Dallas Voice

Marriage momentum continues with bills introduced in Rhode Island and Illinois

Posted on 15 Feb 2012 at 4:29pm

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

After Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a marriage equality bill into law in Washington state, momentum for marriage is growing.

In Rhode Island, State Rep. Art Handy and State Sen. Rhoda Perry are expected to introduce a marriage bill to replace an unpopular civil union law that passed last year.

Rhode Island’s Rep. David Cicciline is one of four openly gay members of Congress. The speaker of the Rhode Island House, Gordon Fox, is gay. And Gov. Lincoln Chaffee said he would sign a marriage bill if it passed.

Last year, Illinois passed relationship recognition. This week, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act was introduced in the Illinois General Assembly. Backers of the bill said that the civil union law that is in effect leaves out some important rights.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who signed the Freedom to Marry pledge at the national mayor’s conference, said he will back marriage equality in Illinois.

In New Jersey, a marriage equality bill passed the Senate this week and was headed to the Assembly. Gov. Chris Christie has said he would veto the bill, and that the issue should be decided voters. According to polls, a majority of people in New Jersey support marriage equality. Meanwhile, in Maryland, the governor testified before two legislative committees last week in favor of a marriage equality bill.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has signed on to Freedom to Marry petition calling on the Democratic Party to add marriage equality to its party platform.

— David Taffet

WHAT’S BREWING: Illinois couples, straight pride and Rudolf Brazda

Posted on 04 Aug 2011 at 7:14am

1. The Census Bureau released information on same-sex couples in Illinois. The Chicago Tribune reports that the number of gay and lesbian couples in that states jumped by 40 percent over the last decade. The 2000 figure is very unreliable, however, and the number from the 2010 count only includes couples who marked their forms in a particular way – as married, even if the marriage is not recognized in that state or if not legally married, or as domestic partners.

2. Sao Paulo, Brazil, will celebrate Straight Pride. Associated Press reports the third Sunday in December will be marked as Straight Pride Day if the mayor signs a bill passed by the city council. LGBT groups said that the event will provoke violence against them. The sponsor said it was to protest all of the privileges the LGBT community has.

3. Rudolf Brazda, 98, has died. He was the last known Holocaust survivor who was arrested for homosexuality. An exhibit about the treatment of gays in the Holocaust continues at the Dallas Holocaust Museum, 211 N. Record St., continues through Sept. 5. Information on Brazda is included in the exhibit.

— David Taffet

What’s Brewing: Obama issues gay Pride proclamation; civil unions begin in Illinois

Posted on 01 Jun 2011 at 8:46am

Your weekday morning blend from Instant Tea:

1. President Barack Obama on Tuesday proclaimed June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2011. Unlike in 2009 and 2010, however, Obama’s LGBT Pride proclamation makes no reference to relationship recognition. Was this intentional or just an oversight? And if it was intentional, why? Perhaps because Obama is still thinking about whether he supports same-sex marriage. Read the full proclamation here.

2. Back in Obama’s home state, Illinois’ new civil unions law takes effect today, and more than 100 couples lined up this morning outside the Cook County Clerk’s Office in Chicago. Although couples can obtain their licenses today, they must wait 24 hours before holding a ceremony. Illinois is the sixth state to allow civil unions or the equivalent.

3. Razzle Dazzle Dallas officially gets under way today with the Cedar Springs Wine Walk & Dog Walk. You mean you haven’t already purchased your sound-activated LED T-shirt?

— John Wright

Pro-Repeal Groups Stand Together in Illinois

Posted on 15 Dec 2010 at 3:44am

The following is from HRC field organizer and military veteran Lee Reinhart:

Last week, members from Organizing for America, Equality Illinois and American Veterans for Equal Rights joined HRC in an office visit to Senator Mark Kirk here in Chicago. We were excited to gather such a large crowd for our visit, but the size of our groups caused its own challenges.

Kirk’s office couldn’t meet with such a large crowd, so we did everything that we could to make sure that at least one representative from each group got to participate in the visit. And while Kirk’ office only answer to the question of repeal was the recent GOP letter to block any bill before tax cuts had been voted on, we made sure that we were heard clearly when it comes to repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

On a positive note, staff members from Senator Durbin’s got word of our crowd’s visit being soured and took the time to send someone down to the lobby to talk with our group; a couple of us were even able to stop in Senator Durbin’s office as well. In the end our message was loud and clear: no matter happens, we are united to continue this fight until the end.

We must continue to show Senator Kirk that Illinois residents support repeal this year. There is so much at stake and we need your help now. We’re calling HRC members all over the state and transferring them directly to the Senator’s office. If you live in Chicago and can help make calls, (food and drinks provided) or if you are able to join a virtual phonebank from home, please contact Christine.Sloane@hrc.org for details.

Human Rights Campaign | HRC Back Story

— admin

Keeping Up the DADT Pressure in Illinois

Posted on 07 Dec 2010 at 5:44pm

The following is from HRC field organizer and military veteran Lee Reinhart:

With the passage of civil unions legislation in Illinois last week, there was much to celebrate and rightly so. But here in the Land of Lincoln, we’ve quickly returned to our work generating constituent contacts with newly elected Senator Mark Kirk in support of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal. Illinois voters are getting involved by making phone calls, writing letters and attending organizing meetings.

From up north in Chicago to downstate in Carbondale, from Champaign in the east to Quincy in the west, Illinoisans are making their calls to our new Senator Mark Kirk. With recent reports stating that Senator Kirk still hasn’t made a final decision on support for DADT repeal, now is not the time to let up.

This past week, I was at Elmhurst College working with members of the school’s gay-straight alliance, Straights and Gays for Equality. (SAGE) SAGE members made the call to Senator Kirk, as did local LGBT high school students who took the additional step of asking their friends and family to make the call.

I also met with members of American Veterans for Equal Rights and the Chicago chapter of Log Cabin Republicans. AVER member and retired Navy Captain Ann Bidwell, who served 27 years, not only made the phone call but also wrote a personal letter that’s ready to be hand-delivered to Senator Mark Kirk this week. Below is a small excerpt of her letter:

“Simply put, Honor, Courage and Commitment require truthfulness. DADT requires hiding, misrepresentation, and lies. For thousands of gay United States service members in uniform, this creates an untenable and unsustainable state. How can one have honor, yet be required to lie on almost a daily basis? It is exhausting.”

There is still so much more to do. To get involved in Illinois, please contact me at lee.reinhart@hrc.org or (773) 680-0620. To take action wherever you live, visit http://www.hrc.org/repealDADT.

Human Rights Campaign | HRC Back Story

— admin

Illinois Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill, On To Governor

Posted on 02 Dec 2010 at 12:44am

Today the Illinois Senate on passed a civil unions bill by a 32-24 vote. The vote comes just days after the House passed the same bill 61-52. The bill now goes to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, who has been a vocal supporter of the bill and is expected to sign the it into law

The bill, introduced by Rep. Greg Harris and passed by both the House and Senate, would permit both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into civil unions and receive the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities under Illinois law that are granted to spouses. The bill, however, does not provide for same-sex marriages.

In addition to Illinois, ten states plus Washington, D.C. offer state-level relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington D.C. provide committee LGBT couples the freedom to marry. New York and Maryland recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages. Five other states—California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington —provide same-sex couples with civil unions or domestic partnerships.

It is important to recognize that despite victories such as this, same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. For an electronic map showing where marriage equality stands in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws

Human Rights Campaign | HRC Back Story

— admin

Illinois House just passed civil unions legislation

Posted on 01 Dec 2010 at 6:44am

The Illinois House of Representatives, by a vote of 61 – 52, just passed an amendment to SB 1716, titled the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. The bill will legalize same-sex civil unions in the state.

After the legislation passes in the Senate (and it should), the newly reelected Governor, Pat Quinn, will sign the bill (Opposition to civil unions is one reason the Republican, Bill Brady, lost in November.) Governor Quinn actually showed up at the debate and was recognized.

Background via ChicagoPride.com:

SB 1716, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act needs 60 votes to pashttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=281630668487321358#s in the House. Supporters believe they have the necessary votes to pass the bill out of the House and on to the Senate, where quick passage is expected.

Tuesday afternoon, an Illinois Senate committee advanced its version of the civil unions bill by a 6-2 margin. The upper chamber on the Senate would have to approve the legislation if it clears the House.

The Senate should pass the legislation, possibly as soon as tomorrow.

Congrats, Illinois. You’re creating rights for people.

AMERICAblog Gay

— admin

Illinois House of Representatives Passes Civil Unions Bill

Posted on 30 Nov 2010 at 10:44pm

Earlier this evening by a vote of 62-51 and with supportive Governor Quinn on the floor, the Illinois House of Representatives passed a civil unions bill. The bill would permit both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into civil unions and receive the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities under Illinois law that are granted to spouses.

If the legislation passes the Senate and is enacted into law, couples who enter into a civil union will not receive any rights or benefits under federal law. Illinois does not permit same-sex couples to marry.

Civil Unions are not marriage, but they provide important benefits and are step in the right direction.

HRC congratulates Illinois’ House of Representatives as well as Equality Illinois for their work in ensuring that all couples and all families receive basic rights and protections.

Human Rights Campaign | HRC Back Story

— admin

BREAKING: Illinois House just passed civil unions bill

Posted on 30 Nov 2010 at 9:47pm

Update: Just as I posted this diary, the news came out that the IL House of Representatives has passed the civil unions law! On the the Senate! Gov. Patrick Quinn has promised to sign the bill into law.

From Equality Illinois:

We did it! The Illinois House of Representatives passed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act with a vote of 61 to 52!
However, the Illinois Senate has yet to vote on the civil union bill and has until Thursday, December 2nd to do so. We are almost there but need your help to make this bill a reality. Please:
1. Call your Senator NOW and tell him/her to pass SB 1716 (If you do not know who your legislator is, you can look him/her up here).
2. Support our aggressive advocacy efforts with a contribution. Not only do we still need to pass the bill through the State Senate, but we will then need to protect the law from attempts to repeal it. We can only succeed with your support. Please donate now.
We are extremely thankful to State Representative Greg Harris, chief sponsor of the bill, for his extraordinary leadership on this issue. Thank you for supporting us and we will keep you posted on the status of this historic bill.
Sincerely,

Bernard Cherkasov

Chief Executive Officer

As we speak, a civil unions bill is up for debate and vote in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Openly gay Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), who co-sponsored SB 1716, started his opening statement at 5:17 p.m on Tuesday. “Once in every generation,” he said, “legislatures across the country have a chance to advance the cause of liberty and justice for all.”
SB 1716, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act needs 60 votes to pass in the House. Supporters believe they have the necessary votes to pass the bill out of the House and on to the Senate, where quick passage is expected.
Tuesday afternoon, an Illinois Senate committee advanced its version of the civil unions bill by a 6-2 margin. The upper chamber on the Senate would have to approve the legislation if it clears the House.

According to the article above, a poll last month showed that 67.5% of likely Illinois voters approve of civil unions or marriage for same sex couples while only 26.5% oppose any recognition.

If the legislation passes, Illinois will join California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington as the latest state to offer full-scale Civil Unions or Domestic Partnerships. Marriage equality is the law of the land in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington D.C..

Fingers crossed for the Land of Lincoln!

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