As a result of a decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will begin issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples on Monday, May 17th. This progressive step in Massachusetts and the issuing of hundreds of marriage licenses to hundreds of same sex couples in San Francisco initiated a loud debate around the nation about who gets the benefits of marriage in our society, and whether government should discriminate in providing the benefits of marriage across our nation. On June 3, 2004, the ACLU of Illinois will host a panel discussion on this critical issue. Titled Blocking the Way to the Altar, the panel will feature a thoughtful and dynamic discussion on the legal, political and social issues involved in efforts to assure marriage equality in Illinois and across the nation. The panel will take place at the Chicago Historical Society -- located on Clark Street at North Avenue, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Panel members will includeState Representative Larry McKeon, John Knight, Director of the ACLU of Illinois GLBT/HIV Rights Project and Patricia Logue, Senior Counsel at Lambda Legal in Chicago. The program is free and open to the public. We do ask that you make reservations. Hold your spot today by calling Sylvia Adams at (312) 201-9740, ext. 329 or by email at sadams@aclu-il.org.