Prior to U.S. Vice President-Elect Mike Pence arriving in Chicago on Dec. 30, Equality Illinois released a statement saying that he would "find a state with LGBTQ people who have grave concerns about his new administration."
"The statements made by President-elect Trump, the policies practiced by Vice President-elect Pence as a member of Congress and governor of Indiana, and the beliefs expressed by their appointees are raising grave concerns among LGBTQ Illinoisans about the risks they are likely to face from the Trump-Pence administration," said Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson.
The statement cites Pence's own anti-LGBTQ record. Equality Illinois said, "Most significantly, as governor of Indiana in 2015, Pence advocated for and signed a draconian law that established a free pass for individuals and businesses in Indiana to discriminate against LGBTQ people."
Johnson also said the community's concerns extend beyond the policies that impact only LGBTQ residents. "We are deeply concerned about LGBTQ community members whose overlapping identities put them at even more risk: LGBTQ Muslims, LGBTQ people who currently access medical care thanks to Planned Parenthood or through the Affordable Care Act, and LGBTQ immigrants," he said.