Date: Thu, 13 Apr 1995 08:58:03 -0400 (EDT) From: David Casti Reply-To: IGLTFboard@aol.com Subject: ACTION ALERT: Illinois Submitted by: ILLINOIS FEDERATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS & ILLINOIS Gay and Lesbian Task Force Greetings: I am writing to you personally, to ask for your support in the next step towards equal rights for all Illinoisans in the Civil Rights Movement. This step is the addition of sexual orientation to the Illinois Human Rights Act. Sexual orientation is defined as heterosexuality, bisexuality or homosexuality: having a history thereof or being perceived by others as having such an orientation. The addition of sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act is a fundamental human rights issue. Without this protection, thousands of Illinoisans each year are fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, refused employment, denied services, etc. based simply on the individuals perceived sexual orientation or gender of their significant other(s). Please take a moment and write to your Illinois Senator and Representative asking him or her to support legislation which will add sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act today. You may use the sample letter(s) included and customize them to your own personal experiences. None of us are truly free until all of us are protected equally under the law and treated equally....free from discrimination, prejudice, hatred, and violence based on hate, ignorance, & misunderstanding. Please feel free to contact me directly at (217) 367-1503 to discuss this legislation further. And thank you for your support and assistance in the fight for equal rights for all. Please pass this information on to others who are interested. This legislation is: Senate Bill 994 The Executive Committee is expected to vote on it on April 19th. and the full Senate when it goes to the floor the first week in May. So, please write your letters now. Sincerely, Larry Green Director-At-Large Illinois Gay & Lesbian Task Force P.O. Box A3728 Chicago, IL 60690-3728 (312) 975-0707 office p.s. sorry for any duplicate mailings ************************************************************* ATTENTION: Networking & Letter Writing & Legislation Update WHEN: April 13, 1995 8:15 p.m. WHERE: Chester Street (bar) 63 Chester (1st & Chester Street) 356-5607 Champaign, IL WHO: Illinois Federation for Human Rights, American Civil Liberties Union, and Illinois Gay & Lesbian Task Force AND: All Illinoisans interested in this & similar legislation ************************************************************* ATTENTION: Meeting with Senator Stanley Weaver WHEN: April 19, 1995 11:15 a.m. WHERE: State House (Capital) Senator Weaver's Office 1st & Capital Springfield, IL WHO: Illinois Federation for Human Rights, American Civil Liberties Union, and Illinois Gay & Lesbian Task Force AND: All Illinoisans interested in this & similar legislation WHY: To inform Senator Weaver why he needs to vote YES! ************************************************************* SENATE BILL 994 Barkhausen (R) - Harley (D). Amends the Human Rights Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed as requiring an employer, employment agency, or labor organization to give preferential treatment or other affirmative action based on sexual orientation. Provides that discrimination against a person because of his or her sexual orientation constitutes unlawful discrimination under the Act. Provides that the owner of an owner-occupied residential building with 4 or fewer units is not prohibited from making decisions regarding whether to rent to a person based upon that person's sexual orientation. What: The Illinois Human Rights Act currently protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, physical or mental handicap, or unfavorable discharge from military service. Senate Bill 994 amends the Human Rights Act by adding the category "sexual orientation" to those listed above. The bill does not convey "special rights" or privileges. Nor does the bill require affirmative action or hiring quotas. It merely makes arbitrary discrimination based on an individual's sexual orientation illegal. Why: The addition of sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act is a fundamental human rights issue. Conservative statistics suggest that at least 10% of the population is lesbian or gay - and this population faces discrimination in the workplace, in seeking housing and when seek credit or public accommodations. One in four Illinois families has a lesbian or gay family member. More than 1 million Illinoisans are gay or lesbian and live without protection from discrimination, unless that discrimination occurs in Cook County, Chicago, Evanston, Champaign, or Urbana - all of which have established local ordinances which include sexual orientation as a protected category. Eight states have included sexual orientation in their civil rights protections: Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, California, Minnesota, and Vermont. Vote YES on Senate Bill 994 ************************************************************* HELP PASS A GAY & LESBIAN RIGHTS BILL IN ILLINOIS * For more than eighteen years there have been attempts to amend the Human Rights Act of the State of Illinois to include "sexual orientation" as a protected category. * On April 21, 1993 the Illinois House of Representatives, with a vote of 60-49 passed HB 2182 - the gay & lesbian rights bill. * In May 1993, the bill was referred to the Senate Executive Committee. There it was defeated in a vote of seven "yes", five "no", and three "present" votes. * On March 11, 1994 an identical bill SB 1823 was introduced and referred to the Senate Rules Committee. We were one vote short of passing the bill out of the Rules Committee. * Now Senate Bill 994 has been introduced and referred to the Senate Executive Committee. We are one vote away from passing this bill out of the Executive Committee to the floor of the Senate. Calls, letters and faxes are needed immediately to members of the Senate Executive Committee urging them to vote for the gay & lesbian rights bill: Sen. Doris Karpiel - 400 West Lake St. Roselle, IL 60172 708-894-2008 708-894-2871(FAX) Sen. Walter Dudycz - 6143 Northwest Hwy Chicago, IL 60631 312-774-7717 312-774-7877(FAX) Sen. Stanley Weaver - 1717 Philo Road Urbana, IL 61801 217-367-0009 217-367-2468(FAX) Sen. Earlean Collins - 5943 W. Madison Chicago, IL 60644 312-626-2184 217-782-8505(State Senate) Sen. Aldo DeAngelis - P.O. Box 520 Chicago Heights, IL 60411 708-755-4450 217-782-7419(State Senate) Sen. Vince Demuzio - 140 Carlinville Plaza Carlinville, IL 62626 217-854-4441 217-782-8206(State Senate) Sen. Adeline Jay Geo-Karis - 2610 Sheridan, Suite 213 Zion, IL 60099 708-872-7500 217-782-7353(State Senate) Sen. Kenneth Hall - 327 Missouri Ave. Rm 422 East St. Louis, IL 62201 618-875-1212 217-782-5399(State Senate) Sen. Miguel Del Valle - 3507 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 312-292-0202 217-782-5652 Sen. Emil Jones, Jr. - 507 W. 111th St. Chicago, IL 60628 312-995-7748 217-782-2728 Sen. Dick Klemm - 3 W. Crystal Lake Ave. Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-455-6330 217-782-8000 Sen. John W. Maitland, Jr. - 525 N. East St. Bloomington, IL 61701 309-828-7733 217-782-6216 Sen. James "Pate" Philip - 970 N> Oaklawn Ave. Suite 120 Elmhurst, IL 60126 708-941-0094 217-782-8194 Sen. Penny Severns - 119 W. William, Suite 201 Decature, IL 62523 217-428-0247 217-782-5284(State Senate) Sen. Frank Watson - 890 Franklin Carlyle, IL 62231 618-594-4553 217-782-5755(State Senate) ************************************************************* THE "GAY RIGHTS" BILL WHAT THE "GAY RIGHTS" BILL DOES & DOES NOT DO DOES NOT promote, condone or give special privileges to any individual, group or community. DOES NOT supersede a religious institution's First Amendment right to hire and fire according to the tenets of its religion. DOES NOT force an employer to hire unqualified workers for any reason. DOES NOT require employers to establish affirmative action quotas based on sexual orientation. PROHIBITS the firing of workers solely on the basis of sexual orientation. PROHIBITS an employer from refusing to hire or promote a qualified candidate solely on the basis of sexual orientation. RECOGNIZES that all citizens of the State of Illinois share the same fundamental rights and PROTECTS the basic civil rights of all citizens. ************************************************************* "GAY RIGHTS BILL" SUMMARY This Illinois Human Rights Act protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, physical or mental handicap, or unfavorable discharge from military service. The proposed "gay rights" bill amends the Human Rights Act by including as a protected category sexual orientation . Sexual orientation is defined as heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality; having a history thereof; or being perceived by others as having such an orientation. The addition of sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act is a fundamental human rights issue. Conservative statistics suggest that at least 10% of the population is lesbian or gay - and this population faces discrimination in the workplace, in seeking housing and when seeking credit or public accommodations. One in four Illinois families has a lesbian or gay family member and more than 1 million Illinoisans are gay or lesbian and without protection from discrimination. One Illinois county (Cook) and five Illinois communities have established local ordinances which include sexual orientation as a protected category: Champaign, Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, and Urbana. Eight states have included sexual orientation in their civil rights protections: Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, California, Minnesota, and Vermont. ************************************************************* COMMON QUESTIONS REGARDING GAY RIGHTS How Many Gay and Lesbian People Are There? Social scientists suggest that at least ten percent of the population has a homosexual orientation. Gay and lesbian persons are found in both rural and urban areas, within all religious traditions, social and economic classes and all ethnic and racial backgrounds. Add families and friends and we have a significant population dealing with gay and lesbian issues. What Do We Mean By "Sexual Orientation"? Sexual orientation refers to the status of an individual as to his or her actual or supposed heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality. Lesbian women and gay men are primarily attracted to members of their own gender; they develop their deepest and most intimate relationships with people of their own gender. Orientation is not determined by engaging in any particular sexual act. Just as heterosexuals are aware of their orientation even if they are virgins or not currently involved with a lover or spouse, many gay and lesbian persons know themselves to be homosexual long before any sexual relationship. Like ethnic groups gay and lesbian persons have a culture, history, and their own sense of worth and pride from identification with their peers and community. Are Gay and Lesbian Persons Made "That Way""or Do They Choose their Sexual Orientation? Studies indicate that a person's sexual orientation is determined before he or she reaches the age of four. New studies lean heavily toward the theory that some persons are born with a homosexual orientation. Regardless of how one's sexual orientation is developed we have a significant segment of the population which is gay and lesbian. The only "choice" gay and lesbian persons have is whether they will accept their sexual orientation and integrate it into their lives or whether they will deny who they are and lead lives of fear and dishonesty. If There Are So Many Gay and Lesbian People Why Don't We See More of Them? Because of past social stigma and the lack of legal protections for their basic civil rights, many gay and lesbian persons, to protect themselves, have remained hidden or "in the closet". In many jurisdictions within the state employers legally can fire gay and lesbian persons, landlords can refuse to rent to gay and lesbian persons, and businesses owners can refuse to provide services to gay and lesbian persons solely on the basis of the person's sexual orientation. To protect themselves gay and lesbian persons have remained hidden. What Do We Mean By "Gay & Lesbian Rights"? The "Gay Rights" Bill simply amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation as a protected category. It protects citizens from arbitrary discrimination based on one's sexual orientation. It does not legalize any activity that is illegal i.e. prostitution, age of consent laws, or rape. Nor does the bill provide for "affirmative action". No one can be forced to hire or fire, rent an apartment or offer public accommodations based on sexual orientation nor can they discriminate based on sexual orientation. Are Legal Protections (Gay Rights Laws) Necessary? Within most of the State of Illinois it is perfectly legal to refuse to hire, to fire, to deny housing or public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation. The person denied housing, employment or public accommodations because of her or his sexual orientation has no legal recourse. Are "Gay Rights" Special Privileges? Gay and lesbian persons are not seeking special privileges but only equitable treatment, based on relevant qualifications rather than arbitrary categories. We do not consider "open housing" or "equal employment" as special privileges. Civil rights protections for other minorities are not viewed as "special privileges" nor should the rights of lesbian women and gay men be viewed as such. All that lesbian and gay people ask is the opportunity to live, work and be productive members of their communities without arbitrary discrimination. What Other Jurisdictions Have Gay Rights Legislation? As of April, 1993 eight states (Hawaii, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, and Minnesota) and over 100 cities, counties and other municipalities have legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In Illinois the cities of Champaign, Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, and Urbana and the County of Cook have such legislation. Who Supports "Gay Rights" Legislation? All major Protestant denominations, major labor organizations, civil rights groups and a number of major corporations. Among them are the Lutheran, Methodist and Episcopal bishops of Chicago, the AFLCIO, Chicago Board of Rabbis, National Coalition of American Nuns, NAACP, Operation PUSH, Sisters of St. Dominican of St. Catherine, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the National Federation of Priests Councils and AFSCME to name a few. Political Benefits For Supporting Gay and Lesbian Rights. Studies have shown that no legislator has been voted out of office due to his/her support of gay rights legislation. A vote for gay and lesbian rights is not a liability and more often than not it is a benefit as it broadens a legislator's base of support. ************************************************************* SAMPLE LETTERS April 1995 The Honorable Illinois Senate (or House of Representatives) Illinois State House Springfield, IL 62706 Dear Senator (or Representative): I am writing to you to ask you to support and vote yes on the current legislation which will add sexual orientation to the Illinois Human Rights Act (Senate Bill or House Bill ). All citizens of our state are entitled to have their basic civil rights protected. Being protected with respect to sexual orientation is a basic civil right. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual citizens, unfortunately, can legally be discriminated against in housing, employment, and service provision in our state and that is why this bill is necessary. I believe that all citizens should be treated fairly, regardless of their sexual orientation - heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual. This legislation will protect all of us. Vote YES on (Senate Bill or House Bill ). Sincerely, Dear Senator (or Representative): Please support legislation (Senate Bill or House Bill ) which would prohibit discrimination against citizens in Illinois based on their perceived sexual orientation - heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Studies show that at least 10% of the population is lesbian or gay and yet, they are not protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act. It is time that Illinois join the other states and municipalities which protect the basic civil rights of all it's citizens - heterosexual, gay, lesbian, and bisexual. I am not asking for "special privileges" or "special rights", but simply that the basic human rights of all citizens be protected - including gay, lesbian, and bisexual. Vote YES on (Senate Bill or House Bill ). Sincerely, ************************************************************* ILLINOIS FEDERATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 3712 N. Broadway, Suite 125 Chicago, IL 60613 312-477-7173 (FAX 312-477-7174) Box 215 Dupo, IL 62239 312-477-7173 (FAX 312-477-7174) Box 20703 Springfield, IL 62708 312-477-7173 (FAX 312-477-7174) ILLINOIS Gay and Lesbian Task Force P.O. Box A3728 Chicago, IL 60690-3728 312-975-0707 217-367-1503 (Central & Southern Illinois) (FAX 217-367-1503 ***call by voice to have FAX machine activated) ***************************************************************** If you would like to remain on our mailing list please let us know. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list send an E-mail note asking to be removed and we will do so.