SPRINGFIELD — To protect people’s access to their property regardless of their gender identity, State Senator Natalie Toro’s latest initiative would implement gender-neutral terms in certain sections of civil law.

“LGBTQIA+ people deserve to feel seen and represented in all spaces, including in our state laws,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “With this simple language change, more Illinoisans will not have to worry about restrictions to accessing their property should they change their gender identity or if they are in a same-sex marriage. This is a long time coming to make Illinois a more inclusive state.”

Senate Bill 2777 replaces terms like “husband” and “wife” with “spouse,” “married couple” and other gender-neutral alternatives in sections of civil law related to property. This would remove legal ambiguities when preparing real estate documents and ensure compliance with the state’s same-sex marriage law.  

By using gender-neutral terms, the legislation would make the legal code more inclusive to nonbinary, intersex and gender-nonconforming individuals and those in same-sex relationships. A fierce ally for the LGBTQIA+ community, Toro is proud to use her platform as a senator to advocate for this and other measures that support this community and deconstruct heteronormative statutes.  

“As a teacher, my classroom was a safe space for young people to discover their identities and be accepted and supported by their peers. Now as a senator, I will use my privilege and responsibility as an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community to fight for a world that is more accepting,” said Toro. “People may not think a slight change in rhetoric is significant, but this bill is shaking the foundation of language that has historically excluded LGBTQIA+ people. Normalizing gender-neutral language is essential to supporting our LGBTIQA+ siblings, and I am honored to be a part of this historic change.”

Senate Bill 2777 awaits further discussion in the spring legislative session.