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Illinois GOP Leader in Favor of Gay Marriage

An Illinois House Republican leader has announced his support for legalizing gay marriage in the state.

Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr. says his mother-in-law influenced his position. She's been in a lesbian relationship for about 20 years.

Sullivan is the second GOP House member to support gay marriage and the first member of Minority Leader Tom Cross's leadership team.  The proposal got Senate approval in February and a House vote is expected soon.

Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan says the issue is a dozen votes short of the 60 needed. Advocates say it's closer.  Other Republicans could jump aboard with Sullivan's announcement. Illinois’ Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk came out in favor of gay marriage last week.

Whitney grew up listening to Car Talk to and from her family’s beach vacation each year, but it wasn’t until a friend introduced her to This American Life that radio really grabbed her attention. She is a recent graduate from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where she studied journalism. When she’s not at WKMS, you can find her working on her backyard compost pile and garden, getting lost on her bicycle or crocheting one massive blanket.
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