Quinn for Illinois

We had a great time at PRIDE this weekend. Governor Quinn, Lt. Governor Candidate Sheila Simon, her band, Loose Gravel, and dozens of supporters marched in affirmation of LGBT rights and in celebration of PRIDE.

While PRIDE celebrates how far LGBT rights have come, we also must recognize that there are still numerous challenges for LGBT people in our state and still work to be done.

The anti-suicide and anti-bullying bills signed by the Governor this weekend help address the challanges of growing up LGBT, but Bill Brady didn't even show up to vote on them.

On Saturday, at the Center on Halsted, Governor Quinn signed a bill to train all educators to recognize and prevent suicide amongst teens. And on Sunday, before the parade, he signed a bill to step up prevention of bullying in our schools.

We know that the teenage years are often when our LGBT kids are at their most vulnerable. Yet Governor Quinn’s opponent, Senator Bill Brady, doesn’t think these bills and these issues are important.

Bill Brady’s wrong. These bills will help ensure that our kids are able to grow up safe, strong and proud. That’s very important – and Governor Quinn was very proud to sign them.

For more pictures from this weekend's PRIDE celebration, visit our Flickr page.