January 2003

 

Dear Members and Friends,

I want to start off by wishing you all a Happy New Year. I hope your holidays' were joyous for you and your loved ones.

As we start a new year I'm hopeful that this will be a year of change. Having succeeded in amending both the Chicago and Cook County Human Right's Ordinances, I think we have finally reached one of our major goals. However, these Ordinances are not our only goals. We still have a lot of work to do before equal rights are truly attained for gender variant people here in Illinois.

Besides working for legislation that acknowledges our civil and human rights we still have to educate many in the general public. As in past years, we have maintained a highly visible presence. In addition to speaking at such places as the University of Chicago Law School, Harper Community College, Knox College, Horizons, and Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) we held a candlelight vigil in the plaza outside the State of Illinois Building in Chicago to honor those gender variant who were the victims of hate and intolerance.

As we continue to move closer to achieving equal rights we still need the support of our members. Without the hard work and dedication of the Illinois Gender Advocates membership none of what we have accomplished and are still going to accomplish would be possible.

So as we start the year 2003 I would like to remind everyone that memberships run on a calendar year basis and it's time for renewal. Please fill out the enclosed membership form and renew your membership today. Together we can achieve equal rights for all citizens of Illinois.

Sincerely,

Beth Plotner
Chair

 

 

47 W. Division St., #391, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 409-5489, IGA@genderadvocates.org
http://www.genderadvocates.org