It may seem like a 'dog bikes man' non-news-story item, but the Human Rights Campaign endorsement of Democrat John Kerry for U.S. President does have some gay detractors. About a dozen GLBTs picketed outside the HRC Chicago gala last Saturday night because Kerry opposes same-sex marriage.
Kerry does oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment, but he does not back same-sex marriage itself.
'Our movement can either decide to follow the failed strategies of the Clinton years, which gave us the Defense of Marriage Act and 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' or we can confront those who oppose equal rights, regardless of their party affiliations,' the protesters said in a press release.
'From voting against the Defense of Marriage Act to actively opposing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' John Kerry is a true leader for our community,' said HRC President Cheryl Jacques. 'Just six months into his first Senate term in 1985, he introduced a gay civil-rights bill. His aggressive support for our community continued unabated for the years that followed, demonstrated time and again by perfect HRC ratings on GLBT issues in Congress.'
Out Loud Illinois, a group of Illinois GLBTs who have united to raise money for John Kerry's election for President and George W. Bush's defeat, held a Pride Week Kick Off June 21 at T's Restaurant and Bar.
Out Loud Illinois seeks to raise donations of $25 or more for John Kerry's presidential campaign from 5,000 Illinois GLBTs and their allies by July 20, 2004.
'We created Out Loud Illinois for the thousands of GLBTs who are looking for a way to give money and energy to the defeat of Bush and the election of John Kerry,' said Coco Soodek, organizer for Out Loud Illinois.
LGBT backers of John Kerry's candidacy for U.S. president will also march together in Chicago's Pride Parade.
See www.outloudillinois.org .