Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Kirk now joins Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio as the two lone Republican senators in support of marriage equality.
Senator Mark Kirk is now the second Republican senator in the nation to back same-sex marriage after a Tuesday statement posted on his website. “When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others. Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this Earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back-- government has no place in the middle.” Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin applauded his decision. “Senator Kirk ... (has) shown tremendous leadership in announcing (his) support for marriage equality," he said. "Democrat or Republican, there can simply be no excuse…
Monday, April 1, 2013
Cook County Clerk David Orr's lawyers filed a brief in defense of a lawsuit attempting to overthrow the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office is taking a stance against opponents of same-sex marriage. On Monday, Clerk Orr's lawyers filed a brief in opposition to a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Illinois' same-sex marriage ban. Orr was the original defendant in the suit to overturn the state’s ban on gay marriage: Darby v. Orr. However, the longtime equal rights advocate, along with Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, refused to defend the state ban, the Chicago Phoenix reports. Instead, Orr sided with the 25 plaintiffs across the state—from Evanston to Rock Island, Hyde Park to Alto Pass—who were denied marriage licenses. As a result, downstate County Clerks Kerry Hirtzel and …
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Local state lawmakers react to Illinois Senate's passage of same-sex marriage bill.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Cardinal Francis George releases a strongly worded letter urging Catholics to oppose passage of same-sex marriage bill in Illinois. Do you agree with his stand?
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Cardinal Francis George releases a strongly worded letter as the State Legislature moves closer to a vote on gay marriage.
As gay marriage moves closer to a vote in the Illinois General Assembly, Cardinal Francis George has released a letter attacking the notion of same- sex marriage itself and urging Catholics to voice their objections. UPDATED: Illinois State Senate members went home on Thursday without voting the bill up or down in the final days of the veto session, although a senate committee did vote in favor of the bill to allow same-sex marraige. Supporters are hoping the bill will be passed after new lawmakers are sworn in on Jan. 9, however, it may be weeks before the bill goes before the state senate for a full vote. The marriage equality bill's failure to go before the senate for a full vote on Thursday was credited to pushback from the Catholic …
Sunday, May 13, 2012
The south suburban reaction to the president's endorsement of gay marriage sets off a wide-ranging debate on civil rights and religion.
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Sunday, May 13, 2012
In response to the South Suburban Patch network's Do You Support Gay Marriage? poll, several Patch commenters opened up a debate. Grunty, from Oak Lawn Patch, writes: "You can't make gay marriage illegal because it's a sin. ... What about the rest of the sins that are currently not illegal? Gluttony is a perfect example. If gay marriage is going to be illegal on the grounds of it being a sin, then it should be illegal to be overweight." Pat, from Homewood-Flossmoor Patch, writes: "I believe in small government. I believe government should stay out of our bedrooms and out of our decisions over our own bodies. I believe that without choice there is no freedom. I believe every person should have the right to choose." Bonnie Bell, from Oak …
The president and vice president are on the same side of a divisive issue, but they might differ on their own partnership.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
In light of President Barack Obama's recent announcement supporting gay marriage and a story that has generated a lot of chatter, we want to hear what you think. Take a moment to vote in our poll.
It's no secret that President Barack Obama has proclaimed his support for same-sex marriage. It was a move—one made during an interview with ABC News that aired in part on Wednesday—that conjured a mixed reaction from those in the Southland. READ: Taking Heart and Umbrage at Obama's Stance on Same-Sex Marriage Chicago Heights resident Zhenya Krassitchkova said the proclamation was like a "breath of fresh air for the gay community." The 29-year-old entered into a civil union with her longtime girlfriend, Marina Bassett, almost one year ago when Illinois became the sixth state in the United States to issue licenses joining any two non-married adults. U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. also applauded Obama's announcement. "I want to congratulate …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Southland residents reacted Thursday—some positively, some negatively—to President Obama's public support for gay marriage. What do you think?
President Barack Obama's public backing of gay marriage met a mixed reaction Thursday in the south suburbs. Obama said during a recent ABC news interview that he personally supports same-sex marriage, noting that he "already made a decision that we were going to take this position before the election and before the convention." In doing so, he became the first sitting president to publicly support the union. "I've just concluded that, for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married," Obama told ABC's Good Morning America. Chicago Heights resident Zhenya Krassitchkova said the proclamation was like a "breath of fresh air for the gay community." "It's obviously …
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Candidates for the 18th District of the Illinois State Senate and 35th District of the State House appeared at a wide ranging forum. Here are their answers on the gay marriage question.
With an increasing number of states passing gay marriage laws and Illinois' recent civil unions law, the topic of gay marriage is a much talked about one in state legislatures across the country. In a candidate forum sponsored by the Palos-Orland League of Women Voters on Monday, candidates shared their views on the issue. Fran Hurley (D-Chicago): Says the issue is not her focus, but she does have a gay relative and, "would hate to deny her the right to marry." Anthony Martin (D-Chicago): "Due to his faith," he does not support same-sex marriage. Andrew Byrne Hodorowicz (D-Palos Heights): He is focused on the state's finances and would not support anything that adds costs for the state. Steve Williams (R-Orland Park): "No. I do not …
R.W.Voter
9:21 pm on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
That has nothing to do with it, I think the idea of two men or two women calling themselves husband and wife is disgusting, what they do in bed has been done for thousands of years. Men are husbands, women are wives, and I agree with Mr. Putin that they shouldn't let gay couples adopt. It is my opinion, you have yours. I think that the kids will end up messed up mentally, OK. more ›