Press Release Just Received from GetEqual:

Six Activists Arrested on Valentine’s Day at Daley Plaza Marriage Bureau Demanding Federal Marriage Equality, Charged with Trespassing

On Monday, six activists were arrested in Chicago, Illinois at the marriage bureau office in Daley Plaza when they refused to leave without a marriage license for a queer couple. The activists, from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights groups Join The Impact Chicago, GetEQUAL and Video Action League, were part of a national narrative to raise awareness about the need for federal marriage equality.

Cassandra Avenatti, Lindsey Dietzler, Corrine Mina, and Noa Francis Shayden approached the marriage counter and asked for a license for the couple, Judy Heithmar and Danelle Wylder, who was adorned as Lady Justice. They took turns reading from the list of 1,138 rights denied to LGBTQ couples by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

The activists were removed from the marriage bureau around 3:30 pm, after they had occupied the office for nearly six hours. They were hauled off in a paddy wagon to the Chicago Police Department located at 1718 S State Street. They were released around midnight. All six were charged with criminal trespass to state supported land, a misdemeanor, and released on bond. They are due in court on March 17th.

Lindsey Dietzler, GetEQUAL IL State Lead and Co-Founder of Video Action League, said, “The message behind this action is that we must strive for justice and have a deeper commitment to it if we ever hope to be more than second-class citizens in this country. The state-by-state route to marriage equality is long, expensive and ultimately, without the repeal of DOMA, falls short of making us truly equal.”

With the recent signing of the Illinois civil unions act just weeks ago by Governor Pat Quinn, the activists wanted to make a strong statement to local, state and federal governments that this measure simply is not enough. While the new unions, which will take effect June 1, 2011, offer some state level protections, they offer no federal rights and responsibilities to LGBTQ couples and carry the sting of second class citizenship as they deny the full recognition and respect that comes with the word “marriage.”

A statement released by GetEQUAL IL on Monday said, “Although our community is deeply appreciative of the fierce advocacy of Governor Pat Quinn who helped make Illinois the sixth state to recognize civil unions for LGBTQ couples,  the reality is those distinctions do not carry the same societal value as “marriage” and cannot be enjoyed fully while states that surround us sit in deeper inequality because of marriage discrimination.  Action is taken today to highlight the need for the repeal of the Defense Of Marriage Act, nationwide state marriage rights and action from our former Senator, now-President Barack Obama to revert back to his previous position that marriage equality is the right thing to offer to our community.”

Visit Join The Impact Chicago’s website for more information on the rights Illinois’s civil unions law cannot grant.

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