At some point in the near future, the emotionally-charged debate surrounding gay marriage and civil unions is going to feel very dated. A majority of Americans now back civil unions, over 40 percent back gay marriage, and support for both is climbing at a staggering clip. Since November 2003, for example, public opinion in favor of civil unions has increased 13 percentage points. And the vast majority of people under 45 -- 64 percent in a recent CBS poll -- want gay marriage or civil union laws on the books. In other words, the arguments against granting equal rights to people regardless of their sexual orientation are failing to penetrate. As The Atlantic's Ta-Nehisi Coates once quipped, the opposition is too often characterized by irrational revulsion.

This fact was displayed quite strikingly on FOX Chicago Sunday. Rep. Greg Harris -- one of the General Assembly's two openly gay members* and the chief sponsor of HB 2234, a state civil unions bill -- thoroughly refuted the objections of Thomas More Law Center legal counselor Peter Breen. While Harris reinforces that his bill just extends contractual rights to everyone in committed relationships -- including the rights to share in health care decisions, visit the hopsital, and to probate if no will is written -- Breen wrongly asserts that the law would change employment and adoption code, thereby taking away the right of religious organizations to hire or promote adoptions selectively. Watch it here:

The Tribune, to its credit, editorialized in favor of Harris' bill today, noting couples will gain the right "to do things that heterosexuals take for granted" if it's passed. Here's an excerpt:

This option won't satisfy fierce advocates on either side of the gay marriage debate. But it would bring Illinois law into line with the feelings of the public, which doesn't want to punish gays or their kids but also doesn't want to pronounce on matters of faith.

Legalizing civil unions won't end the battle over same-sex marriage. But it will offer protections that gay couples now don't have.

On Wednesday, organizers will convene in Springfield for a formal lobbying day.  Equality Illinois provides more details here.

*CORRECTION: This post originally stated that Harris is "the General Assembly's only openly gay member."  In fact, freshman Rep. Deb Mell is also openly gay.