In preparation for the upcoming veto session, the Illinois Unites campaign Oct. 1 announced Veterans Unite for Marriage, a coalition of Illinois service members and their families; these service members and their families are urging the Illinois House of Representative to pass the freedom to marry now, so that all military people can access important legal and economic protections. Illinois Unites also unveiled a new webpage dedicated to the coalition's message at http://ilunites.org/veterans.
"It is overwhelming to me that despite my years of service for our country, I am not afforded the same marital rights as straight couples. I fought for this country to uphold our freedoms and to allow all Americans to live and love who they wish," said Clayton Peterson, a U.S. Army and Vietnam War Veteran residing in Rock Island. "It is sad that these freedoms do not apply to my spouse and I in our home state of Illinois."
Illinois' veterans are among those hardest hit by the state's continued refusal to extend marriage to same-sex couples. On September 3rd, 2013, the Obama Administration announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ) would begin providing benefits to gay or lesbian spouses of service members. Unfortunately, according to federal statutes, the VA will only grant benefits to service couples whose marriage is recognized legally in their home state.
Since the federal government does not recognize civil unions, Illinois service members, veterans and their spouses are being denied important protections, like survivor payments and healthcare at veterans' medical facilities.
"After over 50 years together, I have to wonder how our love and commitment to each other is still questioned. A civil union does not hold the same meaning as marriage, and my partner Patrick and I know our love deserves recognition," said James Darby, an 81-year old Korean War veteran. "We just want to be able to protect each other as we grow older."
Added, Marquell Smith, a decorated Marine Corps Sergeant from Chicago, "Being discharged under 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' made me feel that my service did not matter, that it was taken for granted. It sends the same message now when we don't allow our LGBT service members, veterans, and retirees the freedom to marry."
"Marriage equality would show our lesbian and gay service members that our nation is grateful for the sacrifices that their families make," Smith added.
Since the federal government defers to the states in determining whether a marriage is valid, no overall federal law grants protections to same-sex couples. While the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense will recognize same-sex married couples, the departments will only recognize a marriage valid in the couples' home state, even if the couple received a marriage license from another state.
"A state-issued marriage certificate is all the evidence necessary for the VA to recognize the marriage as valid," said John Kohlhepp, Campaign Manager for Illinois Unites. "As soon as Illinois passes the freedom to marry, all service members and their families would be able to access these fundamental protections."
Senate Bill 10 — the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act — won overwhelming, bipartisan passage in the Illinois Senate in February and currently is awaiting action in the House. The coalition supporting the freedom to marry for all loving, committed couples — already strong with business, labor and community leaders, civic organizations, faith institutions and members of the clergy, African-American and Latino leaders, Republicans and Democrats — continues to grow.
Information about the legislation is available at www.illinoisunites.org, along with information about how citizens can make their voices heard.
