Jacki Bubis
Gay Marriage in Illinois-Documentary Assignment
(1:30)
Being told whom
you can and can’t love is considered legal in the state of Illinois. Being
bound together in matrimony with your gay or lesbian partner is considered
illegal. Thirteen states including California, Iowa, and Maryland have lifted
the ban on same-sex marriage, while Illinois continues to fight for its
inexistence in the state.
Because marriage
is being withheld from the gay and lesbian community, the legal benefits are
also left astray. The American Civil Liberties Union is fighting to counteract
the state and give access to the federal benefits available for same-sex
couples.
It is no longer a
time where being gay was unanimously considered to be an illness. More and more
gay and lesbian individuals are feeling more accepted in society and
comfortable in their skin. However, the idea of marriage is looked upon as a
ludicrous and unlawful idea still.
I visited
Chicago’s North Side, Andersonville, which is highly inhabited by the gay and
lesbian population. The atmosphere is safe and the energy of the people
bustling through the streets and sitting outside trendy restaurants is
exciting. I took a seat outside of a laid-back restaurant called “Hamburger
Mary’s,” and spoke to an individual named Denton who has been out since he was
a sophomore in high school.
“I thought coming
out would be the hardest part, but now that I’m twenty-two, I see that was the
easy part. I don’t know if marriage is for me yet, but I would like the respect
as a human being to have the option.”
Devon’s thoughts
and feelings are widely shared by the gay and lesbian community, as well as
those who support the cause. In a world where we are so advanced in many areas,
we are very short-sided when it comes to basic human rights. We can only hope
that Illinois joins its thirteen brother and sister states in doing what is
right—joining people in love in holy matrimony.
No comments:
Post a Comment