Sun-Times names Tracy Baim among heroes of Illinois marriage equality
Sun. November 10, 2013 11:35 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
tracy baim at march on springfield, oct. 22
photo credit // hal baim
March on Springfield seen as pivotal moment in fight for marriage equality
Chicago, IL -
In a column published, Sunday, Nov. 9, Chicago Sun-Times writer Laura Washington named Windy City Times publisher and executive editor Tracy Baim among the heroes behind Illinois' successful marriage equality efforts.
"She is also an unapologetically activist journalist who wields power through her keyboard," Washington declared of Baim.
After Senate Bill 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, stalled in the House on May 31, Baim wrote an editorial expounding on the needs for a march and rally in Springfield. She reached out to 12 other individuals to become co-chairs and built support amongst LGBT and allied organizations to help organize a march for marriage equality on the first day of the fall veto session.
Gay rights advocates agree the Oct. 22 March on Springfield, which became the largest LGBT rights event ever staged in Springfield, was pivotal in demonstrating the diversity of support for the marriage equality bill.
(Video: March on Springfield for Marriage Equality)
Baim told ChicagoPride.com she was honored by Washington's editorial.
"I certainly thank Laura for the compliment, but I know in covering this community for 29 years that it has taken tens of thousands of people to get us to this mountaintop," said Baim. "It was amazing planning the March on Springfield and getting to work with LGBTs and our allies across the state, and even Midwest. It was both a fun and educational experience, and I am so happy the work paid off Nov. 5. Thank you to my 12 co-chairs, and to Rep. Harris and the other 60 reps who voted for equality."
In addition to Baim, the co-chairs for the March on Springfield were: Solomon Arnold, Kevin Boyer, Buff Carmichael, Brandy Donaldson, Emmanuel Garcia, Brent Holman-Gomez, Kim Hunt, Naomi Lahiri, Alexis Martinez, Chris Mullins, Edith Nieves and Max Smith.
The Illinois House approved Senate Bill 10 on Tuesday by a 61-54 vote. The Senate easily approved the measure an hour later during a procedural vote. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn will sign the bill into law on Nov. 20. With the governor's signature, Illinois will become the 15th state to allow same-sex marriages.
Editor's Note: ChicagoPride.com and the GoPride Network share a media partnership with Windy City Times.
(Related: Illinois governor to sign marriage equality bill Nov. 20)
"She is also an unapologetically activist journalist who wields power through her keyboard," Washington declared of Baim.
After Senate Bill 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, stalled in the House on May 31, Baim wrote an editorial expounding on the needs for a march and rally in Springfield. She reached out to 12 other individuals to become co-chairs and built support amongst LGBT and allied organizations to help organize a march for marriage equality on the first day of the fall veto session.
Gay rights advocates agree the Oct. 22 March on Springfield, which became the largest LGBT rights event ever staged in Springfield, was pivotal in demonstrating the diversity of support for the marriage equality bill.
(Video: March on Springfield for Marriage Equality)
Baim told ChicagoPride.com she was honored by Washington's editorial.
"I certainly thank Laura for the compliment, but I know in covering this community for 29 years that it has taken tens of thousands of people to get us to this mountaintop," said Baim. "It was amazing planning the March on Springfield and getting to work with LGBTs and our allies across the state, and even Midwest. It was both a fun and educational experience, and I am so happy the work paid off Nov. 5. Thank you to my 12 co-chairs, and to Rep. Harris and the other 60 reps who voted for equality."
In addition to Baim, the co-chairs for the March on Springfield were: Solomon Arnold, Kevin Boyer, Buff Carmichael, Brandy Donaldson, Emmanuel Garcia, Brent Holman-Gomez, Kim Hunt, Naomi Lahiri, Alexis Martinez, Chris Mullins, Edith Nieves and Max Smith.
The Illinois House approved Senate Bill 10 on Tuesday by a 61-54 vote. The Senate easily approved the measure an hour later during a procedural vote. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn will sign the bill into law on Nov. 20. With the governor's signature, Illinois will become the 15th state to allow same-sex marriages.
Editor's Note: ChicagoPride.com and the GoPride Network share a media partnership with Windy City Times.
(Related: Illinois governor to sign marriage equality bill Nov. 20)