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The Gay Rights Bill Passed: Is Illinois taking a step forward or a step backward?

By Janee Mitchell - Feature Writer

      Illinois took what seems to be a step toward equality by reviving the Gay Rights Bill from its near-dormant state. Many people from the gay and lesbian community, as well as activists for the cause, have been fighting a battle some say is never-ending. However, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, they were given a glimmer of hope in the fight for equality.

John Knight, director of the lesbian and gay rights project for the American Civil Liberties Union, said that while it is a wonderful and helpful thing the bill has passed, the fight for the bill has taken over 20 years and the government moved at a slow pace. Knight also said he is "confident that someday we will get to the point where gays and lesbians will be treated with respect...it is hard to know how long."

Knight said since gays and lesbians are a substantial minority, the ACLU tries to help them by advocating equitable treatment for them comparable with heterosexual couples. There are also other advocates for the cause who have been protesting and speaking out against the same-sex marriage ban.

Same-sex marriages have become a controversial topic, dividing both the workplace and the church. While there are places of employment offering some form of domestic partner benefits, gays and lesbians receive minimal amounts compared to the wide array of benefits available to heterosexual unions. Allan Cook, interim pastor of Heartland Metropolitan Community Church and UIS professor, estimated over a thousand benefits available to heterosexual couples as opposed to same-sex couples.

The church is also divided on the issue of same-sex unions. There are some denominations which denounce the very thought of a same-sex union as being against God's will. However, there are also churches that believe same-sex unions should be given the blessings of the church.

Cook said he sometimes feels like a minority to other religions because of his church's views on homosexuality. The Heartland Metropolitan Community Church openly supports same-sex unions and has received what Cook calls 'weird messages' in the past.

The Rev. Martin Woulfe of the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation has been a public advocate for same-sex unions for 30 years. Woulfe said he has learned that the church can thrive with openly gay members and even ministers. Woulfe also said, "while other denominations are struggling with it we, the Unitarian Universalists, crossed the bridge decades ago." Wolfe has also received what he sees as "very critical and hostile letters" and unpleasant notes left on the church door.

Churches like the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Heartland Metropolitan Community Church , remain under scrutiny for their open advocacy of same-sex unions. There are some churches that believe in the sanctity of marriage being between a man and a woman, but there are also churches that believe they are being too harsh on gays and lesbians. On this level the church may remain divided, but Woulfe and Cook said they hope the level of equality will come.

The Gay Rights Bill protects gays, lesbians and transgendered individuals against discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace in public accommodations, credit situations, and housing situations.

According to the Illinois General Assembly, the House- and Senate-approved bill was sent to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is to sign the bill on Jan. 19. The bill passed the Senate, 30-27, on Monday, Jan. 10, and the House, 65-51, on Tuesday, Jan.11. In a statement, Blagojevich said he would sign the bill because it "sends a clear message that we will not allow our citizens to be discriminated against."

The Gay Rights Bill is a long-awaited victory for gay and lesbian rights activists who say the passing of the bill is a step forward in the fight for equality. Others say the fight is only beginning and it may never end. Heather Sawyer, senior counsel of Lambda Legal, has dealt with issues surrounding gay and lesbian rights for the past eight years.

Sawyer said she has received approximately 150 complaints in Illinois regarding gay and lesbian individuals who have been fired for their sexual orientation, and would love for society to come to a time where Lambda Legal will go out of business because of a lack of complaints.

Sawyer also said she remains "hopeful in this country, we are still fighting..." Other people are worried that the passing of the bill may cause more problems. One Illinois citizen wrote, prior to the passing of SB3186, on the Family Institute's issues posting,

"SB3186 would invite lawsuits against private businesses and even churches and religious institutions by 'gay' or 'trans' activists who could claim they are victims of discrimination." Sawyer said that even though SB3186 has passed and they are hopeful for more equality for same-sex couples, Lambda Legal will remain in existence to guarantee the equality.

The Gay Rights Bill Passed: Is Illinois taking a step forward or a step backward?