Twenty-three prominent Latino leaders
on Sunday called on Illinois lawmakers to approve a gay marriage
bill.
The measure which seeks to make
Illinois the 10th state to legalize marriage equality
cleared the Illinois Senate on Valentine's Day with a 34-21 vote.
It will face its first hurdle in the
House on Tuesday, when the 13-member House Executive Committee
convenes at 3PM.
In an open letter to lawmakers, the
leaders said legalizing such unions in Illinois is “the right thing
to do.”
“[N]o member of anyone's family,
whether they're gay or straight, should face discrimination when they
hope to marry the person they love,” the letter reads in part.
“As Latinos, we know our families are
stronger when we stay together. We never turn our backs on family.
That includes supporting the freedom to marry for our gay and lesbian
sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles.”
Notable supporters signing the letter
include former City Clerk of Chicago Miguel Del Valle, Executive
Director of the Latino Policy Forum Sylvia Puente and Vice President
of the Chicago Board of Education Jesse H. Ruiz.
“The Illinois General Assembly should
act now and give same-sex couples the freedom to marry. It is the
right thing to do,” the letter concludes.