Chicago–(ENEWSPF)– Equality Illinois is happy to announce the introduction in the Illinois State Senate of the bill to legalize marriage between two adults of the same sex. The bill was introduced today by State Senator Heather Steans.
"This is not an issue of sacred versus secular – there are plenty of synagogues, churches, and other houses of worship that both recognize and perform same-sex marriages," said Bernard Cherkasov, Chief Executive Officer of Equality Illinois. "Rather, marriage is a civil right – plain and simple. The state cannot have a civil institution of marriage – with its plethora of benefits, rights and responsibilities – and exclude from it an entire class of citizens."
The bill would provide for state recognition of same-sex marriage, while ensuring that religious institutions are not required to perform any marriages that are inconsistent with their religious practices. This is a companion bill to the one introduced in the State House of Representatives by Represenative Greg Harris, HB178. The House bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Deb Mell, Sara Feigenholtz, Constance Howard, Harry Osterman, and John Fritchey.
Equality Illinois applauds the sponsoring legislators for their leadership.
Equality Illinois was founded to secure, protect and defend the civil rights of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender Illinoisans. It is one of the Midwest’s largest gay civil rights organizations.
