The group released the following press statement following the event.

For more information about CAAN, visit them on the web at caanmidwest.org

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On Saturday, March 25, approximately 100 people attended a panel discussion on marriage equality at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Joliet. The panel consisted of three couples that have been together ranging from almost 10 years to over 30 years along with a minister from a Joliet United Methodist Church. The event was sponsored by Community Alliance and Action Network along with ACLU Illinois, Lambda Legal Defense, Equality Illinois, Prairie Flame, Universalist Unitarian Churches of Joliet and DuPage, , and Protestants for the Common Good.

The common theme that came up during the evening is that gay and lesbian couples face obstacles that couples that are married never need to face. For instance, one of the couples is employed by different school districts and have pensions set up with the State of Illinois. If one of them passes away, the left over money goes back to the State. If the couple was married, the money accrued in the pension would go directly to the surviving spouse.

Another instance where people who are married are in a better position to protect their spouse is when it comes to health insurance. Married people oftentimes can get health insurance for their spouse through an employer, but people who work for the same employer who are in a gay or lesbian relationship usually cannot. Plus, even if the person can get insurance for their partner, that money is taxed as income.

One of the couples noted that the other partner has Multiple Sclerosis and if she was to no longer work, her employer would not extend health benefits to the partner even though the employer does offer health benefits to married spouses. The bigger problem though is that she would not be able to afford to take care of her partner. Byline:

Gay and lesbian couples may spend in excess of $2,000 for a power of attorney to protect each other when it comes to health care decisions, wills that protect their property, along with monetary agreements that will protect the couple’s financial interests. However, married couples are entitled to 1,138 rights that they do not need to protect with legal documents.

This event is one of several events being held throughout Illinois to give people a chance to come out and to ask questions about marriage equality.

Founded in 2005, Community Alliance And Action Network provides programming, support, and outreach services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning community. CAAN has filed paperwork with the IRS to become a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in August 2005. CAAN registered with the Office of the Attorney General of the sate of Illinois under The Charitable Trust and The Solicitation for Charity ACT and our registration number is 01047575. While the Attorney General's office does not endorse charities registered under the ACT, it is always a good idea to see if the organizations you give money to are registered with this office. You can always check on our status by going to http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov and click on "Building Better Charities."