VIDEO: A tragic reminder that the freedom to marry can’t wait

Earlier this month, on September 10, 2013, Steven Hynes passed away with his partner Robert Smith by his side.  The couple lived together in Chicago, Illinois, where they were joined together in civil union. For months, they have been eagerly waiting for their home state of Illinois to pass a bill extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples, and they were left waiting on the day that Steven passed away after battling terminal stage 3 Melanoma for nearly a year. 

Today, Illinois Unites for Marriage, the coalition working to win the freedom to marry in Illinois this year, released a video featuring Robert talking about why marriage matters to him and Steven - and why the IL legislature can't wait one day longer to pass a bill. Watch the video:

Robert and Steven's story is a tragic reminder that across the country, real people's lives are behind these conversations about legislation and litigation in favor of marriage. Real couples need the freedom to marry in the state where they live. And real families are hurt when the freedom to marry is denied or states refuse to respect the marriages of same-sex couples.

Learn more about marriage in Illinois HERE