Gay marriage offers equal opportunity

I am a lesbian and will be getting married to the love of my life this July. We will be traveling to Massachusetts for our wedding as we are unable to be married here in Illinois.

Heterosexual couples do not need to travel over 1,000 miles to be married - but they can if they choose to. We do not have that option.

Once we return to Illinois, the fact that we were married in Massachusetts will not be recognized. We will not gain any recognition by the state of Illinois nor the Federal Government.

As Dave Holste stated in his March 5 letter, we are choosing to get married because we are deeply in love and wish to demonstrate our love by getting married. We are certainly not getting married for any tax benefits as we are not able to receive those benefits.

The Civil Unions Bill that came out of committee on March 5 would provide us with legal recognition here in Illinois along with the 682 Illinois marriage rights. Due to the separation of church and state, it will not require any religious organization to conduct "gay weddings" - just as today, any church may refuse to marry a couple for religious reasons.

I fail to understand the argument that the Civil Unions Bill or Gay Marriage will jeopardize families and tarnish traditional marriage. In my opinion, the current 50 percent divorce rate among heterosexual marriages already does that. I do not believe that adding gays to the mix will jeopardize anyone's marriage or family. Each couple is responsible for their own relationship with their children and their own marriage. I certainly do not have any plans to try to convince my heterosexual friends to get divorced or break up their family once I am married to my partner. Before anyone judges a gay or lesbian couple - please get to know us - just as you do for your heterosexual friends. We're in your community, places of worship, grocery stores, hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. We look just like you. We may even be some of your casual friends. All we want is the same options and rights as our heterosexual neighbors, family and friends.

Dayle Roberts

Palatine