Should We Support Civil Unions?
As this is written, HB2234, a bill on civil unions for gay and lesbian couples in Illinois may be called up for a vote in the House in the fall veto session of the General Assembly. If it is, and if it passes, Gov. Patrick Quinn who supports it will presumably sign it. The Chicago Sun Times , the Chicago Tribune , and the Daily Herald have all editorialized in support of civil unions. The ACLU of Illinois supports it. Patriots United , the Illinois Family Institute , and Chicago Roman Catholic Archbishop Cardinal Francis George oppose it. Polling data both nationally and in Illinois make it evident that a clear majority support civil unions though less than half fully support same-sex marriage. The bill now before the General Assembly in Springfield is also supported by Protestants for the Common Good, an organization with which I am happily associated. At this moment, however, I am wondering if this is a bill we should support. If enacted, this bill would make