Last Tuesday was a bittersweet day in the movement for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Our community won the referenda in Kalamazoo, Mich. and in the State of Washington, but suffered a difficult loss in Maine. For us, in Illinois, the lessons of the election day serve as an urgent call to action.

We are proud of the work of our colleagues in Maine, Washington, and Kalamazoo.  They ran smart, well-organized campaigns to beat back the angry fear-mongers and their misleading crusades against equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. 

The campaigns were costly and difficult, but they drew neighbors, family members, and colleagues into conversations about respecting dignity of every person and every family.   In Kalamazoo, hundreds of volunteers fanned out to speak with neighbors and business owners about necessary protections provided by the nondiscrimination law. People throughout Maine and Washington, saw TV ads, watched debates, saw major newspapers support equality, learning and explaining why these protections are needed. Major employers and small businesses explained the hardships facing lesbian and gay families. Organizations that care for the elderly and for children, educators, and clergy - all focused why these laws are needed. 

Despite the loss in Maine, we know this much is true: There has been a tidal shift in understanding of the importance of equal rights for LGBT Americans. These knee-jerk referenda on LGBT equality are no longer a guaranteed win for their homophobic organizers.  The more discussions we have the more attitudes we change. 

Make no mistake - the anti-gay activists aren’t giving up. In Illinois, they are organizing push groups to target schools board, libraries, and lawmakers with their message of hate.  And we cannot afford to be complacent, either. We must now commit more resources and work harder to achieve full equality in Illinois and on the federal level. 

We, at Equality Illinois, are energized to continue advancing full equality. We are working with our allies, building bridges with communities of faith, helping schools and businesses become friendlier for LGBTs, and fighting daily against the voices of anger and hate. 

We cannot do our work without you. To help us succeed, please support our efforts with a contribution, and please contact us to learn how you can volunteer, register to vote, speak to your neighbors and legislators, and spread the word to your family and friends.

I look forward to seeing your name on our rolls.

Yours,

Bernard Cherkasov