By Matt Simonette

Staff writer

SPRINGFIELD—Community advocates and activists in the struggle for equality for same-sex couples descended on the Illinois Statehouse for Equality Illinois’ 2008 Lobby Day April 9.

The lobbyists, numbering about 180, came to speak to their legislators about HB 1826, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), which would allow Illinois same-sex couples to enter into civil unions affording nearly all the rights as marriage.

On this particular day, they had to compete for lawmakers’ attention as they waited outside the House chambers. Nine lobbying groups were reportedly visiting the capital that day.

Activist Laurel Grauer said she was there lobbying on behalf of both HB 1826 and HB 4455, which allots $7 million for support services for homeless youth.

She saw the two bills as connected since so many homeless youth—about 42 percent, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force—are GLBT-identified. HB 1826, Grauer said, would illustrate that the community supports its GLBT citizens and sees no reason for them to be ashamed of their identities.

“It gives them the hope to see that they can be accepted for who they are, (both) in the eyes of the law and the eyes of the community,” said Grauer.

Rafiq Ahmed of Springfield spoke with a number of legislators throughout the day. Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) told him that she had concerns about how HB 1826 would affect the definition of marriage, but she promised him she would reconsider the bill.

Ahmed wasn’t deterred by Flowers’ hesitance. He lives in a heavily conservative town, but still thinks that eventually the idea of civil unions will be accepted there. He told his own legislator, Rep. Raymond Poe (R-Springfield), “I know it’s Springfield. I know everyone’s Republican. But you know it’s the right thing to do.”

“Once it passes, people are going to get over it,” Ahmed later said.

Ahmed’s mother, Mary Ochman-Ahmed, used her lunch hour to lobby on the bill’s behalf as well.

“I look at this (in terms of) the rights my son has by virtue of his birth. My brother, who is also gay, has been in a 27-year relationship. I (see) many gay and lesbian couples who are doing better in terms of longevity,” Ochman-Ahmed added.

Harris said legislators need to hear more stories about how such legislation affects community members.

“We see fact sheets galore on these things,” he said. “What makes a difference is when someone in your community comes in and says, ‘This is how it hurts me,’ or ‘This is how it helps me.’”

Carol Goldbaum, who came from Chicago with members of Congregation Or Chadash, got the same message when she spoke with Rep. LaShawn K. Ford (D-Chicago).

“He said, ‘Send me some mail and phone calls and I’ll consider it. I’ve only heard from seven people,’” Goldbaum said.

Jim Darby, of American Veterans for Equal Rights, visiting Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), has been with his partner for 44 years.

“I’m 76 and I can’t wait forever. It’s been a long uphill struggle for everybody,” Darby said.

He listed a number of rights married couples take as given that are denied to longterm couples who are gay or lesbian, such as more simplified transfers of financial assets, making medical decisions, even hospital visitations.

When he came to the hospital with his partner, Darby said, “The first thing they did was look at me and ask, ‘Who are you?’ When I said I was his partner, I was then asked if I had power of attorney. I said I did and was asked for proof, which I fortunately had.” Straight couples, Darby added, don’t have to go through that.

He also said that a civil unions bill and perhaps a subsequent marriage bill appealed to him on a romantic level as well.

“I’ve been to probably 500 weddings in my lifetime. It’s nice to have a ceremony, have a party and celebrate your relationship,” Darby said.

Equality Illinois Political Director Rick Garcia said the good turnout for Lobby Day not only goes far in influencing politicians but also “helped to solidify ‘yes’ votes. Sponsors appreciated hearing that.”

“Last year, many people didn’t realize that (civil unions) could happen soon in Illinois. Now people realize that it is a real possibility,” Garcia added.