Voice for Equality: Greg Harris

Greg Harris is an Illinois State Representative for the 13th District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods of Uptown, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center, and Bowmanville. He graduated from the University of Colorado before serving for 14 years as Chief of Staff for Alderman Mary Ann Smith of Chicago's 48th Ward. Harris has worked tirelessly for the Chicago gay community as the founder and first Board President of both Open Hand Chicago and AIDS Walk Chicago. Harris has also served as a Board Member of the AIDS Legal Council and as a Director of the Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights. These are only a few of the numerous Chicago gay organizations with which Representative Harris has been involved. Learn more here.

In 1997, Harris and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley shared the Human Rights Campaign "Equality" Award for their work in passing a domestic partner ordinance in Chicago. In 2006, he was elected to the Illinois State House of Representatives, becoming the first gay state official in Illinois. Harris is the two-time winner of the Chicago Free Press BEST LGBT Politician Award and recipient of Equality Illinois' 2009 Freedom Award. Harris is currently the sponsor of an Illinois state bill that would establish civil unions in that state. In speaking about the civil union bill in May, 2009 Mr. Harris told the Chicago Tribune:

It appears that people have a concern with the intermingling of religious and civil marriage. But a lot of people, the vast majority, believe that all couples deserve basic rights.

Freedom to Marry salutes Greg Harris as a Voice for Equality! See other Voices for Equality here.

If Mr. Harris' support inspires you - get involved!

Thanks to Grant for this nomination. **Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!