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Marriage bill gets clearance for consideration next week
- The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, which would bring equal marriage to Illinois, has been granted a one-week extension for consideration, in a procedural move that will allow it to be heard through the end of session. May 24 marked the deadline for consideration on Senate bills sent to the House, but the deadline on the marriage bill has ...
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Advocates: votes are there for marriage bill
- With the end of the Illinois' spring legislation session just days away, LGBT leaders say that equal marriage legislation has the support needed to pass by month's end. Sponsors have until May 31 to pass the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act," which would allow all couples, regardless of their gender, to marry. Failing that deadline, the bill's passage would ...
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Gay and Lesbian Wedding Guide Business listings
- Donald B. Boyd, Jr., Family Law 232 S. Lathrop Ave., Forest Park, Ill. 708-848-1005 www.boyddivorce.com Specializing in civil unions, LGBT issues, divorce/wills/trusts, real estate closings, custody violation, and child support. Free initial consultation. Evening and weekend appointments available. Major credit cards accepted. Dignity Chicago Broadway United Methodist Church, 3338 N. Broadway www.dignity-chicago.org At Dignity/Chicago, we affirm same — sex unions ...
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Harris: marriage bill will pass by month's end
- The chief sponsor of Illinois' equal marriage bill says he is "absolutely" ready to call for a House vote on the bill within in the next ten days. Rep. Greg Harris told Windy City Times May 21 that the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act," which would bring equal marriage to the state, will pass by the end of session. ...
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President Clinton backs Illinois Marriage Equality
- From a press release - As a final vote in the Illinois House of Representatives approaches, President Bill Clinton called on lawmakers in Springfield to extend the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples in Illinois. The 42nd president expressed his support in a statement issued Tuesday, noting that, "Illinois has stood for the proposition that all citizens should be treated equally under the ...
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GLAAD's president leaves; ex-GOP Congressman weds partner
- National roundup: Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - Barely a year after GLAAD named its new president, Herndon Graddick is resigning from his position with the LGBT media-watchdog group, Advocate.com reported. (Graddick's resignation is effective immediately.) Under Graddick's leadership, GLAAD launched a highly visible campaign against the Boy Scouts of America's ban on gay Scouts as well as gay and lesbian scoutmasters, and Graddick led the organization's efforts ...
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France approves marriage; Amaechi's mixed message
- World news: Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - World news: France approves marriage; Amaechi's mixed message COMPILED BY ANDREW DAVIS France's president, Francois Hollande, has signed into law a measure making the country the ninth in Europe, and 14th globally, to legalize gay marriage, the BBC reported. On May 17, the Constitutional Council rejected a challenge by the right-wing opposition, clearing the way for Hollande to sign the ...
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Many gay couples with kids in worst areas on marriage
- From the Williams Institute - LOS ANGELES— The metro areas with the highest percentages of same-sex couples raising children are in states that have a constitutional ban on marriage, according to a new infographic created by the Williams Institute. The full infographic is available here: http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/research/census-lgbt-demographics-studies/infographic-msas-may-2013/ . "Research consistently shows that same-sex couples raise children all across the country," said Williams Institute public policy research ...
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France president signs marriage equality law
- From a press release - Paris, France - On Saturday, President Hollande signed a bill that gives gays and lesbians the right to marry France. "More than 300,000 All Out members spoke loud and clear and the French government responded," Andre Banks Executive Director and Co-Founder of All Out said, "Now, those who signed France's largest online petition in history have been answered. Marriage for ...
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Protesters clash over marriage bill in Little Village neighborhood
- Video link below - Groups both for and against marriage equality in Illinois faced off in the city's Little Village neighborhood May 18, in what is expected to be the last demonstration before the end of the state's legislative session. Approximately 90 demonstrators turned out to oppose the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act," which would legalize same-sex marriage. That group had come at ...
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Matthew Morrison, HRC partner for LGBT equality
- From a press release - Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe-nominated star Matthew Morrison is proud to announce that he is partnering with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in support of LGBT equality. Partial proceeds from the pre-sale of his new studio album, Where It All Began, will benefit HRC. The album, which will be released on June 4, 2013, features an assortment of classic standards, ...
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Anti- and pro-equal marriage protests planned for May 18
- From a Gay Liberation Network press release - As Illinois's legislative session comes to an end May 31 and passage of Illinois's equal marriage rights bill goes down to the wire, pro-gay groups are responding to the targeting by anti-gay groups of a legislator in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. The Illinois Family Institute, designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, distributed a flyer a few ...
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More than 1 in 5 same-sex couples live in states where they can marry
- From a press release - LOS ANGELES—Today, with the passage of marriage equality legislation in Minnesota, 18% of the entire U.S. population and 22% of same-sex couples now live in the 12 states, and the District of Columbia, where same-sex couples can legally marry. In 2009, only 3% of the U.S. population and 5% of same-sex couples lived in marriage equality states. If Illinois extended ...
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Ginsburg on Roe: A signal she'd curb a decision on marriage?
- News analysis. Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - The LGBT community sees U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a likely vote for equal protection in the two pending major cases involving marriage for same-sex couples. But various mainstream media outlets recently jostled that confidence by noting that she continues to express the view that the landmark abortion rights decision, Roe v. Wade, went "too far too ...
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Minn. Gov. signs marriage equality law
- From the ACLU - ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed a law legalizing marriage for same-sex couples today. Dayton signed the bill shortly after its passage by the state legislature. Minnesota is now the twelfth state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to recognize marriage for same-sex couples. It joins Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Washington, New York, ...
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Equal marriage backers release Bond, Ayanbadejo robocalls
- Audio recording link below - Illinoisans have been hearing a lot from prominent lawmakers and religious leaders against the legalization of same-sex marriage in Illinois, but LGBT advocates are firing back with big names in support of the bill. Illinois Unites for marriage, a coalition of groups backing a bill that would bring equal marriage to Illinois, has released robocalls featuring NAACP Chairman Emeritus Julian ...
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Minnesota senate gives final approval to marriage equality
- Update at link below - The Minnesota Senate gave final approval Monday (May 13) to a marriage equality bill and the governor has indicated he will sign it, making Minnesota the 12th state to approve allowing same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses the same as male-female couples. The vote also continues an unprecedented momentum toward marriage equality, with Minnesota being the sixth state to approve ...
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Protesters spar over marriage bill in three suburbs
- Video link below - The fight over legalizing same-sex marriage in Illinois escalated May 11 as protesters on both sides of the issue targeted three suburban representatives. For the fourth week in a row, demonstrators yielding signs, banners and speakers faced off over SB 10, a bill that would bring equal marriage to Illinois. The day saw three different demonstrations, organized by anti-gay group ...
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Pro & anti-marriage rallies in two suburbs Saturday
- From a press release - With polls showing a majority of Illinoisians now supporting the equal right of gays to marry, pro-gay forces will counter-demonstrate in two Chicago suburbs this Saturday against rallies organized by the "Illinois Family Institute," a Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group. The competing demonstrations will both be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 11 in front of two different Illinois Representatives' ...
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Letter to the Editor: On Davis and marriage
- I gagged as I read Yasmin Nair's account of activist Angela Davis insulting LGBTs who desire the right to marry. Davis says these LGBTs are motivated by a desire for "bourgeois respectability." ( View coverage of remarks by Davis here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Angela-Davis-speaks-on-Feminism-and-Abolition/42667.html. ) But most equal marriage rights activists I know simply desire the same rights that heterosexuals take for granted, ...
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Delaware passes marriage equality; Smith College looking at trans policies
- NATIONAL ROUNDUP: Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - Delaware became the 11th U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage, with Gov. Jack Markell signing the legislation into law immediately following a 12-9 vote. Prior to signing HB 75, Markell took to Twitter, congratulating those who fought for marriage equality in his state. The first same-sex couples will reportedly be allowed to marry July 1. Following criticism that it was ...
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Delaware becomes 11th state with marriage equality
- Just minutes before the Delaware Senate was set to vote on its marriage equality bill, a Democrat senator who had been quiet about how she would vote announced on her Facebook page that she would vote yes. The announcement by Senator Bethany Hall-Long, who represents Dover, the state capital, came just minutes after the city's other Democratic senator, Karen Peterson, ...
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Illinois Senator talks gay son, marriage bill
- If Illinois Senator William Delgado had an evolution on LGBT rights, it happened decades ago, before he sponsored the equal marriage bill, before he stood up on Valentine's Day and told his anti-gay colleagues that they sounded like they were straight out of an 1865 debate on slavery. For 2nd district rep., the debate on equal marriage in Illinois is ...
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Sandack affirms 'yes' on equal marriage at protests
- Anti-gay protesters in Downers Grove more than doubled LGBTs and allies at a rally outside Rep. Ron Sandack's office May 4, but the Republican told crowds that his vote on the state's equal marriage bill was a firm "yes." More than 200 rallied against SB10, which would legalize same-sex marriage, in a demonstration organized by the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), ...
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Rhode Island gets marriage equality
- From an HRC press release - WASHINGTON — The Rhode Island state House passed marriage equality legislation May 2 by a 56-15 vote, putting the Ocean State on track to become the tenth state in America where gay and lesbian couples can legally marry. The legislation, which passed with bipartisan support, will be signed into law by Gov. Lincoln Chafee later today in a historic signing ...
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France approves marriage equality
- France has become the 14th country to approve a law allowing same-sex marriage, according to the BBC. The bill, which also legalizes adoption by gay and lesbian couples, passed 321-225 in the French parliament, as Socialist President Francois Hollande made the law his flagship social reform. He is expected to sign the bill once it has cleared any challenge in ...
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Gov. Quinn details efforts to pass equal marriage
- More than a dozen Illinois representatives not voting yes on marriage equality have found themselves sitting across from Gov. Pat Quinn in recent days, he said. Quinn, a strong supporter of SB10, which would legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois, said he has been pushing lawmakers to pass the bill by the end of May when the spring session ends. Windy ...
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Frank Andonoplas: An elite wedding planner
- Frank J. Andonoplas is convinced that when, not if, same-sex marriage becomes legal in Illinois, his wedding consulting business will spike dramatically within the LGBT community, perhaps by 50 percent. Andonoplas' clientele now includes about 20 percent same-sex couples. After all, Andonoplas isn't just one of the best, most respected wedding planners locally, but worldwide. He is one of only ...
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Gay marriage rallies to target pro-gay Republican
- Republican Rep. Ron Sandack (81st) says he is a solid yes vote on Illinois' marriage equality bill, but opponents are targeting him anyway. Sandack is the latest target of a slew of anti-gay demonstrations planned by the Illinois Family Institute, an anti-LGBT organization. But LGBT proponents will counter that demonstration, scheduled for Saturday, May 4. Sandack recently voiced his support ...
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Counter-protests on marriage equality held in Logan Square
- Video link below - An anti-gay marriage march held in Logan square turned tense as demonstrators from opposite sides of the issue came face-to-face in the street April 27. More than 200 anti-gay protesters assembled at Palmer Square Park to rally against equal marriage. A counter protest of approximately 100 LGBT people and allies arrived to greet them. The two sides shouted each other ...
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IL ACLU honors champions of freedom at annual celebration
- From a press release - CHICAGO — With momentum building in the Illinois House of Representatives to approve the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois will recognize the allied organizations in Illinois Unites for Marriage, the coalition working to pass the marriage bill in Illinois, during its annual Bill of Rights Celebration. The event takes place ...
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Marriage battle intensifies as spring session end looms
- The fight to pass equal marriage in Illinois is heating up as lawmakers head into the last month of spring session. Sponsors of SB10, which would legalize same-sex marriage, have until May 31 before the House adjourns for the summer. Failing that, next chance to pass the bill could come in the fall. The anticipated date of a House vote ...
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France OKs marriage equality; Chilean trans man gives birth
- World news: Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - France has become the 14th country to approve a law allowing same-sex marriage, according to the BBC. The bill, which also legalizes adoption by gay and lesbian couples, passed 321-225 in the French parliament, as Socialist President Francois Hollande made the law his flagship social reform. He is expected to sign the bill once it has cleared any challenge in ...
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Rhode Island marriage clears final hurdle
- After a moving speech by a senator who described herself as a devout Catholic but said she would support marriage equality, the Rhode Island Senate Wednesday afternoon (April 24) voted 26 to 12 to approve a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in the state. The Senate bill must now go to the House, which passed a different version of ...
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Rhode Island passes marriage equality bill
- From a press release - GLAAD April 24 responded to news that Rhode Island is now poised to become the 10th state (along with Washington D.C.) in the U.S. to make marriage equality the law, as the state Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry. The bill now heads back to the state House, which already approved a similar bill, for a ...
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Black Caucus chair co-sponsors marriage equality
- From a press release - As a final vote in the Illinois House of Representatives draws closer, the leader of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus announced today his signing on as one of the chief co-sponsors of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. "For me, this is about equality and equal treatment under the law," said Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago). "I have always believed ...
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France approves marriage equality
- France has become the 14th country to approve a law allowing same-sex marriage, according to the BBC. The bill, which also legalizes adoption by gay and lesbian couples, passed 321-225 in the French parliament, as Socialist President Francois Hollande made the law his flagship social reform. He is expected to sign the bill once it has cleared any challenge in ...
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Langbehn speaks out on the marriage rights fight
- By Deanna Duff - The April 9 incident of a Missouri man, Roger Gorley, being forcibly removed from the hospital bedside of his husband, Allen Mansell, once again brings into focus the consequences of laws such as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a 1996 federal law restricting marriage benefits and cross-state marriage recognition to same-sex couples. Same-sex married couples are denied more than ...
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Celebs 'come out' for LGBT equality
- From a press release - Los Angeles, CA, April 18, 2013 - GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today officially launched a new public service announcement campaign helmed by director Brett Ratner. The GLAAD 'Coming Out for Equality' PSA series features a diverse group of straight celebrities and athletes "coming out of the closet" as supporters of ...
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New Zealand passes marriage equality
- From a press release - Australian marriage equality advocates say the achievement of marriage equality in New Zealand this evening will be a game changer in Australia. Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome, said, "The majority of Australians who support marriage equality will be happy for New Zealand but deeply embarrassing their own country is lagging so far behind." "This will be a game ...
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Demonstrators to face off for Aurora rep.'s vote on marriage
- Opponents and supporters of a bill that would legalize equal marriage in Illinois will face off in demonstrations aimed at securing an Aurora representative's vote April 20. Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia remains undecided on SB10, and with sponsors close to securing the 60 votes needed to pass the bill, the two sides will rally in front of her Aurora office ...
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Bill introduced to remove unfair taxation on insurance
- From a news release - WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign today lauded Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Susan Collins (R-ME) for introducing the Tax Parity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act in the United States Senate. The bill, which was also introduced in the 112th Congress, would end the unfair taxation of employer-provided health insurance for domestic partners, as well as the penalty imposed on ...
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Illinois NAACP Statement on Marriage Equality
- From a press release - (Chicago, IL) — Today NAACP National President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous and Illinois NAACP State Conference President George P. Mitchell released the following statement: From NAACP Illinois State Conference President George P. Mitchell: "The NAACP was founded 104 years ago in response to the continuing horrific practice of lynching and the 1908 race riot in Springfield. While the nature ...
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Illinois rep compares same-sex marriage to statutory rape
- An Illinois lawmaker is again under fire for alleged anti-gay comments in emails to constituents. Rep. Tom Morrison (R-54) compared same-sex marriage to statutory rape in an email obtained by Windy City Times to a constituent. In the email, Morrison asks where the line would be drawn of same-sex couples were allowed to marry. "If one male and one female ...
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French Senate passes marriage equality bill
- From an All Out press release - Paris, France - "Marriage equality is almost a reality — but we can't celebrate until it's law. With a few days before the final vote on marriage, the outcome is still too close to call" said Andre Banks, Executive Director and Co-founder of All Out. "I am most excited for couples like Alain and Jean-Marc who have been together for ...
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Gay Marine engaged at White House details DOMA harm to family
- From a press release - (Washington DC/New York City) Today, Freedom to Marry and OutServe-SLDN released the newest video in their joint "Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry" campaign, featuring gay U.S. Marine Corps Captain Matthew Phelps and his soon-to-be husband Ben Schock. Captain Phelps and Schock previously made news when they became the first-ever same-sex couple to get engaged through a marriage proposal at ...
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Volunteers phone it in for marriage equality
- Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - Why would a group of people sit indoors in a windowless conference room for hours on a beautiful Chicago spring day? They were fighting for the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. "It's important to me as a mother of three sons. I cannot look them in the eye and say that one is unworthy of rights and privileges that ...
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Representatives: How they stand on equal marriage in Illinois
- Illinois could be just days away from a final vote on equal marriage. The House is expected to talk up the measure this week. If it passes in the House, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act will go to Gov. Pat Quinn, who has vowed to sign the bill. LGBT advocates are pressing supporters to call their lawmakers in ...
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Illinois Marriage bill has GOP support
- Sponsors of a bill that would legalize equal marriage in Illinois might be short the 60 votes needed despite a Democratic House majority, but the bill is picking up Republican support. Two Republican Reps. will vote for SB10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. Ron Sandack (R-81) Ed Sullivan Jr. (R-51) will vote "yes" on equal marriage, they announced. ...
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MoveOn urges remaining Dem Senators to support marriage equality
- From a press release - WASHINGTON, DC - As the nation's highest court debates the merits of marriage equality, and the constitutionality of DOMA and California's Proposition 8, MoveOn.org members from across the country have been busy urging their Democratic Senators to come out in support of marriage equality and stand with majority of Americans who support the freedom to marry for all Americans. VIEW ...
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Reps head back to Springfield as marriage takes national stage
- UPDATED April 8. 2013 - Momentum on the push for equal marriage in Illinois has been slowed as lawmakers were out on break for two weeks, but recent national progress on the issue could strengthen efforts at home, advocates say. Illinois lawmakers were due in Springfield April 8, where an equal marriage bill awaits a House vote. Sponsor Greg Harris has vowed not to call ...
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Report: Every state shows gains in marriage support
- LOS ANGELES— Every state has seen increases in support for same-sex marriage over the last eight years, according to new analysis by Williams Institute Public Opinion Project Director, Andrew Flores; and Williams Senior Scholar of Public Policy, Scott Barclay. "Public Support for Marriage for Same-sex Couples by State," examines public support for same-sex marriage, by state, and reveals the current ...
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A majority of U.S. Senators back marriage equality
- From an HRC press release - WASHINGTON — Today two more United States Senators publicly endorsed marriage rights for same-sex couples, following a groundswell of support in recent weeks. With announcements from Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND ) today, the total number of U.S. Senators backing marriage equality has reached 53, including 49 Democrats, 2 Independents and 2 Republicans. Following the Senators' announcements today, ...
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NAACP's Julian Bond backs IL marriage equality law
- From a press release - Illinois Unites for Marriage sent out the following letter from Julian Bond, chairman emeritus of the NAACP national board of directors April 5, in support of marriage equality in Illinois: I've spent my life as a civil rights activist, working to make our society more just and fair for all of us. It is that commitment to equality that ...
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African-American clergy urge passage of IL marriage equality
- From a press release - CHICAGO—April 4, 2013 — As the final vote in the Illinois House of Representatives approaches, African-American faith leaders gathered today to urge legislators to pass the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, saying "we should treat all families with equity and respect and the Illinois legislature should act now." The clergy present today represent a range of faiths and a ...
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George Takei and Madonna help 'Red' campaign go viral
- From a press release - WASHINGTON, April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — A new infographic by Rad Campaign (www.radcampaign.com/hrc) shows how the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) turned their red logo to support marriage equality into a viral success over night. On March 25th, the Human Rights Campaign posted a red version of its logo on their Facebook page in anticipation of the Supreme Court hearings on ...
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Senator Kirk comes out for marriage equality
- Illinois Republican Senator Mark Kirk has released a statement in support of equal marriage. Kirk, whose record on LGBT issues has been mixed, posted a statement on his website, voicing support for equal civil marriage. "When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect ...
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Uruguay Senate passes Freedom to Marry legislation
- From a press release - New York — The Uruguayan Senate passed freedom to marry legislation today allowing same-sex couples to marry, making Uruguay nearly certain to be the 15th nation in the world — and the fourth in Latin America — where gay and lesbian couples can share in the freedom to marry. The bill passed today had been modified slightly since passage by ...
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Supreme Court followup: What Kennedy questions say about outcomes
- Now that legal activists and experts have had a chance to go back over the U.S. Supreme Court arguments in last week's two big marriage equality cases, most are predicting victories but only incremental ones. In the Proposition 8 case, it appears that most believe the court will find that Hollingsworth v. Perry was improperly appealed. If so, a lower ...
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Attn'y General, County Clerk oppose marriage suit dismissal
- Dealing yet another blow to those opposed to same-sex marriage, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County Clerk David Orr have both filed opposition to a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks equal marriage in Illinois. Orr is the target of a lawsuit brought by Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois on behalf of ...
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LGBTs march for marriage equality in San Francisco
- On March 25, the night before the United States Supreme Court convened to hear the challenges to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, California's voter-approved gay-marriage ban, thousands of LGBT people marched down Market Street in San Francisco, the city where it all began. "Tomorrow is the beginning of the end for Proposition 8 and DOMA," said ...
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On Telemundo, Obama reaffirms marriage support
- From a press release - President Barack Obama granted an interview to "Noticiero Telemundo's" Washington D.C. correspondent, Lori Montenegro at the White House. The interview aired March 27. Among the highlights: On immigration reform: -"I think both sides, Democrats and Republicans, have been very serious about the negotiations. I'm actually very optimistic that when they return in early April that we'll see a bill ready ...
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Supreme Court hears arguments in widow's challenge to DOMA
- Groups respond. Links to videos and transcript below - From an ACLU press release ACLU, NEW YORK — Attorneys for Edith "Edie" Windsor told the U.S. Supreme Court today that the Defense of Marriage Act unfairly forced Windsor to pay more than $363,000 in federal estate taxes after the death of her spouse, Thea Spyer, in violation of the equal protection principles guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. "Thea and ...
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Supreme Court hears DOMA arguments
- Today's argument in the U.S. Supreme Court over the Defense of Marriage Act sounded at times as if President Obama was on trial for enforcing the law even though he considers it unconstitutional. At other times, it sounded like Congress was on trial, for attempting to cloak its moral disapproval of gay people under the guise of seeking "uniformity." And ...
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Prop 8 argument: Roller coaster ride over standing and merits
- The U.S. Supreme Court took the marriage equality issue on a roller coaster ride Tuesday as it heard almost 90 minutes of argument in the case testing the constitutionality of California's ban on same-sex marriage. For supporters, the highs included Justice Sonia Sotomayor asking whether there was any other context other than marriage where there would be a rational basis ...
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IL marriage-equality vote pushed to April
- Organizers pushing Illinois' equal-marriage bill are inching toward a vote on the measure, they say, but action on the bill in not anticipated until early April. Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, told Windy City Times, "We are closing in on 60 votes." Support in the House for the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act has been the source of ...
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Americans show support for marriage equality
- From press releases, photos from GLAAD - Washington — Given the historic nature of the marriage cases before the U.S. Supreme Court this week, the United for Marriage Coalition is hosting a celebration of marriage equality on Tuesday as the high court hears oral argument in Hollingsworth v. Perry (California's Proposition 8 case). New polling shows a supermajority of Americans now back marriage equality, including a majority ...
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Harm to military families detailed at Supreme Court rally
- From an OutServe-SLDN press release - (WASHINGTON, DC) Army Veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Allyson Robinson was joined on stage in front of the U.S. Supreme Court today by Army wife Casey McLaughlin, as the two detailed harms done to LGBT military families by the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. Speaking to a crowd gathered in support of the freedom to marry as the Court hears argument ...
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Supreme Court oral arguments on first equal marriage case conclude
- FromLambda Legal - Powerful arguments for equality and justice filled the chamber in our nation's highest court today. The arguments just ended, and our Legal Director, Jon Davidson, who was in the courtroom, had one word to describe the day: "Thrilling." The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the case challenging California's antigay Proposition 8. Proposition 8 has visited ...
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Groups respond to Supreme Court oral argument in Prop 8 Case
- From press releases - Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell: (San Francisco, CA, March 26, 2013)—Today, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in the constitutional challenge to California's Proposition 8. The Court heard one hour of arguments from attorneys supporting and opposing the constitutionality of Prop 8. Prop 8 is the 2008 measure that stripped marriage equality from same-sex couples in ...
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ACS: Prop 8 counter to core constitutional value of equality
- From an American Constitution Society for Law and Policy press release - Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument today in Hollingsworth v. Perry, which centers on a constitutional challenge to California's Proposition 8, which stripped lesbians and gay men of the right to wed in the California. The following is a statement from American Constitution Society President Caroline Fredrickson on today's arguments: "Proposition 8 is a law that ...
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Supreme Court releases audio and transcript of Prop 8 oral argument
- From an American Foundation for Equal Rights press release - Washington, DC — Today, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the federal constitutional challenge to California's Proposition 8. The Court is considering whether Proposition 8 violates the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Audio here: https://soundcloud.com/afer-3/oral-argument-at-the-supreme . Transcript here: http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/12-144a.pdf . The American Foundation for ...
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NAACP speaks out for marriage equality
- From a press release - The NAACP released the following remarks from Sr. Vice President for Campaigns Marvin Randolph regarding the hearings today and tomorrow at the Supreme Court on marriage equality: "I'm proud to be here today to stand alongside these great civil and human rights leaders to say that civil marriage is indeed a civil right. It is a matter of civil law, ...
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Wedding expo takes place in Chicago
- Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - The founders of RainbowWeddingNetwork held their fifth annual Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo March 24 at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, 350 W. Mart Center Dr. Dozens of vendors representing different types of businesses were present. Photos by Mike Sosin More photos here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php?APUB=wct&ADATE=2013-03-26&AGALLERY=ExpoChosen . ...
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Hundreds march for marriage equality in Chicago
- In an action coordinated with cities across the nation, hundreds of LGBT Chicagoans and allies marched through the city's streets demanding equal marriage as the U.S. Supreme Court readies to hear arguments in two marriage cases. Approximately 400 people attended the Federal Plaza rally, organized against the national Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8, which both ban same-sex ...
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