In Brief: Good News, Bad News

Good news, bad news: In Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn signed the civil union law Monday, a huge step forward on the road to full equality. Lambda Legal's staff provided extensive legal analysis and drafting assistance for the bill, as well as public education and legislative advocacy pressing for its passage. And the very next day, across the state line, the Iowa House voted 62 to 37 in favor of an anti-marriage referendum barring all legal recognition of same-sex couples.

Lambda Legal's hard-fought victory for marriage equality in Iowa remains secure. In order for antigay forces to put marriage on the ballot, they first need to garner enough votes in both chambers of the legislature twice, in two consecutive sessions. But Tuesday's disappointing vote only reminds us that we're not done when we win in court. We have to keep working hard to win in the court of public opinion in order to protect our victories.

The good news from Illinois is a similar reminder, not just of how much progress we've made, but also how much work still needs to be done. Our Help Desk has already received a flood of questions about the new law. That's why we created an Illinois civil unions FAQ, where couples can find helpful answers. And that's why Lambda Legal and Equality Illinois launched Civil Union Tracker (see the lead story in this month's eNews). Couples can register through Civil Union Tracker to share their stories and to gain direct access to information related to their new rights and responsibilities.

Lambda Legal's earlier win in Iowa—the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Varnum v. Brien making marriage equality a reality—helped set the stage for the victory next door in Illinois. And it is a remarkable and crucial victory. We congratulate and thank all our partners there for all their hard work to make it possible. And we continue to fight so that this victory helps set the stage for even bigger victories in the future.