Illinois Rep Greg Harris: We Should Get Gay Marriage Done Now

The legislative battle over extending equal rights to same-sex couples had its share of ups and downs this past year. State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) got things rolling by introducing two measures -- the same-sex marriage and civil unions bills -- for the second consecutive year. While the marriage proposal never made it out of committee, a growing number of lawmakers warmed to civil unions and the legislation gained some traction in the House. As the session drew to a close, however, it became increasingly clear that the bill didn't have the votes to pass. Harris went so far as hatching a plan to sneak the civil unions language into a shell bill that had already passed out of the Senate in hopes of keeping it alive. But the plan was foiled and the session ended with Harris vowing to try again. In just the few short months since, some high-profile Illinois politicians have vocally expressed their political support for gay marriage. And with Harris at her side, State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) announced today that she's hoping to build on that momentum by introducing the Equal Marriage Act (SB 2468), the Senate version of Harris' same-sex marriage bill. "This is a mainstream position, this is a moderate position, and it's the right position to have in the state of Illinois," Harris said. "We should get it done and we should get it done now." Full Story from Progress Illinois: http://progressillinois.com/2009/10/1/harris-steans-equal-marriage-act

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Illinois.

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