Freedom to Marry Reception

****PLEASE NOTE*** Freedom to Marry has changed! In light of the recent passing of our marriage bill through the Executive Senate Committee and the continued push toward marriage equality in our own back yard, Freedom to Marry 2013 will be a PHONE BANK VOLUNTEER EVENT from 7-9 pm, followed by a thank you reception for our volunteers, from 9-11 pm! The event is still open to all but we no longer have a guest list, we have a volunteer list. Food, drink and music will be provided to participants, following our three-hour phone bank session.

This annual event, which coincides with the National Freedom to Marry Week, is one of the many ways we engage the LGBT community, local allies, our families and friends in a public discourse about the importance of marriage wquality. This year you can be DIRECTLY involved in our efforts toward making marriage a reality for countless gay and lesbian Illinoisans. Come help achieve another reason to continue our celebration in 2014!

This year's Freedom to Marry reception holds particular significance in light of the ballot measure victories in Maryland, Maine, Washington and Minnesota, and also the struggle taking place right here in Illinois. In May 2012, Lambda Legal filed a case in Circuit Court of Cook County on behalf of 16 same-sex plaintiff couples and their children, seeking the freedom to marry. In addition, legislation introduced by Illinois State Rep. Greg Harris and Sen. Heather Steans in the Illinois General Assembly seeks to make Illinois the 10th state in the country to achieve full marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.

Now more than ever, we hope to create awareness and visibility around this important moment in Illinois and national LGBT history. Please join us in doing so, by volunteering a few hours of your time to help us reach Illinois voters and ask for their support by contacting their elected officials. There is still a great deal of work to be done here at home and we invite you to be a part of it with us! It’s just time.

To VOLUNTEER and ATTEND, please email: Luis Roman at lroman@lambdalegal.org!