Copyright May 18, 2004 by Ken Bronson. All rights reserved.
| About the author |
Copyright May 18, 2004 by Ken Bronson. All rights reserved.
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| About the author |
Amateur historian and Chicago native.
When I was growing up, Harry Porterfield, a Chicago reporter, would broadcast once a week a segment entitled "Someone You Should Know". I always found his subjects and their issues interesting. Allow me to follow that reporter's path by introducing Jack Baker and Michael McConnell, a couple you should know.
My interest in this couple began with a presentation by Barbara Gittings. First, she displayed an election poster showing Jack wearing white, high-heeled shoes. The poster was from the early 70s. I was intrigued because I had never heard of this person or his willingness to be so upfront about who he is.
A bit later Barbara showed a picture of Jack with Michael, his companion. Then she let loose with a startling revelation. They were the first couple of the same sex, she said, to apply for a marriage licence and to go to court to fight for it.
I knew only about the court challenge in Hawaii and thought that it was the first attempt to recognize same-sex marriage. Apparently not. Thirty-two years had now passed, yet I wondered: Is Jack or Michael still alive? Could I find them? Are they still together?
What follows is a story about the quest of Jack and Michael. It is pieced together from source documents, published items and their own remembrances. One remarkable aspect of these two men was their willingness and desire to use the media to deliver their message beyond those directly involved. Often, the message was carried nationwide, but sometimes it reached the shores of many nations.
LOOK magazine featured Jack (l) and Mike (r) as "The Homosexual Couple" in its cover story on The American Family.
The events described here took place between October 1966 and April 1978. For historical accuracy, the rhetoric of that period is preserved.
The Advocate, which has changed owners more than once, now actively attempts to rewrite the historical record. Using statements that do a disservice to the truth, it claims that the quest for full equality began in its home town. Judge for yourself. Keep in mind that holy union for same-sex couples is an ancient tradition. John Boswell, noted historian of the Middle Ages, discovered proof that even the Catholic church blessed them centuries ago.
What is new - and historic - is the courage this couple showed when they confronted the civil government to qualify for the same rights and privileges granted to other childless couples.
Citations to sources and notes are available in the PDF version. Go the the Contents page to download your copy, then pass it on to a friend.
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Full and absolute equality |