“I think it is absolutely fantastic. I’m thrilled to know that so many people I love can now marry the ones that they love.” – Zoey Zara, junior
“I am overjoyed that Illinois has joined many other states in their decision towards marriage equality. I am happy that the state that I have moved to for higher education, and plan on living in for the next quarter of my life has decided to grant me some of the innate civil liberties that everyone else has.” – Travis Neese, senior
“I am thrilled and proud that I was able to march to make it happen. This is a great moment in history.” – Kelly Kaufenberg, junior
“Well as long as everyone has equal benefits from being with their partners I’m happy. It’s a step in the right direction.” – Devin Flanagin, sophomore
“With the passage of the marriage equality bill, homosexual relationships will rightfully be recognized and legalized, not penalized. It is gratifying to see Illinois legally validate that love has multiple faces, regardless of sexual orientation.” – Nancy Curtin, chair of the department of communication
“I think it’s a great thing. It is definitely a step in the right direction. Equality won’t make everything better but it will help a lot of people out. Everyone deserves to be equal and have equal rights and it’s amazing to see that people are finally starting to realize that. We are all real people with real feelings and should be allowed all our rights as Americans.” – Andrew Griffin, sophomore
“I think it’s a great thing that marriage equality is finally passed and that gays are allowed to marry their partners without it being looked down upon.” – Jenna Eaker, freshman
“It is extremely exciting to have Illinois, my home state, be the fifteenth state to pass marriage equality by legalizing same sex marriage. The wedding I am attending in January will be even more of celebration as it is for a same sex couple.” – Paul Lidy, director of residence life
“I am extremely happy that Illinois passed the bill for marriage equality. Acceptance in any aspect is very much crucial to a peaceful community and state, so to have this bill pass shows that we, here in Illinois, are growing to be more accepting of people.” – Michaela Laws, junior
“As a gay man myself, it was a huge validation. My mom kicked me out of my family when I came out two years ago because they’re Jehovah’s Witnesses. Every single family member I had were Jehovah’s Witnesses and, long story short, I haven’t been able to talk to anybody I’m related to in over two years now. This public acceptance of marriage equality in Illinois sends them a “letter” from me saying “this is who I am and people accept that.” – Dalton McGhiey, freshman
“On a religious stand point it kind of goes against that, but I do know that I have a lot of gay/bisexual/lesbian friends who are happy so I’m happy for them. Now one may say, Jahaan you’re contradicting yourself, not quite. See, I am a very religious person and I respect everyone’s rights, but I will not shove a Bible down your throat to prove a point. What other people believe and decide to do with their lives is between them and their God. The government can’t and will never satisfy everyone’s wants and sometimes we just have to let it be.” – Jahaan Randolph, sophomore
“I believe this is a step towards equality and one that should have happened years ago. I am never going to tell anyone who they can love and ultimately marry.” – Kevin Brinkman, associate director of admissions
“I’m extremely excited because I feel like I am finally seen as a part of society. Not that I want to get married anytime soon, but it’s nice to know that when I’m ready, I actually can. And it’s about freaking time.” – Crystal Prusek, freshman
“I’m concerned about the effects this bill will have on the definition of marriage. For thousands of years, marriage has undoubtedly resulted in offspring. In fact, having children has been widely accepted as one of the obvious reasons for marriage and only recently has this view begun to shift. A marriage creates a stable environment for children to be raised in. This notion is supported by the very existence of the nature we are surrounded by. All the animals that Americans have learned about in biology class have sustained themselves for millenniums through the idea of a male and female relationship that would result in offspring. Some may say that we can’t be compared to animals but scientists have already done this with their theories on evolution. Therefore, defining marriage as a bond between any two people of any gender goes against what marriage is all about and what it really is. It’s more than love. It’s a connection between a man and woman that is strengthen through the intimate relationship that they have that ultimately results in children. Two people of the same gender can experience love but not in the same way that a man and a woman can. There don’t bond and produce the same results as a traditional marriage does. As a result, they are not the same thing and to call them both marriage is a misnomer.” – Nick Brady, junior
“I’m extremely glad that marriage equality passed in Illinois and proud to live in state which recognizes that love is love.” – Emma Prendergast, senior
“I think it’s awesome. To finally see change in such a corrupted state is a great thing to witness. It will be amazing to witness some of my friends finally getting the chance to get married.” – Wyatt Burton, freshman
“The legalization of same-sex marriage is a historic event for the state of Illinois. Our state has demonstrated that love should not be restricted by law and that all people have the inherent right to commit their lives to those they choose.” – Raphaella Prange, dean of student development
“It’s exciting to know that our generation will be able to marry without the legal system worrying about what genitals our loved one has. It’s even more exciting to know that our children won’t even have question if they have equal rights. Slowly but surely I believe that all 50 states will accept marriage equality. Congrats Illinois on being the fifteenth state.” – Liam Smietanski, senior
“I see it as a win for civil rights in Illinois, and I hope the legislature can get back work on other important legislation to benefit Illinois citizens.” – Amanda Pippitt, associate professor and access services coordinator
“I think it’s great. I think it shouldn’t have taken this long. There is no reason why a gay or lesbian couple shouldn’t be able to get married. It’s all about love and it doesn’t matter if you’re a man with a man or a woman with a woman. Love is love and now that’s the way it is.” – Nick Burge, senior
“I’m overjoyed. I have so many friends and family members who will benefit from this, and it’s incredible to think of how many other people are now celebrating their right to be married. As a Catholic, I often receive so many quick assumptions that I’m against marriage equality, but I actually think that it’s because of my faith that I’m so in favor of equality and love for everyone. I only hope that my home state of Michigan will be the next to pass marriage equality.” – Danielle Mohrbach, junior
“I believe that it was necessary.” Aaron Thomas, senior
“I have no words other than I’m thrilled.” – Sara Bubenik, instructor of theatre
“It’s fabulous. The United States was intended to be an equal nation, and marriage equality is the next step. Illinois is special in this conversation, considering that it is the state where Abraham Lincoln began his political career. Remember, remember the fifth of November.” – Kevin Martin, senior
“I literally jumped for joy when I saw the article on Facebook the other day. I am so happy that Illinois has finally jumped the bandwagon. Everyone should be able to love whoever they want to and I’m so happy that all of my friends can now marry their loved ones in good ol’ Illinois. This is definitely a step towards the right direction.” – Madison Kauffman, senior
“It’s an exciting moment in the history of all of the people in this state. Finally we can begin to see a glimmer of hope for a truly accepting society. Someday, people of all orientations, ethnicities and genders will be treated as equals. That is a day I look forward to with my head held high and my eyes directed forward.” – Alex Blair, freshman
“As we move forward as a community we need to celebrate the victory of yesterday. This is an opportunity for Illinois to be a part of social change. In the same breadth of our celebration we must also realize the fight for equality is still ongoing. Be that with the LGTBQ community or other marginalized groups within the state of Illinois and beyond. I urge our community to continue to advocate for the rights of all individuals and use our excitement, dedication, and passion of yesterday to be a social justice advocate for tomorrow. With one word or one action we can change the outcome and direction of our future selves. The choice is up to you. Make the choice to listen with your eyes, speak with your ears, and act with your heart.” – Beth Doores, director of student development
“I’m proud to see my state at the forefront of promoting equality for all.” Josh Rose, junior
“Most major societal changes come over time and with hard work and media representation. We always need to thank and appreciate those who make the effort for change in whatever cause they believe in. Personally this seems like a basic human right and although I know there are many who disagree…there was a time when women and minorities could not vote. That sounds so outdated and ridiculous today. Hopefully down the road we will see this issue in the same light.” – Candace Baker, instructor of communications
“I think everyone deserves the right to be married. By Illinois granting marriage equality we are finally catching up to the rest of America. No one including homosexuals should ever be discriminated against.” Alan Vladikoff
“I think it’s a great opportunity for our state. I believe this is a step in helping establish equality for everyone.” – Karlee Vandevelde, junior
“Well honestly, I think the whole thing is stupid. Yes, it’s a big achievement but it just shouldn’t have been a thing that needed to be discussed. I feel like the government and society in general should have bigger things to worry about than trying to not give gay people the freedom to get married. As far as the marriage thing goes, if you’re really that concerned about keeping marriage sanctified and holy, then don’t condone divorce or restrict half of these celebrities or these couples with children before marriage from getting married. If anything, restricting us from getting married will only make us bring back the sanctity of marriage and appreciate the vows we can now say to our loved ones. So yes, I’m very happy that gays can get married, but still sad that it was even an issue we had to make a thing of.” – Ben Locke, junior
“Here’s a quote I’ve always liked: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” It is attributed to 19th century American minister Theodore Parker, but it’s more famously associated with Martin Luther King, Jr. Either way, I think that arc does not bend by itself–that it needs a little nudge from us now and then.” Anne Matthew, associate professor of English
“I am proud of Illinois for moving progressively with the times, and ecstatic to see how fast marriage equality is happening nationwide. We are on the right side of history – and of morality.” – Ken Laundra, professor of sociology
“I think that the progress that many states across America are having is making me proud to be an American again. In a state such as Illinois which holds many small communities that are considered “conservative” just goes to show you that anything is really possible. As people, we have the power to make change, and thank you Illinois for allowing your minds to open and give more people opportunity for legal backing and of course legal happiness.” – Adam Glickman, senior
“Any couple in a loving relationship, who choose to marry, should be equal under the law.” – Mary Zeigler, office of admissions information specialist
“I think that it’s awesome. I’m sure there will be some backlash, but I think people are going to love who they want to love. Who am I or anyone else to stand in that way of that? My family is a very stereotypical W.A.S.P family (White Anglo Saxon Protestant), so kind of like a dry piece of white bread… so they probably won’t like it. My mindset is you don’t have to like to agree with it however. If they aren’t ok with gay marriage then it’s not our place to judge, especially as Christians. I personally think it’s great and is a positive step in a direction where equality isn’t just a word that’s thrown around. It’s something that people can really have.” – Morgan Bothwell, junior
“I would agree with President Obama, this is huge. I am thrilled that Illinois passed marriage equality and believe it was long overdue. Now we need to continue to address and fight the prejudice and discrimination that still exists about same-sex marriage.” – Mary Garrison, associate professor of social work
“Having been at the rally and seeing the couples there advocating for their rights, I can only imagine the tremendous joy that they and their loved ones are feeling. After seeing the burning passion that people had in fighting for their rights, I can only hope that they are on cloud nine right now. I hope that people are not discouraged by the backlash that some may have after SB-10 passing. We must always remember that we have to celebrate the victories and not hang on the negativity. There will always be people who have something to criticize, but why let quality of life hang on that? For those families and their children who have struggled to be recognized by both the government and society, I hope that they are finally able to achieve the quality of life that they have been advocating for in all of this time. With persistence, change will happen. With the passing of SB-10 and the struggles it took to get to November 5th, 2013, I hope that we will always remember that our victories are built on consistent effort no matter how long it may take.” – Jon Williamsen, senior
“I was thrilled to see the same-sex marriage bill pass in Illinois on Tuesday afternoon; especially since I was not convinced we would get enough votes based on earlier attempts. This is a huge moment for our state, and also all of those who stand for love.” – Molly Berry, director of office of inclusion and student engagement
“Love is love and this world needs more of it. I am glad to hear there is another avenue to show it. Love someone today.” – Joe Havis, director of admission