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| Chicago Tribune |
On November 20th, Pat Quinn signed a measure that allows the state of Illinois to approve same-sex marriage. This historic measure that will come into effect next July made Illinois the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage.
During the ceremony, the Democratic governor said, "In the very beginning of the Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln of Illinois said that our nation was conceived in liberty. And he said it's dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, and that's really what we're celebrating today… It's a triumph of democracy."
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| Chicago Tribune |
The road to equality has been a long and arduous one. The monumental bill couldn't have been pass without the cooperation of both parties. "It takes both parties to make something happen, and when we work together, look what we can do," said Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. "I am available to be a flower girl, and I'll even waive the fee."
It's interesting to see how much productivity can be achieved through partisan cooperation. Seeing how the two parties shut the government down over health care bills earlier, it's nice to see the two working together and finally achieving a tangible result. I wonder, do you think Democrats and Republicans will eventually work together in order to reach a common goal? Or do you think there will always be an obstacle between the two parties?
It's interesting to see how much productivity can be achieved through partisan cooperation. Seeing how the two parties shut the government down over health care bills earlier, it's nice to see the two working together and finally achieving a tangible result. I wonder, do you think Democrats and Republicans will eventually work together in order to reach a common goal? Or do you think there will always be an obstacle between the two parties?
However, I sometimes wonder if media focuses too much on gay marriage compared to other LGBT related issues. Currently, there has been little attention on transgender issues, homophobic bullying, and the surprisingly large number of homeless gay youth. Do you think media is oversimplifying a greater issue? If so, how can the media cover more news but not overwhelm the common reader?
Article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-illinois-gay-marriage-bill-signing-20131120,0,4464600.story
8 comments:
First of all, it seems Democrats and Republicans will always be divided, it's just in the nature of our two party system representing a very diverse nation. I'm guessing the Republican platform would continue to oppose gay marriage and equality if only to go against the Democrats.
As for why the LGBT community puts so much effort behind marriage equality, I believe it's just a rallying point, where they can make concrete gains rather than slow, unnoticeable changes. The issue of same-sex marriage is black and white; either they can get married, or they cannot. The change is significant, which is why they have articles like these they are able to write. You don't see any/many articles that say "Homophobic Bullying Reports Drop 2%" or "Homeless Gay Youth Figures in Decline." Simply put, trends aren't really news. Changes legislature like allowing same-sex marriage IS.
And of course the media oversimplifies. The media CANNOT be comprehensive because it only publishes articles that will be read. If newspapers were flooded with article about tiny shifts in trends, people would stop reading them.
I think people will eventually tackle more difficult issues, like transgender issues, homophobic bullying, etc. But the LGBT community has to gain noticeable ground through policy changes first.
The first sentence kind of confuses me as to what the success is. Does the law just allow Illinois to have the chance of approving same sex marriage? Or does the law state that same sex marriage is now legal in Illinois? Anyways, I agree with Travis that this is a rallying point, and thanks to the LGBT community for putting so much effort into fighting for their rights.
I agree with you, Alex, there is more to this issue than just legalizing gay marriage in all fifty states. The fact that people still regularly harass members of the gay community shows that we still have a ways to go, but if the Democrats and Republicans continue to work together to combat this issue, I think that we might be able to gain complete equality for the LGBT community. I know that some people will be quicker to accept equality than others, but if conservative leaders continue to fight for gay rights, then they can get their followers to join the fight for equality. I also think that it is important for the media to cover instances of anti-gay violence so that people can see how horrible it is, and so that they will give their support in the fight to end it once and for all in this country.
I think that its great that they were able come together to approve this bill. Its great that more and more states are allowing same sex marriage. Like what Alex said, I hope that by supporting gay rights, other conservatives will follow the leader's footsteps. I agree with Travis that marraige equality is focused on due to it being a rally point. I think that without oversimplification there is that possibility that many people wouldnt understand whats going on.
To clarify, the law allows Illinois to recognize and give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.
I understand what Travis means, that same-sex marriage is used as a rally point. A normal person wouldn't have enough time to read about all the LGBT news we have now. I just wonder when other issues will be recognized. I think, in some cases, other LGBT news are more pertinent than gay marriage, so I think it'll be nice if it got more attention now.
It annoys me that this is still even a big deal. I feel like as a nation, we should already be at that level where another state legalizing gay marriage isn't a cause for applause and celebration, it should be customary. In fact, all states should have legalized it by now. It just goes to show that if so much hype and excitement goes into little bits of equality being achieved, that means so much equality is still lacking.
I agree with Rachel: as a first-world country, we are very behind in basic human rights issues, especially with regards to gay rights. However, considering our current situation, sixteen states is still worth some celebration. The article describes that the 40-year push for marriage equality 'picked up major momentum in the past decade.' I think that, given this push, marriage equality will come to all fifty states, but gradually, because, like Travis said, the LGBT community has to become stronger in more states before larger reforms can take place.
It's easy to say its not a big deal since we live in California.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/gay-marriage-across-the-nation_n_4313018.html
These are all the states that have it allowed. SO I think it is still great news for the LGBT community.
I think we all agree the trend will continue gradually.
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