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CHICAGO – Rallies took place all over the region following the June 26 Supreme Court decision cutting the heart out of DOMA and dismissing Prop. 8. More than 1,000 people gathered at the corner of Halstead and Roscoe in the heart of Chicago’s Boystown before marching through Lakeview and Wrigleyville. Speakers from Lambda Legal, the Gay Liberation Network, The Civil Rights Agenda and a coalition of welcome religious congregations got the crowd cheering and donating for a march on Springfield, Ill., in October.
The only states in the region that will get the full benefit of the DOMA ruling are Iowa and Minnesota. Wisconsin has domestic partnership and Illinois has civil unions. Other states in the region either do not recognize marriage equality or have outright bans.
Marriage equality will come up in the Illinois General assembly this fall with the march planned for October 22. Michigan state representatives this past week filed a bill to legalize marriage equality, Equality Michigan announced. State Representatives Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), Rudy Hobbs (D-Southfield), Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), and Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) on Monday announced the
upcoming introduction of a legislative package to legalize marriage equality in Michigan.
“My colleagues and I believe that Michigan cannot wait any longer to recognize marriage equality and allow all people the equal rights and benefits that married couples currently enjoy,” said Singh.
Meanwhile, Chicagoist has reported that Indiana will be putting its ban into the state constitution. Gov. Mike Pence told the media, “I am confident that Hoosiers will reaffirm our commitment to traditional marriage and will consider this important question with civility and respect for the values and dignity of all of the people of our state,” he said. “I look forward to supporting efforts by members of the Indiana General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot for voter consideration next year.”
