Illinois Moves Towards Legalizing Gay Civil Unions
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- Future_America
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The bill squeaked through a legislative committee in Springfield Wednesday.
The measure would not legalize same-sex marriages, but it would grant gay couples many of the benefits of marriage. They would have the right to visit their partners in hospitals, make medical decisions and more.
HB2234 creates the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.
Rep. Deb Mell, who is gay, said 648 state laws -- on topics from inheritance to health care -- help married couples.
"I find it very strange that I can be elected to the General Assembly and vote on rules and laws, but these don't apply to me and my family," said Mell, D-Chicago. "We're not protected." (Good Point)
State Rep. Greg Harris, the chairperson of the committee and the sponsor of the measure, said in a statement published on the Windy City Media Web site that “this is legislation about fairness and establishing equal rights for everyone in our great state. At the heart of the debate over this bill is a fundamental question: Do the people that this bill applies to deserve the same rights as evreyone else? The answer is ‘absolutely.'”
Opponents argue that civil unions amount to gay marriage by another name.
The House Youth and Family Committee approved the bill by a 5-4 vote, according to the Associated Press. The Chicago Tribune reported the vote was 4-3.
It now heads to the House floor.
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- groups:
- News and Politics, Politics
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- tags:
- News and Politics, Politics, Political, Gay Marriage, 7 more
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FXWarrior [removed]
- This comment was removed as a violation of community guidelines.
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FXWarrior [removed]
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unimatrix0
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FXWarrior:
The only thing pathological here is homophobia.
- 2 years ago
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unimatrix0
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unclecharlie
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Yes, it's a good start...now if only they introduce legislation to legalize bestiality and pedophilia.....
- 2 years ago
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unclecharlie
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VitaminB2
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unclecharlie:
With a name like unclecharlie you should know all about that.
Keep your ignorance to yourself.
- 2 years ago
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VitaminB2
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FallenMorgan
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unclecharlie:
Problem is, those two things are harmful to one of the parties. A child cannot consent to sex, nor can an animal.
- 2 years ago
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FallenMorgan
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VitaminB2
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It's a good start...
- 2 years ago
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VitaminB2
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unimatrix0
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Civil unions are not good enough. Separate is not equal. Gays should have the same marriage license (legal document issued by the state) as a hetero couple.
- 2 years ago
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unimatrix0
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Future_America
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unimatrix0:
I totally agree. Gay Civil Unions is separate, but equal. We should be together and equal.
- 2 years ago
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Future_America
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Kera
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unimatrix0:
i agree with you being split apart isn't equal.
- 2 years ago
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Kera
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michaelx
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Why kind of response was that charlie?
- 2 years ago
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michaelx
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unclecharlie
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I neither support nor reject such notion. Disagreement will subject the writer to untold scorn and verbal abuse.
Supporting said notion will endear me to 95.6% of the subscribers to current. I choose neither adulation, nor discrimination. Therefore, I have no comment at this time. I plead the fifth amendment. No further questions. Thank You. - 2 years ago
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unclecharlie
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Jacques_of_Spades
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unclecharlie:
I understand your sentiment but if you have no comment, don't comment man. Easy.
- 2 years ago
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Jacques_of_Spades
