Illinois Senate Approves Gay Marriage

[EllieArroway]

SPRINGFIELD — The Democratic-led Senate delivered a Valentine’s Day victory to gay and lesbian couples today, passing legislation for the first time that would allow same-sex marriage in Illinois.

The gay marriage measure now goes to the House, where the fight is expected to be tougher. Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

The 34-21-2 Senate vote represents a turnaround of sorts after advocates unsuccessfully sought to push a gay marriage bill through last month’s lame-duck legislative session. Supporters vowed to try again quickly with a new General Assembly that featured even more Democratic seats in both chambers.

(See How They Voted by clicking HERE)

Under the measure, marriage officially would be changed in state law from an act between a man and a woman to two people. The legislation explicitly says nothing in the proposed law would force a religious denomination or minster to “solemnize any marriage.” People in civil unions would be able to convert them to gay marriages within a year of a same-sex marriage law going on the books in Illinois.

While advocates have brought forth a lengthy line-up of religious leaders who have endorsed same-sex marriage, Catholics and other church groups have provided fierce opposition. They have argued same-sex marriage goes against the basic tenets of the Bible, which call for marriage to be only between a man and woman. Two years ago, Illinois legalized civil unions for straight and gay couples.

Sen. Heather Steans, who sponsored the measure, argued the legislation is needed because it is time for Illinois to eliminate the "second-class status" of gay and lesbian couples.

The Chicago Democrat pleaded with colleages for support for the legislation because same-sex couples want to marry for the same reasons as heterosexual couples, including love.

The law will not require ministers to perform a marriage of gay couples. Nor will church officials have to require facilities of churches, such as parish or fellowship halls, to be used by gay couples against the wishes of a religious group, Steans said.

Republican Sen. Tim Bivins, a former sheriff from Dixon who occasionally preaches from a church pulpit, argued vehemently against allowing same-sex couples to wed.

Bivins sought to buttress his position with historical comments ranging from those of Thomas Jefferson, one of the nation's founders,  to Jesus Christ and Elijah, major figures in the Bible's New and Old Testaments.

"We're knocking down one of the basic foundations of society," Bivins said.

Pointing to changing attitudes in society, Bivins also lambasted Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's comments last summer in which he said some statements against gay marriage by Chick-fil-A's president do not represent "our values" in Chicago.

Democratic Sen. William Haine of Alton, a former state's attorney from Madison County, joined in the criticism of the legislation, calling it a "profound change."

"We are doing it on the basis of emotion and the needs of citizens who actively vote," said Haine. He complained the bill falls short of protecting churches from being forced to engage in what they view as "sacrilegious."

But Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, called this particular Valentine's Day a "day of celebration," saying support for gay marriage is a decisive action to break down barriers that have prevented some Illinois citizens from getting the justice they deserve.

"This is a bill that is a defining moment here in this state," Sandoval said, asking "why is it so wrong?" to help lifte partners share insurance and retirement benefits.

Lashing out at Catholics and other church officials that strongly opposed the legislation, Sandoval said, "our religious leaders have failed us."

He argued the greatest message that Jesus left his followers was to "love one another" and that the legislation would help fulfill that vision--an interpretation disputed heavily by clergy and legislative opponents.

Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said the changes represent a "danger" because it will "abrogate the mission of the church." He contended church officials who fear what will happen because of the law will pull back their outreach efforts.

Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, predicted the legislation would have far-reaching impact throughout Illinois, saying even school curriculum will be changed to recognize gay marriage.

"People have the right to live as they choose," McCarter said. "They don't have the right to redefine marriage for all of us. . . . We are jeopardizing freedom, not expanding it."

McCarter took issue with choosing Valentine's Day to pass the bill in the Senate, saying the vote was "scheduled on the holiday to celebrate love to disguise what is truly a devaluing of traditional marriage."

Sen. Willie Delgado, D-Chicago, called for an end to prejudice against gay and lesbian couples, saying all citizens are the same "in the Lord's eyes."

Delgado said he was having flashbacks to the movie "Lincoln," which focuses on the 16th president's efforts to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and abolish slavery. 

"For the love of God, I feel like I'm sitting in 1865, where similar debates were created on why slavery should continue in this country," Delgado said, adding, "This is the time. This is the place. This is the moment... We are one people."

Sen. Toi Hutchinson, an Olympia Fields Democrat and candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat left open by the resignation of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, quoted Martin Luther King Jr: "The moral arc of the universe is long but it always bends toward justice."

Hutchinson said the senators had the chance to bend that arc a "little bit further."

Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, told a story about how he could not first accept that a cousin was gay, but then he realized over time that he was "no different" from the person he had long loved.

"The sky is not falling, Chicken Little," Raoul said.

my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-74426824/

[runforrest]

:::does a happy dance:::

I really hope this passes in the House.

So happy to be living in Chicago!

[EllieArroway]

Feb 14, 2013 22:38:42 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Proud to be an Illinoisan tonight.  Proud indeed.

What does the makeup of the House look like? Do you think it will pass there, too?

[meshaliuknits]

Oh California.

Sent from my EVO

[Deleted]

Good news. Hopefully it can make it through the rest of the process.

Though I am somewhat horrified for the state of our nation that they felt they needed to clarify who Thomas Jefferson was within the article.

[soozy87]

[ringstrue]

yay!

[IIOY]

Feb 15, 2013 9:10:20 GMT -5 soozy87 said:

Shit stirrer.  Sept, you have competition!

[StrawberryBlondie]

Yay!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards

[KateAggie]

My MIL is probably melting down. That makes it a little sweeter. I'm sure she's worried that next, brothers and sisters will marry each other. 'Cause, you know, that's the logical next step.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Feb 15, 2013 10:20:49 GMT -5 KateAggie said:

My MIL is probably melting down. That makes it a little sweeter. I'm sure she's worried that next, brothers and sisters will marry each other. 'Cause, you know, that's the logical next step.

No no no. Marrying your dog or your couch is the next logical step.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards

[sushi]

I just married my coffee maker. Man, I love that thing.

[Knight]

Feb 15, 2013 10:20:16 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

you can always move to indiana soozy

Don't be sending her my way dammit. We have enough of that here already.

[msmerymac]

My Catholic in-laws live in MA and it has not been overtaken by RuPaul look-alikes, nor has their church been forced to perform weddings between men and dogs.

The more states that move to defining marriage as a contract between two individuals, the fewer excuses bigots in other states have to stop it from moving across the whole country.

[jillboston]

Feb 15, 2013 11:39:33 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

My Catholic in-laws live in MA and it has not been overtaken by RuPaul look-alikes, nor has their church been forced to perform weddings between men and dogs.

The more states that move to defining marriage as a contract between two individuals, the fewer excuses bigots in other states have to stop it from moving across the whole country.

Lowest divorce rate in the country. But pesky things like facts don't figure into the bigots' calculations.

[eddy]

Look at the Midwest getting all progressivy.

[cattledogkisses]

Great news! A clergyman friend of mine has been at the IL statehouse all week advocating for same-sex marriage to pass (and hopefully showing that not all Christians are bigots like soozy and her ilk), so this makes me very happy. The tide in this country is slowly but surely turning in the right direction.

[laurenpetro]

Feb 15, 2013 9:10:20 GMT -5 soozy87 said:

i don't understand how you can get all butthurt by people not respecting your right to exist however you want to if you can't do that for everyone else.

[Deleted]

Good on you, Illinois! Woo hoo.

And now I'll wait for Florida to come around. Oh, wait...maybe that'll happen in my toddler's lifetime. Or his toddler's lifetime.

[soozy87]

Maybe if IL spent more time on their budget and less time on gay marriage they wouldn't be in the shape they are in.

[cattledogkisses]

Civil rights are pretty important. I think it's an excellent thing for them to be devoting time to. But color me unsurprised that someone who doesn't believe in equality thinks that this isn't a good use of time.

[Jermys]

Oh Soozy, we're going to have a shitload of income coming in from all the Gayz getting married! Plus, I'll be going to like three lesbian weddings as soon as it's legal! I love weddings!!

Seriously though, I am incredibly proud to live in Illinois. I love that we're going to be on the right side of history (heart)

[sushi]

Feb 15, 2013 22:04:03 GMT -5 soozy87 said:

Maybe if IL spent more time on their budget and less time on gay marriage they wouldn't be in the shape they are in.

True, it shouldn't take any time to acknowledge that human beings deserve equal civil rights. If only shitbags like you would sit the fuck down we'd move right along without wasting time.