Illinois State Sen. Heather Steans introduced the Equal Marriage Act last last week:
The proposed legislation, a companion bill to state Rep. Greg Harris’ House Bill 178, would allow the state to legally recognize same-sex marriages while still allowing religious institutions to refuse performing them. The bill will mark the first time the State Senate will discuss marriage for gays and lesbians.
There is a lot of talk back and forth in Illinois, in political groups, and in the blogosphere about this - both supportive and critical. I won't comment on it other than being excited that the discussion has been formally begun in another state. If nobody introduces the legislation, if nobody within our governing bodies will formidably stand up with this issue, then it will be no trouble for us to go on for another 10, 15, 20 years and not make any progress. Visibility is everything, both on a personal level and politically.
I'll try to add links to some pieces of the discussion as I find them. Otherwise, woohoo!
The proposed legislation, a companion bill to state Rep. Greg Harris’ House Bill 178, would allow the state to legally recognize same-sex marriages while still allowing religious institutions to refuse performing them. The bill will mark the first time the State Senate will discuss marriage for gays and lesbians.
There is a lot of talk back and forth in Illinois, in political groups, and in the blogosphere about this - both supportive and critical. I won't comment on it other than being excited that the discussion has been formally begun in another state. If nobody introduces the legislation, if nobody within our governing bodies will formidably stand up with this issue, then it will be no trouble for us to go on for another 10, 15, 20 years and not make any progress. Visibility is everything, both on a personal level and politically.
I'll try to add links to some pieces of the discussion as I find them. Otherwise, woohoo!
Discussion:
-North by Northwestern - Gay marriage bill in Illinois: more political than progressive?
-Are We Married? - Marriage (and Other LGBT) Rights in Illinois and Indiana
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