Local LGBTQ community reacts to Supreme Court ruling

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — On Monday, the United States Supreme Court announced it ruled 6-3 in favor of protecting the LGBTQ community from discrimination in the workplace.

This upholds a lower court's ruling.

Springfield community members are happy and proud that the courts ruled in their favor because they said it has been a long time coming.

Springfield resident Mary Robison, who classifies herself as a butch lesbian, left her home as a teenager because her mom and her didn't agree on her sexual orientation. Then, she was kicked out of the military for being a lesbian.

Robison is excited about the progress being made.

"It is exciting and it is one step at a time, but we aren't going to give up," Robison said. "We'll fight."

Jim Barr, the president of a local LGBTQ activist group, Coalition for Rainbow Alliances (CORAL), said he was surprised by the ruling because of the bipartisan votes. Two conservative justices sided with the four liberal justices.

"Each one of those little steps that we take means that there is going to be more inclusion and more people that realize that we are a nation for everybody," Barr said.

Barr also said people need to take this law for what it is, which is a step in the right direction.

Robison said Springfield has been her home for 54 years and she is proud of the town's inclusivity. However, she said she and the LGBTQ community will continue to fight.

"We've got to keep fighting," Robison. said. "We've gotta pass it down to those that are younger than me to set an example if we want to have the peace in our lives that we really need and want. We're just people."

To celebrate Pride Month and this win in court, CORAL will be hosting their "Everyone Counts Food Drive" at noon on Saturday, June 20, at the First Church of Brethren in Springfield.

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