Op-Ed Same-sex Marriage in Illinois 02-11-2013

When it comes to being progressive and cutting edge, Illinois seems like it would be higher on the list than the vast, empty wasteland of Iowa. 

Unfortunately on the subject of same-sex marriage, Illinois ranks behind Iowa, only offering unions with benefits similar to same sex marriage, compared to Iowa’s law fully allowing same-sex marriage.

This Tuesday, Feb. 12, an Illinois State Senate committee is meeting to discuss the legislation allowing same-sex marriage. The legislation was introduced by Senator Heather Steans (D) and is expected to go up for a vote on Valentines Day, appropriately. Senator John Cullerton (D) said he believes he will have enough votes to pass the bill and move it to the Illinois State House.

About freaking time. When Iowa outshines your state in anything but being boring, its time to start making changes to the way you run things. 

Legalizing same-sex marriage seems far from being progressive or cutting edge at this point. Currently, nine states, the District of Columbia and two Native American tribes have all legalized it. Abroad, countries such as Canada, Norway, South Africa and Spain have also legalized same-sex marriage.

While I have no desire to get into a same-sex relationship, I see no problem with other people wanting to do it. As someone who is counting down less than seven months until his own wedding, the thought of someone denying me the privilege of marrying my fiancée upsets me. I know how much we mean to each other and I feel as though this should be our decision. The thought of having a law preventing this from happening is depressing. 

Some more socially conservative people want to say that marriage is a sacred thing and it should be protected and treasured. Marriage is already far from sacred, as divorce rates are continually climbing and adultery is commonplace with an estimated 22 percent of married men and 15 percent of married women committing it at least once in their marriage. Why not give same-sex couples the same options to get divorced and have affairs?

There are financial bonuses to all involved parties if this bill is passed. The state can benefit from thousands of new marriage licenses being sold at $20 to $40 each. This increase of cash could certainly help out a state that has the worst pension debt in the Union. 

Private businesses could use an advantage in these hard economic times. All the weddings would provide an influx of cash for photographers, caterers, priests and tailors. Those are just a short list of those who could benefit. 

The couples themselves could benefit as well, as marriage would allow them to get increased benefits in the form of filing taxes and joint health care.

Hopefully, the state of Illinois will make the correct decision when it comes to passing this bill, and give same-sex couples access to marriage. The United States was founded with the immortal declaration that all men are created equal, and it’s about time they were treated that way.

http://www.westerncourier.com/opinions/same-sex-marriage-in-ill/article_4137b33e-74a1-11e2-ae59-001a4bcf6878.html