on the docket // in the field highlights of Lambda Legal’s recent work around the country

Civil Unions for Illinois Illinois has joined the growing list of states extending broad legal protections to same-sex couples. The Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act was first introduced by Representative Greg Harris in March 2007, and in the Illinois Senate by David Koehler. After passionate speeches and floor debate in both chambers, the bill passed 61-52 in the House on November 30 and 32-24 in the Senate the next day. Governor Pat Quinn is expected to sign the bill in January 2011 and it will go into effect June 1. Lambda Legal’s Midwest Regional Office, based in Chicago, provided extensive legal analysis and drafting assistance for the act as well as public education and legislative advocacy pressing for its passage. A couple who enters into an Illinois civil union will have access to the rights, benefits and responsibilities that married couples have. The major benefits of the new law include hospital visitation, health care decision-making rights, the Jim Bennett, Regional Director of Lambda Legal’s Midwest Regional spousal presumption of parentage for families rearing children, and joint filing Office and Illinois State Rep. Greg Harris celebrate the passage of the civil union bill at the State Capitol in Springfield. of state income taxes. In addition, couples married in any jurisdiction that legally marries same-sex couples will be recognized as civil union partners in Illinois. Couples who have a civil union from New Jersey or a similarly broad status like domestic partnerships in Oregon, Washington, Nevada and California will also be recognized as having a civil union in Illinois. However, Wisconsin, a border state to Illinois, has a more limited domestic partnership law (see “On the Defensive,” page 13) and a Wisconsin domestic partnership therefore is unlikely to be treated as a civil union in Illinois. The law benefits married Iowa couples who commute or travel to Illinois for work. In fact, depending upon the couple’s individual circumstances it may be advantageous for same-sex Illinois couples to wed in a state where they can do so and return to Illinois where their marriage will be respected as a civil union. —Jim Bennett, Regional Director, Midwest Regional Office

Check our FAQ at www.lambdalegal.org/illinois-civil-unions-faq or call our Help Desk in Chicago at 312-663-4413.

rE: Lambda Legal’s rE: DADT REPEAL rE: ILLINOIS CIVIL UNIONS what Naughty v nice campaign via Facebook via Facebook via Facebook K.j. Beard: As a veteran of James Clemens: It is great! May you’re CAMPBELLDE: @lambdalegal the Navy that was discharged all remaining states wise up and #llnice Everyone who came out under DADT, I am very happy realize it is time to STOP denying saying» publicly this year and every queer with the repeal of this obviously equal rights for ALL. who refused to be silenced. discriminatory practice.

february march april may 8 8 15 2 Lambda Legal Freedom to Lambda Legal’s Spring Theater National Day of Silence Liberty Awards National Marry Reception Event: Priscilla Queen of the Dinner National Museum of Mexican Art Desert 16-17 Pier 60, Chelsea Piers Chicago The Palace Theater Miami Beach Pride New York City New York City 27 21 17 TransAction! Day 13-14 Lambda Legal’s San Francisco International Day Against Pride South Florida Celebration Homophobia and Transphobia Ft. Lauderdale, FL The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco 22 27 Harvey Milk Day Lambda Legal in Ft. Lauderdale 24-30 Bonnet House Museum and Philadelphia Black Pride 26-29 Gardens DC Black Pride Ft. Lauderdale, FL 28 Lambda Legal’s Annual Bon Save 28 Foster Gala Jeffrey Fashion Cares Benefit The Spertus Institute The Intrepid, Pier 86 Chicago the New York City Date! For more information on Lambda Legal events, visit www.lambdalegal.org/events

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