Civil Union
Students who are not freshmen at Urbana High School all know the love and dedication that Assistant Principal Danielle Cook had to our student body. Cook recently attended the hearing in Springfield for the state Senate bill about gay marriage.
The state Senate approved a bill allowing gay marriage in Illinois. It will now move to the House Executive Committee and, if passed, will then get sent to the full House.
According to The News-Gazette, “A civil union is not the same as being married,” said Cook. “It’s not really recognized or understood as marriage is. After getting a civil union, for example, we decided to add Suzie [her partner] to the health care plan at my work. Everyone and my employer knew that Suzie and I had been together for years. Everyone knew that we were getting a civil union. When I contacted the human-resources department, I was told that we have to produce the civil union certificate before Suzie could be added to my plan. That department does not ask anyone for a marriage license, but they asked us for a civil union certificate.”
The bill was accepted because some people believe that a civil union isn’t the same as marriage.
According to The News-Gazette, Cook said, “Everyone knows how to respond to someone who announced that they got married – with congratulations and good wishes. Most people did not know how to respond to our getting a civil union.”
Students at UHS are pretty excited about it, because of the simple fact that they know a lot of people who might be excited to actually get married who have civil unions.
Sophomore Hanna LaFond-Hyman said, “I believe that the bill should be passed because a person’s sexuality should not decide who they can legally spend their life with.”
“I also believe that nobody should judge anyone for their skin color, sexuality or sexual orientation. I feel like if someone is happy then they shouldn’t be judged or looked at differently. So, yes, gay marriage should be approved,” said Senior Vanessa Rumsey.
Cook also added that her life has already begun with her future wife, but it’s not complete.
Civil union is just not the same as marriage. People want the right to have a certificate that says they are married.
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