What exactly do we want individuals to actively do? Look below and let us know where your strengths lie (when you go to "sign up" at the top right corner of the site) and we will make sure to get you involved. (If you go to the Resources - Toolkits/PDF's section, you can print out an Allied for Equality handout in English and Spanish.)
LEGISLATIVE: getting postcards or petitions signed, calling or emailing your legislator on a pertinent LGBT topic, or participating in lobby days
Contact your state representatives and senators about passing SB 1716 (previously HB 2234), the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. Here are some ways to make your voice be heard:
1. Calling your legislator! Click here for the complete listing (includes the name, district number, phone numbers and district offices) of the IL House of Representatives and the IL State Senate
2. Collecting letters! Would you talk to five people and ask them to sign a letter to their legislator in support of the civil union bill? If YES, please download the letter here, get them signed and send them back to our office (3712 N. Broadway - #125, Chicago, IL 60613).
3. Sending an email! Click here to send an email to your state legislator saying that you support SB 1716.
If you want to help on national level:
IMPORTANT! We are moving closer to a House vote on the Employment Non Discrimination Act / H.R. 3017, but we need YOU to tell your legislators to pass this bill NOW (12 out of the 19 Illinois U.S. Representatives have cosponsored this legislation). The U.S. Senate also introduced an inclusive ENDA / S. 1584 (both Illinois Senators co-sponsored this legislation). ENDA would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. (FYI: The state of Illinois passed similar legislation including LGB and T in 2005.) Would you talk to five people and ask them to sign a letter to their legislator in support of the ENDA? If YES, please download the letter here, get them signed and send them back to our office (3712 N. Broadway - #125, Chicago, IL 60613).
REPEAL Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT)! The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283, S 3065) would repeal the federal law banning military service by openly lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Almost 13,000 LGBT service members have been discharged since DADT has begun. In Illinois, 8 out of the 19 U.S. Representatives have cosponsored this legislation as well as Senator Burris. Call and ask your U.S. Representative or Senator to cosponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act! For more information on what you can do to repeal DADT click here.
Support for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) - H.R. 1024/S. 424, and The Reuniting Families Act - H.R. 2709, bills that would end discrimination in our Immigration law by allowing LGBT American citizens to sponsor their partners, the same way it currently allows straight American citizens to do, is urgently needed in Illinois. Would you talk to five people and ask them to sign a letter to their legislator in support of UAFA? If YES, please download the letter here, get them signed and send them back to our office (3712 N. Broadway - #125, Chicago, IL 60613). PLEASE NOTE: For more information on asylum please download this flyer from the Heartland Alliance in English or Spanish.
GREAT NEWS - the U.S. Senate passed the Hate Crimes Bill (Matthew Shepard Act) by a vote of 68 to 29, and the President signed the bill into LAW on October 28, 2009! This law added sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability to the categories included in existing federal hate crimes law.
***Of course with any of the national issues, you can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
CREATIVE: writing letters to the editor, sharing your story, monitoring news pundits, or guest blogging
SOCIAL: making a list of your friends and family and inviting them to be a part of Allied for Equality, volunteering at LGBT festivals or events, help with phonebanking, help with canvassing, participate in voter registration drives, hosting a host party, coming to rallies, or wearing an Allied for Equality button to get the conversation started (see picture)
SPIRITUAL: reaching out to your faith community to get the dialogue concerning LGBT rights started, ask your faith leader or lay leader to sign this petition in support of civil unions, ask your faith community to get involved, or ask your congregation to invite us to come and speak in order to reach out to more people
COMMUNITY: reaching out to organizations that are supportive and ask them to start a partnership with Allied for Equality, signing up people in your community group who are interested or ask the organization to invite us to come and speak