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 a Political Action Committee, Inclusive Community Project ( ICP ), which focuses on mobilizing communities of color.
ICP has been affiliated with Illinois Unites for Marriage, the coalition focused on bringing about marriage equality in the state. On Nov. 5, the ICP plans a lobby day at the State Capitol in Springfield, when supporters of SB10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, can speak to legislators on the bill's behalf.
After SB10 was not called for a vote in May, some of the bill's supporters maligned African American religious communities and politicians, holding them responsible for the House's failure to act. But Smith said that characterization was exceedingly unfair. He sees support from members of the Black Caucus as being "malleable," and thinks that many reluctant members are at least willing to talk.
"We need to remember the challenges that those [politicians] who are sitting on the fence are up against," Smith said. "Many are taking on tough votes and do feel unappreciated."
But in the course of Smith's own lobbying, he has been faced with some challenges of his own. Some legislators he's spoken with do address him as if he's representing the interests of white gays from the North Side.
"I do tell them that I came there on my own," Smith said. "But I also tell them that, even if I didn't, they still have the responsibility to listen to us and do what is right."
Smith also pointed out that many Black legislators were concerned that marriage supporters would not in the long run lend other support to matters that are pressing in their districts, such as income inequality and healthcare access.
"I have learned a lot about fairness," Smith said. "I'm not just about one issue either. If you are looking at matters of fairness, you have to look at income inequality and how education is structured, for example."
"I hope that, at the end of the day, [marriage supporters] will hear these concerns," he added.
Smith said that more public attention should be paid to Black Caucus members who have been publically supportive of SB10, such as Rep. Ken Dunkin, Rep. LaShawn Ford and Rep. Al Riley.
"There are people who are standing on the right side," said Smith. "When you look back on these fights, they always say, 'It was a small group who stood up for something,' and I want to make sure people know that's not the case here—it is a large group."
Raising money for ICP continues to be a challenge. While supporters have been generous, fund-raising can always proceed slower than an organization wants.
"It takes resources," Smith said. "We still need footing beyond this fight, so we can keep going once the marriage equality issue is settled. I have many more things I want to do."
So far, about 100 people are scheduled to go down for the Nov. 5 lobby day, Smith said. Buses will leave from the headquarters of Chicago Urban League, 4510 S. Michigan Ave., at 7 a.m.
For more information, visit www.inclusiveproject.org .
