Equality Illinois blasts attempts to weaken, repeal gay marriage law
Fri. January 24, 2014 10:42 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
gov. pat quinn signs marriage equality into law, nov. 2013
photo credit // spike king
LGBT advocacy group doesn't expect attempts to gain traction in the Illinois legislature.
Chicago, IL -
Equality Illinois, the state's largest LGBT rights advocate, on Thursday blasted attempts to overturn or weaken the state's marriage equality law.
"Having lost the war, opponents to the freedom to marry now want to refight the battles and turn back the march of history and the progress of the state of Illinois," said Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov.
One bill filed by state Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) seeks to totally overturn the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, a same-sex marriage bill signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn in November. The new law takes effect on June 1.
Another measure submitted by state Rep. Josh Harms (R-Watseka) wants to expand on the exemptions already included in the new marriage law that protect religious institutions and members of the clergy from being forced to perform or recognize same-sex marriages.
"While we do not expect either measure to gain any traction in the legislature, these bills demonstrate that marriage opponents are not giving up and they're not closing up shop in Illinois," Cherkasov added. "And we will not allow candidates to use the LGBT community and our allies as punching bags in an election year."
Both conservative lawmakers are up for re-election this year.
Related:? Illinois Republican introduces legislation to repeal marriage equality law
"Having lost the war, opponents to the freedom to marry now want to refight the battles and turn back the march of history and the progress of the state of Illinois," said Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov.
One bill filed by state Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) seeks to totally overturn the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, a same-sex marriage bill signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn in November. The new law takes effect on June 1.
Another measure submitted by state Rep. Josh Harms (R-Watseka) wants to expand on the exemptions already included in the new marriage law that protect religious institutions and members of the clergy from being forced to perform or recognize same-sex marriages.
"While we do not expect either measure to gain any traction in the legislature, these bills demonstrate that marriage opponents are not giving up and they're not closing up shop in Illinois," Cherkasov added. "And we will not allow candidates to use the LGBT community and our allies as punching bags in an election year."
Both conservative lawmakers are up for re-election this year.
Related:? Illinois Republican introduces legislation to repeal marriage equality law