Nasty.
Activists in Illinois have launched a petition pushing for referendum to ban gay marriage. The group hopes to get the matter on the 2010 ballot. Their proposed amendment reads thus: “To secure and preserve the benefits of marriage for our society and for future generations of children, the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as marriage or similar union for any purpose.” [Chicagoist]
but the dems have control i believe and will pass civil unions so that is good news from that state
http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com
You are correct QueerUnity! I live in Illinois and civil unions are definitely on the radar screen of the governor and state legislature (all in Democratic hands). We’ll see if they ever get anything passed, but the constitutional amendment is surely backlash to the interest of our lawmakers. We also have an ally in Mayor Daly in Chicago.
The last line in that proposed amendment has me wondering…is this amendment only to forbid gay marriage, or would it also outlaw civil unions?