What is the ACHR?

The Advocacy Center 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

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

• Wisconsin (1982)
• Massachusetts (1989)
• Hawaii (1991)
• Connecticut (1991)
• Vermont (1992)
• New Jersey (1992)
• Minnesota (1993)
• California (1993)
• Rhode Island (1995)
• New Hampshire (1997)
• Nevada (1999)
• Maryland (2001)
• New York (2002)

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

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 at achr@mailcity.com

• 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.

The ACHR Board of Directors

The 1999 ACHR Board of Directors are as follows:

• Peggy Ann Burton
• Brian Sylvester
• Jan Lancaster
• Dave Bentlin
• Michael Pullin
• Margot Mendoza
• Erica Paron

You may contact any of the Board members through the ACHR email achr@mailcity.com

How to Get in Touch With the ACHR

Send an email to 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.

The ACHR mailing address is: ACHR, P.O. Box 5048, Bloomington, IL 61702-5048.

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