Marriage Now
As May 17 nears and with the religious right pushing for a federal amendment to ban same-gender marriage and an all-out assault on our rights both here in Illinois and across the country, it is imperative that the LGBTQ community and our allies join the fight for the RIGHT of same-gender couples to marry.
We are Equal Marriage NOW!, a newly formed Chicago-based activist group fighting for equal marriage rights in both Cook County and the state of Illinois. Our first actions, held on March 4 and March 11, targeted Cook County Clerk David Orr and brought out several hundred equal marriage supporters, many of them new to the activist movement. We also took on the Illinois Family Institute when they held their misnamed 'Protect Marriage' rally last month in downtown Chicago.
On April 15, we rallied at the Main Post Office in downtown Chicago, protesting the unequal treatment of same-gender couples who are not legally entitled to file taxes jointly; obtain joint health, home and auto insurance or even exchange tax-free gifts.
Through our mobilization, we have focused local attention on the issue of marriage equality and energized a local, grassroots movement.
Currently, we are planning a community forum addressing the question of LGBT rights vs. Civil Rights that will include speakers from communities of color addressing the question of whether the struggle for LGBT equality is part of a larger civil rights movement. In addition we are mobilizing for May 17, the date when Massachusetts will begin granting marriage licenses to same-gender couples, and we have plans for a series of events that will highlight the issue.
We encourage all those interested in fighting for the right of same-sex couples to marry to join us. Our meetings are held every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the John Merlo branch of the Chicago Public Library, 644 W. Belmont. For more information on Equal Marriage NOW!, contact us by phone at (773) 243-2576 or visit our Web site: www.equalmarriagenow.org .
EQUAL MARRIAGE NOW!