The Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, or HB 2234, which would grant same-sex couples the right to have civil unions, passed a House subcommittee. It now will go to the Illinois House floor for a vote.
Our new Governor, Pat Quinn believes it will pass. Well, now that we are rid of Blago who was not that gay friendly even though his sister-in-law is a gay activist, is gone, perhaps we can make some progress in Illinois. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and County Clerk David Orr are 100% for gay marriage. Blago was the main big obstacle here. Well he's now seeking to go off to some survivor like reality show. Bon Voyage, Blago.
Civil unions would be a nice first step. So, why do we want full marriage rights? Other than the obvious civil rights reasons, there are the human rights and social reasons. It's not all about contracts and protections and laws. It's more than just that. It's a human thing we all want. And it was never put better than in a quote from the movie "Shall We Dance" not the Fred Astair original, but the new one with Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon.
Sarandon plays Gere's wife. She wonders if he is cheating on her because he is sneaking around doing something. She hires a detective to find out what. (He is taking ballroom dance lessons.)
The detective questions her about "why is it that you think people get married?"
Because we need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet. I mean what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything...the good things, the bad things, the mundane things...all of it, all the time, every day. You're saying... Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed, because I will be your witness.
This is the definitive answer. I love it.
7 comments:
Jackie I believe this is headed in the right direction equal rights for all.
Thanks Ann. Illinois is trying to catch up with Iowa. How 'bout that.
Little by little.....it will happen......
That quote is beautiful.
Homosexuals have the same rights and privileges as heterosexuals. I can marry a woman. A homosexual man can marry a woman. My wife had the right/privilege to marry me and a homosexual woman has the right to marry a man.
This really isn't about equal rights and equal privileges. I still have to insist it is about special rights and privileges.
MHJones - You may insist all you like. You are wrong, but go ahead and insist.
MHJones-you are confused, my dear. May I suggest you try looking beyond your own nose.
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