Hundreds rally for same-sex marriage (Sister-in-law to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich arrested)

ABC 7 Chicago ^ | March 4, 2004 | March 4, 2004

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

March 4, 2004 — Hundreds of gay rights activists crowded the Cook County Building and blocked a street in the Loop to show their support for same-sex marriages. The county clerk denied marriage certificates to several gay couples but did thank them for their efforts to bring about change in the system.

The gay rights activists-organized by Equal Marriage Now-- protested outside the building, where several couples asked for marriage certificates. Many couple said they wanted to get married in the city where they live. Others just wanted the right to get married.

"We have to stand up and fight and make sure we are treated fairly and that our families are treated fairly," said Rick Garcia, activist.

The group, chanting equal rights now, then marched inside the building to force the issue. County Clerk David Orr is on record saying that he supports gay marriages. However, he has also said granting the licenses would violate Illinois law.

Partners Glen Amaroso and Keith Charbonneau asked for a marriage certificate.

"My partner and I want to get married. We've been together 12 years and we're entitled to our rights, ma'am. If you hand me the application we'll fill it out and pay our $30 and be out of here," said one of the couples.

Instead, they received a letter from the clerk's office thanking them for trying. It read: "I strongly support your position and will fight with GLBT rights advocates and elected officials to make civil marriage a legal reality for same-sex couples in Illinois."

That answer wasn't enough for some protestors, who marched on Orr's office in the County Administration Building. They demanded a meeting with Orr, who said he would meet with a small group.

Deborah Mell was arrested in the protest. At one point, several protestors moved into the streets and knelt down, blocking traffic on Washington Street. Police removed most of them and made one arrest. Deborah Mell was taken into police custody. She is the daughter of 33rd Ward Alderman Dick Mell.

"I love my daughter. Ok? My daughter believes fervently in a cause and she stands up for the cause and I will support anybody that does that," said Ald. Dick Mell, 33rd Ward. Mell said he plans to discuss the issue with his son-in-law, Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Meanwhile, across the street, anti-gay protestors held their own rally.

"They don't have the same rights because god instituted marriage from the beginning with Adam and Eve. It wasn't Adam and Steve," said Darryl Butler, anti-gay protestor.

Some Chicago couples, including David W. Greer and Lee M. Neubecker, tied the knot there. The Greer/Neubecker wedding announcement ran in today's Chicago Tribune. It's the first ever same-sex announcement in that paper.

The Tribune spokesman said the paper has been open to accepting same-sex wedding announcements for some time, but Greer and Neubecker were the first couple to submit.

[sergeantdave]

Oh, barf!

[codyjacksmom]

I haven't trusted Bag-o-witch since the first time I saw his face running for our office. I can't stand it that our state usually goes to the dems. I think I need to move.

[mhking]

but did thank them for their efforts to bring about change in the system.

"Thanks for sharing, but you may go now."

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[EdReform]

Ping

What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda

Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)

The Stamp of Normality

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping.

They're out there demonstrating. I want to hear about US demonstrating to protect marriage.

The county clerk denied marriage certificates to several gay couples but did thank them for their efforts to bring about change in the system.


Let me know if you want on or off this ping list.

[BrucefromMtVernon]

Let us never give in to the twisted, aborted logic that there "two sides" to this issue. That's akin to saying that Life is the opposite of death!

[longtermmemmory]

All this does is make anyone who supports homosexual marraige, UNELECTABLE.

[little jeremiah]

Well, there are two sides.

1. The right side: the side of truth, history, natural law, religious codes from every monotheist religion in the word, common sense, and sanity.

2. The wrong side: the side of lies, psychosis, disease, cruelty, perversion, and destruction.

It's really simple.

It's also amazing how many people want to be on side (2). That's why the truth needs to get broadcast.

The truth shall set us free. Lies enchain and enslave worse than any jail cell or iron shackles.

[longtermmemmory]

The homosexuals are trying to spin objection to homsexual marriage as a mere religious issue.

religion has as much to do with objections as "love".

We as conservatives need to focus on the non-religious grounds.

Lesson 1. NEVER let a homosexal proponent of homosexual marriage as you your religious believe. The correct answer is "none of your business, that is personal". It keeps them from marginalizing us.

The focus has to be on children. The media is shilling for the homosexuals because many IN the media ARE homosexuals. (the NYT is described as essentially a closed homosexual shop.)

This is the final push to make anyone who objects to homosexuality FOR WHATEVER REASON, ultimatly unable to get a job, advance publicly, or have any part of social discourse. We need to push back HARD on this. Not just write to Republican and weak willed RINO's, we need to put the pressure on the Democrats in office now. They need to know that the pro-homosexual position is not the "default" postion of society in general.

Homosexuals are attempting to PR themselves as "cultural" elites, the arbiters of good and bad. They never expected such opposition.

The problem conservatives have is that while we have the numbers, homosexuals have the organizational money. They are hollyweird people who are willing to fund money to their push to normalize the lifestyle.

We can define the debate by making all homosexual marriage about private adult sex. Marginalize the homosexuals before they marginalize us.

[Free Trapper]

I think the perverts are crossing the line for most folks.

As more and more people see that homosexual,liberal and Democrat all fit together,we'll see more folks turning to the Conservative Right.

"Democrat?...I didn't know you were queer."

Maybe not a perfect quote but close to what you said before.Would make a good tag. :)

[little jeremiah]

I agree with everything you say, especially about the children. They are in the schools, and they are actively recruiting prey. And if some kids escape that fate, they will be future assistants of homosexuals.

But I don't think it's necessary to ignore or leave out religion, for this reason: Every actual world religion condemns same sex acts, as well as sex outside of legitimate marriage, and has for thousands of years. Even Buddhism and Taoism, which are not actual religions although followed in a similar manner, condemn homosexual acts. I agree that citing religious tenets is not going to convince anyone, but the fact that condemnation of same sex acts is monolithic in scope is good to know and useful to bring out when needed.

IOW, opposition to same sex acts is universal except for the participants themselves and those they hold in thrall.