CONTACT
LQBTQIA+ Protections
Gender dysphoria is protected under the American's with Disabilities Act. In August of 2022, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals help that gender dysphoria, and therefore gender affirming care, are protected by the ADA.
Although this ruling was specific to the states covered by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court, in 2023 the Supreme Court of the United States declined to review the case, which means that this ruling will likely be cited across many other federal court districts. It is anticipated that these protections will continue to expand under this landmark ruling.
Read more about this ruling here.
CONTACT THE IRC
Located Statewide
LGBTQIA+ Resources, Support, and Information
Phone:
Toll-Free Statewide Respite Phone: 866-ILL-RESP or 866-455-7377 ext. 101 or ext. 103 for Spanish-speakers
Fax: (224) 616-3054
Contact Us!
LQBTQIA+ Resources
Equality Illinois: Equality Illinois is the state's oldest, largest and most effective advocacy organization dedicated to defending rights for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans.
For more information, click here.
NAMI Chicago: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago office compiled a list of resources in and around the Chicago area. Resources include support groups, crisis intervention, and community and social justice organizations.
For more information, click here.
Learn about the LGBTQIA+ Community
Learn with Love: Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. On the first episode of their Learn with Love series, the Trevor Project invited trans young people from all over the country to share their experiences of growing up and how the people in their lives affected them, affirmed them, or changed them. Click here to watch.
How to support young adults in LGBTQIA+ Community: This video addresses ways individuals can be allies to those in the LGBTQIA+ community in everyday life/ settings. It features three LGBTQ young people who share their lived experiences with bullying and the concrete steps that allies can take to help promote inclusion and acceptance. Click here to watch.
Crisis Support
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round. Click here to visit their website.
Updated August 2024 by the Illinois Respite Coalition