Ill. State Rep. Mell announces engagement to lesbian partner
Wed. April 28, 2010 12:00 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
photo credit // www.debmell.org
Blagojevich's sister-in-law wants to legalize gay marriage in Illinois
Chicago, IL -
Today Illinois State Rep. Deb Mell (D-Chicago) will announce on the state house floor that she plans to marry her girlfriend of six years, Christin Baker.
Mell is hoping that her announcement will lead to groundbreaking new legislation allowing gays and lesbians to marry in Illinois.
"I want to talk about how we have built this life together," Mell said on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" on Tuesday. "Just being with her has made me a better person. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and I want to get married in Illinois."
Mell asked Baker to marry her during dinner at the Signature Room in the John Hancock Center on April 10th. She had the engagement ring on the creme brulee.
"When I am able to introduce Deb as my fiancee or my wife, there's a weight there that I think people in society recognize, a level of commitment that they understand," Baker said on WTTW. "I think if I call her my partner or my girlfriend, it's taken a little bit lightly."
Mell and Baker would like to have a fall wedding. However, they won't be getting married this fall. That is because Mell is Patti Blagojevich's sister and she plans to be there to support Patti as former Governor Rod Blagojevich goes on trial.
Baker is an Arts and Humanities Specialist with the YMCA. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a BFA in mass communications and English lit in 1997. She also worked briefly as a volunteer coordinator for the Giannoulias for State Treasurer campaign in 2006.
Mell has been out for years. She was arrested in 2002 for striking an officer during a gay marriage protest in the Loop, but she was acquitted.
Mell's father is longtime 33rd ward Ald. Richard Mell.
Same-sex marriage is currently legal in five states, including Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Gay marriage is also legal in the District of Columbia.
Mell is hoping that her announcement will lead to groundbreaking new legislation allowing gays and lesbians to marry in Illinois.
"I want to talk about how we have built this life together," Mell said on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" on Tuesday. "Just being with her has made me a better person. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and I want to get married in Illinois."
Mell asked Baker to marry her during dinner at the Signature Room in the John Hancock Center on April 10th. She had the engagement ring on the creme brulee.
"When I am able to introduce Deb as my fiancee or my wife, there's a weight there that I think people in society recognize, a level of commitment that they understand," Baker said on WTTW. "I think if I call her my partner or my girlfriend, it's taken a little bit lightly."
Mell and Baker would like to have a fall wedding. However, they won't be getting married this fall. That is because Mell is Patti Blagojevich's sister and she plans to be there to support Patti as former Governor Rod Blagojevich goes on trial.
Baker is an Arts and Humanities Specialist with the YMCA. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a BFA in mass communications and English lit in 1997. She also worked briefly as a volunteer coordinator for the Giannoulias for State Treasurer campaign in 2006.
Mell has been out for years. She was arrested in 2002 for striking an officer during a gay marriage protest in the Loop, but she was acquitted.
Mell's father is longtime 33rd ward Ald. Richard Mell.
Same-sex marriage is currently legal in five states, including Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Gay marriage is also legal in the District of Columbia.