Message from the Co-Chairs
Thursday, May 15, 2008—on its face, a day that was not unlike many others for most people. As the end of another workweek drew near, the Chicago area continued to be unseasonably cool. Across the country, plans for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend continued to change as many Americans grappled with the worsening effects of the economy.
Thursday, May 15, 2008—a day that was most unlike many others for members of the LGBT community. By a stunning 4-3 ruling, the California Supreme Court ruled not only that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, but also rejected California’s marriage laws as discriminatory. The expansive 121-page decision from the Republican-dominated court disagreed with the arguments about the importance of preserving only traditional marriages. In writing for the majority, Chief Justice Ronald George declared that the right to marry “is of fundamental significance” and cannot be denied to couples based only on their sexual orientation. Immediately hailed as a huge victory for gay rights, the decision now refutes any idea that Massachusetts is peculiarly alone in its recognition of gay marriage.
This decision in the nation’s most populous state is expected to have an impact far beyond California, although the effects there could be enormous. The latest census figures show over 100,000 same-sex couples in California alone, about 25% of whom have children. What now remains to be seen is the effect it will have in other states like Illinois, where a bill seeking to recognize civil unions is now pending in the state legislature.
As members of the LGBT community, we have certainly learned the hard way that any victory, no matter how huge, is no guarantee of future success. This court’s decision resulted from San Francisco’s highly publicized gay weddings in 2004, which in turn helped fuel a conservative backlash in that election year. The religious right joined with social conservatives to fight bitterly in their opposition to same-sex marriages, and the result had a ripple effect nationwide. In Ohio, for instance, opponents prevailed in a state that wound up being key to Bush’s re-election.
So what happens next? In California, Governor Schwarzenegger has promised to uphold the decision and to veto a bill already being drawn up that seeks to defy the ruling by amending the state’s constitution. In Illinois, time will tell. Proponents of the civil unions bill are guardedly optimistic, yet recent efforts by the ACLU, OPALGA, and Equality Illinois to spur a letter-writing campaign were disappointing. Meanwhile, New York has just announced that it intends to honor all out-of-state same-sex marriages. As to the upcoming election, Obama supports civil unions but is opposed to gay marriage. McCain is on record as opposing a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage; he prefers to leave the issue to individual states. All of us at OPALGA will be watching and waiting with great interest.
Meanwhile, earlier that same week, Larry McKeon, Illinois’ first openly gay legislator, passed away at age 63 after suffering a violent stroke. In 1992, Larry took a job as Mayor Daley’s liaison to the gay and lesbian community. Many questioned the appointment, and yet under Larry’s tenure, advances for the LGBT community were numerous as he continuously displayed keen insight into issues of significance to us. Thursday, May 15, 2008, would surely have brought a smile to Larry’s face.
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!!
