Wilco Frontman Jeff Tweedy Pens Op-Ed Supporting Marriage Equality
By Samantha Abernethy in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 25, 2013 4:00PM
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco performs at Forecastle Fest 2012 in Louisville. Photo Credit: Samantha Abernethy
Wilco frontman and Chicago's rock idol Jeff Tweedy wrote an op-ed column for a southern Illinois newspaper announcing his support of marriage equality. Tweedy has been vocal in supporting same-sex marriage before, but his column for his hometown paper the Belleville News-Democrat marks an effort to sway downstate voters as marriage equality legislation is stalled at 12 votes short of passage in the House.
Nine other states have already extended the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples. I work and have friends in all those states, and I can say assuredly that it's time for Illinois to join them. Waiting and sending the signal that we're not open to and supportive of that community is a big mistake. The time is now.I hope you'll join me in calling on the Illinois General Assembly to give same-sex couples the freedom to marry by supporting SB 10.
Not bad, but will it give the legislation the shot in the arm it needs?