Today I received an email (below the magic squiggle with links to support Marriage Equality) from Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. It asked me to contact my state legislator, which I did.
A few moments ago I received the following reply from my representative, Ed Sullivan. While I had read earlier that Republican Representative Sullivan would support equality, I was pleasantly surprised by the strength and tone of his response. I don't often agree with Representative Sullivan, but on this one he has it right, even if his "limited government" rationale is bogus (bolding mine).
Thank you for your recent letter in favor of S.B. 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. I am very proud to support this important legislation for our State.
After personal reflection and discussions with members of our community, I have decided to support civil marriage because it goes to the core of what I believe our State's-and indeed our Nation's-Constitution intends: a limited government whose citizens are free to make personal choices with equal protection under the law.
The role of a limited government is to fairly hold all people as equals, regardless of race, creed, or orientation, not to devise rules that make moral judgments of any particular class. Furthermore, each citizen should be left to himself or herself to make deeply personal decisions regarding life and the pursuit of happiness. Constrained by these principles, government should not stand in the way of two consenting adults who wish to commit to each other through civil marriage, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Thank you again for taking the time to write and share your concerns. I respect your opinion on this important issue, and invite you to contact me again regarding your concerns regarding any future legislation. It is an honor to represent you in the General Assembly.
Best Regards,
Ed Sullivan
State Representative
51st Legislative District
If you live in Illinois,
use this link to contact your Representative TODAY.
And here is the great letter from Governor Quinn which inspired me to send my own message to Springfield:
Moments ago, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of Illinoisans who are marching in Springfield today with one simple request: make marriage equality the law of the land in Illinois.
Every person, couple and family in Illinois should be treated fairly and equally under the law. And we need your help to make it happen.
As we begin the fall veto session today, please join me in supporting Illinois Unites for Marriage by asking members of the Illinois House of Representatives to pass the marriage equality bill so I can sign it into law.
Click here to send a message to your representative now.
No couple should have to wait another day to be afforded the critical protections and respect that only marriage can provide. It’s time for members of the Illinois House to guarantee equal rights for all and send this bill to my desk as soon as possible.
Momentum for marriage equality is growing. In 2011, we took a big step forward when I signed a historic law establishing civil unions. Nearly two years ago I called for full marriage equality and made it a priority in my State of the State address earlier this year. This summer the United States Supreme Court gave us 1,100 more reasons to make full marriage equality the law here in Illinois.
Tell your legislators that Illinois can’t wait any longer for the freedom to marry:
http://ilunites.org/...
Together, we can put Illinois on the right side of history.
Thank you,
Governor Pat Quinn