The evening of June 2, veteran LGBT activist Rick Garcia and the Rev. Bonnie Perry were guests on Chicago Live! The radio program on WGN Radio 720 was pre-recorded to air June 4. Rick Kogan hosted the entire program, but Garcia and Perry were interviewed for a segment on civil unions by Chicago Tribune reporter Manya Brachear.
Brachear wanted to know the difference between equal marriage and civil unions. Garcia explained that civil unions came as a form of a compromise between some Illinois republicans who would not support marriage, but would support civil unions.
Perry talked about the use of the term “holy unions” by the Episcopal church and said that while the term “holy matrimony” isn’t accepted by cannon law, “it is my fervent hope and prayer that we move towards holy matrimony.”
Afterwards, Garcia was still emotionally overwhelmed by how the law has affected the state. “It didn’t only happen here in Cook County, but it happened in Kankakee, and it happened in Decatur, and it happened in Marion and it happened in the Quad Cities … and I know all of them,” he said as he fought back tears.
Garcia, who was let go from Equality Illinois in Dec 2010, said he’s taking some time off, but that he’s committed to working towards full marriage rights in the near future.
To listen to a recording of the June 2 taping of Chicago Live! with Rick Garcia and Rev. Bonnie Perry visit www.chicagotribune.com/chicagolive.