A third of Americans now live in states that support marriage equality following the passage of the reform through the legislature of the US state of Illinois, sending a strong message to Australian politicians that they are lagging behind
Australian Marriage Equality National Director, Rodney Croome, said:
“Over 100 million Americans now live in states that have embraced marriage equality, sending a strong message to Australian politicians that we are continuing to fall behind our close friend and ally, the USA.”“At both a state and federal level, Australian MPs have the opportunity to embrace a reform that has strengthened relationships, families, and communities across the USA.”“We congratulate the state legislators in Illinois who voted in favour of reform, and we call on our own law-makers to open their hearts and minds to the importance of marriage equality for Australia.”
The Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn has said he will sign the successful marriage equality bill into law.
In the 2012 US Census, the combined population of the 16 US states and districts that have supported marriage equality is 116,000,000, out of a total US population of 313,000,000
For a further report on Illinois, click here