A Christian conservative group opposed
to gay marriage has asked an Illinois court to intervene in a case
challenging the constitutionality of the state's gay marriage ban.
The Illinois Family Institute presented
oral arguments Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court, the Chicago
Tribune reported. Attorney Bryan Beauman argued that allowing
the group to defend the marriage law would “even the playing
field.”
More than two dozen gay and lesbian
couples who wish to marry in Illinois but are unable because state
law defines marriage as a heterosexual union filed the lawsuit
challenging the law in May. Nine couples are represented by the ACLU
of Illinois, while Lambda Legal is representing sixteen couples.
Beauman said the refusals of Illinois
officials to defend the law in court creates “a more compelling
reason to let the Illinois Family Institute in to assist in the
case.”
Emily Nicklin, an attorney representing
plaintiffs, disagreed, saying that the organization “doesn't meet
the standard to intervene.” She
said filing a “friend of the court” brief would be more
appropriate.