LGBT rights in Illinois

LGBT rights in Illinois

Same-sex sexual activity legal? Legal since 1962
(Legislative repeal)
Gender identity/expression Bullying prohibition in schools; Legal access to changing one's gender marker restricted to those who can afford to and choose to have "an operation" (see below)
Discrimination protections Protections for sexual orientation and gender identity (see below)
Family rights
Recognition of
relationships		 Civil unions since 2011; Same-sex marriage since 2014
Restrictions:
 none
Adoption Legal

Illinois is seen as one of the most progressive states in the U.S. in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights and often regarded as one of the most liberal states in the Midwestern United States.[1] Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1962, after Illinois became the first U.S. state to repeal its sodomy laws. Same-sex marriage was banned by statute since 1996, but has since been legalized in November 2013, after the signature of then-Governor Pat Quinn on November 20, went into effect on June 1, 2014.[2] Civil unions also have been legal statewide since 2011 and same-sex couples are also allowed to adopt children.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

On July 28, 1961, Illinois enacted the Laws of Illinois 1961, a new state law code, that became effective on January 1, 1962, and eliminated the state's sodomy laws. It was the first state to eliminate its sodomy laws and established an age of consent of 18.[3] However, the code also made it a crime to commit a "lewd fondling or caress of the body of another person of the same sex" in a public place. In 1963, the legislature passed a new law that changed the words "the same sex" to "either sex."[3] In 1984, the "lewd fondling or caress" law was repealed and the age of consent was lowered to 16.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

SB 1773

SB 1773, introduced by Representative Tom Johnson, amended the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act in 1996 to preclude out-of-state recognition of same sex marriage and reinforce the in-state ban in light of Baehr v. Lewin in Hawaii. It was vigorously opposed, with 12000 letters being written by clergymen, parishioners, and other citizens of all faiths. Representatives Ronen, Schakowsky, and Currie led the futile effort to defeat the bill, with Rep. Ronen stating at one point, "...don't delude yourself, to think that you are doing God's work. I would remind you that a long list of clergy and religious groups have forcefully spoken out against this Bill."[4] The bill passed 42-9 in the Senate and 87-13 (6 abstain) in the House. The bill was signed in May 1996.

SB 10 (Marriage)

Same-sex marriage was legalized via statute in November 2013, after the Illinois House of Representatives narrowly approved same-sex marriage legislation by 61 votes to 54 (achieving the 60 vote required threshold).[5] The Illinois Senate subsequently approved the legislation 32-21 (achieving the 30 vote required threshold).[6] The bill was signed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn on November 20,[7] and it went into effect June 1, 2014.[8]

Civil Unions

On January 31, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation that recognizes same-sex civil unions performed on or after June 1, 2011. The civil union act allows the state to recognize same-sex marriages performed outside of Illinois as the equivalent of an Illinois civil union. If a person undergoes gender-reassignment surgery, the marriage is still recognized by the state, even though the parties to the marriage are of the same sex.[9]

Illinois has provided benefits to same-sex partners of state employees since 2006.[10]

In 2012, legislation to repeal the state's recognition of same-sex civil unions was introduced in the House of Representatives, but was not considered by the House.[11]

Lawsuits

In May 2012, both Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union announced lawsuits in state court challenging the refusal of the Cook County clerk's office to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Both contend that the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act violates the Illinois Constitution's guarantees of equal protection and due process.[11][12] These lawsuits have since been abandoned due to the state legislature passing a same-sex marriage law in November 2013.

On February 21, 2014, a federal judge authorized Cook County to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples without waiting for the Illinois statute legalizing same-sex marriage to take effect on June 1, and the county clerk began issuing licenses immediately.[13][14]

Discrimination protections and anti-bullying laws

Since June 1, 2006, Illinois has protected LGBT persons from discrimination. The anti-discrimination law adds "sexual orientation" to the state's existing nondiscrimination statute which already bans discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations or credit on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, marital status and military status. The definition of "sexual orientation" explicitly includes "gender identity".[15][16] Illinois Statutes as the Illinois Human Rights Act quoted; ""Sexual orientation" means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or gender-related identity, whether or not traditionally associated with the person's designated sex at birth. "Sexual orientation" does not include a physical or sexual attraction to a minor by an adult."

The city of Chicago enacted an anti-discrimination law in 1988.

In 2014, Illinois expanded it anti-bullying laws to make them inclusive of LGBT people. Illinois law prohibits bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.[17]

Adoption and parenting

The state permits adoption by gay individuals or partners, including second-parent adoptions[18] The Illinois Domestic Violence Act, which protects people who share or used to share a dwelling or a "dating relationship" with their abusers, is written in gender-neutral language and is applicable to same-sex partners.[19]

Hate crime laws

Since 1991, Illinois has had hate crimes legislation on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation only. The law does explicitly protect attacks based on gender identity as such, but gender identity cases can be prosecuted as perceived sexual orientation cases since the state criminalizes attacks based on one's actual or perceived sexual orientation.[20]

On April 16, 2015 and on May 20, 2015, the House and the Senate of the Illinois Legislature, respectively, passed HB 3930 unanimously[21] to add and include "gender identity" into the Illinois hate crimes statutes.[22] On July 20, 2015, the bill was signed by Governor Bruce Rauner and became effective on January 1, 2016.[23]

Transgender-specific rights of Illinois

Gender reassignment and barriers to transition

Currently, Illinois law permits reassignment on birth certificates, but a major obstacle prevents some from being able to.

Any person can legally change their gender, but in order to legally change it, the state requires transgender people to have "an operation(s) having the effect of reflecting, enhancing, changing, reassigning or otherwise affecting gender. Genital reconstructive surgery is not required to obtain a change in the sex designation on an existing Illinois birth certificate." [24] This has been interpreted to at least include sex reassignment surgery, facial laser hair removal, facial electrolysis, and chest surgery.

This is an obstacle because some cannot afford the required medical treatment and some do not feel surgery is needed for their personal gender journey, but still desire to legally transition.[25][26]

Respect of pronouns for burial instructions

On August 20, 2015 Governor of Illinois Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 3552 which allows a person to specify their gender identity and preferred gender pronouns in binding funeral and burial instructions. This law became effective on January 1, 2016.[27]

HB 3552 passed 79-34 in the Illinois House on April 14, 2015 and passed the Illinois Senate in a unanimous 49-0 vote on May 26, 2015.[28][29][30]

Conversion therapy

On April 10, 2014, a bill that would have banned sexual orientation change efforts (conversion therapy) failed in the Illinois House of Representatives with a 44–51 vote and 22 members not voting.[31]

The bill was reintroduced in the 2015 legislative session as HB 217, the Youth Mental Health Protection Act.[32][33] On May 19, 2015, the state House passed the ban in a 68–43 vote[34][35] and on May 29, the Senate passed it in a 34-19 vote.[36]

On August 20, 2015, Governor of Illinois Bruce Rauner signed HB 217, the Youth Mental Health Protection Act. It prohibits mental health providers from attempting to practice conversion therapy on minors under 18. This law became effective on January 1, 2016. This law makes Illinois the fifth jurisdiction in the United States to ban conversion therapy, after California, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, and Oregon.[37][38]

Polling

According to a poll conducted by Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute of Illinois registered voters between February 28 through March 10, 2015, 54.9 percent support same-sex marriage, 20 percent favor civil unions, 6.7 percent of voters are unsure, and only 18.4 percent oppose both marriage and civil unions for same-sex couples, meaning 74.9 percent support legal recognition of some kind. This was based on a survey of 1000 registered voters in Illinois and had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. The poll was taken approximately 15 months after the same-sex marriage bill was signed by then-Governor Quinn, nine months after marriage was legal for same-sex couples (statewide), and four months before the Supreme Court nationalized the freedom to marry for same-sex couples under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.[39]

A February 2013 Crain's/Ipsos poll found that 50% of Illinois residents favored the same-sex marriage bill under consideration by the legislature, while 29% oppose it. The survey also found that feelings were stronger among those favoring legalization.[40] A majority of Illinois residents support civil unions, health benefits for partners, and protections from hate crimes and discrimination.[41]

An October 2013 poll commissioned by Equality Illinois showed 52% of the state favored same-sex marriage, while 40% were opposed. 8% were undecided on the issue.[42]

See also

References

  1. ↑ McClelland, Edward (2011-05-06). "Why Illinois is America's most liberal state". Nbcchicago.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  2. ↑ Ring, Trudy (2013-11-07). "Illinois Governor will sign marriage equality legislation November 20". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  3. 1 2 Painter, George (10 August 2004). "The History of Sodomy Laws in the United States: Illinois". The Sensibilities of Our Forefathers. Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  4. ↑ https://www.aclu.org/files/assets/lazaro_-_2013_03_29_plaintiffs_memorandum_in_opposition_to_intervenor-defendants_motion_to_dismiss_-_exhibit_b.pdf
  5. ↑ Garcia, Monique; Long, Ray (November 5, 2013). "Lawmakers approve gay marriage in Illinois". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Gay marriage bill passes in Illinois house, senate - on to governors desk". Suntimes.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  7. ↑ Ring, Trudy (2013-11-07). "Ill. Gov Will Sign Marriage Equality Bill November 20". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  8. ↑ "Governor Pat Quinn Signs Marriage Equality Into Law". Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "Illinois Law | Illinois Gender Advocates". Genderadvocates.org. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  10. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures: "States offering benefits for same-sex partners of state employees", accessed April 16, 2011
  11. 1 2 Chicago Tribune: Rex W. Huppke, "Same-sex marriage supporters take their fight to Illinois courts," May 29, 2012, accessed May 30, 2012
  12. ↑ Minnesota Public Radio: Sophia Tareen, "ACLU challenges Ill. marriage law," May 30, 2012, accessed May 30, 2012
  13. ↑ Esposito, Stefano; Schlickerman, Becky (February 21, 2014). "Gay marriages in Cook Co. don’t have to wait, judge rules". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  14. ↑ Manchir, Michelle (February 21, 2014). "Judge: Same sex couples can marry now in Cook County". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  15. ↑ Illinois Anti-Discrimination Law
  16. ↑ "Illinois Bans Anti-Gay and Anti-Transgender Discrimination" (Press release). TaskForce. 2005-01-11. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  17. ↑ "Gov. Quinn Signs Anti-Bullying Bill". Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  18. ↑ Recent vote puts spotlight on gay adoption", Medill School of Journalism.
  19. ↑ Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. 750 ILCS 60/103(6).
  20. ↑ Human Rights Campaign: Illinois Hate Crimes Law, accessed May 30, 2012
  21. ↑ HB 3930
  22. ↑ Amendment to hate crimes law clears General Assembly
  23. ↑ Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner Signs Enhanced Hate Crimes Law
  24. ↑ "Illinois Vital Records". Idph.state.il.us. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  25. ↑ Report: women who identify LGBT more likely to live in poverty
  26. ↑ AMA says transgender people shouldn't require surgery to change their birth certificate
  27. ↑ Illinois Republican Governor signs two more pro equality bills
  28. ↑ Illinois General Assesmbly: Vote History
  29. ↑ See here
  30. ↑ Also see here
  31. ↑ "Bill to ban conversion therapy on gay youth fails in Ill. state House". LGBTQ Nation. April 11, 2014.
  32. ↑ See here for more
  33. ↑ Conversion therapy ban in Illinois (Equakity Illinois)
  34. ↑ HB 217 information
  35. ↑ Illinois House votes to protect LGBT youth
  36. ↑ Illinois Senate - HB 217
  37. ↑ Illinois becomes fifth jurisdiction in U.S. to protect LGBTQ kids from conversion therapy
  38. ↑ Illinois General Assembly - HB 217 Information
  39. ↑ http://news.siu.edu/2015/04/043015par15077.html
  40. ↑ "Illinoisans back gay marriage 50-29: Crain's/Ipsos poll". Crain's Chicago Business. February 19, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  41. ↑ Sociological Images: Opinions on Gay Rights Issues by State," June 16, 2009, accessed May 30, 2012
  42. ↑ "Illinois' voters support marriage equality" (PDF). Equality Illinois. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
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