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* From an e-mail sent by Organizing for Action, formerly known as Obama For America…
If you care about marriage equality, here’s something really important you can do right now.
As early as this week, the Illinois State House could vote on a bill — already passed by the state Senate — that will give all couples the legal right to marry. If it passes, Governor Quinn says he’ll sign it into law. That’s huge for all of us in the OFA family who care about this issue.
Right now, reports say the bill is short of the votes it needs to pass, so these calls matter.
Take two minutes and look up your state representative right now — then give them a call to let them know that you want them to vote YES on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.
It’s really easy: Just use that website to look up your address, click “confirm your address,” then scroll down to find your state representative’s information.
Like President Obama said last year, he believes that marriage equality is a question of fairness — of treating others the way you want to be treated.
Right now, his home state is just one step away from becoming the 10th state in the nation to approve same-sex marriage — and making sure that gay and lesbian families in Illinois are treated equally in the eyes of the law.
We’ve heard from OFA supporters here in Illinois that this issue matters to you, and that’s why we’re teaming up with Illinois Unites for Marriage — a joint project of ACLU Illinois, Equality Illinois, and Lambda Legal — to add our voices to this fight.
This House vote is the final hurdle to making sure this historic legislation becomes the law of the land. Right now, a number of state representatives are still undecided, and we know this vote’s going to be close.
Take a few minutes to look up your state representative today and urge them to vote YES in allowing all loving couples to share in the freedom to marry:
Think it’ll have any impact?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 11:45 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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It could provide added cover for some Chicago legislators to buck the opposition clergy.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 11:51 am
No impact….. It was my understanding that the GLB community were going to be happy with civil unions. They wanted all the rights of married citizens. If Civil Unions do not offer equivalent rights then those changes need to be made in the Civil Union statutes. Marriage is an institution of the Judeo-Christian heritage. The government got involved without invitation. The GLB community deserve all the associated rights….but it should never be called marriage.
Comment by God's Country Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 11:54 am
I doubt it. It’s certainly not going to influence any Republicans to vote for it and I don’t think it will have any effect on the remaining Democrats who won’t vote for it.
But I am glad that the President is working at both the state and national levels to promote equality for all.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 11:54 am
Not really.
In the trypical Democratic districts, they are “for” SSM.
The “Conservative” downstate districts will not be effected becuase their decision to vote “No” is based on their religious beliefs, and while siding with their President on most issues, this is one they can and will take a pass on, and still be considered a loyal member of the Democratic Party, and the HDem Caucus. Rep. Harris will have his toughest time looking for votes here.
The African-American districts are under / going to be under enormous pressure by the Clergy, not only in their districts, but in the AA community, led by former state Senator, Rev. Meeks. Will that letter influence the House member when Clergy keeps calling opposed to SSM? That will be the battle in the HDem caucus for this Bill.
This Email is just another stick on the pile “for” SSM, nothing more.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 11:55 am
- Marriage is an institution of the Judeo-Christian heritage. -
Wait, so Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, and other religions can’t get legally married either?
Get a clue folks, your understanding is severely lacking.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 11:56 am
I’m with word, I hope a significant number of people actually call.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 11:57 am
With a new poll showing same sex marriage supported by almost 60% of the population, I would hope that legislators would begin to understand that this train is leaving the station, if it hasn’t already started moving, and they need to get on, or be left looking foolish and covered in dust. 81% of young people (
Comment by Served Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:02 pm
It could help — a reminder to Af-Am legislators that the President has been a true leader on this issue.
Comment by Ray Midge Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:03 pm
“* From an e-mail sent by Obama For America…”
I believe it’s called Organizing for Action now… Certainly the President has closed his campaign. Oh, wait…
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:03 pm
Cincy, we can always count on you for rote response from the cathecism.
TR called the office “a bully pulpit.” FDR went on the radio. Whenever Reagan got in a jam with Congress, he’d give a televised Oval Office speech, the calls and letters would flood Capitol Hill and the votes would flip.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:09 pm
== Marriage is an institution of the Judeo-Christian heritage.==
No, it isn’t. Marriage has been around a lot longer than your religion has.
Comment by TooManyJens Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:13 pm
Remember back in the 90’s and early 2000’s when “wedge issues” were considered cynical tactics meant to deflect the public’s attention from the important stuff, like the economy, government corruption and incompetence?
Comment by grand old partisan Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:15 pm
We believe we are past the email phase and now the emailers and their principles need to start eyeballing the hold outs….perhaps the scene from Lincoln where he sends out the guys to swap a few things for votes…not that complicated.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:20 pm
According to the Newspaper of Record:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/03/opinion/sunday/the-white-house-joins-the-cash-grab.html?_r=0
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:23 pm
- CircularFiringSquad -,
Speaker Madigan has it 12 short. I agree, let’s see how they get it to 60, especially if there is only going to be ONE of the 47 Republicans voting “yes”.
2 “Yes”s for an Entire Party. “We are inclusinve”, yet 64 of 66 will be/ did vote “No”
Just a thought on the other side of this, if the supporters get to 60 with only ONE Republican vote.
Yea GOP! Two votes show Diversity!
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:29 pm
Cinci, do you have a point? I’m not sure what posting a letter from the NYT opinion section has anything to do with anything.
Are Obama and his allies not supposed to express support for the ideas they, um, support?
I know you’re dying to show everyone how clever you are by uncovering these supposed grand Obama conspiracies, but no one cares because we won, and you lost.
Maybe you should focus more on how Sen. Dillard’s stance on this issue is going to play if he makes it to a general election. In case you missed the news, his stance is in the minority.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:52 pm
The rest of my comment got chopped, probably because of links, but that poll also showed 81% of young people
Comment by Served Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:53 pm
Wait, the all powerful Madigan with a supermajority in both the House and the Senate can’t get his ducklings in order so that they vote for SSM?
Well, as the IFA sits back and notches a win for themselves- they don’t even see Lisa Madigan coming to route them in 2014.
You can “opportunity” analyze this ten ways from Friday- in the end the ILGOP is DOA on this.
Comment by Statesman Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 1:00 pm
===the all powerful Madigan===
Statesman, The Dems will not hold their members to an ideological litmus test, you are mistaking them for the other party. No Dems will be asked to give up their seats if they vote their conscience.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 1:14 pm
- Statesman -,
Checkers … 3 Dimensional Chess.
IFA wins …today.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 1:15 pm
- Endangered Moderate Species -,
I see - statesmen -’s post shedding a light on the truly diverse HDem Caucus, that the diversity can’t get this done, then all the members KEEP their seats by those districts rewarding them for their stance (for or against).
The GOP, as a Whole, votes “NO” less 2, and Lisa Madigan uses the Wedge, statewide, of the SSM issue as one of the “Death Nails” of the GOP’s lack of understanding, and diversity, while Lisa touts the Dem’s divresity, understanding, and openess to ALL ideas … thanks to Speaker Madigan calling out the HGOP to help with the 12 votes, and getting “crickets” in return.
You lose the SSM battle, record that vote, “today” …find it useful, tomorrow in “toss-up” districts tomorrow, and for Lisa tomorrow.
- statesman -, if I am wrong, apologies.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 1:22 pm
Nobody is ever going to call their partnership a ‘civil union.’ Two consenting adults who are legally able to file their income taxes together are married, no matter what the religious people think.
And as a straight atheist, that’s how I roll too.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 2:23 pm
- Small Town Liberal - Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 12:52 pm:
Cinci, do you have a point?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Did Wordslinger?
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 2:41 pm
OFA?
I’ll take “Meet Obama” for $500,000 - please.
I want to ask him how he’s changed the old ways of politics and money influence.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 2:42 pm
Cinci, the obvious point is that presidents use the bully pulpit to advance their positions.
What was yours?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 2:51 pm
“They wanted all the rights of married citizens. If Civil Unions do not offer equivalent rights then those changes need to be made in the Civil Union statutes. Marriage is an institution of the Judeo-Christian heritage.”
That would have to be done at the federal level in order to make sure that civil unions have the same federal benefits as marriages. If that is what the Republican Party believes on this, John Boehner should get started on it.
Comment by Nick Kruse Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 3:05 pm
81 percent of young people support SSM. Yet another way in which the older and “wiser” legislators and voters are screwing us over (I’m under 35). We’ll spend decades cleaning up the mess you’re leaving us. Budget. Pensions. Infrastructure. Social issues. If there’s one thing the Boomers and Gen Xers have proven, it’s that they can’t govern.
Comment by Lakefront Lib Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 3:18 pm
That no president has kept his campaign committee active while serving a second term.
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 3:41 pm
Cinci, I know you already know this, but the committee name was changed to “Organizing for America,” and is no longer “Obama for America.” So he hasn’t kept his campaign committee active, has he?
Did Reagan campaign in 1986? Did Bush campaign in 2006? Why wouldn’t Obama then? You had a clear point in your earlier comment, it was just a really lousy one.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 3:58 pm
@Cinci:
First of all, what difference does it make. If you don’t like it then don’t donate. This is just more evidence of people finding something - anything - to criticize Obama for. Second, your comment has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand except to be a drive-by shot at the President.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 4:04 pm
Same sex marriage is a good issue for OFA to promote. I’m not sure how well OFA will do when it’s not reelecting Obama, with his star power, but here is another poll released yesterday, showing record-high support for gay marriage.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/03/18/gay-marriage-support-hits-new-high-in-post-abc-poll/
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 4:27 pm
I bet this is more effective than the robo calls going out. This is going to a much larger list of people who are naturally politically engaged and loyal to the President but are probably not totally up to date on the marriage campaign in IL. If anything it loops them up to volunteer efforts and get them engaged. The President coming out for it can’t ever hurt in Illinois.
Comment by BucktownDem Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 4:50 pm
It may have some, limited impact, but, really, on a larger note, shouldn’t they just keep OUT of it?! They’re acting like the nosy older brother or sister who just has to stick his or her nose into EVerything, and usually end up just gummin’ up the works even more! Thanks, but NO thanks, “Big Brother!” We can figure out how to handle our problems or questions our OWN way. So…just bud OUT, would ya???
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 6:55 pm