In Support of Civil Unions Bill in lllinois

This is the letter I wrote and sent to each of the members of the Youth and Family Committee of the Illinois legislature today.


March 4, 2009

Dear Representative _____________:

I write in support of HB 2234, Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, and ask that you work to vote it out of committee at the scheduled March 5, 2009 meeting. Together, we can continue to advance the cause of faithful adherence to two pillars of our free and fair society: religious diversity and individual self-determination for all citizens. I believe that you and your fellow legislators will offer political leadership for the long-term good of all -- supporters and opponents -- by supporting this Bill.

As a Baptist minister, I am deeply grateful to see our leaders lift "religious freedom" in the naming of and discourse about civil union protections. I believe not only that this language offers honor and respect to the concerns of the Bill's opponents, but that it correctly introduces the reality of religious diversity on ALL "sides" of this issue into the debate arena. What is at stake is our will and capacity to live together without legally-sanctioned discrimination against those who disagree with us.

To name our commitment to religious freedom is insightful, fair and fruitful, I hope, for ongoing work of mutual understanding. To delineate exactly how religiously-rooted opposition to same-gender families (or other non-traditional co-habitants making a life together!) will not itself be discriminated against through any coercive measures of the state is also insightful, fair and fruitful. In this regard, I believe it illumines the civic work which the Bill's opponents are invited to continue: acceptance of their freedom of conviction, teaching and even their organized efforts at persuading the public of their views. The limits to that freedom lie along the line that is crossed when others are robbed of their equal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Advancing legal protections for our choices of intimate partners, roommates, housing, financial beneficiaries (the list goes on and on) is a CONSERVATIVE choice. Such protection preserves our commitment to safeguard the individual's self-determination in matters intimate and material. It preserves our long-held stated ideals as we seek to live as neighbors who recognize one another's rights, even when we disagree. And, yes, spelling these rights out carefully in law whenever they would be threatened by others (even "well-meaning" others).

I know from life experience that many of this Bill's opponents are good-hearted people. I believe they have misplaced fears and, sometimes, unexamined prejudices. I do believe they care deeply about the common good. I simply believe HB 2234 respects the widest collective good, and thus deserves your full and sustained support. Thank you for all your work so far, and for considering these thoughts as you serve us all.

For Living Well,

Rev. Jacki Belile