Illinois Anti-Gay Amendment Fizzles

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon05/11/112905illinois.htm

A conservative Illinois group trying to collect enough signatures to have a gay marriage ban put to voters is finding little interest in the issue.

The Illinois Family Institute must collect about 280,000 signatures by April 20th. At the halfway point in their campaign they have collected fewer than 50,000.

Even if they were to get the necessary signatures, got the issue on the ballot and approved by voters, it would be non binding under the Illinois constitution. It would only call on the legislature to enact an amendment and then submit that version to voters.

Earlier this month the legislature rejected an attempt to pass an amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

[Skittles]

1. another reason to be proud of my home state

yes INDEED!

[Venceremos]

2. Confirms my belief

that Illinois voters would reject an anti-gay amendment. I live in a rural county in Illinois -- even the conservative Christians here would vote against a constitutional amendment to ban marriage. I'd therefore like to see it on the ballot so marriage equality could have one in the win column.

[swimmernsecretsea]

4. Wonderful for you!

We're happy to hear it in San Francisco.

I'm planning on a visit to Chicago sometime next year, hopefully for the Gay Games.

[Skittles]

5. oh, I live in Texas right now, swim

you know how it is here :o

[swimmernsecretsea]

6. Well, I bet you love it there.

My friend Belinda lives in Dallas and keeps trying to get me to come out to match me up with a cowboy. (Her words) She says there's lots of gay guys, and, being a big proud friend (no, I will NOT use the word 'hag' to describe my beautiful, sweet, generous and sexy friend) of lots of gay guys and girls, says they're happy to be there. Just goes to show you--some people will move to a red state and turn it into a paradise while some religious nuts will make themselves a prison and try to get people to come inside with them.

[Skittles]

7. well, I am a straight gal

but Belinda is correct - there are lots of good-looking gay guys here....as for living in Texas, I dunno, I kind of see it as my fate in life, to torment conservatives. :D

[swimmernsecretsea]

8. Go, girl.

It's good for 'em. Besides, it is possible to change one's point of view. I've been able to. I wish you success in your goal.

[terrya]

3. Good...and I actually think Illinois just might be one of the next states.

that might...notice the use of the word "might" here....be one of the next states to legalize same-sex marriage. It could be several years away...but I think there's a good chance Illinois might be ready for it. :-)

[closeupready]

9. Most Illinoisans want to be fair, and it is traditionally a blue state.

While I wouldn't exactly say that there is no homophobia there (this is still the Midwest, after all), I am proud to be an Illinois native (even if I don't live there anymore).

And the Christian fundamentalism popular elsewhere is viewed as being a silly, superstitious Southern thing.

[ThatsMyBarack]

10. That's good news....

....for my true-blue state! :woohoo: