Fighting Boldly for LGBTQIA2S+ Rights
LGBTQIA2S+ rights are human rights: my dream for the next generation of LGBTQIA2S+ youth is that they grow up learning that they are normal, welcome, and reflected and protected in this country. Currently, these youth are routinely failed by so many systems at every interaction. These Americans, like all of us, should have full access to the personal agency and dignity they deserve. As the first and only openly gay and LGBTQIA2S+ person to serve in the Illinois State Senate, I carry the responsibility of making this vision a reality, by shaping inclusive curriculum, leaders, and public spaces.
LGBTQIA2S+ Americans and youth are under existential threat: now more than ever they need champions to speak up and speak out for our community - not elected officials who use us for votes and photo ops at election time. I’ve been proud to use my voice as an Illinois State Senator and would double down on that commitment as just the third ever Black and openly LGBTQIA2S+ member of the US House of Representatives.
I’m proud to be a firebrand for LGBTQIA2S+ rights in the Illinois Senate, sometimes as the only advocate in the room. As State Senator, I've:
- Authored legislation to make Illinois a sanctuary state for transgender youthand families seeking gender-affirming health care
- Authored the first bill in the country to outlaw book banning in local schools and libraries with specific protections for groups historically targeted for erasure
- Proactively codified marriage equality in Illinois for same-sex couples to counter the right-wing takeover of the U.S. Supreme Court
- Passed legislation to protect trans youth survivors of abuse from unjust prosecution as adults
- Took on complacent Democrats to include gender-affirming care in legislation to protect reproductive rights access, and ensure that Illinois is an ironclad sanctuary state for trans people in our region
- Co-sponsored legislation to require state agencies to track non-binary and gender-nonconfirming identities to achieve a more diversified state workforce
