Beginning June 1, same-sex couples can tie the knot again
Jaime Estell and Brenda Protz Estell of Springfield celebrated their love for each other in a civil union ceremony on Nov. 9, 2013. Now they plan to get married.
The couple met in 2009.
“We’re a couple of idiots who found each other and have a good time,” said Brenda. “We knew we couldn’t be apart.”
They applied for their civil union license on the day of the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality, Oct. 22, 2013. “Why should a civil union just be good enough?” asked Brenda.
When the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act was signed into law in 2011, it was a step forward. “A civil union is not an official marriage,” said Brenda.
Their civil union took place the first weekend after the Illinois House voted in favor of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act on Nov. 5. “We had everything planned already,” said Jaime. The ceremony had a fairy tale theme.
The couple chose the State House Inn for the ceremony and reception. “They were wonderful,” said Brenda.
“We were surrounded by friends and family who accept us,” said Brenda. “We knew how we felt about each other. We wanted to show our friends and family that we were in a committed relationship.”
“It was a beautiful day,” said Jaime. “It was pretty special.”
There were approximately 300 guests in attendance.
The couple separated for eight months in 2012 but got back together on Valentine’s Day. “I gave Jaime a briefcase full of office supplies and she got down on one knee and proposed,” said Brenda. “I wasn’t prepared. I still had my Garth Brooks night shirt on.”
“I love my briefcase,” added Jaime.
The couple plan to convert their civil union license into a marriage license on June 2. The law takes effect on Sunday, June 1.
They have talked about having a wedding ceremony the weekend of June 7-8. “We may just choose to renew our vows,” said Brenda.
There were 35 civil union licenses issued in 2013, according to the Sangamon County Clerk’s website. The of ice will waive the fee for the irst year for couples who convert their civil union license to a marriage license. The marriage date will be retroactive to the date of the civil union. According to a spokeswoman, there haven’t been a lot of inquiries. “We’ve had three or five,” she said.
Jonna Cooley, executive director of the Phoenix Center, said there are a variety of reasons why couples choose not to marry or have a civil union. She and her partner of 14 years have talked about it. “It’s not out of the question,” she said.
“It’s a timing issue,” continued Cooley. “We been together so long we’ll get to it when we get to it.”
Cooley has asked vendors who are working with samesex couples to help make their day special to visit the website, http://tinyurl.com/kdvv733, and ill out the Wedding Planner Guide – Vendor Form. She’s had several responses.
Several churches have come out in support of samesex marriage, including the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Heartland Metropolitan Community Church and First Church of the Brethren. Vendors include Kari Bedford, Kari Bedford Photography; 5 lavor Catering; caterer Shannon Sick, Shannonberry; and pastry chef Ashley Glasscock.
Couples who choose to marry have more rights than those in a civil union. “There are more than 1,200 rights that married
couples have that unmarried couples don’t,” said Cooley.
Danielle Zellers and Cindy Bounds have been together for almost 12 years and are planning to convert their civil union. “My partner and I want to take advantage of the benefits,” said Zellers.
“We married in our hearts a long time ago,” added Zellers.
Civil unions are valid in Illinois and states that recognize them. “The ultimate goal is to have all states recognize it,” said Zellers.
Reverend Martin Woulfe with Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation has fielded a few inquiries from couples. He expects the number of calls to pick up in March.
“Couples have traveled to Iowa and other states to get married,” said Woulfe. “They don’t feel the need to be remarried in Illinois. There’s not a lot of eagerness to have a third ceremony.”
The Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation has long recognized lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. It has been at the forefront of the campaign for same-sex marriage.
Longtime Springfield activist Buff Carmichael and his partner, Jerry Bowman, have been together for 22 years this September. They are planning a September wedding.
Carmichael said civil unions were a compromise. They have all the elements of a marriage except for the word marriage. “It was a dream come true when Iowa legalized same-sex marriage,” said Carmichael.
“It’s about time to be truly recognized as a married couple by the State of Illinois,” said Brenda.
Roberta Codemo is a full-time freelance writer. Contact her at rcodemo@hotmail.com.
