Get off the fence on gay rights

Get off the fence on gay rights
Copyright by The Journal of Oak Park
3/17/2009 10:00:00 PM

That state government has careened to a gear-grinding halt covers many sins even as its utter failures focus our minds on Springfield. Lost in the wreckage are ideas and ideals worth fighting for.

One such cause is civil unions. There exists in Springfield a House measure to make civil unions the law in Illinois. We're for it and without equivocation. Allowing gays to enter into such a legal bond is, plain and simple, an issue of equal rights. The proposal does not force queasy legislators to "endorse a lifestyle," it does not dictate to religious groups which hold different views. It does extend the same rights to gays as the state has long showered on heterosexual couples.

Here's the problem and why this is a local issue. There is a representative carrying Oak Park's flag in the state capital who will not declare her position on this issue. Rep. Deborah Graham (D-78th) is fence-sitting on this issue.

Graham, a legislator we much admire, needs to declare. Her vote is needed to move this measure from the House to the State Senate. The time for wobbling is over. We understand you represent multiple communities. One of them is Oak Park, a village which has proudly taken the lead in gay rights for decades. While this issue may be politically complex, it is morally simple. There is only one answer. Equality.