Illinois voters could face gay marriage
SPRINGFIELD -- Opponents of gay marriage hope to give voters a chance to speak out on the issue through an advisory referendum this fall, a move that could affect political races by bringing more conservatives to the polls.
Organizers of ``Protect Marriage Illinois'' predicted Monday that they will have enough signatures -- thousands more than the 283,111 needed -- to get a referendum on the November ballot.
It would ask voters whether they think the Illinois Constitution should define marriage between a man and a woman as the only valid legal union in Illinois. The results won't change the constitution but could influence whether lawmakers ever take that step.
``The people don't want their children taught in school that marriage is between one man and another man,'' David E. Smith, project director for Protect Marriage Illinois.
Critics argue the petition drive is just an attempt to mobilize conservative voters.
``This has nothing to do with public policy,'' said Rick Garcia, political director for the gay rights group Equality Illinois. ``It has everything to do with right-wing politics.''
A 1996 Illinois law already prohibits same-sex marriage. But Massachusetts had a similar law that was struck down by the state Supreme Court, leading to legalization of gay marriages there.
[...]
Organizers of ``Protect Marriage Illinois'' predicted Monday that they will have enough signatures -- thousands more than the 283,111 needed -- to get a referendum on the November ballot.
It would ask voters whether they think the Illinois Constitution should define marriage between a man and a woman as the only valid legal union in Illinois. The results won't change the constitution but could influence whether lawmakers ever take that step.
``The people don't want their children taught in school that marriage is between one man and another man,'' David E. Smith, project director for Protect Marriage Illinois.
Critics argue the petition drive is just an attempt to mobilize conservative voters.
``This has nothing to do with public policy,'' said Rick Garcia, political director for the gay rights group Equality Illinois. ``It has everything to do with right-wing politics.''
A 1996 Illinois law already prohibits same-sex marriage. But Massachusetts had a similar law that was struck down by the state Supreme Court, leading to legalization of gay marriages there.
[...]
posted by TheFuriousGourmet | 5:25 AM
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