Illinois GOP Chair Pat Brady Could LosePosition Over Gay Marriage Support

The efforts of the Christofascist elements in the Republican Party to expel anyone in the party who doesn't subscribe to the Christianists' virulently anti-gay agenda continues.  The latest target?  Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady (pictured above) who has urged Republicans in the Illinois legislature to support the same sex marriage bill currently working its way through the Illinois legislature.  Never mind that polls show support for passage of the bill.  Never mind that the GOP's opposition to gay marriage is driving away younger voters and is a form of slow motion politico suicide.  There simply is no greater heresy to the Christofascists that supporting equality for LGBT citizens.  Here are highlights from WBEZ:

Just weeks after the head of the Illinois Republican Party announced his support for same-sex marriage legislation, some state party bosses are moving forward with plans to oust the state GOP leader, the party chairman said Friday afternoon.

Chairman Pat Brady said he received a phone call Friday afternoon informing him that party bosses are calling a special meeting at which they’ll discuss why Brady publicly bucked the party line on same-sex marriage, as well as other issues such as fundraising, Brady said.

Brady said the March 9 special meeting will only reinforce a negative image of the GOP as a party of “old white guys,” though he said he’ll respect the process.

The special meeting comes after weeks of false starts as Brady’s critics couldn’t organize to gather the required five signatures from state central commissioners to call a special meeting. State Central Committeemen Jerry Clarke, from Urbana, has been working behind the scenes to organize the meeting, according to several party bosses.

Brady’s ouster would require the weighted vote of three-fifths of the state central committee. The votes are weighted differently based on turnout in the March primary.  Committeeman Jim Oberweis, a state senator, said there are enough votes to fire Brady.

While there are a group of party leaders bent on firing Brady, some say they want to hold a special meeting to hear Brady’s explanation of why he publicly went rogue and contradicted the party’s stance on same-sex marriage, at a time when Illinois Republicans would prefer to focus on fiscal issues. Some also have concerns about Brady’s ability to raise money for the party, and the GOP’s dismal showing in November elections.

Chicago Tribune Endorses Gay Marriage

As the political battle rages in the Illinois legislature between proponents of CIVIL marriage equality and the forces of bigotry and ignorance, the Chicago Tribune in a main page editorial has come out in support of civil marriage equality.  Among other reasons for approval, the editorial cites increased security for the children of LGBT couples and increased societal stability in general.  Rather than weakening marriage as an institution, same sex civil marriage will strengthen it.  The editorial also addresses the issue that underlies opposition to same sex marriage - religious based discrimination, something that has no place in the civil laws of a secular nation.  In this regard anti-gay churches such as the Catholic Church remain free to set the rules within their club and need not perform same sex marriages.  Sadly, the Christianists continue to demand that their beliefs control the lives of other citizens.  Here are editorial highlights:

The Illinois Senate may vote soon on a bill letting same-sex couples enter matrimony on the same terms as their opposite-sex counterparts. Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, the chief House sponsor, thinks it has a good chance of success. Gov. Pat Quinn has indicated he will sign the measure if it reaches his desk.

Let's hope he gets the opportunity. Marriage equality is a once-radical concept that has rapidly gone mainstream.  .  .  .  .  Nine states and the District of Columbia permit it. In November, voters in three states approved it by popular referendum — the first such victories after 32 defeats.

President Barack Obama, who was once opposed, is now in favor, and he has urged the General Assembly to act. So has Mayor Rahm Emanuel. On Wednesday, the bill got a surprising endorsement from Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady.

It's time for the Legislature to authorize same-sex marriage as a matter of policy that would advance social goals valuable not only to gays and lesbians but to everyone in the state.

The most crucial gain is to afford protections to the young. Many gay couples have biological children by one partner or the other, and many others are adoptive parents. With gays as well as straights, marriage serves to promote commitment, stability and financial solvency. If same-sex couples can make the legal commitment and choose to assume all the obligations that come with matrimony, they will be more likely to stay together.

That's good for kids. It's also good for communities, since it minimizes the unwanted side effects of broken homes.

Authorizing same-sex marriage also works to break down age-old prejudice, discrimination and even violence against gays. Their growing acceptance as full members of society has been one of the most dramatic civil rights stories of our time — but it still has some distance to go.

Much of the opposition stems from religious concerns, such as those cited by Cardinal Francis George, who has urged a "no" vote. We fully understand and respect the cardinal's view that same-sex marriage violates natural law. But nothing in this bill affects the church's authority to define what is right for Catholics. It recognizes the difference between religious rites and civil institutions.

About 250 Illinois clergy recently signed a statement affirming, "There can be no justification for the law treating people differently on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."  That's exactly right. The General Assembly should waste no time making marriage equality a reality.