State governors have all looked at the signing of marriage equality bills very differently. Rhode Island‘s governor Lincoln Chafee not only announced he would sign his state’s same-sex marriage law on whatever day it passed, as the vote came closer he set a time and announced it days in advance. Chafee held a signing ceremony on the steps of the General Assembly, creating a memorable and historic event.
In contrast, Delaware‘s governor Jack Markell signed his state’s same-sex marriage bill literally within minutes of it passing — and without any fanfare at all.
So, what is Illinois‘ governor Pat Quinn (image, left, from last night) planning to do?
A lot.
And when is the governor of the Land of Lincoln planning on signing his historic legislation?
An inside source closely connected to the marriage equality efforts tells The New Civil Rights Movement governor Pat Quinn will likely hold a special signing ceremony event not this weekend but next weekend, which would be November 16 or 17.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune confirms that Quinn, who is a strong supporter of the legislation, indeed will make it a big event, and he’s trying to get as many people who have been involved along the way to be able to attend.
Today the Illinois House put our state on the right side of history. #IL4M
— Governor Pat Quinn (@GovernorQuinn) November 5, 2013
“We’re going to make an arrangement so lots and lots of people can come to the ceremony,” Quinn said, according to the Tribune. “I think it’s important to have an opportunity for the people who worked so hard in the community to pass marriage equality to have an opportunity to be there at the bill signing. This is what democracy is all about, people banning together for a cause they believe in, passing a law that makes our state a better place.”
Last night, and unwittingly, at an “impromptu” celebration in the governor’s mansion, state Representative Sam Yingling proposed to his partner, Lowell Jaffe, in a heartwarmingly hilarious speech.
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Image by Governor Quinn via Instagram