Latino elected officials came together to stand up for marriage equality and encourage the Illinois House of Representatives to vote for the freedom to marry. Among those speaking in favor of marriage equality were Representatives Toni Berrios, Alderman Danny Solis, Commissioner of Human Relations for the Cit of Chicago Mona Noriega, Director of Office of New Americans for the City of Chicago Adolfo Hernandez, and Maria Pesqueira, president and CEO of Mujeres Latinas en Acción. These leaders came together at Mujeres Latinas en Acción to build momentum for the October 22nd March on Springfield for Marriage Equality. The March is part of a broad grassroots strategy to secure final passage of Illinois Senate Bill 10, the “Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act” already approved by the Illinois Senate and supported by Governor Pat Quinn. Once adopted, Illinois will become the 14th state, plus the District of Columbia, to treat all of its citizens equally under state marriage laws.

Representative Berrios emphasized the importance of passing the bill, “The time is now. We have to get marriage equality passed.” Alderman Solis, the Chairman of the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus, spoke on behalf of the organization, “I am very proud that the Latino Caucus supports this legislation.” Recent polling indicates that the majority of Latinos support marriage equality. For gay and lesbian Latina/os, this acceptance is very significant. Census data finds that Latina/o same-sex couples are raising children at three times the rate of white gay and lesbian couples. By passing marriage equality, Illinois legislators will ensure that all kinds of families throughout Illinois are treated with justice and dignity.