The Associated Press published an article about the ACLU of Illinois' lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of a law that prohibits same-sex couples from marrying. Representing 9 couples from throughout the state, the ACLU will work along with Lambda Legal, who will represent an additional 16 couples, to argue that the Illinois constitution guarantees the right for same-sex marriage. Lead plaintiffs Tanya Lazaro and Liz Matos spoke with the AP:
Plaintiffs in the ACLU lawsuit, which includes nine couples, are Chicago police detective Tanya Lazaro and systems analyst Elizabeth Matos. The women, who've been together 15 years and have two children, reject the notion of a civil union.
"It's not the same thing as a marriage. We want our relationship, our love and our commitment we've shown for 15 years to be recognized like everybody else's," Lazaro said. "When you're growing up, you don't dream of civil unions."