Couple denied in Illinois marches to Iowa to get a marriage license

June 07, 2010

As posted by Thomas Geyer on qctimes.com:

"When Lindsey O’Brien and Rachel Miller walked into the Rock Island County Clerk’s Office to ask for a marriage license on Friday, the answer they got was quick and succinct.

“'No.'

"An entourage of about 10 people who were with the same-sex couple merely said, “soon, soon,” as they walked out.

"O’Brien, 26, of Moline and Miller, 26, of Chicago, with their friends and family carrying rainbow flags, then marched across the Centennial Bridge to the Scott County Recorder’s Office where they promptly received their marriage license.

"While the march was symbolic, O’Brien said it is a small step toward a goal of seeing same-sex couples having all the recognition, rights and benefits of traditional married couples in the U.S.

“'People don’t seem to realize that marriage is a contract,' O’Brien said, adding that she and Miller have been together for five years.

“'It’s amazing that I cannot, as an adult, enter into a legal contract with another adult that’s recognized throughout the country,' she said.

"There are more than 1,000 federal rights that opposite-sex married couples have but same-sex couples do not, O’Brien said. Among them are social security benefits, Medicaid, hospital visitation, estate taxes, retirement savings, pensions, family leave, and health insurance."

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