabilized and that full access can be restored.  In addition, a wait list allows the state to closely monitor the health of those denied medications and affords these individuals greater opportunities to seek assistance directly from pharmaceutical companies.  A wait list could also make Illinois eligible for emergency federal funding assistance.  Finally, the wait list becomes a powerful reminder to public officials about the persistent, unmet needs for HIV medication access.”

Based on past enrollment data, the new eligibility criteria will likely affect 100 or more individuals annually who might otherwise become eligible for ADAP.  Many clients in this income bracket are working but uninsured and unable to afford the high cost of HIV medications without assistance. IDPH expects the change in eligibility to save $1.3 million, or just under 3 percent of program costs.

“Denying access to HIV medications will cost taxpayers in the long-run,” Munar noted. “Without medication access, HIV-positive people are at high risk of dangerous opportunistic infections, costly hospital stays, and irreversible damage to their health.  Just as important, HIV-positive people can dramatically reduce chances of transmitting the virus to others by adhering to a regular medication treatment.  Illinois might save $1.3 million now, but the state will likely foot the bill later in increased hospital care and more cases of HIV transmission.” 

As part of a responsible budget response, AFC urges Illinois officials to consider creative solutions, such as pursuing a waiver application with the federal government to expand Medicaid coverage for non-disabled low-income people with HIV.  The Obama Administration directed the federal Medicaid program to create a streamlined application process for expanded HIV care as part of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.  Illinois should explore this option as a way to match its state HIV investments with federal Medicaid funds.  Doing so will effectively decrease the need for ADAP.

In addition, AFC urges the Illinois House to abandon its artificially low revenue estimate for the next state fiscal year. This overly conservative estimate will force $1.3 billion in needless funding cuts to vital programs such as ADAP. The General Assembly and Governor Quinn should also consider other measures to prevent loss of state revenue, such as requiring businesses to follow current depreciation rules instead of newly enacted federal rules. This change would retain several hundred million dollars in state revenue that would otherwise be lost.

For more information on ADAP, visit www.aidschicago.org/adap. View the April 15 IDPH memo.

IL AIDS Adovcate Talks Stigma

Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy member Kat Griffith talks stigma on HuffPo:

Stigma is a three-dollar word that affects millions of Americans in different ways. Defining stigma as simply "a mark of shame or discredit" doesn't sound very impactful, and yet communities around the globe are paralyzed by it every day. I know this firsthand because I am HIV-positive. I have personally experienced the ignorance and discrimination faced by those of us who live with HIV. As you'll read below, it nearly took my life and silenced me for twenty years, but that changes today as I join the HIV Anti-Stigma T-shirt Campaign.

Watch Kat below and read the rest of her piece here.

Gov. Quinn Signs Illinois Civil Unions Law

Illinois is now the sixth state to recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Another five states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed Illinois' sweeping new legal protections Monday afternoon before a jubilant standing-room crowd.

"We believe in civil rights, and we believe in civil unions," Quinn said. "We believe in liberty and justice for all."

The law takes effect June 1 and allows gays and lesbians to use civil unions as a way to get many of the same rights given to heterosexual couples when they marry. It also applies to opposite-sex couples to signify a commitment short of marriage.

Protections include sharing a nursing home room, visiting a loved one in a hospital and preventing those in a civil union from testifying against each other in court. Couples who enter into civil unions also will be able to make funeral and end-of-life decisions, inherit property and get certain employment-related benefits such as insurance.

Read the rest at the Trib.

Feds Model Illinois on LGBT Housing Rights Proposal

By the end of the year, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals won't be shut out of federal housing assistance any longer. In a move praised by gay rights groups yesterday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) unveiled a proposed rule change that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in many of the agency's key programs, including government-backed mortgages and public housing. While HUD is still conducting a national study on the topic, a 2007 analysis of 120 fair housing tests in Michigan found that 25 percent of gays faced disparate treatment.

Read the rest at Progress Illinois.

Tell Congress: Don't Repeal Health Care Reform!

As we here at AFC have been saying for years, health care reform will fundamentally change the fight against HIV and AIDS. Expanding coverage to more Americans will mean more HIV-positive people will be getting the medicine and care they need, and the law’s emphasis on prevention and early intervention will help us curb transmission, especially in at-risk populations like gay men, Latinos and African Americans.

However, opponents of reform are intent on taking from us what they plan to keep for themselves: guaranteed access to quality, affordable health care. The Republican House Leadership has rescheduled their vote to repeal health care reform for Wednesday, January 19th, and your representative needs to hear from you! Illinoisans living with and at risk for HIV and AIDS cannot go without health care, and that's exactly what repeal would do.

Please take one minute and call your representative (toll-free) now!

Call toll free:
1-866-922-4970
(Click here to find out who your Congressional representative is – simply enter your address in the search box)

Tell them:

“I urge you to vote against repeal of the Affordable Care Act. How do you plan to vote?”

- If they say they will vote "no" on repeal, thank them for their support.
- If they say they will vote yes to repeal, tell them:
"I then expect you to not just 'talk the talk, but walk the walk.' I demand you issue a public statement immediately after your vote, stating that you and your family will not participate in the taxpayer-subsidized, government administered health insurance plan that is available to you, since your vote is taking away the same health care benefits from your constituents that we the taxpayers are providing to you and your family.”

Deadline to Apply to IL ASAP Extended to December 20th!

The deadline to apply to join IL ASAP has been extended to December 20th!

Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy (IL ASAP) is a project of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) to develop, nurture, and support statewide policy and advocacy leaders in Illinois. IL ASAP exists to increase the number of people involved in HIV advocacy, and build stronger bonds within and between every region of the state.

This year, IL ASAP will choose up to five new members to join our advocacy group; members will have great opportunity and responsibility to push for fair policies regarding HIV/AIDS.

Read more and consider applying today!

Civil Union Bill Passes the IL House, Senate - Off to Gov. Quinn for Signature

Civil Unions will be a reality in Illinois on January 1, 2011! Last night, the Illinois House passes the bill 61-52. The Senate just voted 32-24 to pass the legislation and Gov. Quinn has promised he will sign it. Congratulations Rep. Greg Harris and congratulations Illinois - we are one step closer to equality!

Save the Date: Lobby Days 2011

Interested in advocating for HIV/AIDS rights and policies in Illinois? Then save the date to save our state March 22 and 23, 2011!

Save our State - 2010 AIDS Run/Walk Chicago Needs YOU to Help Avoid a Shipwreck

Looking for volunteers to enlist!

Gearing up for the 2010 AIDS Run/Walk? Wanna add a sailor hat into the mix? This year, AFC’s policy department will be gearing up sailor-style to Save Our State.

The-Titanic-is-sinking-themed tent will urge event participants to learn more about Illinois’ budget crisis and how they can fight to change it - plus folks can play our Save to State game and win a free t-shirt! In addition, AFC will be running a separate tent to register Illinois residents to vote.

All this madness means only one thing – WE NEED YOU! You can sign up for a two-hour shift at either tent, or donate whatever time you have. Please reply to psubkoviak@aidschicago.org and specify the tent and time you’d like to help out.

 2010 AIDS Run and Walk Advocacy Volunteers

Saturday, October 2nd

7am-1pm (shifts from 7-9, 9-11, 11-1)

Grant Park – Columbus and Balbo

Chicago

Vote Naked Illinois!

To highlight a change in Illinois election law (anyone eligible to vote can now do so by absentee ballot starting September 23) the advocacy group Equality Illinois has come up with a pretty amusing video as part of their new “Vote Naked Illinois” campaign.

According to Vote Naked’s Facebook page, “For the first time ever, you may now vote by mail from home. No need to go to the polls, wait in line, or even put on pants.”

Check out the video below, and if you're in Illinois, check out Vote Naked's Facebook page to vote by mail!

Illinois Does Porn to Pay a Few Bills

via the Onion

Excerpt:

"Look, sometimes you just don't have a choice," Gov. Pat Quinn said. "No one's stepped up to fund Illinois' special-education programs or infrastructure improvements, so we have to do what we have to do. Nobody has the right to judge us. Not you, not anybody."

"Luckily, we've got a manager now," Quinn continued. "Jerry's been in the game a long time, and he's really looking out for us. He's been like a father figure."

Reached for comment, Jerry praised Illinois as a sweetheart with an innocent Midwestern look, adding that the state could be making a lot more if it would get some decent implants and maybe try some "harder" material.

"The whole state-next-door thing is nice and all, but to make it in this business you got to be willing to do anything on camera—you know, the edgy stuff," Jerry said. "Just look at Wyoming. Ask Wyoming to do a gang-bang, mother-daughter action, choking, whatever, and it's 'lights, camera, action' every time."

Added Jerry, "That state's a freak."

Read the rest.

Governor Pat Quinn Saves AIDS Drugs Program From Illinois Budget Wreck

via Huffington Post, by David Ormsby

Guess what?

In the belching, burning wreckage of the Illinois budget, a survivor, miraculously, emerged.

Governor Pat Quinn announced today that state funding for the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program would be spared.

In fact, Quinn will be helping more people.

The program, which provides life-saving HIV medications to low-income people with HIV, will be sufficiently funded to "serve approximately 4,500 clients a month - an increase of 400" recipients, avoiding an advisory group-recommended waiting list.

"We thank Governor Quinn for underscoring the importance of sustaining access to lifesaving HIV medications," said Mark Ishaug, President/CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Quinn today did, however, unsheathe and swing a meat cleaver at other state programs, slicing $1.4 billion. But medicine will continue to flow to ill individuals.

Read the rest.

We can't stand up for our country if we are too sick to stand

Silence Still Equals Death
via Huffington Post, by Jim Pickett

As a gay man living with HIV, I am feeling really conflicted during this month of LGBT Pride. I know I am supposed to be awash in warm, fuzzy feelings of pride and joy, and that I should have lots of parties and the big parade on my agenda.

But you know what? Not so much. 

Read the rest.

Advisory Panel Recommends Immediate ADAP Wait List in Illinois

Facing an historic budget crisis that could destabilize HIV treatment access for more than 4,000 low-income Illinoisans with HIV/AIDS, a state advisory panel voted on May 21 to urge Illinois to immediately close the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to new applicants and begin a waiting list. The recommendation is now under review by state officials.

“Because the program is deeply underfunded, Illinois must take immediate steps to preserve services for those who rely on ADAP for their life-saving care,” said David Ernesto Munar, vice president of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), and a member of the ADAP Medical Issues Advisory Board, which made the recommendation. “The program faces total fiscal collapse unless immediate actions are taken.”

Take Action Now!

Read the rest at AIDS Connect.

HIV Services Face Foreclosure: Will Illinois Leaders Come to the Rescue?

via Huffington Post, by Mark Ishaug

Unless immediate actions are taken to remedy the state's spiraling budget crisis, vital HIV/AIDS services -- along with the state's educational, healthcare, and human service systems assisting millions of vulnerable children, families, disabled, elderly, and chronically ill individuals -- will be put in serious jeopardy.

The welfare of millions of Illinoisans is on the line, requiring unprecedented state leadership. Will lawmakers step up and fight for the people of Illinois?

Read the whole item.

Illinois Can't Wait for a Responsible Budget!

Tell Illinois Governor Quinn: We Need Fair HIV Funding!

Tell Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to include $18 million in new HIV funding in his fiscal year 2011 state budget. Your voice is needed now to restore funding for programs that are being cut today and avert even more devastating cuts next fiscal year.
Sign the letter to Gov. Pat Quinn asking him to fully fund the HIV sector in his budget proposal!