What Illinois Governor Pat Quinn needs to say to Catholic adoption agencies

[David Gill]

Last month, a new law went into effect in Illinois that legalized civil-unions between same sex partners and granted them the same legal rights as ‘traditional’ marriages. The bill lists some of the legal protections these new couples will have, including the same right to adoption services that married couples currently have. However, some Catholic adoption organizations are still refusing to help same-sex couples and are in violation of the new law. This has forced Governor Pat Quinn to not renew the state foster care and adoption contracts held by some these groups, and they have struck back with lawsuits saying that adoption is “part of church’s mission,” and they should be exempt from the provision.

Canceling these contracts was the right thing for the governor to do, but the next time he’s asked about these groups he should have a solid response prepared. The last time he responded to a question about these groups he said, “They made a choice... they have a law in Illinois. It’s the civil unions law. I signed it into law. We’re not going back.”

Instead, I think he should say something more similar to this...

http://www.politicsundelivered.com/2011/07/what-illinois-governor-pat-quinn-needs.html">Click here for the full remarks

[DCKit]

1. Let's please stop eqauating "marriage" and "civil unions".

"Marriage" is a religious institution, the civil is what matters to the rest of us.

Until y'all separate them, I can't get hitched to my S.O. - he's uncomfortable with the lack of distinction and a recovering Catholic - too many issues to mention.

[David Gill]

2. Agreed

Hopefully one day all partnerships will either be "civil unions" or "marriage". The word doesn't matter, it's that it gets used equally.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Local governments should stop providing public safety protection and

transportation services to them since they don't pay any property taxes. They should pay at least that portion that is for that purpose.