30 Couples To Be Joined In Civil Unions In Millennium Park

May 9, 2011 1:32 PM

(Credit: AP)

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CHICAGO (CBS) – Gov. Pat Quinn and Cook County Clerk David Orr will be among those in attendance for a historic ceremony next month, in which 30 gay and lesbian couples will be joined in civil unions in Millennium Park.

The event is set for June 2, the day after civil unions officially become legal in Illinois. It is being organized by the Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council on LGBT issues.

Participants in the ceremony will get their civil union licenses from the County Clerk’s office on June 1. The law requires couples to wait until the day after they obtain licenses before holding a civil union ceremony.

The ceremony will be held in Wrigley Square, near the corner of Randolph Drive and Michigan Avenue, Gay Chicago Magazine reported.

It is not expected to be the first civil union ceremony in the state. Many couples across Illinois have already vied for having the first ceremony just after midnight, the magazine reported.

Orr will officiate the ceremonies, as will Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans, and members of the Alliance of Illinois Judges, a gay and lesbian judges’ group. Among the officiators will be Circuit Court Judge Tom Chiola, who became the first openly gay judge elected in the county in 1994, the magazine reported.

Quinn is not expected to officiate.

The participating couples have already been chosen. Some signed up for the Civil Unions Tracker on the web sites of Lambda Legal and Equality Illinois, while others were suggested by gay and lesbian groups around the state, the magazine reported.

The legislation allowing for civil unions in Illinois was signed into law by Gov. Quinn on Jan. 31, after being approved by both houses of the state General Assembly in December.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the ceremony will be moved to the Cultural Center on the other side of Michigan Avenue, Gay Chicago Magazine reported.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

30 Couples To Be Joined In Civil Unions In Millennium Park

theaccusersgift

And I suppose left-handed people, because of their “brain chemical imbalances” ,should also have their wedding ceremonies held 1.5 miles just west of the UC at 12:01 as well.

Jennifer Kernes

Get point!

left handed and gay

have your wedding ceremonie held 1.5 miles just west of the UC at 12:01, use your left hand.
ITISWHATITIS

My oh my,it appears that the problems in Illinois aren’t real pressing (going bankrupt even with raising the taxes) that “Vote for me” Quinn has time for non sense like this. Anything for a vote or two,isn’t that about right Mr Quinn? Are you going to be handing out flyers for the reason for the next tax increase at this historic event? It’s pitiful what you will do for a few minutes of any media time.Lets see now, signing legislation for gay civil unions,signing legislation for abolishing the death sentence,could you please sign legislation banning all moronic,incompetent, corrupt, politicians also?
NewtotheCity

As a Chicago transplant, can someone explain what “1.5 miles just west of the UC at 12:01 am” means?
ajg

I am really surprised at how many hateful people there are in Chicago! I always thought Chicago was a progressive city. Previous comments must be made by people in the outer burbs.
JC

A great day for Illinois Chicago America and Human Rights! Hate-filled ignorant trash DIAF. Progressive Chicago runs the show…sorry conservative backwards Illinoisans

Ron

I agree, sick a$$ puppies.

Jennifer Kernes

Your ignorance is astonishing. You realize it was only 50 years ago that interracial marriages were seen as legally? You could say that those who aren’t white have a “chemical imbalance” that cause there skin to be a different color. Nevertheless, you don’t say that because you know better and one day you will understand it is the same way for sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is no more a “chemical imbalance” then is skin color, body shape, or even taste preference. Do your research and you will learn better you ignorant human being.

Rick

Who are you calling ignorant? A man who has butt sex with another man, has a chemical imbalance. There just isn’t anything else to explain it. Just because so many do it, doesn’t make it right.

ITISWHATITIS

Rick,I agree 100%. I’m not a chemist so forget about explaining the chemicals involved here. I do wonder though that if a man can have butt sex with another man,what type of sex can a woman have with another woman?
Meghan

I think if you were a women who was in love with another woman then it should matter to you. I’m guessing gay people don’t walk around wondering what you do in your bedroom, so why should you wonder what goes on in theirs? ALL PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE TREATED EQUALLY AND GIVEN THE SAME RIGHTS. Who are we to judge another person other than ourselves? I find that those who hate others hate themselves more. I wish the two of you happiness gentlemen.
ITISWHATITIS

Meghan,I find it interesting that you are the only person to say the word hate. All people being treated equally is fine,but,it’s a two way street. If the gay community wants that life style,fine,go live it. But what’s with all the parades and tirades about being persecuted. Can’t the gay folks just all get along with the rest of society with out making us watch? And all the happiness in the world to you also Mam.
Jennifer Kernes

Wow….. Your stupidity increases….. It is dumb people like you who are going to lead to the end of society.
ITISWHATITIS

Wow, I’m unsure of whose stupidity you are referring to.In the vein of being dumb,I will make an uneducated guess that the end of society will come when everyone figures out a man with a man,or a woman with a woman will no longer recreate and thus ends this perverted society when human babies cease to exist. Are you smart enough to grasp that fact? Or is it a case of being to blind to see?
Jennifer Kernes

Being gay or straight is just another part of the human genome. it is not a mental disease, and is not a chemical imbalance.
Meghan

All love is a chemical imbalence. It causes men to love men, women to love women, and men and women to love one another. GREAT POINT RICK!!!

R A

Jake and nope must be from same sex couples family and r ashamed
Tony Lawayne Measles

I
Amanda

You are ignorant there is no “chemical imbalance” it’s just another phrase to put people down. People need to be a little more open minded.what does it mean to you if theirs a civil union it has nothing to do with you. Let them be happy.
Meghan

Love is a chemical imbalence. And yes, it causes men to love men, women to love women and men and women love each other. GREAT POINT! Such a forward thinker that Rick!
Jennifer Kernes

LIsten, being gay or straight is just another part of the human genome. Let me ask you sir, besides sitting in your living room and sticking your thumb up your butt what do you do? Because if you ever had an ounce of education would have realized that being gay is not a chose, it is not a mental disease, and is not a chemical imbalance.
Jennifer Kernes

LIsten, being gay or straight is just another part of the human genome. Because if you ever had an ounce of education would have realized that being gay is not a chose, it is not a mental disease, and is not a chemical imbalance.

Otis

umm it really is spelled “choice” no offense or anything like that and i really am not all that educated

Jennifer Kernes

haha valid point… I won’t lie I didn’t get my degrees with my impressive spelling abilities. I still think my argument is valid though.

Jennifer Kernes

Being gay or straight is just another part of the human genome. If you ever had an ounce of education would have realized that being gay is not a chose, it is not a mental disease, and is not a chemical imbalance.
Jennifer Kernes

Also, it is no longer an argument that you must be heterosexual to have children. There is too much technology that let people procreate without intercourse.
Patrick

Congratulations to all the couples. I wish them the best.