Treasurer Frerichs honors Illinois LGBTQ+ leaders during LGBTQ+ History Month

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs honored leaders from across the state for their work to lift up the LGBTQ+ community this week. Frerichs is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and is committed to investments for equality.

Pride Month — Illinois is a national leaders in LGBTQ+ rights, and Frerichs voted for civil unions while serving as a senator in 2011.

Illinois is a national leaders in LGBTQ+ rights, and Frerichs voted for civil unions while serving as a senator in 2011. He also voted in favor of marriage equality two years later.

"While Illinois continues to embrace every citizen, other parts of the country, not surprisingly, do not," Frerichs said. "The rights of LGBTQ+ people remain under attack, and as a result instill fear in individuals, families and in greater communities."

However, the Democrat is proud of the work of organizations like Golden Rainbows of Illinois South ensuring people are protected in Southern Illinois. Billy Rogers helps older LGBTQ+ adults with HIV treatment in communities that lack services. He also serves on the statewide aging LGBT commission.

"My colleagues and I have worked very hard on the commission to identify problems and provide testimony," Rogers said. "We have made and are still making key recommendations to improve the lives of the LGBT community, the Stonewall generation."

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) takes pride in being the first openly gay senator in Illinois history. Simmons frequently works to ensure the LGBTQ+ community is at the table for healthcare and financial investments.

"I didn't think that we would be talking about access to reproductive justice as a fundamental right that has been taken away," Simmons said. "That was literally not the discussion three years ago. It's just added even more austerity to the role that I now occupy."

This month marks the 30th anniversary of LGBTQ+ history month. The celebration started when a Missouri high school teacher thought the importance of gay people should be emphasized.

"In states including Iowa and Florida, bills have been introduced that would eliminate an individual's right to define their gender identity," Frerichs said. "In Illinois, we embrace inclusivity and allow individuals to identify as they choose. We must remain united."