Tag Archive: Gay Marriage

Canada and Same-Sex Marriage

Interesting article from the Calgary Herald about Canada’s experience with same-sex marriage.

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Does Illinois Allow Same Sex Marriage?

No, Illinois does not allow same-sex marriage, but it does allow civil unions.   As of July 1, 2011, civil unions became legal in Illinois. The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act (“Act”) was passed by the Illinois General Assembly on December 1, 2010 and signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn on January…

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Does Illinois Recognize Out of State Same-Sex Marriages?

Just a few months ago, the answer to this question was no. With the passage of the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act (“Act”) and anticipated signature by Governor Pat Quinn, the answer has changed.  Civil unions will become legal in Illinois on July 1, 2011. Section 60 of the Act states: A…

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Civil Union Bill Passed by Illinois General Assembly

The Illinois General Assembly has passed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act (“Act”) establishing legal protections for same-sex couples in the state. The Act, first introduced in March 2007 by Representative Greg Harris, and in the Illinois Senate by Senator David Koehler, passed 61-52 in the House on Tuesday, November 30th and…

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Same-Sex Marriage: One Man’s Story

This story from NPR about David Wilson and Ron Loso is yet one more example of why same-sex couples need to protect themselves.

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Proposition 8 Overturned by U.S. District Court

A federal judge on Wednesday, August 4th, ruled that California’s Proposition 8, a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, is unconstitutional.   But, Chief U.S District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco also granted a temporary stay, which stops his decision from taking immediate effect.  The case, Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al, can be read…

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Does Illinois Recognize a Same-Sex Marriage from Another State?

No.  As of this writing, Illinois law prohibits a marriage between two people of the same sex and does not recognize a same-sex marriage performed in a state where it is legal, for example, Massachusetts. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act states that “a marriage between 2 individuals of the same sex” is…

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Gay Marriage But No Gay Divorce

Two gay couples in Texas who were married in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legal, are trying to get divorces, but the State of Texas is saying no.  Getting a divorce in Massachusetts is not an option since they are now Texas residents. In the first case, the men – who are identified in court…

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2010 Census Data Will Count Same-Sex Partners and Same-Sex Spouses

The 2010 Census will be the first census to publicly release the number of both same-sex spouses and same-sex unmarried partners.  In the past, these two groups were combined and reported as same-sex “unmarried partners.” This information will come from the relationship question, which asks the person filling out the form to identify how all…

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Pension Benefits for Same-Sex Couples

Dennis Engelhard and Kelly Glossip were life partners for almost 15 years.   They owned a home together.  Glossip’s teenage son from a previous marriage, before Glossip came out as gay, considered Engelhard a stepfather.  But Glossip will not be receiving survivor’s benefits from Engelhard’s pension. Engelhard, a 10-year veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol,…

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