Deb Mell Speaks from Illinois House Floor

Illinois state representative Deb Mell spoke from the house floor Wednesday to announce her engagement to partner Christin Baker and encourage colleagues to support marriage equality.

Mell used a point of personal privilege to make the announcement, which she previewed Tuesday in an interview with the public television news program Chicago Tonight.

"Christin and I are going to get married in the fall of 2011 and I am afraid that we still don't have equal marriage in Illinois, so we will have to go next door to Iowa to get married," said Mell, a Democrat who represents parts of Chicago.

Recent efforts were made to legalize civil unions in Illinois, but the attempt fell short.

According to the Associated Press, "Mell's announcement was greeted with applause. Several lawmakers rose to congratulate the 41-year-old, who got engaged two weeks ago her girlfriend of six years.

Watch the video from Illinois Statehouse News below.