As the finish line approaches, local civil union legislation supporters are urging LGBT Illinoisans and their allies to take action.
The April 9 Lobby Day for civil unions in Illinois is quickly coming up, but supporters can also easily and quickly participate by visiting the just launched www.civilunionsilllinois.org . There, individuals can voice their support to their state legislators. Now that a new legislative session is just beginning and the bill could soon be called for a vote, it is imperative people all over Illinois show their support, proponents stress.
'We're just a handful of votes away,' said Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, who authored the civil union bill. 'The first ones are easy, … but those last handful of votes are, by far, the hardest to convince.'
Civil union legislation introduced in the House currently awaits full debate on the floor. Similar legislation recently introduced in the Senate by Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, needs to make it through the Senate Judiciary Civil Law Committee. If passed, Illinois would provide same-sex couples all the same rights as marriage. The legislation would also recognize same-sex civil unions and marriages performed in other states.
For those who can't attend the lobby day in Springfield, the Web site offers a simple way to be active. At www.civilunionsillinois.org, supporters can send a quick and free message to their legislators and share their personal stories and support. By filling out a simple form, visitors to the site can also help spread the word and encourage family and friends participate.
'It's not enough for us to hope for equality; we must participate in the political process,' said activist and Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago board president Jeremy Gottschalk. 'It is incumbent upon ever member of the LGBT community ( and their supporters ) to make their voices heard. That means that each one of us must contact our legislators and encourage our friends and families to do the same and let our legislators know that we support civil unions.'
Civil-union legislation supporters are utilizing the Internet to gather more forces. There is also a Facebook group called Students for the Illinois Marriage Equality Bill, which boasts over 8,000 members.
In terms of support, Harris told Windy City Times that things are going well, but people need to raise their voice, no matter where they live in the state. He said it is important to reach out to all legislators, even ones who have expressed that they support the bill.
'I hear all the time from legislators, 'We just got 20 letters from gay and lesbian couples—I had no idea so many lived in my district!' Harris said.
Harris wants to remind people that conservatives are constantly battling the legislation.
'Our opponents are out there organizing and lobbying frantically,' Harris said.
From Chicago to Champaign, Evanston to Moline, Harris and others need people to write their representatives. 'For those who may be trying to weight it, you never know whose personal contact will sway them to our side,' Harris said.
You don't have to know the ins and outs of civil union legislation to write your legislators. 'Just share your story,' Harris suggested. 'Maybe you were denied visitation when your partner was in the hospital. Just share your story.'
Equality Illinois is sponsoring the upcoming lobby day for civil unions at the state capitol. See Eqil.org .
See www.civilunionsillinois.org .
