The recent California Supreme Court to allow gay marriage has far-reaching implications, even in Illinois.
The groundbreaking decision sheds light on Illinois state Rep. Greg Harris' civil union legislation, which will be up for a House vote within the next two weeks. It also impacts the local couples that either tied the knot in California a few years back, or wish to trek out to the West Coast to exchange their vows once the decision takes effect.
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Pictured: Robert Castillo ( left ) and John Pennycuff.
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Those working hard to pass civil union legislation in Illinois found hope in the California decision.
'This is an enormous victory with implications across the U.S.,' said Equality Illinois Executive Director Amy Bloom in an e-mail following the news. Bloom mentioned EI's work on the Illinois civil union bill.
'I am so proud of the work of our communities across the country!' she continued. 'And of the great work we are going together here in Illinois.'
Gay Liberation Network, which feels that civil unions are a compromise, said that the California ruling is all the more reason to fight for full marriage equality in Illinois.
'With California now leading the way, it is time for Illinois LGBTs to forthrightly reject the demeaning 'solution' of second class citizenship offered by civil unions and domestic partners, arcane phrases that should be consigned to historical footnotes,' said Gay Liberation Network in a statement. 'We can win full equality, including full and equal marriage rights, but only if we uncompromisingly demand it. We demean ourselves and implicitly give credence to right wing arguments against our community when we shrink from demanding anything else.'
In 2004, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newson ordered city officials to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. An estimated 4,000 same-sex couples, including some from Illinois, obtained marriage licenses before the California Supreme Court ordered the city to stop, which voided those marriages. According to the recent ruling, these prior marriages are still not valid.
David and Lee Neubecker were the first same-sex couple from Illinois to marry in San Francisco, tying the knot on Feb. 19, 2004.
'We are hoping that our own state of Illinois will recognize the discrimination that our families face and pass the bill currently i8n the House of Representatives. We deserve legal recognition of our family and so do our children,' the Neubeckers said in a statement to Windy City Times.
'With thousands of same-sex families throughout our state with no legal recognition in palce, it is time that Illinois join the progressive states of Massachusetts, California, New Jersey and Vermont in providing legal recognition and protection to our families,' they continued. 'Since we were married in 2004, we have started a family and look forward to the day when our marriage is legally recognized here in Illinois—for our sake and our children's.'
Local activists Robert Castillo and John Pennycuff wed in San Francisco in 2004, as well. They were incredibly excited when they heard the news. The couple said they are 'thrilled,' and if they had to, would return to California to renew their vows.
'As one of the more than 4,000 couples who flocked to San Francisco to tie the knot, we couldn't be happier,' said Castillo and Pennycuff in a statement submitted to Windy City Times.
'We applaud the city of San Francisco and especially Mayor Gavin Newsom for their courageous action in 2004 and for continuing to fight for marriage equality. Today is a great day for California, a great day for our country and a great day for our movement. Perhaps some of our local elected officials will be inspired by California and do the right thing here in Illinois!' Castillo and Pennycuff said.