Turns out that I was wrong about it being the GOP to blame for the amendment to SB 1123 enabling religious organizations to discriminate against gay couples in matters of adoption. Sorry! The sponsor for the amendment, State Sen. Koehler, is a Democrat from Peoria. What's even more bizarre, however, is that he has been a staunch supporter of LGBT legislation in the past and was a champion for civil unions in Illinois.
"Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, said he is pushing the adoption measure to fulfill a commitment he made during debate as he shepherded the civil union law through the Senate. A former minister and the father of a lesbian daughter, Koehler said he pledged to civil union opponents that he would craft an amendment this spring to address some of their concerns.
"'It was not my intention to force groups to work against their beliefs,' Koehler said.
Harris, the House civil union sponsor, said the adoption legislation is a '180-degree change in state policy.' Same-sex adoptions have been legal in Illinois since a 1995 appellate court ruling."
Curiouser and curiouser. Either way, the debate continues. Many of you passed along my post yesterday about the sneak amendment and called legislators to urge them to vote against it. Again, the Illinois switchboard number is 217-782-3944.
[ChicagoTribune]
No comments:
Post a Comment