Find links to Central IL area, State and National LGBT organizations here!!
Central IL Area LGBT Organizations
Peoria Proud: Peoria Proud encourages and supports diversity and equality throughout the Peoria Metropolitan Area. The coalition seeks to unify the community as a whole, through advocacy, education and social outreach.
Peoria Transgender Society ( PTGS): PTGS exists as a place to make friends, seek information and support, explore your inner vision, and discover yourself. A place in Peoria for transgender people, by transgender people.
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians And Gays): Bloomington / Normal Chapter -Meetings and support for families, allies and people who are LGBTQ (currently there is not a PFLAG chapter in Peoria area)
Central IL friends of PWA: FRIENDS lightens the burden of persons living with HIV/AIDS with various programs; financial (rental, utility/emergency assistance); social (companions/buddies) and emotional (support groups).
River City Bears: The River City Bears is a community based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is committed to benevolent and charitable services, fundraisers and support for other non-profit organizations in Central Illinois. As a membership organization, we strengthen our bond and resources by promoting social activities for our members. Our social activities are open to all that share in our common goal of serving our community, having fun, participating in fellowships and nurturing lasting friendships.
One Voice: Central Illinois LGBT+ Alliance – The mission of One Voice is to serve as an alliance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT+) organizations and individuals in the Greater Peoria Area committed to engaging with each other in support of a stronger community.
Not In Our Town (NIOT): Bloomington / Normal NIOT 2.0, as our current campaign has come to be called, targets every sector of community life, from multicultural relations on the block to fair and equal practices in the workplace, an end to bullying in school and on campus, and a safe and inclusive environment in local restaurants, stores., and venues.
Central IL Area Youth LGBT Organizations
Peoria Proud: encourages and supports diversity and equality throughout the Peoria Metropolitan Area. The coalition seeks to unify the community as a whole, through advocacy, education and social outreach.
Gay Straight Alliance Network: find or form a Gay Straight Alliance student group at your school
You Have The Right To Be Yourself: Form a Gay Straight Alliance student group at your school!! This page of the youth magazine explains the steps necessary to form a group at your school…and your rights to form the group if the school puts up resistance or refuses to grant permission for the club. ACLU
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians And Gays): Bloomington / Normal Chapter -Meetings and support for families, allies and people who are LGBTQ (currently there is not a PFLAG chapter in Peoria area)
Illinois Organizations
Equality Illinois: Equality Illinois builds a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and social justice through education, advocacy and protection of the rights of the LGBT community.
Illinois Safe Schools Alliance: The mission of the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (the Alliance) is to promote safety, support and healthy development for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, in Illinois schools and communities, through advocacy, education, youth organizing and research.
National Organizations
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Today, as we acknowledge that some of us are able to be visible and safe in our homes, workplaces, and communities, let’s take the opportunity to work for those of us who cannot be visible without experiencing harm.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC): HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
Lambda Legal: Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIVthrough impact litigation, education and public policy work.
As a nonprofit organization, we do not charge our clients for legal representation or advocacy, and we receive no government funding. We depend on contributions from supporters around the country.
National Center for Transgender Equality: From schools and healthcare to immigration and identification, policies affecting trans people are advancing every day. Find the latest information about existing laws and policies, and how you can improve the laws and policies in your area.
PFLAG: Founded in 1973 after the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the nation’s largest family and ally organization.