All posts for the month May, 2013
Illinois Unites Coalition Vows to to Continue Fight for Freedom to Marry in Next Illinois House Session
May 31, 2013
After five months of negotiation since the Senate voted on SB10 in February, the Illinois House adjourned today without voting on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. Members of the Illinois Unites for Marriage coalition today called the delay “unacceptable” and vowed to push for victory. Chicago Tribune Editorial: Stand Up for Marriage Equality
May 29, 2013
With a 34-21 vote in the state Senate on Valentine's Day, Illinois seemed on the verge of becoming the 10th state to pass a law allowing same-sex couples to marry. Delaware beat us to it. Next was Rhode Island. Then Minnesota. Chicago Tribune Editorial: Approve Same-Sex Marriage
May 25, 2013
For those who favor individual freedom, this isn't a stretch. We say that with equal respect for those whose religious or moral beliefs lead them to other conclusions. SouthtownStar Editorial: Approve Same-Sex Marriage in Illinois
May 23, 2013
The General Assembly’s plate is full of major issues as it heads toward the May 31 end of the spring session — pension reform, concealed carry of guns, gambling expansion and same-sex marriage. President Clinton Voices Support for Illinois Marriage Equality
May 21, 2013
As a final vote in the Illinois House of Representatives approaches, President Bill Clinton called on lawmakers in Springfield to extend the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples in Illinois. The 42nd president expressed his support in a statement issued Tuesday, noting that, “Illinois has stood for the proposition that all citizens should be treated equally under the law.” Illinois Unites Congratulates Minnesota on Enacting Marriage Equality, Urges IL House to Act Now
May 14, 2013
In another victory for marriage equality, Minnesota became the 12th state today to extend the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples. One day after the Minnesota Senate passed the bill in a 37-30 vote, Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill into law Tuesday. Sun-Times Editorial: “An Equality Gut Check on Gay Marriage.”
May 13, 2013
Somewhere in the Illinois House, we believe, there are at least five members who have yet to say it out loud but know in their gut that gay people should have the right to get married. Illinois Unites Congratulates Delaware on Enacting Marriage Equality, Looks Forward to Minnesota Win
May 8, 2013
In another national triumph for marriage equality, Delaware became the 11th state yesterday to extend the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples. The Delaware Senate passed the bill in a 12-9 vote, and Gov. Jack Markell signed it minutes later, saying, “we must use the momentum and the evidence of growing support on this subject to take another historic step toward true equality.” Country Music Stars Speak Out for Passage of Marriage Equality
May 3, 2013
As the final vote in the Illinois House of Representatives approaches, a group of renowned country musicians announced their support for extending the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples in Illinois. The music stars voiced their support in an open letter, stating that, “when two people are lucky enough to find each other and want to commit their lives to one another, it is nothing less than a blessing to us all.” 