On May 30, 2012, 16 same-sex couples from across Illinois filed a lawsuit seeking the freedom to marry in their home state. Represented by Lambda Legal, their stories illustrate the many ways same-sex couples are harmed when forced to choose civil unions, a second-class status.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois is representing nine additional couples whose profiles will be shown in next week's issue of Windy City Times. Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Illinois have filed two separate but coordinated lawsuits against Cook County aimed at winning marriage equality in Illinois.
Names are listed left to right, corresponding to each individual's position in the photos. All photos courtesy of Lambda Legal
Jim Darby & Patrick Bova (Chicago)
James Darby, 80, and Patrick Bova, 73, have been together for 49 years and live together in Hyde Park, Chicago. James, a proud veteran, was born on the south side of Chicago, where he worked in the stockyards before enlisting in the Navy to serve in the Korean War. He served 4 years before receiving an honorable discharge. James and Patrick who have been together for 49 years wish to marry to better protect each other as they advance in life.
Lynne Burnett & Robyne O'Mara (Godfrey)
Lynne Burnett, 55, and Robyne O'Mara, 56, of Godfrey have been together nearly 32 years. When Robyne experienced chest pains the couple raced to the emergency room. The registrar who admitted Robyne asked Lynne who she was and after a lengthy series of questions the hospital staff still didn't know what a civil union was or understand the couple's relationship.
Daphne Scott-Henderson & Ryan Cannon (Bloomington)
Daphne Scott-Henderson, 41, and Ryan Cannon, 34, of Bloomington have been together for 6 years and are raising three children, Sonnet, 15, Autumn 11 and Sebastian, 4. When Ryan gave birth to Sebastian the hospital initially barred Daphne from visiting her son and refused to acknowledge Sonnet and Autumn as half-sisters. Ryan and Daphne want to marry to better protect their family.
Patricia Garcia & Julie Barton (Evanston)
Patricia Garcia, 54, and Julie Barton, 50, of Evanston have been together 20 years. Their daughter Olivia, 15, has often questioned the couples about why they aren't married. She was crushed to learn that her government bars her parents from marrying.
Michelle Chappell & Michelle Franke (Champaign)
Michelle Chappell, 45, and Michelle Franke, 46, of Champaign have been together 21 years. Together they are raising their daughter Rose who is 9. They want to marry to better protect their family.
Bert Morton & Lee Korty (Springfield)
Bert Morton, 64, and Lee Korty, 53, of Springfield have been together 30 years. When Bert had a heart attack six years ago both men were frantic to be together during this stressful time and tried to explain their relationship to the hospital staff who barred Lee from Bert's bedside. All the staff wanted to know was if Bert was married, and after 24 years together it pained him to say no.
Daryl Rizzo & Jaime Garcia (Chicago)
Daryl Rizzo, 47, and Jaime Garcia, 50, have been together for 11 years and live in Rogers Park, Chicago, with their daughter Siena, 4. When Garcia needed an emergency appendectomy at 3 a.m., he and Daryl had to wait for Jaime's brother to arrive at the hospital to sign various forms because the hospital didn't recognize Daryl as Jaime's family. Daryl and Jaime want to marry to protect their daughter and themselves in case of an emergency.
Theresa Volpe & Mercedes Santos (Chicago)
Theresa Volpe, 41, and Mercedes Santos, 46, have been together 20 years and live in Rogers Park, Chicago, with their two children, Ava, 7, and Jaidon, 4. When Jaidon was hospitalized near death for kidney failure, hospital administrators barred Theresa from entering unless she identified herself as a "stepmother," telling her Mercedes was already inside and Jaidon could only have one "real" mother. Theresa and Mercedes have been together for 21 years and wish to marry so that everyone knows they are both their children's real mothers.
Tim Rice & Don Julian (Alto Pass)
Tim Rice, 50, and Don Julian, 51, of Alto Pass, have been together 18 years. The couple celebrated a holy union in their church in 1996 and 15 years later the same pastor united them in a civil union. The couple enjoyed a celebration attended by 150 guests including the village mayor and many family and friends. Even with a supportive community and family network they struggle to explain what a civil union is and it does not signify what Tim and Don mean to each other.
Robert Hickok & Brian Fletcher (Oak Park)
Robert Hickok, 42, and Brian Fletcher, 52, have been together 12 years and live in Oak Park with their three children, Jack, 6, Hank, 3, and Ellie, 2. Despite their civil union, Brian and Robert carry numerous legal documents with them wherever they go, including powers of attorney and confidential adoption decrees, for fear that they and their children will not be recognized as a family. Brian and Robert wish to marry to secure their children's future and to demonstrate, both to each other and to their children, the depth of their commitment to each other.
Laura Hartman & Anne Dickey (Rock Island)
Laura Hartman, 34, and Anne Dickey, 37, of Rock Island have been together for 7 years and are raising a son, Theodore, 2. Although the couple entered into a civil union they knew in their hearts that it wasn't "the real thing." Laura and Anne belong to St. John's Lutheran Church and are waiting to rejoice with a church celebration on the day they can marry.
Peggy Burton & Donna O'Crowly (Bloomington)
Peggy Burton, 65, and Donna O'Crowly, 66, of Bloomington have been together 36 years. The couple, now retired, want to better protect each other as they grow older and worry that they are vulnerable because so many people do not understand what a civil union is.
LaKeesha Harris & Janean Watkins (Chicago)
LaKeesha Harris, 37, and Janean Watkins, 38, have been together 11 years and are raising six children in their Rogers Park, Chicago home. When Lakeesha lost her full-time job and a roof collapse depleted their savings, she and Janean applied for housing assistance but faced repeated misunderstanding by administrators who didn't know what a civil union was and were unsure if they could apply as a family. Janean and LaKeesha wish to marry to better represent themselves as a family.
Brandon & Kevin Bowersox-Johnson (Urbana)
Brandon, 31, and Kevin, 40, Bowersox-Johnson of Urbana have been together 10 years. Together they are raising their son Garrett who is 5. Before they adopted their son they celebrated a commitment ceremony to signal to their family and friends that their child was entering a loving and stable family. After they adopted Garrett, Kevin requested time off from work to which administrators replied, "but you're the man—why are you asking for so much time off?" The couple want to marry so that others will better understand their family.
Angelica Lopez & Claudia Mercado (Chicago)
Angelica Lopez, 36, and Claudia Mercado, 36, have been together for 14 years and live in Logan Square, Chicago with their children Isabel, 3, and Indigo, 6 months. Although Angelica and Claudia were happy to receive some degree of state recognition for their commitment to each other through a civil union, they yearn to be able to say that they are married, which evokes a legal, cultural, and symbolic meaning that is not encompassed in any other term.
Bob Proctor & Hector Martinez (Peoria)
Bob Proctor, 49, and Hector Martinez, 49, of Peoria have been together 19 years. The couple could not bring themselves to enter into a civil union because it would not reflect the depth of feelings they have for each other.
[NOTE: Also please see related story, LGBT families and Lambda Legal have a ball, www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/LGBT-families-and-Lambda-Legal-have-a-ball/38772.html . ]
