The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Land of Lincoln

The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Land of Lincoln is the focus of a new book from Windy City Times writers Kate Sosin and Tracy Baim. The book looks at the financial and political pressure from the LGBT community and its allies to pass the marriage-equality law in 2013, including heated internal battles and intense heat put on elected officials in the final days of the legislative session. The book also includes more than 100 photos from the historic push for marriage, including photos and documents from the 1950s through the 2013 demonstrations. Money. Votes, Activism. These three ingredients were key to the passage of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act on November 5, 2013 in the Illinois House. Otherwise known as the marriage-equality law, supporters originally felt it would be a slam-dunk effort, since the Democrats captured a super majority in the state Senate and House in the November 2012 elections. But this is Illinois, and nothing comes without a cost—in money and labor. S.B. 10 did pass quickly in the state Senate, on Valentine’s Day 2013. But months of lobbying by pro– and anti–marriage-equality forces left the state’s representatives in the House without the courage to vote by the end of the spring legislative session, May 31, 2013. What happened next was a show of force by donors, lobbyists, politicians and most importantly the general citizens of Illinois. There were protests, benefits, phone banks, door-to-door canvassing, lobbying in the Capitol building, and a 5,000-strong March on Springfield for Marriage Equality on October 22, 2013. This book takes an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes efforts that were enhanced by the grassroots activists taking it to the streets. There were surprising opponents—and surprising allies—in the battle to get marriage for LGBTs in Illinois. This book provides a deep look into the inner-workings of passing legislation in Illinois. It is not always about the “will of the people” or “what is right.” It often comes down to horse-trading, political manipulation, threats and check books. It’s not quite the simplicity of the song “I’m Just a Bill” from the TV show Schoolhouse Rock! But it can be just as fun.