With civil unions law, State Rep. Deb Mell pushes for gay marriage

With civil unions law, State Rep. Deb Mell pushes for gay marriage
In 2009, a crowd gathered to protest marraige inequality at the Cook County license bureau. Flickr/Gay Liberation Network
With civil unions law, State Rep. Deb Mell pushes for gay marriage
In 2009, a crowd gathered to protest marraige inequality at the Cook County license bureau. Flickr/Gay Liberation Network

With civil unions law, State Rep. Deb Mell pushes for gay marriage

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Next Monday is a big day for many gay rights activists; Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign into law the state’s new civil union bill. The bill will allow same sex couples to enjoy many of the same benefits and protections that marriage provides, but some say that’s not enough.

Illinois state Rep. Deb Mell says she still plans to travel to Iowa where gay marriage is legal to marry her fiancée. She joined Eight Forty-Eight to explain why. Rep. Mell is a Democrat representing the north side of Chicago’s 40th district in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Gov. Quinn is expected to sign into law the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act at the Chicago Cultural Center in the Loop on Monday.

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