Pictured A couple cuts a wedding cake at the Lambda Legal Freedom to Marry event. Photo by Chuck Kramer. Photos by Amy Wooten
Photos at the link by Andrew Davis and Chuck Kramer
Hundreds of individuals attended Lambda Legal's 5th Annual Freedom to Marry Reception Feb. 9 at High Risk Gallery.
Working with several other organizations, Lambda Legal spotlighted lesbian and gay couples who have married and the fight for the establishment of marital equality nationwide. Guest speaker Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois delivered a spirited discourse. 'I can't tell you how happy and thrilled I am to be here tonight. We come here to celebrate our life, love and families—but I am especially excited to stand here with you because we re-commit ourselves to take the next step down the aisle for full marriage equality in Illinois,' he said. He noted the gradual progress that is happening across the country and was confident about the ultimate achievement of equality: 'I want you all to remember this: We are on the side of fairness, we are on the side of decency, we are on the side of what is right and, dammit, we're going to win.'
Garcia also took on Jim Oberweis, the dairy magnate and current Republican gubernatorial candidate who has made his anti-gay marriage stance known by calling for a state constitutional ban. 'The divorced Oberweis is traveling through the state of Illinois to 'protect marriage,' Garcia stated. 'Well, I have a couple of [ statements ] for Mr. Oberweis. Why didn't he protect his own marriage? And why isn't he milking a different cow, because Illinois doesn't take well to hatemongering and discrimination.' Garcia also urged a boycott of Oberweis' businesses: 'Our money should not and cannot enrich a man who will use it against us.'
Lambda Legal's Mona Noriega, who presided over the event, said that people need to do something to fight for equality—and the course of action that is taken needn't be elaborate. 'We need action—action as simple as talking to the people you love, talking to families and talking to friends,' she told the audience.
Other highlights included cake cuttings, a toast and a bouquet toss. Among the partners for the reception were Dignity Chicago, Illinois NOW, Orgullo En Accion, Equality Illinois, Lesbian Community Cancer Project, Gay Games VII and I2I ( Invincible to Invincible ) : Asian-Pacific Islander Pride.
