Tucson becomes second Arizona city to allow same-sex civil unions
Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis announces engagement
Former gender studies professor on FBI ‘Most Wanted’ list captured in Mexico
Brazil lawmakers OK bill to allow treatment of homosexuality as a disorder
Del. state House approves transgender protections bill
Eldest of ‘19 Kids and Counting’ joins anti-gay hate group FRC
Man pleads not guilty in New York City hate crime shooting
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A strict party-line vote Tuesday sent proposed gay-marriage legislation to the Democrat-controlled Illinois Senate floor for the second time in a month.
The Executive Committee voted 9-5 in favor of the plan despite Republicans’ concerns that it will force resistant religious organizations to open their parish halls and fellowship centers — if not their sanctuaries — to gays and lesbians seeking marriage ceremonies.
Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), predicts the body’s 40-Democrat majority will find the 30 votes necessary to make Illinois the 10th state to give marital rights to same-sex couples. He wants a Valentine’s Day floor vote next week.
“Same-sex couples want to marry,” sponsoring Sen. Heather Steans said, “for the same reason we all do: For the common respect, commitment to families, the obligation and the benefits that come with marriage.”
Steans, also a Democrat from Chicago, shepherded a similar bill to the floor just after New Year’s — in the final days of the last General Assembly — but scuttled a floor vote when she couldn’t count on enough votes. She said a change in the language makes it clear that churches and other houses of worship will not be obligated to solemnize gay unions.
But Republicans remain concerned that religious organizations will be sued over shutting their doors to same-sex celebrations.
Sen. Dale Righter, through his questioning of the legislation’s supporters, was able to establish that those institutions’ obligations are covered by the state’s human rights law. The gay-marriage measure doesn’t address the responsibilities of any place deemed a “public accommodation,” and Righter (R-Mattoon), said the matter won’t be settled until expensive and time-consuming lawsuits are settled.
“Now we have to evaluate what public accommodations are for purposes of whether or not churches would be required to allow same-sex couples to use their facilities,” he said.Republicans are realistic about their odds. Illinois public opinion has grown quickly in favor of gay marriage. President Barack Obama, an Illinois Senate alumnus, has publicly favored it. Four November ballot issues in other states approved of gay marriage or opposed bans on it.
Even the Illinois GOP party chairman came out for it last month. Many in the party acknowledge approval is inevitable and are hoping it moves on quickly and quietly without doing too much political damage to the right.
The state approved civil unions — legal recognition of a partnership between two people, regardless of gender — just two years ago. But gay-marriage supporters don’t believe it’s enough.
“People often unintentionally offer our relationship less respect because marriage is the standard in our society,” said Bloomington resident Danielle Cook, who is in a civil union with her partner of many years, Suzie Hutton. The couple has a 15-year-old son.
“Marriage is the standard for people to define a relationship based on love and common commitment,” Cook said. “Our relationship is a marriage.”
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Related articles:
Illinois governor: Fight for same-sex marriage in Illinois is not over
Four country music stars announce their support for Ill. marriage equality bill
Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn hails passage of 'historic' marriage equality bill
Ill. governor uses 'State of the State' address to call for marriage equality
Illinois marriage equality bill on Senate committee agenda Tuesday
Ill. Senate president wants to pass same-sex marriage bill on Valentine's Day
Illinois Senate President: 'Timing is right' to pass same-sex marriage
Filed under: Editor's Picks, Illinois
Looking back 50 years: Huge strides for the gay rights movement
Rubio: ‘I’m done’ with immigration bill if gay couples are included
Marco Rubio: No ‘special’ rights for gay Americans — but I’m not ‘a bigot’
‘America’s Got Talent’ contestant disowned by family because he is gay
Christian college expels lesbian, wants her to repay grant money
Lesbian may be forced to testify against spouse in Ky. murder case
Mugabe vows to strengthen penalties against gays: ‘They should rot in jail’
Southern Baptists officially oppose Boy Scouts’ policy to accept gay youth
Russia to ban adoption by same-sex couples
E.W. Jackson: Using my past anti-gay statements against me is ‘persecution’
At LGBT Pride reception, Obama urges ban on workplace bias against gays
‘M’ or ‘F’? Outdated IDs worry transgender people
Idaho GOP leaders urge lawmakers to erase local LGBT protections
This is great news!
It
It’s about time
Finally, my home state does something right!
GREAT !!!!!!!
Yeahhhhhh;) Wisconsin are you listening?????????
Woohoo! Good news!
Do it Illinois!!!!
This means Chicago will win the 2014 Super Bowl!
awesome!!
AWESOME!!!! Now we can get REALLY married. :) LOL
Good! :) glad for them
FANTASTIC!!! :-)
Great, and the beat goes on, guess Oprah will get blamed on this?
Come on Valentines Day! I need to marry my man!
Wow….it’s about time things start rolling, America! :) Keep on keeping on! How about ya, Florida????
Oh, wait…I need a man first. Nevermind! :)
AWESOME
love it….!!!!!!!!
Brilliant!!!!!
Right on, about time.
If a place of worship can not legally refuse an interracial or racial minority wedding, they should not be allowed to refuse a same sex marriage. Let us not forget the dirty little secret that many fundamentalist Christians did and do consider any non-white inferior to themselves, and claim validation of this belief exists in religious edicts and tomes, such as The Bible and is the word and desire of their god(s).While this equality legislation in Illinois is undeniably an important step, it is still not good enough to stand the test of the future. Gay Americans are American citizens, end of discussion, and as a matter of law must be afforded th exact same rights, duties,privileges,obligations and responsibilities as every other American citizen, in every State and territory of this nation. These types of seperate but equal pieces of legislation are precisely why Federal legislation is needed, will happen at the Federal level, sooner rather than later. Not allowing gay Americans full citizen rights in every part of this country is akin to if The Civil Rights Act had left racial discrimination at the State’s discretion. Such legislated and accepted second class citizen status will not stand.
One step at a time… But seriously, DO NOT push them to perform the marriages!
That starts to get into a VERY messy gray area where their LEGAL RIGHTS to practice religion as they see fit, are honestly being infringed upon.
Just find a group that DOES respect you, and have the service performed there. Its a small concession, that would pay off in spades to get us the rights we do deserve.
pennsylvania needs to follow suit!!!
^^well said^^
The day Pennsylvania approves same sex marriage I’m gonna throw the biggest bash to celebrate but I’m not gonna hold my breath as that day I think is a way off
Way to go Illinois.
The world is turning… i just saw this post from a FORMER WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH member: http://www.noh8campaign.com/article/former-wbc-member-speaks-out
Churches can legally refuse to perform marriages they disagree with, including interracial couples, interfaith couples, or couples where one or both have been divorced. As it should be under the 1st amendment. No one sane should want to force bigoted religious groups to perform marriages. Government officials and public accommodations are another matter.