HR0221 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0221 LRB104 12963 ECR 24565 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth and adults have always existed and are part of every community in Illinois; they are parents, family members, coworkers, teammates, neighbors, and friends; the trans community is a beautiful tapestry, representing all racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as all faith traditions; and

WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Visibility is held annually on March 31st to celebrate the joy, resilience, and beauty of trans and non-binary people everywhere by elevating voices and experiences from these communities; and

WHEREAS, Trans and non-binary people are welcome and protected in Illinois with the State's values of equality, inclusion, and fairness and beliefs in science, in following research, and in allowing medical decisions to be made between a patient and their health care providers; in Illinois, trans and non-binary people can also be their authentic selves in workplaces, public spaces, and schools; and

WHEREAS, No Illinoisan should be rendered invisible merely by living their authentic lives; trans people who have chosen to be public servants, including Cook County Judge Jill Rose Quinn, MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, Carbondale City Councilmember Clare Killman, McHenry Township Clerk Danielle Aylward, Avon Township Clerk Kristal Larson, Decatur School Board Member Alana Banks, Crete Public Library Board Trustee Jackie McKethen, and former Chicago resident and Minneapolis City Council Member Andrea Jenkins, who made history in 2017 as the first Black trans woman elected to office in the United States, should be lifted up and supported; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is proud of today's trans and non-binary trailblazers and leaders, including Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, filmmaker and producer Lilly Wachowski, veteran and business leader Colonel Jennifer Pritzker, Equality Illinois Director of Communications Myles Brady Davis, hall-of-fame triathlete and six-time member of Team USA Chris Mosier, and the late community leader Elise Malary; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is the birthplace of many historic trans individuals, including Albert Cashier who fought with bravery, courage, and patriotism as part of Illinois' 95th Regiment in the Battles of Atlanta, Vicksburg, and Natchez during the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is the home of many impactful trans-led organizations, including Brave Space Alliance, Chicago Therapy Collective, Life is Work, Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois, and Trans Up Front Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Anti-trans elected officials across the country and the current federal administration are attacking and attempting to erase transgender people from history; executive and legislative actions are trying to take away healthcare, education, and basic freedoms from trans people and to deny brave and patriotic trans people the opportunity to serve our country as part of the Armed Forces; trans people are also experiencing an epidemic of violence, particularly against Black and Brown trans women; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative to represent, support, and protect trans and non-binary individuals who are part of the fabric of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Today and every day, it is important to support all trans and non-binary people everywhere and to combat disinformation, discrimination, and hate impacting trans communities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2025, and we commit ourselves to protecting, supporting, and affirming our trans and non-binary siblings and neighbors each and every day of the year.