Advocacy at CTC

Rooted in Community

Our Focus:

CTC’s advocacy is distinct because our work is directly informed by our clinical practice and community-based programs. Every day, our therapists and staff work alongside LGBTQ+ clients navigating Illinois’ mental health, employment, housing, and government systems. That lived and clinical insight drives our policy priorities, legislative work, and systems-change strategies.

Current Advocacy Priorities

Focused, as always, on fighting for the LGBTQ+ community in Illinois

01

Safety

Ensure Illinois Remains a Sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ Community

02

Access

Influence Social Drivers of Health Impacting the Trans & Nonbinary Community

03

Autonomy

Affirm and protect autonomy and self-determination in mental health care.

That Means:

Preventing the weaponization of mental illness diagnosis in the oppression of the LGBTQ+ community
Ensuring protections for LGBTQ+ families
Ensuring nonprofit and community organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community are funded and resourced
Aligning systems to ensure that trans people are able to interact with governmental services in an accessible and affirming manner.

That Means:

Promoting employment equity for trans and nonbinary job seekers and employees
Building community for trans and nonbinary people in Chicago via community activations and the arts
Advocating for the decriminalization of sex work
Protecting against the criminalization of being unhoused

That Means:

Ensuring treatment is a decision between a person and their health care provider.
Working to ensure Illinois’ civil commitment laws are just and client-focused.
Preventing the spread of mandated treatment and medical incarceration
Promoting parity & equity in health care
Supporting community insight and oversight in the allocation of mental health care funds

What We do:

Chicago Therapy Collective engages in direct legislative advocacy, coalition-building, public testimony, and policy education at the state and local level. We partner with community organizations, legal advocates, and policymakers to advance legislation that protects LGBTQ+ people and reforms systems that cause harm.

Get Involved With Our Advocacy

Ways to engage include:

Partnering on policy or systems-change initiatives
Inviting CTC to provide testimony, consultation, or training
Supporting advocacy through funding or coalition participation
Joining Hire Trans Now as an employer

Chicago Therapy Collective

5237 N. Clark St. Floor #2

Chicago, IL 60640