Equality Illinois condemns Kirk Dillard for running against LGBT Illinoisans
Fri. August 23, 2013 9:15 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
state sen. kirk dillard (r-hinsdale)
photo credit // wttw
As governor, Kirk Dillard would repeal civil unions and veto gay marriage legislation
Chicago, IL -
Equality Illinois today blasted state Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Republican candidate for governor, who wants to repeal the state's civil union law.
In filling out a questionnaire for the conservative Illinois Review last year, just revealed by the Capitol Fax blog, Dillard checked a box saying he supports the repeal, and he added the comment, "It is a litigious nightmare!!"
Reacting to the questionnaire, Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans, demanded that Dillard retract the statement.
"Dillard's comment that the civil union bill is 'a litigious nightmare' is patently false," said Cherkasov. "Despite its inadequacy in granting full marriage rights to all Illinois couples, the civil union law was a step in the right direction for LGBT Illinoisans."
Dillard, a social conservative from Hinsdale, voted against civil union legislation and most recently against the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The marriage equality measure ultimately passed in the Illinois Senate by a vote of 34-21 on Feb. 14, but later stalled in the Illinois House on May 31.
On July 15, Dillard officially announced his second bid for Illinois governor. In a July 18 interview with WTTW-TV, Dillard said as governor he would veto gay marriage legislation.
"Pandering to the conservative fringes of the Republican Party may earn Dillard attention in the GOP primary field, but it ultimately won't carry him very far in a general election," commented Cherkasov. "During this election campaign, we will not let LGBT Illinoisans or the gains we have fought so hard to achieve serve as fodder for regressive candidates. He cannot be elected governor by attacking LGBT rights."
Watch: Kirk Dillard on Run for IL Governor (WTTW)
In filling out a questionnaire for the conservative Illinois Review last year, just revealed by the Capitol Fax blog, Dillard checked a box saying he supports the repeal, and he added the comment, "It is a litigious nightmare!!"
Reacting to the questionnaire, Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans, demanded that Dillard retract the statement.
"Dillard's comment that the civil union bill is 'a litigious nightmare' is patently false," said Cherkasov. "Despite its inadequacy in granting full marriage rights to all Illinois couples, the civil union law was a step in the right direction for LGBT Illinoisans."
Dillard, a social conservative from Hinsdale, voted against civil union legislation and most recently against the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The marriage equality measure ultimately passed in the Illinois Senate by a vote of 34-21 on Feb. 14, but later stalled in the Illinois House on May 31.
On July 15, Dillard officially announced his second bid for Illinois governor. In a July 18 interview with WTTW-TV, Dillard said as governor he would veto gay marriage legislation.
"Pandering to the conservative fringes of the Republican Party may earn Dillard attention in the GOP primary field, but it ultimately won't carry him very far in a general election," commented Cherkasov. "During this election campaign, we will not let LGBT Illinoisans or the gains we have fought so hard to achieve serve as fodder for regressive candidates. He cannot be elected governor by attacking LGBT rights."
Watch: Kirk Dillard on Run for IL Governor (WTTW)