Where is Gay Marriage Legal?

January 7, 2013

So here’s your quiz for the day. Which states permit same-sex couples to marry? Here are the answers (and they’re not even written upside down): Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Washington. So 9 states permit gay marriage, but don’t forget that the District of Columbia allows gay marriage, too.

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Was Thursday the Day? Sort Of…

January 4, 2013

As it turned out, Thursday was not the day for legalizing gay marriage in Illinois. But it was the day Illinois moved closer to that goal,though perhaps mostly in spirit. Last evening (yes, this did happen after business hours) the Illinois Senate Executive Committee voted  8-5 in favor of the gay marriage legislation, which means the bill will […]

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Today’s Not The Day For Same-Sex Marriage in Illinois

January 3, 2013

We thought that today the Illinois Senate would have voted on legalizing same-sex marriage but the vote has been delayed for at least a week. The Illinois legislature will remain in lame-duck session until next Wednesday when the new session is sworn in. Whether there will be enough votes next week, or thereafter, to pass the bill permitting gay couples […]

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Thoughts for the New Year

January 2, 2013

Many say 2013 could be the year gay marriage is legally recognized throughout the United States. The US Supreme Court will take up the issue of same-sex marriage this year, hearing arguments in March and perhaps issuing a decision sometime in June. Should the Supreme Court strike down the Defense of Marriage Act the ramifications would be […]

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Will Gay Marriage Be Legal in Illinois?

May 31, 2012

Two lawsuits filed yesterday in Illinois argue that the failure of Cook County to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples violates the Illinois Constitution. The lead plaintiffs are a Chicago Police Detective, Tanya Lazro, and Liz Matos. Though Illinois civil unions became legal one year ago, the plaintiffs argue that Illinois civil unions are insufficient.  Illinois […]

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Illinois Lawsuits Expected To Be Filed Today Challenging Gay Marriage Ban

May 30, 2012

Over two dozen gay and lesbian couples are expected to file lawsuits in Illinois today claiming that it’s unconstitutional for Illinois to deny them the legal right to marry.  The lawsuits are supported by the ACLU and Lambda Legal, a gay advocacy group. The suits are expected to challenge Illinois law defining marriage as between […]

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Gay Marriage in Illinois?

May 15, 2012

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn just endorsed marriage equality. But the question remains whether he will support legalizing gay marriage in Illinois. Look for my future blogs on this topic as developments occur.

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North Carolina Voters Ban Gay Marriage…and Other Types of Domestic Unions

May 9, 2012

North Carolina has become the 30th state to adopt a ban on gay marriage. More than 60% of voters approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. In addition to banning gay marriage, the North Carolina amendment voids other types of unions, including domestic partnerships.

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Chicago Weddings and Civil Unions

April 19, 2012

In another sign of the times, budget cutbacks have resulted in the closing of Chicago suburban courthouses on weekends beginning May 5, 2012. For those planning on their wedding or civil union taking place in the suburban courthouses in Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Markham, Bridgeview or Maywood, you’ll need to relocate your event. Marriages and civil […]

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What’s a Marriage? 1st Circuit Court of Appeals Hears Arguments

April 9, 2012

The federal government does not recognize marriage between same-sex couples. DOMA, which is the Defense of Marriage Act, defines a legally recognized marriage as between a man and a woman. However, lawyers representing same-sex couples legally married in Massachusetts argued in Boston last week that DOMA violates the equal protection guarantees of the US Constitution. DOMA also prevents […]

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