Shanelle Moffett and Taneisha Watkins’ love for each other led them to be among those in the city’s first mass civil union ceremony.
“It’s basically just a step toward our future….we just wanted to be a part of something great,” Moffett told the Defender after taking the vows at Millennium Park.
Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans presided over the mass union of more than 30 couples.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law in January that gives gay and lesbian couples many of the rights and legal protections of marriage, including the power to decide medical treatment for their partners and to inherit their partner's property. Heterosexual couples also can enter into civil unions in Illinois.
Both Quinn and Emanuel attended Thursday's ceremonies in the park. The event was peaceful with only a small number of protesters gathered nearby.
“This is indeed a historic day, a special day, a day that all of us in the Land of Lincoln can celebrate,” said Governor Pat Quinn.
“It has been a long journey here and to all those who are about to get married and join in civil union you have a fruitful journey going forward from the journey that got you to this point,” said Emanuel.
Cook County Clerk David Orr says his office issued 203 civil union licenses on the first day they were available in Illinois.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender
