Illinois Ramps Up For Marriage Equality

Greg Harris

Up in Illinois, Congressman Greg Harris, a Democrat, has introduced the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, a bill that would allow marriage equality in the state, saying, "It marks the next step in our journey toward full marriage equality in our state. It’s not going to happen quickly, it’s not going to happen without a lot of hard work. They call it a struggle for a reason. We all have to keep calling our legislators, talk to our religious leaders and work hard to make this happen.”
But Harris thinks it will happen, and as we've seen this week, it can happen.
The bill, HB5170, is the latest of many bills Harris has filed as a state representative for marriage equality in Illinois. Harris, who is openly-gay, has devoted his career to it,and has been joined on this bill by two other openly gay lawmakers, Representatives Deborah Mell and Kelly Cassidy, who were added as co-sponsors of the bill along with Representative Ann Williams. 
This new law, if passed, would amend the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, allowing the voluntary conversion of a civil union to a marriage. 
Washington passes equality. Prop H8 is declared unconstitutional, New Jersey is debating marriage equality; Maryland, too.
Those baby steps we've all been talking about are getting louder.


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