Statement on Rick Garcia, Activist and Leader in Illinois' LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movement

Statement on Rick Garcia, Activist and Leader in Illinois' LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movement

Yesterday, January 12, 2026, we lost a great advocate for LGBTQ+ equality-one whose dedication to elevating and protecting our community shaped lives, policy, and public conversation here in Illinois and nationwide. Rick Garcia was a high-energy, influential activist and a steadfast champion for LGBTQ+ people, particularly at moments when progress seemed uncertain or out of reach.

"It's not a matter of if; it's a matter of when it's going to be done," Rick would say-words that reflected both his optimism and his resolve.

Rick helped lead the final stage of a 15-year struggle to pass Chicago's 1988 ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, famously rallying Roman Catholic nuns to advocate on behalf of the church's adherents. He was a member of the "Gang of Four," alongside Laurie Dittman, Art Johnston, and Jon-Henri Damski-a group whose collective efforts advanced LGBTQ+ equality and visibility for the nation.

As the founding executive director of Equality Illinois, originally the Illinois Federation for Human Rights, Rick led what would become the state's leading organizational voice for sexual-minority rights. He developed local lobbying units throughout Illinois, met directly with legislators, and appeared frequently in the media to advocate for the passage of statewide protections against discrimination. In partnership with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, he also helped found the national Federation of Statewide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Political Organizations-expanding the reach and coordination of LGBTQ+ advocacy across the country.

Rick played a critical role in expanding the Illinois Human Rights Act. In 2006, when the Act was amended to include sexual orientation as a protected class and to define gender-related identity within that protection, Rick insisted that transgender people not be left behind. He would not support the bill without explicit inclusion. As a result, Illinois became one of the first states in the nation to clearly and fully protect transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals from discrimination.

At a moment when federal protections for LGBTQ+ people are once again under threat-when the current administration is systematically dismantling Title IX protections, restricting healthcare access, and erasing LGBTQ+ recognition from federal policy-Rick's legacy feels especially urgent. His work stands as a reminder that equality is never inevitable; it is achieved through persistence, coalition-building, and the courage to demand inclusion even when it is inconvenient or contested. At his core, Rick knew that we it wasn't enough to be meeting with the insiders - we also had to be protesting on the outside.

Progress is built through many voices and many paths. Rick's voice was loud, uncompromising and focused on nothing less than full equality. His dedication and persistence helped shape history, and his impact will continue to be felt in the ongoing work for equality.

As Rick believed: It's not a matter of if-it's a matter of when it's going to be done.

Thank you, Rick.

Sincerely,

Director James L. Bennett
Illinois Department of Human Rights