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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Congratulations! And one day, others may not have to go out of state to do likewise...

Ill. lawmaker's engagement spotlights gay marriage

State Representative Deborah Mell announced her engagement on the Illinois House floor the other day to applause. Only one problem--a 1996 law in the state defines marriage as between a man and a woman and civil unions are not supported in Illinois, so she and her girlfriend of six years will be travelling to Iowa for the ceremony.

But one day soon, I believe, same-sex marriages will be as ordinary as mixed race ones are today--something else that was seen as a threat to the institution of marriage once upon a time. Those with little minds will eventually become more marginalised, or simply die off, and allow a more understanding younger generation to bring the changes needed to institutionalise rights to marry for love regardless of gender.

Until that day, let me congratulate Deborah Mell and her fiancée. May their years as a married couple be happy ones, even though their own state will not recognise the relationship, much less the marriage.

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