MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Bernard Cherkasov
October 1, 2009 773-477-7173
Rick Garcia
312-560-0405
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL INTRODUCED IN ILLINOIS SENATE
"This is about a civil right, plain and simple."
CHICAGO -- Illinois' statewide gay and lesbian civil rights organization praised the introduction of a bill to recognize same-sex marriage in the state of Illinois. A similar bill has been in the Illinois House since 2007.
"The time for equality in the Land of Lincoln is now," said Bernard Cherkasov, chief executive officer of Equality Illinois. "We look forward to working with the sponsors of this bill to ensure that same-sex relationships are recognized and protected in Illinois."
State Senator Heather Steans (D-Edgewater) is the sponsor of the "Equal Marriage Act" in the Illinois Senate. State Representative Greg Harris has a similar bill in the Illinois House.
"Lesbian and gay couples should be getting the same rights as me and my husband", Steans said.
"This is about a civil right, plain and simple," said Cherkasov said. "A state that has a civil institution of marriage - with its plethora of benefits, rights and responsibilities - cannot exclude from that institution an entire class of citizens."
Equality Illinois was founded in 1991 to secure, protect and defend the basic rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans. One of the main priorities of the organization is legal recognition and protection of same-sex couples.
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See Remarks by Bernard Cherkasov.
