Progress Illinois

Just one week after President Obama signed into law a measure that adds sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under hate crime statutes, gay rights advocates were back on Capitol Hill yesterday pushing for additional civil protections. Among them was Illinois' own Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who testified in favor of the recently reintroduced Employment Non-Discrimination Act (S. 1584), which would finally bar most workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

To the credit of state lawmakers, Illinois' own Human Rights Act was amended back in 2006 to include both sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under anti-discrimination laws. The fact that we are one of only 12 states to put such protections on the books underscores the need for a federal response, Madigan told the Senate's Education, Labor and Pension Committee. "Through the enactment of a statewide statute prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, Illinois has promoted tolerance, fundamental equality and the common humanity of all individuals in our state," Madigan said. "The benefits of such a message to the citizens of our state cannot be underestimated." Watch an excerpt from her testimony below:

Back in September, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias became the first major statewide candidate in Illinois history to speak up in support of gay marriage. Since then, raising the profile of the civil rights abuses leveled against the GLBT community has become a central theme of his U.S. Senate campaign.  Indeed, the Chicago Democrat has already pledged to help repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy if he is sent to Congress.

So it's not surprising that Giannoulias was quick to respond to the news that Maine voters yesterday repealed same-sex marriage rights at the ballot box -- a stinging defeat for the gay rights community.  From his statement this morning:

The march toward marriage equality was dealt a setback yesterday, and I am disappointed with the results.  But we know that change never comes easy.  I believe strongly that we cannot give up hope, that we must not stop moving forward, and that no matter how difficult the setback, we must never stop fighting for people to be treated equally under the law.

The defeat in Maine has some gay-rights advocates already rethinking their strategy at the state level.  Even though state lawmakers like Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) and Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) continue to push for equal marriage laws here in the Prairie State, additional focus is likely to shift to Congress, where the federal same-sex marriage ban could be reversed without voter approval. Already, Giannoulias has indicated that if sent to D.C., he's ready to do his part to end these retrograde policies. "This goes to what this country was founded on," Giannoulias recently told the Sun-Times Mark Brown, "equality and fairness."

Full Disclosure: The SEIU Illinois State Council,which sponsors this website, has endorsed Alexi Giannoulias in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

The legislative battle over extending equal rights to same-sex couples had its share of ups and downs this past year. State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) got things rolling by introducing two measures -- the same-sex marriage and civil unions bills -- for the second consecutive year. While the marriage proposal never made it out of committee, a growing number of lawmakers warmed to civil unions and the legislation gained some traction in the House. As the session drew to a close, however, it became increasingly clear that the bill didn't have the votes to pass. Harris went so far as hatching a plan to sneak the civil unions language into a shell bill that had already passed out of the Senate in hopes of keeping it alive. But the plan was foiled and the session ended with Harris vowing to try again.

In just the  few short months since, some high-profile Illinois politicians have vocally expressed their political support for gay marriage. And with Harris at her side, State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) announced today that she's hoping to build on that momentum by introducing the Equal Marriage Act (SB 2468), the Senate version of Harris' same-sex marriage bill. "This is a mainstream position, this is a moderate position, and it's the right position to have in the state of Illinois," Harris said. "We should get it done and we should get it done now." Watch:

Harris plans to keep his own civil unions proposal alive by reintroducing it in the veto session.  But as the Sun-Times Mark Brown notes the Chicago Democrat has no plans of backing down there:

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Alexi Giannoulias may have been the first statewide candidate to come out in favor of full and equal rights for Illinois' homosexual and transgender community, but he's not the last. Over the weekend, Tribune columnist Eric Zorn received an email from David Hoffman's spokesperson Daniel X. O'Neil elaborating on the Senate candidate's position:

David Hoffman does not believe the government should intrude or discriminate on the question of who people decide to marry and spend the rest of their lives together.  It's an issue of equality and fundamental fairness and all people -- regardless of sexual orientation -- should be provided the same protection under the law.

If elected, O'Neil also says Hoffman would support bills in Washington to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, positions he shares with Giannoulias. (While supportive of DOMA reforms, Cheryle Jackson thinks "civil unions as the best way to extend full civil rights to gay and lesbian partners.") Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk opposes gay marriage and the repeal of both laws.

Gubernatorial candidate Dan Hynes is looking to distinguish himself from Gov. Pat Quinn on the issue of gay rights, as well. In an interview with Zorn, the comptroller said that “if two committed adults want to express their love and their commitment to each other through marriage, I believe they should be allowed to under civil law.” Quinn -- a civil unions proponent -- has not openly advocated in favor gay marriage.

That more high-profile candidates are taking a strong stance in support of gay marriage is welcome news. It should benefit them at the polls. A majority of Democrats back gay marriage now and public opinion is shifting toward acceptance of equal rights more broadly.

Since joining the ranks of Congress, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) hasn't masked his disdain for politicians' willingness to uphold anti-gay policies. Just weeks after being sworn in, the Chicago Democrat called for a repeal of the "morally repugnant" U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy because of its blatant discrimination against gay and lesbian soldiers. Shortly after, Quigley penned a letter urging President Obama to see that same-sex unions were recognized in the Census count. And at a press conference this morning, he announced that he's co-sponsoring legislation aimed at repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Watch:

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Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown breaks some exciting news in the race for U.S. Senate. In an interview with State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the Democrat came out boldy in favor of same-sex marriage, the first major statewide candidate to take that position in Illinois history. He also backs a slate of other crucial civil rights reforms, including the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. From the piece:

"This goes to what this country was founded on -- equality and fairness," said Giannoulias, emphasizing that he sees same-sex marriage as a constitutional and legal issue in the context of past civil rights struggles. [...]

"This is what I believe in, and I'm sure not everyone is going to agree with me," Giannoulias told me in advance of his campaign issuing a position paper later this week. "I'd like to think the public is more accepting of gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships. It could be risky, but it's what I believe."

It's only natural that the 33-year old Giannoulias would come out in full support for equal rights. While opposition to same sex marriage is strong among those over 40, a wide majority (58 to 35 percent) of Millennials support the practice. And his position stands in direct contrast to Republican candidate Mark Kirk, himself one of the few supposed supporters of gay rights in the GOP. A spokesperson told Brown that "Congressman Kirk opposes gay marriage, supports the Defense of Marriage Act, and agrees with President Clinton's policy of 'Don't Ask Don't Tell.'" Moderate positions, those are not.

Giannoulias thinks that we will revisit this marriage debate in a decade and "be amazed we didn't do this sooner." He's exactly right. But we're very glad he's pushing the agenda now.

UPDATE (11:45 am):  The Giannoulias campaign has now included a GLBT issues page on its website, which you can read here.

Since becoming a member of Congress in the spring, Rep. Mike Quigley has happily inserted himself into some hot-button political debates. After only three months  on the job, he's taken on Defense Department spending, rebuffed efforts to limit reproductive health care, and condemned the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which mandates the discharge of openly gay service members.

Quigley addressed the latter issue during his remarks today at Chicago's annual "With Liberty and Justice for All" event, which honors gay and lesbian soldiers and vets. "It is very easy to come to the conclusion that we are fundamentally less safe with don't ask, don't tell," Quigley told the crowd. "We are fundamentally less just with 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' " Watch (the clip begins with the congressman referencing his recent trip to Iraq):

Along with six other Democratic members of Illinois' congressional delegation -- Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Jesse Jackson Jr., Danny Davis, Luis Gutierrez,  Phil Hare, and Bobby Rush -- Quigley signed on to the Military Enhancement Readiness Act (HR 1283), which would scrap the policy. Now it's time for the commander in chief to throw his support behind it as well. "We must do this now for our our GLBT soldiers," Quigley said today, "but also for the security of our country."

When Billy Ocasio departed the Chicago City Council for a position in Gov. Pat Quinn's adminstration, he chose Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus, a self-avowed anti-gay activist, as his favored replacement in the 26th Ward.  Mayor Daley will ultimately be the one to select Ocasio's successor and, not suprisingly, the possibility of De Jesus' ascension has sparked protests from the gay community and headlines like this one from NBC Chicago: "Will Daley Appoint A Homophobe?"

The deadline for the appointment is just three weeks away, and as the pressure mounts to bypass De Jesus, the mayor has been sure to emphasize that there are other potential replacemets in the mix. That seems like a clear sign he's feeling the heat from gay rights activists -- including the council's first openly-gay member Ald. Tom Tunney (44th Ward) -- who are emphasizing the Humboldt Park pastor's active opposition to homosexuality and abortion. Kit Duffy, a former City Hall liaison to the gay and lesbian community, thinks there will be political consequences for such an appointment, making it known through the Windy City Times that "If energized by this man's hatred, [gays and lesbians] will most certainly organize in 2010 against anyone who has advocated for this misguided appointment."

In a Tribune article published Tuesday, De Jesus "vowed to not let his religious beliefs influence his policy making."  But activist Julio Rodriguez countered that it's too risky to give De Jesus any control over the city's purse strings, particularly when it comes to funding agencies that serve homosexuals:

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Since taking office several months ago, Congressman Mike Quigley has been extremely outspoken on issues of gay rights.  Specifically, he has called for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) and written a letter urging President Obama to recognize same-sex unions in the census count (something the White House moved to do shortly thereafter). 

The Windy City Times has just published an extended interview with Quigley that is worth a read.  He touches on a variety of issues and gives his impressions of D.C. so far.  Here he is on DADT:

[Regarding] “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” here's what strikes me: On [June 15] , I [went] to Walter Reed, and there you visit soldiers who put everything on the line, and many of them have lost arms and legs. It's one of America's great hypocrises that you have these people who put their bodies on the line and, if [a guy] has a boyfriend, [he's] not good enough for it. [...]

What I've learned in 27 years of politics is that sometimes you win because you have more than one reason or sound argument supporting you. I would like to appeal to someone's conscience that “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” is morally repugnant. [...]

With others, you gotta sell them something else, too. Like with the Arabic translators who were [discharged under DADT] : That makes us less safe. ... Eventually, our country does the right thing -- but sometimes it takes them longer than it should.

Quigley also gave his thoughts on Todd Stroger ("he -- quite frankly -- isn't up to the job") and Tony Peraica ("doesn't know what he wants to be ... doesn't care about the mission").  You can find the full interview here.

The Sun-Times' Laura Washington has a column up today on the growing controversy over Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus, whom former Ald. Billy Ocasio (26th Ward) is recommending as his replacement on the Chicago City Council.  Last month, we highlighted Ocasio's decision to join Gov. Quinn's administration, noting that reporter Jessica Pupovac had brought up concerns about his views on homosexuality.  On her blog, she pointed out that De Jesus told Christianity Today last October that “opposing abortion and homosexuality have been the paramount moral issues for him."  Pupovac also cited this De Jesus quote from an article she wrote on his opposition to a proposed GLBT-friendly public school:

“What about that girl who is a virgin, who is being harassed by lesbians and guys to have sex, and yet you’re going to build a gay school? It’s not fair.”

More from Washington:

As the city's only openly gay alderman, [Tom] Tunney said, it is his "responsibility to make sure that the mayor knows about the concerns," which he has shared with Daley's staff.

"I think some of his rhetoric is pretty hateful," Tunney said, adding, "Our community feels pretty strongly about it." [...]

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