Maybe We Could Marry In Illinois

Recently, we have been considering going to Canada to get married. That's mainly because we don't have any personal vestment or interest in any of the states here in the U.S. that currently recognize marriages between same-sex couples, and because a weekend trip to Canada could be really fun! Besides, after the debacle that is Proposition 8 in California, I'm leery of marrying in any of the states until our federal government gets behind it because we've now seen that all it takes is a few hillbillies with a drive to steal someone's rights away.

Something happened last week though that might change my position. Illinois Senate just introduced a marriage equality bill. Illinois house already has one working it's way through the system, so the Senate starting on one is a good sign. If these go through, Illinois could be the next state to officially recognize civil marriages for all couples. And it just so happens we live in Illinois.

This gives me hope, because I'd love to actually benefit from marriage like the hetero couples we know do. However, the same thing could happen here as did in California, thereby leaving us in limbo. To be fair, the main reason I'm not as concerned about where we get married right now is because it doesn't matter in the eyes of the law: we may be married in Canada, but not in Illinois. In our hearts and minds we'll be married regardless of that, but when it comes to me going to a hospital or demanding benefits for my husband when/if we decide to adopt and one of us chooses to stay home… those things are important. Those things could make me actually consider where we want to get married beyond just how nice it sounds to be married there.

Of course, this is all theoretical right now. Neither bills have passed, and if they do they will need to be reconciled then signed into law by our Governor. Then the inevitable law suits will be filed by wingnut freaks which may or may not delay the law's implementation. All this is not even to mention that we thought they were going to pass this bill last term as part of some funding bill, which they failed to do. What I'm trying to say is that this bill being introduced is a step forward, but not enough of one to give me hope just yet.