Illinois house approves African-American AIDS Response Act (15772)

@ 2026 Equal Entertainment LLC.
All rights reserved

Illinois house approves African-American AIDS Response Act
 Outtraveler Staff
          
          Apr 19, 2005
          
        
Outtraveler Staff
 See Full Bio 
       The Illinois house last week unanimously passed the African-American AIDS Response Act, which expands free and voluntary HIV antibody testing and counseling services in prisons and in state government offices frequented by the public, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago reports. The bill also offers assistance to HIV-positive welfare recipients and calls for other government reforms to fight HIV in minority communities. More than 150 AIDS advocates lobbied at the state capitol in Springfield the day before lawmakers voted on the measure.
     

        
        FROM OUR SPONSORS
        
    

        
        The Latest
        
    
News
        U.S. court allows state bans on gender-affirming care for adults in unprecedented ruling
    While bans on trans youth’s care have been numerous in recent years, this is the first to restrict care for transgender adults.
Desiree Guerrero
News
        Don Lemon wants queer people to stand up to bullies: ‘Punch them in the nose’
    The award-winning journalist isn't backing down despite what the current administration throws at him.
Ricky Cornish
News
        'Heated Rivalry's meteoric rise blamed for anti-LGBTQ+ bullying on high school hockey teams
    A civil rights group claims that backlash to the show's popularity has caused an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ hate from fellow players and coaches. 
Ariel Messman-Rucker
National
        Virginia Republican names bill for swimmer whose fifth-place tie with trans athlete launched lucrative career
    Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.
Christopher Wiggins

        
        More For You
        
        Did you know over half of HIV-positive people in the world are female?
    
Desiree Guerrero
Mar 09, 2026
Globally, 53% of people living with HIV are women and girls.

        Stasia04/Shutterstock
    
        Here in the U.S., we often think of HIV as a problem that primarily affects gay and bisexual men — however, the reality is that the virus also affects millions of women worldwide. Keep Reading →

        Texas AG Ken Paxton says ban on gender-affirming care for trans kids also applies to talk therapy
    
Jacob Ogles
Mar 05, 2026

        Texas AG Ken Paxton 'Willing and Able' to Defend Sodomy Law
    
        Texas AG Ken Paxton 'Willing and Able' to Defend Sodomy Law
    
        Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for a seat in the U.S. Senate, says mental health professionals in the state can’t treat trans youth. Keep Reading →

        New York AG orders major medical center to resume gender-affirming care for youth
    
Jack Walker
Mar 04, 2026
New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a church service in Albany, N.Y. on Feb. 15, 2026.

        Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images
    
        New York Attorney General Letitia James has ordered a New York City hospital to resume providing gender-affirming care to minors, arguing that the program’s recent closure violated state nondiscrimination laws. Keep Reading →

        Budget cuts and ignorance of history are racing us towards another HIV & AIDS epidemic
    
John Casey
Mar 04, 2026
The 'lenacapavir' inscription displayed on a screen and illustrative syringes are seen in this illustration photo.

        Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    
        I’m old enough to remember what it looked like when the government decided AIDS wasn't its problem. Keep Reading →

        Florida suddenly cuts off 12,000 people from receiving their HIV meds
    
Desiree Guerrero
Feb 27, 2026
Advocates protest after Florida's decision to cut off thousands from receiving affordable HIV meds.
YouTube/WCTV Eyewitness News

        HIV patients and advocates in Florida are reeling after the Department of Health’s sudden move to cut off about 12,000 people from receiving affordable HIV medication, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. Keep Reading →

        Most Popular
        
Crime
        Many alleged suicides of Black trans women are in fact modern-day lynchings, report finds
    Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.
Christopher Wiggins
Politics
        Charlie Kirk DID say stoning gay people was the 'perfect law' — and these other heinous quotes
    These are some of his worst comments about LGBTQ+ people made by Charlie Kirk.
Ryan Adamczeski
States
        Iowa House Republicans pass a bill that will make the lives of transgender residents worse
    Conservative lawmakers are attempting to take away protections that some local governments have put in place to prevent discrimination against their LGBTQ+ citizens.
Jack Walker
States
        New Hampshire House advances transgender bathroom bill, breaking with New England
    The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.
Christopher Wiggins
Opinion
        Kristi Noem is a cautionary tale for white gay Republicans
    Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.
Josh Ackley
National
        Darrell Issa’s retirement opens Palm Springs–area House race for queer Democrats
    The longtime California Republican congressman is packing it up.
Christopher Wiggins

Site Navigation

Illinois house approves African-American AIDS Response Act

The Latest

U.S. court allows state bans on gender-affirming care for adults in unprecedented ruling

While bans on trans youth’s care have been numerous in recent years, this is the first to restrict care for transgender adults.

Don Lemon wants queer people to stand up to bullies: ‘Punch them in the nose’

The award-winning journalist isn't backing down despite what the current administration throws at him.

'Heated Rivalry's meteoric rise blamed for anti-LGBTQ+ bullying on high school hockey teams

A civil rights group claims that backlash to the show's popularity has caused an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ hate from fellow players and coaches.

Virginia Republican names bill for swimmer whose fifth-place tie with trans athlete launched lucrative career

Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.

Cisgender kids in Texas can’t get care due to anti-trans laws

Pennsylvania lawmakers advance LGBTQ+ protections despite GOP objections

82 Photos of California Boys Doing It One More Time

Pentagon spent more on lobster in one month than it did on trans health care all year

These moms are risking arrest to protect gender-affirming care for trans youth

More For You

Did you know over half of HIV-positive people in the world are female?

Texas AG Ken Paxton says ban on gender-affirming care for trans kids also applies to talk therapy

New York AG orders major medical center to resume gender-affirming care for youth

Budget cuts and ignorance of history are racing us towards another HIV & AIDS epidemic

Florida suddenly cuts off 12,000 people from receiving their HIV meds

Most Popular

Many alleged suicides of Black trans women are in fact modern-day lynchings, report finds

Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.

Iowa House Republicans pass a bill that will make the lives of transgender residents worse

Conservative lawmakers are attempting to take away protections that some local governments have put in place to prevent discrimination against their LGBTQ+ citizens.

New Hampshire House advances transgender bathroom bill, breaking with New England

The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.

Kristi Noem is a cautionary tale for white gay Republicans

Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.

Darrell Issa’s retirement opens Palm Springs–area House race for queer Democrats

The longtime California Republican congressman is packing it up.

Latest Stories

Stay up to date with the latest in LGBTQ+ news with The Advocate’s email newsletter, in your inbox five days a week.

Illinois house approves African-American AIDS Response Act

FROM OUR SPONSORS

The Latest

While bans on trans youth’s care have been numerous in recent years, this is the first to restrict care for transgender adults.

The award-winning journalist isn't backing down despite what the current administration throws at him.

A civil rights group claims that backlash to the show's popularity has caused an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ hate from fellow players and coaches.

Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.

More For You

Most Popular

Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.

These are some of his worst comments about LGBTQ+ people made by Charlie Kirk.

Conservative lawmakers are attempting to take away protections that some local governments have put in place to prevent discrimination against their LGBTQ+ citizens.

The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.

Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.

The longtime California Republican congressman is packing it up.