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Meet the Families in Lambda Legal's Illinois Marriage Lawsuit

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September 14, 2012
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Daryl Rizzo, Jaime Garcia and their daughter, Siena, are plaintiffs in Lambda Legal's lawsuit seeking the freedom to marry in Illinois.

The plaintiffs in our Illinois marriage lawsuit include 16 same-sex couples and their families from across the state. Their moving stories make it perfectly clear: It's just time for marriage equality in Illinois.

Daryl Rizzo, 47, and Jaime Garcia, 50, have been together for 11 years. They live in Rogers Park, Chicago, with their four-year-old daughter, Siena. When Jaime needed an emergency appendectomy at 3 a.m., the hospital didn’t recognize Daryl as Jaime’s family, despite their time together and their commitment to one another. They had to wait for Jaime’s brother to arrive at the hospital to sign the necessary forms. Daryl and Jaime want to marry so they can protect their daughter and themselves in case of an emergency.

Lynne Burnett, 55, and Robyne O’Mara, 56, of Godfrey have been together nearly 32 years. When Robyne experienced chest pains the couple raced to the emergency room. The hospital registrar asked Lynne who she was and after a lengthy series of questions the hospital staff still didn’t know what a civil union was or understand the couple’s relationship.

Daryl and Jaime, Lynne and Robyne—and our other plaintiff couples—aren’t the only families in Illinois who face challenges because they cannot marry. Lambda Legal is working to help all same-sex couples in Illinois. By securing the freedom to marry in Illinois, families will get the respect and the fair treatment they deserve.

Watch a short video about our plaintiff couples and their families.

Find out more about Lambda Legal's Illinois marriage lawsuit.

Sign the pledge supporting for the freedom to marry in Illinois.