The Advocacy Council for Human Rights

What is the ACHR?

The Advocacy Council for Human Rights is dedicated to the implementation of full civil rights protections for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people (the GLBT community).

Founded as a non-profit group in 1995, the ACHR is an active service organization that works for GLBT-friendly legislation, conducts outreach programs, and fosters communication within and outside of the GLBT community.

The ACHR Mission Statement

"We pledge ourselves to the awakening of compassion and understanding between all peoples. We strive to end discrimination and to foster mutual respect regardless of sexual orientation, creed, race, gender, or physical ability."

The Need for Civil Rights Protections for the GLBT Community

Only 17 states have passed laws guaranteeing civil rights proection for the GLBT community:

California
Connecticut
Hawaii
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Nevada

New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Rhode Island
Vermont
Washington
District of Columbia

In addition, at least 157 cities and counties have civil rights ordinances that protect members of the GLBT community. In the state of Illinois, those jurisdictions include:

Bloomington/Normal
Champaign/Urbana
Chicago and Cook County
Decatur
DeKalb
Evanston
Oak Park
Springfield

Obviously, much work remains to be done to ensure that legal rights taken for granted by the straight community also apply across the board to the GLBT community in Illionis and the United States. At the federal level, the ACHR is closely allied with the NLOHRC.

How To Help the ACHR

Volunteer Committees of the ACHR

There are many opportunities for service within the ACHR. You can get involved with the work of any of the committees below by leaving a message for the Committee Chairperson by emailing the ACHR.

Political Action Committee, chaired by Jacqui White. The political arm of the ACHR. Committee members promote and devise strategies that help gain equal rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people.
Public Relations Committee, chaired by Dave Bentlin. Members construct press releases, newsletters, brochures, fliers, this web site, and other forms of communication needed by the ACHR. The goal is to foster lines of communication both within and outside the GLBT community.
Community Outreach Committee, chaired by Michael Pullin. Members coordinate social activities, community building, and outreach programs. This committee also maintains liaisons between the ACHR and other GLBT and GLBT-supportive groups.
Fundraising Committee, currently without a chair. These members seek revenue and plan fundraising activities to support the work of the ACHR.

Your involvement in any of these committees is welcomed and encouraged -- we have a lot of fun getting our work done, and you are invited to join us!

The ACHR Board of Directors

Peggy Ann Burton
Donna O'Crowly
Dave Bentlin
Michael Pullin
Margot Mendoza
Gary Gletty

You may contact any of the Board members through the ACHR email.

How to Get in Touch With the ACHR

Many of our meetings and social events take place at the Connections Community Center at 313 N. Main Street, in downtown Bloomington. The phone number at the CCC is 309-827-2437.

Supporting the Work of the ACHR

Even though the ACHR is a volunteer group, we do incur expenses for basic organizational expenses like newsletter printing, telephone and sharing of physical plant facilities. We encourage ACHR sponsorship at one of the following levels:

$10 -- Member
$25 -- Donor
$50 -- Sponsor (this level and above includes an ACHR Pride shirt!)
$100 -- Patron
$500 -- Sustaining Member
$1,000 -- Lifetime Member

Any level of financial support is appreciated, and will enable the ACHR to meet its financial obligations and organizational goals.

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Last Updated 04/30/2008

"Equal rights are not special rights"