Lori Lightfoot, an out black lesbian, will be advancing to a runoff in the marquee race for Chicago mayor.   ...

The Equality Illinois PAC has proudly endorsed Lori Lightfoot for Chicago Mayor, the state's LGBTQ political action committee announced on Thursday. The Equality Illinois PAC is dedicated to defending and securing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual...

PROMO PAC, Missouri's statewide organization advocating for LGBTQ equality through the electoral process, has announced its endorsement of Kansas City Councilwoman Jolie Justus for Mayor of Kansas City.   ...

Midwest mayoral candidates in Kansas City and Chicago have earned the first two endorsements for the 2019 election cycle from LPAC, the only organization devoted to building the political power of LGBTQ women.   ...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Veteran LGBT lawmaker, State Representative Greg Harris (D-13-Chicago), made history today after his appointment by Speaker Michael J. Madigan to be the next Illinois House Majority Leader. Harris is not only the first openly gay ...

Jolie Justus’ Kansas City Mayoral Race & Danica Roem’s Reelection are Top Priorities for Victory Fund in 2019   Last week, LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, announced i...

Lamont Robinson Jr. is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the Illinois House of Representatives to represent the 5th District.     ...

Kelly Cassidy is a Democratic State Representative from Chicago representing the 14th district, on Chicago’s north side. She is running unopposed, the first time since she was sworn into the seat in 2011.    ...

Democrat Greg Harris has been in the Illinois General Assembly representing the 13th House District since 2006, and has made many strides in his career.      ...

Democrat Ryan Dillon is running to become the next state senator from Missouri's 16th Senatorial District on Nov. 6, 2018.   ...

Mitch Weber has worked in Kansas City as a broadcast journalist for the past 16 years—including gigs with FOX 4, 41 Action News, and Kansas City Live—and now has his sights set on Jefferson City and representing the people of Missouri's 13th district...

Maggie Trevor is the Democratic candidate in the 54th district Illinois House race, facing Republican incumbent Tom Morrison in the general election.    ...

In addition to representing Missouri's 65th district in Jefferson City, Republican State Rep. Tom Hannegan also comprises 1/2 of the Missouri LGBT Caucus in the state legislature, along with Democrat State Rep. Greg Razer from Kansas City. &nbs...

Democrat Kathy Ellis is mounting a serious challenge to incumbent Republican Rep. Jason Smith in Missouri's 8th Congressional district. Ellis is a sixth-generation Jefferson County, Missouri resident with an impressive career that includes working as...

State Rep. Greg Razer is running unopposed in his reelection bid for the 25th House district seat. The freshman Democrat presently comprises 1/2 of the Missouri LGBT Caucus in the state legislature, along with Republican State Rep. Tom Hannegan from ...

Ian Mackey hopes to succeed outgoing LGBTQ ally, gun control advocate and women's rights champion Rep. Stacey Newman in the state legislature next year in representing Missouri's 87th House district.   ...

Democrat Patrice Billings is waging a grassroots campaign to bring new leadership to Jefferson City as the next state senator from Missouri's second district on Nov. 6th.     ...

Steven West is a real piece of work. While the 64 year old Republican handily won the GOP primary this summer in Missouri's 15th House District, word soon spread about his radio show and website where he went on an array of homophobic, anti-Semitic, ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill held a campaign event with the LGBTQ community at Bistro 303 in Kansas City on Friday.   ...

Today, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner  released a new campaign ad mocking marriage equality by joining two of his opponents together in a farcical same-sex wedding.   ...

PROMO PAC, Missouri's statewide organization advocating for LGBTQ equality through the electoral process, has announced its endorsements of pro-equality candidates for the Missouri Midterm Election on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.     ...

Missouri Democrats fared well in the Human Rights Campaign's Congressional Scorecard, released today, measuring support for LGBTQ equality in the 115th Congress.   ...

Attack ad shows openly LGBTQ candidate with a limp wrist, on tiptoes    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today LGBTQ Victory Fund condemned a homophobic mailer sent by Illinois Republican Party chairman Tim Schneider attacking his openly LGBTQ opp...

KANSAS CITY, Mo - Missouri's Republican U.S. Senate candidate has abruptly cancelled a campaign event with an anti-gay preacher who once called for the government regulation of homosexuality following media inquiries about the joint appearance.&...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of J.B. Pritzker in his bid to become the next governor of Ill...

The “Dance to Vote” Campaign Raises Public Awareness on the Themes of Voting and Civic Engagement   The Dance the Vote campaign, featuring the St. Louis artist community, returns on Saturday, Oct. 6th, at the Missouri History Museum. The event...

CHICAGO, Ill.—The Equality Illinois PAC is proud to endorse Secretary of State Jesse White, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and State Treasurer Mike Frerichs for re-election and a bipartisan group of 102 pro-equality candidates who are seeking elec...

Statement by Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state’s civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Illinoisans, following Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s announcement, Tuesday, he will not seek a th...

The Nov. 6, 2018 Midterm Election is one of the most important of its kind in generations and the LGBTQ+ vote is crucial! The deadline to register to vote in Missouri is Oct. 10, 2018. The deadline to register to vote in Illinois by mail is Oct. 9, 2...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - PROMO PAC, Missouri's statewide organization advocating for LGBTQ equality through the electoral process, has announced its endorsements of pro-equality candidates for the Missouri Primary Election on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.  ...

CHICAGO, Ill.—The Equality Illinois PAC is proud that an unprecedented number of candidates sought endorsement in the March 2018 Illinois primary election from the only statewide political action committee dedicated to defending and securing the righ...

JEFFERSON CITy, Mo. -- Missouri’s legislative session began, Jan. 3, with four anti-LGBT bills pre-filed in December. Three pro-equality bills have also been pre-filed - all versions of the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) which would add sexual...

CHICAGO, Ill. - The “Illinois LGBTQ Forum: The Democratic Candidates for Governor" was held at the Second Presbyterian Church in Chicago on Dec. 6th. ...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The six finalists in consideration to be named the next police commissioner of the City of St. Louis appeared at a town hall, on Thursday, at St. Louis University's Law Campus. The candidates responded to a round of five questions su...

Livestream watch events set in Carbondale, Metro East, Normal, Peoria, Quad Cities, and Springfield   CHICAGO, Ill. – The statewide civic power of LGBTQ Illinoisans will be featured at the state's first Illinois LGBTQ Forum: The Democratic Can...

CHICAGO Ill. – Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Illinoisans will have an opportunity to hear directly from the Democratic candidates for governor about the issues that impact our lives at a candidate forum in Chicago on Wednesday, Decem...

St. Louis LGBTQIA+ voters had a chance to engage with several of the 2017 mayoral candidates at a Town Hall focusing on LGBTQIA+, education and community relations issues on Tues., Feb. 21 at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. ...

St. Louis LGBTQIA+ voters will get a chance to engage with several of the 2017 mayoral candidates at a Town Hall focusing on LGBTQIA+, education and community relations issues on Tues., Feb. 21 at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. ...

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced it is revoking the endorsement of Senator Mark Kirk. HRC has also endorsed Tammy Duckworth for Se...

WASHINGTON, DC - Today the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of Jason Kander for the Missouri U.S. Senate seat currently held by Roy B...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - PROMO PAC, Missouri’s statewide organization advocating for LGBT equality through the electoral process, has endorsed Attorney General Chris Koster for Governor of Missouri. The endorsement, which was announced last week, was ba...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander has traveled to every Show Me State county over the past year in his effort to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. The Democratic hopeful has long been a supporter of LGBT equality in both ...

CHICAGO, Ill. - The Equality Illinois PAC (EI PAC) is endorsing 51 candidates, including Susana Mendoza for Illinois State Comptroller and state legislative candidates, in the general election on November 8, 2016, the statewide LGBT political action ...

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Following a meeting yesterday with Missouri delegates supporting Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders at the Democratic National Convention, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) released the following statement of unity wit...

PROMO PAC, Missouri's statewide organization advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality through the electoral process, has announced its first round of endorsements of pro-equality candidates for the Missouri Primary Elect...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The St. Louis arts’ community has teamed up to promote voter awareness and registration through the premiere of “Dance the Vote” campaign. This project brings together local artists who seek to make a difference during this election ...

WASHINGTON, DC – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) surprised many LGBT politicos with its endorsement last week of Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk who is up for re-election in Illinois. ...

Chelsea Clinton doesn't grant many interviews, so when you're offered two on the record questions and a photo op with the former first daughter you jump at the chance. Such was the case yesterday afternoon following Clinton's inspirational primary ev...

ST. LOUIS, MO. - U.S. Democratic Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders, brought his grassroots presidential campaign to the "Show Me State"  on Sunday for several stops, including a packed event at Affton High School where some 2000-plus supporte...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton made a final swing through our area on Saturday ahead of Tuesday's crucial Missouri and Illinois primaries. The former FLOTUS, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State spoke at tw...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Bubba! The Big Dog! #42! Former Democratic president William Jefferson Clinton was in town on Tuesday evening at District 9 Machinists Hall on St. Charles Rock Road in Bridgeton to rally supporters of Hillary Clinton's presidential c...

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders brought his grassroots presidential campaign to the Metro East on Friday packing the Vadalabene Center on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). This was Sanders' first campaig...

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee (EQIL PAC) will host a reception with former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn on January 14 to support the EQIL PAC’s mission of electing pro-LGBT equality candidates to state and local offi...

A candidate for Missouri attorney general wrote to state legislative leaders urging them to pass exemptions for ministers, churches and businesses that do not want to participate in same-sex ceremonies, the Columbia Daily Tribune reports. Josh Hawley...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton rallied her St. Louis base on Dec. 11 at The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Hall on Chouteau near the Grove. ...

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, the only declared Democrat running for governor, launched a social media campaign on Monday calling for the passage of a statewide non-discrimination law protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Alliance for Freedom announced today that they have secured two state senators to support legislation expanding state protections for religious liberty following the jailing of a Kentucky county clerk for refusing t...

This week PROMO announced the departure of longtime Executive Director A.J. Bockelman who will be stepping down on Oct. 16 after 8 years at the helm of the statewide LGBT advocacy and policy organization. Below is a letter from Bockelman addressing h...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Democratic Party (MDP) announced this week U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) will be featured as the keynote speaker for MDP’s Annual Truman Dinner on Aug. 29, 2015. ...

Missouri State Senator and gubernatorial hopeful Bob Dixon said this week that childhood abuse and "teenage confusion" led him to live as a gay man for five years until he had a profound religious experience. ...

  Hillary Rodham Clinton made her first stops in Missouri as a 2016 presidential candidate yesterday, including attending a forum at the Christ the King Church of Christ near Ferguson, Mo. The municipality was rocked by last year's tragic unr...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri House Speaker John Diehl announced today he will resign his office and seat in the legislature following a story published by The Kansas City Star yesterday about sexually charged texts between him and a female college ...

  JEFFERSON CITY - Over 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied advocates participated in PROMO's annual Equality Day at the Missouri State Capitol on Wednesday.    ...

  SPRINGFIELD, IL  – Equality Illinois' LGBT Advocacy Day was held today in the State Capitol as partner organizations and citizens from across the state called on the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner to approve legislation protect...

  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality will descend on the Illinois state capitol, April 15, to lobby legislators on a host of critical issues before the state legislature and Gov. Bruce Rau...

  JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Equality Day - hosted by PROMO, the state's LGBT advocacy organization, will be held on Wed., April 22 at the Missouri State Capitol Building in Jefferson City...

   On Wednesday,  April 22, PROMO's annual Equality Day in Jefferson City takes place where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally Missourians descend on the state capital to lobby their elected representatives on ...

Former Missouri House Speaker and Republican candidate for governor Catherine Hanaway says that a liberal culture of “sexual permissiveness” is responsible for child pornography, Salon reported on Tuesday.   ...

  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo - A new bill proposed by a Missouri lawmaker would allow Christian groups to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation on college campuses while still retaining all the perks and privileges of being a student group....

In a mid-term electoral rout, Republicans easily wrested control of the U.S. Senate from Democrats, Tuesday night. G.O.P. candidates also increased their majority in the House adding at least 10 seats and won a plurality of gubernatorial races includ...

CHICAGO, IL – The Equality Illinois Political Action Committee ( Equality Illinois PAC ) has endorsed the re-election of Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Jesse White and Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka in the Nov. 4 General Election.  ...

ST. LOUIS – PROMO PAC is excited to present the list of pro-equality candidates for the Missouri General Election on Tuesday, November 4. Be sure to vote the equality slate!   ...

Missouri State Rep. Jill Scupp (D-82)   While the 2014 election might be lacking in any high profile statewide races, one of the marquee match ups across Missouri remains the 24th State Senate District in suburban St. Louis pitting State Rep...

Missouri State Rep. Mike Colona (D-80)   Eying his last campaign for the Missouri House before being term-limited out, Mike Colona is poised to be the sole member of the LGBT Caucus that just two years ago had four out members in the Missour...

Tracy McCreery   Tracy McCreery is no stranger to the LGBT equality movement here in Missouri. The community activist has worked closely with both PROMO and PROMO PAC since 1998 and was a progressive voice in the Missouri legislature after w...

Missouri State Rep. Stacey Newman (D-87)   State Representative Stacey Newman has proven a passionate and progressive voice throughout the marbled halls of Jefferson City. Representing District 87 since November 2009, she was first elected i...

  SPRINGFIELD, IL - Today was Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair as Pat Quinn joined a host of Democratic Candidates in greeting over 1,700 invitees at a luncheon held on the Director's Lawn at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Sp...

  LGBT voters from across Missouri exercised their constitutional voice in pulling the lever for a slate of candidates and ballot initiatives during the Missouri Primary, Aug. 5, 2014.   While voter turn out was low, PROMO PAC, M...

  CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) today issued guidance clarifying that under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Illinois state law health insurers may not discriminate based on gender identity and related medical conditio...

  PROMO PAC, Missouri's statewide organization advocating for LGBT equality through the electoral process, announced the list of pro-equality candidates for the Missouri Primary Election on Tuesday, August 5th, 2014. To be considered, candida...

  ST. LOUIS, MO – County Councilwoman Hazel Erby has come under scrutiny recently as she balances her reelection campaign, which relies heavily on political allies, and her opposition to anti-discrimination legislation which they support. Mrs...

  CHICAGO, IL – With Marriage Equality comes same-sex divorce. Deborah Mell, out Chicago City Councilwoman (D- 33rd Ward) and former Illinois State Representative (Chicago-40) announced the end of her marriage to Christin Baker via Twitter to...

  ST. LOUIS - A fundraising brunch was held in support of gubernatorial hopeful and Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster at the home of Frank Siano and Mike Tucker on June 14.   ...

Eric Thorsland    Eric Thorsland knows he’s in a tough race to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. John Shimkus in Congress to represent Illinois’ 15th congressional district. Shimkus (R-Collinsville) has represented his constituents – who h...

  ST. LOUIS – State Rep. Mike Colona (D-St. Louis) kicked off his final reelection campaign to represent Missouri’s 80th district at Friendly’s Sports Bar & Grill in South City on June 11. The out legislator will be term limited in 2016. ...

  The Missouri Democratic Party’s (MDP) annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner served up a series of speeches to rally their base on June 7 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in St. Louis.   ...

 Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon   Ending months of speculation, Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced last summer that she would be challenging Republican incumbent and LGBT favorite Judy Baar Topinka for Illinois comptroller. &...

  She’s a proud mother and Democrat, a former Chief Judge of Madison County and running for Congress in Illinois’ 13th congressional district to unseat Tea Party-backed freshmen Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville).   ...

  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri state lawmaker has introduced legislation to repeal the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.   ...

   ST. LOUIS - Ready for Hillary PAC - STL Kicked officially off with an organizing party held at John D. McGurk’s in Soulard, March 26. The event was attended by several LGBT and allied community members, and plans are underway for Read...