Yesterday, Memorial Day, America remembered and honored the many brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifices fighting for our freedoms and liberties. Laura Washington, columnist for The Chicago Sun Times, wrote an article highlighting one Illinois Marines’ continued battle for his own freedom, the freedom to marry. Marquell Smith called on leaders in the African American religious community to support the Marriage Fairness Act, which will be called to a vote in the Illinois General Assembly in the next few days. Smith is quoted as saying, “Equality begins when people in positions of power enable everyone to live lives of decency and dignity, free from any prejudice in the law. Black folks did not want anyone’s permission to live freely.” Yet, “despite our legacy we are now the very people denying others their equal rights.”

Veterans like Smith who identify as LGBT have sacrificed much for our country and for every American to enjoy equal rights and liberties. But they themselves are not free to marry the ones the love. Though Memorial Day has passed, it is never too late to honor our men and women in uniform by granting them the same rights they fight for every day.  The ACLU of Illinois urges you to show your support for marriage equality and to spread the word to your friends and legislators.

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As we work our way through the final week of the legislative session in Springfield, we continue to wait for a vote on Senate Bill 10, which would approve the freedom to marry in Illinois. WBEZ reporter Tony Arnold spotlighted two different ways supporters of the act are choosing to spend these last few days as the legislative session comes to a close.

Bar manager Chuck Hyde is preparing for a celebration he hopes will come. Hyde told Arnold he has been preparing for this moment for months. He said, “There were a number of weeks back that we thought it might be very close and we were kind of waiting by the phone. Literally, the vote’s going up, the vote’s not going up. And if it was going to happen, we were ready. We had ordered champagne, we had glassware ready. We were ready for the balloons. We had posters. We had all kinds of things. We had some signs and we were going to let the world know that we were thrilled and throwing a party. And ready to celebrate.”

Others are not so patient, wanting to celebrate their love even though it is not recognized by the Illinois government just yet. Amanda Marquez and Maggie Moran are two such individuals. According to the article, they plan to have a civil union ceremony on June 22. Marques told Arnold, “Not knowing exactly when, you know, how things will go in Springfield, when it will happen, we just moved forward.”

The ACLU of Illinois has worked tirelessly to get this bill through and with the vote just days away we will continue to push for the freedom to marry for all Americans. It is never too late to show support for the freedoms and liberties of all individuals.

Last week, State Representative Greg Harris, lead sponsor of Senate Bill 10 approving the freedom to marry in Illinois, said there would “absolutely” be a vote on the measure before the May 31^st adjournment of the state legislature.  Representative Harris also said the measure will be approved.  The Associated Press did a round-up of what is at stake and what is happening to move the bill to passage. Here are a few quick facts:

• The bill does not force religiously affiliated institutions to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.
• The bill does not affect school curriculum.
• Existing civil unions will remain valid and those in a civil union can choose to apply for a marriage license.
•  A recent poll shows 44% support among Illinoisans for the passage of this bill, an increase from 2010.
• If the legislation passes Illinois will be the 13^th state to approve gay and lesbian marriages.

Supporters for the bill include the Illinois Unites for Marriage coalition, which includes the ACLU of Illinois, as well as Democratic legislators, such as Governor Quinn and Republicans like Sen. Mark Kirk.

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