Illinois gay marriage bill introduced

[Placebo]

A state lawmaker fired up the gay marriage debate in Illinois Thursday by introducing a bill that would legalize marriage between same-sex couples.

"Illinois is a heartland state but has always been a leader in civil rights and social justice issues," said the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago). "It's the right thing to do."The proposal would eliminate wording in state law that marriage is between "a man and a woman" and substitute the phrase "two persons."

Massachusetts is the only state that recognizes same-sex marriages. Just this week, New Jersey became the third state to offer gay couples civil unions, joining Connecticut and Vermont.

Last year, opponents of gay marriage tried to head off just this sort of action in Illinois. They tried to put a question on the ballot asking voters whether marriage should be defined as a union between "one man and one woman." But the Illinois State Board of Elections ruled the group hadn't collected enough valid signatures.

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:patriot: :pals:

[Monkeyman]

1. Well the Democrats have the votes

[rebel with a cause]

2. Well, time will tell.

I am not sure how this will fare in Illinois. Will have to wait and see how it plays out. :shrug:

[madrchsod]

4. do`t think it will play well down there...

probably will not up here either...

[rebel with a cause]

5. Yeah, I doubt that the folks down here will be too thrilled with it

except for those at SIU. Quite a few Gay Right supporters there. Otherwise, mostly good ole church goin' folks who don't believe in acceptin' the ways of the devil. :eyes: Too bad you can't convince them that the devil is alive and doing well in the WH.

[Critters2]

3. This would make my life easier. I could do gay weddings without

some in my church freaking out about the word "marriage". Right now, they insist I call them "covenants", because marriages aren't legally recognized. Once they are, that's what I'll call 'em.

But at least my church has no problem with me doing the ceremonies. I'm the only pastor in town who'll do that.

[theHandpuppet]

6. And I THANK YOU

Perhaps one day before we die my longtime partner and I can marry.

In the meanwhile, we can watch straight folks celebrate their fourth and fifth go-round at the drive-by chapel in Vegas and the sanctity of marriage will be preserved.

Like Jon Stewart said, "Oh gays -- isn't there anything that hating you won't solve?"

-- the Handpuppet