A group of 15 men and women representing the Illinois Defense of Marriage Initiative was spotted in front of the Art Institute of Chicago Aug. 22.
Some held signs that said "Honk for Traditional Marriage." However, the focus was on the group's statewide effort to place an advisory marriage referendum on the 2012 Illinois ballot. Several individuals approached passers-by in an attempt to get signatures on their petition. Approximately a dozen Chicago police officers on mountain bikes monitored the group.
There were some heated exchanges between some pedestrians and the group's members. At one point a woman shouted "This is hateful! YOU'RE the ones going to hell." One of the group's organizers responded that he was "just out doing his job."
According to the initiative's website, the effort is to "recommend to the state legislature on the 2012 ballot that an amendment to the Illinois State Constitution be made as follows:
"To secure and preserve the benefits of marriage for our society and for future generations of children, the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose."
In order to have the referendum on the 2012 ballot, the group must collect 500,000 signatures from registered Illinois voters by April 23, 2012. Current estimates as the number of signatures were not available at this time but the Initiative's website alleges an "organizational structure" of "50,000 strong and growing daily."
The group, complete with a bagpiper, also canvassed the area in front of the Art Institute with a flyer entitled, "10 Reasons Why Homosexual 'Marriage is Harmful and Must Be Opposed". The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property ( TFP ) wrote and published the flyer. TFP is an organization of Roman Catholic Americans "concerned about the moral crisis shaking the remnants of the Christian Civilization." According to TFP's website, the group is known for their brightly colored banners and "caravans" of volunteers that travel from city to city "bringing important issues to the man on the street."
The Illinois Defense of Marriage Initiative noted its local sponsors as Americans for Life, Americans for Truth, Catholic Citizens of Illinois, Pro-Life Action League, Restore American Liberty, Inc. and Richards Building Supply. Recently, Windy City Times reported that Americans For Truth had lost its tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Southern Poverty Law center classifies Americans For Truth as a hate group.