In Other Morning-After News...

Illinois at 15?

By Juliet Eilperin

Illinois is set to become the 15th state and largest in the heartland to allow same-sex marriage, after both chambers of the state legislature have approved a measure legalizing gay weddings.

Gov. Pat Quinn (D) said in a statement Tuesday that he would sign the bill into law, although he did not specify a date. The House, which had adjourned in May without passing a Senate bill legalizing same-sex marriage, approved the measure Tuesday by a vote of 61 to 54.
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And[sic] aide to Quinn said the governor will sign the bill by the end of the month.

Change comes slowly, but reassurances help fears subside.

Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, said in a statement that it was “disappointing but not surprising that the House has voted to redefine marriage. The losers will be the people of Illinois who will see that redefining marriage will unleash a torrent of harassment toward those who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.”

Brown added that the law, which stipulates fraternal religious organizations such as the Knights of Columbus do not have to host same-sex wedding ceremonies, lacked sufficient religious liberty protections.

“Once the law goes into effect in June of next year, we will see individuals, businesses and religious groups sued, fined, brought up on charges of discrimination and punished simply for holding true to the traditional view of marriage,” he said.

President Obama — who campaigned for the law this year — praised the Illinois legislature, where he once served:

“As President, I have always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally under the law,” Obama said in a statement.

“Over time, I also came to believe that same-sex couples should be able to get married like anyone else. So tonight, Michelle and I are overjoyed for all the committed couples in Illinois whose love will now be as legal as ours — and for their friends and family who have long wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and equally under the law.”