Roster of Illinois' African American Leaders in Support of Freedom to Marry Act Continues to Grow

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Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Ken Dunkin (Dist.-5th) has agreed to co-sponsor the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act (House Bill 5170). Illinois is one of the legislative battleground states in the discussion of marriage equality and took a pivotal step towards supporting marriage equality in June of 2011 by passing Senate Bill 1716.

Senate Bill 1716 created the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. This law allows same-sex and heterosexual couples to enter into civil unions and grants them many of the rights given to married couples including automatic hospital visitation rights, the ability to make emergency medical decisions for partners, the ability to share a room in a nursing home, adoption and parental rights, pension benefits, inheritance rights and the right to dispose of a partner's remains.

"For me, this is about equality and equal treatment under the law," said Rep. Dunkin "I have always believed that discrimination is wrong, no matter whom it targets."

Dunkin also voiced concerned for the gay and lesbian constituents who live within his district legislative district.

"The families in my district include gay and lesbian parents who are raising children, just waiting for the state of Illinois to treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve. Those families can no longer be regarded as separate and unequal," Dunkin said. "I support this legislation, because I believe it will help us move our state forward and provided equal protection under the law for all families."

Currently, nine states including Washington D.C. have freedom to marry legislation in place. Moreover, other prominent African-Americans individuals and organizations in Illinois have joined the cause and declared their support for extending the freedom to marry to all couples, including:

*Ernie Banks, Former Shortstop (retired), Chicago Cubs

*James W. Compton, former President and CEO, Chicago Urban League

*Richard Dent, former Defensive End (retired), Chicago Bears

*Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Investments LLC

*Illinois State NAACP

*Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes, West Point Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago

*Hon. Emil Jones, Jr., Former President, Illinois Senate

*Dr. B. Herbert Martin, Sr., Pastor, Progressive Community Center

*Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Trinity United Church of Christ

*Hon. Toni Preckwinkle, President, Cook County Board of Commissioners

*Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman, Johnson Publishing Co.

*Desiree Rogers, CEO, Johnson Publishing Co.

*John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Ariel Investments LLC

*Rev. Dr. Richard Tolliver, St. Edmunds Episcopal Church, Chicago

*Andrea Zopp, President and CEO, Chicago Urban League

Rep. Christian Mitchell (Dist.-26th) is also a co-sponsor of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.

In December 2012 a Public Policy Poll showed 60% of African American Illinoisans support same-sex marriage. And according to Freedom to Marry's website, an organization whose primary campaign is to win the freedom to marry in more states and end federal marriage discrimination, 50% of Illinoisans supported same-sex marriages compared to just 29% opposed.

Freedom to Marry's founder and president Evan Wolfson told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper, "Your right to protect your family should not fluctuate based on what you're in, your employer or branch of government. We are one country."

When asked about marriage equality moving forward, Wolfson stated that the key to victory is having discussions about why marriage matters and changing hearts and minds. He added that marriage has often been a battleground for equality in our country.

For additional information on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act (House Bill 5170) or the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (Senate Bill 1716) visit www.ilga.gov.

By Lee Edwards

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