Here's something Obama can do for GLBT people this year....

[terrya]

At least here in Illinois.

Last year, there was a bill, HB 1826, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris, an openly gay Democrat, introduced here in the General Assembly. HB 1826 would create civil unions here in Illinois. Please don't flame me about us meekly accepting civil unions...we deserve marriage and I will fight for marriage equality until the day I die. But, realistically, politically, marriage isn't going to happen...for now...in Illinois. Currently, same-sex couples in this state have nothing, as far as marriage benefits are concerned. Civil unions are something.

HB 1826 is being lobbied for right now...there's an expectation that the bill will go to a vote this year. Illinois' Governor, Rod Blagojevich, says he supports civil unions. I'm reasonably sure he would sign this bill. And I think, given that we have a Democratic governor and a Democratic General Assembly, that this could very well pass. The religious bigots will be out en masse to oppose this, of course. But I think the bill could pass in spite of the opposition.

And here's where Barack Obama comes in. Barack Obama can come out in favor of HB 1826 here. He can enthusiastically support it. He can lobby Blagojevich, House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones. He's one of our United States Senators...he has SOME clout in Springfield. He can do this and it would be a real, tangible gesture of his support for the GLBT community.

Obama could be our nominee. Just sayin'.

[xchrom]

1. i have no love for obama -- but as far as the rest is concerned --

we always try to move forward.

whether it's full marriage rights or civil unions or health benefits for our partners.

gaining full equality contains a number of subjects.

[Prism]

2. Agreed

100%. As an Illinois Senator, he should be expected to take a stand on this issue and use his influence in any way possible, campaign for president or no. He claims to support civil unions at the state level, so here's his chance to put his money where his mouth is. If he does not, he should be made to answer for it.

I've been somewhat disappointed at the glacial pace of civil unions legislation after the historic 2006 victories. The community was promised this by the party and the governor, and it's taken the legislature so long to get around to it. One hopes it will move forward before the corruption investigations bring down the entire Blagojevich house of cards. (I had such high hopes for him, but each day he looks more and more like a George Ryan in Democratic clothing. Very disappointing).

My one consolation is that the Illinois Family Institute's efforts to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot failed miserably.

There's supposed to be a rally in Springfield in support of the legislation on April 9th, if anyone in the area wishes to attend: EqualityIllinois.org.

[galledgoblin]

3. excellent idea

shooting off an email to the campaign right now

[mitchtv]

4. I'm to holding my breath

starting---NOW

[joeybee12]

5. I would love to just see someone ask him about it...

...and hear what he has to say...in favor of civil unions is fairly safe politically...as long as marriage isn't mentioned, people are very much in favor of the concept. And you're right, marriage ain't gonna happen for a while...civil unions are a good first step towards that eventuality.

[mitchtv]

6. It beats the nothing

It just may save many gay widows from being evicted upon the death of a partner. Everyone I know has a horror story.