LGBTQ Public & Non-Profit in Joliet, IL

DePaul OUTlaws is a student-led organization at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, committed to creating a welcoming and affirming community for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. As a registered student organization, OUTlaws embodies DePaul's core values of community, inclusion, and respect by providing spaces where students can authentically connect, share experiences, and build meaningful friendships. The organization recognizes the importance of peer support and community engagement in the college experience, particularly for students navigating their identities within an academic environment. Based in Chicago, IL, DePaul OUTlaws functions as more than just a social club—it serves as a vital support network and advocacy platform for LGBTQ+ students at the university. Through the DeHUB campus engagement platform, members stay informed about events, activities, and opportunities to get involved while building connections with others in the community. The organization's presence on campus reflects DePaul University's ongoing commitment to fostering an environment where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves. The mission of DePaul OUTlaws centers on community building, mutual support, and celebrating the diversity of student experiences at DePaul University in Chicago. By bringing together students from various backgrounds and identities, the organization contributes to a more inclusive campus culture and demonstrates the university's dedication to supporting the holistic development and well-being of all its students.

If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice operates as a student organization at DePaul University College of Law, rooted in the institution's deep commitment to serving Chicago's most vulnerable populations. This organization embodies DePaul's mission-driven approach to legal education by bringing together law students passionate about reproductive rights and justice. Based in Chicago, IL, the group connects with a national network dedicated to ensuring all people have the freedom to make personal decisions about their bodies, futures, and families. The organization reflects DePaul College of Law's institutional values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a community where students can explore reproductive justice issues through both academic and practical lenses. Members work collaboratively to understand how law intersects with reproductive autonomy, informed by the law school's emphasis on clinical experience and community engagement. The student-led initiative demonstrates how DePaul law students translate their education into meaningful advocacy for populations often marginalized in legal and policy discussions. Located within one of Chicago's leading legal education institutions, If/When/How benefits from faculty mentorship, law library resources, and connections to the broader legal community. The organization represents the next generation of lawyers committed to reproductive justice, working alongside their peers in a supportive environment that values social justice work. Through their involvement with If/When/How, DePaul law students in Chicago, IL develop both professional competence and a deep understanding of their role in advancing rights and dignity for all people.

Lambdas is a student organization rooted in the Chicago-Kent College of Law community at the Illinois Institute of Technology, located in Chicago, IL. Founded to serve the diverse interests and identities of Chicago-Kent students, the organization has established itself as an integral part of campus life, fostering connection, support, and professional development among its members. Based in Chicago, a city with one of the nation's most influential legal markets, Lambdas connects students to both the broader law school community and the wider professional landscape. The organization exemplifies Chicago-Kent's dedication to creating inclusive spaces where students can build meaningful relationships, explore shared interests, and develop leadership skills alongside their academic pursuits. Chicago-Kent's student organization ecosystem is remarkably comprehensive, encompassing everything from practice-focused groups to specialized student journals including the Chicago-Kent Law Review and the Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property. Lambdas participates in this vibrant network, contributing to the collaborative spirit that defines the Chicago-Kent experience. With the upcoming transition to the 312 Community Hubs platform in Fall 2025, Lambdas is positioned to enhance its member experience through improved digital tools and community connection features. The organization remains committed to supporting Chicago-Kent students throughout their legal education journey, providing a welcoming community where members can thrive both personally and professionally while preparing for careers in Chicago's dynamic legal community.

OutLaw represents the collective voice and advocacy platform for LGBTQIA+ members of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law community. Since its founding in Fall 2006, this student organization has remained dedicated to building a genuinely welcoming environment where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied law students and faculty can thrive both academically and personally. Rooted in Chicago, IL, OutLaw connects its members with a broader network of LGBTQ+ legal advocates and organizations working to advance equality and justice. The organization recognizes that LGBTQ+ individuals face unique challenges within the legal profession and educational system, and it works to address issues specific to the community through targeted advocacy efforts. By fostering meaningful relationships among law students, faculty, and allies, OutLaw creates a supportive community that extends beyond the classroom into the wider Chicago legal landscape. The organization's leadership team actively engages with established LGBTQ+ legal institutions and nonprofits, including Lambda Legal Defense, the Human Rights Campaign, and the American Civil Liberties Union. OutLaw also maintains strong connections with similar student organizations throughout Chicago's law schools, recognizing that collective action strengthens the movement for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion in legal practice. Through its commitment to community building and advocacy, OutLaw embodies Loyola's values of diversity, equity, and inclusion while preparing the next generation of LGBTQ+ legal professionals to serve their communities with integrity and purpose.

Founded in 1991 by Chicago-based activists Arthur Johnston, Rick Garcia, and the late Jon Henri Damski and Lana Hostetler, Equality Illinois emerged from a powerful grassroots movement to defend LGBTQ civil rights. What began as the Illinois Federation for Human Rights has evolved into a statewide community rooted in the belief that everyone deserves dignity, respect, and the freedom to live authentically. Serving the Chicago, IL area and beyond, Equality Illinois builds relationships across the state by staying accessible and proactively engaged with the diverse LGBTQ community and allies. The organization's strength lies in its commitment to three fundamental principles: the belief that Equality Illinois belongs to all those who share its vision; the respect for others' opinions and contributions that builds lasting partnerships; and the conviction that fairness means equal rights and opportunities for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Today, Equality Illinois stands as a beacon of hope and advocacy, transforming the landscape for LGBTQ Illinoisans through persistent, compassionate, and community-driven work. The organization's journey from a small group of determined activists to the state's most effective LGBTQ equality organization reflects the power of collective action and unwavering commitment to justice and inclusion.