Former Massachusetts Congressman Barney
Frank said Tuesday that he hopes a proposed gay marriage bill in
Illinois becomes law.
The marriage bill cleared the Senate on
Valentine's Day but stalled in the House. Last week, as lawmakers
held the first of two short fall work periods, supporters called on
House leaders to approve the bill.
Frank, who has the distinction of being
the first openly gay member of Congress and the first to enter a
marriage with a member of the same sex, weighed in on the issue
during a visit to Chicago.
“I think reality is helping,” Frank
told the Chicago
Sun-Times.
“I'm hoping it'll happen. Certainly the evidence is there are no
problems. All the negatives they were making [up] didn't come true.
Certainly anyone who's looking at what's been the effect, it's been
all good and no bad.”
House lawmakers could take up the issue
next week, but many analyst believe it is more likely that members
will table the matter until next year, after the threat of primary
challengers has passed.