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VIEWS Beyond marriage: Uniting for change
- Last month Illinois became the 16th state to grant same-sex couples the right to marry when Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Act. This law not only gives same-gender, loving couples a basic human right, but protects the freedoms of clergy and churches that do not condone same-sex marriage. We applaud the Illinois General Assembly for taking ...
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Darby vs. Orr lawsuit dismissed
- Judge Sophia Hall on Dec. 17 granted a motion to dismiss as moot the Darby vs. Orr lawsuit filed on behalf of 25 Illinois same-sex couples seeking the right to marry. The motion was filed Dec. 9 by attorneys from ACLU Illinois and Lambda Legal, who represented the plaintiffs. "The relief that we were seeking was in the marriage bill ...
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Out Iowa politician entrenched in same-sex marriage debate
- Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - Kim Painter recalls the words she told same-sex couples looking to get married in Iowa in 2004, a professional approach that certainly conflicted with her personal stance on the matter. About 50 couples arrived at the Johnson County office of the registrar, of which the openly gay Painter served as the registrar. The media also was present for this protest ...
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Illinois gay couples allowed to marry for medical reasons
- A federal judge signed an order Dec. 16 that said same-sex couples wherein a partner faces a serious medical complication can marry ahead of the scheduled June 1 start date when marriage equality takes effect in Illinois. Couples seeking an early marriage for medical reasons will be able to access a form from their county clerk's office; the form will ...
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Federal agencies issuing post-DOMA regs
- There was a flurry of activity among federal agencies this month to issue regulations concerning how they are complying with the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). All of them were aimed at making sure same-sex marriage couples were treated equally, but not all of them resulted in a positive ...
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Two more Illinois couples get early marriage go-ahead
- Video link below - A federal judge ordered Dec. 9 that two more Illinois couples—each with partners suffering from chronic illnesses—could wed ahead of the June 1, 2014, start-date for same-sex weddings in the state. A hearing on Dec. 16 will determine whether couples under similar circumstances can marry as well. Judge Sharon Coleman from the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of ...
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Chicago woman uses flash mob to propose
- Dozens of friends and family joined together for a musical flash mob at the French Market in downtown Chicago Dec. 14, as Kristen Sanchez surprised her girlfriend Deseree Fawn with a proposal. Fawn said yes to loud cheers. For Sanchez, "nothing is big enough for their fairy tale," their friend Emma Watson said. DJ Kristen and Fawn have been involved ...
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Gay speed skater falls short; Northern Ireland allows adoption
- World news: Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - Openly gay speed skater Blake Skjellerup missed out on an automatic bid to the Sochi Olympics by one position, according to Outsports.com. While 32 automatic bids were handed out for the distance, Skjellerup finished 33rd, becoming the first alternate. Skjellerup, who was poised to become the first out gay male competitor in Winter Olympics history, competed in the 2010 Winter ...
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Catholic HS fires gay teacher seeking marriage license
- HRC to school: Heed Pope Francis, end unjust discrimination - From a press release Washington — The Human Rights Campaign is calling on Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, PA to immediately cease discriminatory employment practices targeting their LGBT teachers. Last week, Michael Griffin, a teacher at Holy Ghost Prep, emailed the principal of the school telling him he might be late on Friday because he was applying for a ...
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VIEWS Beyond Marriage: Uniting for Change
- Last month Illinois became the 16th state to grant same-sex couples the right to marry when Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Act. This law not only gives same gender, loving couples a basic human right, but protects the freedoms of clergy and churches that do not condone same-sex marriage. We applaud the Illinois General Assembly for ...
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Hospital CEO is gay, partnered and ready to marry
- The joy Alan Eaks now experiences as an out gay man with a partner of 12 years and two adopted children certainly overshadows the issues he endured years ago. Eaks, 56, is the CEO of Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, a position he has held for close to 13 years—and he is admittedly "completely comfortable as an openly gay man in this ...
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Celebrating Goodridge's 10 years of marriage equality
- On the same day the governor signed legislation making same-sex marriages legal in Illinois and the Catholic bishop of Springfield offered prayers of exorcism in Latin during a worship service in opposition to the law, LGBT residents of Massachusetts were celebrating the decade-old Goodridge decision, an historic high court ruling that ushered marriage equality into the commonwealth and nation. The ...
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Gay Games group in historic meeting; Shimon Peres backs gay marriage
- World news: Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - The Federation of Gay Games ( FGG ) announced Dec. 2 that it had facilitated and participated in a historic first meeting between the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) and LGBT sports organizations. The meeting followed a promise newly elected IOC president Thomas Bach made during his first official visit last October to Sochi, Russia, site of the 2014 ...
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Gray and Ewert make history as first Illinois same-sex marriage
- Video link below - By court order, longtime Chicago lesbian activist Vernita Gray married Pat Ewert, her partner of five years, Nov. 27 on the city's North Side, making them the first same-sex couple to be legally married within Illinois in the state's history. Judge Patricia Logue, former head of Lambda Legal Midwest and a longtime lesbian activist herself, performed the ceremony in front ...
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Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in UN campaign; Scotland passes marriage
- World news: Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - United Nations Free & Equal—the UN human rights office's public information campaign for LGBT equality—announced that hip-hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are joining the campaign as equality champions, according to a press release. U.S.-born rapper Macklemore and music producer Ryan Lewis are the latest artists to pledge their support for Free & Equal, joining Ricky Martin, South African singer ...
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Knight at the Movies: Philomena; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; film notes
- Judi Dench plays the title role in Philomena—that of an elderly, taciturn Irish Catholic woman who confides to her daughter that, 50 years earlier, she was forced to give up for adoption a son she gave birth to while staying at a convent home for unwed mothers. Not long after, the daughter meets Martin Sixsmith ( Steve Coogan ), a ...
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Gay and Lesbian Wedding Guide
- A SPECIAL WEDDING FEATURE - A Church 4 Me MCC 1545 W. Morse Ave., Chicago 708-951-4862 www.achurch4me.org Transforming ourselves as we transform the world. Supporting marriage since 1968. Sunday worship celebration at 11 a.m. Weddings anytime! 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, ...
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Court orders marriage license for terminally ill Chicago woman
- Immediate action for Vernita Gray and Patricia Ewert - From a press release ( CHICAGO ) November 25, 2013 — Today, a federal court ordered the Cook County Clerk to immediately issue a marriage license to a lesbian couple in Chicago. Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Illinois filed the case on Friday, November 22, seeking immediate action for Vernita Gray and Patricia Ewert. __ [UPDATE Nov. 27, 3:30pm ...
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Chicago's Black LGBTQ leadership marks marriage victory
- Activists from the Black LGBT community, as well as their allies and supporters, gathered Nov. 25 for a celebration of the passage of marriage equality in Illinois. But while the evening was marked by congratulations, many participants said they were already looking ahead to take on other challenges facing LGBT communities of color. Activist Michael O'Connor spoke of the marriage ...
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Oostenbrug, Kelly marry and celebrate 26 years together
- Paul Oostenbrug and Jeremiah Kelly were married and celebrated 26 years together Nov. 29 by Rev. Judith Maynard of the Metropolitan Community Church. The ceremony took place at the home of their friends Michael Palmer and Jim Walker in Albuquerque, NM. Mr. Oostenbrug, 63, is a grant writer and helps people plan for their possible need for long term care. ...
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Equality Illinois honors Chicago Urban League
- From a press release - CHICAGO — Equality Illinois will present one of their annual Freedom Awards to the Chicago Urban League for spreading the message of fairness and equality. The awards are given at their annual gala earlt next year. "We deeply appreciate all public figures and organizations who support LGBT issues. It is still another thing to be a torchbearer of freedom on ...
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Bishop Paprocki offers exorcism regarding same sex marriage bill
- At approximately the same time Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed the marriage-equality bill into law in Chicago, Bishop Thomas Paprocki, the head of Springfield's Catholic Diocese, presided over a prayer service of "Supplication and Exorcism for the Sin of Same-Sex Marriage." That this service took place in the state capital no more than 10 blocks from the site of the ...
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Illinois Unites celebrate marriage equality
- After Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Illinois marriage equality bill into law Nov. 20, members of the Illinois Unites for Marriage coalition celebrated the victory at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant in the South Loop. Illinois Unites leader John Kohlhepp, finance co-chairs Laura Ricketts and Ray Koenig, Lambda Legal Midwest Director Jim Bennett and Rep. Greg Harris all addressed the crowd. ...
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LETTERS Claus and effect
- To the editor: "Yes, Harry, There is a Santa Claus" ( An Open Letter to Ald. Osterman in Chicago ) Dear Ald. Osterman: Your constituents in the 48th Ward of Chicago encourage you to accept in December the petition for a promenade and bike path along the lakefront in Edgewater. A street and online petition have been circulating in our ...
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UMC is still wrong-headed on gay marriage
- In 2013, the reality that Rev. Frank Schaefer, pastor at Zion United Methodist Church ( UMC ) of Iona in Pennsylvania, was forced to stand trial Nov. 18 for officiating his son's 2007 same-sex nuptials is not only wrong-headed—it is also wrong-hearted. "I love him so much and didn't want to deny him that joy. I had to follow my ...
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Quinn signs marriage equality bill into law
- More than 2,000 members of the LGBT community, as well as their friends, families and allies, gathered at the UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) Forum Nov. 20 to watch Gov. Pat Quinn sign SB10 into law, bringing marriage equality to Illinois effective June 1, 2014. Illinois is now officially the 16th U.S. state to have marriage equality. In a ...
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Activists launch petition to stop exorcism on signing day
- The online activist organization Faithful America launched a petition Nov. 19 telling Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki not to hold his planned prayer service and exorcism while Gov. Quinn signs same-sex marriage legislation Nov. 20. "Holding an exorcism in response to the enactment of marriage equality is no way to show Christ's love to the world. Please cancel this political stunt ...
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Loyola student petitions for school to host same-sex ceremonies
- Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - Having recently transferred to Loyola University Chicago, Christine Irvine was "thrilled" by the prospect of host her upcoming wedding ceremony on the school's lakefront campus. But when university officials learned Irvine would marry a woman, her request was denied. In response, Irvine launched a Change.org petition Sept. 11 urging Loyola to "end the discriminatory policy banning same-sex ceremonies on campus." ...
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Anti-gay marriage group ends year with big losses
- From a press release - WASHINGTON — The National Organization for Marriage ( NOM ) continues to struggle financially as its losses at the U.S. Supreme Court and in states across the country pile up. According to the organization's latest financial documents, NOM ended the year in the red with roughly a $2 million dollar deficit. Just three donors accounted for roughly two thirds of ...
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IL Unites for Marriage Coalition lauds grassroots campaign
- From a press release - CHICAGO — Today the Illinois Unites for Marriage Coalition ( IUM ) released a summary of its work, demonstrating in raw the numbers the grassroots campaign that led to passage of SB 10, The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. Governor Pat Quinn is set to sign SB10 at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, in front of an expected ...
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NOM refuses to make 990s public, breaking federal law
- From an HRC press release - Washington — The National Organization for Marriage ( NOM ) has repeatedly refused to make its 2012 990s publicly available following their November 15 deadline — a direct violation of federal law. The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) first made an in-person request for the public financial documents last Friday morning and again today — both times, NOM was ...
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Cappleman wed in Washington State
- Ald. James Cappleman has wed his longtime partner Richard Thale in Washington State. Cappleman announced that the marriage had taken place on his Facebook page Nov. 17. "After 22 years, at last we're married surrounded by family and friends," wrote Cappleman. "Can't wait to celebrate the day that's coming soon when other same-sex couples can get married in Illinois." The ...
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Cardinal George denounces gay marriage in letter
- In a letter that he asked to be included in all church bulletins throughout the Chicago Archdiocese Nov. 17, Cardinal Francis George predicted dire consequences as a result of same-sex marriage coming to Illinois. The letter read as follows: "As you all know, the State of Illinois has entered into law the recognition of same-sex unions as marriages. The Church ...
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Latino Community Celebrates Marriage Equality
- "It wasn't easy, it wasn't easy for me," said Illinois State Representative Luis Arroyo to the crowd gathered on the second floor of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance ( PRAA ). "But you guys made me believe that the right thing to do was vote for marriage equality." Earlier this year, Arroyo had the choice in the Illinois General Assembly ...
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Bishop plans gay marriage 'exorcism'
- Bishop Thomas Paprocki announced Nov. 14 that he will offer "prayers of supplication and exorcism" at approximately the same time Gov. Pat Quinn will sign marriage equality into law next week. The ceremony will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield on the afternoon of Nov. 20, while Quinn signs SB10 at the UIC Forum in ...
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Marriage lawsuit stayed until June 2
- Proceedings in Darby vs. Orr, a lawsuit filed on behalf of local couples seeking the right to marry, have been stayed until June 2, 2014, the day after same-sex marriages will be permitted in Illinois. Attorneys for Lambda Legal and ACLU Illinois, who represent the plaintiffs, long contended that the suit would be dropped should legislation allowing same-sex marriage be ...
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Greg Harris talks what went right in Springfield
- In May, detractors of openly gay Rep. Greg Harris, angry that he had not called for a vote on marriage equality, pointed out that the man who would have enjoyed the glory for the bill's passage would carry the blame for its shortfall. Harris had declined to call for a vote on the bill before session ended in May because ...
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Photo: White, Ricketts at March on Springfield
- Secretary of State Jesse White with Laura Ricketts, a key activist and donor for marriage equality. She backed Illinois Unites efforts as finance co-chair, and supported the March on Springfield, where this photo was taken. Photo by Hal Baim ...
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Hawaii gov signs marriage-equality bill
- The debate went on much longer than expected but the Hawaii Senate voted Nov. 12 to give final legislative approval to a bill allowing same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed it Nov. 13. "SB1 is the epitome of the First Amendment in action" Abercrombie said. It will take effect Dec. 2, making Hawaii the 15th ...
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Survey: Same-sex weddings, engagements show surprising trends
- From a press release - Community Marketing & Insights ( CMI ), a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) consumer research company today released the results of a survey entitled "Same-Sex Couples: Weddings and Engagements." Produced in partnership with The Gay Wedding Institute, the survey of over 900 couples found interesting and surprising trends as same-sex couples plan their weddings in the backdrop ...
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Seminar tackles retirement planning after DOMA ruling
- Special to the online edition of Windy City Times. By Derrick Clifton - A group of legal and financial advisors presented an information session to educate couples on their new options following the Supreme Court's ruling to strike down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ). The post-DOMA retirement and estate planning seminar was held Nov. 9 at Little Goat Kitchen. Attendees were briefed on issues including accessing federal ...
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Illinois Unites manager looks back on campaign
- Supporters of gay marriage in Illinois came several steps closer to the end of a long, winding road Nov. 5 when the General Assembly passed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Marriage Fairness Act 61-54. The vote culminated several years of work from many politicians, activists and other supporters, on SB10's behalf, as well as months of speculation as to ...
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Marriage equality: How they voted and what it means
- Sponsors of the state's marriage equality promised surprises when SB10 saw its day on the House floor, and on Nov. 5, they delivered. LGBT leaders predicted that the bill would have bipartisan backing and support in other unlikely places. The bill managed to pick up Republican support, Democratic support from one lawmaker who voted against civil unions and a yes ...
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How do I get an upgrade, and other marriage questions
- Now that same-sex marriage is well on its way to being reality in Illinois, likely starting next June, LGBTs can look to a number of organizations for help should they begin to start planning for marriage. You can contact ACLU Illinois at 312-201-9740 or Lambda Legal at 312-663-4413 for help about the state law. Additionally, Equality Illinois has published a ...
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Hawaii House passes marriage-equality bill
- The Hawaii House gave final approval Nov. 8 to a marriage equality bill, putting Hawaii on track to become the 16th state plus the District of Columbia to allow same-sex couples to marry. The tally was 30 to 19. The voting and amendment process was a raucous one, with numerous calls for recess as member wrestled over rules, time limits ...
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Same-sex couples file federal suit for freedom to marry in Idaho
- ( Boise, ID, November 8, 2013 ) — Today, four same-sex couples filed a federal lawsuit in Boise challenging Idaho's laws that prohibit same-sex couples from marrying and refuse to respect the legal marriages of same-sex couples who married in other states. The couples, all from Boise, include university instructors, a teacher of deaf children, and a military veteran who ...
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Gay Liberation Network celebrates marriage bill
- About 60 people braved the cold on Nov. 7 for Gay Liberation Network's celebration of the same-sex marriage bill at the corner of Halsted St. and Roscoe St. The event capped several protests that GLN staged in recent weeks, calling on Rep. Greg Harris and House Speaker Michael Madigan to call a vote on SB10. The group dropped a banner ...
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Marriage lawsuit's fate unsure, despite SB10
- Darby v. Orr, the lawsuit filed by several area couples against the Cook County Clerk's Office, might still be pending, despite the passage of same-sex marriage legislation Nov. 5. Attorneys for the plaintiffs had said they would move to dismiss the lawsuit should SB10, the Religious Fairness and Marriage Equality Act, be signed into law. Gov. Pat Quinn announced that ...
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Gov. Quinn signing of marriage bill set for Nov. 20
- Gov. Pat Quinn announced Nov. 7 that he would sign SB10, the legislation that would bring same-sex marriage equality to Illinois, on Nov. 20 at 3:30 p.m. at University of Illinois (UIC) Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. In a statement, Quinn said, "Marriage equality is coming to Illinois. I look forward to signing this landmark legislation on November 20 and ...
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House and Senate pass marriage bill; bill goes to governor
- Below: Video of Rep. Harris, Speaker Madigan press conference following SB10 vote - Loud cheers erupted through the state capitol today as the Illinois House voted 61-54 to enact the Religious Freedom and Marriage Equality Act, which could make Illinois the 15th state to get same-sex marriage equality. Marriages can begin June 1, 2014. State Rep. Greg Harris made good on a promise he made last spring, to return in a veto session ...
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Sidetrack crowd toasts historic marriage vote
- Boystown was jubilant Nov. 5. More than 250 people crammed into the nightspot Sidetrack for a champagne toast to celebrate the historic vote by the House of Representatives that paved the way for Illinois to become the 15th state where same-sex marriage is legal. "We were not prepared to have this many visitors on a Tuesday night!" Brad Balof of ...
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Steans, Harris deliver marriage legislation to governor
- Illinois state Sen. Heather Steans ( D-7th ), chief Senate sponsor of legislation the General Assembly passed Nov. 5 to legalize same-sex marriage , and State Rep. Greg Harris ( D-13th ) delivered Senate Bill 10 to the governor's Capitol office Nov. 6. PICTURED: Along with Rep. Sam Yingling ( D-Round Lake Beach ), the sponsors watch as Gov. Pat ...
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Rep. Jakobsson's son dies
- Illinois reps. voting for marriage equality Nov. 5 may have cast tough votes, but perhaps none was tougher than Naomi Jakobsson's. Jakobsson, a co-sponsor of the bill, left the bedside of her dying son to vote for the bill, a crucial vote on a bill that squeaked by with just one vote to spare. Jakobsson's 46-year-old son Garret was in ...
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Big economic impact for marriage in Illinois
- Earlier this year, the Williams Institute issued a report showing that allowing same-sex marriage in Illinois would generate $54-103 million in new spending in the state over the first three years. "We estimate that as many as 11,525 same-sex couples who live in Illinois would choose to marry in the three years following an opening of marriage to same-sex couples ...
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'Happy, happy, gay, gay' website lets LGBTQs mark milestones
- Gay and Lesbian Wedding Guide A SPECIAL WEDDING FEATURE FOR 2013/14 - When Springfield clears the way for same-sex marriage in Illinois, LGBTQ couples can collect their marriage licenses and plan the moment that they exchange vows and celebrate their love. Their friends and family members may want to buy a congratulatory card—but from where? That's the dilemma Emily Belden faced when her longtime friend, Lucas, married his partner 72 hours after ...
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SB10 being read LIVE; Anticipation builds for vote today, Tuesday, Nov. 5
- As the second portion of the Illinois legislature's fall veto session kicks in, activists and other supporters of same sex marriage equality have gathered, anticipating that a marriage vote may occur as early as this afternoon. State Rep. Greg Harris, the bill's chief sponsor has regularly said that a vote would be called only the bill has the 60 votes ...
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VIEWS Equality under the law is the American way
- By State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth - The American project is the story of the slow, but inexorable march towards the full realization of our nation's founding creed: that all men ( and women ) are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Of course, at the time those immortal words flowed from quill pen to parchment paper, and for many decades thereafter, there ...
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Community response to SB10, the Marriage Equality Bill
- From a GLN press release - CHICAGO — With a vote by Illinois's House on the state's equal marriage rights bill expected by this Thursday, Nov. 7th, regardless of the result, there will be a community response rally at 7 PM, Thursday at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe Streets in the heart of Chicago's LGBT entertainment district. "If we win, we will celebrate our long-fought ...
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Celebration of marriage bill passage tonight at Sidetrack
- From a press release - A community celebration of the freedom to marry will begin tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 5 in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. Media outlets are invited to cover festivities at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The party lasts through the evening, but between 8 and 9 pm, we hope to have leading supporters of the marriage equality bill stop by to address the ...
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President Obama makes statement on marriage equality in Illinois
- From a White House Office of Communications press release - Tonight, I applaud the men and women of the Illinois General Assembly, a body in which I was proud to serve, for voting to legalize marriage equality in my home state. As President, I have always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally under the law. Over time, I also came to believe that same-sex ...
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Social security protest in Springfield
- Organizing for Action-Springfield hosted a marriage equality event at the local Social Security office Nov. 4, 2013, in advance of a potential vote on Illinois marriage equality this week. Speakers were Scott Cross of OFA; couple Buff Carmichael and Jerry Bowman, together 21 years; Lee Korty and Bert Morton, together 31 years; Linda Ryherd-Schroeder, a 10-year military veteran; Peggy Patty ...
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Livestream links for Illinois House votes Nov. 5, 6, 7
- Below are the planned links for live stream of the Illinois House veto session this week. Any date can be cancelled, and it is not known when and if the actual vote will take place. Here are the links for all three days: Tuesday - https://new.livestream.com/blueroomstream/events/2448173 . Wednesday - https://new.livestream.com/blueroomstream/events/2448199 . Thursday - https://new.livestream.com/blueroomstream/events/2448207 . ...
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March on Springfield Historical Video
- Video displays below - Organizers reported than more than 5,000 people gathered under rainy skies at the State Capitol in Springfield Oct. 22. Media reports noted several thousand, and Springfield police estimated at least 3,000 people were there. People were inside (lobbying) and outside all day (for the concert, rally), and the event ended with a blocks-long march around the Capitol complex. The crowd ...
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Diverse clergy, faith leaders urge IL House to pass marriage bill now
- From a press release - SPRINGFIELD, IL — Nov. 3, 2013 — With the Illinois General Assembly returning to Springfield beginning next week, over 300 Illinois clergy and faith leaders across Illinois banded together Sunday to express their support for the freedom to marry, signing onto an expanded open letter urging legislators to take action and to "accept our brothers and sisters and recognize that ...
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'No plan B:' Stakes high for Nov. marriage push
- Operatives from the coalition lobbying for same-sex marriage equality in Illinois said Oct. 24 they were confident that a vote on SB10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Equality Act, would take place sometime when the Illinois House meets for the second part of the veto session Nov. 5-7. John Kohlhepp, campaign director of Illinois Unites for Marriage, said in a ...
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Australia parliament passes marriage; Intersex Awareness Day
- World news: Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - \A provincial parliament in Australia has become the country's first to pass a law that allows same-sex marriage, although the federal government has threatened a court challenge, according to LGBTQ Nation. The Australian Capital Territory parliament passed the law with the backing of lawmakers from the province's governing Labor and Greens parties. ( Liberty Party legislators voted against the measure. ...
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Photo recap: March on Springfield For Marriage Equality
- Photos of the March on Springfield For Marriage Equality by Angela Buhr, Tim Carroll Photography, Colleen Egan, Kyle Henderson, Vern Hester, Matt Mills, Teresa Potasiak and Kate Sosin. The March on Springfield For Marriage Equality Article and many more photos available beginning at Thousands march for marriage equality in Illinois, Oct. 22, 2013, at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Thousands-march-for-marriage-equality-in-Illinois/44865.html . ...
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Veteran takes up marriage cause
- For Marquell Smith, marriage equality in Illinois is a matter of "when, not if." Smith, a Marine veteran who was discharged for being gay under the auspices of Don't Ask Don't Tell, made the news early in 2013 when he wrote Illinois legislators an impassioned plea asking for same-sex marriage to be allowed in the state. In October he announced ...
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Marriage vote predictions
- The following is a Windy City Times report of a potential vote on SB 10 in the state House, based on interviews and research. Yes- 34 1. Daniel Burke ( D-1st ) 2. Ken Dunkin ( D-5th ) 3. Cynthia Soto ( D-4th ) 4. La Shawn K. Ford ( D-8th ) 5. Ann Williams ( D-11th ) 6. Sara ...
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Passages Hospice offering benefits to same-sex couples
- Passages Hospice will soon offer health benefits to same-sex couples in a legal marriage or civil union, according to a press release. In 2012, an estimated 1.5 million patients received services from hospices; this number is expected to increase as the parents of baby boomers age. According to the hospital, it is the first facility of its kind in the ...
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TRAVEL: March on Springfield For Marriage Equality
- Nightspots friend Dougie Collins loaded up his gAy List bus and rolled on down to the state capital for the March on Springfield For Marriage Equality, Tues., Oct. 22. Nearly 50 folks ( on just this bus alone ) made the 3.5 hour trip and joined an estimated crowd of 5,000 to rally for equal marriage on the first day ...
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MOMBIAN Travelers' tales
- My 10-year-old son loves to travel. I'm not sure how my spouse and I got so lucky. Perhaps it was that we started early, with a trip from the East to the West Coast to visit in-laws when he was only five weeks old. Perhaps it's our own love of travel and the excitement we try to convey—or his innate ...
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Post-DOMA financial, legal, estate planning seminar Nov. 9
- From a press release - Chicago, Illinois, Oct. 3, 2013-LGBT legally married couples now enjoy federally recognized rights and benefits; but much confusion and uncertainly still exists in understanding the impact to you on this changing landscape. Join us Nov. 9 for a Retirement and Estate Planning seminar, sponsored by Della Monica & Associates with Ameriprise Financial. We will help identify what couples need to ...
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Springfield marriage equality rally sets new video streaming record
- Highest ever total for State Capitol event, says vendor - From a press release Springfield, IL —The March on Springfield for Marriage Equality set a record as the largest ever LGBT focused rally or lobby day in Springfield, Illinois, with an estimated 5,000 participants from all parts of the State. Many more engaged via social media with Facebook reporting a reach of 162,000 that week; 72,000 on Tuesday, October ...
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Mayors urge marriage vote in veto session
- From a press release - GENEVA, IL — October 29, 2013 — With the Illinois General Assembly returning to Springfield next week, several mayors from cities and towns across Illinois signed onto a letter urging the Illinois House of Representatives to pass marriage equality during veto session, stating that "families cannot wait any longer for the State of Illinois to respect their freedom to marry." ...
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