Wasting no time, just minutes ago the Illinois Senate passed a marriage equality concurrence bill, effectively making Illinois the fifteenth state to offer same-sex marriage. Democratic governor Pat Quinn will sign the bill into law and same-sex couples can begin marrying June 1, 2014.
LOOK: Quote Of The Day: Barack Obama On Illinois Marriage Win
The vote in the Senate, affirming changes made by the House, was 32-21. The House vote, just an hour ago, was 61-54.
Governor Quinn tweeted, “Illinois is a place that embraces all people and today, we are an example for the nation,” and added, “Today the Illinois House put our state on the right side of history.”
Governor Quinn is having a party for same-sex couples in his office…he says today is a historic day.
— Blueroomstream (@Blueroomstream) November 5, 2013
Same-sex marriage advocates and activists, understandably, were ecstatic:
#IL4M– I am in tears. I’ve been with my husband for 12 years. This is the 1st time we’ll LIVE in a state that recognizes our marriage.
— Waymon Hudson (@WaymonHudson) November 5, 2013
BREAKING: The freedom to marry PASSES in Illinois Vote is 61-54-2 #IL4M #out4freedom #ILove pic.twitter.com/Sj8sACMRCs
— ACLU National (@ACLU) November 5, 2013
Congrats Illinois! Illinois passes marriage equality
http://t.co/uL7SV4asWS #LGBT #ILove #IL4M pic.twitter.com/Q0DgF389Nj— GLAAD (@glaad) November 5, 2013
Congrats! #MarriageEquality on brink of becoming law after passing in the Illinois House 61-54! #IL4M #time4marriage pic.twitter.com/UtKAgsygrv
— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) November 5, 2013
Image, top, by Waymon Hudson via Instagram