With the debate over 'gay marriage' beginning to ignite the national political landscape, Chicago Gay and
Lesbian leaders will lead a Town Hall Meeting on 'What's At Stake in the Marriage Debate' at 6:30 p.m.,
Thursday, Jan. 15 at the 1st Methodist Temple, Pierce Hall, 77 W. Washington St., Chicago. Speakers
include:
— Robert Castillo, a member of the Advocacy Committee of Chicago's Advisory Council on
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Issues.
— Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Chicago
Anti-Bashing Network and National Rally Coordinator, DontAmend.com .
— Rev. Karen Hutt, Co-Pastor of
the Church of the Open Door.
— Rick Garcia, Political Director, Equality Illinois.
— Camilla Taylor, Staff
Attorney, Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund.
Anti-gay forces are proposing an amendment to the
Constitution which not only would outlaw same-sex marriage, but would wipe out equal-rights legislation in
many localities across the country. LGBT leaders charge that the proposed amendment would permanently
cast gay people as second-class citizens and is a bridge to a much larger program. A look at leading
opponents of equal marriage rights shows many of them have lengthy anti-civil rights agendas, including
enforcement of 'traditional marriage' for women, opposition to choice, and intolerance of religious minorities.
For many LGBT people, denial of marriage means denial of healthcare, denial of adoption rights, denial of
naturalization rights for non-citizen partners in same-sex relationships, denial of pension and Social Security
benefits, and much more.
The Town Hall meeting is cosponsored by The Advocacy Committee of
Chicago's Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Issues, the Chicago Anti-Bashing
Network, Church of the Open Door and the Open Door Center for Community Change, DontAmend.com,
Equality Illinois and Illinois Gender Advocates. Info: e-mail CABNstopthehate@aol.com, www.CABN.org, call
(888) 471-0874.