The Wedding on Ice contest for the Chicago Park District is anti-gay and should be changed, according to Equality Illinois and gay activists including Robert Castillo.
Contestants submit an essay about why they should be chosen to be married on ice skates at the ice rink in Millennium Park on Valentine's Day. The winning couple receives a honeymoon trip and a televised ceremony.
The city's Department of Special events administered the Wedding contest prior to 2003, and there had been work on changing the policy. This year, however, the Chicago Park District took over and negotiations started over.
William Greaves, the mayor's GLBT liaison, said he plans to meet with Park District officials this week to resolve the problem. The city itself does have a policy banning anti-gay discrimination in public accommodations.
Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois, sent a strongly worded letter to Park District Supt. David Doig attacking the Wedding policy, and he, too, expects a meeting soon.
Garcia was most upset when a Park District spokeswoman thought this was a 'minor thing.' Garcia wrote: 'Mr. Doig, gay and lesbian people do not view policies that exclude them as a minor thing. We do not view the denial or dismissing of our lives and relationships as a minor thing. We do not view discrimination against us as a minor thing.'
Greaves said the event requires contestants to submit a marriage license—which also effectively bars gays and lesbians.
Greaves said because the event is mid-stream this year, it is too late to change the rules. However, he is confident the contest will be open to all next season.