2008 Woodie Awards
Gay couples need same rights
Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: Opinions
Last Wednesday the Illinois House Human Services Committee approved House Bill 1826, which would allow gay Illinois couples to enter into civil unions with the same legal rights as marriage.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, now moves to the House floor to be voted on this spring.
If the measure becomes law, Illinois would become the fifth state to offer civil unions, joining ranks with Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and California. (California's domestic partnerships offer benefits similar to civil unions). Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay marriage.
We hope this bill becomes law.
The customs of marriage have changed over the years, and now more and more people are becoming ready for them to change again.
In the past, race and class have kept people from marrying. Happily, we have moved past those prejudices.
Today we are moving toward a time when same-sex couples can enjoy the same legal benefits that straight couples do.
HB1826 states that recognition of marriage is the primary and, in a number of instances, the exclusive source of numerous protections and responsibilities for parties to a marriage and their children.
These protections and responsibilities associated with marriage in Illinois are only available to opposite-sex couples.
Married couples can file their tax returns jointly and share health insurance benefits.
They don't have to testify against each other in court.
When one partner dies, the remaining partner can collect life and accidental death insurance.
Some hospitals only allow legal family members to visit patients.
When straight couples divorce, they and their families continue to be protected through child support, custody and visitation laws.
Civil unions allow same-sex couples these same benefits.
Civil unions are not marriage. But they are a step in that direction.
The federal government does not currently recognize civil unions, but many aspects of marriage are determined by state.
Illinois civil unions would offer gay couples legal rights that married straight couples take for granted every day, including estate benefits, adoption, property ownership and health insurance. They would also be available to straight couples.
However, civil unions would be authorized by their own law, separate from the one governing marriage.
HB1826 has a powerful message.
It states: Illinois has a strong interest in promoting stable and lasting families, including families headed by a same-sex couple. With this act, Illinois builds on a long tradition of respect for individual rights and responsibilities, the commitments of spouses to each other and their families, and equal protections of the laws.
The state of Illinois has already extended health insurance coverage to the same-sex partners of members of the state-employees' union. We hope they continue to move in the right direction.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, now moves to the House floor to be voted on this spring.
If the measure becomes law, Illinois would become the fifth state to offer civil unions, joining ranks with Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and California. (California's domestic partnerships offer benefits similar to civil unions). Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay marriage.
We hope this bill becomes law.
The customs of marriage have changed over the years, and now more and more people are becoming ready for them to change again.
In the past, race and class have kept people from marrying. Happily, we have moved past those prejudices.
Today we are moving toward a time when same-sex couples can enjoy the same legal benefits that straight couples do.
HB1826 states that recognition of marriage is the primary and, in a number of instances, the exclusive source of numerous protections and responsibilities for parties to a marriage and their children.
These protections and responsibilities associated with marriage in Illinois are only available to opposite-sex couples.
Married couples can file their tax returns jointly and share health insurance benefits.
They don't have to testify against each other in court.
When one partner dies, the remaining partner can collect life and accidental death insurance.
Some hospitals only allow legal family members to visit patients.
When straight couples divorce, they and their families continue to be protected through child support, custody and visitation laws.
Civil unions allow same-sex couples these same benefits.
Civil unions are not marriage. But they are a step in that direction.
The federal government does not currently recognize civil unions, but many aspects of marriage are determined by state.
Illinois civil unions would offer gay couples legal rights that married straight couples take for granted every day, including estate benefits, adoption, property ownership and health insurance. They would also be available to straight couples.
However, civil unions would be authorized by their own law, separate from the one governing marriage.
HB1826 has a powerful message.
It states: Illinois has a strong interest in promoting stable and lasting families, including families headed by a same-sex couple. With this act, Illinois builds on a long tradition of respect for individual rights and responsibilities, the commitments of spouses to each other and their families, and equal protections of the laws.
The state of Illinois has already extended health insurance coverage to the same-sex partners of members of the state-employees' union. We hope they continue to move in the right direction.
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