Illinois Passes Same-Sex Marriage Law; Obama 'So Proud'

Photo Credit: APPresident Obama is “so proud” that lawmakers in his home state of Illinois have voted to legalize same-sex marriage, he said Tuesday night.

“I applaud the men and women of the Illinois General Assembly, a body in which I was proud to serve, for voting to legalize marriage equality in my home state,” Obama said in a statement released after the state House and Senate voted earlier in the day. The White House had previously said that Obama would have supported the measure if he were still in the legislature.

Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, has said that he will sign the bill, making Illinois the 15th state to legalize same-sex marriage.

“As president, I have always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally under the law. Over time, I also came to believe that same-sex couples should be able to get married like anyone else,” Obama added. “So tonight, Michelle and I are overjoyed for all the committed couples in Illinois whose love will now be as legal as ours — and for their friends and family who have long wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and equally under the law.”

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