Challis Gibbs, 61, one of the plaintiffs in the case that won emergency marriage licenses in Illinois, died Feb. 24. A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 9, 1-4 p.m. at 1900 S. Prairie Avenue in Chicago.
Gibbs and her partner of 21 years, Elvie Jordan, were among the first few couples married after a judge ruled Dec. 9, 2013, that there was an immediate need to allow the marriages to move forward. Gibbs was diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer in November.
Gibbs and Jordan were married in their home Dec. 12, surrounded by family and friends in a loving ceremony.
One of the other plaintiffs, Ron Dorfman, who married his partner Ken Ilio, passed away Feb. 10; the couple had married Dec. 13.
Judge Sharon Coleman from the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois signed the 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 were able to access a form from their county clerk's office.
The case was argued by lawyers from Lambda Legal and ACLU Illinois, as well as the law firms of Kirkland & Ellis and Miller Shakman & Beem.
Coleman was the same judge who also opened the gates to all same-sex marriages in Cook County Feb. 21.
The first state-recognized same-sex wedding performed in Illinois took place Nov. 27 when activist and former Cook County State's Attorney Victims Advocate Vernita Gray, who is terminally ill, and her partner, Pat Ewert, were wed at their home.
Gibbs said in the petition: "When I die, I want Elvie to be able to say, 'I lost my wife.' I do not want her to have to say that she lost her civil union partner."
During their wedding ceremony, Jordan told Gibbs, "I love you now, and I will love you forever. Your heart is where I live." Gibbs said, simply, "Always."
See the Gibbs-Jordan wedding coverage here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Two-more-Illinois-couples-get-early-marriage-go-ahead/45537.html .
