Tom Wray

1 week ago | illinoiseagle.com | Tom Wray

DEKALB – A coalition of organizations is hosting a trans resistance rally in downtown DeKalb on Sunday, June 22, at noon. Organizers said in their announcement that the rally was to recognize the transgender community’s resistance and show support, especially with the recent court ruling on gender-affirming care, anti-trans laws in neighboring states, and recent executive orders from the Trump regime.

1 week ago | illinoiseagle.com | Tom Wray

SPRINGFIELD – On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The ruling effectively keeps laws in 25 states that ban the care on the books and enforceable. The ruling doesn’t affect Illinois directly since the state does protect access to gender-affirming care. But it does still affect the state as nearly all neighboring states have laws banning access.

2 weeks ago | illinoiseagle.com | Tom Wray

SPRINGFIELD – There are 51 No Kings protests planned for Saturday, June 14, across Illinois, from Rockford down to Carbondale. The majority of the rallies, 26, were in cities and communities outside of the Chicago metro area. The state’s largest metropolitan area has 25 in both suburbs and the city proper, with Chicago hosting three separate events in different parts of the city.

3 weeks ago | illinoiseagle.com | Tom Wray

PEORIA – Tickets for Peoria’s annual River City Pride Festival are now on sale online. This year’s festival will take place on Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Peoria’s Riverfront Park, bringing a full day of celebration, visibility, and community to downtown. General admission tickets are $5 when purchased online in advance. Admission at the gate will be $10. As part of Peoria Proud’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, the festival is once again offering the Love Ticket program.

1 month ago | illinoiseagle.com | Tom Wray

BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL – Illinois State University (ISU) launched an undergraduate queer studies certificate this month. The certificate is the first of its kind in the state. The certificate, launched by the school’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Program, builds on the existing queer studies concentration. Current students in the concentration can transfer into the certificate.