Photo: State Sen. Barak Obama with GLBT supporters at a press conference last week. Jackie Kaplan, at left, and Kevin Thompson, right, addressed the group.
State Sen. Barak Obama with GLBT supporters at a press conference last week. Jackie Kaplan, at left, and Kevin Thompson, right, addressed the group. Photo by Tracy Baim
While Maria Pappas threw her baton into the U.S. Senate race this past weekend, the Democratic field is already full with GLBT-friendly candidates running for the post.
Most of the candidates have many months of lead time on Pappas, and state Sen. Barak Obama last week announced the LGBT Committee in Support of Obama for Illinois.
About a dozen Obama backers turned out for a GLBT press conference, with dozens more lending their names in support of his race.
As a backer of gay-rights laws in the state, Obama said his support of GLBT rights and AIDS funding will translate to the U.S. Senate. He does back civil unions and domestic-partnership benefits for same-sex couples, and told those gathered that the U.S. Supreme Court's striking down of sodomy laws was 'An important victory for justice.'
Jackie Kaplan and Kevin Thompson introduced Obama and stated why they think he is the best choice. Others backing his campaign include Jim Pickett, Sam Bezanis, Lora Branch, John Chester, Charles Clifton, Tom Chaderjian, Paul Drugan, Martha Fourt,Ann Perkins, Charles Katzenmeyer, Miranda Miller, David Munar, Alicia Obando, Mark Rotblatt, Renae Ogletree, and Phil Palmer.
Rep. Larry McKeon and Ald. Tom Tunney are backing State Comptroller Dan Hynes, and activist Rick Garcia is behind Gery Chico. Businessman Blair Hull is also rounding up GLBT support.