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From left: Ramon Gardenhire of AFC, Brigid Leahy of Planned Parenthood and Christopher Clark of Lambda Legal, with Equality Illinois CEO Brian Johnson and Pride Action Tank Executive Director Kim Hunt. Photo by Hal Baim -
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (center) addressed the crowd, with Rep. Robin Kelly and Bill Foster. Photo by Hal Baim -
Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Photo by Hal Baim -
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. Photo by Hal Baim -
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. Photo by Hal Baim -
Christopher Clark of Lambda Legal. Photo by Hal Baim -
Brigid Leahy of Planned Parenthood. Photo by Hal Baim -
Legislative reps also attended the event for Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Mike Quigley and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. From left: Mo Green (Duckworth), Mark Schauerte (Krishnamoorthi) and Jonathan Yoni Pizer (Quigley). Photo by Hal Baim
Also attending were representatives for Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Mike Quigley and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
About 75 advocates and leaders from LGBTQ, HIV/AIDS and related non-profit and governmental entities attended.
The program started with a panel featuring Ramon Gardenhire of AFC, Brigid Leahy of Planned Parenthood and Christopher Clark of Lambda Legal.
They each spoke of the critical issues facing the community, including repeal of the Affordable Care Act (provisions such as those covering pre-existing conditions would devastate HIV care), limiting of access to reproductive and other healthcare with the defunding attempts against Planned Parenthood (which also serves trans individuals and people needing HIV prevention drugs, among many other areas), and justice issues (Supreme Court picks, trans legal coverage and more).
PAT Executive Director Kim Hunt and EI CEO Brian Johnson moderated the program.
Following the panel, the elected officials spoke passionately about the need to fight back.
Kelly said she feels that the Republicans of Illinois are often left off the hook, saying while they claim to be more moderate, they often vote with the right-wing and tea party portion of the GOP.
Foster spoke of being the only scientist in the U.S. Congress, adding, “We have to take on the Trump administration and the Republican majority issue by issue.”
Schakowsky was particularly forceful in saying how important it is for allies to stick together and to fight for all the ground already gained. “Welcome to the resistance!” she shouted. “I’m on fire and I want you to be on fire! We have to decide today that we are not going back. The American public is with us.”
Tracy Baim is board co-chair and founder of the Pride Action Tank.