A rally to encourage Rep. Johnson to promote equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans (LGBT) is planned for November 6th.

The rally is scheduled to begin at 3pm on Friday, November 6th outside of Rep. Tim Johnson’s Champaign office at 2004 Fox Drive. LGBT Americans hope Rep. Johnson will support the Reuniting Families Act (RFA), the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA), and the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

eQuality, a student group at the University of Illinois, is coordinating the rally as part of a National Week of Initiative. The group hopes to drive home the message that the legislation is an issue of equality for all Americans, rather than one of partisan politics. All LGBT residents and their allies are urged to attend the rally to demonstrate this to Rep. Johnson. Though not seen as supportive of pro-LGBT legislation in the past, eQuality hopes Rep. Johnson will show his support once they prove that there is popular support for these legislations in Champaign County.