Wednesday

07-09-2025 Vol 2016

Jim Darby and Patrick Bova Reflect on Same-Sex Marriage Rights Amid Ongoing Challenges

Jim Darby and his husband, Patrick Bova, have marked their commitment to each other in various ceremonies over the past three decades.

Their journey began 30 years ago in Washington, D.C., at a protest where they exchanged vows for the first time.

Since then, the couple has celebrated their love in two additional ceremonies, culminating in a legal marriage at the Museum of Contemporary Art in June 2014, just one day after marriage equality was officially enacted in Illinois.

This moment came over a year prior to the landmark Supreme Court ruling Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in June 2015.

For Darby, aged 93, this ruling is deeply significant, particularly as he and others who played a role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in Illinois express concerns about the potential for those rights to be jeopardized once again.

Recalling the historical journey, Darby said, “All of those arrangements we had made it feel like [history] was going in the right direction.”

In 1996, Illinois had banned same-sex marriage, but a shift occurred in 2011 when the state allowed civil unions for same-sex couples.

By November 2013, Illinois became the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage, leading to the commencement of marriage equality on June 1, 2014.

Camilla Taylor, the deputy legal director for litigation at Lambda Legal, was instrumental in representing Darby during the efforts to overturn the same-sex marriage ban in Illinois in 2012.

She later contributed to the Obergefell case, reinforcing the importance of Illinois in the broader narrative of marriage equality.

“Illinois was a bright light, it led many of the states in the nation,” she commented, reflecting on the decades of struggle that preceded these victories.

Darby and others like Suzie Hutton, who also fought for marriage equality, recall a time when having a will was a necessity simply to ensure they could be with their loved ones in emergencies.

Hutton, who lives in Farmer City, said, “We had to ensure we weren’t locked out of the hospital, or have the nightmare of not being able to take care of someone we love in an emergency.”

She noted that while their commitment never changed, legal recognition via marriage was crucial for dignity and equality.

Currently, there are concerns among activists as Republican lawmakers in at least six states have voiced intentions to repeal Obergefell.

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 prompted Justice Clarence Thomas to suggest that the legal foundations for marriage equality and other rights could also be reconsidered.

If Obergefell were to be overturned, many states could revert to pre-2015 laws, effectively voiding same-sex marriages across a significant portion of the country.

Legal professionals report an increase in inquiries from clients anxious about their rights, particularly regarding parental rights and wills, as fears resurface reminiscent of past struggles.

Tim Kee, also involved in the ACLU lawsuit for marriage equality, shared his concerns about the potential regression in rights.

After he and his husband were forced to return their adopted child due to their legal marriage status, Kee expressed the emotional toll of that experience.

“The possibility of returning to that world feels like a ‘punch in the gut,’” Kee stated.

He added that understanding the history of struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals is essential for realizing the gravity of what is at stake today.

Taylor indicated that while there are no immediate cases that could reach the Supreme Court, some groups are actively seeking to establish cases that might challenge current protections.

Darby, steadfast in his resolve, passionately declared, “Over my dead body,” as he advocated for continued activism among younger generations.

As he nears a milestone of 62 years with Bova, he urges younger queer individuals to engage in protests and advocacy for their rights.

“The scary thing is that’s what we’re going back to,” Kee warned.

Darby’s reflective words serve as a rallying call: “We are not going back. They are not taking away anything from us.”

This commitment to vigilance and activism underscores the ongoing fight for equality and recognition for same-sex couples, reminding all that the battle for rights is far from over.

image source from:chicago

Benjamin Clarke