Lambda Legal Freedom to Marry Reception - Chicago

Lambda Legal
9th Annual Freedom to Marry Reception
February 18, 2010 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL
With more than 60 community partner organizations and over 400 attendees, Freedom to Marry is one of the state’s favorite events that celebrates and advocates for the fight for marriage equality. [Link] Get tickets here.

'Marriage' benefits costly for gay couples

Chicago Tribune
January 18, 2010
Across the country, there has been a surge in gay and lesbian couples making arrangements to protect themselves in states like Illinois that do not recognize the freedom to marry or civil unions. As the nation continues to fiercely debate marriage equality, some proponents cite the added financial burden in casting it as not just a civil rights issue but an issue of economic fairness. [Link]

Marriage Equality a Key Social Issue in Illinois Governor's Race

Chicago Tribune
December 27, 2009
In the crowded Illinois governor's race, only Democratic Comptroller Dan Hynes and Green Party candidate Rich Whitney support legalizing marriage equality, while Gov. Pat Quinn backs civil unions with the same rights as those of married straight couples. None of the seven Republican candidates supports the freedom to marry. [Link]

Tobias Barrington Wolff: A Test for LGBT Equality - Why I Support Dan Hynes for Illinois Governor

The Huffington Post
December 16, 2009
Democrats in Illinois are preparing to select their candidate for next year's race for Governor, and the primary election presents an important test in the fight for LGBT equality. Dan Hynes's candidacy can be a model for what a positive, pro-equality politics will look like in the Democratic Party. [Link] See video below:

Marriage Equality Bill Introduced in Illinois Senate: Matches House Version

Equality Illinois
October 1, 2009
State Senator Heather Steans yesterday became the first Illinois Senator to introduce a marriage equality bill - SB2468 the Equal Marriage Act - in that chamber. HB178, the Same-Sex Marriage and Religion Freedoms Act. [Link]

Another Prominent Democrat Speaks Out for the Freedom to Marry

Chicago Tribune - Change of Subject
September 21, 2009
Former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, who recently announced his intention to run in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary in February, recently issued a statement to the Chicago Tribune supporting marriage equality, the Respect for Marriage Act, and the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." [Link]

Illinois Congressman Quigley Comes Out for Marriage Equality

Chicago Tribune
September 15, 2009
Last month it was U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, announcing his support for the freedom to marry. Today it's Northwest Side Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley sending out a press release expressing a similar view as he spoke out in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act of 2009 (RMA) –new legislation that would repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). [Link]

Illinois Senate Candidate Alexi Giannoulias Takes Stand in Favor of Marriage Equality

Chicago Sun-Times
September 3, 2009
"This goes to what this country was founded on -- equality and fairness," said Giannoulias, emphasizing that he sees the freedom to marry as a constitutional and legal issue in the context of past civil rights struggles. [Link]

Bride ban: Gay bar says 'I don't' to bachelorettes

The Chicago Tribune
June 15, 2009
Bar owner Geno Zaharakis sat one busy evening at the window of his gay nightclub, watching as groups of straight women celebrating bachelorette parties made their way along a strip of bars in Chicago's gay-friendly "Boystown" neighborhood. That's when he made a decision now posted for all to see: "No Bachelorette Parties." "It is throwing it in our face that they can get married and we can't," said Dion Contreras, a 29-year-old Chicago litigation manager, while having a drink with friends. Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry, said while he agrees with Zaharakis' stand on marriage equality, he would express it differently. "I'd rather invite people in," Wolfson said. "Celebrate their happiness and ask them to take a stand for us by helping change the law." [Link]

Illinois Civil Union Bill Moves to Final Reading Before House

eNews Park Forest
May 29, 2009
Senate Bill 1716 has moved to Third Reading, according to Illinois State Rep. Greg Harris. The bill will establish Civil Unions in Illinois. "Third reading" means the bill is read for a third and final time before the full chamber. After the sponsor explains the bill, members of the chamber can ask questions. When debate is completed, the chamber votes on the bill. [link]

Vote Set on Illinois Civil Union Bill

Advocate.com
May 28, 2009
The Illinois house is scheduled to vote on a civil union bill Thursday with a scheduled break quickly approaching. Rep. Greg Harris's proposed bill would establish civil unions for both gay and straight couples that would provide a "substantially similar legal relationship" with the same responsibilities, benefits, and protections that married couples are already privy to. [link]

Illinois poised to approve civil unions

Southern Voice
May 21, 2009
The Illinois General Assembly is expected to approve a measure next week that would legalize civil unions, according to an LGBT activist. Rick Garcia, political director for Equality Illinois, said Thursday he's "absolutely" expecting the full state House and the Senate to pass a civil union measure either Tuesday or Wednesday. The bill has support from Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D). [Link]

Obama once backed full marriage equality

Windy City Times
January 13, 2009
During his run for Illinois state Senate in 1996, Barack Obama stated his unequivocal support for gay marriage, according to an exclusive story in the Jan. 14, 2009 Windy City Times newspaper. [Link]

Commissioners advance benefits proposal for gay married couples who work for Cook County

Chicago Tribune
June 24, 2008
Same-sex couples who work for Cook County won't lose their benefits if they get married in other states under a proposal county commissioners advanced Tuesday. (Link)

Marriages an inspiration, not 'disaster'

Chicago Tribune
June 19, 2008
Eric Zorn discusses how his marriage was not affected by marriage equality in California, and indeed he is honored to share the institution with more loving and committed couples. (Link)

Plan against marriage fails

State Journal Register
May 6, 2008
An anti-marriage group failed to qualify a discriminatory advisory referendum for the Illinois November ballot. (Link)

Group pushing anti-gay referendum

Windy City Times
April 30, 2008
An anti-gay group is collecting signatures in Illinois to place a non-binding referendum on the November 2008 ballot against marriage, something they tried and failed to do in 2006. (Link)

Marriage emphasized at reception

Windy City Times
February 21, 2007
The Sixth Annual Freedom to Marry Reception was hosted Feb. 15 in Chicago. The free reception was sponsored by Lambda Legal, Merrill Lynch, and The Aragon Ballroom, and spotlighted efforts to support equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. [Link]

Marriage: Scripture vs. morality

The University of Chicago Law School Faculty Blog
November 14, 2006
Our nation's greatest achievement has been its ability to recognize and overcome deeply entrenched racial, religious, gender, and ethnic discrimination. We will achieve this as well in the realm of sexual orientation. But some of us grow impatient. [Link]

Church supports civil marriages

The Telegraph
October 2, 2006
For the past 30 years the church has performed weddings of gay and lesbian couples while supporting the rights of other churches to sanction marriage of their choice. "Civil marriage is different," said Khleber M. Van Zandt, pastor of the First Unitarian Church of Alton. "When a couple is married in the eyes of the state, they receive protections far beyond what those who are considered unmarried receive from our system of laws." [Link]