Illinois Governor Quinn Says He Will Sign Civil Unions Law Early Next Year With Measure Coming Into Effect In June, Civil Unions As Slippery Slope Tactic Towards Marriage Equality, Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown Says He Now Supports Repeal Of Military Policy Prohibiting Openly Gay Service Personal, GLADD Celebrates 25 Year Anniversary

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Illinois Governor said Friday that he expects to sign into law a civil unions bill sometime soon in the new year, and that the measure will take effect in June, 2011. Illinois lawmakers passed the historic Senate Bill 1716 earlier this week, the law designed to grant official recognition to gay couples, giving them rights and responsibilities akin to those afforded married couples. “The passed this of the civil unions legislation was historic,” said Quinn. “It’s a landmark law. It’s headed my way and I think it will be the law of the land of Lincoln in the coming year.”

Could the passage of civil unions law lead down the infamous slippery slope towards complete marriage equality? The Chicago Tribune reports yes, and that conclusion may well be the only thing gay rights activists and anti-gay rights advocates agree on, Rick Garcia, public policy director of Equality Illinois saying "I've had someone stand up and say, 'This is a slippery slope, and what you really want is equal marriage. And I looked him right in the eye and said, 'On this, we agree.' We have never been shy about our support for equal marriage rights."

Friday, United States Senator Scott Brown stunned observers, the Massachusetts Republican releasing a statement saying that after reviewing a Pentagon report, speaking directly with active-duty and retired military service members, and meeting privately with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, he is prepared to support the repeal of the military policy prohibiting openly gay service personal, but only, Brown added, is military readiness of the forces can be guaranteed. “I accept the findings of the report and support repeal based on the Secretary’s recommendations that repeal will be implemented only when the battle effectiveness of the forces is assured and proper preparations have been completed. When a soldier answers the call to serve, and risks life or limb, it has never mattered to me whether they are gay or straight. My only concern has been whether their service and sacrifice is with pride and honour,” said the statement in part. The Boston Globe reports that this is the first time Brown, a member of the Armed Services Committee, has publically expressed support for repeal of the now 17 year old ban, and activists, who had been pressuring Brown on the issues, said they were pleased, MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini saying "This discriminatory law must be repealed not despite the fact that we're at war, but because of it.” With two wars abroad and an active defense here at home, our national security requires all the talent our military can get." Kris Mineau, however, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and president of the anti-gay Massachusetts Family Institute, said he was disappointed in Brown’s decision, accusing him of taking “the path of least resistance” and that "Sen. Brown has evidently accepted the flawed findings of a Pentagon report written by political appointees with a bias toward policy change, rather than the military leaders who work directly with our forces.”

In Los Angeles Friday, the Associated Press reports that the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation celebrated its 25th anniversary, a party held at the Harmony Gold Theatre, Ed Begley Jr., Chaz Bono, Amber Herd, and Jean Smart among those in attendance. GLAAD was first formed in 1985 in New York as a protest against the New York Post’s then hateful, hideous coverage of HIV/AIDS, and it continues to be a catalyst for change in the way media covers gay issues, although sometimes controversially. Current president Jarrett Barrios said “"We've made great progress in these media capitols. Beyond Hollywood, beyond New York, between these blue states, right at this nation's red center, we have miles to go. How far do we still have to go to ensure that an environment of respect exists for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people?"