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Mandi Hinkley and Chai Wolfman met while working in a bagel shop during their sophomore year of college. Before they knew it, they were inseparable.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, they moved to Chicago.
Since then, they have built a life together. They live in Sauganash Park. Mandi practices law; Chai, an artist, gave birth to the couple’s twin girls, Autumn and Violet.

“I’m so grateful to live every day with the love of my life,” Chai says. “Creating our family together and raising two thoughtful, curious, energetic, and loving daughters is a dream come true.”

But despite their 13 years together, the state of Illinois treats Mandi, Chai, Autumn and Violet as second-class citizens. Our state denies them the protections that only marriage can provide.

“Chai and I want to do whatever we can to love, support, and protect our family, and the fact is that there are many things we just can’t do if Illinois doesn’t recognize us as a family,” Mandi says.

It’s not just about the legal protections marriage affords. It’s about dignity. It’s about equality before the law. It’s about fairness.

It is time for the Illinois House of Representatives to get on the right side of history and pass SB10. It’s time to stop excluding same-sex couples from marriage. Illinois families can’t wait. The time is now.

Watch Chai and Mandi’s video…

For more information, visit IllinoisUnites.org.