The Advocacy Council for Human Rights

It’s hard to believe, but pride month is already over and July activities – including our annual “Family Reunion” Picnic – are right around the corner! (See flyer)

This year’s picnic will begin at noon on Sunday, July 24 at Underwood Park in Normal. Read more »

More than 150 lgbt people and their supporters attended our June 18 DIVAS – Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus concert in the auditorium at Normal Community High School.

The chorus wowed the crowd with dance routines, video presentations, and backup provided by the band the guys brought with them from Chicago.

Net profits from the concert will help the Advocacy Council pay for attorneys fees and application fee to file as a new, 501(c)3 organization.

At least 25 same-sex couples have applied for a civil union license in McLean County.

The office, headed by County Clerk Kathy Michael, has by all accounts been very helpful and accommodating to all couples. Kathy and Director of Vital Records Robin Wilt attended our civil unions information forum in April and answered a lot of questions and concerns from the audience.

Complete information on applying for a civil union license in McLean County can be found at the county clerk’s website.

Equality Illinois will be conducting an Anti-Bullying Pledge Drive in Chicago, Springfield, and Bloomington-Normal at the end of July. We are asking Illinoisans to sign a pledge stating they will intervene when they see anti-LGBTQ harassment at school, at work, and in their neighborhoods. A major part of this drive is to inspire young adults to become more active in LGBTQ rights activism. Read more »

The Bistro – still going strong after 19 years – has planned a month of activities bound to appeal to just about everyone. Read more »

The Bistro Hooks, the bar’s co-rec softball team, will see action this month as part of Bloomington’s Parks and Rec softball league.

The Hooks next game is at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 11, when they will take on “LeDec” at Bloomington’s O’Neil Park.

The Hooks also play a 7 p.m. game on Monday, July 18 when they go up against PII, again at O’Neil Park.

Please consider getting to O’Neil Park and cheering on these athletic guys and gals!

Join us for DIVAS! The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus in Concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 18 at the Normal Community High School Auditorium, 3900 E. Raab Road in Normal.
 
Tickets will be available at the door or in advance at the Garlic Press (108 North St., Normal) and The Bistro (316 N. Main, Bloomington).  All tickets are $15.

With more than 150 singing members backed by a small army of volunteers, the CGMC family covers a diverse cross-section of the Chicago metropolitan area. Under the visionary guidance and inspired direction of Artistic Director, Patrick Sinozich, CGMC delivers a distinctive brand of entertainment that keeps our audience coming back again and again.

This concert is the Advocacy Council’s major fundraiser for the year. Proceeds will be used to help continue our educational, advocacy, and community service activities

See poster for more details!

This month Illinois joins 11 other states that offer either civil union, domestic partner, or marriage equality rights to same-sex couples. As we’ve heard in our two local forums on the new civil unions law, there are many intricacies and a lot of information that couples should digest as they make their plans for a civil union. What follows are some local, state and national resources that might be helpful to couples: Read more »

The McLean County AIDS Task Force will sponsor its fourth annual AIDS Walk/Run for Life at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 25 at the Tipton Park North Pavilion in Bloomington. Read more »

Heartland Metropolitan Community Church, a Central Illinois MCC, is beginning a small faith community in Bloomington.

These are gatherings of prayer, learning, socializing and growing together spiritually in an open and affirming environment. The first study will be from “The Children are Free,” a study of the clobber passages in scripture.

For more information, please call 217-473-2045 or 217-726-8411 or e-mail MCCBloomington@yahoo.com.

Members of the ACHR were among more than 1,200 people who attended the first-ever Springfield Pride Fest on Sunday, May 22 in downtown Springfield. The Advocacy Council sponsored a booth where we handed out newsletters and information on our June 18 Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus Concert and this fall’s “Your Normal LGBT Film Festival.”

How many gay men does it take to put up a tent? ACHR members and our friends from Heartland MCC grapple with the complexities of tent erection.

ACHR members Elizabeth, Donna, Dave and Gary ride out the storm that hit the festival later in the afternoon

Members of the Advocacy Council mourn the loss of Jacqui White, who recently passed away after a long and hard-fought battle with various medical problems. Read more »