At the capitol on Wed. Feb. 19, gay-marriage opponents gathered to ask their representatives not to support legislation that would extend marital rights to couples of the same sex.
Director of the Illinois Family Institute, which sponsored the rally, David Smith said, “We want to send a very clear and strong message to our state lawmakers that this is not acceptable. Redefining marriage is not acceptable. The state does not have the moral authority to change the definition that God created.”
There were about 3,000 people participating in the rally, all wearing bright yellow buttons that read “One Man, One Woman.”
Beth Roland traveled with a busload of people to Springfield from Chicago to attend the rally that opposed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.
Roland stated that she does not believe that the state should tamper with traditional marriage.
“Children cannot be brought up in a situation where they cannot have a mother and father,” she said.
The measure, Senate Bill 10, passed by a margin of 34-21 in the Senate.
Gov. Pat Quinn has already said that he will sign it if it is also approved by the House.
The bill’s House sponsor Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, stated on Feb. 20 that the public opinion is evolving.
Harris said, “I think there are people on both sides of this issue, and I think people are going to listen to the arguments. At the end of the day, folks are going to believe treating people equally in the eyes of the law is the right thing to do.”
If passed, this bill will affect families throughout the state and could even have an effect across the country. If you are in a family with a same-sex couple, contact an Illinois family law attorney to better learn your rights today. Lawyers at Sullivan Taylor, Gumina & Palmer, PC can assist you in Illinois.
